D.I.Y YOGA/SURF RETREAT

My yoga teacher training with All Yoga Thailand was intense. We lived, breathed, ate, and slept yoga for a month - and I loved it! We were totally immersed in the culture, and I can honestly say it was the most rewarding month of my life. So naturally 6 months after the training I was ready to get that fix again. I didn’t want to dive into anther teacher training so felt the next best thing would be a yoga retreat, where I could live and breathe yoga for a week or two and indulge in a little ‘me time’. I started researching retreats …. and was shocked at the price! A weeks retreat in Portugal was not far off what I paid for my teacher training in Thailand and didn’t even cover the flights! Determined not to let this stop me from escaping I decided to research how to make my own DIY retreat, booking everything separately and on my own terms. Firstly I decided the country I wanted to visit, then searched yoga to find areas that were yoga friendly. I love surfing and hiking so ensured any place I was looking at could accommodate for these activities too. Needless to say my DIY retreat plan worked and I  have continued to do this every year saving bucket loads. So for anyone thinking of doing the same here are my top 3 DIY retreat destinations …

Nicaragua: San Juan del Sur/ Playa Maderas
Where to stay? Casa Maderas Ecolodge
Where to do yoga?  Zen Yoga
Where to surf? Playa Maderas (boards can be rented from Casa Maderas Ecolodge) You can watch the most beautiful sunset on the planet at this beach too!
Where to eat? Buddhas Garden cafe for amazing smoothie bowls (attached to Zen Yoga) 

Sri Lanka: Weligama Beach 
Where to stay? WEscape Poshstel 
Where to do yoga? Hang time Hostel 
Where to surf? Lucky surf academy
Where to eat? Hangten Rooftop cafe for yummy coconut pancakes and vegan banana bread

England: St Ives, Cornwall
Where to stay? Lower Deck Apartment 
Where to do yoga? Alicia Waters Yoga
Where to surf? St Ives Surf Academy, Porthmeor beach
Where to eat? Porthmeor Beach Cafe for local food and beach views