What to Pack for a Yoga Retreat
The Ultimate Yoga Retreat Packing List + What to Consider When Packing
You finally did it! You booked the yoga retreat you've been dreaming of going on. Now there’s nothing left to do but count down the days until you leave…and pack. The days leading up to your trip provide you with the perfect opportunity to already get in the headspace you’ll be cultivating on your retreat. You can already start practicing and living by the 8 Limbs of Yoga before you even leave just by how you approach packing for your trip.
Packing can be an overwhelming task for seasoned travelers and first time travelers alike. When you’re headed on a new adventure, it can be hard to gauge what to bring. In an effort to not forget anything and feel prepared, many of us end up packing too much. With the help of our ultimate yoga retreat packing list and tips though, you can practice the yogic art of detachment before you embark on your yoga retreat and break the curse of overpacking.
Aparigraha, or non-attachment, is not only the last yama in the 8 Limbs of Yoga; it’s a central principle of the yogic path. The practice of non-attachment teaches us the importance of letting go of our attachment and dependence on external things so we can cultivate trust and contentment in our internal experiences. It’s the idea that less is more. When you have less clutter – physical, mental, and energetic – you can focus more on the experiences in front of you, which is why you should aim to pack light when getting ready for your yoga retreat. Leave behind all the things that will distract you from the transformative opportunity you’re being offered or will prevent you from fully sinking into your surroundings.
Packing light is also a practical choice as your belongings will be easier to carry around. Having less on hand weighing you down gives you the freedom to be flexible and it makes it easier to get around around if you so happen to extend your travels after and journey somewhere else. We’ve all been there. You’re feeling inspired after a retreat and want to continue traveling, and the last thing you want is a heavy suitcase to lug around. Challenge yourself to be frugal when packing by choosing a bag ahead of time that everything has to fit inside. And if something doesn’t fit, say oh well and leave that thing at home. You probably didn’t need it anyways. Remember that a lot of things can be picked up as you go.
What to consider when packing
There are many things to consider that’ll help you determine what’s important to bring and what can be left at home. You’ll want to learn more about the type of retreat you’re going on, what’s being offered, what you’ll be doing, how long you’ll be gone, and the climate and customs of your destination. Most likely, you’ll be engaging in daily yoga and wellness activities while on your retreat, so you’ll want to prioritize comfort above everything else. Most yoga retreats will have yoga props already available for you, such as mats, blocks, and bolsters. However, if you have a specific mat that you know you love to practice on and that will make or break your experience, then bringing along your own mat may be an essential item for your comfort.
Yoga Retreat Packing List
Clothing
When it comes to what to wear, pack for what you’ll be doing. You’ll spend most of your time moving and getting sweaty, so you’ll want to pack mainly yoga clothes that are breathable and comfy. The brain may pipe in and say that you need more options, but in reality, on a yoga retreat, you’ll find yourself in a setting where you just want to lounge around in your favourite yoga outfit, a swimsuit, or nothing! For excursions and other activities, you can pack a simple outfit that can also easily be dressed up for when you want to tap into your inner goddess. Bringing one dress can always come in handy because you can easily slip it on over a swimsuit or wear it out for dinner. When packing, consider that you may not need a new garment for every day. You can always wash things by hand or find local washing facilities. Even the warmest of places experience rain and cooler temperatures, so it’s best to always have a warm sweater, socks, and a waterproof jacket on hand. On our Peru Ayahuasca Yoga Retreat, those warmer layers come in clutch on those chilly mountain evenings in the Sacred Valley. Brining a scarf or shawl may also be an asset depending where you’re going as many sacred temples require you to cover your shoulders and legs when visiting.
Footwear
Though you’ll probably spend the majority of your time barefoot, on your mat or in the sand, it’s still important to think about what footwear to bring with you. You’ll want to have a supportive, comfortable pair of shoes for those opportunities when you’ll be going on excursions or adventures. Bring sneakers that you don’t mind getting dirty. If you’ll be hiking in the mountains, you may even want to bring hiking shoes.
Here’s an example of what clothing and footwear you may want to bring if you were joining us on our 10 day Peru Yoga Retreat:
1-2 yoga pants or leggings
1-2 shorts
2-3 tshirts
1 sports bra
1 pair of undergarments for each day (undies/socks)
1 outfit for outings/excursions that you can dress up or down
1 sweater
1 jacket
1 pair of sandals
1 pair of running or hiking shoes
1 dress
1-2 swimsuits
1 scarf or shawl
Toiletries
Leave the curling irons, straighteners, fancy creams, perfumes, and makeup at home and use this time to go natural. Only the essentials should be in your toiletries bag, such as travel size toothpaste, shampoo, moisturizer, and conditioner. Remember, these are all things that you can always stock up on/replenish while on the road. Opt for eco-friendly products to practice ethical traveling. Be conscious of how you’re interacting with the environment wherever you are. You don’t want to pollute the earth or water where you’re visiting. Plus, what’s good for the planet is good for you too! You may also want to bring along a mini first aid kit that has any medications you may need, as well as other supplies, such as bandaids or eco-friendly bug repellent.
Travel Essentials
Travel essentials are the things you absolutely need to get around and that you can’t buy or get as you go. This includes your passport and any important documents, such as insurance and your tickets. Although you can now save most of your travel info and tickets on your phone, it’s always a smart idea to still print these things off just in case of an emergency, like losing your phone or technology failing. If you’re bringing your phone, make sure to have the right adapter for where you’re traveling to. You also don’t want to forget to bring your wallet with your credit or debit card and some cash in the local currency.
Miscellaneous items
Miscellaneous travel items are things that you can maybe go without, but we’ve learned come in handy when traveling. These include items like a quick-drying towel, sunglasses, a hat, and hair ties. Though some places don’t have potable water, which means you’ll have to buy bottles of water while there, it’s still nice to have a reusable water bottle handy that you can fill on the go if the opportunity presents itself. Bringing earplugs or headphones is also a good idea for the plane or if you’re sharing a room on your retreat and want some extra space or privacy. Finally, getting yourself a fanny pack or belt bag that you can use to carry around essentials on outings can be convenient.
Personal items
Just like miscellaneous items, personal items are things that may not be essential, but can enrich your travel and retreat experience if you end up having the space to bring them. A journal and a pen are always nice to have so you can keep note of the experiences, breakthroughs, and insights that are sure to come on your retreat. Bringing along your favourite crystal or a sacred object is also a great way to keep you grounded and help you maintain your spiritual practice and feel centered when on the road.
Preparing for your dream yoga retreat
We know it can be overwhelming preparing to go on a retreat, so when packing, just remember what’s important. Remember why booked the retreat in the first place! To connect deeper with yourself and others. When you keep this in mind, you’ll realize you’ll be too busy experiencing and integrating all the retreat has to offer to care about or need those extra material things.