{
"type": "doc",
"content": [
{ "type": "paragraph", "content": [{ "type": "text", "text": "Pricing is the part of retreat planning that stops more yoga teachers in their tracks than anything else. Not the logistics, not the teaching, not the venue search — the number. What do I charge? What if nobody books? What if I work for a month and come home with nothing?" }] },
{ "type": "paragraph", "content": [{ "type": "text", "text": "This guide gives you a clear formula — not guesswork — and real India-specific numbers to plug in. Whether you are planning your very first retreat or trying to fix the margins on a retreat you have already run, by the end you will know exactly how to price it, structure it, and protect your income." }] },
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{ "type": "statCard", "attrs": { "value": "$900–1,800", "label": "Mid-range 7-day retreat (per person)" } },
{ "type": "statCard", "attrs": { "value": "10–12", "label": "Ideal first-retreat group size" } },
{ "type": "statCard", "attrs": { "value": "15%", "label": "Buffer to add for unexpected costs" } },
{ "type": "statCard", "attrs": { "value": "$100/day", "label": "Minimum profit per person benchmark" } }
]},
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{ "type": "heading", "attrs": { "level": 2 }, "content": [{ "type": "text", "text": "1. The mindset shift: price for profit, not just break-even" }] },
{ "type": "paragraph", "content": [{ "type": "text", "text": "Most first-time retreat leaders make the same mistake. They tally up their costs, divide by the number of guests, and call that the price. The retreat runs, everyone has a beautiful experience, and the teacher arrives home to discover they worked 200 hours and earned nothing — or less than nothing." }] },
{ "type": "paragraph", "content": [{ "type": "text", "text": "This is the break-even trap, and it is entirely avoidable once you understand the full formula." }] },
{ "type": "calloutBox", "attrs": { "variant": "info", "title": "The pricing formula" }, "content": [{ "type": "paragraph", "content": [
{ "type": "text", "text": "Price per person = Hard costs ÷ minimum group size + Hidden costs per person + Your time + Profit buffer", "marks": [{ "type": "bold" }] },
{ "type": "text", "text": "\n\nEvery section of this guide fills in one part of this formula. Do not skip ahead." }
]}]},
{ "type": "paragraph", "content": [{ "type": "text", "text": "There is also a psychological dimension to pricing that matters enormously in the retreat market. Low prices do not attract more guests — they attract the wrong guests and repel the right ones. Western travellers booking a yoga retreat in India are not comparison-shopping for the cheapest option. They are making a significant life decision and they use price as a signal of quality, safety, and seriousness. Underpricing your retreat can genuinely hurt your bookings." }] },
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{ "type": "heading", "attrs": { "level": 2 }, "content": [{ "type": "text", "text": "2. Step 1 — Calculate your hard costs with India-specific numbers" }] },
{ "type": "paragraph", "content": [{ "type": "text", "text": "Hard costs are everything you physically pay out. The critical rule: always calculate per person based on your minimum viable group size — the number below which you would cancel the retreat. Never assume a sell-out. If you price for 15 guests and only 9 show up, you need the numbers to still work." }] },
{ "type": "heading", "attrs": { "level": 3 }, "content": [{ "type": "text", "text": "Venue and accommodation" }] },
{ "type": "paragraph", "content": [{ "type": "text", "text": "In India, most retreat centres offer all-inclusive packages covering the yoga shala, accommodation and meals. This simplifies your cost calculation significantly. Here are realistic per-person per-night costs for a mid-range experience across the main retreat destinations." }] },
{ "type": "richTable", "attrs": { "title": "Venue cost by city — per person per night (mid-range)", "subtitle": "Includes accommodation, yoga shala access and 3 vegetarian meals" }, "content": [
{ "type": "richTableHeader", "content": [
{ "type": "richTableHeaderCell", "attrs": { "text": "City" } },
{ "type": "richTableHeaderCell", "attrs": { "text": "Budget" } },
