Morning reset by the sea: breathing and meditation workshop to be held on June 13 in Opatija
Opatija is continuing this year’s program “Opatija – an oasis of health and wellness” with the workshop “Reset through the frequency of waves”, announced for Saturday, June 13, 2026, on Škrbići Beach. According to the calendar of the Opatija Tourist Board, the gathering of participants is scheduled for 7:45 a.m., while the program begins at 8:00 a.m. It is a morning program that combines guided breathing, meditation with the sound of the sea and an introduction to the concept of heart coherence, and the organizers present it as an experience focused on calming, conscious presence and alignment with the natural environment. Participation is free of charge, but due to the limited number of places, prior registration is mandatory no later than 24 hours before the start. The registration must include the participant’s first and last name and mobile phone number, and registrations are accepted at the Opatija Tourist Information Centre.
The workshop is part of a broader cycle of programs through which Opatija is presenting itself in 2026 as a destination of health, recreation and wellness. According to the announcement by the City of Opatija, the project began on March 1 and lasts until December 5, and includes a series of free activities, from Nordic walking and guided walks to mindfulness workshops, SUP programs and education on home wellness. The June session of “Reset through the frequency of waves” is especially connected to the sea as a natural backdrop and an active part of the experience. The organizers emphasize that the program relies on the rhythm of the waves, sound, the smell of the sea and simple breathing techniques so that participants have the opportunity to pause before the usual pace of the day and direct their attention to the body, breath and the present moment.
What awaits participants on Škrbići Beach
According to the announcement by the Opatija Tourist Board, the workshop “Reset through the frequency of waves” is designed as experiential learning in a natural environment. The program includes an explanation of the concept of heart coherence, guided breathing in that rhythm, meditation with the sound of the waves, elements of sound and silence, and a circle for sharing and integrating the experience. Participants will become familiar with the way in which breath, heart activity and the nervous system can be observed as connected processes, but the workshop has not been announced as a medical treatment, rather as a wellness and educational program for relaxation and self-regulation. The organizers state that previous experience with meditation or breathing techniques is not required, which makes the program accessible to beginners as well. It is enough to bring a mat for sitting or lying down, dress in accordance with morning conditions by the sea and arrive a few minutes before the start so that the gathering can take place without haste.
Special emphasis has been placed on a rhythm of approximately 0.1 Hz, which in the announcement is associated with waves washing over the shore and with guided breathing. In professional literature, this range is often mentioned in the context of resonant breathing, that is, slow breathing at around six cycles per minute, which is studied because of its connection with heart rate variability and autonomic regulation. Such a scientific context does not mean that a single workshop can replace medical advice or therapy, especially for people with more serious health problems. Nevertheless, it explains why slow breathing, attention to bodily sensations and spending time in a calm environment are frequent components of contemporary stress management programs. In its materials on coping with stress, the World Health Organization also emphasizes the importance of simple, regular exercises for directing attention, grounding and working with the body as practical tools for everyday self-help.
Who the workshop is intended for
The program is intended for people who want to reduce stress and tension, deepen contact with themselves, learn simple self-regulation techniques or experience meditation in a natural environment. According to the organizers’ announcement, the sea in this program is not merely a background, but an important part of the experience: the sound of waves, changes in light, the smell of salt and the rhythmic movement of the coastline serve as supports for directing attention. Such an approach is close to contemporary wellness programs that do not separate mental balance from the physical and spatial environment, but observe them as connected elements. This is precisely why the morning time slot has both a practical and symbolic role, because the program takes place during a part of the day when the coast is generally calmer, and the temperature and light are more suitable for a longer stay outdoors. For those arriving from outside Opatija and planning to stay longer, accommodation offers in Opatija may be useful, especially because of the early start of the program.
The program leader is therapist Jasmina Lakota, listed in the workshop announcement as the person who guides participants through the exercises and the meditative part of the session. The role of the leader in workshops of this kind is important because participants do not receive only a description of the technique, but are gradually guided through the experience of breathing, observing and calming down. The organizers also emphasize that this is a program open to people without previous practice, which is especially important for those coming to meditation or guided breathing for the first time. Participants, as with any activity that involves changing the rhythm of breathing, should practice within the limits of their own comfort and, if necessary, move away from an intensity that does not suit them. People who have more serious respiratory, cardiovascular or other health difficulties should consult a doctor before participating in similar activities.
Practical information and registrations
The first session of the workshop will take place on June 13, 2026, and a second session on August 29, 2026 has also been announced in the project program. In the official events calendar, the time is listed as 7:45 a.m., which refers to the gathering of participants, while the start of the program follows at 8:00 a.m. According to the announcement, the duration is planned as a morning experience lasting approximately one and a half to two hours, depending on the course of the program and the final part intended for reflection. The venue is Škrbići Beach, a coastal location in Opatija that fits into the thematic framework of the workshop because it allows participants direct contact with the sound and rhythm of the sea. Participation is free of charge, but the number of participants is limited, which is why the organizers require prior registration.
