ISLAND OF SILENCE:
Silent Retreat with Yin Yoga
14-16 November 2025
Örö island, Finland
Does this sound like you?
🌙 You wake up already thinking about your to-do list, rush through your morning routine, and by evening you're emotionally drained but somehow still wired. You know you need to slow down, but every time you try to relax, your mind starts racing with all the things you "should" be doing instead.
🌙 Your brain feels like it's stuck in fifth gear – you're forgetting where you put your keys, snapping at people you love over small things, and that overwhelmed feeling hits you out of nowhere, especially when plans change or something unexpected happens.
🌙 Your body is basically screaming at you to take a break. Maybe it's those tension headaches that won't quit, shoulders that feel like they're permanently glued to your ears, or lying awake at 3am with your mind spinning. You keep thinking "I'll deal with this later" but later never comes.
🌙 The ping of notifications makes your heart race a little, and you realize you're checking your phone even when you don't mean to. The idea of being unreachable for even a few hours feels both terrifying and desperately appealing. You miss the feeling of genuine quiet.
🌙 You used to know what you wanted, what felt right, what lit you up inside. Now you feel like you're living someone else's life, going through the motions but not really feeling much of anything. When did you last take a deep breath just because it felt good?
🌙 The thought of a silent retreat both excites and terrifies you. Part of you is ready to disappear from the world for a while, but another part wonders "What if I can't handle the silence? What if I get bored? What if I fall behind on everything?"
If you're nodding along, feeling seen, maybe feeling a little emotional reading this... you're exactly who this retreat is for.
If that resonated, maybe this silent retreat is for you.
What to expect?
🌙 Picture this: a few days on a quiet Finnish island where your biggest decision is whether to have tea or coffee after yoga. No schedules to check, no emails pinging, no small talk. Just you, your breath, and the gentle rhythm of island life.
🌙 We'll move through slow, supported Yin poses that feel more like settling into a cozy armchair than "working out." Think props, blankets, and holding poses long enough that your nervous system actually gets the memo that it's safe to relax. Your body will thank you, and you might be surprised by what emotions decide to surface (in the best way). There will also be an optional vinyasa flow class for those who want some more energising movement.
🌙 The silence isn't awkward or forced – it's like a warm blanket that wraps around the whole experience. You'll find yourself noticing things you normally miss: the sound of your own breathing, the way afternoon light shifts, how good it feels to just... be.
🌙 Between yoga sessions, you can wander the island, journal, nap, stare at the water, or do absolutely nothing. There's no agenda except rest and whatever your soul is craving.
🌙 You'll leave feeling like you've had the deepest, most restorative sleep of your life – but for your entire being. Clearer thinking, softer shoulders, and that grounded feeling you forgot you could have.
This is perfect for you if:
🌙 You're done with "self-care" that feels like another item on your to-do list. You want something that actually works – real rest, not just a face mask and early bedtime.
🌙 You're curious about Yin yoga but intimidated by crowded studios or worried you're "not flexible enough." (Spoiler: you are, and this is the gentlest possible introduction.)
🌙 You're ready to meet yourself without all the noise and distractions. Not in a scary, intense way – more like finally having coffee with an old friend you haven't seen in ages.
🌙 You're an introvert, highly sensitive person, or just someone who needs space to recharge. You can engage as much or as little as feels right – no forced sharing circles, no pressure to be "on." Your own room if you want it, complete permission to disappear into your own world whenever you need to.
Come exactly as you are – tired, overwhelmed, curious, or ready. There's space for all of it here.
Programme:
NOTE: the programme might still change a bit but this gives you an idea of what the retreat schedule will look like
Friday
15:00 - 16:30 Ferry together from Kasnäs harbour to Örö island
16:30 Arrival and checking into rooms
17:15 - 18:30 Guided walking tour of Örö island (learning about the nature, cultural history)
18:30 - 19:15 Dinner
19:30 - 21:00 Retreat introduction and relaxing yin yoga
21:00 - Landing into silence (optional)
Saturday
7:45 - 8:45 Energising yin yoga class
8:45 - 9:30 Breakfast
10:30 - 12:00 Guided meditation practice (optional)
12:30 Lunch
13:00 Free time, nature walks
15:00 - 16:00 (optional) Vinyasa flow yoga
16:00 - 17:30 Yin yoga
18:00 Dinner
20:00 Sauna and swimming (optional)
Sunday
7:45 - 8:45 Yin yoga
8:45 - 9:30 Breakfast
10:30 - 11:30 Meditation and breathing practice, breaking the silence, final reflection + closing
12:00 Room checkout
13:00 Lunch
15:00 Ferry to Kasnäs departs
Photo: VisitOro
You do not need to have yoga experience to join this retreat - all levels welcome!