{ "type": "richTableHeaderCell", "attrs": { "text": "Mid-range" } },
{ "type": "richTableHeaderCell", "attrs": { "text": "Premium" } }
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{ "type": "richTableCell", "attrs": { "text": "Rishikesh", "bold": true } },
{ "type": "richTableCell", "attrs": { "text": "$30–50" } },
{ "type": "richTableCell", "attrs": { "text": "$50–80" } },
{ "type": "richTableCell", "attrs": { "text": "$80–130" } }
]},
{ "type": "richTableRow", "content": [
{ "type": "richTableCell", "attrs": { "text": "Goa", "bold": true } },
{ "type": "richTableCell", "attrs": { "text": "$45–70" } },
{ "type": "richTableCell", "attrs": { "text": "$70–120" } },
{ "type": "richTableCell", "attrs": { "text": "$120–200" } }
]},
{ "type": "richTableRow", "content": [
{ "type": "richTableCell", "attrs": { "text": "Kerala", "bold": true } },
{ "type": "richTableCell", "attrs": { "text": "$60–90" } },
{ "type": "richTableCell", "attrs": { "text": "$90–160" } },
{ "type": "richTableCell", "attrs": { "text": "$160–280" } }
]},
{ "type": "richTableRow", "content": [
{ "type": "richTableCell", "attrs": { "text": "Dharamshala", "bold": true } },
{ "type": "richTableCell", "attrs": { "text": "$30–50" } },
{ "type": "richTableCell", "attrs": { "text": "$50–90" } },
{ "type": "richTableCell", "attrs": { "text": "$90–150" } }
]}
]},
{ "type": "heading", "attrs": { "level": 3 }, "content": [{ "type": "text", "text": "Other hard costs to itemise" }] },
{ "type": "bulletList", "content": [
{ "type": "listItem", "content": [{ "type": "paragraph", "content": [
{ "type": "text", "text": "Ground transport — ", "marks": [{ "type": "bold" }] },
{ "type": "text", "text": "airport transfers, day excursions, city transfers. Budget $20–50 per person for a 7-day retreat depending on how many excursions you include." }
]}]},
{ "type": "listItem", "content": [{ "type": "paragraph", "content": [
{ "type": "text", "text": "Guest teachers or facilitators — ", "marks": [{ "type": "bold" }] },
{ "type": "text", "text": "if you bring in a sound healer, Ayurveda practitioner or meditation teacher, budget $200–600 per session. Divide by your minimum group size to get the per-person cost." }
]}]},
{ "type": "listItem", "content": [{ "type": "paragraph", "content": [
{ "type": "text", "text": "Materials and welcome packs — ", "marks": [{ "type": "bold" }] },
{ "type": "text", "text": "journals, printed schedules, essential oils, small gifts. Budget $10–25 per person." }
]}]},
{ "type": "listItem", "content": [{ "type": "paragraph", "content": [
{ "type": "text", "text": "Miscellaneous on-the-ground costs — ", "marks": [{ "type": "bold" }] },
{ "type": "text", "text": "tips for venue staff, entry fees for temple visits or excursions, emergency supplies. Budget $10–20 per person." }
]}]}
]},
{ "type": "horizontalRule" },
{ "type": "heading", "attrs": { "level": 2 }, "content": [{ "type": "text", "text": "3. Step 2 — Add your hidden costs (the ones that kill margins)" }] },
{ "type": "paragraph", "content": [{ "type": "text", "text": "Hidden costs are the expenses most first-time hosts forget entirely. They are also the ones that turn an apparently profitable retreat into a financial disappointment." }] },
{ "type": "calloutBox", "attrs": { "variant": "warning", "title": "Payment processing fees" }, "content": [{ "type": "paragraph", "content": [{ "type": "text", "text": "Stripe and PayPal charge approximately 2.9–3.5% per transaction plus a fixed fee. On a $1,400 retreat with 10 guests, that is roughly $420 in processing fees alone. Always factor this in before setting your price." }] }]},
{ "type": "calloutBox", "attrs": { "variant": "warning", "title": "Platform listing commissions" }, "content": [{ "type": "paragraph", "content": [{ "type": "text", "text": "If you list your retreat on BookRetreats, Retreat Guru or similar platforms, expect to pay 10–18% commission on every booking. On a $1,400 retreat that is $140–252 per guest going straight to the platform. Either absorb this into your price or list exclusively on your own website." }] }]},
{ "type": "calloutBox", "attrs": { "variant": "warning", "title": "Your own travel costs" }, "content": [{ "type": "paragraph", "content": [{ "type": "text", "text": "Your flights, visa, pre-retreat nights and internal India travel are real business costs. Either divide them across your group size or treat them as a separate business expense — but do not ignore them." }] }]},
