Earth, Sea, and Self: A Yoga & Meditation Retreat

with Beryl Bender in Ikaria, Greece - September 12-19, 2026

DISCOVERING IKARIA/PRACTICING MINDFULNESS:

Join Beryl and a bright and supportive community of friends, for a week of mindful yoga and meditation, as we explore the local blue zone culture and all the fabulous things to do on this magnificent ancient Greek Island: the breath-taking beaches of the Aegean Sea, the exquisite blue waters, the Thermal Hot Springs, the hiking trails in the local mountains, the organic, farm to table blue zone dining, and the nearby tavernas and villages.

But at the same time we will be "doing the work," which means making an effort to be present and awake in every moment (a somewhat unique offering in today's fragmented and distracted world). This retreat offers a rare opportunity to bathe your mind and body in an experience that focuses on mindfulness, slow living, community, longevity, and deep reconnection,

Every morning begins with mindfulness meditation and yoga practice, establishing a grounded and conscious center, from which to move throughout the day. With mindfulness in place, then our organic, farm to table breakfast or lunch becomes not just the next meal, but a moment of gratitude and connection to Mother earth for all she has to offer.

The Egg, an international venue and retreat center on the magical and healing "Blue Zone" island of Ikaria, is cradled on the one side by low mountains and on the other by the sweep of the horizon and the sea. What a beautiful image. https://www.the-egg-greece.com

The Egg is a special place that I am so grateful to have discovered. It is where we will do our morning practices, as well as enjoy lunch - our main meal of the day. The Egg has always been commited to fostering good health and wellness, offering only events that provide practical tools and strategies to help people worldwide to live happier, more confident, more empowered and fulfilling lives.

No wonder it attracts leaders and participants from all over the world who want a peaceful location with strong positive energy to support our collective work and growth. I researched many of the venues in the Greek Islands for almost a year, before I came across The Egg. When I found it on Ikaria, a Blue Zone location I had hoped to visit one day, I knew I had landed on our next retreat destination. What good fortune!!!

Karras Star Hotel is where we will actually sleep and eat healthy, organic, straight from the fields breakfasts. It is next door to The Egg and a delightful, small boutique hotel (only 35 rooms) with mesmerizing sea views, helpful and friendly service, and an environment where you feel you can truly relax, be safe, and unwind. https://karrasstarhotel.com

Ever since I read bestselling author Dan Buettner's book, The Blue Zones, about those unqiue places on the planet where a significant percentage of the population lives to be over 100, I have wanted to go to Ikaria, Greece. It is a magical place where people live long and healthy lives because they engage in natural movement, have the right outlook on life, eat properly, and have a solid sense of community and belonging. Sounds like right up our alley, as yogis.

Ikaria is the least "touristy" of many of the Greek Islands. The Ikarians are very proud of the balance they have worked hard to develop in their lives - nature, freedom, time and development are all put into perspective. Despite the allure of profits associated with mass tourism, the people of Ikaria have long resisted development. Fiercely maintaining local traditions, their way of life is fulfilling and apparently rewards them with outstanding health benefits. A perfect environment to practice mindfulness.

After a day of moving, breathing, listening, or just relaxing on the beach, come evenings we get to stroll to neighboring "tavernas" in nearby villages for a light evening supper with friends old and new. What is a Taverna you might ask, as I did when I first came across the word? A taverna is a small, traditional restaurant or inn serving authentic, home cooked Greek cuisine and known for its relaxed, convivial atmosphere for long meals and conversation!

Oh my gosh, sounds delicious! I can't wait to sit back, enjoy a soufica (a slow cooked vegetable stew) on the "blue zone" island of Ikaria, and share the evening and conversation with all of you who will join me for this trip.

Beryl Bender, an environmental and animal activist since the early 70’s, as well as a renowned yogi and meditation teacher, is the best-selling author of four books on yoga, including Power Yoga and Beyond Power Yoga. A former biofeedback researcher with a degree in English and philosophy from Syracuse University, Beryl has been an avid student of classical yoga, meditation, and Buddhism since l971 and traveled to India in l974 with her teacher, Munishree Chitrabhanu, to further her studies.

She is the co-founder and board chair emeritus of The Give Back Yoga Foundation and the Director of The Hard & The Soft Yoga Institute (TH&TSYI). From l980 through 2020 her school offered one of the top 10 yoga teacher training programs in the country and certified hundreds of yoga & meditation teachers, spread throughout the world, who now are sharing the methodology of the yoga path in all corners of our communities.

Airline Travel & Local Transport:

You will fly to Athens in whatever way you deem advisable. From Athens there are two local airlines that fly between Athens (ATH) and Ikaria (JIK) - Olympic Air and Aegean Airlines, and sometimes Sky Express (more of a weekly schedule than daily). The airport is located at the eastern end of the island, specifically near the village of Faros, about 12 kilometers from the island's capital of Agios Kirykos.