A little about me:
I'm a yoga teacher who gets it – I've been where you are. I still remember my first silent retreat in Thailand, lying awake the night before convinced I'd made a terrible mistake. "What if I can't handle the quiet? What if I get bored? What if I have a panic attack?" But those few days of silence became one of the most clarifying experiences of my life. I came home feeling like I'd remembered who I actually was underneath all the noise.
That's why I'm so passionate about creating these experiences for others, especially my fellow introverts and highly sensitive souls who often feel like the world is just... too much. You know that feeling of being overstimulated, overwhelmed, like you need to retreat but don't know how? I see you, and I've designed this retreat with you in mind.
I'm a Yoga Alliance certified teacher (RYT-500) with training in hatha, yin, vinyasa, and yoga philosophy. I've also studied Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) at UC San Diego and Mindful Self-Compassion, plus I'm certified in Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), life coaching, and Reiki. But honestly? The most important thing I bring is understanding what it's like to feel anxious, overwhelmed, and desperately in need of real rest.
My teaching style is the opposite of intimidating – think gentle guidance, zero judgment, and permission to do whatever feels right for your body and mind. Whether you want to dive deep into every practice or spend half the time napping in a sunny spot, you're welcome here exactly as you are.
I can't wait to share the magic of silence with you on beautiful Örö island. 🌙
Sini
What exactly is a silent retreat? (and why would I want to do one?)
Think of silence as a reset button for your nervous system. You know how your phone works better after you restart it? That's what happens to your mind when you step away from constant chatter, notifications, and the need to respond to everything.
A silent retreat simply means we agree not to talk for a while – in this case, from Friday evening until Sunday morning after our final yoga practice. Before we begin, I'll walk you through exactly what to expect, answer all your questions (and trust me, I've heard them all), and make sure you feel completely prepared. We start the silence together, and we'll break it together too.
Here's what actually happens when you stop talking for a couple of days: at first, your brain might feel like it's going through withdrawal from stimulation. You might notice how much mental chatter you usually have, or feel restless. That's totally normal and actually the beginning of the magic.
Without the usual need to process conversations, make small talk, or formulate responses, your mind starts to settle. It's like when you finally clean out that junk drawer – suddenly you can see what was actually important all along. You might find yourself noticing things you normally miss: the sound of wind through trees, the way light changes throughout the day, or insights about your life that surface when there's finally space for them.
The benefits aren't just philosophical – they're deeply practical. People often leave feeling like they've had the most restorative sleep of their lives, with clearer thinking, reduced anxiety, and a sense of calm that lasts long after the retreat ends. It's like giving your entire nervous system a spa day.
A gentle note: If you're drawn to the retreat but the idea of silence feels too intense, you're still welcome. I just ask that you honour the silence during yoga sessions and group activities for those who are practicing it. Sometimes just being in a quiet environment is healing enough 🌙
Booking details:
The price of the retreat per person is EUR 499 (shared) or EUR 574 (single).
The cost includes hotel accommodation (2 nights), dinner on Friday, breakfast, lunch and dinner on Saturday, and breakfast and lunch on Sunday, sauna on Saturday, as well as the whole retreat programme, a return trip on the ferry from Kasnäs harbour to Örö island and back, and a guided 75-minute walking tour of the island upon arrival. You will need to bring your own yoga mat (if you don’t have a mat, let me know and I can bring some to Kasnäs harbour for you to take on in the ferry :))
You can secure your spot by paying the booking fee of EUR 230 here. The remaining sum (depending on your choice of room type) must be paid before 15 September 2025.
All bookings are final without refunds. In case there are not enough retreat participants (minimum 10), the organiser has the right to cancel the retreat and full refunds will be given.
Please make sure to have your own insurance - participants are not insured by the retreat organiser.
Feedback from my previous retreats 🖤
“I loved the opportunity to wind down, enjoy the well-guided and gentle yoga sessions and beautifully put-together meditations. Also the location was perfect for the retreat, food delicious and overall ambience just great. I felt really good physically after the retreat, so definitely enjoyed the outcomes of the practise. It was also an opportunity to step away from my hectic everyday routines.”
