Akureyri, NORTH ICELAND

with Ann Maxwell and Molly McManus

October 23-30, 2021

LAST SPACES!

We’re heading North with Yoga North co-owners Ann Maxwell and Molly McManus! Ann and Molly are the founders of SomaYoga methodology which is a style of therapeutic yoga that blends somatics, functional movement and classic yoga. A great way to get your body moving for the wonderful adventures that Iceland has to offer! 

COVID 19 :  As of Spring, 2021, Iceland is offering entry with proof of vaccine or proof of previous infection and antibodies. If you are choosing not to be vaccinated, we do not know yet if there will be entry available (even with a negative PCR test).  

Akureyri Iceland Yoga
Akureyri Iceland Yoga
Akureyri Iceland Yoga
Akureyri Iceland Yoga

Iceland is one of the planet’s true gems. With a total population of only 330,000, Iceland has struck a perfect balance between a warm, welcoming culture and the raw, untamed beauty of its vast mountainous landscapes. While most tourist groups and cruise lines visit the southern capital city Reykjavik (where the majority of population is), we’ll be heading to 66°North Iceland to the town of Akureyri–one of Iceland’s best kept secrets.The cultural capital of Iceland, Akureyri has been voted the number one destination in all of Europe by Lonely Planet on more than one occasion.  With a population of only 18,000, a mild climate on the longest fjord in the country, and close proximity to the Arctic Circle (meaning amazing Northern Lights!), Northern Iceland is truly THE place to visit.

One Yoga Global is in an exclusive partnership with the only yoga and wellness center in Northern Iceland. Enjoy your daily yoga practice in a newly-built, one-of-a-kind studio with majestic views of the fjord and soaring mountains that will warm your body and soul. This wellness center is complete with massage rooms, dry sauna, Jacuzzi, showers, changing rooms, and all the amenities, and our friendly and knowledgeable guides live on site, giving this space a personal touch.

Guests of our retreats have a choice of staying in local private apartments complete with geothermal Jacuzzis or at a local hotel in the city center. These comfortable and modern accommodations serve as a launching point for exploring some of most powerful places in Iceland and diving into the island’s rich traditions. You’ll have the opportunity to ride Icelandic horses, see the humpback whales that live in the fjord, visit a nearby island and hike its mountaintops and possibly experiecne the northern lights!

Akureyri Iceland Yoga
Akureyri Iceland Yoga
Akureyri Iceland Yoga
Akureyri Iceland Yoga
Vacation Details

This special week in Northern Iceland is open to all and offers the opportunity to learn about the culture, history and unique geography of Iceland while experiencing some of the most magical sights of this amazing country.  Each day will be accompanied by a professional guide who will share details of each site along with local folklore and personal stories.

OUR ITINERARY: Each morning, after breakfast, we will all have the option to participate in an all levels group yoga / movement class. Our hosts will pick us up at each domicile (all within a few blocks) and we’ll be transported across the fjord to our beautiful yoga and wellness center that overlooks the mountains and water.  Classes will be welcoming to all, and if you prefer, the center has a relaxation room, beautiful views, a dry sauna and jacuzzi available to our group. After class, we’ll be transported to lunch, and after this, we’ll head out for our day’s activities!  If you decide any morning to sleep in and skip a class, you can simply meet us at lunch which is just a couple blocks walk from your home. Our afternoon and evening adventures together will include:

  • Hrisey Island-A lovely ferry ride to spend an afternoon picturesque exploration and hike of Hrisey Island. Situated at 66 degrees North, just a stone’s throw from the Arctic Circle, Hrisey is considered one of the “Power” places in Iceland. This can’t be easily explained, so we’ll offer some moments of pause to sit and feel this special planetary vortex energy.
  • A walking tour of Akureyri, learning about the history, architecture and folklore. We’ll drive along the fjord and make several stops including visits to some special places and hidden waterfalls,  You’ll feel like you’ve been transported back in time, or onto the most spectacular movie set designed by mother nature herself!
  • An afternoon at the GeoSea in Husavik – The Geo Sea in an other-world experience, the naturally heated waters are a unique mixture of volcanic and sea water, a combination of healing minerals soothing to body and soul.  The Geo Sea was built on the end of the sea, so you’ll soak gazing at the ocean, mountains and arctic circle. On a clear day, you may even see the whales emerging from the sea.
  • A full day adventure to Myvatn – an amazing geothermic region that will take you from the fjord, through the mountains, to the lava fields.  You’ll experience the rolling fields of Icelandic sheep contrasted with the barren lunar landscapes that the astronauts used to training for the first lunar landing in the 60’s!   Our day concludes with a visit to the thermal baths of the North.  In the front is a modern cafe, showers and lockers  … when you exit the back, you enter large natural pools of geothermic waters bubbling from mother earth herself.  With a high concentration of natural minerals, Icelanders often credit these waters with their health and longevity that is much higher than the norm.  We’ll watch the sun set, and the galaxies of stars arise.  A sight to behold!
  • The Northern Lights! This is a great time of year to witness the dance of lights, but of course, Mother Nature has her own agenda. However, with a timeframe of 7 days, the odds of sightings are high and our skilled hosts are experts at tracking the best times and locations!  be prepared on any evening at dinner for our hosts to offer a pick up time to go chasing the lights!  Perhaps we’ll even get show while lounging in our backyard jacuzzis or floating in the hot springs in Myvatn!
  • Two afternoons of optional activities.  On these afternoons, your teachers may offer extra classes, you may decide to explore the little town on your own, have a massage or walk to the Fjord and go take a boat to see the humpback whales.  With enough interest, we can also offer the option of Horse Riding! 

