Guðný Lára Gunnarsdóttir
Guide Iceland
Languages spoken: English, Icelandic
Expertise: Holistic wellness through herbalism, sound healing, and creative expression — with a special focus on guiding transformational retreats that integrate music, nature, and spiritual practice.
Fun fact: As a child, Guðný Lára preferred fixing tractors and changing oil over ironing diapers — and would get genuinely annoyed when sent inside to do “girl work” instead of farm duties!
Herbalist, wellness guide, retreat leader, sound healer, and lifelong artist
Holistic wellness through herbalism, sound healing, and creative expression — guided by the rhythm of nature.
Guðný Lára Gunnarsdóttir is one of the deeply inspiring and multi-talented guides at Herb Woman School. Her journey with us began as a student in the Herbalist and Formulator Certification Program, drawn by a lifelong desire to understand nature’s healing power and create meaningful products rooted in plants and purpose.
She now leads live Zoom sessions for Icelandic students, blending herbal wisdom with music, meditation, and intuitive presence. Through her business Armonia Iceland, Guðný crafts healing experiences and natural remedies, and hosts transformative retreats in southern Iceland — where guests from around the world come to reconnect with their bodies, breath, and the earth.
Born in Reykjavík with roots in Seyðisfjörður and Reyðarfjörður, Guðný Lára grew up on a lively farm in Grímsnes, surrounded by animals, tractors, and the wild Icelandic landscape. Her mother co-founded an organic greenhouse called Í Skjóli Skyggnis, where Guðný spent many summers immersed in nature, soil, and sustainable growing. While she loved tractor repair and hands-on work, she was often (and begrudgingly!) sent indoors to do “girl work” — ironing diapers instead of fixing oil lines!
Throughout her life, Guðný has lived in over 40 homes across Iceland, embodying a free spirit deeply connected to place, rhythm, and transformation. She is a certified music teacher, singer, actress, yoga and meditation instructor, sound healer, and intuitive creator — known for her vibrant presence and natural ability to guide others into grounded joy and emotional balance.
Guðný has studied shamanic healing in the USA, Chinese medicine, reiki, gong and singing bowl sound therapy, yoga nidra, yin yoga, children’s yoga, list therapy, and more. Her life is a living canvas of learning, teaching, and creating beauty through rhythm and ritual.
Along with her husband, who is also her best friend and musical partner, she co-founded Retreats Iceland, where they host soulful, music-infused retreats in Grímsnes — combining herbal practices, mantra, yoga, laughter, rest, deep nourishment, and the purest water on earth. Together they have four children, a border collie, and a joyful life built on love, music, and spiritual exploration.
In addition to her solo offerings, Guðný Lára has toured the U.S. with her rock band Myrká and was signed to a Swiss label with the band Rökkva. She continues to create music that speaks to the soul — and you can listen to one of her latest collaborative tracks here:
? Spotify link
