My Retreat Hosting Journey
Find out how I started being a Retreat Host and how I got to where I am now!
I’ll let you into a little secret - I didn’t start teaching Yoga thinking that I would be running multiple sell-out Retreat year! In fact, it hadn’t even crossed my mind that running a Retreat would be possible when I started teaching in 2014.
I first went to a Yoga class in 2009, when a friend suggested it, because a “local celebrity” had spoken on the radio about going to a new Hot Yoga Studio that had opened nearby. At the time I was working full time in a very stressful job, I had out-of-control anxiety and huge flare-ups of eczema on my body that I didn’t know how to manage. We decided to go to along to this Hot Yoga class, just to see what it was all about.
After that class, something happened, I started to crave that feeling of not thinking about anything, other than being on my mat. The feeling of physically moving my body, syncing that movement with my breath an then a (desperately needed) relaxation at the end soon became a way of life for me.
In 2014 I left the corporate world and deep dived into a Yoga Teacher Training. This is still one of the best life decisions I have ever made! I wanted to help women like me, who were stressed out and anxious, find some peace and calm in their lives through Yoga, and so I started teaching as soon as I qualified.
My Yoga following grew steadily and consistently and in 2016 I ran my first weekend Yoga Retreat which SOLD OUT! Like I said, this wasn’t really on my agenda, but a class member returned from a Yoga Retreat and was excitedly talking about to other class members and they asked “would you run a Retreat, Ruth?” Put on the spot, with all these faces staring at me, I was sort of like “why not?!” and that got the ball rolling!
My first Retreat was at a family run place in Warwickshire, with loads of character and very quirky. It was a brilliant venue to start at, because they had been running them for a while and could recommend local caterers and therapists, so that saved me loads of time searching. They also only charged me per head, which made it a very risk-free opportunity for me and this really helped me find my feet and build my Retreat Host confidence!
This first Retreat didn’t go without some hitches though - I didn’t go and look at the venue before I booked it and one of the bedrooms was basically a junk room in the attic! This is why I ALWAYS tell you to go and look at a venue before booking it!
The chef I hired for this Retreat didn’t do breakfasts or desserts, which meant I had to dash out of the morning Yoga class midway through, to put the breakfast I had prepared in the oven! After 2 Retreats doing this, I vowed never to do this again and only booked chefs that did all the meals going forwards because I really hated that extra stress making the breakfast added to my hosting.
Other than those blips, my first Retreat went well and I rebooked the venue for another Retreat 6 months later. This sold out again and I didn’t use the attic room this time! After using the venue for my 2nd Retreat, I felt like I had outgrown this venue and my guests were starting to change and grow - they wanted more of a luxurious, rather than quirky space, ensuite rooms were requested and more comfy, communal areas. This was where my love for finding Retreat venues began!
I seemed to be spending a HUGE amount of my time searching for venues online, with a very specific list of wants & needs for my Retreat venue. I would travel the length & breadth of the country to find the perfect place, only to be disappointed when I got there - they had failed to mention a busy road nearby or the rooms were much smaller than the photos made out!
In 2017 I ran my first luxury Yoga Retreat weekend in The Peak District - a place close to my heart as I have been going hiking there since I was a child. I planned this Retreat at the same time as I was planning my wedding - I like to put myself under a bit of pressure!
This 2nd venue was a beautiful, luxury barn conversion and completely different from the first venue I had used. It was also much more money to hire it, which was quite a bit of a worry if I’m honest. I visited the venue this time before I booked it and met the owners and booked a chef who would take care of all the meals for me. This Retreat sold out, but was the first time that I had to manage cancellations - late ones at that AND from friends who I hadn’t taken deposits off.
This Retreat booking was a steep learning curve and taught me so much about boundaries and the importance of having my admin and terms & conditions in order. After all that stress, the last remaining space sold out as I was driving TO the venue - literally hours before the Retreat started! What a relief, although I had been dreaming about giving myself that room!!!!
That venue really showed me that my guests value luxury, comfort, loads of space and great views and these are things I still look for in my venue searches today. Since then, I have run Retreats regularly around the UK in Shropshire, Derbyshire, Wales, Somerset, Lincolnshire, Staffordshire & Worcestershire to name a few. I started running 2 a year in 2017 and as the demand grew for them, I added more each year. In 2024 I am running 5 Retreats - all sold out and I’m already fully booked for a Retreat in 2025.
