VISIBLE –

The Arctic Spirit Retreat

Utsjoki, Finnish Lapland

September 13-17th, 2025

Reclaim Your Power: A Transformational Retreat in the Arctic

 

Step into the wild landscapes of the Arctic, where raw nature mirrors your own untamed essence. This retreat is a sacred journey of healing—an opportunity to shed the wounds that keep you from fully expressing yourself, stepping into visibility, and embodying your truth with confidence.

Many of us carry an invisible weight—self-doubt, imposter syndrome, and the fear of being seen. These wounds are not just personal; they are ancestral and collective. The persecution of women and feminine wisdom during the witch trials of the 1600s—especially in Finnmark, Northern Norway—has left a deep imprint on our collective psyche. Women, healers, and those who defied rigid cultural norms were silenced, condemned, and executed. Their memory lingers in our DNA, in the way society continues to dismiss emotions, intuition, and alternative ways of knowing.

The Arctic Spirit Retreat is a  boutique experience: only 6-7 participants in the private villa, morning and evening yoga, hikes, delicious local food, excursions to the Arctic Sea... read on to learn more and to book.

Photos by Helena Jalava 

(Cabin photos private, Aurora Borealis photo from Pixabay, Steilneiset photos by Mikaela)

Sara

Before attending Mikaela’s retreat in Ohcejohka for the first time, I was quite nervous about spending several days at the guidance of a yoga teacher I had never practiced with. All concerns were unnecessary. Mikaela has an exceptional gift of attuning with each individual emotionally, spiritually and physically. In each area, she opens you doors and gives you directions but never pushes you to take any specific path (or any) of them if it’s not right for you at that moment. Learning with Mikaela is a genuinely reciprocal process where you feel respected and supported. And she makes heavenly cinnamon rolls!

 

Heal the wounds that hold you back from full expression and reconnect to your untamed nature.

The Arctic Spirit Retreat in Ohcejohka (Utsjoki), Finland

September 13-19th, 2025

Even today, powerful women—those who embrace their intuition, healing gifts, and unique perspectives—are ridiculed, canceled, and silenced. The modern-day witch hunt happens not at the stake, but in the public sphere, where judgment and skepticism keep many from owning their power and sharing their wisdom. No wonder so many of us hesitate to speak up, shine brightly, and take up space.

This retreat is a sanctuary for women and others who feel marginalized—those who recognize this wound within themselves and are ready to transform fear into courage, invisibility into radiant presence. Through deep inner work, somatic practices, and community support, you will be guided to reclaim your voice, your wisdom, and your right to be seen.

 

Shared rooms

Sleeps 2 in a bunk bed (can also be arranged as two individual twin beds). Two shared rooms available. 

Private Queen room

A private room with a queen size bed for a single or couple.

Private Alcove

Private alcove with a twin size bed, secluded with a curtain.

Yoga space with a view

We will greet the majestic river and fell view every day.

Sauna

This wouldn't be a complete Finnish experience without a sauna. We will heat it every night! Choose to join me in the heat or simply shower in the sauna space. 

Hikes + excursions

There are many easy hikes to do around our villa. We will pack some snacks and head out to the nature for a hike + delicious fika in nature. Below you can read about the highlight of our trip; an excursion to a witch hunt memorial in Vardo, Norway.

A Pilgrimage of Healing & Empowerment – Excursion to Steilneset, witch hunt memorial in Vadsø, Norway

 

One of the most profound experiences of this retreat will be our visit to the Steilneset Memorial in the northernmost reaches of Finnmark. Built on the very site where women and men were executed for expressing their truth, this powerful monument holds the stories of those who came before us. Walking through its halls, reading the names and accusations of the persecuted, we will honor their legacy and release the energetic imprint of fear and suppression.

Through intentional rituals, energy work, and deep reflection, we will transform the pain of the past into personal empowerment. This visit is the culmination of our journey—a moment of profound reckoning and liberation. Before and after this sacred pilgrimage, we will engage in carefully designed practices to prepare, process, and integrate the shift within ourselves.

Maria, day retreat 2022

"Mikaela has been my source of inspiration for years. Her energy is uplifting and rooting at the same time; I feel that I get exactly what I need in her retreat or yoga class or mentoring session. I might not even be able to say what I need but she heals and guides me forward on my path every time we meet. The day retreat in Finland during August 2022 gave me a moment to pause, a moment to breathe and come back to my body. She held the space with her joy of life and I was purely me again. I trust and treasure my connection with her and am grateful to have her in my life." 

Auli, Lapland 2022

After the retreat I felt rejuvenated, both in the body and mind – upon returning home I was full of energy and new inspiration. I recommend the retreat to yogis of all ages and backgrounds. Our diverse group played well together and ISHTA Yoga that Mikaela teaches offered modifications to fit everyone's needs. I got lots of tools for my own practice and inspiration and new ideas about existing in the world. A warm thank you, I am very glad I chose to embark on my roadtrip up North.

