Yoga & Wellness Retreat FAQs | Travel & Retreat Questions

A wellness retreat is an opportunity to step away from daily responsibilities and reconnect with yourself. Through movement, adventure, nourishing food, meaningful connection, and time in nature, you’ll return home feeling more energized, grounded, and inspired. Many guests come seeking rest, clarity, personal growth, community, or simply a memorable experience in a beautiful destination.

Every retreat is unique, but most days include yoga, Pilates, fitness, meditation, or mobility classes, delicious meals, free time to relax, and optional excursions such as hiking, surfing, sailing, cultural experiences, or spa treatments. Participate in as much or as little as you’d like—this is your retreat experience.

Ritual Union Retreats creates boutique yoga retreats, Pilates retreats, fitness retreats, and wellness retreats in extraordinary destinations around the world. Led by Melissa Joy Schoeller and a team of experienced teachers, our retreats blend movement, adventure, meaningful connection, and personal growth in a welcoming community environment. Whether you’re traveling solo or with friends, you’ll leave feeling rooted, inspired, and more connected to yourself and others.

Not at all. Our retreats welcome all experience levels, from complete beginners to seasoned practitioners. Classes are designed with options and modifications so you can move at your own pace. Whether you’re looking to challenge yourself or simply enjoy gentle movement and relaxation, you’ll feel supported and included.

Our retreats are intentionally kept small and personal, typically hosting 12–25 guests depending on the destination. This creates a welcoming environment where meaningful connections, individual attention, and a strong sense of community can naturally develop.

Perfect, you’ll be in good company. Most of our guests attend solo.

Ritual Union retreats are designed to foster genuine connection, making it easy to meet like-minded people from around the world. Many guests arrive knowing no one and leave with lifelong friendships.

Private and shared accommodations are available depending on the retreat and your preferences.

Most of our retreat venues provide yoga mats and basic equipment, so there is usually no need to travel with your own. If you prefer practicing with your personal mat, you’re welcome to bring it. Specific details for each destination will be provided before your retreat.

Probably. Our community includes adults of many ages and backgrounds, with most guests typically between 25 and 70 years old.

What connects people at Ritual Union retreats isn’t age, it’s a shared desire for wellness, adventure, personal growth, and meaningful connection. Our retreats are intentionally welcoming and inclusive, and guests often find they connect with people they may never have met otherwise.

Yes. Most of our retreat venues can accommodate common dietary needs, including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, and other preferences. During registration, we’ll ask about any dietary restrictions or allergies and work closely with our hosts and chefs to ensure you feel well cared for throughout your retreat experience.

Each retreat is unique, but accommodations, 2-3 daily yoga, Pilates, fitness or wellness, workshops and  classes, and most meals are typically included. Some retreats also include excursions, cultural experiences, airport transfers, workshops, or special events. Details of exactly what’s included—and any optional add-ons—can be found on each retreat page.

We’ve got you covered. Every retreat page includes recommended airports, transportation options, and arrival information. After booking, you’ll receive detailed travel guidance, and our team is always happy to help answer questions about flights, transfers, and logistics. We want getting there to feel as stress-free as the retreat itself.

We recommend bringing a small amount of local currency for personal purchases, gratuities, or optional activities. Many destinations accept credit cards, but some of our retreat locations are more remote, where cash can be helpful. We’ll provide destination-specific recommendations before your retreat.

For international retreats, you’ll need a valid passport with at least six months of validity remaining beyond your travel dates. Some destinations may also require a visa, depending on your country of residence.

We recommend purchasing travel insurance and reviewing any entry requirements well before departure. Detailed travel information for each destination is provided after booking, and we’re always happy to help answer questions along the way.

Each Ritual Union retreat is intentionally designed as either a ROOTED or INSPIRED experience, and the accommodations reflect that vision.

ROOTED retreats prioritize exploration, adventure, community, and transformational experiences in extraordinary destinations.

INSPIRED retreats emphasize relaxation, restoration, beautiful accommodations, and space to slow down and reconnect.

No matter which path you choose, you’ll enjoy thoughtfully selected accommodations that support comfort, connection, and unforgettable experiences.

If you’re craving a break from routine, looking to reconnect with yourself, seeking adventure, or hoping to meet like-minded people, a retreat may be exactly what you need. Whether you’re navigating a life transition, prioritizing wellness, or simply ready for a meaningful getaway, you’ll find a welcoming space to show up exactly as you are.

You’re not alone—most of our guests join solo. Ritual Union retreats are intentionally designed to foster connection through shared meals, movement, adventures, and community experiences. Many guests arrive as strangers and leave with lifelong friendships.

Absolutely. While every retreat includes a thoughtfully curated schedule of classes and experiences, participation is always optional. Spend your days exploring, relaxing by the pool, reading a book, enjoying a spa treatment, or joining every activity. This is your retreat, your pace, your experience.