{ "type": "calloutBox", "attrs": { "variant": "warning", "title": "Lost income" }, "content": [{ "type": "paragraph", "content": [{ "type": "text", "text": "What do you normally earn in a week? A 7-day retreat plus travel days means 10–12 days away from your regular teaching income. That lost revenue is a real cost of running the retreat. Add it in." }] }]},
{ "type": "calloutBox", "attrs": { "variant": "warning", "title": "Insurance" }, "content": [{ "type": "paragraph", "content": [{ "type": "text", "text": "Liability insurance for retreat leaders costs approximately $150–400 per year. It is not optional. One injury, one dispute, one claim — and you will wish you had it." }] }]},
{ "type": "paragraph", "content": [
{ "type": "text", "text": "Once you have added all hidden costs, apply the ", "marks": [] },
{ "type": "text", "text": "15% buffer rule", "marks": [{ "type": "bold" }] },
{ "type": "text", "text": " — add 15% on top of your total cost estimate. This covers the unexpected: a cancelled booking, a last-minute room upgrade, a transport delay, a guest who needs extra support. It is not greed. It is responsible planning." }
]},
{ "type": "horizontalRule" },
{ "type": "heading", "attrs": { "level": 2 }, "content": [{ "type": "text", "text": "4. Step 3 — Pay yourself properly" }] },
{ "type": "paragraph", "content": [{ "type": "text", "text": "This is the step most retreat leaders skip, and it is why so many run one retreat, love the experience, and never do it again. You cannot build a sustainable retreat practice if you are not being paid for your time." }] },
{ "type": "heading", "attrs": { "level": 3 }, "content": [{ "type": "text", "text": "Count every hour" }] },
{ "type": "bulletList", "content": [
{ "type": "listItem", "content": [{ "type": "paragraph", "content": [{ "type": "text", "text": "Planning and logistics: 50–100 hours for a first retreat (venue research, contracts, itinerary, logistics)" }] }]},
{ "type": "listItem", "content": [{ "type": "paragraph", "content": [{ "type": "text", "text": "Marketing: 20–40 hours (email sequences, social content, sales calls, answering enquiries)" }] }]},
{ "type": "listItem", "content": [{ "type": "paragraph", "content": [{ "type": "text", "text": "Travel days: typically 2–4 days where you are working but not teaching" }] }]},
{ "type": "listItem", "content": [{ "type": "paragraph", "content": [{ "type": "text", "text": "On-retreat: you are never fully off. Meals, evenings, early mornings — you are available at all times" }] }]}
]},
{ "type": "paragraph", "content": [
{ "type": "text", "text": "Set a minimum daily rate — what you would charge for a full day of private teaching. That is your floor. A 7-day retreat should pay you at minimum 7 times your daily rate just for being there, before any profit is factored in." }
]},
{ "type": "calloutBox", "attrs": { "variant": "tip", "title": "The $100 per person per day benchmark" }, "content": [{ "type": "paragraph", "content": [{ "type": "text", "text": "A widely used rule of thumb: your net profit (after all costs and your teaching fee) should be a minimum of $100 per person per day. A 7-day retreat with 10 guests = $7,000 minimum profit. If your numbers do not reach this, your pricing needs adjusting — not your ambition." }] }]},
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{ "type": "heading", "attrs": { "level": 2 }, "content": [{ "type": "text", "text": "5. What Western guests actually expect to pay for a retreat in India" }] },
{ "type": "paragraph", "content": [{ "type": "text", "text": "There is a persistent myth among first-time retreat hosts that India means cheap — that Western guests will expect dramatically lower prices because the cost of living is lower. This is not accurate, and pricing too low based on this assumption is one of the most common and costly mistakes in the market." }] },
{ "type": "paragraph", "content": [{ "type": "text", "text": "Western guests booking a yoga retreat in India are paying for the experience, the teaching, the transformation, and the logistics of getting there. The savings they make on the venue and food are real — but that benefit flows through to your margins, not to a race to the bottom on pricing." }] },