The Egg, and our hotel, is about an hour and a half drive/ride (42 km) from the airport. The Karras Star Hotel and The Egg do not offer transfers from the airport or ports (Evidlos and Agios Kyrikos) to the hotel and back. Taxi or a pre booked transfer is the most direct way to travel from the airport to Karras Star hotel. Taxis are available at the airport, but pre booking, even for a taxi, is advised.

Main Taxi driver STELIOS:

Call Stelios directly to arrange pick up at Ikaria Airport and transport to The Egg.

Stelios offers the primary transport between Ikaria Airport and The Egg.

His number is:

+306973836836

Additional Taxi drivers Ikaria: 

https://www.visitikaria.gr/en/transport/taxi

Car rentals are available on the island. If you like to go exploring on your own, you might consider renting a car for the week. There are group excursions planned (price is incuded) for Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, but having a car will enable you to go wherever you like, when ever you like.

Please contact Maria from CarBee, in case you would like to rent a car during your stay.

Maria

info@car-bee.gr

+306970647216

https://www.car-bee.gr/

Please let Maria know that you are coming via The Egg for the best pricing. Be to arrange for your rental car at least 2 till 3 month in advance of your trip.

• Overview: The weather in Ikaria, Greece, in September is warm and sunny, marking it as an excellent time for a visit with pleasant, summer-like conditions. 

• Temperature:Average high temperatures range from around 79°F to 84°F (26°C to 29°C), while average lows are about 60°F to 67°F (16°C to 19°C). The mean monthly temperature is approximately 72°F (22°C).

• Sunshine and Rain: September is predominantly sunny and dry, with approximately 302 hours of sunshine and very little rainfall (around 2 days of rain on average for the entire month).

• Sea Temperature: The sea remains very warm and ideal for swimming, with an average water temperature of around 71.6°F (22°C).

• Arrive Ikaria,

• Settle in,

• Unpack,

• Orientation

• General introductions to fellow adventurers,

• Watch the sunset over the Agean Sea,

• Stroll to tavernas for light evening snack and great conversation

• Early morning observing silence

• Slowing down & breathing deeply

• Guided meditation overlooking the blue Agean Sea.

• Tea & Coffee

• Practice asana

• Greek breakfast at our small boutique hotel.

• Settle into the the slow paced, blue zone culture.

• Relax with a nutritious whole food, plant based, farm to table luncheon buffet.

• Explore the local beach and hiking trails.

• Stroll to any of the numerous local "tavernas," or family run small inns serving traditional Greek food and enlightening conversation, for an evening light meal and connection with friends old and new.

• Morning meditation

• Tea & Coffee

• Asana,

• Breakfast as usual

• Guided hike to explore the medicinal plants, natural history, & local culture.

• 10:00am - 3:00pm - 5 hour trip - easy to moderate hiking.

• Afternoon back at The Egg and our hotel

• Rest or Foundation Training or swim at the beach.

• Evening in the local village and your new "favorite" taverna.

• Observe Silence

• Slow down

• Morning meditation/dharma talk

• Tea & coffee

• Practice asana

• Dig into a healthy breakfast at our hotel

• A day at "home" or rent a car and go exploring.

• Head out - to the beach, for a local hike, relax at The Egg.

• Lunch - always our vegetarian main meal of the day - at The Egg

• Afternoon free.

• Discover a new taverna for your evening "snack".

• Every morning starts with observing silence

• Mindfulness Meditation/dharma talk

• Tea & coffee

• Asana pracitce

• Work up an appetite

• Beloved Breakfast & general frivolity

• Thermal Hot Springs

• 10:30-4:30 - 6 hours total inc. transportation, beach, hot springs, & lunch.

• Evening meals in town at the tavernas.

• Leave time in the mornings for personal prayer or ceremony

• Silence & Meditation

• Mindfulness Everything

• Foundation Training

• Swimming or exploring

• Resting or reading

• Jump into your car rental & go galavanting

• Local hiking

• Late afternoon Asana - if we have the energy

• Evening festivities at the tavernas

• Silence & Meditation

• Asana Practice

• Yummy breakfastFree time

• Lunch at The Egg

• Armenistis village

• 2:30-8:30 - 6 hours

• Shopping for art & local crafts

• Swimming local beach

• Shops and sandy beach

• Tavernas

• Farewell Dinner at Mary Mary (one of the best restaurants on the island)
  
  

• Morning meditation

• Tea & Coffee

• Pack

• Breakfast

• Goodby hugs all around

• Travel

• On to Athens and beyond