There are infinite reasons to attend a yoga and meditation retreat. But three in particular have been on my mind. The top 3 reasons to retreat? Travel, practice and community. Keep reading to learn why.

We're all looking at our passports these days with longing. Those of us in the United States are in one of the world's hottest COVID-19 hotspots. The decision on whether or not to resume travel is rife with ethical implications. So should you stay, or should you go?

Sustainable travel and moving through the world doing the least harm possible is important to us. Yoga's foundational practice of ethics, as outlined by the yamas and niyamas, puts "do no harm," or ahimsa, at the top of the list. Hence, at Baja Surf Yoga we put effort into mindfully choosing the locations for each of our Southern Baja adventures. By doing so, we stay true to our yoga first philosophy.

While there's a range of surf ability, even the world's best pro surfers still want to get better. There's no "can and cannot." If you want to try surfing, if it seems fun and bliss-inducing and adventurous to you - do it! As a beginner, you can enjoy a surf and yoga retreat.

Lots of people like the idea of traveling and staying fit and healthy while doing so. Lots of people like the idea of a group vacation to a gorgeous destination where activities and meals are provided. Lots of people ask us if they can come on a retreat, even if they're "not that good at yoga."Short answer? YES. Long answer? Keep reading...

Samsara is a foundational concept found throughout eastern spiritual philosophy that describes the inherent suffering in the cycle of life. To break free from the cycle, at some point we have to just get up and go. Buddha teaches us there’s a path to freedom, an end to the suffering, a way out. Travel can teach us that this movement is possible, and as we change our scenery, we can begin to change our minds.

I recently returned from a trip to Spain where I participated in a Mindfulness Yoga retreat, toured a bit around Valencia, and then took off into the Pyrenees for a few days of hiking through Posets-Maladeta Natural Park. It was close to a three week adventure, and although part of me yearned for those three weeks to never end, the lessons are in the ending.

Of course it can be fun to have a partner in travel if you've got a like minded buddy who enjoys the same things you do, but there are also benefits to solo travel that you might miss out on if you're always waiting for a friend to join you before you book a trip. In fact, you might miss out on the trip all together if you're waiting on that friend.

Have you ever thought, man, I need a vacation from my vacation!? Do you come home from a trip away exhausted and depleted, or renewed and refreshed? If the former is true, and you'd rather the latter, it's time to get mindful about HOW you're vacationing.

There are one million yoga retreats to choose from. By knowing exactly what you're looking for, and by asking yourself some questions in advance, you're likely to settle on the retreat that's best for you. When your goals align with those of the retreat organizer - pure bliss!

I read a statistic recently on a travel group I follow that approximately 60% of United States Citizens do not have passports. Get your passport if you don't have one! Travel is important, and it's important to encourage travel and access to it, for everyone. Here are three spiritual reasons why...

In January I was lucky enough to be back in Todos Santos, and lucky enough to see the announcement that Tortugueros Las Playitas A.C. was doing a turtle release that very evening. I showed up about 5 minutes before the designated release time to a beach crowded with families, couples, tourists and locals all milling about, happily awaiting the turtle release and the sunset.

Follow these 3 pointers and you'll be set up for success on your first ever surf and yoga retreat!

Researchers studied the stress-reducing effects of a resort vacation, compared to the effects of that same vacation with meditation added. The results show that while both are beneficial, a meditation retreat can offer longer-lasting peace than a vacation without yoga and meditation.

“I believe in science,” says the luchador in the film, Nacho Libre (which was filmed in Oaxaca). But I believe in something more too. One thing that strikes me regarding the secular approach to contentment and joy is the seeming lack of attention and research to an alternative route – via meditation, spirituality, or however one would like to describe love. Williams does address this, in a particularly poetic chapter about the power of awe.