Find Your Joy (κεφι)

THIS RETREAT HAS SOLD OUT, BUT WE INVITE YOU TO JOIN OUR WAIT LIST AS THINGS HAPPEN AND WE DO SOMETIMES GET CANCELLATIONS.

To see more photos of the island and our venue, click here: Amorgos, Greece Gallery

Intention

The intention for our October 2023 yoga retreat in Greece , on the exquisite Cycladic island of Amorgos, is “Find your Joy.” Greece is the perfect place for this because there is a concept in Greek culture called “kefi.” Loosely translated, kefi (κεφι in Greek) means joy but the true meaning of kefi is multi-faceted. It also means passion, enthusiasm, exuberance and even euphoria!

Kefi is all about enjoying life to the fullest. This involves living in the present moment and having an inherent gratitude for this precious gift we were given by The Divine: the gift of life.

Modern Greece has had a hard history. It has endured multiple foreign occupations, wars and severe economic hardship. But when you come to Greece and start talking with Greek people, you wouldn’t know it. They have learned from the hard times that it is futile to take life too seriously. It is much wiser to enjoy the moment and truly take things one day at a time. To eat well, take care of your body (Athletics was a significant component of a Classic Greek Education), show up for your family and friends, take the time to have a chat and maybe even smash a plate now and then!

Smashing plates does occur at Greek weddings and other celebrations, but it’s not a very old tradition- it is said to come from a movie; Greeks love old movies. 

Plates are smashed at festive occassions to ward off evil spirits that might be attracted to such joyous occasions. Energetically, it’s a form of release.

“That is why we throw plates and glasses, anything really. It’s to release. There is so much joy and spirit inside us, it’s overwhelming. But it needs to come out, and when it does, we are reminded of the beauty of feeling alive.”

We are not planning on smashing plates at our 2023 yoga retreat in Greece, though. First, because the owners of the hotel may frown upon this and second, because we have our yoga to help us release anything that isn’t serving us so we can find our joy and radiate it outwards to others. This promises to be a beautiful experience for everyone as we collectively find our joy.

About Amorgos, Greece

The magical island of Amorgos is well known for its healing and transformative energy, dramatically beautiful landscapes and medicinal herbs that grow wildly on its hills and valleys, as well as its hypnotic blue waters.

Amorgos is in the Cycladic Islands- the same island group as Santorini, Mykonos and Naxos. Think dazzling waters so blue that at their depths they take upon a violet cast, blue and white cubic houses, crystal clear seas and healthy Mediterranean cuisine. Amorgos doesn't get the hordes of tourists that Mykonos and Santorini do, so its energy is clean and unspoilt. If you want to learn more about Amorgos, you can visit this link: The Island of Amorgos

We will be staying at the 5 Star Aegialis Hotel & Spa, which is a dedicated retreat center. It has seven yoga shalas: two of them on rooftops!

Ladon Spa

The spa at our venue is called The Ladon Spa; it is the largest thalassotherapy spa in the Cycladic Islands. The Spa’s name is taken from the story of the ancient water oracle dedicated to the god Apollo, where visitors came seeking clarity and answers in prophetic water readings.

Thalassotherapy comes from the Greek word "thalassa" meaning "sea". It refers to a variety of treatments that use saltwater and seaweed, each designed to cleanse, soothe and revitalize the skin and body, and, in some cases, to improve circulation and muscle tone. The Ladon Spa offers a full spectrum of thalassotherapy treatments in addition to a wide variety of massages, facials, wraps, body scrubs and beauty treatments such as manis and pedis.

The spa includes an indoor pool, Jacuzzi, hammam, sauna and fitness center that are freely available to all retreat participants during their stay.

What’s Included

Aside from Niyama's regular retreat offerings of daily yoga and meditation, sound baths and workshops targeting our intention (Finding Our Joy), our 2023 yoga retreat in Greece includes:

• A Superior Room with a sea view and private terrace
• Breakfast daily in buffet (vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free options are provided upon request)
• Dinner daily (vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free options are provided upon request) 
• A complimentary 30 minute massage
• 10% off all additional spa treatments
• Use of all spa facilities during our stay (Jacuzzi, hammam, indoor pool, sauna and fitness center)
• A private boat excursion with the Niyama Tribe
• Round trip ferry ride from Naxos to Aegelis Resort (if traveling with the group) 
• Wifi
• Room taxes, except the Tourist Tax which must be paid in cash at time of checkout

Not included:

• Alcoholic beverages (including at meals)
• Airfare to and from Naxos
• All transportation (with the exception of the ferry ride mentioned above) 
• Airport transfers
• Tourist tax of 4€ per night*
• Lunch (except the day of the boat excursion, where it is included. We are told we are having freshly made pizzas!)
• Additional spa treatments
• Lodging in Athens

Price:

Shared room (two people in a Superior Room): $2500

Private Superior Room: $3200

*Currently, the dollar is extremely strong and the euro is very weak, so a dollar is basically equivalent to a euro right now. This is why, if you want to join us on our retreat to Greece, and add on time in Naxos, Santorini, Mykonos or Athens, we recommend you book your trip this summer to take advantage of what amounts to around a 120% discount, based upon historical exchange rates.

A $500 deposit is required to reserve your space in this retreat. 

THIS RETREAT IS FULLY BOOKED.  Please contact the shalas to be added to the Wait List: Sign up for Wait List

NOTE: Please read our Terms & Conditions before booking this, or any other, retreat with Niyama Yoga Retreats