Many guests return for the unique combination of community, adventure, movement, and meaningful experiences. Every retreat offers a new destination and new memories, but the welcoming atmosphere and authentic connections remain the same. Once you’ve experienced the magic of a Ritual Union retreat, it’s easy to understand why so many guests come back year after year.

We’ll send a detailed packing list before your retreat, but generally we recommend comfortable clothing for movement, walking shoes, swimwear, sun protection, and anything that helps you feel comfortable and at home. Each destination may have additional recommendations based on climate and planned activities.

Ritual Union Retreats combines yoga, Pilates, fitness, wellness, adventure, and meaningful connection in extraordinary destinations around the world. Led by Melissa Joy Schoeller and experienced co-teachers, our retreats are intentionally designed to feel welcoming, inclusive, and deeply memorable. Whether you’re traveling solo or with friends, you’ll find a supportive community, thoughtfully curated experiences, and the freedom to do as much—or as little—as you’d like.

Once you’ve reserved your spot, we’ll guide you every step of the way.

8 weeks before departure: Final payment is due.

3-4 weeks before departure: You’ll receive detailed travel information, accommodations, excursion options, packing recommendations, and retreat logistics.

1–2 weeks before departure: You’ll be invited to a private WhatsApp group where you can connect with fellow retreaters, ask questions, receive updates, and coordinate travel if you’d like.

From booking to arrival, our team is here to help make your experience as smooth and stress-free as possible.

 A non-refundable deposit secures your spot on the retreat. The remaining balance is due approximately six weeks before departure.

We offer flexible payment plans, allowing you to make payments over time in amounts that work best for your budget.

Because accommodations and venue commitments are secured well in advance, deposits are non-refundable. In many cases, deposits may be transferred to another Ritual Union retreat within one year of the original booking date. Please refer to our cancellation policy for complete details.

We also strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance to help protect your investment.

Many of our retreats sell out months in advance, especially private rooms and smaller boutique experiences. We recommend booking early to secure your preferred accommodations and payment plan options.

Better safe than sorry – protect your adventure! We highly recommend adding travel insurance at checkout – it's your one chance to secure it, as you can’t go back and add insurance after the purchase is made. The cost is typically 7-10% of your booking value, offering peace of mind for a small price.

We’ve partnered with Xcover, a trusted name in travel and event insurance. They boast a 4.7 'Excellent' rating on Trustpilot and an impressive NPS score of 65+. Just note, if you ever need to file a claim, it will be handled directly through Xcover, not through Ritual Union Retreats.

We understand that plans can change. Because retreat venues, accommodations, and experiences are secured well in advance, our cancellation policy is designed to balance flexibility with our commitments to our partners.

Cancellation 61+ Days Before Retreat Start Date

• Full refund minus the non-refundable deposit, or
• Transfer 100% of the amount paid (minus the deposit) as a credit toward another retreat within 1 year.

Cancellation 60–31 Days Before Retreat Start Date

• 50% refund (minus the non-refundable deposit), or
• Transfer 75% of the amount paid (minus the deposit) as a credit toward another retreat within 1 year.

Cancellation Within 30 Days of Retreat Start Date

• No refund.
• Transfer 50% of the amount paid (minus the deposit) as a credit toward another retreat within 1 year.

Cancellation Within 15 Days of Retreat Start Date

• No refund.
• No transfer options available.

We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance to protect your investment in the event of illness, injury, travel delays, weather disruptions, or other unforeseen circumstances.

Your safety is always our highest priority.

If a retreat must be canceled due to a natural disaster, government restriction, or other circumstances that make travel unsafe, we will communicate with guests as quickly as possible regarding available options. Depending on the situation, guests may receive a retreat credit, transfer opportunity, or refund as outlined in our policies.

For additional peace of mind, we highly recommend purchasing comprehensive travel insurance.

Many of our guests discover Ritual Union through friends, family, coworkers, and fellow travelers—and we’re incredibly grateful for every referral.

Receive a $100 retreat credit for each new guest you refer who books a retreat with us.

Refer 10 or more guests within a calendar year and you’ll receive an additional $500 bonus retreat credit.

There is no limit to how many referrals you can make, and credits can be applied toward future Ritual Union retreats.

Yes. We specialize in creating custom retreats and group experiences around the world.

Whether you’re planning a yoga retreat, wellness retreat, corporate retreat, teacher training, leadership retreat, family gathering, or special celebration, our team can help bring your vision to life.

From destination selection and accommodations to meals, excursions, transportation, and programming, we’ll handle the details so you can focus on enjoying the experience with your group.

Interested in planning a private retreat? Contact us at hello@ruyogaretreats.com.

The best way to stay informed is by joining our newsletter.

Subscribers receive early access to new retreat launches, destination announcements, special promotions, wellness inspiration, travel tips, and updates from the Ritual Union community.

Many retreats sell out well before departure, so our newsletter is often the first place new retreats are announced.

Join our newsletter below to stay in the loop.

We love to hear from current or prospective retreaters. You can reach us at hello@ruyogaretreats.com