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Swiss Alps retreats are open for registration!
Sparkling yoga retreats

YOGA IN THE SWISS ALPS: WINTER RETREAT, SPRING RETREAT, SUMMER RETREAT, FALL RETREAT

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Book May 4, 2023 Book Jul 6, 2023 Book Oct 19, 2023 Book Dec 14, 2023

MOVE: Switzerland Yoga and Meditation Mountain Retreat

2023 dates are open for registration!

 

Do you love yoga and meditation? Would like to take your practice to mind blowing Swiss Alps?

Let me transport you there for a moment. Imagine a small designer hotel that smells of wood and is set right in the mind-blowing Alpine landscape.

You open the window and invite into the room a tantalising fragrance of wild herbs and fir trees. You nap to the sound of the birdsong as a soundtrack. You practice yoga in a room with an Alpine view to die for.

Your body feels stronger and more toned as you practice yoga twice a day and spend hours outdoors. Your mind is both sharper and softer - the unique effect of regular meditation. You know you are taking care of yourself the best possible way.

If this sounds like you, we've been waiting for you. Join us to experience yoga in the Alps - a place where time stops and nature is all there is.

ELENA'S STORY

I found this unique and peaceful place in the Bernese highlands while retreating from the hustle and bustle of the daily life.

I remember the first time time I visited this place. The drive to the tiny mountain village was spectacular, and I could barely keep my eyes on the road. Up on the altitude, colours of the mountains and the sky kept changing around twilight. I was taking mental photographs.

And then as I arrived, I realised that the true jewels of this place are our beautiful hideaway and a stunning glacier lake nearby. Like a giant emerald, it called me for an icy swim, and I jumped in!

It was an extremely refreshing experience even for a nordic soul like myself, and I emerged renewed, cleansed and clear in my mind. This is when I realised that I had to create a retreat here and have you experience the beauty of this magical place.

 

ACCOMMODATION

We are staying in a rustic design chalet with a spa nested amongst untouched nature and surrounded by the Alps.

All rooms are comfortable, cosy and come with a private bathroom.

Panoramic rooms are generously sized (30m2) and come with stunning mountain view. They also offer a comfortable sitting area for reading and relaxing and lots of morning sunshine.

Valley rooms are comfortably sized (24m2) and come with a lovely valley and village view.

We also have a few suites available - please contact us for details!

YOGA PRACTICE AND YOUR TEACHER

This yoga retreat is lead by me - Elena. I am the founder of Sparkling Yoga Retreats. I am a psychologist and have been leading retreats and teacher trainings for over 10 years. I have a strong background in both technical and therapeutic aspects of yoga and meditation and over 16 years experience of teaching yoga and meditation.

When I'm not teaching yoga, I create meditations for meditation apps, write for magazines and make music.

Read more about me here.

This yoga retreat is designed for all levels of practitioners including beginners (you'll be asked to practice prior to the retreat), intermediate and experienced practitioners. During this retreat, you will have an opportunity to experience a variety of approaches to hatha yoga, from elemental vinyasa flow to peaceful hatha with a therapeutic quality as well as a myriad of supportive practices including myofascial release technique and resistance training targeting stabilising muscles.

Programme components of this yoga retreat

  • elemental vinyasa flow
  • alignment based hatha yoga
  • in-depth self-myofascial release techniques
  • restorative flow
  • yin yoga
  • pranayama / breath work
  • seated meditation - guided and self-guided
  • restful yoga nidra (yoga sleep) meditation in savasana

All sessions will be adapted to the participants in the room. You will receive guidance on how to modify poses and lots of individualised attention.

MEALS

Included in the retreat fee are generous delicious brunches at the hotel every day featuring lots of scrumptious and fresh local produce as well as vegetarian dinners.

WHAT IS INCLUDED

Included in the price of the yoga retreat is

  • 3-night/4-day yoga retreat package
  • stay in a beautiful and comfortable alpine chalet hotel
  • 3 generous buffet breakfasts
  • 3 x restaurant dinners (3-course, gourmet & vegetarian)
  • the use of yoga space
  • rich yoga programme featuring 2 yoga and meditation classes with an expert teacher daily
  • the use of the mountain spa at the hotel

Pricing details are available in the booking form - just click on the date that you are interested in at the top of the page or in calendar.

 

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TYPICAL DAY

7.30-9.00 morning yoga and meditation practice

9.00-10.00 brunch at the hotel

10.00-16.00 hike, lake dips, rest, sauna or nap

16.30-18.00 afternoon yoga and meditation practice

18.00 dinner & free time with a possibility to use saunas at the hotel

GETTING THERE

Our location in Bernese highlands (Berner Oberland) is easy to access from any major city in Switzerland and is a short distance from Gstaad. You can then drive or take a train to the village. It’s both a spectacular train ride and drive whichever direction you’re coming from.

