Latvian Summer camp
Level 1 Air Treatment
1-6th June
9-14th June
7-12th July
Zeidlejas Wellness, Latvia
(Language - English)
Join for a transformative 5-day journey into the heart of Latvian forests where the essence of Pirts Spirit comes alive
The invitation
Level 1 Air treatment marks the beginning of your Pirts Spirit Four Element journey and the first step on a beautiful, expansive path ahead. At this foundational level, you’ll be introduced to the essence of Latvian Pirts and the spirit of its long-held traditions.
Through experience, theory and practice, you will connect deeper with Pirts Spirit and learn to give the Pirts Spirit Air treatment while connecting with the Birch tree. You will be guided by four element teachers, including two Latvian Pirts masters. Each teacher will bring their own unique wisdom, energy, and gifts to enrich your learnings and optimise your experience.
This camp offers the unique opportunity to practice the Air treatment in three distinct Pirts—The traditional black (smoke) Pirts, the serene glass Pirts, and the one-of-a-kind Woolen Pirts, each offering their own unique experiences and an invitation to connect deeper with the four elements within Pirts and yourself.
Beyond the teachings, your learnings will continue to expand as you connect deeply with the Latvian forest, listening to the trees’ timeless wisdom, being embraced and touched by nature and connecting with a group of like-minded people from all over the world.
Are you ready?
Do you think it is time for You to join us?
The location
Nestled in the Gauja National Park, Zeidlejas Wellness blends seamlessly into nature, creating a place to recharge, inspire yourself, and feel calm amidst the beautiful surroundings. What makes it so special is how it preserves the local Pirts traditions whilst also integrating in modern architecture to offer three unique Pirts experiences (Glass, Wool and Smoke).
The name itself, "Zeidlejas," meaning "opening flower," perfectly embodies the transformative vision of the wellness retreat, where nature, Pirts, the lakes, and the people work together to open your spirit, like a new flower budding in the spring.
During your rest time here, you can swim in the lakes, explore the Gauja National Park, wander through the expansive pine forests, or simply be, allowing the energy of the land to hold you.
The owners of Zeidlejas, Andris and Madara, live here with their two children. Their presence infuses every detail of the land, and we feel deeply honoured to bring our retreat to a place that so beautifully weaves together nature, ancient traditions, and the spirit of family.
Watch the Video from Last Years Summer Camp Level 1
Meet your teachers
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BENOIT DE BOCK
PIRTS SPIRIT
Benoit is the founder of Pirts Spirit, dedicated to sharing his passion for Pirts and natural healing with people around the world. With over 10 years of experience learning in Latvia, he deeply connects with the land, its traditions, and its people—earning him the Latvian name Bonuks, meaning "child of the people." His infectious energy, warmth, and belief in the power of nature create a welcoming space where others can connect, heal, and grow.
His mission is to build a global Pirts Spirit family, uniting people through nature, tradition, and shared experience. With his knowledge, wisdom, and high-energy presence, he brings people together to learn and embrace the spirit of Pirts.
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Elizabeth CRAGG
HOLISTIC HEALTH & WELLBEING COACH
Elizabeth is passionate about helping people feel more connected and alive in their bodies. She believes in the power of food, nature, and movement, and that true vitality comes from working with your body’s natural rhythms.
Pirts is an integral part of this work, reconnecting people to their roots, nature, and themselves. Together with Benoit, she loves sharing the magic of Pirts Spirit and helping others learn to both give and receive this powerful experience.
As well as supporting your learning, she will guide embodiment practices that deepen body awareness, foster grounding, and help participants connect with their physical and emotional presence.
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Inese Malniece
PIRTS MASTER
Inese is a experienced Pirts master currently practicing in the unique Pirts of Ziedlejas.
Beyond Pirts, she runs a private practice focused on health, recovery, and well-being, working with both the physical and energetic body. Her holistic approach combines osteopathy, Chinese medicine, and homeopathy.
Alongside her practice, Inese is a mother of four and infuses her own daily life with the care and nourishment she shares with others.
Together with her husband, Nauris, she brings a warm family spirit to the camp, creating an environment where participants feel deeply supported.
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Nauris Malnieks
PIRTS MASTER
Nauris is an experienced Pirts master, educator, and skilled carpenter with over seven years of expertise. As a teacher of Pirts, he is dedicated to fostering the next generation of masters, passing on the knowledge and traditions of this ancient practice.His passion for Pirts extends into craftsmanship—designing and building beautiful and high quality saunas, both mobile and static, through his newly founded company, 4 Element Pirts.
Nauris loves to share his knowledge with others and helps to ensure that every participant leaves feeling enriched, inspired, and more connected to the spirit of Pirts.
