About YOAS Yoga Retreats : YOAS Yoga Retreats

About YOAS Yoga Retreats

YOAS Yoga Retreats is a small, independent yoga travel company creating soulful, heart-led retreats in beautiful places around the world since 2003.

Over the years we have travelled far and wide to find special places to retreat, building lasting relationships with inspiring yoga teachers and wonderful venues along the way. It is this combination of people and place that lies at the heart of every YOAS retreat.

Our retreats are about taking time away from everyday life to practise yoga, recharge and explore somewhere new, returning home rested, inspired and with some beautiful memories.

YOAS is owned and run day to day by Wendy Bryan, working closely with a much-loved community of teachers, venues, chefs and therapists around the world.

Wendy’s love of yoga and travel is at the heart of YOAS. She personally plans the retreats and is always on hand to offer friendly guidance and support, from choosing the right retreat to helping with the details of your trip.

When she’s not planning escapes for others, Wendy can usually be found on her yoga mat, spending time with her family, travelling somewhere new or catching up with the wider YOAS community.

Responsible travel

We carefully choose smaller, independent venues, often in beautiful natural settings and away from mass tourism.

Wherever possible, we work with locally run venues and people who have strong connections to the surrounding community.

Food is an important part of our retreats, and many of our venues use seasonal ingredients grown on site or sourced from local producers.

We favour venues that take a thoughtful approach to their environment, whether through renewable energy, responsible water use, reducing waste or supporting local suppliers.

We also encourage guests to travel thoughtfully where practical, including sharing transfers and making use of public transport.

As a small company, we know there is always more we can do. We continue to consider the environmental impact of our retreats and look for realistic ways to travel and operate more responsibly.

FAQ

What makes a YOAS retreat different?

We have been creating yoga retreats since 2003, bringing together inspiring teachers and special places around the world. As a small, independent company, our retreats are personally planned and we know our teachers and venues well.

Can I come on my own?

Absolutely. Many people come on a YOAS retreat on their own, and our groups are usually a lovely mix of solo travellers, friends, couples and occasionally family members. There is plenty of opportunity to meet people, while still having space and time to yourself.

Do I need to be experienced at yoga?

Not at all. Unless stated otherwise, our retreats are open to all levels, and groups often include everyone from relative beginners to experienced practitioners and yoga teachers. Our teachers are skilled at adapting their classes to suit different levels.

If you're completely new to yoga, it can be helpful to try a class or two before your retreat.

What is the style of yoga?

Each teacher brings their own approach and style to the retreat, often drawing on several different yoga traditions. You can find out more about each teacher and their background on our teachers page and we're always happy to advise if you're unsure whether a particular retreat will suit you.

What is the structure of a yoga retreat?

Most retreats include a morning and evening yoga class. Morning classes are often more dynamic, with a gentler or more restorative practice later in the day. On retreats of a week or more there is usually a yoga-free day, or two half-days, giving you plenty of time to explore or simply relax.

Weekend retreats also offer a yoga class each morning and evening included in the duration of the retreat but often also include other optional elements such as guided walks or sound baths.

Is there plenty of free time?

Yes. Yoga is at the heart of the retreat, but there is always time to relax and enjoy the destination. Depending on where you are, you might swim, walk, visit local towns and historic sites, take a boat trip or simply read by the pool. Some retreats also offer optional activities and treatments at an additional cost.

What size are the groups?

Our retreats are deliberately small, with group sizes varying according to the venue. Most have between 8 and 20 guests, with a maximum of around 20 people per teacher.

Can you find a sharer for me?

Yes. If you'd like to share a twin room, we'll do our best to match you with another guest. If we're unable to find you a sharer, we're happy to honour the shared-room price.

What food is included?

This varies from retreat to retreat. Most include breakfast and either half or full board, with full details shown on each retreat page. Food is generally vegetarian, although some venues also offer fish or meat. Most dietary requirements can be catered for — please check with us before booking if you have particular needs.

Are non-yoga partners welcome?