You will receive further instructions upon registration.

MOUNTAIN SAUNAS

In a cosy spa of our chalet hotel you'll be able to enjoy a variety of mountain saunas (Finnish, Bio, Infrared) and a cosy relaxation area.

Infrared sauna is amazing for deep muscular relaxation and tissue detox - an excellent add-on to our yoga programme!

WHEN IS THE BEST SEASON TO JOIN THIS RETREAT?

Winter yoga retreat is all about the magic and magnificence of Swiss Alps in the most peaceful of seasons. You can combine this yoga retreat with cross-country skiing if you are into it. Or combine it with sitting outside on your balcony, wrapped in a warm blanket and with a cup of tea, watching the snow falling..

Spring yoga retreat is like a breath of fresh air. You can say good-bye to Winter blues and say hello to sunshine. A great time of year to re-start your practice if you've been taking a little break from it.

Summer yoga retreat is when it's pleasantly warm in the Alps, so we start the day by practicing outdoors (weather allowing).

Autumn yoga retreat is the most colourful one of all. You'll fall in love with one thousand shades of green, amber and crimson. You'll feel addicted to crisp mountain air and a feeling of deep relaxation in your whole body following the lake dips and sauna pleasures.

PLANNING YOUR ARRIVAL

The best airport to travel from is Zurich, and the best time to land in Zurich would be in the morning or around noon on the first day of the retreat. The programme starts in late afternoon, so you would have enough time to arrive without stress, check in, settle in your room and meet the group at 4.30pm on Thursday.

From Zurich airport, you can take a train or drive. It will take you around 3 hours either way to get to the location. Our retreat is close to the bus stop so you won't need a taxi if you're arriving by public transport.

The best time for your departure flight from Zurich would be in the evening of the departure day.

CORONA MEASURES

We are taking all the necessary covid-19 related hygiene and safety measures to ensure a smooth and relaxed stay.

As of mid-February 2022, Switzerland no longer requires a covid-certificate.

QUESTIONS?

Click here to check out our Frequent Questions section or get in touch through the contact form!

ARE YOU A PHOTOGRAPHER AND A YOGI?

We are always open to new collaborations, so let us know if you'd like to join the retreat and capture some beautiful moments!

 

 

TESTIMONIALS FROM OUR PAST RETREATS IN THE SWISS ALPS

Thank you for such a beautiful and fun retreat, Elena! I arrived exhausted and malnourished. And am leaving energized, restored, and replenished with minerals and fresh microbiota. Loved the group, adore the location, and appreciate your flows. I will be back.

Everything was amazing, nothing truly could be done better, cause it was perfect. Loved the location, loved the group, loved the sequences, loved the energy. Beautiful place! LOVED IT ALL.

Being a repeat customer, this is my 3rd retreat with Elena, and I can't wait for more! This is a very unique experience, with beautiful flows, amazing locations, and such fun participants!

Veronica, US. Swiss Alps Winter Retreat. Jan 2019

The hotel is stunning, the mountains magnificent & the energy of this place is incredible. Thank you for sharing this special place with me (& my fellow retreaters), moving our bodies, reminding us of what they can & want to do, rebooting my practice again! Thank you Elena for making these few days so special and memorable. I am returning home with more sparkles!!

Much love and gratitude.

Karen, Denmark. Swiss Alps Summer Retreat. Jul 2018

This was my third retreat with Elena and the first one in this beautiful location, in a stunning mountain hotel surrounded by nature.

Elena's classes are a perfect blend of meditation, challenging yoga poses, use of myofascial release balls and relaxing practices like yoga nidra. Her voice is very soothing, and I regularly fall asleep during savasana.

The programme was perfect, as usual, but each time different, and Elena always adapts to each group's specificities.

Elena has a gift to find perfect spots and to create a wonderful atmosphere during her retreats, encouraging connections between guests from all over the world.

I can only recommend Sparkling Yoga Retreats and will be back for sure. Most participants have already attended Elena's retreats before, which in itself says a lot.

I'm leaving the retreat feeling relaxed, more grounded, and enriched by having met wonderful new people.

Nathalie, Switzerland. Swiss Alps Yoga and Meditation Retreat. Jul 2022

It was really wonderful, I liked the variety in yoga very much & also the quotes you have selected touched me much. All in all, the spirit of you and the whole setup are healing and magical!

Thank you very much ♡

Anna, Switzerland. Swiss Alps Yoga- and Meditation Retreat. Feb 2022