Looking Back on a Wonderful October Retreat🍁👘
(2025 October guests + 2 local kimono teachers)
Another season has gone.
It’s Haruka here. We just had 2 autumn programs back to back, and I am taking slow time to reflect on this season. By scrolling through the album in my phone, I realize there are so much to remember. So much to appreciate. So much to embrace.
(Kimono experience guided by 2 local professionals)
In this October retreat, we welcomed 9 wonderful guests from France, Canada, and the United States. One of the things I truly love about our programs is the diversity of people who join us.
(Guests are practicing Japanese traditional dance.)
In past retreats, we’ve had guests from New Zealand, Australia, Hong Kong, Peru, Singapore, the UK, Ireland, and more.
The mix of backgrounds always creates such a rich atmosphere — it becomes not only a Japanese cultural experience, but also a cultural exchange among the guests themselves. Conversations, shared stories, and different perspectives all add an extra layer of warmth and connection to the week.
(First, we put kimono on in the workshop)
Our morning yoga practice begins at 7:30am, so around 7am guests naturally start gathering in the communal area to make tea or coffee.
One morning, I was enjoying a cup of tea before class when a guest walked in still in her pajamas. I asked, “How was your sleep?” and she smiled and said, “Very well. And being here feels like a wonderful dream.” That simple comment absolutely made my day.
(At Japanese plant-dye workshop)
Moments like this — small conversations, gentle exchanges — often become something much bigger.
Guests may forget what they said, but these words stay with me for a long time. They remind me why I do this, and how meaningful these quiet, everyday moments can be.
(Akane dye from madder tree)
There was another moment from this group that I will never forget.
Usually, our retreats have one man or sometimes none — but this time, we had two. Both were beginners in yoga, and it seemed they joined mainly because their wives wanted to attend. One of them spoke almost no English, so for the first few days he skipped every yoga class.
(Sunshine yellow from Japanese pagoda tree)
But one evening, he quietly appeared in the shala and joined the practice. Even though he couldn’t understand the instructions, he followed along with such sincerity. From that day onward, he came to every class.
(Guests are dancing with joy!)
At the end of the retreat, during our closing circle, the two men shared their reflections. They thanked each other for showing up — saying that seeing the other in the class helped them stay motivated. It was such a gentle and touching moment.
These little stories are what make each retreat so special.
(Gentle Cherry Blossom dye is always popular!)
I often find it difficult to write a blog post, because there is simply so much to capture. The things I hear, see, and feel with guests are countless — small moments, meaningful conversations, unexpected surprises, and quiet emotions.
When I try to gather everything into one piece of writing, it can feel overwhelming.
(At Matcha ceremony workshop)
And behind the scenes, the local team works so hard with such generosity and heart. They each carry their own stories too, and I often wonder what to include and what to leave out.
There are so many beautiful moments that it feels impossible to choose.
(At Japanese cooking class)
Anyway, we had such a wonderful time together. There were so many cultural activities that opened new perspectives, daily yoga practices that helped us understand our bodies more deeply, and beautiful nourishing meals that looked almost like artwork.
(Daily yoga practice - Morning and Evening)
The countryside nature held us gently, giving space for our minds to breathe. And of course, the simple joy of sitting together with a warm cup of green tea — those little moments made everything feel complete.
(Practice at Tatami shala)
Big Arigato to everyone in October program :)