What did our retreat participants say?

---

"It was a luxurious getaway, not in the usual terms, but about the mind and health. Above all, being grateful and being able to appreciate . Many thanks to the master of well-being Iris Law for this wonderful, magical, inspirational experience and journey.

So many thoughts and experience I want to share.

.. they always say, slow down and you will find little wonders and joy. 

.. I know, it is so very cliché. 

.. but during this trip, there were so many little moments of discovery which brought me joy, wonder, warmth and made me feel contented."

____________________

"Put all preconceived notions of what you think a wellness retreat should be like behind you, because the Onsen Wellness program is truly one-of-a-kind in every way. 

Iris has meticulously crafted an itinerary that addresses all aspects of wellness, from the physical to the philosophical, and I felt rejuvenated from head to soul after our four days together. 

Against a backdrop of stunning scenery in the Japanese countryside, we treated our bodies to tranquil, healing onsen waters. We indulged in hearty and nutritious Japanese meals that were made with love and respect. 

We were able to share our thoughts and discuss the spiritual and intellectual sides of the wellness equation, bringing back nuggets of time-tested universal truths that we could apply to our everyday lives. 

We were able to bond over group and social activities, from aromatherapy workshops to forestry classes. We were also able to dedicate alone time to ourselves, to self-reflect and let our hearts expand, during guided meditation sessions and serene forest bathing walks. 

It was a beautiful journey from start to finish. Thank you Iris!"

____________________

"Leaving the customary world behind by traveling to Minakami is a truly sense-opening experience. 

I realized that I can connect to the nature and forest in a meaningful and mutual way—

The fallen leaves remind me a new season is kicking in;

Giving back to the nature can be naturally and harmoniously done by simply visiting, breathing and exhaling;

Possibilities and solutions can be opened up via sensory stimulation in forest bathing.

Although I planned to be in a perfect state throughout the trip—things and people in my customary world still bothered me. Irregularities do exist—but with acceptance, uniqueness, self-harmony, life can be perfectly imperfect."

____________________

"Hearing a lot of good words about the Iyashi retreat, but I am still impressed and amazed by my own experience with them!  Minakami is an exotic and charismatic place that brings calmness and tranquility. The retreat was a total indulgence in nature with its abundant energy, natural resources and massive healing power for body, mind and soul. It was not merely about the comforting onsen, magical forest, delicious meals, and perfect arrangement of different activities (although these already made me feel like heaven!), it was an inspirational journey to discover, appreciate, reflect, recharge and rejuvenate. Special thanks to wellness retreat host, Iris Law, who is not only knowledgeable and experienced in Japan onsen culture but she is very enthusiastic in promoting wellness with the power of nature.  Other participants in my group are amazing who are very cool, open-minded and generous to share their own thoughts and experiences which made us learn a lot from each other! This is a retreat you will walk out with gratefulness, energy and inspiration! Looking forward to the next one!

____________________

"If you are expecting back-to-back yoga workshops and a fasting or juice-only diet, this is not the wellness retreat for you. This is a wellness retreat like no other. The focus is on nourishing the mind, body and soul with exercise, wholesome food and a chance to reconnect with the nature and your own self. The activities were well thought through, and catered for participants with different interests. I enjoyed the outdoor walk and forest bathing, as much as the self-reflecting quiet time and hot spring soaking sessions. Not to mention the workshops which gave us an opportunity to learn more about the local culture and way of life. Cannot recommend this highly enough to any Japan aficionados, outdoor and nature enthusiasts, and wellness warriors!"

____________________

"I recently had the pleasure of attending a retreat that left me feeling rejuvenated, inspired, and deeply connected to both nature and myself. This transformative experience offered a perfect blend of forest bathing, wellness activities, meaningful sharing, and enjoyable sessions that truly exceeded my expectations. 

The forest bathing sessions were nothing short of magical. Guided by knowledgeable and passionate Retreat Leader, Iris, I found myself immersed in the beauty and tranquility of the forest. The practice of mindfully wandering through the trees, breathing in the crisp air, and fully engaging my senses brought about a profound sense of peace and grounding. It was a soul-soothing experience that allowed me to reconnect with nature in a profound way. 

The sharing sessions were a highlight of the retreat. The safe and supportive environment created by the facilitators allowed us to open up, express ourselves, and forge deep connections with fellow participants. Through heartfelt conversations and inspiring stories, we discovered a sense of community and belonging that will stay with me long after the retreat. 

And let's not forget the fun sessions! Laughter and joy were abundant throughout the retreat. Engaging in various group activities, games, and creative workshops brought out the childlike sense of wonder within all of us. It was a beautiful reminder to embrace playfulness and let go of everyday stresses. 

