What to pack for a yoga retreat: the short list
A tested packing list for a week-long retreat, including the things people always forget and the things you can leave at home.
4 min read
Most retreat centres provide mats, blocks and bolsters — check first and save the suitcase space.
Practice
- Three practice outfits; you will re-wear them.
- A light layer and socks for savasana and evening meditation.
- A travel mat only if you specifically want your own.
- A water bottle.
Everything else
- Reef-safe sunscreen and insect repellent for warm destinations.
- A journal — nearly every retreat includes reflective time.
- Any medication in original packaging, with more than you need.
- A book and headphones for the free afternoons.
- Slip-on shoes; you will take them off constantly.
Leave at home
- Formal clothes. There is no dinner that requires them.
- A hairdryer, usually provided or unnecessary.
- Big electronics — most people regret bringing a laptop.
The two people always forget
A small torch for unlit paths at night, and a plug adapter with more than one socket. Both are five dollars and save an annoying week.
Common questions
- Do I need to bring my own yoga mat to a retreat?
- Usually not — most centres provide mats and props. Check the confirmation email; bring your own only if you prefer it.
- What clothes do I need for a yoga retreat?
- Three practice outfits, warm layers for morning and evening sessions, comfortable casual clothes and slip-on shoes.
Put it into practice
Find a class that matches what you have just read — near you, or online.
Sequences to try
More in Yoga retreats
How much does a yoga retreat cost? A realistic breakdown
Typical price bands for weekend, week-long and destination retreats, what is usually included, and the extras that catch people out.
Your first yoga retreat: what a day actually looks like
The real schedule, how much practice is compulsory, going alone, and how to tell a genuine retreat from a holiday with a yoga class attached.