Juhannus Retreat
15.06–21.06.2026 • Saimaa, Finland
A 7-day midsummer experience rooted in Finnish wisdom, presence, and meaningful connection.
For those seeking deep real rest that stays with you long after the week ends.
Immerse yourself in Finnish rituals and traditions alongside an intimate divers group of individuals, and uncover why Finns have been ranked the happiest people on earth for the ninth year in a row.
Midsummer Retreat
2023 Recap
Have you ever wondered what makes one of the darkest and coldest countries the happiest in the world for nine times in a row?
Let me tell you about sisu.
Sisu is a Finnish way of relating to life—a quiet inner strength rooted in endurance, honesty, and self-trust. It is not about pushing harder, but about staying present with what is. It is about finding the joy in the challenges that life throws at us.
During the Juhannus Retreat, we practice this every day, so it becomes something you carry with you—helping you stay connected and at ease long after you return home.
So how do we get sisu?
Through practice. Through challenging the body, the mind, the soul and including times for conscious rest.
Think of sisu as a muscle, the more you train, the stronger it becomes. One you strengthen equally through presence, repetition, and care.
That is exactly what we do during Midsummer.
Sauna bathing relaxes your muscles and invites you to stay present with warmth and intensity—the Finnish way.
Ice bathing challenges the body in discomfort and brings the mind into stillness, forcing you to soften and surrender.
Intuitive movement to release stored tension and to deepen trust in your body’s own rhythm, beyond performance.
Holistic workshops and creative practices like writing a letter to your younger self, candle gazing, or a playfulness asana exploration lab.
Nourishing organic plant-based meals and gentle cleansing rituals to support digestion, clarity, and a grounded sense of wellbeing from the inside out.
Connection in a group of people, that couldn't be more divers and yet rooted in understanding, care, and inclusivity
And most importantly: Slowing down. Digital detox. Presence. In Finland we call it Joutilaisuus: The Art of Doing Nothing.
You may feel at home here if you recognize yourself in some of these:
You are naturally curious about life—easily inspired, passionate, and always open to discovering new experiences (or want to get there).
You feel deeply nourished by nature. Forests, lakes, fresh air and wide open landscapes bring you a sense of calm and presence.
You enjoy meaningful connections—the kind of conversations that go beyond small talk—yet you also cherish quiet moments alone with your journal or something to read.
You love to laugh. With strangers to become friends.
Movement is an essential part of your life. Yoga may be a practice you love, but you also find joy in other forms of movement like dancing, walking in nature, or swimming.
You are curious about other cultures, traditions and ways of living that teach us different perspectives on life and our part in it.
After busy days or stressful periods, you long for spaces where you can truly slow down, reconnect with yourself and feel grounded again.
The idea of stepping away from constant notifications and screens—even just for a few days—feels like a relief for both your mind and body.
You prefer intimate gatherings over large crowds, where people come together with intention and openness.
If even one of these resonated, Juhannus might be exactly what you need.
Here are some highlights of this journey for you
Hatha (with Rika), Vinyasa (with Tiia), Yin and Restorative Yoga
Intuitive Movement Practices
Deep transformational breathwork journeys
Gentle daily breathing practices
The Science of Breath
Sound baths with Tibetan singing bowls
Sound exploration workshop
Singing circle around the fire
Finnish sauna rituals and cold exposure (ice bath)
The Art of Foraging: get to know natures treasures
Boat rides and swimming in the lake
Juhannus (Midsummer) celebrations
Fermentation workshop
Nutritious, organic plant-based meals (three times a day)
This retreat is for you if:
You long for long days outdoors and the feeling of sun on your skin
You want to enjoy movement that feels alive like swimming, walking, dancing, exploring
You are looking for real, meaningful rest
You are looking to become more present with what is
You always wanted to experience midsummer in the North
This retreat might not be for you if:
You prefer large groups or very structured, fast-paced days
You’re looking for quick fixes or dramatic transformations
You want yoga mainly as a physical workout to tone the body
You’re not quite ready to put your phone aside for parts of the day to enjoy real connection through presence (we approach this gently and with choice)
What makes Juhannus different is that it isn’t about escaping life.
It’s about learning how to feel connected and stay connected, even when things feel intense.
Where will
we stay?
We will stay at modern but cozy Villa in the Saimaa region, which is the largest lake archipelago of Europe, directly at a lake, very close to Mikkeli, Finland.
What’s
included?
All yoga equipment, classes and activities, different workshops, group activities, 3 delicious vegan local meals a day and facilities of our home such as a wood-fired sauna. Additionally we will provide non-alcoholic beverages (water, tea, coffee) and snacks throughout the day.
What’s
not included?
Travel and private expenses of any kind. If you travel by train/bus, we will pick you up at the bus station in Heimari.
It is a 2,5 hrs beautiful train ride from Helsinki Airport or city centre towards the North of the country.
What is
the price?
Pricing starts at 1900€
(please contact me for payment plans, if needed)
I am Rika, born in Finnland raised in Germany, wanting
to spread the beautiful Finnish culture with you and the world. Every retreat is different but always connecting to my roots and sharing knowledge and wisdom of the Finnish culture and traditions. I combine the Finnish bliss with different aspects of the yogic path to create an holisitic approach that has supported (and still does) me along the way.
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Host and Space Holder
Rika is a certified Yoga Teacher for Hatha, Vinyasa and Yin. 2022 she accredited as sound healer and ever since has been including sound into her classes and sound baths/healings into her schedule. Breath, the science of the breath and its healing benefits are a big part of her daily life. You won't miss a good pranayama or breathing exercise within her classes.
She is passionate about the practice of yoga and dedicated to spread her knowledge to the world. But her willingness to share personal experiences and her unique journey is even greater.
Rika has had quite a few opportunities to do so through regular classes and events like retreats and workshops all around Germany, Finland, Greece and Online.
Her classes are created with much thought and therefore creative with playful elements and fun transitions, yet long holds to feel all sensations.
Movement has always been a huge part of her life and she wouldn't want to miss it. She was a dancer in Jazz- and Modern from a very young age, where she at some point competed in tournaments all around Germany.
Every summer is filled with berry picking, swimming in the lake and many many rounds of sauna. As well as eating grandmas famous "mustikkapiirakka" (blueberry pie), that you might get a taste of during her retreat.
Tiia is an inspiring Yoga teacher and even more inspiring aunt, who has always had a deep relationship to the body and its movement through dance.
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Yoga Teacher
Tiia has been quite literally dancing her way through life until she found the path of yoga. She has dedicated her practice to serve others with Ashtanga, Vinyasa and Yin classes in her very own studio in the center of Leeds, UK.We are excited to have her as our Yoga Teacher for Ashtanga and Yin and maybe some special movement classes influenced by contemporary dance.
She is also available for 1:1 sessions throughout the retreat.
Lisa works as a holistic coach, health advisor, Ayurvedic chef, and yoga teacher. With her wide range of tools, she has, over the past decade, held space and cooked at more than 30 retreats and workshops in England, German-speaking countries, India, and Sweden
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OUR PRIVATE CHEF
She is especially passionate about working with women’s health – how we set boundaries, care for our bodies, express ourselves with our voices, and embark on the journey from the head into intuition. We are here to truly be here. Fully present with what we feel, what comes from within and wants to be expressed.“The more I work with health, the clearer I see how strongly our mind influences the body.”
With lovingly cooked food, Lisa supports you throughout the week.