Do I need to bring my mat and other equipment?

Retreat locations provide mats, blocks, belts and bolsters. You do not need to bring your own unless you choose to. Eye pillows are optional but lovely to have for relaxations. You can purchase a yogastarr one here.

What clothing should I bring?
Find a full list of items in our retreat ready checklist

I can’t touch my toes/I have never done yoga – can I still come on a retreat?
I am quite an experienced yogi, would I enjoy your retreats?
Yogastarr retreats are very inclusive. The ethos is around non-striving but instead welcoming a new sense of awareness of the body. Retreats and holidays have been curated for people who love yoga, whether they are beginners or have been practicing for years. Every participant works at their own pace with options for gentle and dynamic practice. So don’t be shy, there is no time like the present to start your journey with yoga!

I love meat and enjoy wine – can I still come on a retreat? Absolutely! The food on UK retreats tend to be vegetarian or vegan with a private chef catering to your food needs. There is no alcohol served and most dietary requirements/allergies can be catered for. We serve fish and vegetarian options on our Greek retreats. Wine is available with dinner. There are also many local tavernas and shops to satisfy your tastebuds.

I have a severe allergy – can you accommodate me?
The food is cooked in a kitchen that may contain gluten and dairy products. We therefore cannot guarantee our food is allergy free. Please contact Yogastarr in advance to discuss the safety and compatibility of the catering options on a specific retreat.

Can I bring my pet/child/partner on retreat?
Retreat locations do not allow pets.
Children and partners can be accommodated by prior arrangement.
There are sometimes animals kept locally and if you have any allergy to dogs or cats please make the retreat leader aware of this prior to booking.

I want to go on a retreat but I don’t have much holiday time/time away from family.
A UK weekend retreat is a perfect way to experience time to unwind and de-stress without needing to take a flight or be away from home for too long.

What is the difference between a retreat and a holiday?
Yoga retreats tend to be a little bit of calm and quiet from your busy day to day life. Alcohol is not served on retreats. They tend to have a slow pace and plenty of time for immersing in nature and observing periods of quiet. Yoga holidays are usually abroad. They offer twice daily yoga but in addition island tours, excursions and activities. There is wine available if that’s what you fancy, Its your holiday after all!
Whether you decide to come on a shorter retreat or a longer adventure you will leave feeling nourished and restored with the edges of your mouth turning up and a spring in your step!

How do I get in contact with Yogastarr directly?
You can call us on 07736502749
You can email us on [email protected]
We will respond within 24 hours but usually much quicker if we are not out teaching

Whats the booking process like?
In order to reserve your space we offer 2 payment options.Once you confirm your retreat with the booking form you will receive a confirmation mail to say there is a space for the type of room you want. We then offer you to either Pay in FULL or Pay in 3 installments so the first installment acts as your deposit. This is set up via gocardless and all done online.
Once you book your retreat we will send you some further information including address/exact start times. There is a also a retreat ready checklist which you can access here.

What is included in the price of a yoga holiday or retreat?
Each Yogastarr adventure has a different feel to it and you can visit the specific retreat page to find out more. In general accomodation and food is provided but this might be brunch and dinner rather than breakfast, lunch and dinner. There is usually unlimited tea, coffee, fruit and water. There is plenty of yoga, breathing techniques, meditation and relaxation (daily morning and evening sessions with one rest day on a week long holiday).

What is not included in the price of a yoga holiday or retreat?
You have to pay for your travel to and from the venue, which may include a train/plane and taxi fare. For yoga retreats with activities these usually come at an extra cost for excursions, SUP hire, massage/treatments etc. There is wine available on some retreats which incurrs a small supplement payable locally.

What time do I need to arrive on the retreat/what time do we depart?
Our weekends usually start at 3:30pm on Fridays. This gives you time to settle into your room and have a stroll around the grounds before your first yoga class. Long weekends end around lunchtime on the Monday.
Our Greek retreats usually start on the evening of arrival with a welcome session to set our intentions for the week ahead. Departures are flexible according to travel arrangements but we usually ask that you vacate your room by noon on the day of departure if possible.

Do I need Insurance? While each retreat centre has their own public liability insurance and Yogastarr has public liability insurance to teach you you will also need to ensure you have the appropriate level of insurance for traveling to a foreign country in case you have an accident whilst away with us.

I’m coming alone, is this ok? Many Yogastarr retreaters have made lifelong friends on their retreat. There is always a mix of people who come along with friends or family and those who travel alone. Ali has a very inclusive nature and remember that everyone who comes on a retreat shares their one curious love – yoga!

How many people do you have in a group? There are usually 10-20 participants in a retreat or holiday group.

I have specific dietary requirements, can I still come?
Allergies and intolerances can be potentially serious and our food storage & preparation in some kitchens cannot guarantee that some meals are entirely free of certain ingredients. When booking your place on the retreat please be aware that the menu is usually vegetarian food and while we try to offer a variety of dishes the menu does include gluten, eggs and diary. We cannot offer exclusively gluten free, lactose/dairy free or vegan choices in all locations so please contact Ali directly to discuss this before booking your trip.

What if I have to cancel? Unfortunately we are a small company and have a strict cancellation policy. Please read full cancellation T&Cs here.

Can I stay another night? This really depends on the location so please contact Ali directly if you wish to extend your stay.

Are the retreats gender specific? Every single person is welcome on a Yogastarr retreat. If you are sharing a room with someone you don’t know please confirm how you identify so we can ensure everyone’s needs are respected.

What type of yoga do you teach? Ali teaches a yoga that’s infused with wisdom, acceptance and joy. There is both gentle and dynamic options in asana practice and plenty of space and time to explore poses in new ways when in a retreat setting. Its the perfect opportunity to deepen your understanding of the anatomy, philosophy and impact of this amazing tradition we call yoga steeped in its boundless history.