Some venues I use regularly in my rotation of venues, where as others didn’t work so well for us - not enough room, noisy roads, uncomfy accommodation, unfriendly owners etc. But you sometimes have to experience these things before you know about them and I always learn something from each venue I use. The ones that don’t work for us just spur me on to find more venues!
The reason my Retreats sell out so quickly (sometimes less than 24 hours after advertising them!), is because people know what to expect. They know the quality of the accommodation will be high, they know the food will be amazing because I use the same chef every time and she is perfect and they trust me to create an itinerary that they will enjoy.
I do regular market research on my guests, to find out what they are looking for and build my Retreats around that. This means that when I advertise a Retreat, I have a queue of people who know it’s EXACTLY what they are looking for and are ready to sign up & pay their deposits. At the end of every Retreat I send out a feedback form so that I can look at what could be improved next time - this is always so insightful and if you are running Retreats and aren’t doing this already, I highly recommend it.
I wouldn’t be able to sell out multiple Retreats every year without all the hard work I put in behind the scenes - showing up week in, week out at classes for years, building genuine and authentic relationships with people, putting my all into every Retreat and event that I run and not rushing the process! If you’re thinking about running a Retreat, start with the background work first and don’t rush things. Rushing this step is only going to make your job harder down the line, when you’re desperately trying to fill spaces on your Retreats!
Here’s to another 8 (hopefully more) years as a Retreat host, constantly learning, evolving, growing and creating sell out experiences that my guests love!
5 Ways To Support Your Guests After A Retreat
Learn ways to support your guests long after the Yoga Retreat you hosted, has finished
Hosting a Retreat is such an amazing and rewarding experience. It really is an opportunity to create a transformative space where your guests can deepen their Yoga practice, connect with like-minded people and recharge, away from the stress of their daily routines & responsibilities. But what happens once the Retreat is over? How can you, as a Yoga Teacher, continue to support your guests as they transition our of the “Retreat Bubble” and back into their everyday lives?
I’ve just got back from running my Wild Woman Retreat, my 2nd Retreat of 2024 and what an amazing experience it was! We had fantastic weather (it felt like summer) and the Northern Lights gave us a spectacular show on the first night. The space we used was just fantastic for helping guests make some big changes - with so many spaces for yoga-ing, relaxing, contemplating, forest bathing and just being. I had used this venue last year and it was amazing then, but the weather was cold and wet - not very inspiring for a back-to-nature Retreat!
But we are all back home again now, without the excitement of a Retreat looming (except for the next one, of course!) and hearing how my guests are struggling to get back into the routine of things again, got me thinking about ways that I can support my guests better for a long time AFTER the Retreat has ended.
In this blog, we’ll look at strategies that you can use to help your guests keep the benefits they gained during the Retreat going, and encourage them to continue on their wellness and self care journey. Whether you’re planning your first Retreat or have already run a few, these tips will help you provide lasting value to your guests.
Create a Follow-Up Plan
One of the best (and easiest) ways to support your guests post-Retreat is by having a well thought-out plan, that you have already prepared, before your Retreat has even started! This could include:
Personalised Emails - Sending a personalised email (using a basic template) to each guest thanking them for coming, recapping key/memorable/funny moments from the Retreat and providing them with encouragement for their continued practice or transformation. This is a great way for your guest to feel valued, seen and heard and will help to keep them motivated.
Group Follow-Up - Send a group email (or Whatsapp) that includes photos/stories etc and encourage your guests to share their highlights and photos too. This will encourage relationships from the Retreat to continue outside of the event and help guests support each other.
Scheduled Check-Ins - Set a schedule for regular check-ins with your guests to see how they are getting on and if they are managing to include the experience and practices, into their daily lives. After the initial contact, I reach out 1 week, 6 weeks and 3 months after the Retreat, to show the guests that I am still there supporting them and to build a better connection/trust.
2. Provide Resources from the Retreat
Help your guests keep the Retreat feeling going, by sending them tools and resources that they can use at home. This could include:
Practice Guides - Sequences, Meditations, Affirmations, Journal Prompts, Readings/Poems etc that you used on the Retreat.
