Nano Yoga Autumn Retreat in Myoko Japan

I’d like to share a little about the lovely autumn yoga retreat.

It took place last weekend and it was my first ever yoga retreat. After 3 attempts to create a yoga retreat, 3rd time was a charm, it was a cosy and intimate retreat and I absolutely loved hosting it. 

I have to say that I have a knack for hosting, I’m not sure if it’s because I live far away from friends and family. But I always think about how I can show off Myoko, where I live in Japan, to suit the person visiting. 

I’ve had many friends, family members visit and can’t wait for the borders to open so maybe we’ll even meet in real life again one day. I was really nervous about hosting this retreat but it came to me quite easily and I really enjoyed hosting.

Luckily the autumn leaves managed to stick around until last weekend’s yoga retreat, the weather was gloriously, sunny, it was warm enough during the day but cooled down at night. 

On arrival day retreat guests were picked up from Myoko Kogen station, and could enjoy a massage, straight away, by my dear friend Natsuki. Followed by a tapas dinner on their arrival made by Refre lodge’s Jenni and we chatted away getting to know one another.

Guests treated themselves to a private onsen (natural hot spring bath) at Refre lodge. 

Day 1, started with a slow flow class, to start the day with energy by warming up our bodies. Then we ate delicious western-style brunch, which after living in Japan you start to crave more than a traditional Japanese breakfast.

Then were given a lift  to Imori Ike/pond and walked 8 km to the waterfall and enjoyed a hot chocolate before we headed back to Refre lodge.

In the afternoon there was a relaxing and soothing yin yoga class, focusing on heart opening yoga poses, letting your body soften in long held yoga poses and letting your busy mind relax. Followed by an intimate Goddess Circle, where we connected, talked, listened intently to one another, in every circle I have hosted, we always find that we have similar feelings to one another and that we’re not alne in how we’re feeling. 

After yin yoga we had a privately made, 6 course dinner made by my friend and Chef, Tim. It was a delicious dinner, where we didn’t even have to leave the lodge and roll straight into bed, with a belly full of delicious dinner.

The final day we started the day with a Hatha yoga class, focusing on the lower back, to soothe our bodies from the previous day’s autumnal walk and to get ready for the walk later on in the afternoon. 

Then it was time for brunch, which was delicious and chatted happily before one of the retreat guests, had another extra massage booked. 

We had a bit of free time to relax, before we headed up from Refre lodge, towards the tunnel up in Akakura Onsen ski resort. A romantic walk in the sunshine, to get to the natural outdoor hot spring of Tsubame onsen. It was certainly way steeper than I thought that it would be. 

A lovely outdoor soak together in the natural hot spring in the village, then we got a lift straight to lunch at Silverhorn lodge, a little later than planned. 

While facing Mount Myoko we enjoyed our lunch to end our final day together. 

I must really thank Jenni and Pete from Refre Lodge for being the warmest, kindest and most wonderful hosts. Letting me use their lodge for this retreat, here’s some of the Refre lodge pictures below.

Thankful for Natsuki for making the time to offer massages to the retreat guests, my mum, husband and friends. 

Also special thanks to Chef Tim for his delicious cooking skills. 

My head was already full of ideas, once travel restrictions are lifted, for the types of yoga retreat I could in Myoko, in Japan and abroad. 

If you couldn’t make it to this yoga retreat in Myoko, but you’d love to join the next one, feel free to fill in this questionnaire/survey  to create the perfect winter retreat to suit you. 

If you’re ready to join, click here to sign up for the waiting list, to hear first about future retreat dates.