Meet your guide on the journey, Mikaela Soldan

Mikaela Soldan is a yoga teacher, spiritual and somatic coach, and mentor.

She studied to become an ISHTA yoga teacher in New York and began teaching yoga in Helsinki in 2013. At the beginning of 2016, Mikaela moved to New York to further her training at the ISHTA yoga studio and to immerse herself in the school of life in the big city. After spending seven years in the U.S., she has spent time in Costa Rica and, of course, in Finland.

Lapland and Sápmi have made a deep impression on Mikaela, and as a nature lover, she enjoys combining yoga and inner work with stunning natural locations in retreats that rejuvenate and inspire the body, mind, and soul. Mikaela is known for her deep, intuitive, and coaching-based yoga instruction, and her retreats emphasize connection, discussions, and laughter.

Over her more than ten-year career, Mikaela has taught yoga, trained yoga teachers, and led both international and domestic retreats. She has trained as a spiritual coach (Life Purpose Institute, 2020), a Human Design specialist, and a somatic practitioner (The Embody Lab). While her background is in yoga, the practices she teaches are gentle, somatic explorations and deep bodywork, suitable for bodies of all ages, sizes, and types.

Mikaela serves her clients in both Finnish and English. You can explore her online courses [here] and upcoming events [here].

More about Mikaela

About yoga and inner work

This retreat contains yoga, somatic movement, breathwork, meditation, and sharing circles. Mikaela teaches ISHTA Yoga and the word ishta comes from a sanskrit term ishta devata which translates to "that which resonates with the individual spirit". The yoga practice is tailored to each person's needs, and is suitable for beginners and advanced alike, to anyone working with injuries or pregnant. 

  • The morning movement is more energizing and it is followed by a seated meditation. 
  • Afternoon practice is yin yoga, restorative yoga and yoga nidra (yogi's sleep).
  • All practices are designed around our theme of releasing the witch wound, finding courage to rise into our power and express ourselves authentically. 

We will also do some ritual work and reflect our inner process through journaling or sharing in a circle. Nothing is expected of you, except to show up for yourself as authentically, compassionately and lovingly as you can. We hold a non-judgmental space for everyone, no matter where each is on their own journey. This retreat and coming together is an opportunity for you to reconnect with yourself, use tools for energy management and of course allow nature to teach us what She has to teach. 

WEEK'S SCHEDULE 

Saturday – Arrival Day
  • Arrival at Ivalo airport 10:20am
  • Pick up at the airport
  • 11am Siida, Sámi museum
  • 3pm Transportation to Utsjoki villa (drive is about 2 hours)
  • Arrival + dinner
  • Welcome circle + sauna + sleep
Sunday – Dropping in
  • 8 am Pre Yoga Snack
  • 9-10:30am Movement and Meditation
  • 10:30am Brunch
  • Hike / excursion + snack
  • 5-6:30pm Restorative and Yin Yoga, Yoga Nidra
  • 7pm dinner
  • Sauna, relaxing, sleep
Monday – Excursion and immersion to witch wound
  • 8am Breakfast
  • 9:30am Car starts for Norway
  • 11am Break + meditation
  • 1pm Steilneiset Memorial
  • 2pm Lunch at a local restaurant
  • 4pm Drive back
  • 7 pm Dinner
  • 8pm Sauna + integration circle
Tuesday – Integration
  • 8 am Pre Yoga Snack
  • 9-10:30am Movement and Meditation
  • 10:30am Brunch
  • Hike / excursion + snack
  • 5-6:30pm Restorative and Yin Yoga, Yoga Nidra
  • 7pm dinner
  • Sauna, relaxing, sleep
Wednesday – Transition back to "the real world"
  • 8 am Pre Yoga Snack
  • 9-10:30am Movement and Meditation
  • 10:30am Brunch
  • Free time, packing
  • 2:30-4pm Restorative Yoga, Yoga Nidra + Closing circle
  • 5pm Departure
  • 8pm Ivalo airport / hotel drop offs

This is an approximate schedule that can live according to our needs and desires.

What to expect

This is a truly magical time to visit Lapland as the fells are covered with different shades of red, orange and yellow. The nature is getting ready for winter and offers  s a spectacular view, almost like a painting.

The temperatures are usually low this early in the summer, nightly 40's Fahrenheit to high 50's and maybe occasional 60's. I highly recommend packing layers, good outdoor gear, shoes, wool socks and a wool shirt and even a raincoat or something that can take light drizzle. 

