A 7-day retreat in the traditional village of Nozawa Onsen, Japan
With Paul Teodo, Leah Santa Cruz & Chiara Janssen
March 24-30, 2025
Join Paul, Leah and Chiara in Nozawa Onsen, a traditional village steeped in legend and history, with cobbled streets, narrow alleys, and beautiful onsen ‘hot springs baths’ in every corner of the town.
We’ll practice daily yoga and meditation, and enjoy snow hiking and outdoor adventures in the scenic mountains. We’ll savor gourmet Japanese food, a traditional tea ceremony and sake tasting, and even join the locals for ritual spa time. This will be a week of deepening your practice and personal development while enjoying natural beauty, cultural richness and the great outdoors.
Elevate your Practice
Each day you’ll be guided through all-levels yoga and meditation practices to help you feel energized, refreshed and at peace within. You’ll even enjoy live guitar meditation journeys and workshops to align you with your authentic self and desired path.
The Magic of Community
Our retreats always attract an incredible like-minded people. Expect lots of laughs and sharing of stories while bathing in the hot springs, and even leaving with new friends for life.
A Very Special Place & Time
The week of March 24-30 is the transition from Winter to Spring in Japan, known as ‘Hanami’. We’ll be surrounded by crisp air and the snowcapped Japanese Alps. At the same time, sunny days are to be expected! In fact, the famous cherry blossom trees may also be simultaneously starting to bloom, marking the arrival of Spring!
We’ll go on invigorating snow hikes, enjoy breathtaking mountain views, and experience the healing properties of Nozawa’s mineral-rich ‘onsen’ hot spring baths. This is one of Japan’s beloved gems.
What’s Included
Invigorating daily yoga (all levels) so your body feels great
2x Daily meditation, sound healing and workshops to help you find peace and clarity
Daily continental breakfast
4x Group Dinner experiencing Japan’s sublime cuisine
Gourmet Japanese Cooking Class
Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony
Nature hikes in breathtaking landscapes
Experience Japanese culture of onsen ‘hot spring’ baths
Warm hospitality and inclusive atmosphere of Nozawa Onsen
Not IncludeD
Flights
Transportation to/from Nozawa Onsen
Travel insurance
What Past Retreaters Say
“This was everything I didn’t know I needed. I went on retreat to escape the daily hustle of the startup world and recharge my batteries. All the thought and preparation that Leah and Paul put in the workshops, adventures and experiences led to a transformational mind and body experience.”
“I have come to believe the path to enlightenment is a series of awakenings, not just one single moment of clarity, but I promise if you come to Leah and Paul with an open mind, Paul will awaken your body and Leah will awaken your soul.”
Trip Itinerary
DAY 1- arrive in yourself & Relax
Get relaxed. Gentle yoga, opening circle, dinner with friends.
DAY 2- Feel Your creative energy
Yoga, meditations and a traditional Japanese tea ceremony.
DAY 3- claim your inner power
Yoga, meditations, snow hiking and a power workshop.
DAY 4- open your heart
Yoga, meditations, cooking class, and a heart-opening ritual.
DAY 5- reveal your authentic self
Yoga, meditations and sound healing. Free time for your own adventures: skiing for the day; bicycle tour; Gin Brewery tour & tasting; snow monkey tour; walking trail at Hokuryu Lake; or craft shopping in town!
DAY 6- see the bigger picture
Yoga, meditations, spa time, mapping your future way of being.
DAY 7- invite in your desired life
Yoga, meditation, closing circle, set off with powerful intentions.
About Nozawa Onsen
Nozawa Onsen has a rich cultural heritage dating back over 1000 years. The village has well-preserved traditional Japanese architecture, including old wooden buildings, shrines and temples that give you a glimpse into the past.
The village offers a traditional Onsen experience with 13 public baths which have been maintained by the local community since the Edo Period.
The locals are known for their warm hospitality and friendliness to visitors. The sense of community and connection in the village adds to its magic. You can find Nozawa’s Town Map here.
Our Accommodations
Yasushi Residence: 4-Star Hotel
A mix of modern luxury with a traditional Japanese ambiance. It even has its own ‘Kakegenashi onsen’ (hot spring) fed directly from the Shinyu spring, exclusively for guests.
To Reserve Your Spot:
CHOOSE YOUR ROOM BELOW, THEN SUBMIT THE form AND YOUR $1,000 DEPOSIT.
Deposits are non-refundable and go towards your remaining balance - due 60 days prior to the start date (on January 24, 2025). By booking you agree to accept the retreat terms & conditions here.
Shared Room - 4 Star
$1,000 Deposit today reserves your spot.
$2,750 Retreat price (per person).
This option is for two people sharing a room, if you’re not coming with someone, we’ll pair your with someone of the same gender. All rooms have two comfortable beds and a private bathroom.
**If you’re paying for you + someone else, note the price is per individual, so you’ll need to select a quantity of two (2) when booking.
Quantity:
Private Room - 4 Star
$1,000 Deposit today reserves your spot.
