Shamanism and Yoga Winter Retreat

Metsäkartano Nature Resort, Finland

20-27 February 2026

Guided by Caterina Allegra (SicilYoga, Sicily, Italy) and Helena Karhu (North Karelia, Finland)

Snow-covered landscapes, infinite silence, Northern Lights, frozen lakes, vast skies, and ancient forests—reconnect with pure, wild, and powerful nature.

Yoga, shamanic practices, and saunas help you reconnect with your inner world. 

In addition, a myriad of optional outdoor and indoor activities are available:
- traditional Savoy version of ice curling;
- guided snowshoeing;
- cross-country skiing and Altai skiing;
- ice skating;
- snow sculptures;
- sledding;
- even husky-pulled sledding;
- craft workshops
- and much more to make this experience even more memorable and fun!

Known as the land of a thousand lakes, North Savo (Finland) boasts lakes, vast forests, one of the lowest population densities in Europe, and age-old traditions rooted in shamanic culture, oral tradition, and the land.

A welcoming population proud of its culture, authentically flavorful food to enjoy together, and the discovery of the sauna as a sacred and therapeutic space for purifying body and mind and rediscovering inner peace: this is a unique and unmissable journey.

Your Guides

Helena:

I am Helena Karhu, a shamanic teacher and practitioner from North Karelia. My ancestors, both on my paternal and maternal lines, come from the Karelia region. My spirit is connected to the Koli Mountain (in its ancient name Mustarinda), the oldest rock on the entire continent. The lake where my spirit resides is Lake Pielinen. My life's soul assignment is within Karhun Talo (Bear House), which aims to remember our deep connection with nature as a source of awareness, well-being, and connection for everyone in the community. I wish to understand, remember, and experience folk cultures and wisdom traditions together with all of you. I am the president of a local cultural association called Pielisen Tietäjäkeskus ry., which aims to promote, strengthen, and live the ancestral wisdom traditions of North Karelia. I am a mother bear to twins, and maternal love is the core of my heart. By training, I am a cultural researcher and am writing a PhD on the reformulation of shamanism in Finland.

My passion is to bring out the light-enhancing, cooperative, and empowering aspects of ancestral practice, where everyone can rest as they are, yet have the freedom to become who they are.
As a retreat leader, my ambition is to be an inspiring and positive guide, where the simplicity and naturalness of life are the primary focus.

Caterina:
My name is Caterina Allegra, and I have been sharing yoga practices for 12 years and leading yoga retreats for 5. In 2020, I opened a yoga center in Letojanni (ME), where we have created a welcoming and safe community for anyone who wants to integrate a sense of spirituality into their daily lives. I organized my first retreat with Helena in 2025; from that meeting, I realized my dream of organizing a retreat in my homeland. But not only that: Helena has proven to be a thoughtful guide, with the ability to reveal Finland from the depths, from the Earth, the Waters, the Light and Wind, and the inner Suns... I therefore want to return with you to introduce you to the depth of the roots, the wisdom of the trees, the millennia-old history of this country's rocks, the purity of its waters, and the silence. True silence born of a profound respect for nature, through which we perceive ourselves as part of the whole, a silence that is not only "acoustic" but also internal. A silence in which we can rediscover our voice, our mission on this planet, a silence from the myriad mental distractions we live in, which make life pass too quickly.

I invite you to join us: a group of spiritual friends with whom to share this extraordinary experience, a guide deeply rooted in her land, a journey whose impact goes beyond one's own well-being and also influences the collective, a journey that has the potential to change your life.
These are our yoga retreats, and they are for you.

Caterina's webpage: https://www.sicilyoga.com/

 Retreat location: Metsäkartano, Finland

Metsäkartano is one of the most beautiful and peaceful places in Finland: a truly unique and welcoming nature destination, surrounded by tranquil forests and pristine lakes. Nestled on the edge of the stunning Tiilikkajärvi National Park, it offers the perfect setting for quiet, reflection, and communing with nature.

During the winter season, the entire Metsäkartano area is blanketed in snow and surrounded by frozen lakes, creating a magical atmosphere for a winter retreat. This is Finland at its best!

Address
Metsäkartanontie
73900 Rautavaara
Finland

Accommodation
Our group will stay in comfortable double rooms, each with a private bathroom. Single rooms can be booked, subject to availability.

Address: Metsäkartanontie, 73900 Rautavaara, Finland

WHEN TO MEET

We will meet on the 20th of Februray in Joensuu and travel on the 21st to Metsäkartano by a transfer bus.

Meals
All meals are freshly prepared on-site, using local and organic ingredients wherever possible. The food is delicious and nutritious, served buffet-style. We are happy to accommodate allergies and special dietary requirements with advance notice.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included every day, except:
Dinner on February 20;
Lunch on February 27.
Meals are predominantly vegetarian. For specific dietary requirements, please contact us in advance.

Rates
Rates vary based on the type of accommodation chosen.
Rates include:
7 nights' accommodation
6 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 6 dinners
Daily yoga classes
Sauna
Transportation from Joensuu to the retreat place
Daily yoga and spiritual practices: yoga asanas, shamanic practices, animistic sculpture making, reflection and sharing circles, guided meditations, yoga nidra

Participation fees do NOT include:
Round-trip airfare / travel to Joensuu
2 optional meals
Optional sports activities and craft workshops at Metsäkartano
Personal expenses
Anything not included in "rates include" above.

Prices:

€1250 shared rooms

€1650 single room

Cancellation Policy
Cancellations from September 30 to October 30, 2025: 50% refund of the deposit
From October 30 to December 30, 2025: the deposit will be retained
From January 1, 2026 until the day of departure: the entire amount paid will be retained
The deposit/amount paid can be transferred to an interested third party.
PLEASE NOTE: A full refund will be given if we cancel the event.

Booking: sicilyoga@gmail.com

Questions: sicilyoga@gmail.com and info@karhuntalo.com