The thought of going on your first yoga retreat can be daunting. You might have many questions such as am I experienced enough?

Who else will be there? Am I fit enough to keep up with all the classes and activities? Will it even feel like a holiday?

No worries, when you get there, there’s no need to plan anything. It’s all done for you. The days are mostly structured and you will be catered for. So there is nothing to do but relax and unwind, and take it in your stride.

A yoga retreat could be the perfect next step from your regular weekly class if you want to learn more and develop your yoga, or even if you just want to spend more time practicing without all the distractions of life. Most retreats cater for everyone from beginners to fully-practiced yogis and yoginis so there’s no need to worry about your fitness levels.

What are you looking for in a yoga retreat?

Before booking a yoga retreat, be clear about what you hope to get out of it. Having an intention will help you make the most out of the holiday. Next, think about the location. Would you prefer to be in a hot country on the beach or close to home in the countryside? Near majestic mountains or a tropical paradise? It’s usually best to choose somewhere that will inspire you; that gives you the energy you’re looking for.

Don’t let the idea of a group holiday put you off. The thought of a whole week with strangers – eating together, exercising together and sometimes sharing a room – can be daunting, but the kinds of people who will be there, are just like you. They too are looking for a relaxing break to focus on themselves, and besides, there are no rules against eating alone or taking some time off from yoga classes to take a walk by yourself. But generally, a sense of community will build. You will bond with each other and you might make some good friends out of the experience.

Go with an open mind because you will undoubtedly learn things about yourself, and learn new things about yoga. If you’re hesitant about booking a week-long retreat, there are plenty of long weekend alternatives instead, which will give you the opportunity to ‘try them out’ without committing too much time or money.

Wherever you decide to go, you’ll come home feeling happier and refreshed with a positive outlook!

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If you decide that yoga isn’t for you after all, take a look at our Tai Chi retreats.

The post Make your Next Holiday a Yoga Retreat appeared first on Neals Yard Holidays Blog.

Do you treat your skin with care when it comes to exposing it to sunshine?
Do you know how to read the first signs of skin cancer?

Be careful when jetting off to a yoga retreat this summer because the number of people developing the most deadly form of skin cancer – malignant melanoma – has increased five times since the 1970s new research has found.

Statistics by Cancer Research UK shows that 13,000 people every year develop this harmful skin cancer compared to just 1,800 people a year in the 1970s. The organisation suggests that many factors have contributed to this rise including the popularity of sunbeds and cheap package holidays to sunny destinations.  The number of people who develop non-melanoma skin cancer in the UK is in excess of 100,000 every year.

The first sign of non-melanoma skin cancer is usually the appearance of a lump or patch on the skin that doesn’t heal after a few weeks. The most common sign of melanoma is the appearance of a new mole or a change in an existing mole. This can happen anywhere on the body, but most often the back, legs, arms and face are affected. The main difference between non-melanoma and melanoma skin cancer is that melanoma skin cancer spreads throughout the body very quickly thereby reducing your chances of survival dramatically.

Despite recovery success, skin cancer is a very serious type of cancer and cannot always be treated successfully. The main treatment for both non-melanoma and melanoma is surgery and if diagnosed early, surgery is usually successful. However, if the cancer is not caught early, then other treatments such as chemotherapy may be needed.

If you are setting off for one of yoga retreats this summer, it’s important to understand the skin cancer risk factors. These include:

• fair skin
• moles and freckles
• light coloured eyes
• a personal or family history of skin cancer
• a history of sunburn.

No doubt you will want to spend time in the sun during your yoga retreat, but don’t forget that sun damage is just that – damaging, and most of the time you won’t realise the damage until it’s too late. So make sure you stay in the shade for the first few days to let your skin adjust gradually. Guess what, even in the shade your skin tans, just slowly! And your body still creates that all important Vitamin D for which it requires the sun’s rays on the skin! (More on Vitamin D from BBC Radio 4.) See also our blog on Vitamin D in the spotlight.

Do you strike the right balance? – Sit in the shade where possible and wear a hat and UV protective sunglasses to shield your face and eyes. When exposing yourself to direct sunshine you may like to use plenty of sun cream (at least SPF 15) and reapply every couple of hours or after swimming.

See our yoga retreat summer holidays for your getaway this year.

The post Yoga Retreat Skin Cancer Warning appeared first on Neals Yard Holidays Blog.

The summer is the perfect time of year to swim, whether that’s in a pool, a lake or the sea. With hot weather, it’s important to find ways to keep cool and a quick dip can be just the thing, so we’ve picked some of the best health retreats for swimming.

This health retreat in Turkey is just a 10-minute walk from Paradise Bay where you can swim in the sea that’s warm for eight months of the year. Another nearby beach stretches for half a mile and is perfect for a relaxing break in the sun. Take a cruise to nearby bays where you can swim in crystal clear waters. The yoga centre is situated on the edge of a pine forest which offers a route into the local town. Enjoy a traditional Turkish Hamam and a range of yoga for a truly relaxing experience.

Or maybe a luxury health retreat in Italy is what you need. Practice yoga on the terrace with a beautiful view of the sea, then go for a swim in it afterwards. Or enjoy the hotel’s own swimming pool and private beach. There’s charming cafes and Italian restaurants nearby serving delicious, local food and wine. Enjoy yoga, massages and facials in this luxury 5-star setting that will certainly leave you refreshed and rejuvenated.

Sri Lanka offers some fantastic yoga retreats and this tropical health retreat is no exception. Here, you can swim in natural spring water from the mountains which run into the huge on-site lake. This retreat is nestled in between the water and paddy fields and jungle. Stay in traditional adobe huts and take part in optional, but inclusive, yoga twice daily or unwind with Ayurveda treatments. The surroundings are truly exquisite and a perfect place to unwind. Lie in the hammocks, watch the monkeys, go kayaking or swimming and just ‘be’. This retreat is open from June to August.

For more health retreats that offer swimming, see our website. We look forward to helping you plan your summer getaway.

The post Our hand-picked Health Retreats for Swimming appeared first on Neals Yard Holidays Blog.

Looking for winter sun and where to go for Christmas?
Here is a selection of our Best Christmas Retreats.

Christmas always seems like a long way off and then suddenly catches up with us. If you want to swap the festive stress and cold weather with a rejuvenating retreat of yoga and warm sunshine this year, there’s no time to waste. Some of our most popular Neal’s Yard Holidays retreats are already full, and many others will get booked up by mid-October.

If you are tied to a Christmas at home, or only have a few days to spare – not to worry. We’ve also got some lovely short breaks on offer, right here in the UK. So you can still escape for a relaxing and rejuvenating few days before the start of the new year.

But first, let’s talk about sunshine:

In Sri Lanka, you can truly get away from it all at Srimal Plantation Villa. Off the beaten track and surrounded by nature, you’ll wake up to the sound of tropical birds, enjoy a tailored programme of Ayurveda treatments and while away your days exploring the local villages and rural countryside.

Will you choose winter sun? In any case you can make this your best Christmas. See more choice of Christmas and New Year retreats.

The post Where to go for Christmas retreats appeared first on Neals Yard Holidays Blog.