Healing Hot Springs Japan Ashtanga Adventure

You are invited to join us, Joey Paz & Jacquelin Molina Guillen, on our second annual pilgrimage to the serene country side of Japan—for a week long retreat of yoga, hot springs, meditation, and ceremony.

September 7, 2025 — September 14, 2025 Togura, Nagano Prefecture, Japan

Join us in Nagano, Japan for an epic week of Ashtanga Yoga immersion, deep healing hot springs rejuvenation, wild outdoor adventures, and Zen meditation. For this retreat, we have reserved an entire Onsen Ryokan (a traditional Japanese inn with its own private hot springs onsite) for the exclusive use of the guests. That's right! You will have exclusive, unlimited, 24-hour use of the on-site mineral hot springs baths, steps away from your rooms.

Whether you are an advanced practitioner hoping to deepen your studies, or a beginner interested in practicing in an encouraging environment, this week offers something for every yogi to strengthen their union and to take with them on their personal journeys.

JAPAN IS CALLING…

OUR WEEK TOGETHER

Nagano Prefecture

Nicknamed the ‘Roof of Japan,’ Nagano Prefecture is situated in the center of the country. Punctuated by the towering Japanese Alps, the region is best known for its amazing ski season, which hosted the 1998 Winter Olympic Games. However, the summer months in Nagano are just as exceptional, with world-class hiking and forested hillsides that burst to life with wildflowers throughout the summer.
Kamesei Ryokan

Our retreat will be held at Kamesei Ryokan, a historic former Geisha house in the hot springs town of Togura, with 6 private hot spring mineral baths on site. Just this year, an industry newspaper included our Ryokan in their annual list of Top 100 Hotels and Inns in Japan as decided by professionals! Guests from abroad will enjoy the experience of sleeping on traditional tatami mats in their rooms complimented by buckwheat pillows and can relax into sets of complimentary kimonos during their stay.
Onsen

The Onsen baths are the heart and soul of the hotel where you will be staying and practicing. For the duration of the retreat, you will have full, exclusive use of 6 Onsen bathing areas of natural hot spring mineral water straight from the source, 100% free-flowing 24 hours a day.
Ashtanga Yoga

A daily yoga practice is the pillar of our week together. Each morning we will begin the day with asana, practicing the ashtanga primary sequence in the lineage of BNS Iyengar, followed by pranayama with each day building on top of the previous practice. The evenings will consist of mudras, mantras and philosophy discussions with your guides and peers.
Meals

Fresh, local, seasonal and vegetarian Japanese cuisine served onsite! Every day is a brand new exquisite culinary experience.
Please note that we will not have meals served on day 4, 5, and 6 of the retreat- this was an intentional decision to allow guests to explore the delightful variety of traditional Japanese restaurants in the town!
Poetry Night & Writing

With Jacquelin’s experience as a poet and writer, and her reverence for zen poetry, she uses her skills to host a poetry night where all are welcome to share original work or poems that they love, or simply gather in a night of storytelling under the watchful eyes of Bodhidharma. This night serves as a cultural immersion experience and lesson on the literature of Japan’s most influential voices that have managed to capture the beauty and essence of the country.
Zazen Meditation

During our week together, guests will have the opportunity to attend daily predawn Zazen meditations with an ordained Zen Buddhist Priest in a centuries old temple located in the surrounding hills of the town.
Hiking Adventure

During the retreat, guests will also have the opportunity to go on cultural excursions into the surrounding area, including Hakuba Mountain — a beloved excursion from our first year’s retreat and one that was recommended by past guests to include in future retreats (Guests will be responsible for paying transportation and entry fees, if any).

WHAT TO KNOW

SHARED ROOM: (2 spots remaining)
Early Bird Price - $1,199 from May 1-July 31
Regular Price - $1,299 from July 31-August 31
Procrastinator Price - $1,399 after July 31
PRIVATE ROOM: (1 spot remaining)
Early Bird Price - $1,799 from May 1-July 31
Regular Price - $1,899 from July 31-August 31
Procrastinator Price - $1,999 after August 31

Deluxe Suite with PRIVATE HOT SPRING and shower (Only 1 available) - $3,000 (1 person) / $3,750 (2 people)

Backpacker’s Budget Room (Sold Out) -
Early Bird Price - $899 from May 1-July 31
Regular Price - $999 from July 31-August 31
Procrastinator Price - $1,099 after August 31

*Further discounts are available for friend groups of 3 or more traveling together and sharing a room.Please contact Joey to inquire.

