Crete Yoga Retreat September 18-26, 2024

6th Annual Yoga Retreat in Lasithi Crete with Trishna This retreat provides an opportunity to immerse in yoga practice, enjoy the unique landscape and beauty of Eastern Crete, soak in the atmosphere of this ancient Minoan land, and connect with Cretan culture through traditional cooking, olive and herb lore, and dance! In these nine days you will have time for all this as well as time to soak up the Mediterranean sun, swim in the sea, hike, journal, read, and rest. The energy of human ancestry and a culture that honored feminine strength and the earth is palpable here. Kato Zakros is the site of an ancient Minoan palace. It is located on a beautiful bay at the end of the road, eight kilometers from the small town of Zakros. There are a handful of guesthouses and tavernas, and plenty of nature, olive and fruit orchards, gorges, beaches, and atmosphere. Ruined remains of Kato Zakros Palace and an entry to the Gorge of the Dead are just a five minute walk from our venue. The sea and beautiful swimmable coves are a few minutes beyond that.

Being Yoga with Trishna is authentic Yoga with a strong flow element. Subtle classical practices with breath and meditation are combined with innovative approaches for a deeply nourishing and revitalizing experience. Yoga is offered with gradations of challenge and students are encouraged to work in a way that feels good for each of them. Steady practice on retreat is conducive to self-discovery, self-reflection, and personal transformation. Yoga classes will be held in the courtyard garden at Stella’s. The floor is flat laid stone. The roof is palm leaves and the sky. Yoga mats, blankets, and blocks are provided. Morning meditation is at the rooftop garden.

Recommended add-ons: Arrive a day early to Heraklion to take in the largest Minoan palace of Knossos, visit the truly spectacular archaeological museum, and dine with others from the group at Peskesi with it’s excellent fine Cretan cuisine. Wake fresh and ready for our journey to Lasithi.

Stella’s Traditional Studios are comfortable stone studios, some facing the beautiful courtyards and gardens, and some facing the sea. Each studio has a kitchenette and private bathroom with a shower. There are eight studios available to us, some of which have two beds. Sharing is possible amongst friends who choose to share. (I am not arranging sharing with people who don’t know each other. The room set up is not ideal for that) The retreat will happen with eight people minimum, fourteen people maximum.     CULTURAL ARTS AND HISTORY
During our nine days of retreat, along with a once or twice daily yoga practice, we enjoy time with wonderful local friends who share their knowledge of Crete cultural arts and history. Many of the activities listed below will be included in our schedule.
>>The guidance of Stella Ailamaki in traditional Cretan Dance!
>>Cooking with Deospina, Stella’s mother. We harvest produce from her garden and prepare local specialties such as stuffed zucchini flowers and vine leaves and other traditional local cuisine.
>>Easily visit the ruined palace of Zakros which is thought to have been built over 4000 years ago.
>>A tour of a traditional herb farm and exploring the mountain villages and ruins.
>>Learning about and tasting olive oil at a local family olive farm.
>>Walk through Zakros learning about the water source, and the history of the watermills in the village.
>>Hike the Gorge of the Dead which is known for its caves where Ancient Minoan remains have been found.
>>Visit stunning beaches in the region

At Stella’s the guests are provided with a variety of foods for each person to self-cater their breakfast/brunch. Breakfast fixings: Eggs, bread, fresh baked things, muesli, yogurt, fresh fruit, butter, cheeses, teas, coffee, local honey and olive oil. These will be provided in our group kitchen where you can prepare them, or bring what you like to prepare in your kitchenette. This retreat provides above stated breakfast fixings, group dinners on the evening of arrival and the evening before departure, and  two group lunches. Participants will have opportunities to shop for food supplies in the nearby village of Zakros and meals can also be had at the wonderful tavernas on the beach. The five or so cafes are quite good, some featuring gluten free options and fabulous salads, and of course world class seafood.

Testimonial:  I have attended retreats in the Healing arts, Yoga, and Taijiwuqiguan around the world with master teachers. Trishna is a very unique teacher. Her passion for the science of yoga and her dedication to knowing her Self grant her an outstanding opportunity to lead students to the inner yoga. She has always invited me to witness my own process and to neither go further nor fall short of where I am in the very moment. I have attended two of her retreats and left a far stronger woman than when I arrived… I cannot say enough about her ability to work with people of varying levels of practice and meet each fully. I feel she has a living practice that she is able to impart as well as other master teachers I have worked with and she offers it with a grace and humility that is very refreshing. I look forward to my next retreat with her.   ~Amelia

PRACTICAL NOTES
Many of our cultural arts and history activities involve walking. The trail through the gorge sometimes involves climbing and balancing. The walk to the tavernas, which will likely be done at least once a day, can take longer if one has physical mobility issues or health conditions that slow them down. We are an hour from the nearest hospital.  Please consider the above mentioned practicalities and make a good decision for yourself. I allow only the deposit to be paid before registration because I like for us to meet, even just by phone, and make sure that this retreat is a good fit for you. Looking at the National Geographic graph of activity levels, this entire experience including the yoga would put this retreat at Activity Level: Moderate
Travel insurance is required.

Photos on Crete Retreat pages by Meagan Healy, Stella’s Traditional Studios, and Trishna Horvath.