8 Day Healing Hot Springs and Ashtanga Yoga Retreat in the Town of Togura, Nagano, Japan
Wellness & Ashtanga Yoga Retreat in Japan
This is one of the most popular yoga retreats offered in Japan.
Join Joey in Nagano, Japan, for 8 days of Ashtanga yoga immersion, deep healing hot springs rejuvenation, outdoor adventures, and Zen meditation. For this retreat, you will have an entire Onsen Ryokan (a traditional Japanese inn with its own private hot springs onsite) for the exclusive use of the guests. This retreat is suitable for everyone: from total beginners to seasoned practitioners, all are equally welcome.
Meet the instructors
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Highlights
- In-depth immersive study and practice of yoga
- Pranayama (yogic breathing)
- Mudra (energetic seals)
- Mantra chanting and philosophy
- Deep healing relaxation in the 6 sulfur mineral hot spring pools
- 7 nights accommodation
- Delicious meals served on site during the course
- Pickup from the Togura Train Station
Skill level
- Beginner
- Intermediate
- Advanced
Yoga styles
Accommodation
Facilities
- Hot tub / Jacuzzi
- Spa
The retreat will be held at Kamesei Ryokan, a historic former Geisha house in the hot springs town of Togura, with 6 private hot spring mineral baths on site. Just this year, an industry newspaper included the Ryokan in their annual list of Top 100 Hotels and Inns in Japan as decided by professionals. Kamesei Ryokan is truly a treasure, and you can read hundreds of stellar reviews on Airbnb if you search for “Kamesei Ryokan” in Nagano.
As you enter the spacious lobby, relax a moment to enjoy its fine woodwork and rustic charm. Take in the serene view of the 'naka-niwa' garden and koi pond. Then, follow the passageway through the garden to your guest room. Sit down on the tatami mat floor and let yourself unwind with a cup of tea as you enjoy the tranquil ambiance of the room. Open the shoji screens for views of your private garden.
The spacious lobby includes an antique irori hearth, a wood-burning stove and piano, and bookshelves with an extensive collection of brochures and travel information, as well as a lounging area with a rocking chair for or enjoying views of the central garden and koi pond. Wooden geta sandals are set out in the lobby and Om Shala Yoga encourages guests to wear them with their yukata robe and go for a stroll around town.
Guest Rooms
The guest rooms are in the traditional Japanese style. The rooms are divided into 7 on the ground floor, all with private tsubo-niwa pocket gardens, and 5 on the floor upstairs. The ones on the 1st floor are each decorated with a different Nagano-based theme and are named accordingly. The 2nd-floor rooms are named after the mountains visible from each room. Comfortable tatami (futon) floor mattresses provided for sleeping, in the traditional Japanese style.
Please note that the guest rooms (with the exception of 1 deluxe suite) do not have their own private showers. The showering facilities are located in the onsen areas, in the traditional Japanese-style setup. Soap and shampoo are provided in the showering areas for guests.
The gardens start with a Japanese pine tree at the entrance, which is in many ways the main symbol of the inn. The central garden and the many tsubo-niwa pocket gardens along the corridors and attached to the guest rooms feature a variety of plants and trees that provide a constant parade of colors from spring to fall, as well as often being a backdrop to snowy scenery in winter. Azaleas and hydrangeas are especially plentiful as well as many plants that are representative of Nagano Prefecture.
Onsen (Volcanic Mineral Hot Spring Baths)
The Onsen baths are the heart and soul of the hotel where you will be staying and practicing. For the duration of the retreat, you will have full, exclusive use of 6 Onsen bathing areas of natural hot spring mineral water straight from the source, 100% free-flowing 24 hours a day. The region’s onsen water is rich in sulfur content and is luxuriously alkaline, with a pH of around 8.6; the minerals have the effect of leaving your skin feeling silky-smooth. The 6 main baths are the men’s large indoor and hand-made river rock outdoor bath, women’s smaller indoor and its two outdoor baths, and the outdoor family bath, in addition to the private onsen in the luxury suite room.