A $100 deposit reserves your spot and locks in the retreat price at the time the deposit is made. Once you register, we will be in touch with you immediately to set up your payment plan.

Please note that due to the nature of this being an international retreat with very limited space and great cost/planning required, no refunds are possible for any reason once you commit to coming and begin making payments. You may however transfer your payments already made to another person who can come in your place if you have to cancel. By registering for this retreat, you agree to these terms.
- Daily Yoga classes, lectures, and extensive study curriculum, including a comprehensive PDF study guide of all material covered for continued study
- Unlimited use of the on-site mineral onsen baths (healing volcanic mineral hot springs)
- 8 delicious meals served on site during the course of the retreat-award winning Japanese cuisine prepared by the in-house chef at our inn. (please note that on days 4, 5, and 6 of the retreat there will be no meals served at the inn - this is an intentional decision to give our group the opportunity to explore the delightful local culinary scene in the many amazing restaurants of the region!
- Pickup from Togura Train station directly to the retreat
- 7 nights accommodation in a fully furnished guest room at the inn
- A deep understanding and foundation for a lifelong Pranayama practice, one of the most powerful yogic tools for maintaining resilient health and well-being- including step-by-step PDF guides and video downloads of Joey’s online Pranayama courses, detailing the principles, practice, and philosophy of Pranayama.
- Guided nature hikes into the nearby mountains and shrines surrounding the town
- A download of Joey’s HD quality Primary Series instructional video
- 12 Continuing Education credit hours with Yoga Alliance (Yoga teachers)
- An international crew of new friends and global connections
- Memories to last a lifetime!
- Airfare to and from Japan
- Food / Drinks taken outside the retreat center
- Transportation to Togura station from anywhere in the country
- Any applicable transportation and entry fees for excursions
7am to 9:30am - Therapeutic Movements, morning Asana & Pranayama Practice
Starting from wherever your practice is at currently Joey will assist you in taking the next steps to deepen, understand and evolve your yoga practice. We begin with somatic moverment/therapeutic exercises, and self massage to release tension as well as activate and strengthen the weaker muscles groups in our bodies. Then we will begin asana practice in the traditional Ashtanga method of our teacher, Sri BNS Iyengar of Mysore, the world’s elder living teacher of Ashtanga Yoga at age 97. We will explore Primary Series, Intermediate and Advanced series in a fun and lighthearted manner, as well as Mysore style practice during the morning practice sessions. Modifications will be introduced, making the practice accessible for everyone in attendance.

10:30am: Brunch
Fresh, local, seasonal Japanese cuisine served onsite! Every day is a brand new exquisite culinary experience (Please note that we will not have meals served on day 4, 5, and 6 of the retreat- this was an intentional decision to allow guests to explore the delightful variety of traditional Japanese restaurants in the town!)
11am - 4pm - Free time relax, explore the area, & soak in the mineral hot springs baths on site.
4-5pm - Afternoon Session: Mudra, Mantra, Meditation Practice
In the afternoons, Joey will lead the group in the more subtle, internal, energetic practices of Yoga. The internal techniques of yoga will be explored and taught carefully as we study the Mudra system of Sri BNS Iyengar and explain the foundational methods for moving beyond Asana practice into concentration and self inquiry