- Date: Saturday, June 13, 2026
- Second announced session: Saturday, August 29, 2026
- Gathering: 7:45 a.m.
- Start of the program: 8:00 a.m.
- Venue: Škrbići Beach, Opatija
- Participation: free of charge, with mandatory prior registration
- Registrations: Opatija Tourist Information Centre, +385 51 271 310, tic@visitOpatija.com
- What to bring: a mat for sitting or lying down
The Opatija Tourist Board states that registrations must be submitted no later than 24 hours before the start of the workshop. The registration should include the participant’s first and last name and contact mobile phone number, which enables the organizers to confirm participation and communicate if there are any changes. Since the program is held outdoors, participants should follow official announcements by the organizers if weather conditions are unfavorable. Although the announcement does not specify any special equipment other than a mat, for a morning stay by the sea it is customary to bring layered clothing and water as well, especially if one plans to remain on the coast after the end of the program. For participants arriving by car or public transport, it is useful to plan an earlier arrival because the start of the program is tied to the calmer part of the morning.
Opatija as an oasis of health and wellness
The project “Opatija – an oasis of health and wellness” relies on the city’s historical identity as a place connected with health tourism. In its announcement, the City of Opatija recalls that in 1889 Opatija was declared the first seaside climatic health resort of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy on the Adriatic, and that this tradition is today being built upon through programs that combine movement, time in nature and education about healthier habits. The official description of the project highlights the position between the slopes of Učka and the Adriatic Sea, the mild Mediterranean climate, clean air with marine aerosol and aromatic plants as elements that have shaped Opatija’s recognizability for decades. Today’s activities do not represent a return to the old model of a health resort, but a more contemporary interpretation of a destination in which wellness, recreation, prevention and outdoor stays are connected with the tourist offer. Such an approach corresponds to a trend in which travel is increasingly associated with renewing energy, a slower rhythm and activities that can be continued even after returning home.
This year’s program, according to the City of Opatija and the Opatija Tourist Board, includes activities from March to December. In the spring and autumn part, Nordic walking and hiking along historical trails stand out, and routes such as the Opatija Camino, the Five Churches Trail and the Dobreć route have also been announced. The program also mentions Thalasso Cardio Walk guided walks accompanied by physiotherapists, mindfulness workshops, SUP Experience and educational workshops for making natural care products. The summer months, meanwhile, bring activities that strongly rely on the sea, from stand-up paddling to breathing and meditation with the waves. “Reset through the frequency of waves” fits into this concept because, instead of competitive or intensive recreation, it offers a slower format focused on observation, breath and calming down.
The broader significance of the program for visitors and the destination
The workshop in Opatija comes at a time when tourism is increasingly seeking content that is not linked only to sightseeing, gastronomy or a classic beach holiday. Wellness programs, guided walks, light recreational activities and education on mental balance are becoming an important part of the offer of destinations that want to attract visitors throughout a longer part of the year, not only at the height of the season. In this regard, Opatija has an advantage because its public image has long been connected with climate, promenades, parks, health-resort tradition and hotel wellness infrastructure. Programs such as “Reset through the frequency of waves” build on that image, but at the same time adapt it to contemporary needs for shorter, accessible and free content. It is also important for the destination that such programs are held outdoors, use existing natural resources and can attract participants who are looking for an experience, not just a service.
In the journalistic and public presentation of programs of this kind, it is important to distinguish wellness content from medical claims. The workshop organizers speak about reducing stress, learning self-regulation and relaxation, while scientific sources on breathing and heart rate variability provide a broader context, but do not automatically confirm the effect of a single event on the health of every participant. This is precisely why it is most accurate to view the workshop as a guided experience that may be useful to people interested in a calmer start to the day, working with the breath and spending time by the sea. Its accessibility, free admission and the fact that no previous experience is required make it part of a public program that brings wellness closer to a wider audience. After the June session, the same format should be repeated on August 29, extending the program into the late-summer part of the Opatija season.
Sources:
- Opatija Tourist Board / Visit Opatija – official announcement of the workshop “Reset through the frequency of waves”, dates, location, program and registrations (link)
- Opatija Tourist Board / Visit Opatija – events calendar of the project “Opatija – an oasis of health and wellness” (link)
- City of Opatija – announcement about the project “Opatija – an oasis of health and wellness”, the tradition of health tourism and the program for 2026 (link)
- National Library of Medicine / PMC – scientific article on resonant breathing and heart rate variability (link)
- World Health Organization – manual “Doing What Matters in Times of Stress” on practical skills for coping with stress (link)