7 Day Integrated Holistic Lifestyle Experience in Hvar Island, Split-Dalmatia

Facilities

Suncokret hosts a range of unique Integrated Holistic Yoga Lifestyle programs every year from spring - autumn!

What is the Suncokret Integrated Holistic Yoga Lifestyle Program?

The Integrated Holistic Yoga Lifestyle Program (IHYLP) will introduce you to various yoga teachings and related body-mind-spirit practices that support your retreat journey and your life on many levels.

The program was originally conceptualized by retreat co-founder and holistic program director, Evening Marie, who currently leads the events together with retreat Co-Founder, local guide, and chef, Stipe.

The IHYLP sessions are generally divided into two parts daily: morning Sadhana and post-sadhana "deep-dive" program sessions, which are focused on exploring more profoundly various yoga-related, holistic lifestyle topics of interest.

Morning Sadhana

Sadhana is a daily spiritual practice that includes a balancing blend of yoga and other holistic mind-body-spirit techniques to help you "tune into" yourself, the intentions you have for your life, and for the day ahead. Traditionally, chanting, pranayama, meditation, asanas (postures) & deep relaxation are key ingredients of this process, though practices on offer at Suncokret may vary according to the co-hosting teacher and the event theme they are presenting.

The purpose of sadhana is to help you to start your day in a sacred, disciplined, and focused way. These sessions, generally lasting 90 - 120 minutes, will awaken you profoundly; aligning you to your body, mind, and spirit while preparing you to greet life's daily adventures with a sense of inner peace and clarity.

Daily "Deep-Dive" sessions

A range of practices and/or topics will be explored in the 2nd daily IHYLP session. Topics and activities related to holistic health, lifestyle management, creativity, mindfulness, movement, meditation, food preparation, art therapy, dancing, chanting, healing work, etc.. may be covered in these sessions. Topics are offered according to the weekly theme and are adjusted according to the level and wishes of the event participants.

The purpose of these sessions is to highlight holistic teachings and techniques that help to systematically balance the body, mind, and spirit in a profound way. These sessions generally last between 30 and 90 minutes, depending on the topic being covered.

During theme-based events, rather than exploring a range of topics as presented above, the deep-dive sessions are instead focused on an in-depth exploration of the stated event theme. During special events with visiting teachers, the IHYLP is further expanded upon by the unique contributions these teachers are qualified to teach. These special programs are announced in our calendar below.

Autumn Calendar 2021

• 20-26 September: Balance and Bliss co-hosted by guest teacher Tanja from Latvia
• 3-9 October: Balance and Bliss with Evening and Stipe
• 17-23 October: Nature Explorer, Yoga & Soft-Adventure Event with Evening and Stipe
• 24-30 October: Taste of Hvar, Hvar Culture, Customs & Cuisine Event with Evening and Stipe

All gatherings take place in inspiring and sacred spaces; either on the outdoor terrace, beautiful indoor loft space, or in nature and by the sea, according to the program itinerary, the weather, and other considerations.

Sample six-night summer IHYLP schedule

Sunday evening

On Sunday, you will have a 60-minute welcome circle with a program introduction.

Monday - Friday

Monday to Friday you will enjoy one and a half to two hours daily of morning Sadhana at the retreat center. According to the weekly theme, the daily deep-dive sessions may be scheduled in the mornings or afternoons and may be held at the retreat, by the sea, or in nature. On Friday, the deep-dive session is usually conducted in nature, at Sunset, for an extraordinary peak of the event experience.

Saturday morning

Saturday you will attend a 60-minute closing circle with program conclusion and reflection time.

In total, there are about 12-15 dedicated IHLP hours that will be covered during the seven-day program, though timing and location may slightly vary according to what is most appropriate for the event theme being explored within any given week.

• Ager (a UNESCO-protected site of ancient Greek plains, olive groves, vineyards, and ancient agro-architecture)
• Dol Village (2400-year-old inland settlement with impressive churches and pristine landscape)
• Jelsa (or Sv. Nedelja) seaside resort town with historical sites and beautiful sandy-bottomed coves
• Hvar Town where you can catch all the sights of this "living museum"
• Soline beach resort set on a stunning nature reserve
• Stari Grad town and beaches (Croatia's oldest and most charming town, dating back 2400 years!)
• Vrboska (the "Venice of Hvar" with quaint footbridges, impressive early-Croatian fortress, and cathedral)

Suncokret welcomes you to retreat in the charming village of Dol Sveta Ana, a pristine 12th-century hamlet discretely nestled into the verdant brush which majestically rises above the island's oldest settlement, Stari Grad in Hvar Island Croatia. Stari Grad is located 2 kilometers from the retreat and we offer free transport from Stari Grad to Suncokret.

Dol Sveta Ana is often compared to Provence and Tuscany, with its sprawling vineyards, noble olive groves, fragrant lavender plantations, fertile fields, and charming stone cottages, so eloquently framed by the distant blue sea and open sky. The village is brought to life by the colorful sounds of friendly sun-kissed locals and their range of hearty farm animals going about their day-to-day lives. Located only minutes away from the island's major attractions, yet peacefully tucked away from bustling tourist towns, St. Ana provides an ideal escape from ordinary life to an extraordinary organic haven.