5-6pm - Dinner
Fresh, local, seasonal Japanese cuisine served onsite. Every day is an exquisite culinary experience. You won’t believe the food! (Please note that we will not have dinner served at the inn on day 4, 5, or 6 of the retreat- this was an intentional decision to allow guests to explore the delightful variety of traditional Japanese restaurants in the town!
The guest rooms are in the traditional Japanese style. The rooms are divided into 7 on the ground floor, all with private tsubo-niwa pocket gardens, and 5 on the floor upstairs. The ones on the 1st floor are each decorated with a different Nagano-based theme and are named accordingly. The 2nd-floor rooms are named after the mountains visible from each room. Comfortable tatami (futon) floor mattresses provided for sleeping, in the traditional Japanese style.
An onsen is a traditional volcanic mineral hot spring bath. The Onsen baths are the heart and soul of the hotel where you will be staying and practicing. For the duration of the retreat, you will have full, exclusive use of 6 Onsen bathing areas of natural hot spring mineral water straight from the source, 100% free-flowing 24 hours a day. The region’s onsen water is richly high in sulfur content and is luxuriously alkaline, with a pH of around 8.6, the minerals have the effect of leaving your skin feeling silky-smooth. The 6 main baths are the men’s large indoor and hand-made river rock outdoor bath, women’s smaller indoor and its two outdoor baths, and the outdoor family bath, in addition to the private onsen in the luxury suite room.
Mineral hot springs have long been revered for their numerous health benefits, drawing people to their soothing waters for centuries. These natural wonders are rich in a variety of minerals, such as sulfur, calcium, magnesium, and silica, which are believed to possess healing properties. Immersing oneself in mineral hot springs can help alleviate a range of ailments, including muscle aches and joint pain, by promoting relaxation and increasing blood circulation. The heat from the springs also aids in reducing stress and tension, leading to improved sleep quality and overall mental well-being. Additionally, the minerals present in the water can nourish the skin, leaving it feeling softer and smoother. Regular visits to mineral hot springs can thus serve as a therapeutic retreat, offering both physical rejuvenation and mental relaxation in a serene natural setting.
In Japan, mineral hot springs, known as "onsen," hold a revered place in the country's cultural and wellness traditions. Japan boasts a diverse array of onsen, each with its unique mineral composition and therapeutic benefits. Renowned for their healing properties, these hot springs have been cherished for centuries, with people flocking to them to alleviate various ailments and promote overall well-being. From the volcanic regions of Hokkaido to the tranquil countryside of Kyushu, Japan's onsen offer a serene escape into nature, surrounded by breathtaking landscapes and traditional Japanese architecture. Beyond their physical benefits, soaking in onsen is deeply ingrained in Japanese culture as a ritual of relaxation and purification, fostering a sense of harmony with oneself and the natural world.
While it should be noted that not every traditional bathhouse in Japan permits tattoos in shared onsen areas, Kamesei Ryokan is tattoo friendly! This means you will not need to worry about accessing the onsens if you have tattoos. Please be mindful to care for your tattoos before entering the onsen if they are still in the process of healing and follow directions for healing provided to you by your tattoo specialist.
This retreat is a space for deep healing and shared energy among the participants and therefore a 100% alcohol-free event.

MEET YOUR GUIDES

OUR STORY

Jacquelin and Joey met in 2021 during a long weekend yoga workshop in Jacquelin’s hometown of Portland. As their attraction bloomed like cherry blossoms, the two connected through their shared reverence for Beatnik literature, Zen poetry and cups of imported green tea from Japan. It was through sitting together within the Redwood Forest in a holy silence one would seek in the practice of Zazen that the two fell in love and from this a vision was born which would reveal itself to be their shared dharma:

By integrating their forces of feminine and masculine energy, and intentionally weaving together the customs of Zen and Yoga philosophy, the couple inspire others to live bold lives of passion through being true to their hearts.

It is Joey and Jacquelin’s greatest honor to guide you on your sacred pilgrimage through Japan by way of breath, asana, tea and poetry. By combining their strengths and years of expertise, the duo are able to honor your own sacred practice as a ceremony of returning to union.

