A fad that has been a trend for sometime now are yoga retreats. There are so many health based benefits that come along with these retreats, making it important that we all venture off of our mat at some point and explore what the world of yoga has to offer. I've created a list of 10 reasons why it is essential to explore the mind and body through a yoga retreat, and I deeply encourage you to take this and run with it. We all deserve stellar mental and physical health to lead strong and confident lives. Whether it be in Bali or Chicago, research some yoga retreats coming up. I promise you, they will not disappoint.

1. It completely transforms your perspective on life.

Whether you intend to form a completely different outlook on your life or not, the mental transformation is inevitable. Spending ample time in pure serenity with people who share the same values and goals as you is truly refreshing and motivates you to really dissect and enjoy the smallest things day-to-day.

2. You enhance your yoga skills in ways you never imagined possible.

It's no surprise that it's extremely difficult to squeeze in yoga each day if you are an avid student or worker. It's nearly impossible to sneak in quick, sloppy yoga, let alone quality, refreshing yoga daily. When on a retreat, your visit is dedicated to self-improvement, mentally and physically. Retreat grants you an abundance of time to work on foreign yoga moves and to excel at them each day you participate.

3. You meet life-long friends with the same passion for yoga and healthy living as you.

The people you meet on retreat do not only qualify as your friends, but as your lifemates. These people get it; they understand. Together you bond over your love for the mind and body. The chemistry you share with the fellow yogis you meet at retreat is truly enchanting, regardless of location. Don't lose touch with these people.

4. It lets you detach yourself from the digital world.

The most valued part of a yoga retreat is digitally detoxing yourself from all technology and connections to the outer world. Retreat gives you a week or two to become consumed with the growth of yourself, no one else. Relieving your eyeballs of a smartphone or computer screen for a couple of weeks is a life-altering experience. When you leave retreat, I guarantee you will feel oh so differently about your cell phone and how often you use it, at least for a short while.

5. You eat clean without temptations.

At retreat, there are only bowel cleansing foods on the menu. There are no Pop-Tarts or Cheetos in the pantry for you to sneak while everyone is sleeping. The foods here are super yummy and will leave you feeling rejuvenated and bowel-healthy. Not to mention you will consume half of your body weight in delectable tea! No pantry full of processed meals? No temptation and no problem!

6. Sucky old habits are eliminated and a new lifestyle is created and maintained.

At retreat, you learn quickly to kick your negative habits to the curb and to give your healthy habits a home. Here you will flush out all your negativity and welcome vibes of positivity like no other. It's been proven that yoga retreats have the potential to resolve even the most serious addictions, since you are taught ways to healthily cope with stress and anxiety through yoga and mediation. Not to mention that you are also prohibited to consume alcohol or partake in any drug related activities while on retreat.

7. You begin to appreciate your family and your home.

Leaving your home for a short while to find self-peace and serenity is terrific. However, while you are away, you learn to really appreciate your life back home and your family that lives there. Retreat has an incredible way of bandaging mental sores that are related to at-home-issues. You may even begin to feel home sick while on retreat, even if you're in the most spectacular and relaxing location. This is whole and healthy. We do need to start appreciating our families more.

8. It's essential that you get time for "you."

On retreat, you are given the most powerful ability to pamper yourself 24/7. As decent people, much of what we do is not for ourselves, but for others. Take this time to be whole and honest with yourself, and to awaken what lives in your skin. This is about you.

9. It's a new sense of journey and spontaneity.

Traveling to a foreign place to strengthen your mental and physical health through yoga just sounds excellent, doesn't it? Practicing yoga alongside elephants, sea turtles, and whatever other awesome species are found in other places can really awaken your inner adventurer! You find yourself doing more adventurous things because you have become more mindful of your surrounding and life before you.

10. You deserve it.