Author: hammanitech-demos.online

When you feel that pull, it’s up to you to plan your trip… or trust a travel company to do the heavy lifting for you!

Deciding where to invest your travel dollars is never a small decision… Once you have chosen your destination, you then start wondering whether to invest your time into lengthy online research or take booking a spot with a Tour company and travel with a group.

Nothing’s more overwhelming than planning a day-by-day itinerary to a country you’ve never visited before, knowing it may just be your only chance to experience a very special place… and where even the simplest actions, like getting transportation or finding breakfast, can feel like huge question marks.

After years of running small group adventures, we are pretty sure of a couple of things:

1. The best way to see a country usually is with a travel group unless you speak the language or have local connections.
2. Group travel is more immersive, not less
3. You’ll actually have a more authentic, local experience than if you were to go on your own.
4. Traveling through an experienced company, that employs local guides, have better odds of overcoming language barriers and avoiding tourist traps.
5. If you’re a foodie, a well-planned small group adventure will ensure you’re getting authentic food – most restaurants in highly-travelled areas are notorious for not serving legitimate  local cuisine.
6. When you take a group adventure virtually all those stressors are erased. And should you run into a mishap (like a delayed flight, a misplaced bag, or unexpected closure) you know you have experts in your corner to handle it for you.
7. You can’t out-plan a group adventure itinerary…at least not on your first visit to a country!
8. At the Yoga Department, we’ve been doing this for a long time. Every adventure itinerary is based on extensive planning, local relationships, and lots of experience.
9. You’ll get an itinerary that’s perfectly balanced: neither overbooked nor boring, With the perfect blend of nature, spirituality, culture, cuisines, good old-fashioned fun, and of course, yoga.
10. Hotels – We know the hotels and put in extensive research in choosing the best for our groups in terms of ambience, quality of food, location and most importantly hygiene.

Cast your mind back 3,000 years ago to ancient India and you will see that there were no overweight people as there we no supermarkets, fast food joints, or refrigeration.

There were no inflexible people as everyone sat on the floor and did manual work. Just getting around required physical effort, there were no cars or electric scooters.

So, why did the yogis create Yoga if it was not for losing weight or gaining flexibility?

What the yogis understood is that the body/mind are not two separate entities, but two sides of the same coin. What is done with the body impacts the mind, and what happens in the mind impacts the body.

Yoga Made Our Lives Much Easier

While modern technology has made our lives much easier and general living more convenient, the stresses facing humans (food, shelter, money, and relationships) have not changed.

The emotional blueprint today is exactly the same as in times past and each individual still experiences a battle between feelings of hope, optimism, and love, and those of doubt, and insecurity.

As the world spins around us, the goal of Yoga is to find our center so that we are able to maintain mental balance and not get crushed in the overwhelming challenges that are out of our control, e.g., the Russian/Ukraine war, rapidly rising inflation, loved ones dying, etc.

The yogis created a system that addresses our needs on all levels: Asana for creating a healthy and mobile body. Meditation is to learn how to control our minds, and Pranayama (breath work) is the tool to link the body and mind together.

The practice of authentic Yoga is like a recipe and if the instructions are not followed the meal ends up a bit of a mess.

You need the right ingredients, in the right amount, cooked with the right technique to make a healthy meal.

The parts of Yoga (Asana, Pranayama, and Meditation) are synergistic – a combined effect greater than the sum of their separate effects.

Happiness is not the endless pursuit of pleasant experiences,  but a way of being that results from cultivating a benevolent mind, emotional balance, inner freedom, inner peace, and wisdom. Each of these qualities is a skill that can be enhanced through the practice of Yoga.

Are you an established and successful yoga business, looking at running a Yoga retreat with your student overseas? If so, you may like to consider using a Professional Tour Operator or Travel Agent to help you.

Many Yoga Teachers around the world are now acting as travel agents and making their own bookings to run overseas retreats in countries such as Bali, Sri Lanka, and India.

This can be risky business and would be handled better on your behalf by a Tour Operator.

10 Main Reasons to Outsource Yoga Retreat

If you wish to arrange an overseas retreat for your students, here are 10 top reasons to outsource to a Tour Operator or Travel Agent.

1. Expertise in Tour Management:

Tour operators specialize in planning and managing tours, including logistics, accommodations, and activities. They have the experience and knowledge to handle complex travel arrangements efficiently.

2. Focus on Teaching:

Yoga teachers can concentrate on their core expertise—teaching yoga—without the added burden of organizing and managing travel logistics. This allows them to provide a better yoga experience to participants.

3. Time and Stress Savings:

Planning and executing overseas yoga retreats can be time-consuming and stressful. Outsourcing to a tour operator frees up the teacher’s time and reduces stress, enabling them to focus on teaching and self-care.

4. Reduced Financial Risk:

Tour operators often have established relationships with travel providers and can negotiate better deals on accommodations, transportation, and activities. This can help minimize financial risks and improve profit margins.

