The Experience Beyond Yoga
- Lenka Powell
- Oct 5
- 5 min read
How to Choose a Yoga Retreat in 2026 (A Personal Note from Lenka)
What is yoga reatreat really about? Yes, we practice extended yoga and dwell into morning meditations. But there is so much more....all retreats are also about the moments in between.
I think back to Spain this Septmber and the memories still ripple through me:
✨ The moment we held hands and jumped together into a 3-meter-deep pool.
✨ Walking through the forest and plunging into the healing cold waters of Rio Frío.
✨ The dinners shared around long wooden tables, laughter echoing under the stars.
✨ Breathtaking sunrises, morning cacao ceremonies, movement, and meditation woven into ritual.
✨ The deep bond of woman-to-woman connection that still lingers in our hearts.
These are the memories that stay with you for life.
You don’t always know you need a retreat until you’ve been to one that cracks you open. I remember the first retreat that changed me...the food, the people, the quiet mornings, the practices that landed like a warm hand on my heart. It’s hard to describe in words. That bubble of time feels like heaven, and once you’ve tasted it, you’ll begin looking for it again.
If you’re thinking about a retreat for 2026 — whether a week in Spain, a medicine weekend, or a day spa retreat; here’s how I choose them now, and how I recommend you choose yours. These are real, ruthlessly practical tips mixed with the soft stuff that actually matters: energy, safety, and whether your heart says yes.
Why a retreat is different from a holiday
A retreat is not just a break. It’s a container for healing. On retreat you’re given time, practices, attention, and a group of people who are there for the same reason to feel, to heal, to reset. It’s often where the real change starts: daily yoga, breathwork, cacao ceremony, sound baths, and time to process everything that’s been crowded out by life.
Ask yourself: what do you actually need?
Before you look at venues or prices, get quiet and ask:
Do I want rest and gentle movement, more energetic practice or a deeper transformational dive?
What is my intention, what do I want to receive on my next adventure, just yoga or more deeply healing practices?
Do I need luxury, or do I want simplicity and connection?
Your answer narrows the field. It’s perfectly OK if all you want is to rest. It’s OK if you want the full medicine experience. There is a retreat for every longing.
How to choose practical checklist (use this every time)
1. Who is holding the space? (Teacher & host) Energy matters. I nearly always choose retreats hosted by someone whose energy I already know...a teacher whose classes have felt like home. If you don’t know them, watch their videos, read testimonials, and trust your gut. Does their message land in your body?
2. Read the itinerary but not too literally Good itineraries show structure and heart: morning practices, time for rest, ceremony, and integration. Beware promises that sound like a festival of extras. The magic happens in depth, not busy-ness.
3. Group Size & Atmosphere
One of the most important things to check is the group size.
Smaller, more intimate retreats (like deep medicine circles or women’s weekends) create closeness, trust, and safe space for raw sharing.
Larger yoga holiday groups carry a different magic: more voices, more laughter, elevated energy, and that big shared collective flow.
Neither is “better”—it’s about what you need. Do you want the depth of intimacy, or the high-vibe buzz of a bigger circle?
4. Food & nourishment The food is not a side note. At retreats I love, the meals are intentional, plant-based, full of flavour and heart. Ask: are meals included? Are they nourishing? Do they support the work you want to do?
5. Logistics & transparency Is the price clear? What’s included..transfers, meals, excursions? Are the cancellation and payment plans fair? Hidden extras are a red flag.
6. Reviews & community Don’t just read star reviews — read the stories. Who attends these retreats? Do their experiences sound like what you hope for?Testimonials That Speak for Themselves
💬 “I am on top of the world after the most incredible 5 days of my life! Lenka’s attention to detail and the love she oozes is so apparent in everything she provided us with. No amount of therapy or medicine could have shifted me the way these retreats do. I feel like I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.” – Lauren
💬 “I came home feeling both grounded and uplifted after 5 amazing days in Spain! Lenka’s love, passion, and energy for helping people heal and grow truly shows. This was so much more than a yoga retreat—it was very special.” – Gemma
💬 “The venue was perfect—tranquil and beautiful. The yoga was a nourishing mix of styles, and the change of settings gave it depth. I feel blissful, energised, and restored.” – Kat
💬 “It was wonderful to connect with so many powerful, inspiring women. Lenka created a safe, non-judgmental space, and by the end of the weekend we knew we had been part of something truly special.” – Ann
A tiny truth I’ve learned: Energy is everything - go with someone you trust
Back when I searched for retreats, I chose hosts who felt energetically aligned with people who loved cacao like I do or who practiced cold water rituals I was curious about. If you’re unsure, go with someone who already feels like home. If you can’t, pick a retreat where you can speak to the host beforehand. If the chemistry is right, everything else falls into place.
How to prepare (before you book + before you go)
Decide your intention. What do you want to come away with?
Check medical/insurance needs (especially for plant medicine or cold immersion).
Pack comfort: mat, pillow, eye-mask, and layers for changing weather.
Clear your calendar for a few days after the retreat to integrate.
A small word about Spain & why location matters
Spain (Andalucía, in particular) has become one of my favourite places to hold retreats. The sun, the stillness of the countryside, the food grown on the land — it all helps the nervous system relax. But location is personal: some people need a coastal sea breeze, others a quiet lake. Let your nervous system choose.
My offer (if your heart whispers yes)
A retreat isn’t about the schedule—it’s about the person holding the space. Feel into the energy of the teacher. Do they walk the talk? Do they create from love, care, and intention?
Everything I create is deeply nourishing, intentionally held, and rooted in care. If your heart is calling, check the upcoming retreat dates. ✨
💫 Exciting news: My new Italy retreat in September 2026 (yet to be launched and announced) already has only 2 spaces left—and I haven’t even announced it to the wider public because demand has been so strong. This is the truth: every single retreat I’ve ever offered has sold out. So if you’re feeling called, trust that.
👉
This was written from my mat to yours — if you want me to weave any personal stories or photos from past retreats into the post, I’ll stitch them in. Retreat life changed me. It might just change you too.
With love and gratitude, all yours xxx
Lenka Powell
Founder of Yoga with Lenka, The Wellness Portal & Cacaopura
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