Friluftsliv 2025 Retreat Recap!
Retreats typically “click” together quite nicely. Months, and months (and quite often a year or more) go into planning these precious experiences.
We all look forward to it so much and really bring our best, most genuine selves to show up for the weekend.
Even when we are going through uniquely difficult times, we show up as we are and embrace it. We know that a weekend like this will surely be good for the soul.
This weekend was no different. But maybe it was a litttleee different? It seemed to REALLY CLICK. The combination of the theme Friluftsliv, with the book club read The Power of True Fun, the setting of Camp du Nord (and FRESH SNOW?!), plus our amazing team really rising to occasion made for a top notch experience for all.
This annual retreat is quickly becoming one of my favorite retreats for so many reasons. Let me share more with you on how the weekend went down!
Friluftsliv is a Norwegian word translating to “open air living”. Author Linda Akeson McGurk describes it as “physical activity outdoors to get a change of scenery and experience nature, with no pressure to achieve or compete”. Furthermore,within the Frilufttsliv philosophy, living simply in connection with nature without disturbing it is of utmost importance.
For three years now, we’ve retreated at Camp du Nord on the edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in Ely with the fresh energy of the New Year in front of us.
This year, not only did we embrace the concepts of Friluftsliv, but we also really drove home the idea of True Fun from Catherine Price’s book: The Power of True Fun.
According to book club author Catherine Price, True Fun is the confluence of three elements: playfulness + connection + flow.
More on PLAYFULNESS
According to Catherine Price, “playfulness is a spirit of lightheartedness and freedom—of doing an activity just for the sake of doing the activity and not caring too much about the outcome.”
She also emphasizes that, “when we’re being playful, we don’t mind if there’s no tangible reward.”
More on CONNECTION
A connection can be with someone else (even just one other person!), or with yourself + the others in the room during yoga, with your dog, or with nature.
Often I feel connected with “strangers” at yoga retreats because we seem to be on a similar values mission, even though we don’t know each other in the daily drones of life sort of way.
According to Adam Grant, “Psychologists find that in cultures where people pursue happiness individually” (as we in the United States tend to do), “they may actually become lonelier. But in cultures where they pursue happiness socially—through connecting, caring and contributing—people appear more likely to gain well-being.”
More on FLOW
“Flow is a state of being so absorbed or engaged in an activity that you lose track of time.” - Catherine Price
Characteristics of a flow state include: Focused and effortless attention, a clear mind, and feelings of complete mind-body unison.
Furthermore, our book club author emphasizes that, “if we want to experience more True Fun, we need to minimize the amount of time we spend trying to pay attention to multiple things at once.”
Price also differentiates flow from the concept of "junk flow". Flow is different from "junk flow", which is the passive state of consuming content: i.e. scrolling social media, watching tv, consuming the news repeatedly.
This retreat is a 3-night winter getaway. On Thursday night, we settled into Welcome Circle + Yoga Class sessions, had dinner, and opted for outdoor adventure and/or opportunity for art & creativity.
Some of the group opted for a mood board workshop with Alison Olson Cox; fresh dreams for the New Year ahead, with open-ended creativity in a cozy, sweet room surrounded by windows and snow outside.
On Friday morning, we were delighted by fresh fallen snow that had floated down all night long it seemed.
Folks opted for an early morning meditation session by the fire with Bryana Cook and/or a Winter Wonder Walk with Nora Woodworth.
Nora is the program manager for Happy Dancing Turtle-Driftless Region, and loves allll things nature. Her enthusiasm in sharing nature facts on a walk is sure to leave you with a fresh perspective on the micro views right in front of you.
Later in the morning, retreaters chose a yoga session with Stacy Nightwine or Bryana Cook.
We took the group trek to lunch and explored the beautiful campus in daylight.
In the afternoon, a New Year’s Yoga & Journaling + Simmer Pot workshop with Bryana & Stacy.
Followed by Bear Yoga with Nora! A fun and informative way to learn about bears. A Nora class is always somethin’ special!
