The Four Elements - The Four Winds

Shamanic Nature and Yoga Retreat in Sicily

Monday 3rd – Sunday 9th May 2027

Guided by Caterina Allegra (Sicily) and Helena Karhu (Finland)

This is a journey to explore shamanic and yoga practices in the volcanic lands of Sicily. It is a journey to Mediterranean nature, to uplift our souls and to receive the warmth and sun for our being. 

Our retreat is a spiritual and practical journey to experience the deep essence of universal elements. It is a journey towards integration of the elements within our being into the wholeness. From this sense, experience, and awakening of the wholeness of your being, your life purpose will start unfolding in balance and beauty. 

The retreat enables you to get to know also some of the most beautiful places of Sicilian nature. Our local guide Caterina from SicilYoga will take us to her favorite places on the island, as our bodies and souls will be rejuvenated by the local nature. We will climb to the Etna volcano and enjoy the freshness of the lemon trees under it. Gentle yoga practices in the middle of volcanic nature support our body-mind-spirit wholeness. The shamanic practices deepen our connection to the land and its spirits as we learn what are the visions we take back from Etna.  

The element of Earth – The first wind of the South

We have arrived to the South. We call in the winds and spirit allies of the South. The first element we connect with is the element of earth. It calls us to take care of our physical bodies – to nurture our bodies with the gentle ang grounding yoga practices after our travel. 

The element of Water – The second wind of the West

We arrive at the most beautiful shores of the Mediterranean Sea and join together a water ceremony by the sea. We connect to our allies of the waters, and in sacred reciprocity share our compassion, receiving compassion and emotional healing. 

The element of Air – The third wind of the North

We take a deep breath at this journey. We connect to the spiritual selves, and rest in our essence. We breathe to our being, and the practices can open and nourish our spiritual bodies.

The element of Fire – The fourth wind of the East

We make a journey to the Etna volcano, and join a medicine walk on the volcanic lands. Boost your fire of life, passion, and energy levels during the practices of this retreat.

The element of Ether – The stillness of the winds

We enjoy the quietness of nature and find integrity in all aspects of our being. We are in harmony like nature in its core. We come to the core of nature within ourselves and in our world. 

The shamanic and yogic practices of this retreat are for all levels, and no earlier experience is required. 

RETREAT PROGRAM

Day 1. Arrival. 

Welcoming dinner. 

Getting to know each other. 

Day 2.  THE FIRST WIND - THE ELEMENT OF EARTH

7.30 Yoga

9.00 breakfast

10.00 circle work

Depart for local woods and picnic there (packed lunch)

4pm Drum journey

6.30 pm Dinner 

8pm Gentle Yin yoga

Day 3. THE SECOND WIND – THE ELEMENT OF WATER

07.30 Morning yoga practice with Caterina – Opening our emotional bodies

09.00 Breakfast

10.30 Day tour to the shores of the Mediterranean and visiting some of the most beautiful beaches of Sicily (this depends on the weather)

Water Ceremony: Spirit offering to the sea and connecting with the spirits of the Mediterranean 

Yoga practice and medicine walk by the sea

Lunch (free lunch in the village)

Afternoon free time by the sea or continuing to visit the beaches together

6.30 pm Dinner

Sharing round and evening meditation

Day 4. THE THIRD WIND – THE ELEMENT OF AIR

07.30 Gentle Aerial Yoga practice with Caterina

09.00 Breakfast

10.00 Circle work: Moving with the Spirit. 

13.00 Lunch

Excursion on a mountain top 

18.30 Dinner

Evening yoga nidra with Caterina or meditation with Helena

Day 5. THE FOURTH WIND – THE ELEMENT OF FIRE

07.30 Morning meditation

09.00 Breakfast

10.00 Day tour to the Etna volcano 

Shamanic medicine walk practice 

Packed lunch or free lunch in town 

5pm Tending the fire yoga practice

6.30pm Dinner

8pm Fire ceremony

Day 6. THE STILLNESS OF THE WINDS – THE ELEMENT OF ETHER

07.30 Morning yoga

09.00 Breakfast

10.00 Circle work: Connecting the elements, resting in the center of being

Lunch

Afternoon free

Dinner

Sharing round of the day and integration

Evening yoga or meditation

Day 7. Departure. Possibility to extend your stay and travel around the island on your own. 

07.30 Morning yoga practice

09.00 Breakfast

10.00 Group hug & Departures

The retreat center & How to get there:

The retreat takes place near by Taormina, one of the most popular and scenic destinations of Sicily. Our retreat center is 1 hour from the main airport of Sicily, the Catania airport. Letojanni beach town is in the walking distance from our retreat center. 

“We want you to feel, see and taste Sicily.

 We believe Sicily should be experienced also from an energetic approach, and when you are able to really feel what Sicily has to offer, you will understand why so many people are attracted by this gorgeous island!” SicilYoga

Retreat Accommodation in Letojanni, near Taormina

Welcome to our family-run B&B, set in a lovingly restored 1850s Sicilian farmhouse. We offer a warm and personal atmosphere with en-suite rooms, each with its own private entrance, so you can enjoy peace, privacy, and comfort.

