How to choose a yoga holiday

Caroline Sylge suggests how to find the right yogic break for you

A yoga holiday can help you tone up and energise the body, release pent-up stress and anxiety and reconnect with yourself in a short space of time. So what should you look for to ensure you book the right one?

The location

Yoga holidays are supposed to be just that - easy-going, relaxing, and a proper break away. The best are held in rejuvenating locations with soothing views, fresh air and plenty of peace. Beds should be comfortably large and firm, and you should ideally be able to have your own room if you're not travelling with a friend (for which you will usually pay extra). Access to local walks that don’t require a car, and proximity to water such as a swimming pool, a river or the sea, are of course always attractive options.

The activity

The best yoga holidays offer decent, effective twice-daily yoga classes, usually with a more energising, yang class in the morning and a more nurturing, yin session in the evening. Time is usually set aside for pranayama and meditation, as well as asanas. There should be plenty of space and opportunity during the day for creating, walking, thinking, journaling, sight-seeing if you’re so inclined, or just hanging out. Access to good massage and holistic treatments is vital to help ease your muscles and life coaching can sort out your mind. These often cost extra, but can really add to your break if the therapists are good - ask in advance.

The food

The quality of food on offer is important. You should be served always delicious and mostly organic and natural foods grown on the land. Sometimes fish is an option, but not meat, and in some cases, no dairy products. Eating a cleansing, healthy diet will support your yoga and its natural detoxing effect, and a vegetarian diet promotes Ahimsa, the sanctity of all living creatures, an important part of yogic philosophy.

The teaching

The teaching will make or break your yoga holiday, so choose with care. You want to find an inspiring, experienced and ego-free teacher, whose chosen method and teaching style suits your own character and taste. The best teachers have usually been influenced by a range of styles, and will bring their own secret ingredient to their yoga classes, as well as sound knowledge of anatomy to help prevent injuries.

Most yoga holidays are aimed at all levels, so the teacher should be skilled at handling a mix of abilities, ensuring everyone feels nurtured and challenged but never bored or over-stretched. This is not always the case, however, so be warned. Ask lots of questions, and if you can, try a class with the named teacher before you commit.

If you’re new to yoga

If you’re new to yoga, it's a good idea to try a few yoga classes with different teachers before choosing a holiday. In our experience, if you are a beginner, yoga teachers with the wisdom gained from real, lived life experience are the ones to look out for. Feel at liberty to ask a yoga teacher about their training before you book your yoga holiday, though bear in mind that becoming a yoga teacher isn’t like training to be a fitness instructor – as well as having qualifications, teachers will draw on their life experience and depth of their own practice, and not all styles and methods of teaching will suit everyone. Remember, just because someone's classes are packed out doesn't mean their yoga is the best for you.