Each evening after our excursions, we return to Akureyri for dinner, then relax in our apartments and the backyard Jacuzzis to enjoy the fresh air and excellent company.

 
Please feel free to email us directly at info@oneyogaglobal.com with questions.
Akureyri Iceland Yoga
Akureyri Iceland Yoga
Akureyri Iceland Yoga
Akureyri Iceland Yoga
Travel, Additional Information & FAQ’s

PLEASE READ THIS CAREFULLY.

Most of you will depart your home city on Friday to arrive Saturday early morning in Reykjavik (KEF = Keflavik International) then take a smaller flight from the Reykjavik smaller domestic airport to Akureyri. Your return will be the following Saturday morning from Akureyri – Reykjavik domestic, then a transfer to the International airport (Keflavik) and back home.
Some of you will choose to add extra days on your own in Reykjavik before or after the retreat dates.

Everyone will need to book 2 tickets to get to Akureyri, Northern Iceland. The first flight will be from your hometown to Reykjavik (Keflavik International).  From here, you will either drive, or book an easy 45 minute flight from Reykjavik Domestic Airport to Akureyri.  This is a different and smaller airport than Keflavik International.

For more detailed advice, links and details on booking travel, we have created a Google document that any of you can access. CLICK HERE for that document.

CONTINUE READING

If you add extra days on the front or back end in Reykjavik, the city center is only 10-15 minutes to the domestic airport for the shorter inland flight.  For those of you arriving and departing on Saturday and flying all the way to Akureyri and then home on the last Saturday (no extra time in Reykjavik)  – The international airport (KEF) is 45 minutes away from the smaller inland airport (RKV), so you will need a minimum of 3.5 hours between the flights to ensure you make it through customs, luggage and take the transfer to the domestic airport.

For this: ARRIVALS the first Saturday – Look at the overnight flights that depart on Friday night and arrive Saturday morning. DEPARTURES on the last Saturday – Most flights (ex. Iceland Air is recommended) leave between 5 and 6pm.   If you are flying home on Saturday, do not book a flight that leaves KEF before 2pm.

The short inland flights can be booked at: www.airiceland.is and most of you will book:
To Akureyri:  12:15pm – 1:35pm  From Akureyri: 9:45am – 10:30am.

Upon arrival to Akureyri, we will be transferred to apartments or hotel rooms (available between 2 and 4pm), settle in, then enjoy dinner together at a local cafe in the town center. The apartments will be stocked with breakfast foods so each participant can manage their own breakfast routine before we head to daily morning yoga classes. Lunches and 5 group dinners are also included (2 dinners in Akureyri are open for the group to explore). Our hosts do their best to accommodate various dietary restrictions (such as dairy free, gluten free, and vegetarian needs); please let us know these needs in advance if possible.

Each morning at a designated time, you’ll be picked up from your apartment or hotel and transported just a few minutes across the fjord to the beautiful yoga studio and wellness center. After class, we’ll head to lunch and then out on our daily adventures to experience the majesty of our surroundings.

Once you are registered, we’ll be in touch about your travel plans!

What to Pack:
  • winter clothes and several layers
  • thermals (top and bottom)
  • winter pants (wind- and/or water-resistant are recommended)
  • winter gloves / socks and waterproof boots / hiking shoes
  • an outer shell that is warm, and wind- and rain-resistant
  • warm headgear
  • a buff or balaclava for the neck and face
  • a bathing suit for the Jacuzzis and springs
  • yoga clothes (compression pants make for a nice underlayer)
  • adapters for electronics (Iceland uses the round 2-pin style common throughout Europe)
Your Guides

Ann Maxwell, MS, C-IAYT, ERYT 500, AYS, Somatic Educator

Ann holds certification in Hatha Yoga, Yoga for Cancer Survivors and is an experienced teacher trainer and yoga therapist. She gets great satisfaction in supporting the teachers in training to find their niche, grow their skills and become great yoga teachers and therapists. Adventure is in her bones from being a program director at Widjiwagan in Northern Minnesota, a wilderness guide for Adventures in Good Company and Woodswoman, as well as bringing that enthusiasm to Yoga North with advanced training in wilderness settings to adventure yoga vacations! She lives on the edge of Lake Superior in Duluth on Park Point. Ann brings the spirit of adventure and curiosity to her expertise as a yoga instructor and business owner, grounding her ability in the practicality and expertise of the body. Ann is a model of yogic living for her students and brings a sense of wisdom and fun to the daily practice of yoga.