Recorded Sessions - You could record these during the Retreat itself, or (like I prefer to do), record them after the Retreat so guests can revisit them.
Reading Lists - Provide a list of recommended books, articles, videos etc that align with the themes and teachings of the Retreat.
3. Create an Online Community
Building your community doesn’t need to stop when your Retreat is over! Creating an online space where your guests can stay in touch and support each other is invaluable! Think about:
Social Media Groups - Create a private Facebook Group or Whatsapp group for Retreat Guests. I have a Retreat Guest Facebook group for everyone that has attended a Retreat and then separate Whatsapp groups for each Retreat, so it doesn’t get too confusing! Encourage previous Retreat guests to share their experiences with newbies, so they know what to expect!
Virtual Meetups - Host regular meetups (I use Zoom) for your guests to join. This gives them a chance to ask you any questions they may have & will save you writing out the answer time and time again to any regularly-asked questions! This is also a great way for guests to reconnect with each other.
4. Offer Continued Development
Encourage your guests to deepen their practice & to keep learning, by offering them additional resources and opportunities. Things like:
Workshops & Classes - Did your guests love a class/workshop that you ran on a Retreat? Could you re-work it, or advance it and run it again, just for Retreat guests?
Retreat VIP Programme - Create a programme or bundle of classes for previous Retreat guests that provides them with ongoing education and community support
Discounts & Incentives - Provide discounts on future Retreats and events & open bookings to previous guests first. This is how I fill my Retreats most of the time, by opening bookings to previous guests for 7 days, before I open the dates up to everyone else!
Collect Feedback & Improve
Finally gather feedback from your guests to understand their wants & needs better and to improve future Retreats. Ways to do this include:
Surveys - Send out a post-Retreat survey to find out what worked well and what didn’t work so well! I send this out via googledocs, electronically, within the first 48 hours of returning home after a Retreat. I allow mine to be completed anonymously, to help people feel like they can give honest feedback.
Feedback Session - Hold a virtual feedback session (or send via email), where you address the problems raised in the feedback and show your guests how you plan on making the changes. You could even ask for suggestions and their opinions on what they think about the proposed changes!
Conclusion
Supporting your guests after a Yoga Retreat is crucial to help them integrate all the things they have learned and the benefits, into their everyday lives. By creating a follow-up plan (that you have already prepared), building your community, providing support and resources and staying in touch regularly, you can make sure that your guests are still thriving and using the Retreat to their advantage long after the retreat has finished.
Remember, the Retreat is just the start. With your ongoing support and guidance, your guests can continue their wellness journey!
How Your Mindset Shapes Your Yoga Business Success
Is your Mindset holding you back from a successful Yoga or Wellness business?
As someone in the Yoga & Wellness space, you’re no stranger to the power of Mindset! You get how important it is to develop a positive outlook, stay present and welcome challenges on & off the mat. But do you apply that to your business? Have you ever thought about how your Mindset impacts the success of your Yoga/Wellness business?
The Comfort Zone Conundrum
It’s easy to get comfortable in your Yoga teaching routine - sticking to familiar sequences, teaching at the same place (or on Zoom) and seeing the same faces every week. But whilst there’s comfort in familiarity, there’s also stagnation. Your comfort zone can quickly become a barrier to your growth, trapping you in a cycle of same-old, same-old and stoppig your business from reaching it’s full potential.
Fear of Failure
One of the most common mindset blocks that I see with Yoga Teachers (myself included), is the fear of failure. Whether it’s the fear of not being good enough (hello, self worth!), the fear of rejection or failure, of the fear of financial insecurity. These fears can paralyse you and stop you from taking steps forward in your business!
But the thing is, failure is NOT the enemy! It’s a stepping stone on the path to success & we can learn SO MUCH from failure! I see it as an opportunity to learn, grow and evolve both personally and professionally.
The Comparison Trap
In today’s social-media driven world, it’s all too easy to fall into the comparison trap! You see other Yoga Teachers posting professional photos of their super busy classes, beautiful Retreats & their free lifestyle, allowing them to work whenever and wherever they please. Suddenly, your own journeys feels inadequate and insignificant. But comparison really is the thief of joy & creativity!
