Join Jenn Wooten and Laura Forsyth for a spectacular return retreat to North Iceland!  This will be their 6th retreat to Iceland and first autumn retreat since 2019.  You can bet that they’ll be summoning some Nothern Lights and an extra dose of magic! 

One of our favorite places on the planet, Iceland lies just a few degrees from the arctic circle but and is a island of great power and contrast.  A perfect backdrop to recharge, reset and recalibrate with the energies of the primal earth and geothermal waters.

North Iceland in autumn boasts glorious color, milder weather, plenty of daylight, fewer tourists, and the opportunity to glimpse the Northern Lights.

You’ll begin each day being guided in an an all levels class led by Jenn, 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, and soak in plenty of volcanically heated mineral hot springs.

Iceland is like a second home to Laura, so some surprises are alwasy in store for her groups. 

Iceland is one of the planet’s true gems. With a total population of under 370,000, 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 posibly experience the Northern Lights.

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 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 local adventure and gentle hike around 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!
• 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 take a 1/2 day excursion to Husavik and the amazing GoeSea baths.

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

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

Laura Forsyth RYT500, YACEP,  is the founder of One Yoga Global. She began her yoga studentship over two decades ago 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.

Refunds and Cancellations: Refund less deposit ($695) before June 1, 2023. No refunds after June 1, 2023  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 June 2023, unless other arrangements are made.

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

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.