7 Day Vegan Yoga and Zen Retreat in Southern Aegean, Greece
Greece Meditation and Yoga Retreat
One of the greatest needs of a human being is to be in contact with nature. In the presence of a natural environment and the absence of frantic city rhythms, one can experience profound transformation and reconnection with the self. This Yoga and Zen retreat is hosted in KAISANJI, in the Kalo Ambeli region in Serifos, on the island's beautiful southern side.
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Highlights
- 7 days of practice
- 2 yoga classes per day
- 2 zazen sessions per day
- Chanting and kirtan sessions
- Beautiful landscape
- Golden sandy beach with crystal clear waters within walking distance
- Fresh, homemade vegan brunch, lunch and dinner
- 6 nights accommodation in single, double and triple rooms
Skill level
- Beginner
- Intermediate
- Advanced
Yoga styles
Accommodation
Facilities
- Dining area
- Environmentally friendly
- Fireplace
- Garden
- Kitchen
- Lounge
- Smoke-free property
- Terrace
- Yoga shala
- Free parking
- Free Wi-Fi
- Internet access
- Parking lot
- Wireless internet
During this retreat, you will stay in Kaisanji, Kir Mimis Villa or Serifos cells. Kaisanji and Kir Mimis are stone-built with an evident and distinct Greek and Japanese architecture integration. They are newly built and have all the amenities for a comfortable stay. Serifos cells are renovated little old shepherds' houses dating from the early 1900s that have kept their traditional, Cycladic aura.
Program
The purpose of a Yoga and Zen retreat is to support a shift in your way of living and your perspective of things for a certain period. All the teachings agree that to expand awareness, you need to experience yourselves outside of the box, which symbolizes the mechanistic way of living and interacting.
This change in habitual living is connected with the change in habitual thinking. A re-evaluation of the true needs and goals in life will most likely take place during and after the retreat.
- What does a human being need to be happy?
- What are the foundations of a healthy mind and body?
- How can meditation enhance all aspects of life?
These are spontaneous questions that can be spontaneously answered when you learn how to relax into silence without expecting or desiring something different from what the moment has to offer. The core teachings of both yoga and Zen traditions are the same. Simply be, realize that you are already fulfilled, interconnected, and practice Karuna, compassion for all living beings including yourself.
A community of like-minded people can make a huge difference. Zen Center Athens invites you to be a part of their vision, which focuses on expanding the teachings of meditation on the uplifting of people and culminates in a feeling of oneness with all living beings.
The name KAISANJI is the union of three Japanese words. KAI means sea, SAN means mountain, and JI means monastery. So, KAISANJI is a monastery of the mountain and sea. The new building of KAISANJI is currently under construction, according to the traditional principles of Zen monasteries.
As it will be the first Zen monastery in Greece, it will make it possible for more people to join the spiritual path. Its central role is to support and inspire people as they walk the way of contemplation.
Participation in the yoga and Zen retreat will contribute to their vision's fulfilment. Every individual can have a constructive impact on the expansion of Zen meditation in Greece, the continuation of Zen Center Athens, and its affiliate, KAISANJI.
They wish to thank you in advance and are looking forward to welcoming you to the Santosha yoga and Zen retreat in Serifos, Greece.
Daily Schedule
- 06:00 – 09:00 Yoga & Zazen
- 09:30 – 10:00 Breakfast
- 10:00 – 11:00 Free time
- 11:00 – 12:00 Class review – Yoga Philosophy
- 12:00 – 13:30 Meditation in Action (Karma Yoga)
- 13:30 – 16:00 Free time
- 16:00 – 18:00 Yoga
- 18:30 – 19:00 Dinner
- 20:20 - 21:00 Zazen
Instructors
Alexandra Sotiropoulou
Alexandra Sotiropoulou was born and raised in Athens, Greece. She began practising Yoga in 1996 in the system of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga. In 2004 and 2005 she received her certificates in Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga. In 2002 she completed Yogic studies 1 and in 2007 the instructor's training course in the system of Satyananda Yoga. From 2008 to 2019 she studied the method of Scaravelli inspired yoga with Diane Long. Alexandra has been teaching since 2003. She is certified by YOGA ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL (Master level training - 500 hours).
Antaratma Theodoros Chiotis
Antaratma Theodore Chiotis was born and raised in Athens, Greece. He started his practice and study of Yoga in 1995 in the system of Satyananda Yoga, with the guidance of Swami Shivamurti Saraswati. He completed the Instructor's s training course in the system of Satyananda Yoga followed in 2000. Antaratma has been leading yoga classes, workshops and yoga retreats for students and instructors since that time. In 1998, he began composing and singing Kirtan which belongs to the branch of Nada Yoga (Yoga of the sound) and Bhakti Yoga (Yoga of the heart).
Retreat location
The retreat will take place in Kaisanji Serifos, near the Kalo Ampeli beach, Serifos, Greece. Kalo Ampeli is one of the quietest southern beaches on Serifos. It is on a 45-kilometre-long coastline, consisting of four bays. The coast of Kalo Ampeli has flat sand and pebble areas, while the bay offers impressive panoramic views of the island.
Distances
- Piraeus port - 2 hours
Unique features
General
- Dining area
- Environmentally friendly
- Fireplace
- Kitchen
- Lounge
- Smoke-free property
- Terrace
- Yoga shala
Services
- Free parking
- Free Wi-Fi
This Yoga Retreat is vegetarian-friendly
Click to see more vegetarian-friendly Yoga Retreats
Food
All meals (included in the price) are vegan, prepared by their cook with fresh fruit and seasonal vegetables. The recipes are simple and based on the principles of the macrobiotic diet, emphasizing good nutrition as well as the detoxification of the body. They use herbs and spices carefully. Please inform them if you have any specific dietary requirements that they have to consider.
The following meals are included:
- Brunch
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Snacks
- Drinks
The following drinks are included:
- Water
- Coffee
- Tea
The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:
- Vegan
- Other dietary requirements on request
What's included
- All yoga and zazen sessions
- 6 nights accommodation
- Daily brunch, lunch and dinner
What's not included
- Airfare
- Airport transfers
- Taxis
How to get there
Recommended Airports
Athens International Airport (Eleftherios Venizelos Airport)
101 km
Transfer not provided
Cancellation Policy
- A reservation requires a deposit of 30% 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.
For this organizer you can guarantee your booking through BookYogaRetreats.com. All major credit cards supported.