Molly McManus, C-IAYT, E-RYT 500, AHC, AC, Somatic Educator

Molly is co-owner of Yoga North International SomaYoga Institute and board member for the International Association of Yoga Therapists. She is a speaker and educator sought for her special areas of interest; the resolution of chronic pain, and the diseases of stress and trauma, and creating systems for whole-being well-being. She has designed programs such as Yoga North ISYI’s Yoga Teacher Training and Accredited Yoga Therapy Program, Nourish Ayurveda, SomaYoga for Chronic Pain Resolution, and Teaching Yoga Therapy for Stress, Anxiety and Depression. Molly participates in continuous training and active engagement in her field.

Molly loves to travel and has enjoyed leading many adventure yoga retreats to locations including India, Nicaragua, France, Ireland, Apostle Islands and the North Woods of Minnesota. She cant wait to co-host this group in Iceland with her business partner Ann Maxwell.

Accommodations

Your home base in Akureyri will be in some of the most modern apartments in the city, or in a centrally located hotel. The apartments provide comfort and privacy, and they are just a short walk from the city center. Each apartment has several rooms, some with a shared bath and some with private bath, and each has a kitchen, living space, and backyard. We will place female travelers together and couples together. When you reserve, we will be in contact with you directly to confirm your housing placement. A limited number of private hotel rooms are also available for those who desire this option.

Akureyri Iceland Yoga
Akureyri Iceland Yoga
Akureyri Iceland Yoga
Akureyri Iceland Yoga
Akureyri Iceland Yoga
Akureyri Iceland Yoga

Apartments
Double Occupancy Room (shared bath)

Larger private room in a 3-bedroom apartment complete with kitchen, living room, backyard jacuzzi and access to washer/dryer. Family bathroom shared with 4-5 persons total in the apartment.
Cost: $3495

We have one  female in need of a roommate  and one additional room that can be a single or double.

Single Occupancy Room (shared bath)

Private room in a 3-bedroom apartment complete with kitchen, living room, backyard jacuzzi and access to washer/dryer. Family bathroom shared with 4 persons total in the apartment.
Cost: $3895
We have 1 last open room that can be a single or a double room.

Double Occupancy room (Private Bath)

Shared room in 2-room apartment with 2 private bathrooms, kitchen, living room, backyard jacuzzi and access to washer/dryer.
Master bedroom: RESERVED
2nd bedroom: RESERVED

 

Hotel Room

Hotel KEA Akureyri or equivalent. Breakfast included. In the city center.
LAST hotel room

Double occupancy: $4195 per person
Single Occupancy: $4695 per person

 

 

 

 

INCLUDED:
7 nights accommodation in Akureyri
Transportation from airport, to classes and excursions
Daily classes
Breakfasts, Lunches and 5 dinners in Akureyri
Group Excursions
NOT INCLUDED:
Flights to Akureyri
Optional Extras (massage, special excursions)
2 dinners in Akureyri

Refunds and Cancellations: Refund less deposit ($695) before July 15, 2021. No refunds after July 15, 2021. In case of cancellation, you may transfer your deposit or your reservation to another person as long as you notify One Yoga Global 21+ days in advance. Due to arrangements made with our vacation hosts, there can be no exceptions to this policy.

If you place a deposit, the balance due will be set to charge in equal installments starting the month after deposit through July, 2021, unless other arrangements are made.

In the unlikely case of cancellation by One Yoga Global due to insufficient enrollment or logistical problems (acts of God, war, strikes, etc.) that may impede trip operations, please refer to the policies outlined in the more detailed application and liability waiver provided upon reservation.  Participants will be required to sign the application and  liability waiver to participate on this trip.

We HIGHLY recommend that you consider purchasing Travel Insurance. Travel insurance companies like TRAVEL GUARD offer policies that insure your investment in case you need to cancel (including “cancel for any reason” coverages), coverages for expenses incurred due to to weather & travel delays, personal property loss and emergency travel medical.  Please review policies carefully to choose the coverage you need.

 

aig-travel-guard-logo-c

We recommend that you consider purchasing trip insurance to protect your investment. AIG Travel Guard and Trawick International are two providers that we recommend. Please review policies carefully to ensure they provide the coverage you need.

We recommend that you consider purchasing trip insurance to protect your investment. Trawick International and Travel Guard are two providers that we recommend. Please review policies carefully to ensure they provide the coverage you need.