YOGA & MEDITATION RETREAT
“MIND-BODY HARMONY”
Lesbos Island, Greece | Augst 31st – September 7th 2024
7-DAY PURE YOGA IMMERSION
Join us for a week of pure yoga immersion in the tranquility of Lesvos island, in the northeastern Aegean Sea! Led by experienced teachers, Léo from Gati Yoga and Elsa from Yogazaz, this retreat is an opportunity to discover a wide variety of yoga practices.
Together, they will guide you through daily yoga and meditation sessions in the super cosy and heartwarming atmosphere of “Villa Daphnis and Chloé”, a charming century-old villa restored into a Retreat Hotel. Classes will be taught in their charming outdoor Shala nestled among the olive groves and in an outdoor theatre, to allow you to fully immerse and connect with the natural surrounding environment of Lesvos.
Beyond Yoga, Leo and Elsa will guide you through Lesvos, to discover its local tavernas, traditional thermal baths, and the unspoiled landscapes of Thermi amongst the island’s treasures.
Join us for a transformative retreat that embodies the essence of yoga—uniting body, mind, and soul in harmony with nature. You will explore the richness of Greek culture with knowledgeable guides, and illuminate the philosophy of yoga with a fresh perspective!
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The program of this 7 day yoga & meditation retreat has been carefully designed to allow you to deepen your practice and knowledge of yoga, while giving you enough free time to relax, enjoy the sea, and restore your body and mind.
Each day, you will have the opportunity to enjoy 1 meditation session as well as 2 asana yoga practices that will be different in their style and approach. To complement this, 3 in-depth yoga workshops will be offered to allow you to discover this practice beyond what is taught in conventional studio classes. Every other day, an excursion will be organised so that you can discover Lesvos and its beautiful hidden treasures, including its thermal baths!
It is recommended but not mandatory to participate in the organised daily activities. As this retreat is your well-deserved break, you are free to do and choose what feels good for your body and mind at any specific time.
TYPICAL DAILY SCHEDULE
8:00-9:30 Morning Yoga & Meditation
9:30-10:30 Breakfast Buffet
11:00-13:00 Workshop / Excursion
13:00 Lunch by the sea
14:00-17:30 Free Time
18:00-19:30 Evening Yoga
20:00 Diner
YOUR INSTRUCTORS
Leo, a certified yoga teacher, radiates a profound passion for movement, adventure, and the transformative power of yoga. His yoga journey began in 2016 as an escape from the pressures of city life and a demanding full-time job, becoming a transformative path that not only helped him navigate challenging times but also provided strength and resilience. In 2021, Leo completed an Ashtanga Vinyasa teacher training in Andalusia, further expanding his expertise.
Leo’s teaching style seamlessly blends invigorating flows inspired by Ashtanga, Vinyasa, and hot yoga with slower-paced sequences. As an avid rock climber, Leo integrates his love for climbing, hiking, and yoga, infusing his teachings with adventure and connection to nature.
Recently, Leo also pursued a course on mindfulness to deepen his interest in personal growth and to guide his students toward inner peace. His unwavering love for Greece, particularly Lesvos, where he spent his summers growing up, is a testament to his profound connection with the country.
With 13 years of experience practicing different types of yoga, Elsa decided to deepen her knowledge about the philosophy and benefits of yoga on the body and the mind by following a 200-hour Vinyasa Yoga Teacher Training in Brussels in 2019, and since then has also been certified and teaches Hatha, Yin, Restorative, Pre/postnatal and Menopause Yoga.
Practicing a wide range of sports (climbing, boxing, surfing, etc.) next to yoga and daily meditation, Elsa strongly believes that it is crucial to exercise the mind as much as the body to better manage stress, feel more healthy, confident, focused and grounded.
Thanks to her expertise in teaching beginner and intermediate level practitioners, Elsa believes in working with the body, not against it, focusing on breathing, interoception, core strength, alignment, and joint mobility. She always adapts her classes to her students’ needs and level, and encourages every one to explore, celebrate and focus on their own practice.
LOCATION
The lush, green island of Lesvos or Mytilini as it is also called, is the third largest islands in Greece. Mostly unaffected by mass tourism, Lesvos is the perfect place to visit if you want to have an authentic Greek experience.
With its rich local cuisine, beautiful beaches, pine and hardwood forests, rivers and over a million olive trees, Lesvos has been a source of inspiration for countless writers, musicians, artists, and philosophers such as Aristotle, the father of Biology, Theofrastus, the first Botanist, Arion the Guitarist and Sappho, the first lyric poet.
ACCOMODATION
“Body-Mind Harmony” Retreat will be hosted by Villa Daphnis & Chloé, a serene haven nestled between olive tree fields and the sea. As a charming century-old building lovingly restored in 2010, the villa boasts modern amenities and a warm inviting atmosphere that evokes the feeling of a small monastery. The villa’s cozy layout fosters a close-knit family atmosphere among guests, making it the perfect place to unwind and reconnect with yourself and others.
The villa also features various indoor and outdoor spaces for yoga practice, including an outdoor theater, an indoor practice room, a front garden, and a seaside garden with beautiful views of the Aegean Sea perfect for our sunrise yoga sessions !
“Body-Mind Harmony” Retreat can host up to 12 guests, ensuring an intimate experience for all guests. Guest have the choice between 3 package/room types, each with their own bathroom and kitchenette:
- Single room – 900€/person
- Double room 800€/person
- Triple room – 700€/person
WHAT’S INCLUDED
- 7-night accommodation in a property by the beach
- Daily yoga & meditation sessions
- 3 in-depth workshops
- Daily breakfast & brunch and 4 dinner meals (vegetarian and home-made)
- Hiking excursions to discover east Lesvos
- Thermal baths visit
- Yoga equipment (mats, straps, blocks, etc.)
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
- Traveling costs to Mytilini
- Car rental
- Extra treatments (i.e.: massage)
- Extra activities not included in the programme
- Personal expenses
WHAT TO BRING
- Comfortable, light clothing
- Warmer clothing for evenings and early mornings.
- Sports/yoga clothing
- Hiking/running shoes
- Swimwear + beach towel
- Slippers (and sandals)
- Sun lotion + sunglasses
HOW TO GET THERE
The easiest way to reach the island is by air through Mytilini’s airport, that has recently been renovated and now accommodates international flights from all over Europe, as well as 3 flights per day from Athens and 1 per day from Thessaloniki.
You can also get to the hotel with the daily ferry from Athens (+/- 12 hours), Thessaloniki (+/- 7 hours) or Kavala (+/- 10 hours).
All transportation from and to Mytilini’s airport, or ferry terminal will be included and provided by our team. The airport is located approximately 40 minutes from the villa and the port is 20 minutes away.
BEFORE BOOKING, PLEASE READ CAREFULLY OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS
