HEART OF THE LAND - Day Retreat

This day retreat package includes a cultural touch of the ancestral practices and wisdom of North Karelia. The folk beliefs and mythologies of the spirits of nature, the sacred power places of nature, and the seers and sages of this land are with us during this retreat day. The shaman drum will be playing, as we connect to the heart essence of the ancestral wisdom, and we remember our old roots as human tribe.

This retreat day is like a mystical journey to embrace the beauty and balance of our inner and outer nature. The deep essence of North Karelia can unfold in its vast beauty and authenticity, as we rest and journey as we are. Welcome to get the real sense of what this sacred land is truly about!

Example of a program:
10.00 Introduction and guidance to natural meditation.
12.00 Lunch break
13.00 Guided tour in local nature: Finding the natural power places and connecting with nature.
15.00 Coffee / tea break
16.00 Shamanic journey for ancestral wisdom with a traditional drum by Helena
17.30 Closing of the retreat and final circle
18.00 Dinner break
20.00 Sauna (possibility to add a sauna ceremony)

As the retreat guide serves Helena Karhu, M.Soc.Sc. (with advanced studies in Tourism Science), a North-Karelian shamanic practitioner, culture producer and artist, meditation teacher, and a mother of 9-year-old twins. Helena’s life project is Karhun Talo (House of the Bear), which aims to promote self-awareness through folklore cultures and wisdom traditions. She is born in Joensuu, North Karelia, Finland, and both of her parental lineages have deep roots in North Karelian soil. For the travelers, she wishes to show the beauty and wisdom of her ancestral land and culture, and to invite to rest in nature.

Helena is currently writing a Ph.D. research on Cultural Anthropology on the female Nordic shamans at the University of Eastern Finland. She is a chairwoman of a local association called Pielisen Tietäjäkeskus ry., which aims to promote, strengthen, and live the ancestral wisdom traditions of North Karelia. Helena has about 15 years of experience of meditation and mindfulness practices, and she has guided meditation for groups about 10 years.

Helena has vast international experience, as her international career took her to live over 13 years in Denmark. Besides her long-time residence in Copenhagen, her world journeys have taken her across the Northern and Arctic regions in her quest for life. She has lived in Greenland and in Fairbanks, Alaska. Helena’s 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. Helena is known for her inspiring and positive guidance, where simplicity and naturalness of life are the key focus.

“I hope that our retreat time together will bring you closer to the essence of this land, the beauty and balancing strength of North Karelia. The purpose of the retreat is that the effects and practices can be integrated to your home environment and everyday life.
Getting to know the natural power places of this land, you might recognize more of them at your home environment as well. The natural well-being is available to us, where ever we are.” Helena

The retreats are suitable for everybody. The program can be adjusted according to the needs of the each group and individuals.

The guidance languages available are English, Danish, and Finnish.

The day programs can be ordered to any destination within North Karelia. If you need assistance in finding a suitable retreat location, please send a request. We are happy to coordinate and help in finding the most suitable location for your group.

It is possible to make a retreat with additional days. The retreat can be as many days as possible for your group.