5 Items You Definitely Need to Bring on Your Next Yoga Retreat

Yoga retreats are some of the most blissful and transformative things you can participate in as a yogi. What’s better than enjoying a beautiful location and living your yoga practice for a week or two?

You will make lasting connections and friendships, deepen your practice, and learn so many new things. But before you jump on the next plane—don’t forget you have to pack your bags! You want to be prepared for every yoga retreat you attend, so here are five essentials that will get you through your retreat without a hitch!

1. Yoga Mat

While some retreat centers may have their own yoga mats, you are better off bringing your own mat along with you. If you don’t have space in your bag for a full sized mat, take along a travel mat.

Don’t have a travel mat? If you know for sure that the center carries their own rental mats then you can get by with a non-slip yoga towel that you can place over the mat.

There are many yoga brands that offer travel sized yoga mats that double as a non-slip yoga towels, so it won’t be hard to find the perfect one for you. Yoga mats that double as non-slip yoga towels are lightweight enough to fold up into your carry on, but have the grip of a good yoga mat.

2. Yoga Clothes

Maybe this is obvious, but you need yoga clothes on a yoga retreat! Bring items that you can mix and match. Depending on your location, the day time may be hot enough for shorts and a tank, but the evenings and early mornings may be cool enough to need layers. Check the weather before you go and make sure to bring plenty of options.

On a budget?

No need to pay full price for premium athletic wear brands. YogaClub offers top brands at a fraction of the price. All you have to do is fill out your personalized style quiz and a stylist will curate an outfit for you from brands such as Manduka, Teeki, Glyder, Free People, and so much more!

YogaClub is subscription based, so you can choose to get a new 3-piece outfit every month, quarterly, or just purchase one box to try it out.

3. Water Bottle

Nothing will ruin a great retreat quite like dehydration. You may be going out on excursions, practicing hot yoga, and spending a lot of time in the sun.

Drink more water than you think you need. Flights can be very dehydrating as well, so make sure that you start hydrating before you even leave the house and keep it up during your whole trip! Having a reusable water bottle on hand will serve as a reminder to hydrate, plus it’s better for the environment.

4. Sunscreen

Yoga retreats often take us to beautiful new locations. Sometimes beaches, sometimes mountains, but they all have a common theme—they make you appreciate the great outdoors.

Make sure to bring sunscreen and avoid laying in the sun for a long period of time! Just imagine trying to bind in Leg Binding Pose D (Marichyasana D) with a bad sunburn. That will make you think twice about laying out without any protection!

In case of sunburn, be sure to bring lavender essential oil with you. Lavender works to soothe sunburns and also can double as natural insect repellent—it also soothes the itchiness of mosquito bites. If you’re short on space in your baggage you’ll appreciate one oil that does the work of three!

5. Journal

Writing down your experiences each day during your retreat will allow you to reflect back and remember any break-through moments you may have had. Retreats are the perfect environment for inspiring thoughts and creativity to flow.

Write down everything you can think of. Write down what you are grateful for each day of the retreat. If you don’t have space for a physical journal, download an app such as Morning Pages to keep your thoughts in.

Being prepared for a yoga retreat is important. So, be sure to pack the right essentials such as a journal, awesome yoga clothes, sunscreen, a water bottle, and of course a yoga mat! Enjoy your next yoga retreat and remember to appreciate your practice. Yoga retreats are a great way to connect to your practice, enjoy the outdoors, and create long-lasting memories.

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