Hestvika Yoga Retreat
Back To Nature
7. June – 11. June 2023
Experience northern Norway’s magnificent scenery.
This summer join us in beautiful Hestvik at Styrkesnes for our annual Back to Nature Yoga Retreat with Gry, Stacy, Espen and Morten.
Those of us from the area call it Hestvika and Strøksnes, just so you know both names without getting the location confused.
🌲Enjoy nature walks amongst the Norwegian woods with jaw dropping views of the mountains.
Take refreshing dips in the fjord or mountain lakes.
Eat local and organic homemade food.
Rest in cozy northern Norwegian style accommodations. #hyggestyle
The retreat is suitable for all!
Both advanced and beginners are welcome.
This year's focus for both the yoga classes and the dining is inspired from the teachings of Ayurveda.
Ayurveda is often named as the "sister" of yoga and means directly translated from Sanskrit – 'The Science of Life'.
We will immerse ourselves in various yoga exercises, learn some cleansing techniques, together with practicing breathing, relaxation and meditation.
Our master chefs will curate the menu to align with the yogic teachings. Each day will have a specific focus.
Arrival Day:
Check-in begins at 3pm.
Our retreat will begin Wednesday afternoon June 7th in the yoga house named Valhalla.
We’ll have a short briefing with you to get to know the area. From there we will take you to your accommodations.
We will all gather for a Welcome Circle in the Valhalla Yoga House followed by a lovely dinner at 6pm.
Program Outline:
Every morning we meet for a healthy juice shot at Valhalla at 8am and then proceed with our morning yoga.
Breakfast is served immediately after morning yoga.
Following breakfast, we will pack our lunch that we bring with us to the activities we decide on later in the day, depending on the weather.
Afternoons are open and can be spent relaxing, or meeting for optional activities like guided walks in the woods and mountains. We also will plan for swimming in mountain lakes or swimming in the fjord.
At 5pm the evening's yoga session starts.
Dinner is served at 20:00.
We wrap up the yoga classes on the afternoon of June 10th, and round off the yoga retreat with a delicious dinner in the summer evening.
The last breakfast is served Sunday morning, before everyone starts their journey home or continues their holiday to other destinations.
ACCOMMODATIONS & PRICING
ACCOMMODATIONS:
The accommodations are all in close proximity to Valhalla.
The housing available is mainly shared double rooms in cozy houses in the neighbourhood.
A few single rooms may be available at an additional cost.
We have the most double rooms with 2 x single beds, a few with a double bed and a very few single rooms, so let us know what suits you the best.
When registering a whole group, it may be possible to be accommodated together in the same houses, although the standard for accommodation is rooms in shared houses with shared bathroom / living room / kitchen. Let us know what is desirable when registering, and we will arrange as best as possible.
GLAMPING! This year it will also be possible to do some glamping and stay in a Dome at Bjørklund Gård nearby, please read more via the links below. Note: if you decide to stay here, you must make this booking yourself and you will get a price with us for the retreat without accommodation.
Registration:
Send email to gry@lotusyoga.no and you will receive e-invoices by mail for deposits and for the remaining amount OR you can choose your plan from Klarna
Do you already live at Strøksnes or nearby? Or do you want to stay in a dome at Bjørklund Gård? Let us know and you will receive a separate price based on all teaching, meals, goodie bag and activities. Registration and payment of deposit is binding.
Investment:
Yoga retreat with all meals, activities, goodie bag and double room:
Early Bird before March 31st = NOK 6,500,-
Regular price after April 1st = NOK 7,000,-
Yoga retreat with all meals, activities, goodie bag and single room:
Early Bird before March 31st = NOK 7.500,-
Regular price after April 1st = NOK 8,000,-
Link to currency converter:
https://www.dnb.no/markets/valuta-og-renter/valutakalkulator
Payment:
Payment of a deposit of NOK 2000 secures your spot at the yoga retreat. The deposit is non-refundable.
Remaining amount must be paid by 15 May 2023 or you can choose a payment plan with Klarna.
Link to tickets
Cancellation:
In the event of unexpected situations in connection with corona restrictions that require us to cancel, the full amount will be refunded.
In the event of a participant's illness that requires cancellation, we need a medical certificate for any refund of the retreat / course fee.
"I came as as stick
and left as a well done noodle"
Merete Johansen
The chefs & the food
Chefs Espen & Morten will serve nutritious, delicious homemade food and with a local twist.
Coffee, tea, juice, milk and mineral water are served with all meals.
Alcohol will not be served during the yoga retreat.
As we flow through the wisdom of Ayurveda this year, there will be Ayurvedic-inspired meals and drinks according to our yoga schedule.
There will be options for vegetarian and vegan meals.
We will kindly ask you to notify us about any allergies and/or restrictions when registering.
Videos by Stacy Seebart
YOGA:
Stacy Seebart (Karuna) and Gry Zakariassen (Gita) will teach yoga twice a day in Valhalla.
Classes will alternate between a strengthening session every morning, and a relaxing session in the evening.
All classes will be available for ALL yoga levels.
Classes will be taught in English.
*NEW THIS YEAR*
In addition to the inspiration of Ayurveda, we will have daily 'Posture Labs' where we go into a workshop style of learning and take a deep dive into some of the classic yoga postures, or Asanas.
We’ll look at how the postures can easily be adapted in order to get the best possible benefit from yoga.
About Your Teachers:
Both Gry and Stacy are graduates from the Nosara Yoga Institute in Costa Rica.
Their yoga style is creative with music and is based on dynamic yoga, Yoga Flow and Vinyasa Yoga, with elements of Yin Yoga, Restorative Yoga, Kundalini, Self Awakening Yoga(SAY), meditation and more.
In addition, there will be daily sessions of gong relaxation and gong baths. You will experience a therapeutic sound and stress-reducing relaxation with the help of a 32" symphonic gong, Tibetan singing bowls and Koshi bell.
Tap the link and read more about us here:
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Join us!
HOW TO GET THERE
From/To:
Airport: the nearest airport is in Bodø.
The driving time from Bodø to Hestvika is about 2.5 hours.
There is no public transportation after you´ve reached Kobbelv Vertshus, but we will as far as possible, help you coordinate transport with other participants.
Train: the nearest train station is Fauske, and the driving time from there is about 1.5 hours
Car: E6 from the north or south with exit in Elvkroken
Private boat: guest pier with service building for shower / WC can be rented about 1 km from Hestvika
What's Included:
All meals prepared by chefs Espen & Morten
Accommodation with local lodging with other participants
All yoga sessions with Gry and Stacy, gong baths, outdoor activities and guided walks in the Norwegian woods and mountains
goodiebag
Access to various games (to be borrowed)
What's not included:
Travel expenses
accommodation at Bjørklund Gård (Glamping)
fee when renting a guest pier for your own boat
What to bring:
Bed linen and towels
Bathing suit
Clothes suitable for both hot, wet and cold weather, yoga clothes, good shoes for hiking
Yoga mat & block
mosquito repellent & sunscreen
Any personal medications
Good to know:
The local grocery store which is open Mon-Saturday daytime offers a basic selection of grocery
The temperature can vary from +9 to +25 Celsius.
Prepare for a wonderful visit to the most charming countryside with lovely locals and stunning scenery.
USEFUL LINKS:
Bjørklund Farm, accommodation:
https://bjorklundgard.no/ac/unik-overnatting
https://www.visitnorway.com/listings/caf%c3%a9-and-accommodation-at-bj%c3%b8rklund-farm/204883/?lang=uk
https://www.visitnorway.com/places-to-go/northern-norway/?lang=usa