At night, the choice of Alison’s Restorative Yoga + Self-Massage session OR wood-fired sauna and lake cold plunge + outdoor campfire!
On Saturday…..
In the morning we did it all again! This time with even more snow in the forecast - HOORAY! All the cross country ski enthusiasts were ready to GO!
We had similar class offerings, with a little different flair. Stacy taught morning meditation.
Nora brought another group of morning wonder walkers out (many opting for round 2!).
And Bryana and Stacy offered different morning yoga sessions.
After a delicious lunch, Bryana announced “WINTER PARTY AFTER LUNCH!” And basically everyone got on board. We shoveled an ice skating rink + path for some fun obstacles. We had the nearby campfire going, with smores on the ready for Friluftsliv’ers skiing past, and/or walking their way to the sauna + cold plunge.
One of my favorite concepts from The Power of True Fun is the importance of “adult playgrounds”, plus “the permission for small, appropriate acts of rebellion!”
More on adult playgrounds
For example, when you go to a playground, you are very aware of what the goal is: play! Camp du Nord was our very own winter wonderland, adult playground for the weekend The job? The mission? The assignment? TO PLAY!
More on playful rebellion
Emphasis on PLAYFUL rebellion: break “the rules” (without harm), give yourself permission to play and let go of your adult responsibilities this weekend. Lay in savasana in a yoga class, fight the urge to stay in bed and go see the sunrise instead. Make a gosh darn snow angel while you’re at it. REBEL against the call to overthink and overdo typical adult responsibilities.
Catherine Price says: “One suggestion I always give for playfulness in particular that I love is to try to be playfully rebellious — do things that kind of break the rules of adult life a little bit — not in the way of getting you arrested, but just something that delights you. Like, do stuff that delights you, and create delight for other people.”
One of my assignments for everyone at our first yoga class + opening circle was to make at least one snow angel over the weekend. This is what I mean by playful rebellion. Don’t think that is rebellious? Pray tell adult reader…. When is the last time YOU in fact made a snow angel?
This assignment led to several retreaters recalling to me where and when they made their snow angel, and how enjoyable the experience was. I also got to witness some snow angels in action. This fun, on-the-fly assignment heeded fantastic results!
Everyone was outside; with a smile on their face, rosy fresh cheeks, and glittery eyes. It was the BEST!!
“But what we don’t realize is that, far from being frivolous or selfish, the pursuit of fun will help us achieve all of these goals. Life is not a zero-sum equation: we can care about fun and be conscientious citizens who are committed to improving the world—indeed, fun can give us more energy with which to do so. And if we want our own lives to be satisfying and joyful, True Fun isn’t optional. It shouldn’t be an afterthought. It should be our guiding star.”
That night we happily enjoyed dinner, followed by another optional round of New Year’s Workshop + Simmer Pot workshop or a nighthike with Nora.
The nighthikers stumbled upon a very calm grouse, along with many tracks in the snow, and everyone was excited about their adventure.
So happily tired from a long wonderful day, we hit the hay. And the snow kept falling. Before bed, some retreaters seized the day for some PLAYFUL REBELLION SLEDDING!
In the morning, we woke up to about 6-8 inches of snow overall. Hearty Minnesotans we are, we had some fun navigating snowbanks, a slippery hill, and shuffling our cars for the snowplow. It’s almost enjoyable to do these authentic Minnesota things when you are not in a rush and have no responsibilities.
We closed our time together with a yoga session + closing circle, followed by brunch.
Thank you to our fantastic group of retreaters! You really brought your A-game to this one.
Thank you endlessly to our team for delivery an unforgettable retreat. Stacy, Nora, and Alison you are truly a dream team!
Sarah Miller, our friend at Whispering Willow Photography, thank you for never failing to capture the story in the most incredible way.
Thank you Camp du Nord. You’ll never get rid of us I’m afraid. I think that’s a good thing for all of us. :)
Mark your calendar for 2026!
January 8-11, 2026 to be exact! Our fourth annual Friluftsliv Yoga Retreat at Camp du Nord. Stay tuned on the blog for registration to open this fall.
