Midnight Sun Yoga Retreat

in Utsjoki, Finnish Lapland

June 4th-9th, 2023

Come experience the midnight sun!

 

Have you dreamed of visiting some of the northernmost parts of the world and experiencing the midnight sun? Walking on the fells alongside reindeer and trying out sauna and other Nordic traditions? This is available in June 2023!

Welcome to Utsjoki, to my family's villa by the Teno River that runs between Finland and Norway. This year we are going international! I have hosted two retreats here at my family's villa so far for mostly Finnish participants. Now I am excited to bring an international crew to experience this beauty! It is a very remote location and requires quite a bit of knowledge on how to get around, so I have included transportation and some other fun special treats for your convenience. 

A boutique experience: only 6-7 participants in the private villa, morning and evening yoga, hikes, delicious local food, excursions to the Arctic Sea... read on to learn more and to book.

A WEEK OF...

Nature, Yoga, Hikes, Sámi Culture, Excursions to Arctic Sea, Sauna, Relaxation by the Fireplace, Conversations and Laughter...

Utsjoki Midnight Sun Retreat

June 4th-9th, 2023

Bures Boahtin Ohcejohka! (Welcome to Utsjoki, in Sámi language). We are reverently meeting on the land of the Indigenous peoples known as Sámi. The Sámi have lived on these lands way before they were known as Finland, Norway, Sweden and Russia. They have lived as nomadic peoples, but these days many have settled and continued reindeer herding fishing and work in other industries.

Thanks to the Sámi the nature up north has remained unspoiled and incredibly beautiful. Their lifestyle is one with nature and we have a lot to learn from people who live in such connection with the surrounding nature. I am very excited to show you around here.

To me it is really important to understand the history, present and future of the land I walk on. Utsjoki is very rich in Sámi culture which I want to respect as many indigenous rights have been violated. As I bring people here to enjoy the nature, silence and beauty, I want to remain conscious of who are the original stewards of this land. This year, I have included a visit to the Sámi museum Siida to the itinerary. We will also visit Arctic Sauna in a cute little town on Norway side. And of course go walk on the fells and spot some reindeer!

Shared rooms

Sleeps 2 in a bunk bed. Two shared rooms available. 

Private Queen room

A private room with a queen size bed for a single or couple.

Private Alcove

Private alcove with a twin size bed, secluded with a curtain.

Yoga space with a view

We will greet the majestic river and fell view every day.

Sauna

This wouldn't be a complete Finnish experience without a sauna. We will heat it every night! Choose to join me in the heat or simply shower in the sauna space. 

Hikes + excursions

There are many easy hikes to do around our villa. We will pack some snacks and head out to the nature for a hike + delicious fika in nature. We also have an exciting excursion to the Arctic Sea!

Maria, day retreat 2022

"Mikaela has been my source of inspiration for years. Her energy is uplifting and rooting at the same time; I feel that I get exactly what I need in her retreat or yoga class or mentoring session. I might not even be able to say what I need but she heals and guides me forward on my path every time we meet. The day retreat in Finland during August 2022 gave me a moment to pause, a moment to breathe and come back to my body. She held the space with her joy of life and I was purely me again. I trust and treasure my connection with her and am grateful to have her in my life." 

Auli, Lapland 2022

After the retreat I felt rejuvenated, both in the body and mind – upon returning home I was full of energy and new inspiration. I recommend the retreat to yogis of all ages and backgrounds. Our diverse group played well together and ISHTA Yoga that Mikaela teaches offered modifications to fit everyone's needs. I got lots of tools for my own practice and inspiration and new ideas about existing in the world. A warm thank you, I am very glad I chose to embark on my roadtrip up North.

About yoga

Mikaela teaches ISHTA Yoga and the word ishta comes from a sanskrit term ishta devata which translates to "that which resonates with the individual spirit". The yoga practice is tailored to each person's needs, and is suitable for beginners and advanced alike, to anyone working with injuries or pregnant. The goal of yoga is a state of oneness and after an invigorating morning practice we will do a silent seated meditation. Afternoon yoga is yin and restorative yoga. 

