Why a Yoga Retreat Is More Important Than International Day of Yoga
- Jo Sistla
- Jun 16
- 3 min read
Sounds controversial? Hear me out!
Every year, on or around June 21st, the world gathers to celebrate the International Day of Yoga. Studios hold special events, corporates use it in the name of employee engagement/wellness initiatives, parks fill up with mats, and social media is alive with sun salutations and heartfelt captions.
It’s beautiful. And I love seeing people come together in the name of yoga. But, it also makes me pause because....
Yoga isn’t a date on the calendar — it’s a way of being. A daily, lifelong practice that extends far beyond asana. And yet, there’s still value in carving out a moment to reflect, to recommit, to return.
That’s what yoga retreats have become for me: Not an escape. But a sacred, necessary pause.
Why a Retreat Is More Important Than One Day of Yoga
Don’t get me wrong — I love what International Day of Yoga stands for. But I also believe that yoga deserves more than a day.
When you go on a yoga retreat, you’re saying yes to something deeper. You’re not celebrating yoga — you’re living it. In the Yoga Sutras, we’re reminded that the path includes discipline (tapas), self-study (svadhyaya), and surrender (ishvarapranidhana). A retreat brings these elements to life. It’s not a break from the practice — it is part of the journey.
A Different Kind of Pause: What a Yoga Retreat Really Offers
Over the years, I’ve come to understand that a yoga retreat is beyond a luxury getaway — it’s a living, breathing part of the practice. When I retreat, I return:
To my breath.
To my body.
To nature.
And to the kind of life I want to lead when I return home.
These retreats help me move more mindfully, eat with more awareness, and sit with myself in a deeper way. The shifts are rarely dramatic — but they’re always lasting. That’s the true benefit of a yoga retreat: subtle, lasting change.
A Yoga Retreat Is an Investment in Yourself
People often ask if going on a yoga retreat is worth the time or money. My honest answer? It’s one of the most loving investments you can make in yourself.
Unlike a holiday, where yoga might be an afterthought, a retreat puts your wellbeing at the center. It’s a space where yoga isn’t squeezed in — it’s woven through every moment. You’re not multitasking. You’re present. You’re not performing. You’re softening. And that’s when something shifts.
Retreating gives you tools and clarity that extend into your daily life, helping you show up with more intention, peace, and grounded energy — not just for yourself, but for everyone around you.
A Retreat Is More Than a Solo Journey — It’s a Shared Practice
One of the most beautiful aspects of any retreat I’ve been part of is the sense of community/sangha. You don’t need to be alike. You don’t even need to speak the same language. There’s something about gathering in a space of quiet presence that creates deep connection — a soft, supportive sangha.
Whether you come solo, with a friend, your partner, or a family member, a retreat welcomes you exactly as you are. And it gives you the rare gift of being held — gently and without judgment.
Something Special Is Brewing...
I’ve been quietly working on a retreat experience rooted in nature — something slower, softer, and more spacious than ever before. It’s crafted from my own journey and what I’ve seen unfold in others.
It’s not time to share the full picture yet, but if your heart is already whispering yes, and you’d like to be the first to know when the details unfold…Help shape our next yoga retreat — and get first access when it launches.
Join the VIP waitlist here →[Join the Waitlist]
Whether you mark International Day of Yoga with a dynamic class, a slow breath, or a moment of stillness… I hope you remember this:
Yoga isn’t something to be celebrated once a year. It’s something to be returned to, again and again. And sometimes, the most powerful way to do that — is to step away. To retreat. To listen. And to come home to yourself.
Practice With Me — Wherever You Are
Whether you're looking for a deeper connection to your practice, support in daily life, or guidance as you begin again — I offer online yoga classes, corporate wellness programs, and in-person sessions. My offerings weave together traditional Ashtanga, breath-work, mindfulness, and philosophy. My goal is to help you bring yoga off the mat and into your everyday moments — with softness, strength, and purpose.
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