Where possible, non-yoga partners are always very welcome at a slightly reduced rate.

What should I bring?

Always remember light and comfortable yoga clothing. Sun protection and swimwear for beach retreats, walking shoes for more active holidays and your yoga mat and equipment if specified in the joining instructions.

Do I need travel insurance?

Yes. You are responsible for arranging suitable travel insurance for both UK and overseas retreats, including appropriate cancellation and medical cover.

Transfers and travel

Travel to the retreat is not included and you are responsible for arranging your own flights, trains or other transport. We provide travel advice for each retreat and, where appropriate, help coordinate airport or station transfers and group guests together to keep costs down.

When should I arrive and depart?

For foreign retreats you should arrive on the start date of the retreat and depart on the last day. In general there are no yoga classes on travel days.

For two and three night UK retreats arrival is usually on the afternoon of the first day and departure is after brunch or lunch on the last day. Each retreat varies slightly.

Can I extend my stay?

It is usually possible for you to extend your stay at a particular venue and, if not, we can recommend somewhere nearby.

Can I pay in instalments?

Yes. A 50% deposit is normally payable when you book, with the balance due six weeks before your retreat. Monthly payment plans are also available if that is more helpful — just get in touch.

What if I have a problem during my retreat?

If you have any concerns or issues that arise during your retreat please do reach out to us. It is always best to do this during the retreat if possible so we can try to resolve the issue there and then. In the first instance go to the teacher or venue contact who are there to support the group. Or if you prefer contact Wendy by email, info@yoasyogaretreats.com

Gift vouchers

We offer bespoke gift vouchers for any amount with a personalised message. They can be used without time constraint as part or full payment towards a retreat. Email us to arrange.

Terms & conditions

These are the general booking terms and conditions for YOAS Yoga Retreats. Please read them carefully before booking. By making a booking, you agree to these terms and conditions. Last updated: August 2026.

Booking & payment

A 50% deposit is normally payable at the time of booking, with the remaining balance due six weeks before the start of your retreat. If you book within six weeks of departure, the full amount is payable at the time of booking.

Monthly payment plans may also be available by arrangement.

Your booking is confirmed once we have received the required payment and sent you confirmation.

What is included

What is included in the price varies between retreats and is clearly stated on the individual retreat page.

Unless otherwise stated, your retreat price includes accommodation, the yoga programme and the meals specified on the retreat page.

Flights, trains and other travel to and from the retreat are not included. Airport or station transfers may be included on some retreats but are otherwise charged separately.

Optional activities, excursions and treatments are not included unless specifically stated and are usually booked and paid for separately.

Kerala retreats & Ayurveda

Some of our Kerala retreats are different and include an Ayurvedic programme as part of the retreat price. Where this applies, the Ayurvedic consultations and treatments included will be clearly stated on the individual retreat page.

Ayurvedic consultations and treatments are provided by independent practitioners at the venue. They are offered as part of the retreat experience and are not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

It is your responsibility to tell the practitioner about any relevant health conditions, allergies, medication, pregnancy or other circumstances that may affect whether a treatment is suitable for you. If you have any concerns about taking part, you should seek appropriate medical advice beforehand.

Our Kerala Journey retreats may also include travel between locations, excursions or other elements as described on the individual retreat page.

If you cancel your retreat

If you need to cancel, please let us know in writing as soon as possible.

Our retreats involve advance commitments to venues, teachers and other suppliers, and cancellation charges reflect the costs and losses we may incur when a booking is cancelled.

If you cancel more than six weeks before the start of your retreat, your deposit will normally be retained. Where possible, we may allow your deposit to be transferred to another YOAS retreat.

If you cancel within six weeks of the start of your retreat, the full retreat price will normally be payable.

Where we are able to reduce our loss, for example by filling your place with another guest, we will take this into account when determining the amount retained.

We strongly recommend travel insurance that provides appropriate cancellation cover.