Overall, my experience at this retreat was truly transformative. The combination of forest bathing, wellness activities, meaningful sharing, and fun sessions created a holistic and enriching experience that nourished my mind, body, and spirit. I left feeling renewed, inspired, and equipped with valuable tools to continue my personal growth journey. 

I wholeheartedly recommend this retreat to anyone seeking a profound connection with nature, personal well-being, and a warm and supportive community. It was an experience that will forever hold a special place in my heart. "

____________________

"The Iyashi retreat is truly a treat! Loved every bit of it, from the beautiful accommodations nestled in the forests in Minakami, the delicious meals and educational workshops, to the wonderful experience of toji under the stars. The retreat allowed me to slow down and connect with nature, taught me to appreciate the imperfect things in life, and most importantly gave me time to spend time with myself. I came out of the retreat with a sense of calmness, and yet also energized and refreshed. Will definitely do it again!"

____________________

“What a powerful retreat experience with Iyashi in May 2023. The retreat includes a number of sessions of different topics related to health & wellbeing and the overall experience was more than I expected. The guided meditation session in the forest 🌳 was a wonderful way to open my mind to the whole retreat and it was a great way to start. Iris is not just knowledgeable in Japanese onsen culture but she is also very caring in every aspect during the entire time. Now after four days of nourishing myself, I truly feel recharged in a way that I didn’t expect. Being overly busy in HK, I am so grateful to have Iris hosting this wellness retreat that gave me what I needed to restore my body and mind. I hope more people would join the onsen wellness program with Iyashi!” 

____________________

"成個retreat每一個去的地方，都經過精心安排。無論是溫泉旅館，探索森林，精油製作 ，每一餐的飲食都安排得十分妥當，甚至連一個外買飯盒都完全感受到佢哋嘅用心製作。係每一個節目當中，我都可以感受到認真地活在當下，遠離了不必要的繁囂。參加完Retreat, 我更加學會了如何真正欣賞身邊的事物。生活中有晴天固然很好，但是，陰天所帶來的一切更會讓你煥然一新。只要你有勇氣改變自己的心態，一切的不完美都是完美的!"

____________________

"It takes much effort to have me-time when there are so many daily chores, obligations, expectations and duties to fulfill. Most of the time, if not all, I'm exhausted mentally and the me-time is needed more so than ever. I can focus on my own needs, rather than constantly providing and feeding into others'needs, wants and expectations; ...I can let my mind just wander; ...I can slow down / do things at my own pace; ...I can do things I truly enjoy; ...I don't need to explain myself to others; ...I can put things into perspective without interruptions from others. Some of the me-time moments during this onsen retreat which I will cherish... the ambience, the sound, the smell, the quietness, the little thoughts I had, the big thoughts I had."

____________________

"Thank you Iyashi team for organizing such a wonderful experience for me and an amazing group of ladies! I really enjoyed everything that you've meticulously planned for us - the beautiful accommodation, the relaxing and educational workshops, and the healthy yet scrumptious meals. I've learned something new at every workshop and especially enjoyed singing bowl, forest bathing, tea appreciation, and Gyrokinesis. I felt more connected to my body and learned to appreciate and pay more attention to nature. After the retreat I felt recharged and was ready to take on new challenges in life. I would definitely recommend Iyashi wellness retreat to anyone who wants a break from the hustle and bustle of city life!"

____________________

"A most wonderful opportunity to unwind and connect with inner self amidst all the city stress, particularly during Covid times. The location is a rare find in Hong Kong, a perfect respite from the urban jungle.  Thank you for a thoughtful curation of content and workshops, as well as introductory gyrotonic sessions.  We were well fed and nourished throughout the weekend.  Thank you for the perfect retreat - mind refreshed and body awakened!"

____________________

"I had such an amazing time at the retreat! Every detail of the program was very well thought out, I loved all of the activities planned and have learnt a lot from Iris and the speakers she invited. I particularly enjoyed the forest bathing session which was surprisingly calming yet energising, and I’ve come to appreciate much more of my natural surroundings after this. I would definitely do this again!"

____________________

"The Iyashi retreat was totally  beyond my expectations. The program was clearly planned meticulously  and it was just the right balance of physical exercise (gyrokinesis), information on health and wellness (including scientific research-based info), with traditional Japanese wellness concepts infused seamlessly down to the bag of goodies! I feel like my senses were awakened though movement, taste, scent, and sound. Not exaggerating and don’t want to give away too much but I felt refreshed after the retreat. I’m already asking when the next one will be …"

____________________