GOVINDA KAI

Govinda Kai has been involved in Martial Arts, meditative disciplines, and yoga for over 30 years. He spent two years studying Tibetan Buddhism under the tutelage of Sogyal Rinpoche (Author of ‘The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying’), and also studied Aikido with some of the foremost instructors in the world.

He is one of the few teachers in the world who received Certification to teach the Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga system directly by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois. His quest for truth and purity in the more essential parts of his self and life has taken him all over the world. With over 35 years of experience teaching yoga, Govinda Kai has worked with many students in Asia, America, and Europe, bringing his passion for the spiritual life and for deep transformation into his classes and workshops. Govinda’s teachings will bring real experiences of celebrating the truly profound possibilities of yoga and spiritual practice. www.lunaticmonk.com.

AKIKO MIYAZAKI

Akiko is a yoga teacher and practitioner of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga, a student of Vedic Astrology, and a qualified colour coordinator in Japan. She, herself has been joining to yoga retreats, traveling overseas as a solo traveller to experience different cultures and meet wonderful people all over the world. She is a nature lover — hiking and being in forests and the ocean are her passion. She lived in Cambridge and London in the UK for 2.5 years, and worked at the BBC Global News Japan as COO for 10 years. She is very keen on spirituality, yet at the same time, She has a very strong business mind and understanding the corporate world through her 30 year career. She values on spirituality, yoga, authenticity, honesty, kindness and compassion, and love. www.akikomiyazaki.com.

Ashtanga YOGA

Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga is a style of yoga codified and popularized by K. Pattabhi Jois during the 20th century. Ashtanga means eight limbs or branches, of which asana or physical yoga posture is merely one branch, breath or pranayama is another. Prepare to sweat as you briskly move through a set sequence. In Ashtanga yoga, we do asana practice as well as chanting practices. All-Levels are welcome! * Please do not forget to bring your yoga mat with you!

*Some days for sightseeing. Sight-seeing will be arranged and if you are coming to Japan alone, afraid of being a stranger, you won't be….

*Govinda will start to teach from the date of 11th of April. You could arrive the hotel in the afternoon and enjoy your welcome drink at the lobby. After check- in at 15:00, we will meet at 16:00 for the first class.

*Begüm & Akiko will be the assistant.. They will be there for anything guests need.

Meals:

All meals are Japanese truly delicious ingredients, freshly caught seafood from the Sea of ​​Japan, and deep flavors unique to the season. The origin of Kinparo's taste is, more than anything else, our commitment to fresh and nutritious ingredients.Seafood unique to Tsuiyama, a fishing town. Mountain delicacies unique to San'in.
Please enjoy the tasteful concerto played by carefully selected ingredients to your heart's content.

GETTING THERE

The town has its own train station located along the San’in line of the Japan Railways system, this means that a JR pass can be used to reach Toyooka. You can also get here by car or bus just as easily and swiftly from Kyoto City, Osaka City, Kobe or Himeji. Toyooka also has its own airport, Kounotori Tajima Airport, that has two flights a day between Itami Airport in Osaka.

Kinparo Hotel & Spa, Indoor & Outdoor Hot Spring Baths

Traditional Japanese Hot Spring Bath (Onsen)

Onsen means hot spring in Japanese, or in other words, a bath where the water has been heated by the earth. All Natural. Onsen is smooth on the skin and warms you from the core. It is a blissful time to listen to the sound of the waves, be enveloped in the sea breeze, and let your extremities float in the water. Refresh your body and soul in the hot springs with a magnificent panorama of the Sea of ​​Japan. It's a blessing from ancient times that you can feel a little salty, and it's popular because it warms you up even after you get out of the bath and makes your skin glow. There are not only open-air baths for men and women (Seperated for mena and women), but also healing baths such as cascading baths and saunas. Please do not hesitate to take a bath as many times as you like and enjoy its splendor.

The hotel's hot spring is drawn from Hiyoriyama Onsen, which is a unique hot spring source. It is also known as "Netsu no Yu" because it has a high concentration of sodium and once your body warms up, you will feel warm and warm for a long time. Please enjoy the blessings of the San'in Kaigan Geopark-certified land to your heart's content. Hiyoriyama Onsen warms you to the core. (Hiyoriyama Onsen Spring quality Sodium/calcium-chloride spring Indications Gynecological diseases, musculoskeletal disorders, wounds, neuralgia.)

After Bath; At the post-bathing area, there is a fragrant black soybean tea and cold water service that is perfect for getting out of the bath, free massage machines, and an art gallery with the theme of famous places in this area.

Bath time 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM – Women and Men Bath are separated.  *Swimming suits & Tattoos are not allowed at Onsen. (If have tattoos, bring patches) (Please ask for more information.)

What To Do In Toyooka

Kinosaki Marine World: (See Image 1) Kinosaki Marine World is located next door to our hotel. It takes 2 min. to walk there. Kinosaki Marine World is an aquarium united with nature, where the Japanese sea unfolds before your eyes. Marine World takes pride in its smaller facilities, as this allows visitors to interact more closely with the sea life and for the staff to teach the visitors in a more intimate surrounding about their sea life friends. Another popular attraction is the “Dive” where (for an extra fee) you will be taken out onto a platform that will sink you down into a tank so that you can have a fish-eye view without getting wet. +Guests staying at our hotel receive a coupon valid for two days.

Volcanic Trekking Lunch Experience: (See Image 2) Originally home to an active volcano (no worries, Kannabe Volcano has been inactive for 25,000 years!) and famous for its hardened magma hiking paths, Kannabe is the perfect daytime getaway for those up for an afternoon of hiking and relaxation. Before setting off through the volcanic rock paths of Kannabe, hikers will first receive supplies and a detailed explanation of the trekking route, along with an explanation of how to use all of the equipment provided by staff. As you make your way through the scenic forests of Kannabe, be sure to keep an eye out for your ideal lunchtime rest spot! Set up your table and chairs at your chosen spot anywhere on the trekking route, and start cooking. +10,000 yen per person (Booking deadline; 10 days before the activity!)

Onsenji Temple Hot Spring Therapy: (See Image 3) Onsenji is a temple in Kinosaki Onsen with rich history regarding the town's hot spring waters. There they would pray to the hot spring’s guardian for a blessing to be healed by the waters before entering the sacred hot springs. Healing powers? Yes. these hot spring waters have been known for their healing abilities and this is where much of the town`s fame first came from. Heading up the stone steps, halfway up the mountain from Yakushido Hall to Onsenji Temple. Incredible experience indeed! +Entrance fee to Onsenji Temple!

Geopark Sea Kayaking Adventure: (See Image 4) Kayak on crystal-clear waters in the Sea of Japan and explore the coastline! Sea Kayaking, known locally as Geo-canoe, is a popular activity in the seaside town of Takeno. Paddle out into the Sea of Japan, exploring the coastline. A certified instructor will be there to guide you. All instructors take a high-level life saving course and go through special training every season. +8,000 yen per person (Booking deadline; 10 days before the activity!)

TO REGISTER

Please email your interest to Begüm ( begumgulderenyoga@gmail.com ). You will then receive a registration form to complete and details regarding the transfer of deposit. A deposit of 50 % of the total price is required to secure your booking. The rest of the payment should be paid 30 days before arrival. Upon registration, you will be sent more info about getting to and around Osaka or Kyoto or Toyooka, shuttle pick-up from the airport, what to bring, the rules of the retreat etc.

Arigatō!!!