Join Shawn Parell 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, 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!

ABOUT ICELAND:
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, Akureyri in 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 modern, 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 hot tub 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 experience the living Prana of Iceland.

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.
• 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, or 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 the GeoSea in Husavik.

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

Shawn Parell, LMHCm RYT-500

Shawn Parell has served as a teacher of embodiment since 2002. Through this work, she has designed immersions worldwide — mentoring hundreds of yoga teachers and inviting thousands of students to the fundamental inquiry of what it means to awaken.

Shawn holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in English and Religious Studies from Georgetown University and Oxford University, a Master of Arts (MA) in Eastern Classics and Sanskrit from St. John’s College, and a Master of Arts (MA) in Counseling Psychology from Southwestern College. For more than a decade, Shawn assisted her teacher, Shiva Rea, and mentored others in Prana Vinyasa, a therapeutic matrix of living yoga. She served as Program Director for Anahata International, a grassroots organization with the mission to bring mindfulness training to trauma-affected communities in Washington DC, Rwanda, and the West Bank. Her work has been featured in publications ranging from Yoga Journal and SHAPE Magazine to the Washington Post. She is currently completing a two year Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program with renowned teachers Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach. [read more about Shawn]

Your home base in Akureyri will be in some of the most modern apartment houses in the city, or in a centrally located hotel. The houses provide comfort and privacy, and they are just a short walk from the city center. Each house has several rooms, some with a shared bath and some with private bath, and each has a kitchen, living space, and backyard geothermic water hot tub. We will do our best to 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, 2025. No refunds after June 15, 2025. In case of emergency cancellation, you may transfer your reservation directly to a family member as long as you notify One Yoga Global 30+ days in advance. Due to arrangements made with our vacation hosts, there can be no exceptions to this policy.

After deposit is received, the remaining balance will be set up in equal monthly payments starting the following month through July 1, 2025, unless other arrangements are made. All participants will be required to sign a liability waiver to participate on this trip.

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.