Yoga Retreat
Pine Bay Lodge in Swedish Lapland
26th - 31st Jan 2019
5 nights, full board (Flexitarian)
Instructor: Erika Bandy Jakobsson
“Chitti vritti nirodah” – the unscrambling of the scrambled mind
Erika is a Registered Yoga Teacher RYT 200/hr and Yoga Alliance accredited in Hot Power Vinyasa Yoga by Fred Busch having completed her Teacher Training in May of 2015 in Lima, Peru. Erika has been practicing yoga for over 10 years starting with Swasthya Yoga under Mestre De Rose and slowly finding her way to Power Yoga. She currently teaches at a local yoga studio in Luleå, Sweden called I AM YOGA. Her retreat is mainly for beginners and intermediate students of all body types and backgrounds finding their path in the yoga world. The focus being a basic introduction to what the practice of yoga is and how to incorporate a yoga lifestyle individually. She will offer an extended Power Yoga morning practice followed by an afternoon guided meditation and mantra singing with time for personal reflection and reconnection. All classes will provide safe variations to certain asanas as the body is a temple and we must cherish it.
Our venue is Pine Bay Lodge, a small private lodge with only 9 hotel standard rooms (5 double and 4 single), a full kitchen, lounge and dining area plus a sauna house overlooking the frozen sea. During your stay the chef at the lodge will prepare delicious and healthy breakfasts, lunches and dinners. Pine Bay Lodge is located in Swedish Lapland just north of the Swedish town of Luleå overlooking the Bothnian Archipelago. With a total of approximately 1,250 islands and about 100 permanent residents the archipelago is a unique and remote environment. In summer this is a warm and sunny region and a paradise for activities such as swimming, fishing, boating and kayaking. In the winter however the sea around the island freezes up to a meter thick and becomes a playground for arctic activities such as cross country skiing, dogsledding, nature tours, wildlife watching and of course sauna.
During your stay at the retreat a local guide will be on hand for part of the day and they will provide an insight into the arctic lifestyle as well as lead an easy daily 1 hour experience. Examples of these are snowshoeing, traditional skiing or perhaps northern lights watching. In addition there are a number of longer optional winter activities that you can choose to add to your itinerary.
If you are interested in deepening your practice and the journey to thyself while retreating into Swedish Lapland, then this is the retreat for you. Swedish Lapland is much more than a destination, but a way of life. Considered by many who live here as the Arctic Soul to a wild terrain. To really immerse yourself in the culture and lifestyle is to explore this magical wonderland with a touch of "Ahimsa" (respect for all living things and avoidance of violence towards others)
Price per person including vat/moms/gst
Single room: 21 000 sek
Twin share room: 20 000 sek
Includes:
- Transfers between Luleå airport and Pine Bay Lodge
- 5 nights accommodation at Pine Bay Lodge
- Full Board (flexitarian)
- Yoga instructor and one session daily
- Local host for a 1 hour lifestyle activity on 4 days. There will be a different activity each day.
- Sauna available each evening
- Winter overalls, boots, gloves and a hat for outdoor activities. Clients should bring their own woolen winter long johns, and regular winter clothing.
- Flights from your home to Luleå airport
- Drinks other than water and tea/coffee and those supplied with meals and activities
- Optional activities
Optional Activities
Each day will provide time for relaxation and/or meditation and a short activity with the local host.
Guests are also welcome to choose any of the following optional extra activities for the additional cost shown.
Nordic Winter Skills (Day 2)
Winter Life in Swedish Lapland is made even more fun by learning about the local environment and nature. We change into our warm outdoor clothing that we provide and go outside to strap on your snowshoes. Your local guide will take you on a 2 hour journey into the forests near to Brändön Lodge and lead you through an adventurous and educational excursion. You will learn how use the snowshoes, make a fire in the snow, how to make tea and coffee over your open fire and also learn about the forest and wildlife of Sweden’s northernmost region. Price per person: 1095 sek
Snowmobile tour (Day 3)
Pine Bay Lodges signature two hour snowmobile tour to the Luleå archipelago we will visit remote islands, drive across the flat sea ice and look for wildlife such as moose and reindeer. Your snowmobile guide will point out the history and culture of islands as well as all the aspects that make our local environment so special. Price per person (two per snowmobile): 1400 sek
Hovercraft Tour (Day 4)
A unique and magical way of exploring Lulea’s frozen archipelago on board a hovercraft. Nowhere else in Swedish Lapland is this experience available! Your 2 hour tour will include a journey across the ice-covered Bothnian Bay. There is free time to walk on the ice and if you are lucky there is the chance of spotting a seal or sea eagles. From 3 to 5 people. Price per person: 2150 sek
Dogsledding (Day 4)
Dogsledding is a fantastic activity and at Pine Bay Lodge we have a nearby husky kennel and a husky team that will take you on a fantastic adventure. You and a partner will learn to take control of a husky team and drive them on a forest and lake trail. The experience is 2 hours in total and it is sure to leave you with some fantastic memories. Price per person: 2390
Northern Lights Snowshoe walk (Day 2)
Snow shoes have been used for thousands of years in winter conditions and they really make life easier when the snow cover is thick. Instead of sinking to the hips with every step taken, the snowshoes allow the user to tread on the surface and make otherwise inaccessible terrain explorable. Walking through the forests the experienced guide will tell about the surroundings and if conditions are right the Northern Lights may be spotted! On the way there will be a break during which the participants will learn how to light a fire in the snow, when this is ready coffee and tea will be prepared. On one tour option, dinner will be prepared outdoors by the guide and enjoyed sitting on reindeer furs under the dark sky. This is as close to nature as you can get. Price per person: 995 sek
Northern Lights Aurora Photography Tour (Day 3)
The northern lights are a fantastic experience and on most people’s bucket list. For those with an interest in photography it is especially interesting to learn how to capture these dancing lights. You are welcome to bring your own camera (one that has manual settings) or you can borrow a camera from us. We have tripods, warm overalls and a professional northern light guide who will able to help you capture this phenomenon as well as give you an insight into the lights themselves and how they come to be. Price per person: 1400 sek
Post Retreat Packages
We can include a post package stay at some of the regions famous iconic hotels and Lodges such as the Icehotel, Treehotel and Arctic Bath. Please ask us for suggested itineraries.