$3,650 Retreat price (per person).
If you’d like a private room by yourself (only you in the room) this is your option! All private rooms have a comfortable bed and a private bathroom.
**Note: If you’re coming as a couple, book the shared room option instead, and we’ll ensure you have one large bed instead of two separate beds.
Quantity:
From Past Retreaters
“Leah, thank you so much for bringing this trip and lifestyle into my life, you made meditation seem easy, accessible and important to me and I’m so grateful for how I feel after this retreat! I came for the workout-vacation and was shocked how much I needed the meditation. The Best Trip Ever.”
- Lauren Sill, LA Hairstylist
“I went in with no expectation - I ended up with an amazing release from trauma while making new lifelong friendships in the most beautiful setting in the world. It takes a ton to impress me and I can’t stop singing their praises. Paul and Leah led us though an experience and curated an adventure that not only bonded us all but opened us up to reveal more than we would have on our own. This retreat was so well planned that we didn’t have to worry about anything, in an entirely different culture and language. They made us all so comfortable with each other and ourselves that it led to breakthroughs for each and every participant. I ended up staying longer and traveling with my new friends and have already made plans with them all now at home!
Therapy doesn’t do what this week did. Do yourself a favor and follow these incredible teachers to any country and let them break you open and teach you how to heal your wounds and live the better life you deserve. This is the gift to yourself that will keep on giving. I promise.”
- Lauren Sarafan, LA Writer
TERMS & CANCELLATION POLICY
By booking, you agree to the full terms and conditions: HERE
If you wish to cancel your retreat, please note - we do not refund deposits or payments made towards the retreat. You’re welcome to gift your spot to a friend however.
Exceptions to our cancellation policy cannot be made for any reason, including weather, natural disaster, terrorism, civil unrest, virus, health changes, personal emergencies, or otherwise.
There is no refund for arriving late or leaving a trip early. If you’re unsure of whether you will need to cancel - we highly suggest investing in trip insurance via InsureMyTrip - and selecting “cancel for any reason” coverage. They can reimburse you in the case of any changes in your plans.
Getting to Nozawa Onsen
The easiest way to get to Nozawa Onsen is from Tokyo. From Haneda or Narita Airport, you can easily catch the Express Train to Tokyo or Ueno Station. There, you’ll catch the ‘Shinkansen’ (bullet train) to Iiyama Station. A single trip costs about $65. Or you can buy a 7-day Japan Rail Pass (must still buy while abroad), which will also cover your return ticket. For more info check here .
From Iiyama Station, Nozawa Onsen is just a bus ride away! The Nozawa Onsen Liner bus ($4) will take you to the centre of town. Alternatively, you can also take a taxi for about $30-$35. For more information, check this page .
Entering Japan
Non-Japanese citizens traveling to Japan do NOT need to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, nor show a negative COVID-19 test. Most nationalities do NOT need a visa to enter Japan and can stay up to 90 days for tourism purposes. Full list of Visa Exempt Countries on this list. If your nationality is not eligible for Visa Exemption, you can apply for an official Japan eVisa here.
Meet Your Retreat Leaders
Paul Teodo
“Paul makes you laugh and smile as he’s kicking your ass. You’ll forget that you’re sweating and doing more than you thought you were capable of. Then he takes out the guitar and the sound healing begins. He’s a badass athlete that makes anyone want to go a little deeper. He cares about every person and the variation that’s right for them.” - Lauren, Los Angeles
Paul (E-RYT 500) teaches a variety of classes for all levels - including power yoga, vinyasa flow, yin-yang and yin classes with emphasis on alignment and breath. Yoga and meditation helped him overcome issues with depression and anxiety, and he believes that this practice gives us the gift off being more awake.
Leah Santa Cruz
“When I first met Leah, I felt like I’d known her forever with her wide smile and open warmth. I’ve been meditating for 10 years on my own, but Leah brought in new ways to meditate and changed up my practice - it’s definitely enhanced my daily experience and introduced me to my best self.” - Lauren, Los Angeles
Leah’s a mom, wife and Meditation Teacher (E-RYT 500) with a background in psychology and neuroscience. After a decade-long career at Microsoft and tech startups - meditation helped her overcome burn-out and find more peace. Now, her meditations have helped over 12 million people worldwide in the Balance app and at The Yoga Barn in Bali.
Chiara Janssen
Chiara (RYT 500) is a dedicated yoga and meditation instructor with international teaching experience. Trained by renowned teachers Paul Teodo, Byron De Marsé, and Leah Santa Cruz, she’s taught in the Netherlands and Australia.
Chiara specializes in women’s wellness through yoga, meditation, and women’s circles. She has a warm, engaging and playful demeanor and a deep commitment to encouraging and mentoring others.
Have Questions Still?
We’re keeping our retreat intimate to ensure a deeply personal and transformative experience. If your heart feels the call to join us, sign up now to secure your spot. If you’d like to chat more first, book a quick 15 min call with one of us below: