1. Can I pay using a payment plan?
Yes! We offer payment plans to fit your needs! Our standard payment plan is a non-refundable deposit at the time of booking, then the balance is due either 2 or 3 months prior to the retreat, depending on the retreat location and venue. If you would like to request a custom payment plan with additional installments, please contact us and we will discuss the options, based on your situation and how close to the retreat it is at that time.
2. How do I make changes to my registration personal information?
You can make changes to the answers you provided in the personal information registration form, such as dietary preferences, emergency contact, and any other personal information, by following the instructions here.
3. How do I pay my balance due?
You can pay your balance due or next installment by following the instructions here.
4. How do I sign up for a massage after I've booked the trip?
If massage sign up is offered through Body Flows (this will be included on the retreat information page), you can sign up for a massage by following the instructions here. Your massage will be scheduled on the Saturday afternoon during the free time. For retreats that have onsite therapists, you will usually call the retreat center beforehand to schedule your massage. More information regarding massage sign up and payment for each retreat is included on the specific retreat information page on our website.
5. Are yoga mats provided?
Some of our venues provide yoga mats, while other venues do not and you need to bring your own. Please review the What To Bring section on the specific retreat page for information about whether or not yoga mats are available at the retreat center. If you are flying and would like to bring a foldable travel yoga mat that will fit in your suitcase, here is a suggested travel mat.
6. Can I pay for the whole room and squeeze additional people into the room, by sharing beds?
No. We are sorry this is not permitted. All prices displayed on our website are per person, not per room. It is not possible to add additional people in a room due to max number of people permitted by the venue and permitted for meals and yoga.
7. Can I switch to a different room package (single, double, triple, quadruple etc) after I've booked?
We can switch you to a higher cost room package, subject to availability. We can only switch you to a lower cost room package if you have a friend signing up and would like to share with your friend, for example if you originally signed up for single occupancy then a friend wants to join you in a double occupancy room, we can switch you to double occupancy once your friend has registered.
8. Can I sign up for a shared double, triple or quadruple room if I'm traveling alone?
Yes. We will match you up with other traveler(s) of the same sex. To ensure a restful night for everyone, we kindly ask guests who use noise machines, music, or meditation apps at night to use headphones while in shared rooms. We also recommend bringing earplugs if you are sensitive to noise. This helps keep the space comfortable and peaceful for all.
9. Are shared rooms single sex or shared male/female?
All shared rooms are female only unless you are signing up with a friend or multiple friends and filling the room.
10. Is there a minimum age to attend?
Yes. All participants must be aged 21 or over to attend our USA retreats, and aged 18 or over to attend our European retreats.
11. Can I bring pets or animals?
No. Pets are not allowed. The only animals that are allowed are certified service animals, accompanied by a person with a disability. A certificate of service must be provided.
12. Can I have friends or family visit during the retreat?
No. It is not possible to have family members or friends, who are not part of the retreat, attend for part of the retreat. They are welcome to register for the full retreat if they would like to attend.
13. Can my partner, family member or friend stay in my room but not participate in the retreat?
They are welcome to stay as long as they pay for a full retreat spot. All guests in every room must pay for the full retreat package because we are charged per person by the venue for the full package.
14. Can I stay extra night(s) before or after the retreat?
Some of our venues are only open for organized retreat groups so in those cases it would not be possible to extend your stay. For venues that run as hotels for individual guests, you would reach out to the venue directly to book any additional nights before or after our retreat dates.
15. Can I check in earlier than the scheduled check in and arrival time?
Many of our retreats are held at private venues with no front desk or reception, so in these cases early arrival is not permitted because the venue is still being cleaned after the previous group. For venues that are hotels and open to other hotel guests, early arrival may be possible, although early check in to your room is not guaranteed.
16. Is a Body Flows Retreat similar to a Spa Resort?
The majority of our retreats are held at comfortable yet more rustic rereat centers in nature, not hotels or spa resorts. A few of our venues are hotels with onsite spas. We recommend reviewing the venue details on the specific retreat sign up page.
17. Is transport to and from the retreat included?
No. We include on the retreat sign up page a list of the closest airports to the venue as well as options for transport from the airports to the retreat. For some retreats we help to arrange airport transfers for additional cost and/or carpooling.
