Overview
Join us for this self-care break in the beautiful summer season in this magical land, and give yourself a mid-year gift of health and well being! We will be enjoying daily yoga and day trips to the various sites like a walking tour through Reykjavik, a visit to the lava fields of the Reykjanes Peninsula’s volcano, and the main sites of the famous Golden Circle’s waterfalls, geysirs, and beautiful vistas. Plus, to harness the theme of self-care each day, we will be incorporating the thermal waters of Iceland as a way of healing our spirits. From the famous Blue Lagoon, to a lake-side thermal area with natural saunas, to a newer modern facility near the ocean, - and even the hot tubs at our hotel - guests will have a chance to experience the healing properties for body and soul while enjoying the long summer daylight hours.
Activities
Our day trips will allow us to experience the many unique landscapes and activities that this area has to offer. We will take a tour through Iceland's famous Golden Circle, which will include the main stops on the route, such as the waterfall Gullfoss (meaning "golden falls"), and the geothermally active valley of Haukadalur, which contains the geysers Geysir and Strokkur. Though Geysir has been inactive for a long time, Strokkur, on the other hand, continues to erupt at 5-10 minute intervals. We will also have time to explore our home for the week, the capital city of Reykjavik, to explore some sites, take a walking tour, have some free time to shop, see more of the Icelandic design, or relax!
And a trip to Iceland wouldn't be complete without a day at the Blue Lagoon with its healing waters, silica masks, unparalleled views, and luxurious spa experience! Before this visit we take time to walk on the dried lava from the volcano eruption a few years ago on Reykjanes Peninsula. We’ll also visit an organic greenhouse (which holds a unique and modern new cafe), catch some sites of the beautiful Icelandic horses, and have time for some moss-covered walks around the hotel in the Golden Circle with time to relax in their hot tubs. Finally, a visit to another natural thermal area with saunas and hot pools next to an expansive lake will allow us room to sit back and enjoy the long days of endless summer.
Wellness
Daily meditation and yoga will be offered in a way to relax, stimulate, and help guests grow in their own personal practice. Classes are open to all levels, beginner to practiced.* Style and class levels will be determined and moulded to fit participating students' needs, and with our limited retreat class size, students will be able to get personalized attention and comfortability to deeply explore their practice.
Strala Yoga
Strala combines the movement and healing wisdom of tai chi with the form vocabularies of yoga, tai chi, qigong, and Traditional Chinese and Japanese Medicine, to help people release stress, move easily through challenge, and live radiantly inspiring lives.
It begins with a mindset that says our best way to get where we’re going is to feel good along the way. It also works miracles for whole health, helping us to find ease in our bodies and minds, and create the right conditions both for healing and optimal performance.
With Strala you learn to shape your destiny on every level that counts, from your psychology, chemistry and neurology, to your chromosomes and even gene expression. The unique set of skills you develop – for connecting with yourself and others, unblocking your energy, healing what needs healing and accomplishing challenge with ease – uncovers your ability to create the life you want and be an inspiring leader to the people around you.
This retreat will feature classes from the Strala framework: GENTLE, ENERGIZE, & TAI CHI. Gentle Yoga is a simple flow that opens and balances your body while calming your mind. You'll feel refreshed and restored. Energize Yoga is an easy going flow that invigorates your body and mind while resting your attention calmly on your breath. You'll feel revitalized and ready. Tai chi is a way of being, connecting, and moving that creates a harmonious, peaceful connection with your body, your mind and our world. It's our everyday ordinary path to an extraordinary life.
About
Gallery
About The Host
Tara and Mindy
Tara revolutionized yoga for millions, away from dogma and rigidity toward moving with ease, through a yoga practice that supports your life and feels like you. Strala Yoga is practiced in more than 100 countries, and thousands of Guides are leading Strala classes daily around the globe. Tara leads daily yoga with thousands of people on the Strala Yoga app. She has been profiled by The New York Times, Times of India, and The Times (UK), and featured in most major national and international magazines.
Mindy
Having began her practice 20 years ago, Mindy's style of teaching is rooted in the Ashtanga tradition. A love for fluidity is deepened with Vinyasa Flow and the more restorative Yin & iRest Yoga Nidra. On retreat prepare to be inspired and nurtured as her strength lies in the ability to cater to groups' and individuals' needs. The yoga community offers a family in all parts of the globe and Mindy is grateful for the guidance and shared wisdom she receives from students and teachers. She looks forward to inspiring people to see the delight in travel and where we can feel at 'OM with the world.'
When she's not traveling, you can find Mindy painting, teaching art, reading cards, or embarking on outdoor adventures with her husband and daughter, Charly.
Location
Things to keep in mind
FAQ
What if I'm not experienced in yoga, Is this retreat still for me?
We are for all levels of yogis. We've had many yoga beginners come to the retreats and many who found a new love (or renewed love) of the practice. One of the reasons we like to keep the number of guests so small is to better personalize the classes and yoga attention placed on each person. After seeing where each guest is in their yoga practice and level, the classes can be given on what best suits the group. Plus, there is a range of styles and levels taught throughout the week so you can choose the classes which best suit you. The most "advanced" yogi are those who are honest and true with where they are physically and mentally - which can mean holding back and taking it easy when you need rather than over pushing yourself to twist into that advanced pose.
Can I bring a friend/partner who doesn't want to participate in the yoga classes?
Absolutely! Non-participants are always welcome. All classes are voluntary and there is always plenty of activities (or total relaxation) that can be enjoyed in place of one of the yoga classes.
Do I have to take every yoga class during the week?
Again, all classes (and activities) are completely voluntary. I always say to guests that the retreat weeks are for you...whatever you need. So if you need to take it easy one morning, then by all means, do what you need physically and mentally.
What type of yoga classes are offered, and what levels are welcome?
This is YOUR WEEK so you're encouraged to take the time you need, go at your own speed, and try and let go - whether that means diving in deep into the morning and evening classes for the week, or maybe it means needing to rest one day instead. There are usually a big variety of levels and we love that guests can attend and participate without feeling any pressure. That said, for a basic overview, we do a general vinyasa flow in the mornings about 60-75m and enjoy an evening class which is more restorative or themed (hips, heart-openers) for around 40m. There are various meditation times throughout the week with about 15m guidance of various methods and encouragement to take any free-time to explore further on your own if you wish. And this week is much more than just ASANAS (the physical movements of yoga). Hopefully it can be about finding something, letting something go, gaining balance in life, and enjoying many aspects of the holiday - from the cuisine, daytrips, a beautiful culture, and new friends!
What if I'm a single traveler?
Many of our guests come alone and we match up based on guest profile which has always worked out really well. All the rooms are spacious with separate beds and private bathrooms. Plus most guests find that they are mainly only in the rooms to sleep as most tend to relax in the common areas (salons, terraces, pool, etc) when we're not in class, on daytrips, or having meals. It's up to you if you prefer the single room, but it's not required if signing up alone as we will pair you with another guest. The locations and villas differ on policy as some have extra rooms to offer and we can accommodate a single supplement at a reasonable price upon request. A couple of our locations have very limited space with just enough rooms for the number of guests in the retreat, so supplements tend to be higher as it’s mainly covering the cost of another guest. All details can be given upon request.