Yoga and climbing complete each other in a very extraordinary and amazing way. Both require your full attention and can bring out the maximum of your potential.

The retreat is suitable for everyone .. from experienced climbers wishing to taste the benefits of yoga and climb some of the most dreamlike spots in the world. For Yogis or Yoginis who have never touched a rock wall in their life and want to take their yoga practice to the rocks and challenge themselves on a different level. For those who have neither climbed or practiced yoga in their life but wishing to have this new experience. . get ready for an unforgettable and life changing experience!

Yoga sessions will prepare your body and mind for the challenges of climbing in natural terrain and ease out your muscles after a long day on the rocks. Yoga can help you develop an awareness of your body that will allow you to experience climbing in a completely different state. A feeling that can’t be beat. A feeling of perfect harmony as you flow through each movement is something I think every climber is looking to achieve.

I believe that yoga compliments climbing perfectly. It helps you improve your flexibility, balance, core, strength, endurance, breathing and focus. Every single climber can benefit from these skills. Plus, yoga helps you develop these skills in a way that is gentle and healing to your body while developing or maintaining lean muscles which are ideal for climbing.

Morning sessions will be more dynamic, while evening classes will focus on a Yin style of relaxation and flexibility. Our aim is to experience being fully present in the moment with the unity of mind, body, and breath.

* All the yoga classes will be taking place at the beautiful terrace of Alkynon Studios in Masouri with stunning views of the aegean sea and Telendos Island. 

“If you never challenge yourself, you will never know who you really are! “

About Kalymnos Island . .

Climbing up giant vertical rocks; diving in a sea bottom where centuries- old ship wrecks lie; enchanting caves; wonderful beaches and picturesque island settlements. This is Kalymnos: a destination offering more than you can imagine! Welcome to Kalymnos, the island of the sea-sponge harvesters! The fourth largest island of the Dodecanese Group is widely known as an international sponge-harvesting trade center. -After WW II, Kalymnos remained the only Greek island engaged in the sea sponge-harvesting activity, supplying domestic as well as foreign markets.

Thanks to its unique geomorphology, Kalymnos is a tourist destination known worldwide for offering alternative vacations and activities such as climbing, scuba diving, mountain hiking and spelunking, a true paradise for passionate action-lovers!

Rock Climber’s Paradise

Who would have thought that back in 90’s a small island of Greece would have been discovered as world wide unique for its rocks…

TODAY, KALYMNOS "ROCKS", AS ONE OF THE MAJOR CLIMBING DESTINATIONS IN THE WORLD, AND IT IS SAID TO HAVE THE HIGHEST CONCENTRATION OF SPORTS ROUTES ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD…

Kalymnos, currently probably the world's most popular sport climbing holiday destination. Almost 3000 routes on top-quality limestone wait for you in a beautiful Greek island setting.

Far away from the mass tourism we will find ourselves surrounded by fisherman and divers, dreamy bays and beautiful cliffs.

Retreat Schedule :

Saturday 20.05.17: 

Arrival day

“Late arrivals are welcome”

Sunset Flow Yoga Session

Sunday 21.05.17 : 

Morning Climbing Session (Approx. 4hrs)

Sunset Slow Flow Yoga Session

Monday 22.05.17 :

Morning Energetic Flow Yoga Session

Sunset Slow Flow Yoga session

Tuesday 23.05.17 :

Morning Climbing session ( Approx. 4hrs)

Sunset Slow Flow Yoga session

Wednesday 24.05.17: 

Morning Energetic Flow Yoga Session

Sunset Slow Flow Practice

Thursday 25.05.17 :

Morning Climbing session (Approx. 4hrs)

Sunset Slow Flow Yoga session

Friday 26.05.17: 

Morning Climbing Session (Approx. 4hrs)

Sunset Slow Flow Yoga session

Group Dinner 

Saturday 27.05.17 :

Morning Goodbye Flow Session 

Departure before 11:00 am

(possibility to only do the yoga sessions, PM for rates)

Yoga Classes: 

Morning Energetic Flow Classes : Will be a mix of Hatha and Vinyasa Flow Practice. Focusing more on building core strength and alignment.

Evening Sunset Flow Classes: Will be more restorative based, a mix of Hatha and Yin Yoga.Focusing more on improving flexibility, focus and inner peace.

Classes are for all levels (Beginners and Advanced are welcome)

About the teachers. .

RIA VARSAMI - 500RYT - YOGA TEACHER

Ria Varsami is best known for her easy laughter, radiant energy, and matchless knowledge of the body.

Ria Varsami is an experienced 500 RYT. Her first experience with Yoga started at the age of 18 when she was a university student. She has a Nursing Degree from the University of Thessaloniki, Greece and a Masters in Medical Research of the University of Jaen, Spain. Ria spent several years working as a Nurse in Spain and the Uk mostly at the surgical and orthopedic sector. She also did scientific research related to medical conditions and drug addictions. 

