Women's Wellness Yoga Retreat in the Polish Pine Forest

The retreat takes place at Oddechowo, a meditation and development centre just 70 kilometres from Warsaw, near the village of Urle. The name means 'breathe' in Polish, which gives you a sense of the place. You're surrounded by five hectares of pine forest, a microclimate that's been known for its healing properties since the interwar period. The air is clean and quiet, and it's hard not to feel your shoulders drop the moment you arrive.

Your host is Sophia, a former NHS physician associate who turned to yoga after struggling with long Covid. She's trained 550 hours in yoga and is a certified sound healer. Her teaching style is gentle and anatomical—she's more interested in how a pose feels in your body than how it looks. She specialises in mandala vinyasa, a flowing style that moves in a circle, and she encourages you to connect with your breath and emotions rather than just pushing through the physical postures.

Each day follows a similar structure: breakfast, a two-hour mandala vinyasa class, a workshop on yogic philosophy, lunch, free time, an evening class, and dinner. The philosophy workshops cover topics like the eight limbs of yoga, ahimsa (compassion) in daily life, and practical ways to apply ancient teachings to modern problems. You don't need any background in yoga philosophy to join—just curiosity.

The cottages themselves are made from natural, eco-friendly wood, with a fireplace, kitchenette, two bathrooms, and two or three bedrooms. You can choose a private room for some quiet time, or twin-share with a friend. The forest is right outside, and there are bikes to borrow if you want to explore. Sauna and spa treatments are available for an extra cost, as are airport transfers and private one-on-one yoga sessions.

The retreat is limited to about ten people, which keeps it feeling personal. You'll leave with a clearer understanding of what yoga actually is—and probably a few new friends.

What's included

- 4 nights accommodation in a private or shared cottage room - 3 daily meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) - Water, tea, and coffee served throughout the day - Daily yoga classes - Daily meditation classes - Daily pranayama (breathing) classes - Specialized workshops on yogic philosophy - Course manual - Parking - Wifi connection

What's not included

- Flights costs - Travel insurance - Visa fee - Additional treatments (e.g. massages, spa access) - Airport transfers