Purna Yoga Retreats in Byron Bay: 1, 3, 5 and 7-Day Stays at an Eco Retreat Centre

Byron Yoga Centre has been running retreats for over three decades. The retreat centre sits on 15 acres of land with 3 acres of organic fruit, vegetable and herb gardens, and it is a short walk from both the beach and Byron Bay's town centre. Guests have exclusive access to the retreat grounds during their stay.

The daily rhythm is set by the retreat length. On a seven-day retreat you get the fullest schedule: yoga and meditation sessions each morning and afternoon, workshops on yogic philosophy, and enough time between them to actually rest. Five-day retreats run a similar programme with less time to spare. Weekend retreats start Friday afternoon and finish Sunday, with the aim of leaving you rested rather than wrung out. One-day retreats are for locals or visitors who want a taste of the place without staying overnight.

The style taught is Purna Yoga, which John Ogilvie developed. Purna means "complete", and in practice that means classes include breath work, meditation and philosophy alongside the postures. Teachers on the team include Elise, the retreat manager, who has taught here since 2016 and leads vinyasa, yin, restorative and slow flow; Ross, who joined in 2016 and has a Post-Graduate Diploma in Yoga Therapy; Aurora, a teacher trainer and emotional wellbeing coach; and Colin, who teaches vinyasa, yin and myofascial release.

Specialty retreats run alongside the weekly ones. The Women's 3-Day retreat is co-hosted by Aurora and Tabata and is limited to women. The Men's Health retreat combines physical yoga, breathwork, meditation and discussion. The Yoga Teacher's Retreat is for teachers who want to practise rather than plan classes. The New Year retreat runs over 27 December to 2 January and includes New Year's Eve.

Food comes mostly from the centre's own organic gardens, supplemented by local and in-season produce. The menu is vegetarian. Accommodation ranges from twin rooms with shared bathrooms to private ensuite rooms with a verandah. Facilities include a 20-metre solar-heated mineral salt pool, a Balé among the banana trees, on-site bikes, and a sauna that can be added to a retreat at a reduced rate.

What's included

- Accommodation (for overnight retreats) - Vegetarian meals from the organic garden - Daily yoga and meditation sessions - Workshops on yogic philosophy - Access to 15 acres of retreat land - Use of the 20-metre mineral salt pool - Use of on-site bikes - Payment plan option

What's not included

- Travel to Byron Bay - Airport transfers - Travel insurance - Personal expenses - Sauna experience (available at a reduced rate) - Spa treatments - One-day retreats do not include overnight accommodation