Any individual that makes a commitment to a daily yoga practice deeply understands how challenging it is to remain loyal for several weeks, a few months or even a year. Other than finding a yoga practice buddy, there may be a helpful and particularly enjoyable solution to keeping the self-made promise—an occasional yoga immersion retreat away from home.

Why travel away from home to practice yoga? According to veteran yoga traveler Kandy Love, a certified Iyengar yoga instructor at Health & Harmony Center, in Fort Myers, there are several boons to remote yoga retreats. “The first is that it gives you the opportunity to see the positive effects of doing yoga classes generally twice a day. This alone can take your yoga practice to another level and inspire you to renew your commitment,” says Love.

A yoga retreat can also serve as a much-needed digital detox. Untethering from cell phones, laptops and other digital devices leaves free time to meditate, relax and breathe deeper.

A vivid experience in a far-off country such as India or Costa Rica or an exotic island such as Bali wipes the familiar sensory slate clean. New accents, a foreign language, a different culture and a cacophony of new sounds and smells can shift consciousness and awaken all the senses, bringing clarity and profound insights.

In 2012, Jennifer Colucci, the owner of Awakening Through Synergy and copartner of 3rd Eye Yoga Surf Adventures, had her first vinyasa flow yoga immersion experience at The Peace Retreat, in Playa Negra, Costa Rica. Gripped by the yoga teachings and enthralled with the natural beauty and exotic wildlife, as well as the surfing, Colucci went on to take yoga teacher training and today teaches gentle yoga at Bala Vinyasa, in Naples. “The purpose of practicing yoga is to go within and get in touch with your ‘self.’ That’s easier to do when you’re totally disengaged from everyday life, a job and family obligations. During a weekend or weeklong yoga immersion, there’s more time for de-stressing and deep restoration,” says Colucci, who is leading a July yoga immersion at the Peace Retreat.

Why not go confidently in the direction of your dreams? Find a yoga immersion retreat at a destination on your bucket list and enjoy crossing it off.

Upcoming Yoga Retreats: Jul. 12-18, Peace Retreat at Guanascaste, Costa Rica, led by Jennifer Colucci. For more information call 239-529-7582 or 805-626-8400. Also, a journey to India, led by Love Yoga Center. For information, call 239-692-9747 or visit LoveYogaCenter.com.