

# Event Details

- **Event Name**: Friends of the Forest Summer Retreat
- **Event Start and End Date**: Wed, 29 Jul, 2026 at 02:00 pm (+03:00)
- **Event Description**: Shamanic Yoga &amp; Nature Immersion on Kelvänsaari Island, Lake Pielinen

July 29 –  August 2, 2026
Tarina-aho Resort &amp; Koli National Park, Finland

With Sófía Stefánsdóttir &amp; Helena Karhu

This summer, we gather on a secluded island in Lake Pielinen, surrounded by the ancient hills of Koli National Park.

We arrive by boat.
We live simply.
We practice yoga and shamanism.
We sit in silence.
We enter the traditional smoke sauna.
We listen for what emerges from the soul.

This retreat offers space for embodied rest, clarity and renewed direction. Held within wild Nordic nature and a supportive circle.

Together we create a council of mutual listening and shared reflection. 

What to Expect
– Daily yoga (dynamic and restorative)
 – Shamanic journeys for insight and grounding
 – A full silent day for inner integration
 – Rituals and solo time in nature
 – Community fire circles
 – Smoke sauna and lake swimming
 – Time for rest, walking, reading, and being

The rhythm of the days balances practice, silence, and spaciousness.

The Setting

Tarina-aho is a retreat place with traditional wooden buildings on Kelvänsaari Island in Lake Pielinen.
 We stay in historic wooden buildings arranged around a quiet courtyard. Excellent vegetarian food made of local products and harvesting. Fish from the lake might be offered in the menu. 
There is no traffic here. No noise.

Only water, forest, sky, and light.

We will experience North Karelia’s largest traditional smoke sauna and swim in the lake while the long Nordic summer evening skies stretch above.

Retreat Guides

Sófía Stefánsdóttir

Yoga teacher and ritual facilitator with Icelandic roots, based in Denmark. Her work weaves mindful movement, breath, and shamanic journeying in a grounded and accessible way.

Helena Karhu

North Karelian shamanic practitioner, ritual artist, and cultural researcher. Founder of House of the Bear and currently completing her PhD on Finnish shamanism. Helena brings deep knowledge of the land and its traditions.
Together, we create a retreat that bridges Nordic wisdom, embodied practice, and contemporary life.
Retreat language: English (with translation support when needed).

Practical Information
Register here: https://forms.gle/P53ZDRCcyPmoZHyD7

Retreat Fee

Early Bird (until 1 April 2026): 390 €
Spring Rate (until 1 May 2026): 450 €
Regular: 550 €

Accommodation &amp; Full Board (paid separately to Tarina-aho): 420 €
Includes shared rooms, all meals (Wed dinner–Sun brunch), and boat transfers.
Single room supplement: +20 €/night
Linen rental: 15 €

This retreat is alcohol- and substance-free.
Normal mobility is required.

Who This Retreat Is For
This retreat is for you if you long for simplicity, depth, and time in nature, and if you feel ready to slow down and listen.

Daily Rhythm
(Program may be adjusted according to weather and group flow)

Wednesday – Arrival
16:00 Meet at Koli harbor and boat transfer to the island
17:00 Arrival at Tarina-aho, settling in, and Dinner
19:00 Opening circle
20:00 Evening smoke sauna

Thursday – Listening &amp; Vision
07:00 Morning yoga
08:00 Breakfast
09:00 Guided shamanic journey
12:00 Lunch
Afternoon break — walking, swimming, rest
15:00 Fire circle and shared reflection
18:00 Dinner
19:00 Evening relaxation (Deep Yoga Nidra)

Friday – Silence
Morning yoga (in silence)
Breakfast (in silence)
Solo time in nature
Journaling and personal reflection
Silent lunch
More solo time in nature
16:00 Gentle meditation and yoga
18:00 Dinner (in silence)
19:00 Evening sauna (in silence)

Saturday – Expression &amp; Integration
07:00 Morning yoga
08:00 Breakfast
09:00 Group co-creation — song, prayer, ritual
12:00 Lunch
Afternoon free time — swimming, canoeing, walking, rest
16:00 Closing ceremony in nature
18:00 Dinner
19:00 Sauna

Sunday – Return
Morning yoga
Brunch
Final circle
Packing
13:00 Boat transfer back to Koli harbor
- **Event URL**: https://allevents.in/juuka/friends-of-the-forest-summer-retreat/200029842910406
- **Event Categories**: health-wellness, sports, yoga, meditation, brunch, art, trips-adventures
- **Interested Audience**: 
  - total_interested_count: 14

## Ticket Details

- **Ticket URL**: https://www.karhuntalo.com/en/friends-of-the-forest-summer-retreat?utm_source=AllEvents.in&utm_medium=event-discovery-platform&utm_campaign=juuka-events

## Event venue details

- **city**: Juuka
- **state**: IS
- **country**: Finland
- **location**: Kolin kansallispuisto - Koli National Park
- **lat**: 63.096594130851
- **long**: 29.805440166924
- **full address**: Kolin kansallispuisto - Koli National Park, Koli, Itä-Suomen Lääni, Finland, Juuka

## Event Organizer details

- **affiliate_id**: 2
- **organizer**: Karhun talo (https://allevents.in/org/karhun-talo/14325033)

## Event gallery

- **Alt text**: banner
  - **Image URL**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events4/banners/243e04b4425675c3f2a6b19ad4d903883d65f3740222e66a87525fd8eb4ce90b-rimg-w1200-h676-dc485a30-gmir?v=1774124046
- **Alt text**: thumbnail
  - **Image URL**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events4/banners/3fcd88d2d303568cb10cc4da159d43ae676d3d0747adb579530cce446c481302-rimg-w300-h300-dc495a31-gmir?v=1774124046

## FAQs

- **Q**: When is the event happening?
  - **A:** Wed, 29 Jul, 2026 at 02:00 pm (+03:00)
- **Q**: Where is the event happening?
  - **A:** Kolin kansallispuisto - Koli National Park, Koli, Itä-Suomen Lääni, Finland, Juuka
- **Q**: Who is organizing the event?
  - **A:** Karhun talo
- **Q**: What type of event is this?
  - **A:** health-wellness, sports, yoga, meditation, brunch, art, trips-adventures
- **Q**: Where can I find ticket details about Friends of the Forest Summer Retreat ?
  - **A:** You can find ticket details about this event on AllEvents.

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