Meet your Chef, Oskars (Foody)
All our food is prepared by a local top chef who serves us from his food truck, creating delicious meals that blend Latvia’s traditional flavours with his own tasty ideas.
Dietary requirements are happily accommodated upon request!
and the fresh Latvian food..
We also have our amazing Pirts Master, Liga onsite with us, she is our Latvian camp mum and makes us traditional fresh Latvian bread and jams every day.
And we have fresh honey collected onsite and fresh apple juice from the apples picked in the orchard, plus tea made from fresh and dried local herbs/flowers.
So you can be sure to fill your belly and body with nutrients and love!
What you will learn:
Master the 30-minute Pirts Spirit Air Treatment: Learn the techniques of the Pirts Spirit Air experience, including how to work with steam, the most important element in Pirts. Discover how to manage the steam’s intensity and flow to create a good balance of heat and humidity. Additionally, you will learn various movements with birch whisks that are integral to delivering the treatment effectively.
Introduction to Latvian Pirts Folklore and Tradition: Explore the deep-rooted traditions and spiritual practices behind Latvian Pirts, immersing yourself in its ancient wisdom with the ability to ask questions and learn from our favourite Latvian Pirts Masters.
Four Elements in Pirts: Understand how to dance with earth, water, air and fire as each play an essential role in Pirts treatments. Explore how you can invite the elements to support others to (re)connect with themselves on a deeper level.
Birch Tree: Dive deep into the energetical, physiological and historical properties of the birch tree in Pirts, and understand how and why it is used to cleanse the body, mind and spirit.
Whisk Binding: Take a visit to the forest where you will learn how to harvest and bind your own beautiful Birch whisks to use in Pirts, your new form of meditation.
Pirts Spirit Code of Ethics: Understand the ethical foundations, guidelines and procedural knowledge essential to delivering the Pirts spirit Air experience
Train in Three different Pirts: Practice your skills in three unique Pirts settings—the Glass Pirts, Woolen Pirts, and Smoke Pirts—each offering a unique connection to nature and the rich Latvian tradition.
Certification and Progression: Upon completion, receive a certificate, a comprehensive coursebook, and a practice sheet to log your hours in preparation for advancing to Level 2.
additional experiences
Morning Embodiment Practices: Start your day with intentional practices that awakens your body, mind and spirit.
Fire Rituals: Gather around the warmth of the fire, connect with your intentions and reflect with each other on arrival and departure.
A group Pirts experience: As part of the camp, you will experience a small group experience in Pirts lovingly given by Benoit and Beth.
accomodation
You'll stay in Zeidlejas’ renowned glass houses, where you can enjoy panoramic views of the luscious green surroundings, feeling fully immersed in nature and sleeping under the stars.
Shared Glass House
Only shared glass houses are available for the Summer Camps. Each house accommodates two people—one in the double bed on the bottom and one in the double bed on the top—providing privacy for both guests. Shared bathroom facilities are available.
Other accommodation options:
Campervan – There is space available for parking your camperva here onsite
Tent – You are welcome to bring your own tent and set up on the grass.
Please let us know which option you will be choosing.
OPT 1: shared room
€2199 (incL VAT)
A Shared glass house with one other person
Three meals a day, snacks and drinks included for the entire camp from the evening of arrival until lunch the day of leaving.
Pick up from Sigulda train station. There is a straight train to Sigulda from Riga train station every hour.
(flights to Riga airport are not included in this price and must be booked independently)
investment
OPT 2: bring your own camperVAN/TENT
€1899 (incL VAT)
Bring your own van or tent and park onsite (no electric hook up)
Three meals a day, snacks and drinks included for the entire camp from the evening of arrival until lunch the day of leaving.
Pick up from Sigulda train station. There is a straight train to Sigulda from Riga train station every hour.
(flights to Riga airport are not included in this price and must be booked independently)
FAQ
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We open the camp at 14:00 on the date the camp starts and we close at 14:00 on the day the camp ends!
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Yes, the chef can cater for this as long as you tell us in advance so we can prepare
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No not at all, this camp is open to all people whether you have experience in sauna or not
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You will need to arrange and book your own transport to Riga and then to Sigulda train station. After that we will pick you up from here and take you to Ziedlejas. On your return, we will also drive you back to Sigulda train station for your onward travel home.
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Please see our terms and conditions page for more information on this.
To book your place, please fill out the booking request form below
Please make sure you have read the terms and conditions before submitting
Please note each course is limited to a maximum of 8 participants and will only take place with a minimum of 6 participants.
Booking request form
Hello future Pirts Spirits! Please fill out the booking request form below to secure your place on the Level 1 course. Once you've completed the form, we’ll send an invoice to the email address you provide, so please double-check that all your information is correct. We’re excited to welcome you on this journey!
