Join us this autumn in the enchanting city of Kyoto, renowned for its breathtaking scenery and rich cultural heritage. As the leaves turn vibrant shades of red and gold, immerse yourself in daily yoga sessions that harmonise body and mind against the backdrop of this beautiful landscape.
Each morning, awaken with a revitalising yoga practice in our peaceful shala, surrounded by the serene sights and sounds of nature. After a nourishing breakfast featuring traditional Japanese cuisine, you can choose to explore Kyoto's iconic temples and shrines, such as Kinkaku-ji (the Golden Pavilion) and Fushimi Inari Taisha, famous for its thousands of vibrant torii gates.
Afternoons are yours to enjoy at a leisurely pace. Stroll through the picturesque Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, or participate in a guided meditation session in a tranquil garden. We’ll also take time to unwind in one of the lush local onsens, allowing you to soak in the therapeutic mineral-rich waters while taking in the stunning autumn landscapes around you.
On select days, we will organise excursions such as visiting local artisan workshops, taking part in a traditional tea ceremony, or enjoying a mindful hike through the stunning countryside. After a day of exploration, gather together for evening yoga and reflection as we watch the sunset paint the sky with hues of orange and pink.
Lastly, conclude the day with a communal dinner featuring seasonal Japanese dishes prepared with fresh, local ingredients, followed by a relaxing soak in the onsen, where you can reflect on the day’s experiences and fully embrace the serene atmosphere of our surroundings.
Come and experience the magic of Kyoto this November as we blend yoga, nature, and cultural exploration into a transformative retreat.
Introduction
Highlights
Sample Day
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Experience 6 nights in beautiful Japanese housing.
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Morning vinyasa sessions in the local yoga studio with Faye.
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Soak in hidden therapeutic onsens.
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Experience the beautiful city in the height of fall colours.
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Savour traditional seasonal Japanese cuisine.
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Explore stunning Bamboo Groves, iconic temples and shrines, to delve into the rich history, nature and spirituality of Kyoto.
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Join a guided tea ceremony, a time-honoured tradition in Japanese culture that offers insight into mindfulness and the art of tea preparation.
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Optional excursions can include hiking through the picturesque mountains, visiting local artisan workshops, or exploring the serene gardens and landscapes that inspire meditation and reflection.
07.00 - 07.30
07.30 - 09.00
09.30 - 10.30
10.30 +
16.00 - 17.30
17.30 - 18.30
19.00 - 20.00
20.00+
Sunrise: silence, optional meditation
Dynamic vinyasa practice
Breakfast
Free time / organised excursions
Free time / workshop
Yin practice
Dinner
Free time / Evening gatherings
Yoga
On this retreat, Faye (@wildestyoga) will be teaching dynamic vinyasa yoga, workshops and soothing yin. Each day will be based on one of the five classical elements, these big 5 are full of wisdom, gateways to questioning the soul and challenging the self. The full integration of elemental energy:
EARTH, FIRE, WATER, AIR & ETHER
This retreat will not be total beginners yoga, but new students are more than welcome but be prepared to dive in the deep end. The practice will be strong vinyasa, flows with fluidity and playfulness: expect laughs and a lot of sweat!
Each day begins in silence to enjoy a cup of herbal tea and softly waking up with the rising sun at the venue or on the quiet beach. Following this will be a 90 minute vinyasa practice amongst the trees in our beautiful and open shala, with lots of chances to explore challenging poses and get you ready for the rest of the day. As always, we will also be finding new ways to explore pranayama (breath work) and meditation, experimenting with different styles throughout the week.
Each evening we will cool down with a yin-practice based on the 5 elements of Chinese medicine, or a slow soft restorative. After a long day sunbathing by the pool, sweating it out on the beach or exploring the area by tuk tuk, there’s nothing more needed than an hour of softness to relax into the cooler hours of the evening. On a couple of evenings we will also gather together to explore lineages such as Yoga Nidra (yoga sleep) & different meditations.
Food
The venue's in-house cafe bakes & creates on-site using the freshest local ingredients in order to deliver a range of unique and delectable meals. With access to an array of fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs, and spices, they have created every dish from scratch. Expect beautiful spreads of rice and local curries, freshly baked goods, platters of tropical fruits and breakfast buffets. The food will blow you away.
Venue
Location
The venue itself is a charming bed and breakfast catering to the yogi crowd. Located three minutes walk from the horse-shoe shape bay of Hiriketiya beach, on the water’s edge, we offer a calm and cool oasis away from the heat. Abundant in in tropical nature, you will hear peacocks call to one another each morning, and see monkeys looking for fruits to steal.
The venue has open plan living, a pool, an open-air yoga shala and a great in-house popular cafe where you will dine on gorgeous plates of freshly cooked foods, and sip on fresh smoothies all day.
Hiriketiya Beach is the ultimate slice of paradise on Sri Lanka’s famous south coast. A small, horse-shoe shaped bay lined by curved palm trees and thick tropical jungle, the soft rolling waves are protected from the winds both east to west meaning the bay is safe and calm to surf and relax in.
Popular with local surfers, hidden cafes and guesthouses tucked amongst nature, it’s somewhere you never want to leave.
If it is even more quietness you need, a 10 minute walk West up and over the small hill leads you to larger Dikwella beach. Huge golden stretches of undisturbed beach, hours can pass by here in the sunshine reading a great book.
Facilitator
Faye Baldwin - lead teacher
Faye (@wildestyoga) is currently based in Copenhagen running Iluma Yoga Studio & eating many of the cinnamon buns the city has to offer. Half Singaporean, a large portion of her time each year is spent traveling around the world, exploring new places on small budgets and diving in to the local cultures.
Expect laughs & bliss in her light-hearted yoga classes, where she will help you to find the internal and external balance of sweetness and intensity. Here we expand together and illuminate as one. Her offerings weaves together her various trainings in Vinyasa, Ashtanga, Rocket, Mandala vinyasa, Ceremony holding and Embodied Yin.
What you get
INCLUDED
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6 nights of accommodation
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Twice daily yoga
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One surf lesson
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Complimentary filtered water, herbal tea and coffee.
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Vegetarian breakfast and dinner.
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Yoga mats and props for your use.
NOT INCLUDED
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Flights
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Airport transfer
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Insurance
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Final dinner out.
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Any optional excursions.
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Food / drink outside of breakfast and dinner.
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Taxis and tuktuks during your stay.
Booking
DORM ROOM
6.950 DKK
A space in a shared 4 bed dorm
Shared en-suite bathroom
SHARED ROOM
7.950 DKK (pp)
A space in a shared king bed with a partner/friend
Private en-suite bathroom
CANCELLATION POLICY
The only way to receive a full refund will be if COVID affects our booking.
In all other cases, the deposit of 3.000 kr is non-refundable if you choose to cancel for personal reasons.
Cancellation for all other reasons:
More than 60 days before start date = 3.000 kr (deposit) non-refundable
59 - 30 days before start date = 3.000 kr deposit + 50% rest of payment non-refundable
Under 30 days before start date = 100% payment non-refundable
A non-refundable 3.000 DKK deposit need to be paid to secure a place.