Mindful Beginnings Retreat

January 7th - January 10th, 2027 • Schnitzmühle, Vietach, Bavaria

Your retreat to start your year on the right foot

What do you associate with the start of the year? Indifference, the depths of winter, or perhaps even pressure and sacrifice? Come on, let’s break free from the “New Year, New Me” craze and instead start the new year in a cozy, mindful, slow, and loving way!

Mindful Beginnings is a four-day retreat designed for this special in-between time. When the old year has just bid farewell, the holidays still weigh heavily on your stomach (and let’s be honest, often on your heart too), and the new year hasn’t really gotten started yet.

Retreat language: German

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In this in-between time, we’ll come together and let winter be winter

It’s a pause, after all. Time for nourishing introspection and reflection. Because there’s one thing I can tell you right away: Early January is definitely not the right time to turn your whole life upside down!

During the 4-day retreat at the Schnitzmühle, you can look forward to gentle, flowing Vinyasa yoga classes to wake you up, coaching prompts for reflection and alignment, and extra cozy Yin yoga sessions in the evening. Sauna, massages, walks through wintry nature, dinner by the fireplace, and plenty of relaxation.

Retreat location

Adventure Camp Schnitzmühle • Schnitzmühle 1, 94234 Vietach, Bavaria

If you're looking for picture-perfect, this probably isn't your retreat. But if you look for authenticity und unspoiled nature - it very much is! The hotel is family run, you may fire up your sauna for yourself, jump into the private lake afterwards or chat with the locals.

This area on the southeast corner of Germany, about 2 hours from Munich, is still secluded and untamed. That's why people also call it "Bavarian Canada". Especially during the early winter days, it can be super mystic when the fog wanders through the valley. But don't worry about getting there: Because funnily enough the hotel has its own train station. You can take the scenic route with the so called "Waldbahn". So whoever wants to escape the hustle and bustle of pre-Christmas-time to find REST, it's the place to be.

FAQ’s about the retreat

What does a typical day at the retreat look like?

On Thursday, we start at 5 p.m.—you can check in starting at 2 p.m. The morning session usually takes place at 8 a.m., followed by breakfast at 10 a.m.—then you’ll have free time to spend however you like. The Schnitzmühle offers wellness, beauty, and massage services; the surrounding forests are perfect for hiking; or you can curl up in bed with a book and a cup of tea. The second yoga session of the day is at 5 p.m., followed immediately by dinner together.

I don't have much yoga experience. Can I participate?

We're taking it slow on this retreat. So don't expect any intense, sweat-inducing flows, just gentle movement. In the past, we've always had a mix of experienced yogis and beginners, and it's worked out wonderfully.

What room options are available at the Schnitzmühle?

For the Mindful Beginnings retreat, a block of rooms has been reserved in the main building at the Schnitzmühle. These are the most basic double rooms. If you’d like more comfort, there are plenty of other options: a loft for up to 4 people, a Black House right on the river, or one of the new Terra Houses. The choice is yours!

What is included in the retreat price?

The participation fee for the New Year’s retreat is 210€ and includes six 90-minute yoga classes. In addition, there is a 166€ charge for meals (3 breakfast buffets, 2 lunches with soup, 3 dinners, as well as tea, beverages, and snacks in the yoga shala) and the cost of your room category. The total price therefore starts at 550€ (based on full occupancy in a double room).

Pricing

Starting from 550€ total in a shared double room depending on your accommodation preference.

Accommodation

A limited number of rooms in the main house have been reserved for retreat participants. There is also the option to book larger shared rooms or cottages. Prices are per room for 3 nights, and they can be booked as single or double rooms. The lodges and houses can accommodate up to 4 people.

Adventure Room: 323€ for a maximum of two people
Organic Room: 343€ for a maximum of two people
Schwarzes Haus: 730€ for a maximum of four people

+ retreat fee: 210€
+ catering: 166€

3 nights in a single room, double room or house
3x extensive breakfast buffet including local products, "vegan fridge", filter coffee and teas
3x dinner in the form of a 3-course menu tailored to our needs
Snacks, tea and water all the time in our Yoga Shala
Use of the spa with various saunas & whirlpool
6x yoga sessions of 90 minutes each (Yin Yoga, Embodied Movement, Meditations and Pranayama)

What’s included

You can also book massages and cosmetic treatments directly through the hotel. Your host, Coco, will also be offering 1:1 Shiatsu sessions which you can book directly through her.

Traveling by car: Coming from Munich, you take the exit the A92 at Deggendorf and take the B11 towards Viechtach. From the north, the B85 takes you directly to Schnitzmühle.

Traveling by train: The Waldbahn (forest railway) lets you get off right at the hotel.

Getting there

Ready to book?

Rest and restore before the holidays, and escape to this dreamy winter destination in beautiful Bavaria.

Days filled with yoga, sauna, wellness, and relaxation.

Book here

Meet your host

Hi! I’m Coco (@high_on_prana), and I live in the St. Pauli district of Hamburg. With the Millerntor stadium on the left, the Reeperbahn on the right side - I've found my home in this colorful mess for over a decade now. I feel at home here, it's colorful, neighborly, sometimes wild and never boring.

But sometimes, I long for quiet. Whenever that happens, I find my way back to my roots, to the very south of Germany where I grew up in the midst of the Bavarian Forest. That’s why I love coming back here to host retreats as well. The untamed nature, the authenticity of the place gives a vibe of far, far away from the rest of the world.

I’m trained in Yin Yoga, Restorative Yoga, Meditation und Somatic Movement Practices, amongst other things. And I can’t wait to experience the magic of deep relaxation with all of you.