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Retreats

Kyoto with Vicky Yang & Sean Robinson

Kyoto, Japan

1 - 5 September 2025, Kyoto

About the Retreat

Why Kyoto?

Mostly because, for almost two years, Vicky lived in Kyoto and speaks (almost) fluent Japanese. Partly because Sean has never been and really wants to go but was waiting to see it through the eyes of someone who lived there.

 

Retreats are often hosted in a country that has little (or no) relation to the teacher, staying in a hotel whose owner we don’t even know.

 

While there is nothing wrong with that, we want to do things differently.

 

We choose places and spaces that are significant to us. This way, we guarantee you an experience that you couldn’t otherwise have.

 

Kyoto is a city steeped in tradition, yet does not fear innovation. New and old co-exist. Modernity melds with antiquity. Paradoxes are welcomed, not avoided.

 

Since we apply the same values in our teaching, we felt it made the perfect setting for our second retreat together. We blend ancient breathing techniques with today’s cutting-edge science. We teach classical Yoga postures with a contemporary twist. This means that our students will build both flexibility and stability.

 

In short, we take our responsibility as teachers seriously, but we take ourselves lightly.

 

Best of both.

 

 

Sleeping

Located in the heart of Kyoto on the River Takase, you will find the Gate Hotel – your sanctuary within an already peaceful city.

 

Accommodation options are double or twin rooms for shared or single occupancy.

 

If you are looking to share a room but are travelling on your own, please let us know and we can connect you.

 

For an extra fee you can upgrade to the “classy” room, but honestly the “essential” rooms are beautiful.

 

Eating

We want you to get the best of both worlds – luxury and local, plus everything in between.

 

On the 8th floor of the hotel you will find Anchor, the hotel restaurant, which boasts panoramic views.

 

Breakfast is available between 6:30am and 10am at Anchor, where both Western and Japanese options as well as a salad bar are available.

 

In typical Japanese fashion, meticulous attention is paid to detail. There is raw Japanese honey, fermented butter from France, and a marmalade made from leftover orange peels.

 

Our first and last dinner together will be hosted at Anchor – which typically includes an amuse-bouche, appetiser, soup, pasta, fish dish, meat dish, dessert, small sweets, bread and, of course, coffee.

 

For the second and third dinner, we will eat at two of Vicky’s favourite spots in the city.

 

The lounge bar and patio on the 3rd floor of the hotel offers complimentary coffee, soft drinks and wine to all guests. Open between 2pm and 10pm.

 

All breakfasts and dinners, including the two evening meals in the city, are included in your package.

 

Daily practice and exploring

This is a retreat and the schedule reflects that.

 

We don’t want to force anyone to wake up at sunrise. This is, after all, your holiday.

 

But just in case you do fancy waking up early, Vicky has offered to take us to a different sunrise spot each morning. This is both optional and weather dependent.

 

We will have two Yoga sessions per day.

 

Your first class is not until 10am. Expect a more dynamic class (hatha, vinyasa, rocket style).

 

After class, you have a 60-minute break to spend as you wish. Kyoto is famous for its walkability – grab a coffee, go shopping, and experience the local street food.

 

Your second class will be at 1pm. Expect a more relaxing session (yin, Thai massage, breathing)

 

After class, you are free until dinner.

 

We will arrange cultural activities for two of the afternoons, such as a tea ceremony and a guided cultural walking tour (to be confirmed). These activities are optional and will be at an additional cost.

Payment Instructions
  • You will receive an email with detailed payment instructions for the training event upon successful registration.
Packages & Prices

Inclusive of:

  • 4 x nights at the Gate Hotel
  • 4 x breakfast on days 2, 3, 4 and 5
  • 4 x dinner on days 1, 2, 3 and 4
  • 3 x dynamic morning yoga sessions
  • 3 x relaxing afternoon workshops (yin, Thai massage, breathing)
  • Soft drinks, coffee and wine in the hotel lounge between 2pm and 10pm
  • Evening neighbourhood walk and 4 x sunrise walks (optional)

 

Exclusive of:

  • Flights and transport to and from the hotel
  • Travel insurance
  • Lunch / snacks
  • Alcohol (other than the complimentary wine served in the hotel lounge between 2pm and 10pm)
  • Mats are available, but we are fussy so we will bring our own. Maybe you will too
  • Extra activities (such as the tea ceremony and guided cultural walking tour)

 

PACKAGE PRICES DO NOT INCLUDE AIRFARE:      

All prices below are per person for 1-5 September 2025.