So instead of focusing on what others are doing, focus on your own unique strengths, skills and values. Being authentic is magnetic - be you, embrace who you TRULY are and what you have to offer and you’ll attract the right people.
Scarcity Mindset
Another common mindset problem that Yoga Techers suffer with is the Scarcity Mindset - the belief that there isn’t enough to go round. This is something that I came across when I told people that I help others sell out their Retreats! I was asked “aren’t they your direct competition?” and “by helping other Retreat Leaders aren’t you taking business away from yourself?” And my answer was NO!
Whether it’s students, Retreats or resources, coming from a place of scarcity only breeds competition, comparison and fear! The reality is, is that there are PLENTY of students, Retreats and resources to go round and MORE than enough to support your own success!
Rather than coming from a Scarcity Mindset, we can celebrate the success of others, collaborate with others (rather than see them as competition) and trust in the flow of abundance. There really is enough for all of us, don’t let your mindset tell you otherwise!
Shifting your Mindset for Success
So how do you break free from these limiting beliefs and step into your full potential as a successful Retreat Leader and Yoga Teacher? It starts with awareness. Take some time to think about your beliefs, thoughts and behaviours - are they serving your dreams or holding you back? What stories do you tell yourself that keep you in your comfort zone? Once you’ve identified these mindset blocks, you can begin to reframe them into something more positive & helpful to your success.
Cultivate a Growth Mindset
Adopt the philosophy of “growth over fixed”. Instead of thinking that your abilities, skills and talents are fixed, think of them as potential areas for growth & development. Welcome a mindset of curiosity, resilience and continuous learning. Remember that every setback is an opportunity to learn & grow stronger.
Practice Self-Compassion
How often have you reminded your Yoga Students to be kind to themselves during a class, but rarely show any self-compassion to yourself?
You’re human, and it’s ok to make mistakes, experience setbacks, feel vulnerable and have knowledge gaps! Treat yourself with the same compassion and understanding that you show your students on the mat.
Self Compassion helps you develop more resilience, confidence and a sense of inner peace - which are all very much needed when growing a business!
Take Inspired Action
Step out of your comfort zone & take inspired action towards your goals. Whether your goals are launching a day or weekend Retreat, reaching out for more support or learning new skills that are going to help your business grow, trust your vision and take bold, decisive steps forward. Remember - growth happens outside your comfort zone.
Surround Yourself with Support
Surround yourself with a supportive community of Yoga Teachers, mentors and like-minded people who uplift and inspire you. Seek out opportunities for collaborations, mentorships and growth. Together we are stronger & rise!
Finally…
Your mindset really does shape your reality. By breaking free from your limiting beliefs, welcoming abundance and new (more positive) beliefs and taking inspired action, you can unleash your full potential as a successful & confident Retreat Leader! Step boldly into the unknown, trust in the process and watch your business thrive.
The Confident Retreat Leader Programme
If you’re looking for more support in your Retreat business, the Confident Retreat Leader Programme is starting on 21st May. The 5 month course is open to anyone who would like to learn how to take their Retreat from the initial dream stage to a successful, profitable business that their clients love. Full Details here:
5 Mistakes to Avoid When Planning a Yoga Retreat
A Yoga Retreat (or wellness Retreat) is a great way to take your community away from your regular drop-in classes & help your clients to delve deeper into their practice & the lifestyle.
It’s a chance for you to get to know your clients EVEN better and for them to spend some quality time with you too!
Because a Retreat is spread over a much longer period of time than a class, and your clients are taken out of their usual environment and routines, it’s much more likely that they are open to learning and doing new things. This means that you get to help them with a transformation that might not be possible in a 60 minute once-a-week, group setting.
And this is HUGE!!! So if you are planning on running a Retreat and you’re ready to help your dream clients with their dream transformations, make sure you don’t make these 5 mistakes!
Mistake #1: You don’t know who your Retreat is for
This is probably the main reason that I see Retreats not selling out (or in some cases, not selling at all!). So many people think that if they build a Retreat, people will come and this just isn’t the case. Whilst I DO believe that you can sell out and make a profit from a Retreat with just a small following, you need to be crystal clear on who your Retreat is aimed at, for it to sell.
