About the Retreats
OUR RETREATS’ AIM
Our aim is to offer 'an insider's view' in the islands with respect to their particular culture and environment, together with a restoring week of yoga & meditation. Learn more...
TEACHERS & GUIDES TO THIS UNIQUE EXPERIENCE
Sofia and Isidora, two yogis who represent two different generations-the older and the younger, and also mother and daughter. Active in teaching yoga, Sofia, for more than 45 years, and Isidora for the last 15 years. Learn more...
OUR TEACHING STYLE-TEACHERS’ NOTE
All lessons are taught in English and in Greek; And they are an instant outcome of our "live teaching dialogue". Learn more...
TIME & SITES OF THE LESSONS
Our yoga lessons are daily at dawn and at sunset, in the beautiful open air sites of our settlement and of the islands that we visit in each retreat. Learn more...
FOOD AND ACCOMODATION
The total cost of participation includes 7 nights accommodation including breakfast. Learn more...
WHO IS IT FOR
Our Yoga and Meditation lessons are tailored to welcome a general level of practitioners. However, our main priority is to acknowledge our students' individual capacities and needs and to enable a personal improvement. Learn more...
EXTRA PROVISIONAL PROGRAMME
After the lessons we offer optional group activities, such as boat trips, nature and cultural walks, visits to places of special archaeological and cultural interest.
OUR RETREATS’ ETHOS & THE HUMAN REFUGEES CRISIS
Every summer, we have an unforgettable time in our Yoga Retreats in the Greek islands. We enjoyed, the islanders' hospitality, cuisine, customs, and of course the islands' clean air, the natural, unspoiled beauty. Learn more...
YOGA & MEDITATION HAPPINESS RETREATS
IKARIA, JULY 5-JULY 12, 2024
ABOUT IKARIA ISLAND
We love Ikaria's particular culture and strong community feeling, authentic dance and music festivities, its plurality in herbs, plants, the richness of landscapes, the crystal clear blue waters, the slow pace of lifestyle.
Ikaria has been acclaimed as one of the world's 5 Blue Zones, as its residents reach the highest age of living.
Alongside to our yoga & meditation lessons, we offer a versatile programme, including hiking, visits to magnificent traditional villages, live music and dance festivals organised by the local community.
COST OF PARTICIPATION
In our Ikaria yoga retreat, we will spend 7 nights at Kerame hotel which is 1 km away from Evdilos village.
The cost is 640 euros in a single room or 480 euros in a 2 persons' double shared room. That includes 7 nights accommodation, breakfast with organic delicacies and all our Yoga & Meditation lessons.
For your patrticiptaiton in our daily additional group activities in Ikaria, such as hiking with our specialist nature guide, boat trips, bus trasnportation, you'd need to pay extra.
HOW TO GET THERE?
You can fly from abroad (i.e London) directly to the Greek islands of Mykons/Samos/Kos (i.e with Ryanair) and from there it's a short ferry trip to ikaria.
Alternatively, you can fly to the cities of Thessaloniki or Athens and from there fly to Ikaria (flights available with Skyexpress, Aegean Airways, Astra Airlines).
For assistance to book your tickets please contact us. For more related to the ferries timetable please check viva.gr or contact us.
FOURNOI RETREAT, JULY 14-JULY 17, 2023
ABOUT FOURNOI ISLANDS
An ideal base for pirates in the Middles ages, because of the hundreds of small fjords and secret beaches where their ships could be hidden, Fournoi are also known as '' Fournoi Corseon'', after corsairs, i.e pirates.
Fournoi is not just one island, but a complex of small ones, of which only two are inhabited: Fournoi and Thymaina. Fournoi combine natural rare beauty with history; ancient finds scattered throughout the island dating back to the Ionians, Classical and Hellenistic times. The Cyclopean wall, the ruins of the ancient temple at Kamari, the shrine to Poseidon at Agia Triada, the ancient quarry at Petrokopio.
COST OF PARTICIPATION
In our Fournoi island retreat, we will stay at Bilios apartments. The cost is 260 euros in a single room or 195 euros in a 2 persons's double shared room.
That cost includes 3 nights accommodation, breakfast with local delicacies and our 4 Yoga & Meditation lessons.
If you wish to participate in more activities, as for instance, a boat trip to the neighbour tranquil island of Thymena, you need to pay extra for your ticket.
More details about our extra optional activities programme in Fournoi can be provided upon request.
HOW TO GET THERE?
You can fly from abroad (i.e London) directly to the Greek islands of Mykons/Samos/Kos (i.e with Ryanair) and from there it's a short ferry trip to ikaria.
Alternatively, you can fly to the cities of Thessaloniki or Athens and from there fly to Ikaria (flights available with Skyexpress, Aegean Airways, Astra Airlines).
For assistance to book your tickets please contact us.