Certified Wandering Yogi (E-RYT 500)
Joey has been a devout practitioner of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga since 2008. Practicing daily for many years with Andrew Eppler, Bryce Delbridge, and Jennifer Engleman at Ashtanga Yoga Studio in Oklahoma, he began to travel regularly to India in 2013 to initiate ongoing in-depth study of Asana, Pranayama, Mudra, Mantra, and Yoga philosophy with Sri BNS Iyengar, a direct student of T. Krishnamacharya and the world's elder living master in the Ashtanga lineage.
In addition to his E-RYT 500 certification from Andrew Eppler at AYS and the Himalayan Yoga Association of Rishikesh, India; Joey has studied in-depth with a wide array of old school Ashtangis including David Williams, Nancy Gilgoff, Danny Paradise, David Garrigues, Gilad and Miriam Harouvi, Baptiste Marceau, Dominic & Stephanie Corigliano, John Scott, as well as Srivatsa Ramaswami

Beyond asana, Joey is a student of chanting with Yoga history & Sanskrit phonology/pronunciation with Seth Powell of Yogic Studies; and Yoga Darshana with Dr. M.A. Alwar of Maharaja Sanskrit College and his father Dr. Lakshmi Tatachar, founder of the Samskrti Foundation in Melukote, India. Currently, he is immersed in in-depth studies of Yogic chanting with Dr. M.A. Jayashree and Narasimhan of Ananta Research Foundation; and Yogic texts with Dr. Nagaraj Rao and Dr. M.A. Alwar, 2 of Mysore’s top yogic scholars.
In addition to his devoted practice and study, Joey is co-producer of the film “Mysore Yoga Traditions," a groundbreaking documentary that provides an in-depth look at the fabric of Yoga culture in Mysore; and currently co-hosts the annual Mysore Yoga Traditions Retreat and Conference held every year in Mysore- the birthplace of modern yoga.

Joey currently travels the world as a nomadic teacher, adventure guide, and storyteller, living the Yogic life 365 days a year.

Certified Lover Girl who wanders occasionally (200 HR YA-C)
Jacquelin (she/her/ella) is a poet, yogini, muse, teacher and a divine feminine. She began practicing yoga in 2018 following a car accident that left her with a neck and shoulder injury. A daily practice helped alleviate her pain and discomfort, from here she felt inspired to inform others on the benefits of yoga. This led to her first 200 hour yoga teacher training with Yoga Punx PDX in Portland, Oregon, under the guidance of Sandee Lawless, and Ashley Low. Here she began her own personal practice of ashtanga.
Shortly after completing her training in the summer of 2021, Jacquelin apprenticed beneath Lawless, and studied philosophy with Sri B.N.S. Iyengar before beginning her teaching path as a restorative yoga guide.
It was after a year of teaching, Jacquelin heard the gentle guidance that it was time to resume her role as a student so she spent another year and a half in intensive training, this time with the world as her teacher.
After beginning a meditation practice with the Heart of Wisdom Zen Temple, and completing a Yoga philosophy course with the Bhakti Yoga Movement center (located in Portland) and an Ashtanga Apprenticeship program where she learned how to teach the primary series under the guidance of Lawless, Jacquelin pursued a year of full time travel around Europe, Mexico and Asia where she helped teach and assist at retreats with Joey Paz.
This journey would take her to first visit to India, the birthplace of this sacred philosophy in the winter of 2025, here she would complete 5 back-to-back training sessions, immersions and intensives studying beneath the lineage holders of the practice. Among them would be Sri B.N.S. Iyengar, Sri Srivatsa Ramaswami, and Sri TRS Sharma–all direct students of Krishnamacharya.
For Jacquelin, this return to Japan is uniquely special as she has recently made the commitment to devote herself to Zen Meditation, taking residency and refuge with a temple in her home state of Oregon for a 6 month residency.
Jacquelin has a gift for grounding people in the present moment by creating a calm atmosphere and guiding others toward an awareness of their body. With a trauma informed approach to teaching, she enjoys creating supportive sequences for all bodies by playing around with props and including various meditation techniques in session. As a poet, she guides guests in mindfulness through journaling and hosts poetry nights at the retreat. She hopes to use the privilege she’s had in her education and background to honor and support your practice and encourage your voice to express your truest expression. 𖤓

ANSWER THE CALL

Ready to join us? This retreat receives high interest, so don’t hesitate to make your deposit and save your spot. Feel free to send Joey a message on WhatsApp at +1 4058239919 with any questions or for more information, and to discuss alternate payment options.