Why Are Yoga Teachers Struggling to Fill Their Retreats in 2025 (And What Can You Do About It)
It’s 2025 and you’ve finally found the confidence to run a Retreat. You’ve put your heart and soul into creating something special. You’ve found the perfect venue, planned the classes, mapped out the themes, maybe even chosen the playlists. You know it will be transformational. You’re ready.
But... the bookings just aren’t coming in.
If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. In fact, it’s something I hear all the time from brilliant Yoga teachers and wellness professionals who are doing everything they can, yet still end up with half-empty Retreats or panicked last-minute discounts (side note, please don’t offer last-minute discounts to fill your spaces, it’s a slap in the face to those who bought early and paid full price!)
So, what’s actually going on?
In this blog, I’m going to break down exactly why it’s been harder to fill your Retreats in 2025 and what’s really at play beneath the surface. Spoiler alert: it’s not because your Retreat isn’t good enough and it’s definitely not because you're not a great teacher.
There’s a bigger picture here and once you understand it, you’ll feel a whole lot clearer, and feel more confident about how to move forward.
For full transparency, I just wanted to let you know that I’ve been struggling to fill my Retreats this year too! This is the first time in 9 years of Retreat Hosting, that my Retreats aren’t all sold out. Bookings have been slow, inconsistent and people just don’t seem interested. I started doing some research into why this might be happening and decided to write a blog on what I found.
The Cost of Living Crisis Is Changing How People Spend
Let’s start with the elephant in the room: money.
The ongoing cost of living crisis in the UK is affecting everyone. Prices have gone up a lot, in fact consumer prices have risen over 20% in the last three years and even people with stable jobs and decent incomes are being more careful about what they spend. That includes your potential Retreat guests.
Now, are people still spending money on things they love? Yes, but much more cautiously. People are looking for real value, for real transformation. They’re asking themselves, “Will this retreat help me feel better, calmer, clearer?” Or will it just feel like another thing on my overflowing to-do list?
That’s why the way you speak about your Retreat, who it’s for, and what it really offers is more important than ever. It’s not about adding more stuff to people’s lives, it’s about connecting emotionally and showing that this is something they can’t afford not to do.
More Yoga Teachers, More Retreats, More Competition?
In the past few years, there’s been a huge increase in the number of Yoga teachers in the UK and naturally, more and more are offering Retreats. I’ve always tried to stay in my own lane with my Retreats, what works for my guests, might not work for others. People who love someone else’s Retreat might not love mine and I was fine with that. We all offer something unique and different and I truly believe that there is enough space and enough students to go round. Even with the growing number of Retreats been advertised online, I still managed to avoid falling into the tap of comparing myself to others.
According to recent reports, the UK now has an estimated 10,000 to 15,000 Yoga teachers and platforms like Retreat Guru are listing thousands of Retreats each year, just in the UK. That’s a lot of choice for students and while I love that our community is growing, it also means that simply saying “I’m running a weekend Retreat with Yoga and nature” just doesn’t cut through anymore.
It’s not that people don’t want to go, it’s that they’re overwhelmed by options, and unsure which Retreat is truly right for them. So unless your Retreat is positioned clearly and confidently, it’s easy for it to get lost in the scroll.
This is where having a clear message, a strong niche, and a thoughtful marketing strategy can make all the difference. (This is exactly what we dive into inside my Sold Out Retreat Academy, because it’s not something you magically learn in Yoga teacher training.)
It’s Not Just Yoga Retreats, The Whole Wellness Industry Is Booming!
Here’s something interesting: the UK Wellness Retreat industry is actually growing. It was worth over $10 billion in 2022 and is expected to hit $12.45 billion by 2029.
So... what gives?
The truth is, while interest in Retreats is increasing, so is competition and not just from other Yoga teachers. There are breathwork weekends, digital detox Retreats, cold-water immersion experiences, luxury spa escapes, mindset coaching immersions and yes, many of them are beautifully marketed and very much needed.
That means your potential guests are comparing your Retreat not just to other Yoga retreats, but to all kinds of wellness experiences. To stand out, you have to know how to clearly communicate what makes yours different and why it’s the exact experience your dream client has been searching for.
Take 60 minutes and scroll through similar (or any!) Yoga Retreat adverts, a Retreat Facebook Group is perfect for this. What do they all have in common? What words/phrases are regularly being used? What can you write that will make your advert stand out in the crowd and stop your dream client in their tracks?
What does your advert need to say, in order to make your dream client hit BOOK NOW without any hesitation?
The Rise Of Retreat Venues
Another trend I’m seeing is more and more venues offering space for Retreats. Holiday let companies are now fully aware of the boom in Wellness Retreats and are tapping into that side of the business, after the post-pandemic boom of holidaying in the UK has bottomed out.
But this comes with its own set of challenges.
Venues might look gorgeous in photos, but they don’t always have the right set-up for teaching. There might be noise restrictions, limited privacy, or awkward communal spaces that don’t support the deep rest and connection your Retreat promises.
And again, with so many Retreat venues popping up, you need to be crystal clear on the experience you're offering. Beautiful scenery and ensuite bathrooms just aren’t enough anymore. What transformation are you offering? Who is this really for? How will they feel when they leave and the main question I often ask myself (and Retreat Hosts I work with), why do you want to run this Retreat?
So, What Can You Do?
Here’s what I want you to know: if you’re struggling to fill your Retreat in 2025, you’re not failing. You’re in a shifting landscape, and what worked a few years ago simply doesn’t work anymore.
But the good news? With the right support, you can adapt.
I created the Sold Out Retreat Academy because I saw so many amazing Yoga teachers and wellness professionals getting stuck. You’ve got the passion. You’ve got the wisdom. What you need is someone to help you bridge the gap between your beautiful Retreat vision and the kind of sales and marketing that actually works in today’s world.
In the Academy, I teach you how to:
Find your unique Retreat niche and audience
Craft messaging that connects and converts
Build a marketing plan that doesn’t feel pushy or salesy
Sell with confidence, without burnout or second-guessing
You don’t have to hustle harder or try to be someone you’re not. You just need the right tools and a supportive space to grow.
You’re Not Alone in This
The Retreat industry is evolving. But there is space for you and your voice, your work, your gifts.
If you’re feeling disheartened, please don’t give up. The world needs what you offer, but people won’t know that unless you learn how to share it powerfully and clearly.
If you’re ready to learn how to fill your Retreats with ease (and joy!), I’d love to support you inside the Sold Out Retreat Academy.
Because you deserve a Retreat that’s not just beautiful, but fully booked and worth all your hard work and time.