| A retreat can rejuvenate, enhance, and provide | | | | simply offer a daily yoga class along with other |
| personal benefits way beyond a vacation. The | | | | natural activities and exercise, including walks and |
| whole idea behind a retreat is to set aside time | | | | hikes, boats rides, whale watching, and local tours. |
| for thought and reflection, learning or study, | | | | Or, it could be a retreat that combines yoga with |
| creativity and imagination, inspiration, and, rest and | | | | spa treatments, including massage, a mud bath, |
| relaxation. The general focus of a retreat is some | | | | sauna and hot tubs. |
| form of self improvement, in a setting that is | | | | Other health retreats focus more on other forms |
| peaceful and inspiring. If you haven't considered a | | | | of exercise, such as Pilates and stretching, and |
| retreat for your next vacation, here are some | | | | include more about nutrition and natural foods |
| ideas to consider. | | | | along with nature walks and perhaps journaling. |
| Spiritual and Religious Retreats | | | | But health and healing retreats can even go |
| There are countless flavors of spiritual and | | | | further and include things like natural herb cleansing |
| religious retreats. If you belong to a church, you | | | | drinks, body pH balancing, mineral baths and |
| may already know about retreats associated with | | | | therapy to address emotional issues. The idea is |
| your religion and their value. But there are also | | | | to rid both your mind and body of impurities. |
| many retreats based on spiritual beliefs and | | | | Then there are the numerous types of weight |
| understandings that are not entirely associated | | | | loss retreats. Some differentiate themselves from |
| with a particular religion. | | | | "fat farms" as they address body cleansing, and |
| How about a spiritual retreat that revolves around | | | | body and mind connections. Some integrate more |
| traveling to ancient sacred and spiritual sites? | | | | spa activities while others consider themselves as |
| These trips blend education along with meditation, | | | | more of a "boot camp". And still others focus |
| personal reflection, and the camaraderie of your | | | | more on non-class activities, such as walking, |
| group. Then there are spiritual retreats that focus | | | | hiking, and various ways of just being physically |
| more specifically on Buddha meditation, both for | | | | active. |
| those that know nothing about meditation, as well | | | | Hobby Retreats |
| as those who have been practicing it most of | | | | A hobby retreat is basically any vacation that |
| their lives. And, there are retreats that look at | | | | revolves around your interests. Surprisingly, |
| spirituality and enlightenment as a whole, drawing | | | | scrapbook retreats and quilting retreats are |
| on all religions, ancient cultures and science. There | | | | among the most popular hobby retreats of all. As |
| are so many types of spiritual retreats that you | | | | you would expect, these really are women's |
| are sure to fine something that will be both | | | | retreats. The idea is to join a bunch of other |
| educational and enlightening. | | | | ladies sharing a common hobby for a time of |
| Couples and Marriage Retreats | | | | fellowship, great food, and a diversion away from |
| Retreats designed to help improve your | | | | day to day life. |
| relationship with your spouse or partner varies | | | | Artist retreats and writing retreats are also very |
| tremendously. An intimacy retreat can be for | | | | popular. They are often found where there is a |
| couples who already have a loving and committed | | | | great deal of natural beauty, such as a country |
| relationship, yet would like to enhance their love | | | | estate or an exotic destination. Artist retreats will |
| life, and have a romantic vacation away from the | | | | also combine other activities, such as hiking to a |
| kids. Other couples retreats are custom tailored | | | | particular place that offers inspiration, along with |
| to your needs, whether your marriage itself is in | | | | local sight seeing, spa activities, and meditation. Or, |
| trouble, or is just a little shaky. | | | | how about an art or writing retreat based on a |
| Couples retreats can be primarily in a group | | | | cruise where you visit several ports? There are |
| setting, solely interacting with personal coaches, or | | | | so many great ways to become inspired. |
| any combination of the two. They can be at an | | | | Whatever kind of retreat you may consider, think |
| exotic destination, or closer to home. Whatever | | | | of a retreat as a fun way to enhance your life. |
| your situation, a couples retreat could be the | | | | Think of it as being something that you personally |
| most romantic vacation of your life, or actually | | | | enjoy, something you would not normally do, or a |
| save your marriage. | | | | fun way to improve your quality of life. Think of a |
| Health and Fitness Retreats | | | | retreat as an experience beyond a normal |
| Yoga is certainly one of the most popular types | | | | vacation. Then stop thinking and go ahead and |
| of health related retreats. A yoga retreat could | | | | give it a try! |