Yoga under the Midnight Sun

PROJECT: This is the first year that SEEDS organises an intensely yoga related project. The camp will be a mixture of a workcamp and a yoga retreat. SEEDS will work together with yogias, a junior yoga teacher from Amsterdam and former SEEDS international camps’ coordinator in 2010.

Be ready for daily vinyasa style flow yoga classes as well as restorative yoga and meditation sessions amongst other yogic activities and surprises. We will establish a daily yoga practise in a gentle and regular schedule. Besides there will surely be enough free time to explore the city and to dive into the local swimming pools.

A SEEDS coordinator will work with the group to organise our daily chores and popular camp activities such as excursions, free time in town and an international evening. Please contribute to this international dinner with some vegetarian food or non-alcoholic beverage typical for your country to be shared all together in the group.

Participants should have an affinity for yoga and a motivation to practise daily is required. Although some yoga experience is beneficial, an advanced level of experience is not needed. Yoga is for everybody and every body. Make sure to bring your own yoga mat, clothes and maybe block and belt, if needed for your practise. A blanket and cushion would come in handy too. There will be no extra mats or props available. Maybe you’d also like to have a dear object or picture with you for your personal focus. You should bring along an affinity for yoga with motivation to practise daily for the time of the camp, but an experienced level of practise is not required.

Please note this project is more of a learning/sharing camp and not a regular workcamp; we may be able to organize voluntary service on a couple of afternoons but it depends on our partners and weather conditions.

This camp combines learning, sharing, getting to know Iceland, its culture, having fun, as well as exploring the capital city and some of the most stunning nature attractions in the vicinity of Reykjavík.

ACCOMMODATION: SEEDS participants will stay in a house in Reykjavík. The accommodation is basic or in other words: ashram style. We will create our space for yoga practise in the same house. The facilities are basic with a shower, washing machine, kitchen and everyone is expected to show consideration for their companions. We will sleep in shared rooms in a sleeping bag accommodation. Please bring your own sleeping bag.

We will receive food supplies and you will be in charge of the cooking and cleaning activities. Do not forget some traditional/typical food from your home country for the international dinner. Please consider only vegetarian foods, for we will keep a strict vegetarian diet in this yoga camp.

LOCATION: Reykjavík is a dynamic, modern city which lives in harmony with beautiful nature, using renewable energy sources - geothermal power and glacial rivers. The world’s northernmost capital bridges the Atlantic, between Europe and North America. Reykjavík is spread across a peninsula with a panoramic view of the mountains and the Atlantic Ocean on almost all sides. Reykjavík is an international city with a lively cosmopolitan cultural scene surrounded with beautiful nature.

LANGUAGE: English will be the language in the camp as well as the language of the yoga classes and workshops; basic conversational skills are required to be able to follow the workshop.

TERMINAL: Closest international Airport: Keflavík/Reykjavík (KEF). Bus station: Central Reykjavík (BSÍ).

EXTRAS / SPECIAL REMARKS: Participation fee EUR 350.

This fee is paid to SEEDS on arrival in Euros or Icelandic krónas and it includes the transportation from the meeting point to the camp location (on the first and last day of the camp), and one excursion (Golden Circle or Reykjanes Peninsula), which will be chosen within the group.

Weather in Iceland is unpredictable, it can be cold or rainy. Please bring warm waterproof clothes, overcoats, scarves, gloves & hats. Please also bring along a swim gear, as we will try to visit some of the local swimming pools, and comfortable clothes for yoga practise.

Meeting time will be at 17:00 (5:00 pm) on May 28 at SEEDS Office. Participants that cannot arrive on time (later or delayed flights) will be sent information on how to reach the camp.

Other excursions (South Shore, Hot River hike or Snaefellsnes Peninsula) can be arranged at discount fares for SEEDS participants in case there is additional free time after workshops, sessions or during the weekends.