A week to build a practice. Five days to deepen it in the hidden heart of Mt. Fuji.
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This November, we're bringing a small group to Japan — first to the Izu Peninsula, where ocean meets mountains and ancient temples sit among forests, for a week of deep practice. Then, for those who want to go further, a five-day cultural journey through Mt. Fuji, ancient temple stays, samurai castles, and the historic Nakasendo highway. Daily yoga and meditation. Talks bridging ancient wisdom and modern science. Nourishing meals that honor both ayurvedic and Japanese traditions.
Come for the retreat or stay for the full journey. Return home rested and reoriented.
The Setting
There is rarely a perfect time to step away. That's exactly why it matters. A retreat is a conscious decision to expand — your practice, your perspective, and your sense of what's possible.
"The geometry of the existence, the beauty, and the magnificent nature in which it is created is such that if you align yourself to it, the whole cosmos will respond to you."
— Sadhguru
The Retreat
Intimate Group Size
Nourishing Plant-Focused Meals
Deep Inner Practice
Part One
Nov 22–29 · 8 days
Part Two
Nov 29 – Dec 3 · 5 days
Part One
Izu Peninsula · November 22–29 · 8 days / 7 nights
Eight days at a private hotel on the Izu Peninsula, reserved exclusively for our group. Mornings of meditation and yoga, middays exploring temples, forests, and onsen by private shuttle, evenings of nourishing meals and wisdom talks.
The word "Zen" comes from the Sanskrit "Dhyan" — which means meditation, or yoga. Not yoga in the sense of twisting your body, but yoga as union. On this retreat, we teach precise, scientific hatha yoga practices and meditations that have the power to shift how you perceive yourself and the world. No experience needed and individual guidance is included. You leave empowered with a practice for your lifetime, to integrate and deepen daily.
A Typical Day
Begin with seated meditation as the sun rises over the ocean, followed by a guided yoga session in our dedicated practice hall.
Guided excursions by private shuttle — temple and shrine visits, forest walks, local crafts, onsen (hot spring) experiences, or cultural experiences unique to the Izu region.
Explore on your own, walk to the ocean, journal, or simply rest. This is your time.
Gather for a nourishing Japanese meal, followed by talks on the science of yoga and meditation, neuroscience, or ayurvedic lifestyle — bridging ancient wisdom with modern understanding.
Part Two
November 29 – December 3 · 5 days / 4 nights
After the retreat, the practice moves with you. Five days by private coach through Japan's spiritual heartland, waking each morning in a new setting — a temple veranda in the mountains, the shore of a volcanic lake, a quiet room in a centuries-old inn.
The landscape shifts daily. Sacred mountains give way to ancient valleys, fortress towns to forest trails. You'll sleep where monks have slept, soak in hot springs carved from the earth, walk stone paths worn smooth by centuries of pilgrims.
This is integration — carrying what you've learned into the living world, letting the land deepen what the practice began.
The Route
A five day journey of discovery and integration
Accommodation
During the retreat, you'll be based in a private hotel on the Izu Peninsula — reserved entirely for our group. Wake to views of the harbor with Mt. Fuji rising beyond the water. The town itself is a rare window into local Japan, far from the tourist trail — quiet streets, fishing boats, and a pace of life that makes slowing down feel natural.
During the journey, each night brings somewhere new — a Buddhist temple stay high in the mountains, a traditional ryokan with natural hot springs, and intimate hotels in historic towns. Every accommodation is chosen to deepen the experience, not just house it.
What's Included
7 nights at a private retreat hotel, plus 4 nights at temple lodgings and historic inns (journey guests)
All meals — ayurvedic-inspired Japanese cuisine, on-site and at local restaurants
Daily yoga and meditation in a dedicated practice hall
Evening Wisdom Talks on meditation science, neuroscience, and ayurveda
Cultural excursions by private shuttle with a local English-speaking guide
Onsen visits to local hot spring bathhouses
Welcome and closing ceremonies
Airport transfers on November 21 and November 29 (or December 3 in Tokyo for journey guests)
Not included: International flights, travel insurance, and personal expenses.
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All prices in USD. Based on shared accommodation. Private room available for an additional $995.
From Our Guests
"Everything felt so intentional... I've never experienced peace quite like this. It didn't feel forced — it felt real."
— Diana, Greece 2025"The relationships formed here were genuine, beautiful, and enriching... so many deep conversations, laughter, and truly good people."
— Haeyoung, Greece 2025"Being in that space, with like-minded people, asking questions and actually practicing... it gave me something real to take home."
— Niyomi, Greece 2025
Being & Mind creates intimate, immersive retreats that weave together yoga, meditation, and conscious living with the culture and landscape of the places we visit. We keep groups small so every experience feels personal — mornings of practice, afternoons of exploration, evenings of genuine connection.
Your Guides
Sam spent a decade in technology before going deep into yoga — and weaves the two together like poetry. With 2,000+ hours of training and experience teaching hundreds of UN delegates, his teaching is precise, evidence-based, and built for people who think carefully about what they put their time into.