{ "type": "richTable", "attrs": { "title": "What Western guests expect to pay — 7-day retreat", "subtitle": "Per person, all-inclusive (accommodation, meals, teaching, excursions)" }, "content": [
{ "type": "richTableHeader", "content": [
{ "type": "richTableHeaderCell", "attrs": { "text": "Tier" } },
{ "type": "richTableHeaderCell", "attrs": { "text": "Price range" } },
{ "type": "richTableHeaderCell", "attrs": { "text": "Guest expectations" } },
{ "type": "richTableHeaderCell", "attrs": { "text": "Best for" } }
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{ "type": "richTableRow", "content": [
{ "type": "richTableCell", "attrs": { "text": "Budget", "bold": true } },
{ "type": "richTableCell", "attrs": { "text": "$500–900" } },
{ "type": "richTableCell", "attrs": { "text": "Shared rooms, simple food, authentic ashram feel" } },
{ "type": "richTableCell", "attrs": { "text": "Backpackers, long-stay travellers" } }
]},
{ "type": "richTableRow", "content": [
{ "type": "richTableCell", "attrs": { "text": "Mid-range", "bold": true } },
{ "type": "richTableCell", "attrs": { "text": "$900–1,800" } },
{ "type": "richTableCell", "attrs": { "text": "Private or twin rooms, quality teaching, structured programme" } },
{ "type": "richTableCell", "attrs": { "text": "Most first-time retreat hosts" } }
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{ "type": "richTableRow", "content": [
{ "type": "richTableCell", "attrs": { "text": "Premium", "bold": true } },
{ "type": "richTableCell", "attrs": { "text": "$1,800–3,500+" } },
{ "type": "richTableCell", "attrs": { "text": "Boutique venue, small group (≤8), established teacher, curated extras" } },
{ "type": "richTableCell", "attrs": { "text": "Established teachers with loyal audience" } }
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{ "type": "paragraph", "content": [{ "type": "text", "text": "For most first-time retreat hosts, the mid-range is the right target: $900–1,800 per person for 7 days, depending on location. Rishikesh skews toward the lower end of mid-range. Goa sits comfortably in the middle. Kerala can command mid to premium pricing given the Ayurveda overlay and higher venue costs." }] },
{ "type": "horizontalRule" },
{ "type": "heading", "attrs": { "level": 2 }, "content": [{ "type": "text", "text": "6. How to structure your pricing — tiers, early bird and payment plans" }] },
{ "type": "heading", "attrs": { "level": 3 }, "content": [{ "type": "text", "text": "Early bird pricing" }] },
{ "type": "paragraph", "content": [{ "type": "text", "text": "Launch your retreat at 15–20% below your final price and hold it for the first 4–6 weeks. This creates genuine urgency, fills your earliest spots (which are the hardest to sell), and validates demand before you commit fully to the logistics. Always set a hard deadline — 'early bird closes 1 March' — and hold it." }] },
{ "type": "heading", "attrs": { "level": 3 }, "content": [{ "type": "text", "text": "Room tiers" }] },
{ "type": "paragraph", "content": [{ "type": "text", "text": "Offer shared, private and — where available — premium room options at different price points. Shared rooms fill fast and anchor your accessible price point. Private rooms fund your margin. Offering both means you are not leaving money on the table from guests who would happily pay more for their own space." }] },
{ "type": "heading", "attrs": { "level": 3 }, "content": [{ "type": "text", "text": "Payment plans" }] },
{ "type": "paragraph", "content": [{ "type": "text", "text": "A standard structure: 30–50% non-refundable deposit to secure the spot, remainder due 60 days before the retreat starts. Payment plans make higher-priced retreats accessible without requiring you to lower your price. Specify clearly in writing that the deposit is non-refundable — this protects you if a guest drops out after you have committed to venue costs." }] },
{ "type": "calloutBox", "attrs": { "variant": "tip", "title": "Never price in INR for a Western audience" }, "content": [{ "type": "paragraph", "content": [{ "type": "text", "text": "Always quote prices in USD, GBP or EUR for international guests. Pricing in Indian Rupees creates conversion confusion, looks less professional to Western buyers, and makes your pricing appear lower than it is — which undermines your positioning." }] }]},
