Join Jenn, Gia and Laura for a spectacular retreat to North Iceland!  Just a few degrees from the arctic circle, this island of fire and ice is the perfect backdrop to recharge, reset and recalibrate with the energies of the primal earth and geothermal waters.

Always magical, North Iceland in autumn boasts glorious color, milder weather, plenty of daylight, fewer tourists, and perhaps even a glimpse of the Northern Lights.

Begin each day being guided in an an all levels class led by Jenn and Gia, followed by lunch and the day’s adventures.  You’ll have the opportunity to ride the Icelandic horses, say hello to the humpbacks that live in the fjord, wander the lava fields, in volcanically heated mineral hot springs, and if everything aligns, an opportunity to witness the Northern Lights!

Iceland is one of the planet’s true gems. With a total population of under 380,000, 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 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 houses 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, and visit a nearby island considered one of the power places of the North. REtreats also offer the opportunity to visit one or both of the spectaculat Gothermal baths – the Forest Lagoon in Akureyri and the GeoSea in neighboring Husavik.

Your 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 lodging (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.
• Icelandic Horse riding!  the Icelandic Horse is truly unique to Iceland and even boasts a unique gait called the “tolt”.  Beginner riders will be in one group and enjoy a breathtakingly beautiful experience of the spring fields of Iceland.  More experienced riders will have the opportunity to trot, canter and tolt through the countryside!  We’ll learn about these beautiful animals and be treated to hot beverages and Icelandic treats afterwards. (*for those unsure about horse riding, whale watching can be arranged instead!)
• 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 train 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.
• A more local adventure and nature walk. We’ll drive along the fjord visits to some hidden magical places  You’ll feel like you’ve been transported back in time, or onto the most spectacular movie set designed by mother nature herself!
• 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 walk to the Fjord or go take a boat to see the humpback whales.  We also try to offer opportunities to visits to one or both of the spectacular gothermal baths – the Forest Lagoon in Akureyri and theGeoSea in Husavik.

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. 

Jenn Wooten, RYT500, YACEP, C-IAYT is a certified yoga therapist and yoga educator who has studied yoga and mindfulness for over 20 years. She has been a teacher, mentor and group facilitator in the Austin yoga community since 2004. Her teaching style focuses on embodiment, functional movement, joy and resilience. Jenn teaches trauma-informed yoga classes and leads foundational and in-depth yoga teacher trainings, mentorships and retreats throughout the world. She guides students to respond to life’s stressors through embodiment, breath, self-awareness and self-compassion. Her teaching is engaging, accessible and warm-hearted. Jenn’s gift is her intuitive ability to help students lean into to their own self-authority and connect to their body as a source of wisdom. The core of her teaching is helping people cultivate a yoga and mindfulness practice as a pathway for healing, awakening and wholeness.

Gioconda Parker has been practicing and teaching yoga for 20+ years, and is still learning something new every day. Her enthusiasm for the practice is contagious and her dedication to yoga comes through in every class. Whether you are flowing in her artfully sequenced vinyasa classes, or moving through the layers in yin, her guidance and support keep you safe, steady and focused. In addition to years of yoga training, she also holds a Master’s Degree in Transpersonal Psychology and is a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner.

Laura Forsyth RYT500, YACEP,  is the founder of One Yoga Global. She began her yoga studentship over 25 years ago and began teaching in 2005. She is grateful to all of her teahers in all of their forms, and for the leap of faith that birthed One Yoga Global over 10 years ago. 

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 geothermic water Jacuzzi. 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.

Refunds and Cancellations: Refund less deposit ($695) before June 15, 2024. No refunds after June 15, 2024.  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 2024, unless other arrangements are made.

We HIGHLY recommend that you consider purchasing Travel Insurance. Travel insurance companies like Travel Guard and Trawick 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.

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.