JUTTA
“The retreat was wonderful, really gentle, peaceful and energising. I especially enjoyed the yin yoga classes, the workshops, the surrounding nature and the time to just be. Thank you Sini, without your lovely personality and hosting the retreat would not have been such a heartful experience. In addition to the big thoughts and things, all the small details left a wonderful impression.”
KATJA
“The yoga retreat was such a lovely experience, it was more than I could expect. All the activities, the yoga, meditation, mindful self-compassion were great and they brought up a lot of emotions and started many meaningful processes in my mind. I haven’t really practiced meditation and similar things before but they worked super well. And your way of instructing is gentle and calm and it always felt safe. Also the amazing food, accommodation, sauna, swimming and the beautiful place made the weekend special.”
KATI
“I left the retreat feeling very peaceful. I slept really well and got a lot of food for thought, especially around self-compassion. The retreat schedule was very well thought through and the atmosphere was appreciative, permissive and considerate.”
NINNU“I loved the retreat. I was able to relax fully and it allowed be to charge my batteries for the upcoming hectic autumn. I gained many personal insights during the weekend.”
EMMA“The retreat was such a wonderful experience with a peaceful atmosphere. After the retreat I noticed my mind being more calm and just having more energy. This retreat was exactly what I needed.”
JENNI
“The retreat was structured really well in terms of the content and schedule. The yoga space was peaceful and atmospheric. I especially enjoyed the yin yoga and yoga nidra - I can’t remember the last time I felt so relaxed. You have a lovely way to speak, instruct and to be present. I also liked that nobody was forced to speak or share anything if they didn’t want to but everyone could be just as they are.”
PIA
Questions & Answers
Q: What if I don’t have previous experience in yin yoga or silent retreats?
A: That’s totally OK - the retreat is suitable for those with experience in yoga and those who are beginners and interested to learn more about yoga. Yin yoga is a very calm and accessible style of yoga for everyone. No previous silent retreat experience is expected - I will support you throughout the weekend and we’ll have an intro session before landing into silence.
Q: What kind of yoga will it be?
A: This retreat will be focused on yin yoga. Yin yoga is a slow, calm and relaxing style of yoga where we focus on longer holds of the poses and mainly stay near the ground (no balancing or fast movement or standing). Yin yoga works on increasing your flexibility and fascia health and helps us release emotional, mental and physical tensions. There will also be an optional vinyasa flow class during the day for those who’d like to enjoy some energising movement.
Q: Where is it and where will I sleep?
A: The retreat is hosted in the beautiful island of Örö in the Finnish archipelago and we will be staying in the tranquil Örö Hotel. We will take a ferry together to get there from Kasnäs harbour (ferry time is around 1 hour, the ferry price is included in your booking). There is public transport to Kasnäs harbour. You can choose to have a private single room or a shared room. All rooms have a private bathroom.
Q: What else can I do on the island?
A: There is plenty of free time for you to explore the place. We will start with a joint walking tour with a guide once we arrive on the island and you’ll learn about its unique nature and history (this lasts for 1 hour and 15 minutes and includes around 1km of walking). You can rent bikes for 25 € for the whole weekend if you’d like to bike around. As this is a silent retreat, we’ll try to minimize external stimuli and influences, so it is up to you if you want to for example read books or just focus this weekend on being present and soaking in the silence and nature around you.
Q: What is the language of the retreat?
A: I speak fluent English and Finnish. If we have non-Finnish speaking participants, I will guide the yoga classes and other sessions in English. But of course you can ask me anything and speak in Finnish
Q: What if I’d like to join but I am not sure about the silence part?
A: You are welcome to join even if holding silence from Friday evening to Sunday morning doesn’t feel like your thing. I’d just ask that you respect silence during the yoga sessions for those who are practising silence.
Q: What if I have a food allergy or a special diet?
A: The place caters to common food allergies and diets including gluten and lactose free, and the food is mainly vegetarian. The place charges an additional 15e for other diets like vegan, keto, low carb. I will ask you about your diet preferences after you’ve booked.
Q: What if something happens and I need to cancel?
A: All sales are final without refunds. If for some reason you cannot make it, you can find someone else to take your place.
Q: What happens after I click the sign-up button?
A: After you click the link, it will take you to my online store where you can securely pay the booking fee of EUR 230, with a credit card or online banking. The remainder of the retreat fee will be payable by 15 September 2025 through bank transfer or card payment (I will send you the payment details for that).
Ready to book your spot for this weekend of relaxation?
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