Health benefits of mineral hot springs:
Mineral hot springs have long been revered for their numerous health benefits, drawing people to their soothing waters for centuries. These natural wonders are rich in a variety of minerals, such as sulfur, calcium, magnesium, and silica, which are believed to possess healing properties. Immersing oneself in mineral hot springs can help alleviate a range of ailments, including muscle aches and joint pain, by promoting relaxation and increasing blood circulation. The heat from the springs also aids in reducing stress and tension, leading to improved sleep quality and overall mental well-being. Additionally, the minerals present in the water can nourish the skin, leaving it feeling softer and smoother. Regular visits to mineral hot springs can thus serve as a therapeutic retreat, offering both physical rejuvenation and mental relaxation in a serene natural setting.
Program
Program
In this 8-day retreat experience, you will divide your time evenly between in-depth immersive study and practice of yoga, pranayama, mudra, mantra, and philosophy; adventure and exploration; and deep healing relaxation in the 6 sulphur hot spring pools located at the inn. This retreat will feature exclusive and unlimited use of all the private onsen baths on-site, for the exclusive use of the retreat guests! You read that correctly - healing, mineral volcanic hot springs, mere steps away from your guest room, available at all times for guests of this retreat only. In addition to the hot springs we have available for our use at the inn, there are dozens of other locations featuring hot springs throughout the town and region.
When you are not practicing or luxuriating in the onsen springs, you will have free time to go on adventures into the picturesque green mountains that surround the town of Togura, and other historical sites in the surrounding region, explore the Chikuma River via bicycle, and enjoy the multitude of natural and historical sites throughout the area. In addition, there will be plenty of free time for you to explore the Temples, Theatres, and Tea Houses of Nagano at your own pace.
The yoga curriculum of this retreat will focus on the 8 limbs of Ashtanga yoga as taught by Guruji BNS Iyengar of Mysore, India. For more about this lineage and methodology of practice, see Joey’s website. Daily morning practice sessions will include Therapeutic/Somatic movement, kriya (preparation), asana (postural practice), and pranayama (yogic breathing techniques). Afternoon sessions will consist of Mudra (internal energy work), Mantra (yogic chanting), Meditation, and discussions of yoga philosophy.
This retreat is suitable for all levels of practitioners, including complete beginners. Joey is an experienced teacher who can meet you wherever you are in your practice. Beginners, as well as experienced yoga practitioners, are encouraged.
Daily Itinerary
- 07:00 - 09:30 Therapeutic movements, morning asana and pranayama practice: Starting from wherever your practice is currently, Joey will assist you in taking the next steps to deepen, understand, and evolve your yoga practice. Beginning with somatic movement/therapeutic exercises, and self-massage to release tension as well as activate and strengthen the weaker muscle groups in our bodies. Then comes asana practice in the traditional Ashtanga method of the teacher, Sri BNS Iyengar of Mysore, the world’s elder living teacher of Ashtanga Yoga at age 97. Explore Primary Series, Intermediate, and Advanced series in a fun and lighthearted manner, as well as Mysore style practice during the morning practice sessions. Modifications will be introduced, making the practice accessible for everyone in attendance.
- 09:30 - 10:30 Breakfast: Fresh, local, seasonal Japanese cuisine served onsite.
- 10:30 - 16:00 Free time to relax, explore the area, or soak in the mineral hot springs baths on site.
- 16:00 - 17:00 Afternoon session: mudra, mantra, meditation practice. In the afternoons, Joey will lead the group in the more subtle, internal, energetic practices of yoga. The internal techniques of yoga will be explored and taught carefully as you study the Mudra system of Sri BNS Iyengar and explain the foundational methods for moving beyond Asana practice into concentration and self-inquiry.
- 17:00 - 18:00 Dinner: Fresh, local, seasonal Japanese cuisine served onsite.
- 18:00 - 19:00 Philosophy lectures from senior scholars: In the evenings, there will be a streaming of yoga philosophy lectures from the Mysore yoga traditions scholarly archive. This is deep philosophy from the scholars of Mysore with whom Joey has been cultivating a relationship over the years during his annual journeys to India. This content is exclusive to the group and cannot be found anywhere outside the archive.