NISYROS ISLAND YOGA & WELLBEING RETREAT JULY 15-JULY 22, 2024
ABOUT NISYROS ISLAND
Nisyros, belongs to the Dodecanese archipelago, curving through the southeastern Aegean parallel to the ever-visible shoreline of Turkey. The footprints of everyone from Greeks and Romans to crusading medieval knights, and Byzantine and Ottoman potentates to 20th-century Italian bureaucrats, are found here. Housing Greece's youngest and still active volcano, the island of Nisyros offers a peaceful vacation and spectacular natural scenery. Its picturesque villages and amazing beaches make this non-touristy island a great destination for alternative holidays in Greece.
According to Greek mythology, Nisyros was created during the war between Gods and Giants. Poseidon chased the Giant Polyvotis down to Kos, cut a part of it and threw it to his enemy, sinking him forever in the bottom of the Aegean Sea. The legendary rock referred to in the Myth is supposed to be the island of Nisyros. It is said that when the volcano used to erupt it was the defeated Giant’s angry breath.
COST OF PARTICIPATION
This is the second time that we visit Nisyros island with a yoga retreat. We will spend 7 nights at Hotel Porfyris, which is situated at the main seaside village of the island-Mandraki. The total cost of participation is 415 euros/person, in a two persons' double shared room, or 560 euros/person in a single room. That cost includes 7 nights accomdation, breakfast with dodecanesian delicacies, and all our Yoga & Meditation Sessions.
Participation in our additional and optional activities on the island, such as organised excursions, hiking, boat cruises, transportation across the island, etc, need to be paid extra.
HOW TO GET THERE?
Nisyros is one of the most beautiful and lesser known Aegean islands, part of the Dodecanese island group, next to Kos and Tilos. Fly to Kos island from any big city abroad(i.e London) and then take the ferry to Nisyros (1,5 hrs trip).
If you are a ferry lover, you can also take a ferry from Pireus port (Athens) to Nisyros which is a long journey (12-14 hrs). If you also love island hoping, you can join us both in Ikaria & Nisyros, as every summer there is a direct ferry connection between the two islands. All final ferry timetables across the islands, do not release no sooner than March, however, you can contact us for further guidance.
KERKINI LAKE SPRING RETREAT MAY 5-MAY 7, 2023
ABOUT KERKINI LAKE
Smile! Spring has come, and we can get the best of it in Northern Greece, at Kerkini Lake and the surrnounding area.
This is a long weekend retreat with two Yoga & Meditation sessions suitable for all levels, inspired and adapted to the ecosystem of the lake.
We will also have the chance to gain more experiences that enable us to re-connect with the nature and ourselves.
To name a few: A boat trip across the lake, bird watching and a special tour by Maria Panagiotopoulou - an experienced ornithologist-forester. Trip and food to ano Poroyiga village, hot spring bath at Sidirokastro.
Kids are welcome too! Kids can join drop-in archery, Kids' yoga & Music session by the lake, run by Isidora Liakou (Yoga Instructor) and Feroniki Sourouvali (Music Instructor).
COST OF PARTICIPATION
The Total Cost of participation includes: Two nights accomodation with local traditional breakfast at the Oikoperiigitis and Archontiko Hotel, 2 open-air Yoga & Meditation lessons.
The Cost of participation varies according to the type of room that you will choose. For instance, that starts from 120 euros/perosn in a four persons shared room, or, 150 euros/person in a double two persons shared room.
All other activites mentioned, are optional and paid extra.
HOW TO GET THERE?
Kerkini Lake is an 1.15 min drive from Thessaloniki.
You can also come from Thesslaoniki/Serres by train/Bus (Ktel) or join our group on a 9 persons' mini bus that departs on Friday evening from Thessaloniki.
If you are coming by train from Thessaloniki you need to get off at the Livadia Serron, which is 5 klm from Kerkini. Upon arrangement, you will be picked up from Livadia Serron and driven to our accomodation (Archontiko Oikoperiigitis).
Book your place
If you wish to book a place in one, or more of our retreats, you can pay a deposit of 80 pounds or euros at: - Isidora-Sevasti Liakou, Natwest Bank, account number:22769706, sort code:56-00-13
Or, if you prefer paying in euros you can pay your deposit at: - Isidora-Sevasti Liakou, National Bank of Greece, ΙΒΑΝ: GR6301102100000021000672101
When you make a payment please give your full name as a reference. The deposit will be excluded from the total participation cost. You can complete the total cost payment until June.
Gallery
Visual memories, from our past yoga retreats. Friends and students from Greece and abroad have followed us, experienced with us inspirational, open air- yoga lessons and unique moments in our retreats. Thank you all, for your support! We anticipate to meet you again this summer!
- Ikaria & Amorgos 2020
- Ikaria & karpathos 2019
- Ikaria & Nisiros 2018
- Ikaria & Crete 2017
- Ikaria & Leros 2016
- Ikaria & Astypalea 2015
- Andros & Ikaria 2014
- Ikaria 2013
- Paxoi 2012
- Ithaca 2011
- Kithira 2010
- Amorgos 2009
- Nisiros 2008
- Mytelene 2007
- Santorini 2006
OUR RETREATS’ AIM
Our aim is to offer ''an insider's view'' in the islands with respect to their particular culture and environment, together with a restoring week of open-air yoga & meditation.