5. Access to Resources:

Tour operators have access to a network of local guides, translators, and experts, enhancing the quality of the retreat experience. They can also provide emergency support and assistance.

6. Marketing and Promotion:

Tour operators may have established marketing channels and a broader reach to attract participants. They can help fill retreats and ensure a steady stream of attendees.

7. Professionalism and Credibility:

Partnering with a reputable tour operator can enhance the professionalism and credibility of the yoga retreat, instilling confidence in potential participants.

8. Legal and Regulatory Compliance:

Tour operators are well-versed in legal and regulatory requirements for international travel, helping to ensure compliance with visa, insurance, and safety regulations.

9. Customization:

Tour operators can work closely with yoga teachers to customize retreat itineraries to align with their teaching style and goals, ensuring a unique and tailored experienc.

10. Scalability:

Outsourcing allows yoga teachers to scale their retreats more easily by tapping into the resources and expertise of tour operators, accommodating larger groups if desired.

While outsourcing has its advantages, it’s essential for yoga teachers to choose a reputable tour operator with a proven track record and shared values. Clear communication between the yoga teacher, students, and tour operator is key to creating successful and harmonious yoga retreats and tours.

What is Yoga?

For many people ‘yoga’ is thought of as a class you do that lasts about an hour, in which you perform postures (asanas). It is supposed to make you feel relaxed, happier, stronger, healthier, and more flexible.

And yes that is part of it, but yoga is also so much more than just that…

Yoga is not about having a capable and flexible body to do complicated postures.

So what is yoga for me?

• It is about being aware of whatever I do, including a yoga posture
• It brings together body, mind, and breath.
• It is about accepting feelings, thoughts, emotions, fears, judgments, and pain
• It is about listening to my body when it talks to me through tension or fatigue and giving the body what it needs when it does
• It is the practice of quieting the mind
• It is about enjoying strength and flexibility, physically, emotionally, and mentally
• It is being present when there is pain, allowing it fully without running away,
• It is about being present with happiness, without the fear of losing it; fully embracing it, knowing that that too shall pass.
• It is about seeing/realizing that we are all made of the same substance
• It is about understanding the impermanence of life and change

Check recent tour posts:

Sri Lanka is a Hot Destination for Wellness

About Yoga Yesterday and Today

10 Reasons to Outsource your Yoga Retreat to a Tour Operator

If you are an established Yoga studio or teacher looking to expand your business and offers through travel.  We’re here to support you.

You can choose one of our Yoga Tours to market to your students.

This enables you to travel for free, to stunning destinations around the globe, without spending valuable time and energy on travel arranging. It is a win win for everyone because of great service, ease of booking, and fully supported travel for students.

By becoming a Member of The Yoga Department, you can choose one of our Yoga Tours to market to your students. Enabling you to travel for free, to stunning destinations around the globe, without spending valuable time and energy on the travel arranging.

So how does Yoga Teachers Event work?

All our members are offered 1 free spot on a Yoga tour if they refer 12 + students. For example, our North India Spiritual & Yoga Journey costs $4895 pp twin share, then this is free to the member, once 12 of their students have booked and confirmed a spot on the tour. The other great incentive for our yoga teachers is that they are paid to teach on the tour!  plus they are paid commissions and receive  a FREE international flight ticket!

So, Yoga Teachers choose a Yoga Tour they wish to travel and teach on and start promoting.

We honor the value our Yoga Teacher members provide and offer on our organized Yoga Tours.

If you are interested in becoming a member, simply pay the once off $39 fee and start promoting a Yoga tour of your choice to travel for free!

South India is a veritable treasure trove of Ayurveda and Yoga, offering seekers of holistic well-being a unique opportunity to rejuvenate their body and mind. This region is renowned for its ancient traditions and practices that have been handed down through generations. Ayurveda, the science of life, finds its roots deeply embedded in South Indian culture, with Kerala being one of the most prominent hubs for authentic Ayurvedic treatments.

Here, travelers can indulge in therapies and massages that are tailor-made to suit their individual constitution, aiming to restore balance and vitality. The lush, tropical landscapes of South India provide an ideal backdrop for this healing journey, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in natural beauty while embracing the wisdom of Ayurveda.

South India A Yoga Hub

South India is also a hub for the practice of Yoga, another ancient discipline that seeks to harmonize the body, mind, and soul. The region boasts numerous Yoga retreats and ashrams, some of which are nestled in tranquil settings amidst rolling hills or along the pristine coastline.

Yoga enthusiasts from around the world flock to South India to study under experienced gurus, deepening their understanding of asanas, pranayama, and meditation. The combination of Ayurveda and Yoga in South India creates a holistic wellness experience that allows travelers to not only rejuvenate their physical health but also embark on a transformative spiritual journey, making it a truly remarkable destination for seekers of inner peace and vitality.

Check our: Tourist Visas & Entry Requirements