The complex of semi-attached stone villas is nestled into a secluded corner of Dol, Sveta Ana. The retreat neighborhood remains un-populated much of the year, providing deep peace and tranquility for the guests. During summer months, however, the village tends to fill up with holidaymakers, including natives taking up residence in their ancestral summer cottages that have been in the family for generations. The atmosphere becomes a more vibrant one - a true immersion into authentic village lifestyle on Hvar.

Village offerings versus town conveniences

The village features two local restaurants and a local cafe with Wi-Fi access within walking distance from the retreat. There are no shops, banks or ATM's, post offices, etc., so please plan ahead, though there is plenty of pure nature with inviting footpaths to explore and unlimited supplies of fresh air to help you relax and disconnect from the stresses of city life. Enjoy it.

Getting around

For your convenience, as part of the foundational retreat program package, Suncokret Dream provides complimentary scheduled transport to and from various points of interest each day of the retreat week. Guests may opt to remain at the retreat for quiet time during the day instead and arrange their own transport needs.

The nearest town, Stari Grad, is located two kilometers from the retreat. The journey to Stari Grad takes about 40 minutes on foot, 10 to 15 minutes by bike, and only five minutes by scooter or car (rental options are available in Stari Grad).

Distances

• Stari Grad, 2 kilometers - 40 minutes on foot

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From Monday to Thursday, Suncokret Dream serves a beautiful brunch in the garden after morning Sadhana practice, and once weekly, a picnic brunch is served on location after the morning Sadhana practice which is held in nature.

Brunch usually consists of fresh seasonal fruit, nuts, warm and cold cereals, fresh farm eggs, local bread or pastries, veggie and cheese spreads, yoghurt and milk, organic rice or almond milk, and, quite possibly, tasty left-overs from the previous night's dinner (they don't believe in letting precious quality food go to waste).

Dinner, served Monday to Thursday, usually consists of a soup and salad starter, followed by a main dish. After the Saturday morning closing circle, a self-service breakfast buffet is served in the garden, prior to the 10:45 a.m. check-out time, to ensure that you depart from the retreat well-nourished for your journey ahead.

Local tap water, mineral water, herbal tea, and home-made organic cordials, when available, are provided with the meals. As a safe shelter from addictive substances, we generally do not serve coffee, but you can order one from our Chef if needed or help yourself to an emergency supply in our kitchenettes, or perhaps savor the occasional cup of the local brew in the town cafes when the need or mood strikes.

Please state any dietary needs you might have at the time of booking.

The daily itinerary provides ample time to relax and explore each day. You are warmly invited to take advantage of the complimentary transfer service that takes you to and from a range of nearby towns and beaches where you can spend your day doing exactly what serves you best.

On Tuesday and Thursday, the yoga program is held at the magnificent beach locations you are brought to by free transfer in the morning, while on Monday and Wednesday the yoga program is held back at the retreat, making the latter ideal days in which to stay behind at the retreat for optional holistic treatments or workshops in case you are in need of pampering or holistic support.

For guests who are staying for two back-to-back event weeks, weekends are an ideal time to try a little island adventure. Suncokret Dream can help you to organize activities offered by local providers, including art therapy and painting classes, scuba diving, kayaking, windsurfing, free climbing, hiking, cycling, boat excursions, boat, scooter, or car rental.

During your retreat time at Suncokret, you may want to enhance your experience by adding on a range of holistic services that can be tailored to your unique needs. If you would like to address a specific well-being issue, or simply pamper yourself with an extra dose of TLC while on retreat, consider adding on one, or a combination of, the holistic therapies, life-empowerment workshops or organic spa treatments to make the most of your time. Please contact Suncokret Dream for details.

• 2 daily Integrated Holistic Yoga Lifestyle Program sessions (including daily Yoga Sadhana + daily "Deep-dive" session - the content and schedule of the deep dive sessions may vary according to the event)
• 6 nights accommodation
• A complimentary transfer from the Stari Grad port at 4:30 p.m
• Check-in at 4:45 p.m. with refreshments and time to get settled
• 60-minute Welcome and Closing Circle
• Welcome Tour of the property & surrounding area
• Two daily Vegetarian Meals during your program stay + Dinner on program start date & Breakfast on the conclusion date
• Free access to an assortment of books, music, films & games
• Free access to organic herbs for making tea in our tea corner
• Daily outings to places of interest including waterfront towns, beautiful beaches, historical, and cultural sights
• Relaxing evenings at the retreat and Mauna (quiet reflection) from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.
• Scheduled transfer to the Stari Grad Port on departure day at 10:45 a.m.
• Seva (Karma Yoga) program to build a sense of a caring, community spirit
• Walking tour of the village
• Wi-Fi access in all rooms and throughout the property
• Deep-dive workshops and activities as scheduled in the chosen event week

• 1 dinner on the sunset tour day (you are given a mid-day cooking workshop instead)
• Any other costs you may incur that are not mentioned in the package
• Extra activities
• Holistic workshops or treatments other than the ones specified in the itinerary
• International flights

Recommended Airports

• A reservation requires a deposit of 50% of the total price.
• The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
• The rest of the payment should be paid 10 days before arrival.