Winter Bliss Retreat
01.03–07.03.2026 • Heimari, Finland
An 7-day winter experience for everyone looking to slow down, recharge and find bliss through the Finnish way of being. Immerse yourself in Finnish rituals, wisdom, and traditions
alongside an intimate group of like-minded individuals, and uncover why Finns have been ranked the happiest people on earth for the eighth year in a row.
Midsummer Retreat
2023 Recap
What gives some people a quiet strength that remains steady through life’s challenges?
If this speaks to you, keep reading.
Why do Finns often appear quietly strong and grounded, even in life’s challenges?
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.
During the Winter Bliss Retreat, we practice this every day, so it becomes something you carry with you—helping you stay connected, steady, and deeply at ease long after you return home.
So how do we get sisu?
Through practice. Through gentle challenge and conscious rest.
By connecting body, mind, and soul.
Think of sisu as a muscle—not one you force, but one you strengthen through presence, repetition, and care.
That is exactly what we do during Winter Bliss.
Sauna bathing relaxes your muscles and invites you to stay present with warmth and intensity—without rushing, without forcing.
Ice bathing or snow rolling refreshes the body and gently challenges the mind to soften, surrender, and breathe through discomfort.
Intuitive movement with eyes closed helps release stored tension and deepens trust in your body’s own rhythm, beyond performance or comparison.
Holistic workshops and creative practices—like writing a letter to your younger self, candle gazing, or a playfulness asana exploration lab—open space for reflection, insight, and quiet inspiration.
Nourishing plant-based meals and gentle cleansing rituals support digestion, clarity, and a grounded sense of wellbeing from the inside out.
Connection with others, rooted in understanding, care, and inclusivity, creates safety—allowing acceptance of ourselves and the world around us.
And most importantly: Slowing down. Digital detox.
Learning to be with what is—without the need to do, fix, or go anywhere.
Do you recognize yourself in any of these?
you are easily inspired and passionate always trying new things
you love the outdoors and to spend time in and with nature
you are empathetic, humorous and love to laugh from the bottom of your heart until the belly hurts (or tears flow)
you are sociable and like to go into deep conversations but you also love to spend time alone and release your inner introvert
you tend to have little projects all the time and hands-on activities are your strong suit
movement of any kind is something you couldn’t live without, yoga being a big part of it but equally as much any other intentional movement like dancing or somatic experiences
diving into different cultures and traditions gets you excited, especially when they teach you about happiness
forests and lakes give you the calmness and presence you need when after a long day at work or when feeling stressed in daily life
early bird (I mean the real bird) rush hours are the the only rush hour you enjoy (and maybe early bird classes in the studio)
you don’t like huge groups of people but instead choose your crowd intentionally
If even one of these resonated, Winter Bliss might be exactly what you need.
Here are some highlights of this journey for you
Movement & Body
Hatha and Yin Yoga
Intuitive Movement Practices
Somatic and dance-based exploration
Breath & Nervous System
Deep transformational breathwork journeys
The science of breath
Gentle daily breathing practices
Sound & Expression
Sound baths with Tibetan singing bowls
Sound healing using your own voice
Sound exploration workshop
Nature & Ritual
Finnish sauna rituals
Cold–heat exposure (sauna, ice hole, or snow rolling)
Cleansing practices such as foot baths
Nourishment
Nutritious, organic plant-based meals (three times a day)
This retreat is for you if:
You’re craving depth, not stimulation
You want to slow down without losing your spark
You’re curious about strength that comes from presence, not pressure
You value authenticity over performance
You want practices that stay with you long after the retreat ends
This retreat might not be for you if:
You prefer large groups or highly structured days
You want quick fixes or dramatic transformations
You are looking for workout yoga to tone your body
What makes Winter Bliss different is that it isn’t about escaping life.
It’s about learning how to stay steady, connected, and alive, even when things feel intense.
Where will
we stay?
We will stay at a beautiful, modernly equipped Villa in the pure nature 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.
What is the
Investment?
Prices: starting at 1800€
(please contact me for payment plans, if needed)
You don’t need to prepare, perform, or become anything to be here. Just come as you are.
I am Rika, born in Finland 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.
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HOST AND YOGA TEACHER
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.
Her classes are created with much thought and with creative and playful elements but the main focus is to arrive in the body and mind through the breath.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 and cold dips. As well as eating grandmas famous "mustikkapiirakka" (blueberry pie), that you might get a taste of during her retreat.