Ria has been a dedicated athlete since an early age. She started as a track athlete and later as a swimmer and after several years of dedication to yoga, she took the big decision to leave her stable life in the UK, leaving everything behind, and travel to magical India to follow her passion yoga. She spent 6 months in India training under different teachers and styles of yoga, lived in Ashrams and attended Meditation retreats in the Himalayas.

That was just the beginning of her long travels. 

Ria continued her learning and development as a student and a teacher by traveling around the world and teaching yoga, organizing Yoga retreats in places in Bali, India, New Zealand, Australia, Philippines, South Korea, Italy and Greece. During her travels she also gained a certificate in Traditional Thai Massage.

The past year Ria has been teaching Sup Yoga, at Paddle Board Yoga in Crete and has been in India teaching TTC (Teacher Training Course) students for 6 months, at Green Yoga India, one of the biggest Teacher Training Schools in South Goa. 

Ria teaches: Vinyasa Flow, Hatha Flow, Traditional Sivananda Hatha, Yin/ Restorative, Aerial Swing, Partner, Acro yoga for beginners and SUP yoga.

She brings her technical knowledge of anatomy and injuries to the class along with her love for beautifully choreographed Vinyasa sequencing.

Ria loves practicing aerial hoop, aerial silks and acrobatics!

Committed to empowering others, Ria Varsami inspires sensuality and strength with her intuitive teaching. Her approach to yoga is playful and focusses on alignment. What is most unique about the way she teaches you, is that you are given space to challenge yourself and be playful, as every sequence creatively brings you closer to your true self. Through play and adventure, you flow into a deeper understanding of your own body and ultimately wake up to your own divinity!

LOUKAS DOURDOUREKAS - CERTIFIED CLIMBING INSTRUCTOR/TRAINER

In his home town Livadia near Athens, where he lives up to the age of twenty, Lucas starts rock climbing at fifteen years of age. During his first climbing years, he focuses on sport climbing and participates in the Greek National Competitions, placing in the top three always. His love and passion for rock climbing encourages him go to not only climb Mounts Olympus, Parnasos and Giona -the tallest mountains in Greece- but, also the Alps' Mont Blanc, in Europe.

At the age of 22, the Greek Cup is won by him at which time he becomes a member of the National Climbing Team and represents Greece in the World Climbing Championships. 

His desire to challenge himself to greater heights and broaden his horizons, finds him climbing throughout the world in Spain, Italy, France and Thailand to mention but a few.

One of his climbing trips leads him to Kalymnos where he meets and ultimately weds his wife who is born and raised there. 

Lucas fulfills a lifelong calling by completing his studies at a Modena, Italy's climbing school and is certified as an official climbing trainer and climbing instructor.

In Kalymnos, where he has been living permanently with his wife Alexandra and their two children since 2004, he starts up an indoor climbing gym and introduces the locals to the world of climbing and trains climbers to improve both their skills and performance alike.

He has successfully climbed sport routes up to 8c (5.14b) and boulder problems up to 8a+ and (V13), both of which are the most difficult climbs / boulders ever accomplished by a Greek climber. 

Presently, Lucas is being sponsored by some of the top international, climbing companies including: Wild Country (U.K.), Sterling Rope(U.S.A.), Moonclimbing (U.K.) and Red Chili (DE)

How to get to Kalymnos Island: 

From Bari, Bolognia, Brussels (Charleroi), Frankfurt (Hahn), Kaunas, Liverpool, Milan (Bergamo), Oslo (Rygge), Leeds Bradford, London Stansted, Pisa,

Rome Ciampino directly to Kos airport via www.ryanair.com ,and from Mastihari port (Kos) by ferry to Kalymnos port (30-50 min.)

If your flight is to Athens

1. You can take the ship to Kalymnos www.bluestarferries.com (11-13 hours, 3 days a week, not recommended) 

2. A plane to Kos with www.aegeanair.com or www.olympicairlines.com (1 hour, 3 flights a day) and then from Mastihari port (Kos) the ferry to Kalymnos port (30-50 min)

3. Fly directly to Kalymnos with www.olympicairlines.com (1 hour,1-2 flights a day)

It is advisable to book your flight the sooner you can so you can get the best possible prices.

- Accommodation for 7 nights

You will be stayed at Alkyon Studios located in Masouri "the climbing Village" , offering amazing views of the aegean sea and Telendos island. 

- 4 Instructed/Guided Climbing Sessions (4-5hrs each session)

- All technical climbing equipment (rope, quickdraws, harness, shoes, helmet) 

- 10 Yoga sessions (90 min sessions, Pranayama, Meditation, Asana)

- Free transfer to all the climbing spots

- Air tickets

- Meals : Meals are not included although all the rooms have a full equipped kitchen so you can prepare your own food. Otherwise, there are many restaurants, cafes and a supermarket in walking distance from the studios. Local restaurants offer excellent quality at very reasonable prices.

- Travel insurance