Transferring your booking

If you are unable to attend, please contact us as soon as possible. It may be possible to transfer your place to another person, provided they meet any requirements of the retreat and we and our suppliers are able to accommodate the change.

Any additional costs arising from the transfer will be your responsibility.

Changes to your retreat

Occasionally circumstances beyond our control mean that we need to make changes to a retreat.

If a teacher becomes unavailable, we will do our best to find a suitable replacement. Changes may also occasionally be necessary to accommodation, facilities, activities, transfers or other arrangements due to weather, maintenance, illness, supplier changes or other circumstances.

We will let you know about significant changes as soon as reasonably possible and, where appropriate, offer suitable alternatives.

If YOAS cancels a retreat

Very occasionally we may need to cancel a retreat, including where minimum numbers have not been reached or circumstances outside our control make it impossible to run the retreat as planned.

If we cancel your retreat, we will let you know as soon as reasonably possible and explain the options available to you. Depending on the circumstances, these may include transferring your booking to another YOAS retreat or receiving a refund of payments made to YOAS for the cancelled retreat.

We are not responsible for independently booked flights, travel or other arrangements, which is another reason we strongly recommend suitable travel insurance.

Travel, passports & visas

You are responsible for arranging your own travel to and from the retreat unless the retreat page specifically states otherwise.

It is your responsibility to ensure that you have a valid passport, any necessary visas and that you meet the entry requirements for your destination.

Please check your flight or other travel arrangements directly with your travel provider before departure.

Travel insurance

You are responsible for arranging suitable travel insurance for both UK and overseas retreats.

For overseas retreats, your policy should provide appropriate cover for medical expenses, repatriation, cancellation and curtailment, as well as any activities you plan to take part in.

We also strongly recommend cancellation cover for UK retreats.

Health & participation

It is your responsibility to consider whether a retreat and its activities are suitable for you.

Please let us know before the retreat about anything relevant that may affect your participation or that the teacher or venue reasonably needs to know in order to support you during your stay.

Yoga classes can be adapted for different levels and abilities, but you are responsible for listening to your body and deciding whether to take part in any class, activity or treatment.

If you have any concerns about your ability to participate safely, please seek appropriate professional advice before travelling.

Optional activities, excursions & treatments

Unless specifically stated as included on the individual retreat page, activities, excursions, treatments and other optional extras are not part of your YOAS booking and are paid for separately.

Where these are provided directly by a venue, therapist, guide or other local provider, your arrangement for that service is with the relevant provider.

Participation is entirely optional.

Behaviour

We want our retreats to be enjoyable and respectful experiences for everyone.

We reserve the right to ask a guest to leave a retreat if their behaviour seriously affects the safety, wellbeing or enjoyment of other guests, teachers, venue staff or suppliers.

We would only take this step where reasonably necessary and, wherever appropriate, would first try to resolve the situation.

Circumstances beyond our control

We cannot be responsible for changes, disruption or cancellation caused by circumstances that could not reasonably have been avoided, including severe weather, natural disasters, war or civil unrest, government action, industrial disputes, transport disruption or other exceptional events beyond our control.

Where this happens, we will do our best to help and to make reasonable alternative arrangements where possible.

Personal belongings

Please take reasonable care of your personal belongings while on retreat. YOAS cannot accept responsibility for loss, theft or damage unless it results from something for which we are legally responsible.

Problems or complaints

If you have a problem during your retreat, please tell us as soon as possible so that we have an opportunity to help resolve it.

In the first instance, speak to your retreat teacher or the venue contact. You can also contact Wendy at YOAS directly at info@yoasyogaretreats.com.

If the matter cannot be resolved during the retreat, please contact us after your return and we will do our best to address your concerns fairly.

Our responsibility to you

We will provide the services we have agreed to provide with reasonable care and skill.

Nothing in these terms excludes or limits any liability that cannot legally be excluded or limited, or affects your statutory rights as a consumer.

