I expect many of you know more about health retreats than I do but from my one experience of an away retreat and a home retreat here are what I see as the advantages and disadvantages of both.
I think they are both well worth doing by the way!
If you go away for 6 days as I did in January 2017 it can be quite costly. I expect prices vary hugely. But for my money I got lovely accommodation, and freedom from responsibility for it. I had the company of new people which provided a nice distraction, though there was almost complete privacy if you wanted it. All the juices and soups were made for me - no washing up! The programme was varied and interesting with short seminars on many different aspects of health and the chance to try new things if you wanted to. There was a good selection of books and DVD's. Katrina told us to rest as much as possible - so nice to be told that! - and the walks were gentle and varied and a chance to get to know the other participants. I learned a lot.
At home I am lucky to have the same inspiring scenery! It was cost free. I am in the habit of making juices so that was easy - but healthy food is heavy and the amounts of fruit and veg I needed enormous so this took a bit of planning and shopping. I had the comfort of my own bed of course and although not in the luxury bracket I had everything I needed. I found being surrounded by all my usual responsibilities hard to ignore. and a bit of a distraction - not in a good way. I did see friends but motivating myself was not as easy without others doing the same thing. And food in the fridge and biscuits in the cupboard were tempting! I did have a cup of tea and a couple of biscuits late one evening and it didn't feel like the treat I thought it would be. I did have my own books to browse including one bought for the occasion, and I did a lot of research on the internet finding meditations and inspirational videos (thank you blog friends). I didn't walk as much as I would have in a group, but I could make up my own itinerary every day and do what interested me most.
I know I am lucky to be free to do this but if you really want to do something similar you will find a way - a weekend, your lunch hour, or two hours every Wednesday evening for 6 weeks - whatever.
I will try the two hours once a week for a bit, and am thinking of doing another 6 day one in summer....
It was brilliant.
Wishing you good health!