 

Early-Bird Price (ends 30 June 2025)

Room Category Price
Essential Room Single Occupancy HK$24,000
Double / Twin Occupancy HK$20,000
Classy Room Single Occupancy HK$26,000
Double / Twin Occupancy HK$22,000

 

Regular Price

Room Category Price

 

Essential Room Single Occupancy HK$26,667
Double / Twin Occupancy HK$22,222
Classy Room Single Occupancy HK$28,889
Double / Twin Occupancy HK$24,444

 

** If there is any discrepancy between the printed and web versions, the web version shall prevail. **

All classes and workshops are held on the hotel grounds, in the “Jikyo room”.

Breakfast will be served in Anchor, the hotel restaurant on the 8th floor (the one with the panoramic city views).

Note: The schedule below is tentative and subject to change.

 

Day 1 (Monday,  1 Sep)
2pm: Guests are welcome to check in anytime from 2pm
6pm: Welcome dinner at the Anchor restaurant
8pm: Neighbourhood walk with Vicky (optional)

 

Day 2 (Tuesday, 2 Sep)
6am: Early birds meet for (optional) sunrise hike (exact time and location TBC)
7am – 10am: Breakfast at the hotel
10am – 12pm: Dynamic class
12pm – 1pm: Free time
1pm: Relaxing yin yoga class
4pm: Guided cultural walking tour (optional, at an additional cost: TBC)
6pm: Dinner in the city (exact time and location TBC)

 

Day 3 (Wednesday, 3 Sep)
6am: Early birds meet for (optional) sunrise hike (exact time and location TBC)
7am – 10am: Breakfast at the hotel
10am – 12pm: Dynamic class
12pm – 1pm: Free time
1pm: Thai massage workshop
4pm: Free time
6pm: Dinner in the city (exact time and location TBC)

 

Day 4 (Thursday, 4 Sep)
6am: Early birds meet for (optional) sunrise hike (exact time and location TBC)
7am – 10am: Breakfast at the hotel
10am – 12pm: Dynamic class
12pm – 1pm: Free time
1pm: Breathing workshop
4pm: Tea ceremony (optional, at an additional cost: TBC)
6pm: Farewell dinner at the Anchor restaurant

 

Day 5 (Friday, 5 Sep)
6am: Early birds meet for the last (optional) sunrise hike (exact time and location TBC)
7am – 10am: Breakfast at the hotel
11am: Check out

 

Getting around
Kyoto is a very convenient city. Choose whether you want to use public transport or taxis.
https://www.gate-hotel.jp/en/kyoto/access.html

Kyoto with Vicky Yang & Sean Robinson

Kyoto with Vicky Yang & Sean Robinson

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Terms & conditions
Sean Robinson
Originally advised to try yoga in 2014 to manage stress and heal from BMX-related injuries, Sean found a sense of stillness and challenge that resonated with him. He's been teaching in India, Sri Lanka, and Hong Kong, with a focus on Ashtanga and Rocket Yoga. Drawing on his background as a Speech and Language Pathologist, Sean emphasises effective communication in his classes, deconstructing complex poses and empowering students to advance their practice through understanding the rationale behind techniques and poses.
Vicky Yang
Vicky, a former competitive swimmer and finance professional, discovered yoga's power in enhancing athletic performance and overall well-being during her marathon training in 2014. Guided by many teachers, she adopted an intuitive, holistic approach to teaching. Vicky's inclusive, dynamic, and fun classes cater to individual needs and encourage students to explore their limits, aiming to increase mobility, strength, and inner peace.