Finland has been named the happiest country in the world. Not from perfection, but from a life closely connected to nature and supported by community.

Happiness here is grounded in what actually nourishes us. Nature. Community. Simplicity. Balance. Authenticity. Purpose.

These are the foundations of wellbeing we will practice together. We will move together each morning to warm the body and lift the spirit. We will let the noise of modern life rise, move, and fall away so happiness has space to surface. We will share warm meals and easy conversation. We will gather by the fire, trek through snow-covered forests, and let the ancient land support our return to balance. We’ll return to the simplicity of what we really need.

Together we will go inward and listen for what feels honest and good, so happiness isn’t a state that we chase, but something we can feel.

We invite you to explore the nature of happiness in the stillness of the ancient forests of the Finnish Arctic with us.

As winter softens into spring, daylight stretches across the horizon while the nights remain dark enough for the Northern Lights to dance above. Here, surrounded by one of Europe’s oldest spruce forests, time slows and silence becomes your teacher. This is a place of deep quiet, where happiness arises not from perfection, but from connection … to nature, to one another, and to yourself.

During our seven nights together, we will explore what it means to live in harmony, to move, breathe, and rest in rhythm with the Arctic landscape. Our days will blend yoga, mindful movement, playfulness and adventure with meaningful cultural and nature-based experiences.

Together we’ll share:

• Daily yoga practices inspired by our surroundings

• Snowshoeing through the ancient spruce forest.

• Visits to a reindeer farm and the joy of a reindeer sleigh ride.

• The thrill of husky dog sledding across frozen landscapes.

• The Finnish art of sauna and lake plunging for rejuvenation and balance.

• Immersive sessions exploring Finnish cultural heritage, the Kalevala, and Nordic mythology.

• An evening in a traditional kota, gathered around the fire for stories, music, and warmth.

• A creative ice lantern workshop, bringing light to the Arctic night.

• The awe of star gazing and a hopeful live dance of the Northern Lights.

Optional free-time adventures may include sledding, kick sledding, electric fat bike, cross-country skiing or ice fishing, for those who wish to play in the snow and deepen their connection with the landscape.

Our home for the week is an educational retreat facility set deep within the Arctic forest, a place designed for learning, reflection, and connection rather than luxury. Accommodations are simple, warm, and comfortable, encouraging you to slow down and embrace the rhythm of nature.

Each day is nourished by wholesome, locally inspired meals, shared in community. The atmosphere is one of authenticity and belonging, where conversation flows easily and silence feels rich with meaning.

This retreat is a chance to return to what truly matters, to step away from noise and into deep quiet, where joy emerges naturally. You’ll leave feeling grounded, open-hearted, and reconnected to a happiness that comes not from striving, but from being fully present in the world.

All will fly intially to Helisinki-Vantaa International Aiport. You might add some extra time on your own here, or head straight North.   We will ALL need to be on the same regional flight from Helisinki to Oulu regional aiport for a group pick up on the start day of the retreat. This flight will be booked on FinnAir and we will specify the flight for participants to individually book.  

From here, we will arrange a group transport to our retreat property (approximately 2 hours drive).

WEATHER:
We have deliberately chosesn March for our retreat. The sunlight hours are increasing as well as the temperatures, but we still have the delight of the winter whites!  Expect temperatures 15 – 32F (in contrast to January and February where it can be in the negatives). We will be there during the March equinox, the astronomical event that marks the start of spring. It occurs around March 20 or 21, when the Sun is directly above Earth’s equator, resulting in nearly equal amounts of daylight and darkness across the globe

PACKING:

• Winter clothing for snow activites. Layers for snow, including snow boots, warm socks, gloves, hats, etc.
  * For those who want extra coziness, there are now affordbale clothing items (cloves, socks, vests that have rechargeable heating elements (!) Our Canadian friends swear by them!  You cna also purchase “Hot Hands” hand and feet warmers online.
• Bathing Suit for sauna/cold plunge (all optional!)
• Reusable water bottle
• JOURNAL
• Personal toiletries (they provide basic body wash and shampoo) 
• Passport (also have a digital copy accessible)
• Personal medications
  

NOTE: Our retreat venue is not within walking distance of anything. The closest grocery store is 35 minutes drive.

MONEY: 
Credit cards are accepted everywhere. WE advise traveling with a card with no foreign transaction fees. The officila currenty is the Euro, which cna be procured at a number fo banks and ATM’s, or from your US bank before travel. 

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.

Laura Forsyth RYT500, YACEP,  is the founder of One Yoga Global. She has been studying  yoga for over 25 years, and began teaching in 2005. Laura specializes in Hatha yoga for all levels, yoga for stress management, yin yoga, restorative yoga and iRest yoga nidra. She has completed coursework in Ayurveda from the Ayurvedic Institute and studied bodywork at the Institute of Psycho Structural Balancing in California. She leads workshops and trainings on special topics and she serves as guest faculty in various teacher training programs. She is deeply grateful to all her teachers including Donna Farhi, Dr. Richard Miller, Judith Lasater, Leslie Kaminoff and so many more.

Enchanting accommodations scattered across meticulously landscaped grounds, each designed to delight with views of lush gardens and majestic mountains.

A $795 deposit will secure your space.
We will confirm your reservation and offer to set up any balance to run in auto-payments through December 2026.

NOT INCLUDED:

• Flight to Finland and specific inland flight to Oulu
• Optional extras during free time – cross country skiing, kick sledding, electric fat bike, snow sculpting
• Travel Insurance (at a minimum, emergency medical recommended)
• Gratuities to staff

Refunds and Cancellations: Refund less deposit ($795) before December, 2026. No refunds after December 1, 2026.  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 December 2026 unless other arrangements are made.

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