In addition to daily yoga and sauna rituals, there will be many things to do and you are also welcome to stay at the villa and practice the art of doing nothing! For the ones who want to go on the fells (the low elevation mountains), there is an option for easy hikes. Good hiking shoes are recommended and the hikes require some balance, stamina and agility. It is also possible to have two separate groups; one group doing hiking, the other doing easier sightseeing.

 

This retreat is for you if:

  • You want to experience a truly remote, magical and extraordinary arctic nature.

  • You have ever felt the fear of being judged, dismissed, or ridiculed for who you truly are.

  • You know you are meant to share your wisdom, creativity, or healing gifts but feel held back by hesitation or self-doubt.

  • You are ready to break free from the subconscious patterns that keep you small and step into your full presence.

  • You seek a deeply transformative experience in a safe, supportive community of like-minded souls.

This is more than a retreat—it is a reclamation. A return to your power, your voice, and your unapologetic presence in the world.

Are you ready to step forward and be seen?

Spaces are limited. Secure your place in this life-changing journey today.

 

Kirsi, Finland

I have attended retreats that were serious and full of rules and this retreat was such a balm to those wounds! I could smile, laugh and also be by myself during practices. Mikaela has the ability to put even challenging things into words and she gives space to the participants. The practices were calming for the body and mind.

This is where we are on the map

We will be staying right at the top of Finland, at the border of Norway. The closest airport to Utsjoki in Finland is Ivalo Airport, and there will be private transfer picking you up and dropping you off. Our villa is 15km East of Utsjoki. Steilneiset witch hunt memorial is in Vardo, Norway, on the top right of the map. Otherwise we will stay in the Utsjoki region for daily walks in nature. 

PRICING 

 

  • Shared rooms 1647 € // early bird 1497 €
  • Private alcove with twin bed 1847€ // early bird 1697 €
  • Private room with queen bed 2047€ // early bird 1847 € (or shared room rate early bird 1497€ / regular rate 1647€ per person for a couple sharing this room)

All prices per person. Early bird pricing 150€ OFF available until Friday, June 13th, 2025. Book with a friend/partner/family member and both receive extra 50€ OFF.

Price includes

  • 4 night's/ 5 days accommodation in the room of your choosing
  • yoga + meditation classes and workshop with Mikaela
  • private airport transfer from and to Ivalo airport
  • excursion to Witch hunt memorial in Norway
  • museum visit 
  • 4x pre yoga snack
  • 4x post yoga brunch
  • 4x snacks in nature
  • 3x dinner (one night's dinner is excluded as we will explore a local restaurant and this is an individual expense) 
  • use of shared spaces, bathrooms and wifi 
  • unlimited coffee & tea.

Price excludes:

  • airfare to Helsinki
  • airfare to Ivalo
  • one night's dinner

A non-refundable 500 € deposit will reserve your spot and remainder is due August 1st, 2025. Payment methods include Venmo, Zelle, check and credit card. We will use the daily exchange rate to convert to EUR.

Book by emailing us: [email protected] 

Book these flights HEL-IVL-HEL

First arrange your flight/transportation to Helsinki.

To get to IVL from Helsinki, you will book the following flights HEL-IVL through finnair.com.

In order to make the morning flight on Saturday, you might need to arrive in Finland the day before. You can book a stay in a hotel in Helsinki, either in the center or stay near the airport. As the return flight arrives late to Helsinki on Wednesday, 17th, book your home-bound flight on the 18th or after. 

Finnair has direct flights from USA to Helsinki. Icelandair has good options for Finland as well.

Saturday, Sept 13th, 08:05am Helsinki Ivalo

Wednesday, Sept 17th, 22:10 Ivalo Helsinki

READY FOR AN ADVENTURE?

This retreat has very limited spots; only four guest rooms that are laid out below. Pick the best option for yourself and email me to inquire more and confirm your booking at [email protected].

Save 150€ by booking before June 13th, 2025!

Booking flights is recommended once the minimum amount of participants has been fulfilled and the retreat is confirmed. You can also book flexible flights. 

 

 

Shared room

1647€

  • 4 spaces available!
  • 150€ OFF if you book by Friday, June 13th
  • 500€ deposit to reserve your spot
  • remainder due Aug 1st, 2025

Private Alcove

1847€

  • only 1 available!
  • 150€ OFF if you book by Friday, June 13th
  • 500€ deposit to reserve your spot
  • remainder due August 1st, 2025

Queen room

2047€

  • only 1 available!
  • 150€ OFF if you book by Friday, June 13th
  • 500€ deposit to reserve your spot
  • remainder due August 1st, 2025

Email me for any questions

If you have questions about the retreat, do not hesitate to email me at [email protected]. 

Arctic Spirit Retreat begins

Heal the witch wound and express yourself fully.

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Check the Northern Lights off your bucket list, and sign up now.

Email [email protected].