5 Reasons to Go on a Yoga Retreat

Retreat: verb or noun?

Checking with my friend Webster:

Retreat (v): an act of moving back or withdrawing; the act or process of withdrawing especially from what is difficult, dangerous, or disagreeable

Retreat(n): a peaceful and private place for resting in; the period of time that you spend resting in a peaceful and private place

This is probably one of the both AND situations because at times I need to both withdrawal AND be in a peaceful place.

If you have been dreaming of retreat(ing), maybe these next few guarantees will help you say YES to adventures!

Here’s 5 Reasons you Should Go on a Yoga Retreat:

Change(s) in scenery – whether beach or mountains, or sometimes both! I promise the switch up in the view will be nourishing to your senses, and soul. Lush greenery, colorful flowers, and Yoga studios with an ocean view…soak it in!
New friends – furry, feathers, scaley, and <probably> human 👽 friends are abundant when traveling! I’m a little partial to the puppies AND nature watching is one of my favorite things, ever! Each retreat will involve time spent in nature, with opportunities move and meditate.
Sun sets – we honor that magical transition between day and night with ritual and love! (yes, I’m aware of sun rises, and I made my choice)
To Take a PAUSE – from the daily hustle, to-dos, and stresses. You totally deserve a break, and a hammock!! Yoga retreats are the perfect balance of adventure, and chill.
Yummy food!! – I think this one speaks for itself, and the food is the most important part of any adventure. Expect delicious meals prepared with love by local superstar chefs.

Every retreat with me will be equal parts adventure and chill, and of course…plenty of time for yogasana, breath work, and meditation!

A typical day on retreat goes like this:

7am – 1st breakfast

8am – Morning Yoga Practice

10:30am – 2nd breakfast

Free time or excursion

2:30pm Lunch

Free time or excursion

5pm – Afternoon Yoga Practice

7:30pm Dinner

Free time

All packed?! Ready to go?

Grace Millsap

Grace Millsap is a lover of life, brain science geek, and passionate advocate for all forms of health, for all forms of people. Yoga found Grace, after years of body abuse from dance, gymnastics, and cheerleading; during a time of daily, almost chronic, pain. While physical well-being may have gotten Grace onto a mat for the first time, she kept coming back for the peace, clarity, and overall joy she gained from the practice. Although she has always been a teacher of sorts, she never dreamed she could call herself a “yoga teacher”, but after several serendipitous failed grad school admission attempts she decided to go for the training, although only for the educational aspects (nerd alert). After training, the fear to teach was even stronger, which became the driving force behind jumping into the yoga ocean, belly first but with both feet forward. Today, she offers dynamic classes in Charlotte, NC and on YogaVibes.com, leads retreats worldwide, teaches a wide variety of workshops, and is in awe that life can be this grand! Grace’s classes include the weaving of ancient tantric technology with a focus on breath and presence. Her spunky fire is guaranteed to uplift, support, and maybe even make you giggle as she masterfully guides you through creative sequences.

Hello Friends! I’m Grace Millsap (she/her), and I’m currently located in Charlotte, NC (Catawba and Sugaree land). My passions are rooted in science and equality, which inform my teaching of Yoga, and how I show up in the world. I spent 5 years in the fast-paced, and high-pressure, scientist world where I conducted research for UNC-Chapel Hill in the intersecting fields of nutrition, genetics, and neuroscience.

In 2013, I completed my first Yoga teacher training, and immediately began to draw connections between modern science, and Yogic philosophy. I study, and teach, from a long lineage that believes that life is inherently beautiful, and that the path of Yoga is a tool set to better navigate the many twists and turns. Specifically, from the Tantra and Himalayan Traditions of Sri Vidya.

In 2017, I co-created “Ethics in the Yoga Community”, a dynamic series that looks at the tough topics in the community through facilitated panel discussions and group practices to foster trust and connection, that was featured in Yoga Journal. My classes, whether restorative or flow, are infused with my passions, and quest for magic and joy.

When not teaching, you can find me with my nose in a book, plotting new ways to disrupt the status quo, lounging with my teenager “puppy” Fizzgig, and soaking in the goodness of the many waves of life. I am a student first, and humbled to call myself a teacher of Yoga. I honor Asana as one tool, of many. I am always willing to evolve and (un)learn.