A week to rest and isolate-a week to strengthen and connect. Connect with physical persons, places, the nature and your own nature. Through daily yoga & mindfulness lessons, we create new healthier habits in the clean energy of less touristic Greek islands.
YOUR TEACHERS & GUIDES TO THIS UNIQUE EXPERIENCE
Sofia and Isidora, two yogis who represent two different generations-the older and the younger, and also mother and daughter. Active in teaching yoga, Sofia, for more than 46 years, and Isidora for the last 15 years.
Isidora Liakou
instructorSofia Chatzipanagiotou
instructorOUR TEACHING STYLE - TEACHERS’ NOTE
All lessons are taught in English and in Greek; These are an instant outcome of our "live teaching dialogue". We are mainly inspired from the following systems: Restorative yoga for therapy and re-energization, yogic exercises and routines for control weight, balance of the metabolism and the nervous system, Hatha Yoga, Transcidental Meditation, Pranayama-The art of breathing, Hindu and classical Greek philosophy, Iyengar Yoga, Yin Yang Yoga, Scaravelli, Ashtanga, Partner Yoga and Vinyasa. But mainly, we teach our own styles, which are the Therapeutic Yoga of the Circle and the Cross and Creative Yoga, that reflect our personal training and education. We also offer daily routines that are adapted to our group and are repeated each day in order to offer a sense of familiarity and development to each practitioner.
Sofia & Isidora
Sofia has a great experience in working with people who suffer from musculoskeletal disorders, minor Parkinson, arthritis and other. Isidora, has a long experience in teaching yoga to adults of learning and physical ‘’special abilities’’, performers, dancers, and practitioners of various capacities or age. Our particular teaching style, long and versatile experience enable the lessons to be beneficial and challenging for all.
TIME & SITES OF THE LESSONS
Our yoga lessons are daily at dawn and at sunset, in the beautiful open air sites of our settlement and of the islands that we visit in each retreat. The natural environment of the island plays a crucial role in the development of our yoga classes.
Not only because the environment inspires us in relation to the words we convey in our teaching, but also because we actually use our natural surroundings, for the implementation of our practice. We identify the potentialities for practicing Yoga and meditation in the natural environment of the islands and adapt our practice accordingly, by moving through it, over and under its features. Participants are closely instructed and encouraged to develop alternatives to techniques that are tailored to their personal needs.
WHO IS IT FOR
Our Yoga and Meditation lessons are tailored to welcome a general level of practitioners. However, our main priority is to acknowledge our students' individual capacities and needs and to enable a personal improvement.
Participants are closely instructed and encouraged to develop alternatives to techniques that are tailored to their personal needs. To achieve that, we are two long experienced teachers co-leading closely, all classes.
FOOD AND ACCOMODATION
The total cost of participation includes 7 nights accommodation. Breakfast is included as well, and that consists of local delicacies and fine products of Mediterranean diet and options for gluten free persons and vegans. A typical breakfast offers: bread, home made cake and marmelades, butter, yogurt, eggs, cheese, local seasonal fruits, cereals and musli, milk, honey, tomatoes-cucumber-olives, homemade pies or Halva, tea-coffee, juices, and herbal local tea made by the yoga instructors every morning.
Our accomodation this year at our kalymnos yoga retreat, is at
OUR RETREATS’ ETHOS
The islands' lifestyle and landscape are an inspiration for our Yoga teaching; In each yoga retreat we become healthier, we re-energize physically and mentally, and that helps us to go on healthier and happier through the winter. We enjoy, the islanders' hospitality, sense of community, slow pace lifestyle, cuisine, customs and of course the clean air, and the natural unspoiled beauty. A week to rest and isolate-a week to strengthen and connect. Connect with physical persons, places, the nature and your own nature. Through daily yoga & mindfulness lessons we create new healthier habits in the clean energy of less touristic Greek islands.
The last few summers, we are in front of an ethical dilemma: Can we run our annual yoga retreats in our beloved Greek islands in the middle of this dramatic refugee crisis? After a lot of thought, we have decided that we should run our retreats and not turn our back to the islands that have hosted us with such hospitality all the years before. We have been always trying to 'support' the least touristic islands of Greece with our yoga retreats. And it is now in many of these islands where the locals together with foreigner volunteers too, work daily on rescuing, offering food, roof and warmth to the people who have been enforced to become refugees. Their actions inspire hope, admiration, and are 'a real lesson of solidarity, compassion and appraise of life'. Isn't that what Yoga Philosophy and practice should all be about? Of course, we still hold respect for every individuals' personal need to have a restful time in our yoga retreat, and this is what we continue to offer as well.
Part of our profits from our Yoga Retreats in 2016 in Leros and Ikaria islands, were given for the financial support of locals' and foreign volunteers work to improve the life of refugees in Leros. We are hoping that we can keep offering this minor financial support with our future retreats.
Contact
Please contact us using the form below for further information or to register your interest.
Themistokli Sofouli 72Β
Thessaloniki 546 55
info@isidorayoga.com
isidoraliakou@yahoo.com
+30 231 041 5211