{ "type": "horizontalRule" },
{ "type": "heading", "attrs": { "level": 2 }, "content": [{ "type": "text", "text": "7. Worked example: pricing a 7-day yoga retreat in Rishikesh for 12 guests" }] },
{ "type": "paragraph", "content": [{ "type": "text", "text": "Here is the full formula applied to a real scenario. Mid-range venue in Rishikesh, minimum viable group of 10, target group of 12, 7 nights." }] },
{ "type": "richTable", "attrs": { "title": "Full cost breakdown — 7-day Rishikesh retreat", "subtitle": "Based on minimum group of 10, all costs in USD" }, "content": [
{ "type": "richTableHeader", "content": [
{ "type": "richTableHeaderCell", "attrs": { "text": "Cost item" } },
{ "type": "richTableHeaderCell", "attrs": { "text": "Total cost" } },
{ "type": "richTableHeaderCell", "attrs": { "text": "Per person (÷10)" } }
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{ "type": "richTableCell", "attrs": { "text": "Venue (7 nights × 10 guests × $65/night)", "bold": false } },
{ "type": "richTableCell", "attrs": { "text": "$4,550" } },
{ "type": "richTableCell", "attrs": { "text": "$455" } }
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{ "type": "richTableRow", "content": [
{ "type": "richTableCell", "attrs": { "text": "Ground transport (transfers + 2 excursions)" } },
{ "type": "richTableCell", "attrs": { "text": "$350" } },
{ "type": "richTableCell", "attrs": { "text": "$35" } }
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{ "type": "richTableRow", "content": [
{ "type": "richTableCell", "attrs": { "text": "Guest teacher (1 sound healing session)" } },
{ "type": "richTableCell", "attrs": { "text": "$300" } },
{ "type": "richTableCell", "attrs": { "text": "$30" } }
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{ "type": "richTableRow", "content": [
{ "type": "richTableCell", "attrs": { "text": "Welcome packs + materials" } },
{ "type": "richTableCell", "attrs": { "text": "$180" } },
{ "type": "richTableCell", "attrs": { "text": "$18" } }
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{ "type": "richTableRow", "content": [
{ "type": "richTableCell", "attrs": { "text": "Miscellaneous (tips, entry fees, contingency)" } },
{ "type": "richTableCell", "attrs": { "text": "$150" } },
{ "type": "richTableCell", "attrs": { "text": "$15" } }
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{ "type": "richTableRow", "content": [
{ "type": "richTableCell", "attrs": { "text": "Hard costs subtotal", "bold": true } },
{ "type": "richTableCell", "attrs": { "text": "$5,530", "bold": true } },
{ "type": "richTableCell", "attrs": { "text": "$553", "bold": true } }
]},
{ "type": "richTableRow", "content": [
{ "type": "richTableCell", "attrs": { "text": "Payment processing (3% of revenue)" } },
{ "type": "richTableCell", "attrs": { "text": "~$380" } },
{ "type": "richTableCell", "attrs": { "text": "$38" } }
]},
{ "type": "richTableRow", "content": [
{ "type": "richTableCell", "attrs": { "text": "Marketing budget (10% of revenue)" } },
{ "type": "richTableCell", "attrs": { "text": "~$1,270" } },
{ "type": "richTableCell", "attrs": { "text": "$127" } }
]},
{ "type": "richTableRow", "content": [
{ "type": "richTableCell", "attrs": { "text": "Your flights + visa + pre-retreat nights" } },
{ "type": "richTableCell", "attrs": { "text": "$900" } },
{ "type": "richTableCell", "attrs": { "text": "$90" } }
]},
{ "type": "richTableRow", "content": [
{ "type": "richTableCell", "attrs": { "text": "15% contingency buffer" } },
{ "type": "richTableCell", "attrs": { "text": "~$830" } },
{ "type": "richTableCell", "attrs": { "text": "$83" } }
]},
{ "type": "richTableRow", "content": [
{ "type": "richTableCell", "attrs": { "text": "Total costs per person", "bold": true } },
{ "type": "richTableCell", "attrs": { "text": "" } },
{ "type": "richTableCell", "attrs": { "text": "$891", "bold": true } }
]},
{ "type": "richTableRow", "content": [
{ "type": "richTableCell", "attrs": { "text": "Your teaching fee (7 days at $200/day)" } },
{ "type": "richTableCell", "attrs": { "text": "$1,400" } },
{ "type": "richTableCell", "attrs": { "text": "$140" } }
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{ "type": "richTableRow", "content": [
