When planning sustainable family travel, being mindful of the body and spirit also means being considerate of the health of our world through ecotourism and sustainable travel. Here are a few ways to minimize your carbon footprint for your next family vacation.
1. SHORT TRAVEL TIMES: Yoga invites us to take responsibilities for our choices so it only feels appropriate to choose a yoga retreat that is light on travel. A yoga retreat doesn’t have to be located a half day’s travel away. Look for options that can easily be accessed in your local area.
2. FAMILY TIME: Spending quality time with the kids is the most important part of a family vacation but it can seem like a challenge if you also want to spend time perfecting your practice. Look for a retreat that will cater to both children and adult yogis. “I like my practice too and want to develop it. When my children were younger I looked for a retreat that would cater for us all together in this way in the UK and couldn’t find one,” says Sarah Haden of Yoga Unlimited. “So the first integrated yoga + mindfulness family retreat was created and now takes place each year in a beautiful natural setting in Devon.”
3. TIME MANAGEMENT: There are many different models of family and not everyone has support, time or money for a solo yoga retreat (as lovely as they are). Look for a retreat where children are encouraged to practice yoga but to also have the freedom to get creative with art and craft projects.
4. ALL AGES WELCOME: There are many healthy benefits to surrounding yourself among a group of people that are culturally diverse and from a range of ages. “My experience of the last 3 years is that it’s a very dynamic and interesting environment where there is less exclusion age wise,” says Haden. The widening perspective encourages cross-generational conversations and shared experiences between everyone from children to grandparents.
Interested in sustainable family travel in the UK? There are still spots for family members at various retreats this spring. Check them out at Intelligent Strength Yoga Retreat Cotswolds.
Please email tarab@soulseedmedia.com to learn more about the Intelligent Strength Yoga Retreat in the Cotswolds.
