There is an island at the edge of the Cyclades so ancient, so unapologetically itself, that even Odysseus couldn't resist it. Amorgos has been inhabited since 3200 BC — named after a nymph who became a queen, who inherited the island from King Minos and ruled it with fairness and power. Theseus himself stopped here after slaying the Minotaur to make offerings at the sanctuary of Artemis.

This is where we're doing yoga.

DDY Travels' Myths + Magic Retreat is seven days of practice, storytelling, and full-body nourishment on one of Greece's most mythologically rich islands. Each class, Shelley Carroll will bring you into the stories that live inside the poses — the warriors, the goddesses, the tricksters and the grieving gods who gave us this practice. You'll move differently when you know the myth behind the movement. You'll hold the pose a little longer. You'll mean it.

Sun-drenched. Soul-nourishing. Unapologetically feminist. Men are warmly welcome — but let's be honest, this one was built for her.

Only 6 pre-sale spots. You know what to do.

Every asana has an origin. A myth. A god or goddess who embodied exactly what that shape is asking of you. We're not just stretching — we're stepping into ancient archetypes that have been alive for thousands of years.

Shelley Carroll has been leading transformative retreats and teacher trainings globally since founding Dancing Dogs Yoga in 2010. She is a seasoned world traveler, a social justice advocate, a passionate foodie, and a teacher who knows that yoga is liberation — not a lifestyle brand, not an aesthetic, not a performance.

On Amorgos, she will weave the mythology of the asanas through every class: the warrior poses and their stories of grief turned to power; the goddess sequences and what it means to take up space without apology; the surrender of Savasana and why the ancients understood rest as sacred.

Each morning begins with an invigorating Vinyasa flow and meditation. On non-excursion days, afternoons go deeper: Yoga Nidra, Yin, and restorative practices beneath the Grecian sun. Mats and props provided. All levels welcome. All you have to do is arrive.

This is where we're doing yoga.

DDY Travels' Myths + Magic Retreat is seven days of practice, storytelling, and full-body nourishment on one of Greece's most mythologically rich islands. Each class, Shelley Carroll will bring you into the stories that live inside the poses — the warriors, the goddesses, the tricksters and the grieving gods who gave us this practice. You'll move differently when you know the myth behind the movement. You'll hold the pose a little longer. You'll mean it.

Sun-drenched. Soul-nourishing. Unapologetically feminist. Men are warmly welcome — but let's be honest, this one was built for her.

Only 6 pre-sale spots. You know what to do.

Amorgos is the easternmost island of the Cyclades — ancient, raw, and almost entirely off the tourist radar. That is precisely the point.

The island has ruins of three independent city-states, a monastery carved into a sheer cliffside that has been inhabited since the 11th century, an oracle spring that ancient Greeks believed showed the future, and waters so deep on its southern side they appear almost black — which may be exactly where the name Amorgos comes from.

The 1988 film The Big Blue was filmed here, drawing seekers and freediving communities from around the world ever since. People who want something real. Something that hasn't been smoothed over for mass tourism.

Whitewashed villages. Labyrinthine alleyways draped in bougainvillea. Ancient footpaths through herbs and wildflowers. And the Aegean — everywhere, always, impossible.

This island has a soul. You'll feel it the moment you step off the ferry.

Named one of the Top 5 Yoga Hotels in Greece by CNN, Aegialis sits above Aegiali Bay with views that will make you question every vacation you've taken before this one.

World-class yoga shalas facing the Aegean. Saltwater infinity pool. Sauna, hammam, and the legendary Lalon Idor Spa — named after an ancient water oracle dedicated to Apollo. Unlimited spa access is included in your retreat, plus a 30-minute massage and 10% off all additional treatments.

Your Superior Room comes with a private balcony overlooking the sea, glass cabin shower, fluffy robes and slippers, in-room coffee maker, and all the Cycladic charm you can handle.

You will not want to leave. We say this every time. We mean it every time.

The Ambrosia Gallery Restaurant is Aegean Cuisine certified and uses organic produce from the hotel's own gardens. Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free — the menu sees you. Every dinner is served on an open-air terrace above Aegiali Bay with Greek wine in hand as the sun drops into the Aegean.

Included in your retreat: a lavish daily breakfast, and either lunch or dinner. We provide two meals per day and leave space for a little local exploration as well.

Greek wine is part of the wellness plan. We stand by this.

Named after an ancient water oracle dedicated to Apollo, Lalon Idor carries a legacy of clarity, prophecy, and deep transformation. The Aegean salt is in the air, the views are impossible, and someone is about to work out the tension you've been holding in your left shoulder since 2021.

Included in your retreat: one 30-minute massage, unlimited access to the saltwater pool, sauna, steam room, hammam, and jacuzzi, plus 10% off all additional treatments.

This is what total mind-body nourishment actually looks like.

Amorgos doesn't have an airport — which is part of its magic and requires a little planning. You can fly into Athens or another island like Santorini, Mykonos, or Naxos.

Fly into Athens (ATH) and arrive June 30. Ferries to Amorgos depart from Piraeus Port in the morning, so you'll need an overnight in Athens before continuing on. Athens for a night is never a hardship.

From Athens, take the ferry to Amorgos — it docks at either Katapola or Aegiali (Aegiali is closest to the hotel). Shelley will personally greet you on arrival. Book via FerryScanner.

Alternatively, fly into Santorini, Naxos, or Mykonos first for more frequent ferry connections — and the bonus of another Greek island before the retreat begins. Group rates available in Santorini on June 30.

Departure: ferries back to Athens on July 8 arrive after 8 PM or at 5 AM on July 9. We recommend one extra night in Athens or departing from Santorini. A travel details form goes out after booking so we can coordinate pickups and dietary needs. Reach out anytime — we've got you.

All deposits and payments are non-refundable. Your commitment is what allows us to secure world-class experiences on your behalf — we take that seriously and need you to as well.

If you cancel 90 or more days before the retreat, a partial future travel voucher may be available subject to vendor policies — but it is not guaranteed. Cancellations within 90 days are fully non-refundable.

Travel insurance is required. Non-negotiable. Purchase when you book and email us proof of coverage. We recommend using WeTravel at checkout, though any comprehensive insurer of your choice is acceptable.

Once vendor payments are made, transfers and refunds are not possible — those funds are committed to making your retreat extraordinary. We are a small, heart-led business. Thank you for honoring that, and for making it possible for us to keep building these experiences for this community.