Did you know that yoga was a male-only practice until 1937, yet today three times more women practice yoga than men? After more than a decade of teaching yoga and organising events, Gill Costello, the founder of a new Irish start-up YOGA+, is determined to make yoga equally accessible for both men and women.

“Yoga is for everyone,” she says. “We want to do what we can to promote inclusiveness and encourage more men to try yoga to experience the mental and physical benefits.” And to show she really means business and spark interest, YOGA+ is giving one guest the opportunity to bring their partner for free on its Fuerteventura luxury retreat, held from November 19-26 2022. It’s the ideal place to escape those winter blues and is one of several retreats being held on the so-called “island of eternal spring”.

Next year, Costello is also launching a remote working retreat from January 21-February 4, which she says is ideal for solo travellers and anyone wanting to add sunshine, some adventure and fun to their daily routine. This retreat will include (optional) guided morning yoga and meditation sessions at the luxury villa followed by a healthy breakfast before being driven to a fully equipped co-working space. In the evening, dinner is provided and weekends are free to relax and explore the island. On Sunday evenings there are barbecues by the pool. This retreat also includes a concierge service to organise whatever guests want from surf lessons to massages, bike rentals to showing the best spot for a sunset snap.

Fortunately there are events happening in Ireland too. In August, join a YOGA+ Hike and Picnic (€40 per person) in Wicklow on Sunday, August 14 or on September 4, from 10.30am to 2pm. The guided hike precedes a yoga class in a scenic spot followed by a vegetarian picnic.

In October there’s a Surf & Fitness retreat in Peniche, Portugal from 22-29. This trip includes daily beach fitness classes with movement coach Ornagh Lee, daily Yin Yoga, an evening at an organic farm learning to make pizza from scratch, surfing, SUP, cliff bike rides, among many other things, all fuelled by three delicious healthy daily meals.

There is a three-day Rest & Restore weekend in lovely Kenmare from January 13-16 2023; an ideal location and way to start a new year. To find out more about these retreats and the corporate services, gifts and day trips available, visit www.yogaplus.ie.