Whether you are a beginner or an experienced practitioner of yoga, this retreat is a unique opportunity to take some time for yourself to recharge and heal your body in a very relaxing and beautiful place.
Included excursions
- Guided hikes into the nearby mountains surrounding the town.
Instructors
Joey Paz
Joey has been a devout practitioner of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga since 2008. Practicing daily for many years with Andrew Eppler, Bryce Delbridge, and Jennifer Engleman at Ashtanga Yoga Studio in Oklahoma, he began to travel regularly to India in 2013 to initiate ongoing in-depth study of Asana, Pranayama, Mudra, Mantra, and Yoga philosophy with Sri BNS Iyengar, a direct student of T. Krishnamacharya and the world's elder living master in the Ashtanga lineage.
Retreat location
Nagano is home to some of Japan's most picturesque scenery. The region also features many of the country’s most revered mountain shrines and castles, offering travelers a glimpse into Japan’s storied past.
Nicknamed the ‘Roof of Japan,’ Nagano Prefecture is situated in the center of the country. Punctuated by the towering Japanese Alps, the region is best known for its amazing ski season, which hosted the 1998 Winter Olympic Games. However, the summer months in Nagano are just as exceptional, with world-class hiking and forested hillsides that burst to life with wildflowers throughout the summer.
Mineral hot springs
In Japan, mineral hot springs, known as "onsen," hold a revered place in the country's cultural and wellness traditions. Japan boasts a diverse array of onsen, each with its unique mineral composition and therapeutic benefits. Renowned for their healing properties, these hot springs have been cherished for centuries, with people flocking to them to alleviate various ailments and promote overall well-being. From the volcanic regions of Hokkaido to the tranquil countryside of Kyushu, Japan's onsen offer a serene escape into nature, surrounded by breathtaking landscapes and traditional Japanese architecture. Beyond their physical benefits, soaking in onsen is deeply ingrained in Japanese culture as a ritual of relaxation and purification, fostering a sense of harmony with oneself and the natural world. Whether nestled in the mountains or overlooking the sea, a visit to the mineral hot springs of Japan promises a rejuvenating experience for the body, mind, and soul.
Food
Eight delicious meals served on site during the course of the retreat-award winning Japanese cuisine prepared by the in-house chef at the inn. Please note that on days 4, 5, and 6 of the retreat there will be no meals served at the inn - this is an intentional decision to give the group the opportunity to explore the delightful local culinary scene in the many amazing restaurants of the town.
The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:
- Regular (typically includes meat and fish)
Things to do (optional)
During the retreat, you will also have the opportunity to go on cultural excursions in the area, including Matsumoto Black Castle and Jigokudani Monkey Park. Guests will be responsible for paying transportation and entry fees when applicable.
What's included
- Daily yoga classes, lectures, and an extensive study curriculum, including a comprehensive PDF study guide of all material covered for continued study
- A deep understanding and foundation for a lifelong Pranayama practice, including step-by-step PDF guides and video downloads of Joey’s online Pranayama courses
- Guided hikes into the nearby mountains surrounding the town
- Unlimited use of the on-site mineral onsen baths (healing volcanic mineral hot springs)
- A download of Joey’s HD quality Primary Series instructional video
- 7 nights accommodation in a fully furnished guest room at the inn
- 8 delicious meals served on site during the course of the retreat-award winning Japanese cuisine prepared by the in-house chef at the inn
- Pickup from Togura Train Station directly to the retreat
What's not included
- Flights
- Transportation and entry fees during excursions
How to get there
Recommended Airports
Narita International Airport
216 km away from your destination
Airport transfer
Transfer not provided
Haneda Airport
179 km away from your destination
Airport transfer
Transfer not provided
Arrival by airplane
Book your flights to Haneda Airport (HND) or Narita International Airport (NRT). Transfers from these airports are not included. Guests are responsible for providing their transportation to Togura Train Station. Pickup from Togura Train Station will take you directly to the retreat.
The organizer can assist with transportation once the guest is registered.
Cancellation Policy
- A reservation requires a deposit of 30% of the total price.
- The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
- The rest of the payment should be paid 30 days before arrival.
Reviews
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