Join us for a fun, friendly and deliciously relaxing holiday in the mountainous, coastal area of the Mani. It's the perfect location to experience a specially designed programme of hatha yoga, restorative yoga, soundbaths and guided meditation. During the week we'll use the yoga and sound practices to explore the chakras. These energy centres, located along the spine, have an effect of our mental, emotional and physical wellbeing. You'll learn how to tune them up to find more energy, resilience, peace and creativity.
We'll practice in a fully equipped, specially deigned yoga studio with a 360 degree view of the mountains and sea and an outdoor terrace. Accommodation is in the local village by the sea in studio apartments with a shared swimming pool. A variety of local beaches and the picturesque swimming platform called Gnospi are within a short walk to a short cycle ride away. The yoga is slow and mindful, enabling you to get a deep understanding of where to release and where to engage and strengthen.
This holiday includes two evening sound baths, as well as sound and gentle musical accompaniment to some of the evening restorative yoga classes and morning meditations.
The Spirit of Life is a holistic retreat centre in the Mani, a mountainous area on the southern tip of the Greek mainland. It’s a place rich in ancient history, myth and stunning natural beauty. Up until just 40 years ago the only method of travel into the Mani was by sailing boat. As a consequence, the area retains the unspoilt, truly laid back atmosphere of authentic Greece. This is the perfect place for yoga, rest and deep relaxation. You’ll be surrounded by mountains, sea and sky; breathe air fragrant with herbs; swim in crystal clear sea and be nourished by delicious locally grown food.
The day starts with morning meditation and breath practice in the studio with stunning views of the mountains and sea. This is followed by an hour and a half of yoga. The rest of the day is free for you to explore, swim or rest. In the evening there is a restorative practice to ease every last bit of tension from your body and mind. You will see improvements day by day in your wellbeing, mood, focus, peace of mind, strength and flexibility.
We'll be exploring the chakras, energy centres along the spine that govern our mental, physical and emotional energies. You’ll gain a much deeper understanding of the body mind connection.
Sound affects the mind and physical body at a deep level, allowing deep-seated tension, anxiety and stress to gently and easily melt away. Sound and movement work very well together, as sound reaches the parts of our being that movement cannot. Musician and sound Healer Alistair Smith will lead at least two sound baths on this retreat as well as providing meditative sound accompaniment to the evening restorative yoga classes.
Our hosts, Kerry and Wendy have a deep knowledge of the nature, historical sites and mythical stories of the surrounding land. It’s a wild and fascinating area.
The travel writer Patrick Leigh Fermor, lived in nearby Kardamyli, his work and that of his friends Ghika and Craxtonare the subject of a current exhibition in the British Museum. Bruce Chatwin also visited frequently and there is a chapel for his ashes in the nearby mountains.
Many people find that simply pottering around the village, taking a walk or a bike ride along the coast is enough. The beautiful local swimming platform, Gnospi, is close to the apartments you’ll stay in. If you swim in the evening, you might find sparkling phosphorescence in the sea. The nearest beach is only a 10-15 minute walk away from the village.
Prices are based on sharing a private studio apartment with one other person as a double or twin room. The apartments are in the little harbour village of Agios Nikolaos. The apartments have access to a shared swimming pool, air conditioning and simple cooking facilities. Cafes, tavernas and beaches are a short walk away. For £150 extra you can have an apartment to yourself.
As the apartments are in the village, it’s a 15 – 20 minute walk uphill to the studio. We love the walk, however not everyone enjoys a hill climb in the heat! We’ll make sure you get a lift up the hill to the studio for the morning and evening classes, if you don’t want to hire a car.
After morning yoga, brunch is served on the terrace overlooking the ocean. Kerry the owner of Spirit of Life, is a yoga instructor, massage practitioner, healer and also a talented chef. On the first and last evenings of the retreat, we’ll have a celebration dinner here too. On the other evenings we are free to explore the lovely local tavernas (Kerry is a good guide to which are the best!). Most of the fresh produce is local sourced (the honey, fruits, olive oil and vegetables) the local greens are wildcrafted in the mountains… the tradition of self sufficiency is strong in this area of Greece.
The price for one person sharing with one other as a double or a twin bedroom. Shared Swimming Pool. Air conditioning. Simple cooking facilities.
The price for one person with an apartment to themselves. Shared Swimming Pool. Air conditioning. Simple cooking facilities.
On first day of the retreat some people will be arriving, some people will have arrived a few days earlier. If arriving, your first port of call is Kerry at the Spirit of Life (you'll be taken there if you book a transfer or taxi share with us). Kerry will show you your accommodation and the local area. We'll begin class at 6pm at the Spirit of Life Studio, followed by the welcome meal.