At the retreat, he co-leads the daily practice, offers hands-on individual guidance, and gives evening Wisdom Talks on the latest science in meditation and breathwork. He's also the person to find when you want to go deep — on silence, long-term practice, where ancient tradition and modern research meet.
Tulsi has spent twenty years at the intersection of ancient practice and modern science — blending her Harvard master's with deep yoga training under Sadhguru, classical ayurveda study directly with Dr. Vasant Lad, and researching yoga and meditation at Harvard Medical School. That combination gives her the ability to meet you exactly where you are.
At the retreat, she co-leads the yoga practice, gives evening Wisdom Talks on ayurveda and integrative medicine, and offers individualized guidance throughout the week. For those who want to go further, she offers private ayurvedic pulse diagnosis — a personal reading of your constitution and current state of balance.
With fifteen years studying Eastern and Western cultures and religions — alongside legal degrees from USC and Emory — Haokun brings a sharp, analytical mind and a rare depth of cultural wisdom. As a Cultural Travel Strategist, he specializes in creating journeys through the lens of history and spirituality, with a gift for making complex cultural and religious traditions feel accessible and alive.
Having him with us in Japan is a rare advantage — he knows the places that don't make it onto tourist maps, and how to open doors that most visitors never find.
Yoko came to yoga through her own experience of physical and mental health challenges — and found her way to Sadhguru's teachings. She completed a 21-week Classical Hatha Yoga Teacher Training at the Sadhguru Gurukulam in South India and has been sharing that practice across Japan ever since.
At the retreat, she's your guide to Japan itself — its culture, people, and the stories behind the places we visit. She makes the country feel personal.
Questions
Not at all. This retreat is specifically designed to be accessible — especially for those newer to deep spiritual practices. Whether you've never sat on a cushion or you've been practicing for years, you'll be guided and met where you are.
The retreat and journey include light hiking and walking on uneven terrain — temple grounds, forest paths, and historic trails. No athletic ability is needed, but a basic level of fitness and mobility is required to participate comfortably. If you have any concerns, please mention them during your application call and we'll help you assess whether it's a good fit.
If you need to cancel for personal reasons, you may apply for a 50% refund before October 1, 2026. No refunds will be issued after October 1, 2026. If we do not reach a minimum of 10 participants by the deadline or unexpected events occur such that we must cancel the tour, your deposit will be fully refunded.
Absolutely. Every afternoon includes generous free time. Wander the town, visit a local onsen, hike a nearby trail, or simply rest. We believe downtime is just as important as the structured programming.
We'll send a detailed packing list after you register. Late November in Izu is cool — average highs of 63–68°F and lows around 50–55°F. Bring comfortable layers, walking shoes, a warm jacket for evenings, and an open mind. Yoga mats and props are provided at the venue.
Most of our guests come solo. The small group size and shared daily rhythms make it easy to connect naturally. Past attendees often say the people they met became close friends.
Yes. Shared rooms are the default accommodation and are included in the base price. If you're coming with a partner or friend, just let us know during registration and we'll pair you together.
Airport transfers are included. We'll arrange group pickup from Tokyo Haneda on the evening of November 21, with arrival at the hotel around 9–10 PM. Drop-off is November 29 for retreat-only guests, or December 3 in Tokyo for journey guests. We recommend flying into Haneda (HND); detailed logistics and recommended flights will be shared well in advance.
Yes. Our meals balance ayurvedic sensibility with Japanese culinary culture. Vegetarian meals are included, and there will be opportunities to sample local cuisine at restaurants should you want to try meat and fish. Some meals are prepared on-site by a private chef, while others are at local restaurants. Just let us know your requirements when you register.
The journey is the second chapter of the full experience — it's only available to guests who complete the retreat. Part of what makes it meaningful is carrying the practice with you.
The retreat begins November 22 (arrival the evening of November 21), which intentionally aligns with the U.S. Thanksgiving break. Retreat-only guests depart November 29, giving you the weekend to recover. Journey guests continue through December 3, ending in Tokyo — worth considering if you can extend your time off for the full experience.
Yes. Participants must be at least 14 years old. Anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Additionally, participants are required to inform the organizer of their health condition in advance. For more details, please refer to the relevant section in the registration form.
Yes — we offer a few ways to make the retreat more accessible. These can be combined for the best value.
Reserve Early — commit by July 4 and save $200.
Retreat only: $3,600 · Full experience: $5,400
Bring Someone — register with a friend or partner and you both save $150. No deadline — available until we're full.
Retreat only: $3,650 each · Full experience: $5,450 each
Come Together — book early and bring someone. Both discounts stack.
Retreat only: $3,450 each · Full experience: $5,250 each
Your spot is secured with a $750 deposit. The remaining balance is split into two payments so you can plan ahead.
| Retreat Only | Full Experience | |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit | $750 | $750 |
| Second payment (Sep 1) | $1,525 | $2,425 |
| Final payment (Nov 1) | $1,525 | $2,425 |
The registration deadline is September 22, 2026.
If the tour is confirmed, the full balance must be paid by September 29, 2026. Your registration is only considered successful once the full amount has been paid.
Early Bird: Save $200 when you book by July 4
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