{ "type": "richTableCell", "attrs": { "text": "Target profit ($100/person/day × 7 days × 10 guests)" } },
{ "type": "richTableCell", "attrs": { "text": "$7,000" } },
{ "type": "richTableCell", "attrs": { "text": "$700" } }
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{ "type": "richTableRow", "content": [
{ "type": "richTableCell", "attrs": { "text": "Recommended price per person", "bold": true } },
{ "type": "richTableCell", "attrs": { "text": "" } },
{ "type": "richTableCell", "attrs": { "text": "$1,731 → round to $1,750", "bold": true } }
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]},
{ "type": "paragraph", "content": [{ "type": "text", "text": "At $1,750 per person with 12 guests (above your minimum of 10), total revenue is $21,000. If only 10 guests book, you still cover all costs, pay yourself, and hit your profit target. That is what pricing for your minimum group size protects you from." }] },
{ "type": "calloutBox", "attrs": { "variant": "success", "title": "What if only 8 guests book?" }, "content": [{ "type": "paragraph", "content": [{ "type": "text", "text": "At $1,750 × 8 guests = $14,000 revenue. Total costs at 8 guests are lower (venue often scales), but your teaching fee and profit target shrink. This is why 10 is your minimum, not 8 — below 10, the numbers stop working cleanly. Decide in advance: below what number do you postpone?" }] }]},
{ "type": "horizontalRule" },
{ "type": "heading", "attrs": { "level": 2 }, "content": [{ "type": "text", "text": "8. Common pricing mistakes to avoid" }] },
{ "type": "calloutBox", "attrs": { "variant": "warning", "title": "Pricing based on competitors, not your own costs" }, "content": [{ "type": "paragraph", "content": [{ "type": "text", "text": "Looking at what other teachers charge tells you nothing about their cost structure, their group size, or whether they are actually profitable. Build your price from your own numbers first, then sense-check against the market." }] }]},
{ "type": "calloutBox", "attrs": { "variant": "warning", "title": "Needing to sell out to break even" }, "content": [{ "type": "paragraph", "content": [{ "type": "text", "text": "If your retreat only works financially at full capacity, you have priced it wrong. Always price for your minimum group. Every guest above that number is pure upside." }] }]},
{ "type": "calloutBox", "attrs": { "variant": "warning", "title": "Offering last-minute discounts to fill spots" }, "content": [{ "type": "paragraph", "content": [{ "type": "text", "text": "Once you discount publicly, you train your audience to wait. They will expect a discount on every future retreat. Hold your price. If spots are not filling, the problem is almost always marketing reach or messaging — not price." }] }]},
{ "type": "calloutBox", "attrs": { "variant": "warning", "title": "No cancellation policy" }, "content": [{ "type": "paragraph", "content": [{ "type": "text", "text": "One guest cancelling a $1,750 retreat two weeks before it starts is $1,750 lost — at a point when you cannot re-fill the spot. A clear non-refundable deposit policy (30–50% of retreat price) protects you. Put it in writing before anyone books." }] }]},
{ "type": "calloutBox", "attrs": { "variant": "warning", "title": "Forgetting to account for platform commissions" }, "content": [{ "type": "paragraph", "content": [{ "type": "text", "text": "If you plan to list on retreat platforms, build their 10–18% commission into your price before you publish. Retrofitting a price increase after launch is awkward and damages trust with early enquirers." }] }]},
{ "type": "horizontalRule" },
{ "type": "heading", "attrs": { "level": 2 }, "content": [{ "type": "text", "text": "Frequently asked questions" }] },
{ "type": "accordionSection", "attrs": { "title": "Retreat pricing questions answered" }, "content": [
{ "type": "accordionItem", "attrs": { "title": "How much profit should I make on a yoga retreat?" }, "content": [{ "type": "paragraph", "content": [{ "type": "text", "text": "A widely used benchmark is $100 per person per day as a minimum net profit target. On a 7-day retreat with 10 guests that is $7,000 profit after all costs and your teaching fee are paid. Many experienced retreat leaders achieve significantly more, particularly once they have a loyal audience and premium positioning." }] }]},