Our rooms open onto a sunny, south-facing courtyard, and all are equipped with air-conditioning and heating for your comfort year-round. While there are no TVs, but you’ll find free Wi-Fi throughout the property.

Next door, you’ll find a dedicated yoga studio – an ideal space for retreat practices. After your practice, enjoy a delicious breakfast prepared with care, using our own produce and as many local, organic, and fair-trade ingredients.

We care deeply for the planet: solar panels provide our green energy, we use eco-friendly cleaning products, and our garden is entirely free of chemicals and pesticides. Safe parking is available inside the property.

Our location makes it easy to explore Sicily: from charming Taormina to Mount Etna, Catania, Messina, and the many hidden villages in between. We love Sicily – its culture, nature, food, and wine – and we look forward to sharing our knowledge and passion with you.

Above all, we want you to feel happy, relaxed, and at home during your stay.

Retreat guides:

Caterina Allegra: Caterina is one of the most beloved yoga teachers and trekking guides of Sicily. With a degree in Biology, Ecology and Conservation, Caterina has lived, worked (in environmental research) and traveled abroad for many years until she settled in Sicily (where she grew up) to teach yoga. She has more than 500hrs of Yoga Alliance certified training and teaches Yin Yoga, Meditation, Hatha Yoga, Vinyasa Flow, Yoga Therapy, Prenatal Yoga and Trapeze Yoga® with a functional approach and speaks 6 languages. She considers yoga as grassroot environmental activism for women empowerment and is passionate about life and all its expressions. More information about SicilYoga: https://www.sicilyoga.com/english

Helena Karhu: I am a North-Karelian (Finnish) tradition keeper, shamanic teacher, culture producer, and researcher. The soul task of my life is within Karhun Talo (House of Bear), which aims to remember our deep connection with nature, as the source of awakening and awareness, wellbeing, and connectedness for everyone in community. I wish to understand, remember, and live folk cultures and wisdom traditions together with all of you. I am one of the founders of a culture association called Pielisen Tietäjäkeskus ry., which aims to promote, strengthen, and live the ancestral wisdom traditions of North Karelia. 

My world journeys have taken me across the Northern and Arctic regions in quest for meaning of life. My passion is to bring forth the light-increasing, co-operative, and empowering aspects of the ancestral practice, where everyone can rest as they are, yet have freedom to become who they are. As a retreat and pilgrimage guide, my ambition is to be of inspiring and positive guidance, where simplicity and naturalness of life are the key focus. The work is done with great respect and listening of the spirits and sensitivities of nature. 

I visited the retreat center in Sicily in October 2025, and I was completely astonished by the beauty and serenity of this place. I felt that it was necessary to come back here, and for a longer time. It felt important to travel somewhere away from the homelands, and to get some new energy and break from the everyday environment. The visit to Sicily gave me the boost of energy and life force that I needed, and I can feel how this will sustain and nourish me for a long time. 

What is special is the friendship with Caterina, who is the owner of this family-run retreat center, and the principal yoga teacher of this retreat. Caterina’s yoga teaching is wonderful, inspiring, and versatile, and I bet she is one of the best yoga teachers in Europe. She is the most loving host to Sicily and will be our perfect guide to show us the beautiful secrets of this volcanic paradise. Caterina speaks fluent English, French, and Swedish, besides Italian of course! Her wonderful mother Brita is taking care of the retreat group, and important spirit to make everything feel at home. 

 I hope you join us this time to Sicily, and that we can have so much fun as a group! 

Practical information and registration: 

Retreat participation fee including the retreat program and guidance, accommodation in shared rooms with meals as provided in the program (6 breakfast, 6 dinners, 2 packed lunches and 2 house lunches), minibus transfers in the excursions.

This all-inclusive retreat fee for 7 days is only: 1200 EUR

If you need an extra night before the retreat, the cost is €40 per person per night, including breakfast.

If you would like a private single room, this is possible with a shared bathroom (+€180 per person for the entire retreat) or with a private bathroom (+€300 per person for the entire retreat). Please inquire by email about availability and include your preference. 

The spot on the retreat is confirmed by paying 375 EUR (incl. 25,5 % VAT) deposit here (see the language link in the upper right corner in the web shop):

 The remaining balance (825 EUR) is paid to SicilYoga on the retreat. 

The retreat fee does not include travel to the retreat center and back or travel insurance. Please read Karhun Talo's reservation and cancellation conditions: https://www.karhuntalo.com/booking-and-cancellation-conditions

This is only 6-11 persons exclusive small retreat group.  

The retreat is suitable for everyone interested.

How to get there?

Please reserve your flights to Catania airport in Sicily, or take an alternative route via mainland Italy to Sicily. The retreat center is 1hr away from Catania airport. Please contact us to find out that is the best way to reach the retreat center. We will pick you up from Letojanni train or bus station. We can also arrange a tranfer if needed.

May you walk in beauty

May you walk in peace