YOAS Yoga Retreats
info@yoasyogaretreats.com
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7733 2996

Privacy policy

Last updated: August 2026

YOAS Yoga Retreats respects your privacy and is committed to looking after your personal information. This privacy policy explains what information we collect, why we collect it and how we use it.

Information we collect

When you make an enquiry or book a retreat, we may collect personal information including your name, address, email address, telephone number and details relating to your booking.

We may also ask for information that is necessary to help us look after you while you are on retreat, such as dietary requirements, allergies, emergency contact details and relevant health or accessibility information.

We only ask for information that we reasonably need to manage your booking and provide your retreat.

How we use your information

We use your personal information to:

process and administer your booking;
communicate with you about your retreat;
arrange accommodation, transfers and other elements of your booking where applicable;
provide relevant information to your retreat teacher and venue;
respond to enquiries and provide customer support;
maintain appropriate business, financial and booking records; and
meet our legal and regulatory obligations.

Where you have chosen to join our mailing list, we also use your contact details to send you news about YOAS retreats and other relevant updates.

Health, dietary & other sensitive information

Some information you provide to us, particularly health information, may be considered sensitive personal data.

We only collect this information where it is relevant to your retreat and use it to help support your wellbeing and participation.

Where necessary, relevant information may be shared with your retreat teacher, venue, chef, therapist or another person involved in delivering your retreat. We only share information that is reasonably necessary for this purpose.

Who we share your information with

We do not sell your personal information.

We may share relevant information with trusted third parties where this is necessary to manage your booking or provide services to you. These may include retreat teachers, venues, transfer providers and other suppliers involved in your retreat, as well as companies that provide services such as our booking system, website hosting, email communications and payment processing.

These organisations may have their own privacy policies governing how they handle your information.

Where a retreat takes place outside the UK, information necessary to provide your retreat may need to be shared with venues or suppliers in that country.

Payments

Online payments, including card payments, are processed securely through PayPal. YOAS does not receive or store your full credit or debit card details.

PayPal processes your payment information in accordance with its own privacy policy.

Mailing list

You can choose to join the YOAS mailing list to receive occasional emails about new retreats, availability, news and inspiration.

We use Mailchimp to manage our email communications.

Joining the mailing list is optional and you can unsubscribe at any time by using the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any marketing email.

Unsubscribing from marketing emails will not prevent us from contacting you about a retreat you have booked.

How long we keep your information

We keep personal information only for as long as reasonably necessary for the purpose for which it was collected, including where we need to retain records for legal, accounting, insurance or business purposes.

Information that is no longer required is securely deleted or disposed of.

Keeping your information secure

We take reasonable steps to protect the personal information we hold and limit access to people who need it for the purposes described in this policy.

No online system can be guaranteed to be completely secure, but we take appropriate care in the way personal information is stored and handled.

Your rights

Under UK data protection law, you have rights in relation to your personal information. Depending on the circumstances, these may include the right to:

ask for a copy of the personal information we hold about you;
ask us to correct inaccurate or incomplete information;
ask us to delete your information;
object to or restrict certain uses of your information; and
withdraw consent where we rely on your consent to use your information.

If you would like to exercise any of these rights or have a question about how we use your information, please contact us at info@yoasyogaretreats.com.

You also have the right to raise a concern with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), the UK's data protection regulator.

Cookies & website use

Our website uses cookies and similar technologies to help it function and to understand how visitors use the site.

Some cookies are necessary for the website to work. For other cookies, you can choose whether to accept them through the cookie consent settings on our website and change your preferences at any time.

We may also collect technical information such as your IP address, browser type and information about how the website is used.

Links to other websites

Our website contains links to other websites. Once you follow a link to another website, its own privacy policy will apply and YOAS is not responsible for how that website collects or uses your information.

Changes to this policy

We may update this privacy policy from time to time to reflect changes to our services, systems or legal requirements. The date at the top of this page will show when it was last updated.

Contact

If you have any questions about this privacy policy or the information we hold about you, please contact:

YOAS Yoga Retreats
info@yoasyogaretreats.com
+44 (0)20 7733 2996