{ "type": "accordionItem", "attrs": { "title": "Is it better to price high or low for a first retreat?" }, "content": [{ "type": "paragraph", "content": [{ "type": "text", "text": "Price based on your cost formula, not fear. Many first-time hosts underprice out of anxiety and end up resenting the retreat because they are not being paid fairly. The mid-range ($900–1,800 for 7 days in India) is achievable for a first retreat and positions you correctly for future growth. Going lower trains your audience to expect low prices." }] }]},
{ "type": "accordionItem", "attrs": { "title": "Should I charge in USD or INR for a retreat in India?" }, "content": [{ "type": "paragraph", "content": [{ "type": "text", "text": "Always charge Western guests in USD, GBP or EUR. Pricing in Indian Rupees creates confusion, looks less professional to international buyers, and can make your price appear lower than intended. Only use INR if your primary audience is domestic Indian guests." }] }]},
{ "type": "accordionItem", "attrs": { "title": "How do I price a retreat if I am not yet well-known?" }, "content": [{ "type": "paragraph", "content": [{ "type": "text", "text": "Your price communicates your value before anyone has experienced your teaching. Start at the lower end of mid-range and invest heavily in social proof: detailed testimonials, a strong retreat page, video content showing your teaching. Do not compensate for lack of reputation by discounting — compensate by building trust through content." }] }]},
{ "type": "accordionItem", "attrs": { "title": "What is a fair deposit for a yoga retreat?" }, "content": [{ "type": "paragraph", "content": [{ "type": "text", "text": "The standard is 30–50% of the full retreat price, non-refundable, due at time of booking. This secures the guest's commitment and protects you against late cancellations after you have committed to venue costs. The remaining balance is typically due 60 days before the retreat starts." }] }]}
]},
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{ "type": "heading", "attrs": { "level": 2 }, "content": [{ "type": "text", "text": "Confidence in your price comes from doing the maths" }] },
{ "type": "paragraph", "content": [{ "type": "text", "text": "The anxiety around pricing a retreat almost always comes from guesswork. When you follow the formula — hard costs, hidden costs, your time, your profit — the number that comes out is not arbitrary. It is justified, defensible and yours. You can quote it with confidence because you know exactly what it covers and why." }] },
{ "type": "paragraph", "content": [{ "type": "text", "text": "A well-priced retreat does not just protect your income. It attracts better guests, creates a better experience, and gives you the foundation to run another one. The teachers who build sustainable retreat practices are almost always the ones who got their pricing right from the start." }] },
{ "type": "ctaBanner", "attrs": {
"text": "Ready to plan the full retreat? Our complete guide covers everything from venue selection to itinerary, logistics and what Western guests actually need.",
"buttonLabel": "Read: How to Host a Spiritual Retreat in India 2026",
"buttonUrl": "/how-to-host-a-spiritual-retreat-in-india-2026",
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}},
{ "type": "ctaBanner", "attrs": {
"text": "Planning a retreat in India and want local expertise on venues, logistics and itinerary? The Smukti team works with retreat leaders across Rishikesh, Goa, Kerala and beyond.",
"buttonLabel": "Get in touch with the Smukti team",
"buttonUrl": "/contact",
"variant": "subtle"
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{ "type": "heading", "attrs": { "level": 3 }, "content": [{ "type": "text", "text": "Related reading" }] },
{ "type": "bulletList", "content": [
{ "type": "listItem", "content": [{ "type": "paragraph", "content": [
{ "type": "text", "text": "How to host a spiritual retreat in India — the complete 2026 guide", "marks": [{ "type": "link", "attrs": { "href": "/how-to-host-a-spiritual-retreat-in-india-2026" } }] }
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{ "type": "listItem", "content": [{ "type": "paragraph", "content": [
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]}]}
]}
]
}