WEEK'S SCHEDULE 

Sunday, June 4th

  • Arrival at Ivalo airport 8:25 am
  • Pick up at the airport
  • 10am Siida, Sámi museum
  • 12pm Lunch in Inari 
  • 1pm Transportation to Utsjoki villa
  • 4pm Arrival
  • 5pm Yoga
  • 6pm Dinner
  • Sauna, relaxation, sleep 

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday:

  • 6:30 am Pre Yoga Snack
  • 7:30-9:30 Yoga and Meditation
  • 10am Brunch
  • Free time for hikes, relaxing, excursions
  • 5-6:30pm Restorative and Yin Yoga
  • 7pm dinner
  • Sauna, relaxing, sleep, midnight sun gazing

Friday, June 9th

  • 7:30-9:30 am Yoga
  • 10am Brunch
  • 11am Departure

This is an approximate schedule that can live according to our needs and desires. There will be one excursion day when the schedule is slightly different.

What to expect

This is a truly magical time to visit Lapland as the sun sets for the last time on May 17th and from then on will be up until July 28th. The temperatures are usually low this early in the summer, nightly 40's Fahrenheit to high 50's and maybe occasional 60's. I highly recommend packing layers, good outdoor gear, shoes, wool socks and a wool shirt and even a raincoat or something that can take light drizzle. 

We will also avoid the most intense mosquito season, but occasional mosquitoes can still be around so natural repellent might come in handy. Layers also prevent them from getting into skin contact.

In addition to daily yoga and sauna rituals, there will be many things to do and you are also welcome to stay at the villa and practice the art of doing nothing! For the ones who want to go on the fells, I usually choose easy hikes but good shoes are recommended and the hikes require balance, stamina and agility.

Jaana, Lapland 2022

I have experienced Mikaela's yoga classes on zoom, in person, and most recently at a special retreat in Finnish Lapland. Having taken up yoga way too late in my life, some poses are difficult for me, but Mikaela is able to instruct and modify according to individual needs. I don't know much about the distinctions between the different forms of yoga, but the physical instruction is combined with an attention to mind and spirit, which she does seamlessly, resulting in a clearing of the mind and a sense of peace. She speaks a lot, but always calmly and non-judgementally, inspiring us to reach deeper into ourselves while respecting each person's beliefs. I look forward to continuing this practice under her guidance, but I also hope she can be a teacher and trainer for other yoga teachers.

PRICING 

 

  • Shared rooms $1497 
  • Private alcove with twin bed $1697
  • Private room with queen bed $1897 (or shared room rate $1222 per person for a couple)

All prices per person.

Price includes

  • 5 night's accommodation in the room of your choosing
  • yoga classes with Mikaela
  • airport transfer from and to Ivalo airport
  • excursion to Arctic Sauna
  • museum visit and a guided tour
  • 5x pre yoga snack
  • 5x post yoga brunch
  • 4x light lunch in nature
  • 4x dinner (one night's dinner is excluded as we will explore a local restaurant and this is an individual expense) 
  • use of shared spaces, bathrooms and wifi 
  • unlimited coffee & tea.

Price excludes:

  • airfare to Helsinki
  • airfare to Ivalo
  • one night's dinner

A non-refundable $500 deposit will reserve your spot and remainder is due May 1st.

Book these flights HEL-IVL

Finnair flies direct flights from USA to Helsinki.

To get to IVL from Helsinki, you will book the following flights HEL-IVL. In order to make the early morning flight on Sunday, arrive in Finland no later than Saturday June 3rd. You can book a stay in a hotel in Helsinki, either in the center or stay near the airport. Book your departure from Helsinki on June 10th or later if you prefer.

READY TO SIGN UP?

Choose your room below. Email me to confirm your booking at [email protected]. Book flights to Helsinki (HEL) to arrive by Saturday, June 3rd (if flying from the US your flight will leave the day before) and book a stay in Helsinki. Book your flight from Helsinki to Ivalo (IVL) Sunday morning, June 4th and back to Helsinki Friday June 9th.

 

 

Shared room

$1497

  • only 4 available!
  • $500 deposit to reserve your spot
  • remainder due May 1st
Pay deposit

Private Alcove

$1697

  • only 1 available!
  • $500 deposit to reserve your spot
  • remainder due May 1st
SOLD OUT

Queen room

$1897

  • only 1 available!
  • $500 deposit to reserve your spot
  • remainder due May 1st
SOLD OUT

Email me for any questions

If you have questions about the retreat, do not hesitate to email me at [email protected]

Meet me under the midnight sun?

The $500 non refundable deposit secures your spot on the retreat.