Doing your research is the only way of finding this out - does your community want a Retreat? Do they have time? Money? How far are they willing to travel? What commitments do they have (family, children, work etc)? You need to be asking all these questions, BEFORE you start planning your Retreat. Without these answers, you’ll just be throwing ideas around until something sticks - and from experience, this is exhausting!!! Speak to your community to get crystal clear on what they want from a Retreat and keep referring back to this throughout the whole planning process.
Mistake #2: You don’t know where to start
Planning a Retreat means spinning a lot of plates, all at the same time and this can feel really overwhelming! But starting at the beginning, with strong foundations of who your ideal clients are and what they want, should help guide you when you’re making decisions. (Remember, this Retreat is ALL about them - not you!)
So once you’ve got feedback from your community, start looking at venues - if your clients want luxury, I wouldn’t bother wasting your time looking at campsites. Likewise, if the research shows that your community only want to travel 1-2 hours away from their home location, there’s no point looking at Retreats a millions miles away.
This also applies to activities. If your clients are looking for a relaxing weekend away, they aren’t going to be expecting a 10 mile hike before breakfast! Oh and talking of food, find a chef that aligns with what your guests want - if they are all avid carnivores, a raw vegan chef probably isn’t going to be for them!
Use the feedback from your clients to shape an experience that is EXACTLY what they want & need.
Mistake #3: You Think No-one Will Come
Limiting beliefs like this are what stop most Yoga Teachers from running a Retreat. If you believe that nobody will come, you don’t fully believe in your ability to run a profitable and successful Retreat. You might feel like you don’t have the know-how, the experience, or that other Retreats you have seen on Instagram are going to be better than yours.
But I promise you, if you do the work BEFORE planning and advertising your Retreat and get super clear and who it serves & why you’re doing it, people will come. You just need to step out of your comfort zone and own your power - you know you can do it, you just don’t want to look like a failure.
Mistake #4: You Undercharge for Your Retreat
Undercharging. This links back to your limiting beliefs that nobody will come to your Retreat, or you aren’t good enough to charge X amount. You might charge less because you think that it will get more people in, or because you don’t believe in your Retreat enough to charge what it is worth.
Undercharging for your time and energy just devalues your Retreat (and other Yoga Teachers, to be honest). Stand in your power and charge what your Retreat is worth.
During the budgeting phase of your Retreat planning process, over-cost things to make sure that all your outgoings are covered. Use a worst-case scenario and budget to have a smaller number of guests that you expect.
Mistake #5: Your Itinerary is Too Busy!
Make sure you allow plenty of free time on your Retreat, for your guests (and you!) to enjoy. Remember the reason WHY people have come on your Retreat, they probably won’t want to be rushed around all weekend and would actually benefit from some downtime to relax.
Stay flexible with your timings - changes often happen on Retreats that are completely out of your control (hello British weather!), so I would always recommend having a plan b. This could be an indoors activity instead of an outdoor one, or having a workshop/extra class up your sleeve “just in case”.
Also, never underestimate how long it takes a group of people to do something! I once did a walking route with my husband (prior to a Retreat), which took us (and the dog!) about 2 hours to do. A few weeks later, with a group of 15 women, the exact same route took us almost 4 hours!!! Needless to say, we were pretty late eating lunch on that Retreat!
If you are using guest speakers on your Retreat, discuss your timetable with them and allow plenty of time for setup beforehand and some wiggle room if their session runs over, afterwards.
So there you go, 5 mistakes to avoid when you’re planning your next Yoga or Wellness Retreat! Running a Retreat can be a scary (terrifying!) journey, but once you have the foundations in place, they are amazing and SO rewarding!
If you’re interested in running Retreats for your community, but don’t know where to start - why not join us for the Ready to Retreat FREE 5 Day Challenge? It starts on Monday 22nd April 2024 and will help you with the foundations of planning a Retreat - from budgeting to sales & marketing and planning an itinerary.
Sign up for FREE here: subscribepage.io/5xkM38
How To Find Your Dream Retreat Venue
Learn how to find your dream Yoga & Wellness Retreat venue, with tips & tricks to help you get the most out of your search.
I have been running Retreats for 7 years now, but I still spend HOURS (days, weeks!) searching online for amazing venues.
