Have you ever wanted to drop everything, move to a Caribbean Island, and teach yoga?
Our villa Specialist Dani Crane also moonlights as a yoga instructor and connected with Retreat Yoga and Wellness Studio’s two founders, sisters Laura and Lindsay. In this blog, we ask these stellar sisters what it’s like to run a successful yoga business on these small beautiful islands!
Thanks so much for taking the time to answer my questions today! First of all, could you tell me a bit about how you and your sister came to Providenciales?
“We first arrived on Providenciales in 1989. We were just young and our family had moved from small town Ontario, to small island Provo, where our Dad began development and building. We spent close to 5 years here, attending Richmond Hills School, and playing in the sun and sand. After leaving island in 1994, we returned often to visit our Dad here, and eventually made the move back in 2005 and 2008. Been here ever since. We opened Retreat Yoga and Wellness Studio in 2013, and Retreat Kitchen in 2016. Our sister businesses are located in the Ports of Call Plaza, Grace Bay.”
Wow! For any readers not familiar with Provo, Ports of Call Plaza is located right smack dab in the middle of the tourist area and offers lots of dining and shopping options within a short walk. Guests could easily take a nice stroll around town after taking a yoga class at The Retreat! What was your intention is establishing your yoga studio? – Dani
“Our intention and mission behind Retreat is to create a wellness space and community, dedicated to guiding people towards a healthier and more holistic lifestyle through movement, yoga, and meditation, as well as providing a place to eat wholesome, plant based food.”
What can guests expect in a visit to The Retreat?
“Guests can expect to feel the calming vibes of Retreat as they enter and are greeted by one of our warm and welcoming Instructors. The instructor will discuss the different payment options, and then show you through the studio. We provide all yoga accessories, including mats, blocks, blankets, bolsters, and straps as needed. We have towels for use and a water cooler to refill your bottle or a glass. Depending on the time of year, our classes can either be quite full with residents and tourists alike, or a little quieter and spacious. Most classes are 1 hour in length.”
Do you offer any in-home classes for our villa guests?
“We provide In Villa Private Yoga Sessions, usually held outside overlooking the pool or ocean. We bring along all mats and blocks and usually set up a few minutes before start time. We also provide Retreat Kitchen Catering to Villas who desire plant based, gluten free meals, snacks, or fresh juice.”
Do you offer outdoor yoga?
“We have two outdoor yoga decks that we offer classes on daily. You can find these decks at the luxury boutique development, Beach Enclave Northshore, and Beach Enclave Long Bay.”
What do you love about the Turks and Caicos Islands?
“We love the almost 360 days of sunshine and wonderful weather, the stunning shades of turquoise and blue all around the island, the friendly and loving people of the island, and the relaxed vibe in general. Provo is a special place and we hope it continues to thrive as a luxury boutique destination for our visitors.”
Do you have any tips for first-time visitors to Turks and Caicos?
“If guests are coming down during holidays or busier times of year, it is a good idea to make some reservations in advance to ensure they get the experiences they want with island activities, restaurants, etc… We suggest Reef Safe/Eco Friendly Sun Care, hats and coverups, and lots of water. Dining out can get quite expensive, so we suggest picking a few things up from the local supermarket, so you don’t have to rely on restaurants for every meal. Fish Fry is a fun event to attend through the week, on Thursday evening – it is an opportunity to mingle and celebrate amongst locals, try out some of the local fare, and enjoy the music! Lastly, get a map of the island and perhaps plan to hire some wheels so you can take yourself on a tour and find some of the other beaches and gems of the island.”
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