Hi, I'm Sarah Mitchell.

And I never intended to become the person who reviews yoga retreats for a living.

For eleven years, I worked in financial services in London. I managed projects, sat through endless meetings, lived on coffee, and convinced myself that being permanently exhausted was just what adulthood felt like.

Then, in 2018, I had a panic attack during a meeting.

Not the glamorous movie version. The real version. The kind where someone asks if you're okay and you genuinely can't answer.

Life Before Retreats

From the outside, everything looked fine.

I had a stable career, a respectable job title, and the sort of LinkedIn profile that suggests everything is going according to plan.

The reality was different.

I was exhausted, constantly stressed, and increasingly disconnected from myself. I kept telling myself things would improve after the next project, the next promotion, or the next holiday.

They didn't.

The Retreat That Changed Everything

A friend convinced me to book a seven-day yoga retreat in Rishikesh, India.

I rolled my eyes all the way to the airport. I told myself it was just a holiday.

Seven days later, I returned home sleeping better, thinking more clearly, and feeling something I hadn't felt in years:

Space.

Not enlightenment. Not perfection. Just enough space to hear myself think again.

That retreat cost $380. It remains one of the best investments I've ever made.

Why I Started Yoga Retreat Advisor

After that first retreat, I became obsessed with a simple question:

Why do some retreats feel life-changing while others feel like expensive holidays with yoga mats?

The more retreats I attended, the more I noticed how difficult it was to find honest information. Many review platforms prioritize commissions. Many rankings are influenced by advertising. Many reviews are written by people who have attended exactly one retreat.

I wanted something different. A place built around real experience, real comparisons, and honest recommendations.

That's why Yoga Retreat Advisor exists.

The Retreats That Taught Me Everything

Over the past several years, I've attended 14 retreats across 9 countries. From luxury retreats in Tuscany to budget retreats in India. Each one taught me something different.

Morocco

The most emotionally intense retreat I've attended. A reminder that growth is often uncomfortable before it becomes meaningful.

Bali

Beautiful. Inspiring. And proof that the most Instagrammable retreat isn't always the best retreat. I learned to separate aesthetics from actual teaching quality.

Silent Retreats

The format I underestimated most. Removing the pressure to socialize turned out to be one of the most restorative experiences of my adult life. Not easy. But surprisingly valuable.

A Few Things I Believe

Teachers Matter More Than Accommodation

A brilliant teacher in simple accommodation beats a mediocre teacher in a luxury villa. Every time.

Most First Retreats Are Too Long

For beginners, four to five days is usually better than seven to ten.

Bali Is Often Overpriced

Wonderful destination. Not automatically superior yoga.

Silent Retreats Are Underrated

Especially for people who spend their lives managing constant noise and demands.

Still Exploring

Today, I continue traveling, reviewing retreats, comparing experiences, and helping readers avoid expensive mistakes.

Some trips are extraordinary. Some are disappointing. Both are worth sharing. Because finding the right retreat shouldn't depend on luck. It should depend on good information.

Thanks for Being Here

Whether you're planning your first retreat or your fifteenth, I hope this site helps you find something genuinely worthwhile. I've already made plenty of mistakes so you don't have to.

And if I can save you from spending thousands of dollars on a retreat that looks incredible online but leaves you underwhelmed in person, then this website is doing exactly what it was built to do.

— Sarah Mitchell
Founder, Yoga Retreat Advisor