I have a few venues that I regularly use in rotation, but like to find some new places to keep things fresh & keep my regular clients interested.
In today’s blog, I’m going to go through some of the key points that will help you find your dream Retreat venue (and one that your clients will love too!)
LOCATION
Let’s start with location. Do you have a location in mind? Perhaps you have a favourite place that you visited as a child, or a location that you regularly visit and want to take your clients to.
Think about your location and what activities you want to include on your Retreat. There’s no point organising a Hiking Retreat, if your venue is located in a super flat part of the country. Or if you’re thinking about providing a relaxing and restorative weekend for your guests, but your venue is in the middle of a bustling town.
Do plenty of research on the area you are looking at, or even ask the venue owner/manager if they have any recommendations of activities or local people who may be able to come in for a workshop.
Something else to consider is how far your dream guests are willing to travel and if your venue is located in a position that has decent transport links.
When I first starting running Retreats, I booked a venue that was less than an hours drive away from where most of my following was located. This meant that clients were more likely to join as the commitment to travel didn’t seem to big and the Retreat still felt like a get-away, even though it was in the next county.
Now that my business has grown, and the trust people have in my Retreats has grown, I book venues further afield, but it’s definitely something to keep in mind if you are just starting out.
ACCOMMODATION
So you have a location in mind, now it’s time to find a suitable venue for your Retreat.
Keep in mind who your Retreat is for - would your guests be happy with a campsite or are they looking for something more luxurious? If you aren’t sure about this - ask them! Put the feelers out and see what response you get back.
Once you know this, you can start to look at venues in a bit more detail - what kind of vibe are you going for?
I’ve always gone for big house, quite luxurious (yet comfortable) places. I like old farmhouses that have been renovated, quirky spaces or something with a bit of character.
It is, of course, entirely possible to host a Retreat where guests are spread across various accommodations, like cottages for example, and you use one cottage as the main “hub” to eat, socialise etc. In my experience, I prefer to keep everyone together in one big house, with communal spaces and ideally, a separate space for Yoga, but separate spaces may work well for your guests!
In terms of bedrooms, get an idea of how many people you would like to host and work from there. Do the beds split so that you can have twins or doubles? This is a real big selling factor for me, because it means you can be a bit more flexible with your bookings! Do they rooms have shared bathrooms or ensuites? Will your guests be happy sharing a bathroom?
The layout of the venue is a real big one for me and is something that you definitely shouldn’t ignore when looking for a venue.
Keep in mind the activities that you would like to include in your itinerary and any noise from the rest of the house. For example, keep plenty of space between your Yoga space & the kitchen, so your chef can bang their pots & pans without disturbing you!
Make use of online floorplans and then go and have a look round the venue, to really get a feel for it. Don’t forget to take a list of questions to ask and a tape measure to measure up any spaces for Yoga etc!
BUDGET
Do you already have a budget in mind? Or maybe you have an idea of how much you would like to charge per person.
Divide all your costs (venue, catering, workshops etc) between the number of guests you would ideally like and see if it works. If you are completely stuck for pricing, take a look at other similar offerings to yours and price it accordingly.
Budget wise, it’s always best to over-plan and have some extra money left over, rather than under-plan and cut yourself short!
EXTRAS
It’s always good to be able to offer your guests a little something extra (not always necessary, but definitely nice!)
Think about things like:
A hot tub
Local knowledge - activities to do in the local area
Free car parking
Electric car charging points (becoming much more popular!)
Quiet space for mobile therapists to come along & give treatments (payable extra)
There’s so much to think about when you are planning a Retreat, but putting the time & effort into the planning stage will really pay off when it comes to marketing & running your event.
Guests will really appreciate the extra mile you have gone to, to make things super special for them and will want to keep coming back!
My main advice when it comes to finding a Retreat Venue is to think outside the box! Don’t be afraid to look at big holiday homes, hotels, party houses, campsites, wedding venues, holiday cottage complexes…the list goes on!
Are you ready to start planning a Retreat at a venue of your dreams?
If you are feeling overwhelmed at finding a venue, The 2024 Sold Out Retreat Academy Venue Guide (ebook) is available to download now! It contains details of 100 UK Retreat venues, so you can save time searching on the internet and spend more time curating a transformational Retreat for your guests!