18. What is your Cancellation Policy?
There will be no refunds under any circumstances. For USA retreats, if you cancel more than 90 days prior you can transfer your payment to a different retreat. For non-USA retreats, if you cancel at any time, you are welcome to transfer your spot to a friend or family member.. You can read our full Cancellation Policy here. Please note that switching to a different retreat is considered a cancellation and will follow the cancellation policy rules at the link above.
19. Do I need to purchase travel insurance?
Travel Insurance is strongly recommended. There are a variety of plans and options with InsureMyTrip. We also recommend including the 'Cancel For Any Reason' clause so that you can cancel for any reason at all, including if you just change your mind. These policies usually need to be purchased within 21 days of the inital trip booking date.
20. How do I get to the retreat?
On each retreat registration page, the nearest airports are listed, as well as the address to the retreat center location. Driving directions will be provided a few weeks prior to the retreat. For our Sonoma County retreats, you may fly into SFO, Oakland or Sacramento airports. It is recommended to rent a car at the airport and drive to the retreat center because there is no public transport that takes you directly to the retreat center. Alternatively, you could use the Groome Transportation Sonoma County Airport Express bus from SFO or Oakland airports and get off in Petaluma or at the Sonoma County Airport in Santa Rosa, then get a taxi to the retreat center. You can find the schedule for the Groome Transportation Sonoma County buses here.
21. How many people usually attend a Body Flows Retreat?
The number of participants at our retreats varies from approximately 15-45 attendees. Our Sonoma and Sedona retreats are often larger with sometimes 30+ people. Other locations vary.
22. I'm new to yoga. Will the retreat be suitable for me?
We provide options and modifications for varying abilities and physical limitations, so as long as you are physically healthy and somewhat active, and comfortable modifying as needed, we believe the retreat will be suitable for you. The classes are mostly vinyasa flow for all levels. If you have any questions about the yoga, please feel free to contact us.
23. Are hands-on assists and adjustments offered during the yoga classes?
Sally does not offer hands-on assists. Her teaching style invites you to tune in to the wisdom of your own unique body, exploring movement and stillness in a way that feels right for you. She offers clear verbal alignment cues and some demonstrations to help you create a safe and supportive practice, without physical touch.
24. Most of the photos on the website are women. Are men allowed?
Yes! Men are allowed at all our retreats. The majority of our customers tend to be women, however men and couples are always welcome and encouraged.
25. Do you offer CE (continuing eduacation) for Nurses, Fitness Trainers, Yoga Teachers or any other Professions by attending a yoga retreat?
All our Body Flows Retreats are relaxing, rejvenuating experiences, not educational workshops. Due to this nature, our yoga retreats are not affiliated with any organization for CEs (contining education) such as Yoga Alliance or any Nursing or Fitness Trainer organizations. Whilst Sally Mitchell, your teacher and leader, is a YACEP (Yoga Alliance Continuing Education Provider), she may offer Yoga Alliance qualified CE classes in the future.
26. Can I bring gifts for the other Body Flows retreat customers and/or advertise my own business during the retreat?
No. Whilst we appreciate the kind thought, it is not permitted to bring gifts for the other Body Flows customers and it is not permitted to advertise your own business to Body Flows customers or offer free samples or discounts for your business.
27. What is the difference between a retreat and a workshop?
We like to think of a 'retreat' as being more of an experience and journey of transformation, with the goal of shifting a state of being within yourself, by taking time away from your busy day and reflecting inwards. The practices of yoga, meditation, and nature assist in enhancing this retreat experience. A 'workshop' is more of a learning or training session, where you will learn specific tools and tips and receive action-based information that will help guide you in some way. In a workshop, it's helpful to take notes and use your mind to remember and analyze information. At a retreat, we believe it's important to relax the mind, not take notes, and be open to the experience of 'being in the flow' and not in your analytical mind. Our intention at Body Flows Retreats is to help you to shift your state of being and tap into a deeper consciousness by relaxing your mind and thoughts, moving beyond the mind, to your inner space of inner peace.
For any further questions, please email us via our contact page.
