Yoga BLOG

Yoga trend: Virtual yoga retreats and their benefits Are you looking for relaxation, exercise, and community? Then virtual retreats might be just the thing for you. Here you'll find everything you desire: solitude, introspection, fun, yogic exercises, and a break from your everyday life. In this article, you'll learn exactly what these are, what to look for when booking, and what benefits they can offer. What are virtual yoga retreats? Generally, this word describes a gathering of people who share a common interest: yoga, movement, meditation, and mindfulness. During a retreat, various yoga sessions are offered—this always depends on the provider. Some retreats, for example, focus solely on Yin Yoga, while others emphasize other styles or even a blend of different yoga types. You're free to choose what you need most. Meditations, sound baths, or similar exercises are often offered to complement the yoga sessions holistically. Because more and more things are happening online these days, and many things no longer require a physical physical meeting, this approach has also been explored with retreats. This means you can conveniently boot up your laptop or tablet from home and have full access to the yoga sessions via a video communication platform. Thanks to the high quality, it sometimes feels like the other yogis are right there in your room. This is especially true if you attend the retreats with VR headsets, which creates the feeling that you're all in the studio together. Regardless of this modern technology, the feeling of togetherness can also arise only through the screen. What are the advantages compared to offline events? If you're wondering whether the online option is the right choice for you, we've put together an overview of the advantages. So you can decide for yourself whether this is what you want. A major advantage is that the costs for an online event are usually significantly lower. This is logical: There's no need to pay for meals, accommodation, or rent a yoga room. If you're shy and want to delve into the topic first, it might be beneficial to do so online first. This way, you can lay out your mat in your familiar environment, such as your living room, and begin following the instructions. You can cook your own food and organize your breaks as you wish. Ideally, there will even be recordings of the individual yoga sessions, so you can easily watch them again and again. This isn't possible with an offline event. You save yourself the trip to the location – this is a great advantage, especially for very busy people. The yoga sessions can take place (if you use VR glasses) in the most beautiful places in the world without you having to leave your living room. Booking an online yoga event: What do I need to consider? If these points appeal to you and you consider it a great opportunity to escape from everyday stress and refocus on yourself, then you can look for specific offers. You can find a wide selection of different retreats online. When booking, you should pay attention to the following: How much does it cost? This should be an important consideration if you're on a tight budget. Depending on how much money you have available, you can compare the different options. Often, a one- or two-day retreat, which is obviously significantly cheaper than a multi-day retreat, is all you need to feel yourself again and feel more relaxed. What yoga sessions are offered? What else is included? It's important to pay attention to which program elements are being implemented. Here, you can listen to yourself and your gut feeling. See what you need and what you want. Often, a classic program without a lot of extras can be much more pleasant than one that also offers breathwork, mantra chanting, workshops, or similar activities. On the other hand, the wide variety can suit the tastes of those who want to try out a concentrated load of different things. Are the classes for beginners or advanced students? If you're new to the field, you should definitely check whether the level is too challenging. There's no point in enrolling in a class as a beginner if you don't feel comfortable because the asanas are too strenuous. Your fitness level plays a big role when booking, so you can choose the right class. Find out about the experiences of others who have already booked and read the reviews. If you have any physical complaints , be sure to talk to your doctor and always pay close attention to your health and listen to your body. Yoga event: How do you make it as enjoyable as possible? Now the big day has finally arrived and you are wondering what you should prepare. First and foremost, it's important that you make sure you're not disturbed. If you live with your partner, children, or roommates, let them know that you'd like to be undisturbed on those days. Set up your room so you feel comfortable. Lay out your mat, pillow , blanket, and comfortable clothing. Essential oils in a diffuser, incense sticks, or candles can also create a cozy atmosphere. Prepare enough food and drink in case the sessions take place quickly one after the other and there is little time left for them. It's best to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, drink plenty of water or herbal tea, and be careful not to overeat before exercise. This will prevent you from feeling bloated. If a lot of thoughts and feelings come up, which can be completely normal, then keep a journal/diary ready in which you can write down all your experiences. During the exercise sessions, you should always make sure to include enough relaxation. Have you heard about this trend and participated in an event from home? If so, how was it for you, and would you say this trend is worth adopting to unwind from your stressful everyday life?