How to Know If a Yoga/SUP Retreat Is for You

5 clear signs (even if you think you’re not ready)

In this guide, I share how to know if a retreat is for you with five clear signs—and zero pressure.

Sometimes the idea of a retreat passes through your heart, but when it reaches your head the mind jumps in with the “yes, but no”: I’m not flexible, I’m not in shape, I’d be going alone, I have no experience. If this resonates, breathe. This guide isn’t here to convince you of anything; it’s here to help you listen to yourself honestly and decide from within, without rush or pressure.

Imagine your last week for a moment: notifications nonstop, unanswered messages, meetings, commitments… and that thought that returns on its own, like the tide: “I need to pause,” “I can’t keep up.” If that picture feels familiar, these signs might be speaking directly to you.

1) You feel an emotional fatigue that doesn’t go away by sleeping more

It’s not laziness. It’s your body asking for a reset. You notice it because you enjoy less of what used to excite you, and your mind won’t switch off—not even in bed. And yet, when you think of the ocean, sun, quiet, and gentle movement… something inside softens.

The mix of SUP + yoga does something curious: the sound of the sea and the sway of the water turn down mental noise, your breath naturally slows to match it, and a kind of energy appears that doesn’t come from “more coffee,” but from presence.

Sometimes it’s enough to close your eyes and picture it: you on the board, standing or seated, feet in the water, a long exhale, the horizon open.

Before you keep reading, a 30-second check-in: place one hand on your chest and the other on your abdomen. Inhale for 4, hold for 2, exhale for 6—three times. Then ask yourself: “What do I truly need right now?”
(If what holds you back is “I don’t have experience,” there’s an article below that answers exactly that.)

2) You feel excited… but the “buts” show up (age, fitness, level)

The mind is as creative as it is dramatic when it’s trying to protect us: “My balance isn’t great,” “I’m not flexible,” “I’m not 20 anymore,” “How am I going to go on my own?” And still, the spark doesn’t go away. This is where the focus shifts: you’re not coming to perform or prove anything—you’re coming to be yourself, to do something for you, to feel yourself.

On the ocean, technique is learned progressively: you can paddle standing, on your knees, or seated; what matters is that you listen to yourself and move at your pace. Same with yoga: every pose has accessible options, and your breath leads the way.

By the way, many people arrive with SUP experience from lakes or rivers and are surprised: the ocean changes everything—balance, focus, connection—and that well-guided challenge turns into an indescribable sense of achievement.

Think of this as a pact with yourself: if your body says “today, this is enough,” you respect that and keep enjoying—no judgment, nothing to explain, no extra mental noise. If you feel fired up and want to explore more, amazing—keep going, always with respect for your body and how you’re feeling that day. With kindness.
(If you want to quiet the “but I don’t have experience” voice, link to the article Do you need experience to join a yoga or SUP retreat?)

3) Balance that starts on the board (and goes much further)

Paddleboarding is often linked to physical balance, but the moment you step onto the board you discover something deeper: even if you can swim, even if the water feels inviting, your mind switches on a gentle “careful, you could fall” mode—and that’s the best tool to keep you 100% present. You connect with the resistance of the paddle in the water, with your body’s micro-adjustments, with your breath… and, without noticing, you slip into active meditation.

Practicing it in Gran Canaria, with its incredible climate, amplifies everything: Fire (the sun on your skin), Earth (volcanic sand under your feet as you enter and leave the water), Air (the breeze that accompanies you) and, of course, Water (the Atlantic holding you while it teaches you to flow). It’s all there: pure nature and real connection.

And physically? You work your whole body without feeling “smashed”: deep core and stabilizers, legs and glutes, back, shoulders, chest, arms. Basically, the best full body session. And you can do it standing, on your knees, or seated. Oh—and absolutely enjoy the splash when it comes, with laughter and lightness.

4) Time for you… and human connection without pressure

Some days you feel great around people—sharing, laughing, swapping stories, letting off steam. And other days you need none of that: your body asks for silence, introspection, just time for you. Both are perfect.

Sometimes it’s neither one nor the other. The key is balance. That’s why this retreat is designed so you can enjoy a flow between activity and rest, group time and your own time. You decide what you want at each moment; the pace and the space are cared for so you can live it your way.

5) You keep postponing it… and you also put yourself last

Sometimes it isn’t just a lack of time—it’s habit. You prioritise others over yourself: “I’ll go when I can,” “when everything’s sorted.” And in the middle, heavy questions arise:
“What will they think if I say I’m going?” · “Do I have the right to put myself first?” · “Will I feel guilty for taking this time?”

That guilt isn’t a sign you’re doing something wrong; it’s the trace of years of not being first on your own list. Remember the airplane message: put your own mask on first so you can truly help others. When you’re well—calmer, more relaxed, more present—it shows: you listen better, react less, set kinder boundaries. The people around you notice and, over time, they appreciate it.

Try this mini exercise:

• Write down whom you usually prioritise (partner, kids, work…).

• Note how they’ll benefit if you return more rested and connected (more patience, more joy, more clarity).

• Draft a simple sentence to share your decision without guilt:
  “I’m gifting myself a few days to recharge. I’ll come back with energy and excited to share.”

It’s not about stopping caring for others; it’s about caring for you as well. From there, everything—including your relationships—works with another quality. And if today isn’t the moment, that’s okay. Give yourself permission to listen and choose when it is.

Myths (and one soothing truth)

Before you decide, let’s clear four common ideas:

• “You have to know yoga to join a retreat.”
  Reality: No. The practice adapts to you: there are accessible options for every pose. Yoga doesn’t judge—and neither should you.

• “Paddleboarding is only for people who already ‘get it’.”
  Reality: Not at all. With or without experience, you’ll learn—a lot. The ocean shifts balance (that’s part of the magic) for those who’ve only paddled on lakes/rivers, and beginners see real progression paddling on their knees, seated, or standing.

• “I’m older / I’m not in shape.”
  Reality: The number on your ID doesn’t matter. What matters is how you feel today—not your records. You’re not here to perform; you’re here to listen to yourself.

• “Travelling alone is weird.”
  Reality: Maybe it was once. Today, it’s a brave and loving choice for yourself. And doing it in small groups with others who are also coming solo makes it even more natural.

If your big question is “What if I don’t have experience?”, here’s an article to read calmly: Do you need experience to join a yoga or SUP retreat?

When it’s your moment

If, after reading this, you feel a yes, trust it.
If you feel a not yet, that’s perfect too. Take your time.

Sometimes deciding gets easier when you pause to listen. Look at what’s behind your doubts: do they protect you, or do they keep you in your comfort zone?

Ask yourself:

• What do I need in this moment of my life?

• How long has it been since I gifted myself something just for me?

• Where do I feel I could reconnect with myself?

• How have I been feeling lately, day to day?

• Do I want to let go, to pause, to laugh, to cry, to listen to myself?

Answer honestly and choose calmly, from within, without overexplaining.

Prioritising yourself isn’t selfish—it’s a form of love that improves everything else. When you’re well, it shows: in your gaze, your tone, your relationships.

When it’s your moment, you’ll know.
The ocean—and I—will still be here.

And if you’re already feeling it and want to know more, here you have all the info with retreat dates and details.

If you have questions, I’d love to hear from you—write to me here or directly at info@supfityoga.com. I’ll be happy to help you organise your special moment. In the meantime, I’m sending you a big hug, with lots of care and island energy.

Mireie 💜