Lesbos, Greece

Women’s Yoga & Spirituality Retreat

August 14-21, 2005

 

For more information or to register, please contact:

 

Towards the bottom of the page is more detailed information about the daily retreat program, the magnificent location and the exquisite village nearby. You will also find information about fees, payments and how to book your place on the retreat.

This week-long retreat offers the traditional practices of yoga, pranayama and meditation as tools for a living exploration of our inner experience as women.

Our approach is based on a unique weave of yoga practices, Vipassana meditation and the Hindu practice of self-inquiry, as well as various aspects of Native American wisdom. We will be creating an open and nurturing environment that is ideal for reconnecting to our innate inner wisdom and discovering our authentic individual path. Supported by periods of silence, the days will unfold through yoga practice, guided meditations, walks in nature, and group discussions.

The retreat will be held in the beautiful center of Milelja (www.milelja.com) on the historic and picturesque island of Lesbos, Greece. There will be ample time to explore and enjoy the surrounding hillside and nearby beach and hot springs.

To allow a sense of intimacy and personal attention for each participant, places are limited to 25. Women of all ages and levels of experience are welcome.

 

 

Facilitators
The retreat will be facilitated by Odelia Weinberg and Sandhya Bar-Kama.

Odelia, 36, has practiced yoga and pursued spiritual inquiry for many years with different teachers, both in India and Israel. She was certified as a yoga teacher by Orit Sen Gupta in a three-year program at the Wingate Institute in Israel in 2001 and has been teaching full time ever since. In recent years she has been co-teaching yoga and Vipassana retreats together with Open Dharma and Christopher Titmuss.

Sandhya, 46 has been actively engaged in spiritual practice since 1986. She spent 7 years in residence at the Kripalu Yoga Institute in the US, where she practiced yoga, meditation and dharma, and taught Vipassana meditation workshops. Over the years she has explored Buddhist, Hindu and Native American approaches to spirituality. She currently lives in Israel where she is an activist in a movement for a non-violent approach to peace-making, and works as a holistic massage therapist.

 

Ambience
We hope you will join us in this relaxing and rejuvenating week of yoga, meditation and reflection on the beautiful Greek Island of Lesbos. Visitors to Lesbos regard this precious Island as one of Greece’s best kept secrets, blessed with beautiful beaches, traditional villages, more varieties of birds and wildflowers than anywhere in Europe, pine forests and medieval castles.

The Milelja Centre is situated on a hillside with views of the sea and surrounding countryside, a short walk from the ancient village of Molyvos and only 6 minutes from an exquisite beach. There is plenty of living space with modern comfortable accommodation in either twin or single rooms all with ensuite facilities. Yoga classes and group activities are held in a beautiful purpose built pagoda. Visit the Milelja website to find out more: www.milelja.com

From the Milelja Centre you can visit the nearby village of Molyvos with its many tavernas and restaurants in winding, narrow cobble stoned streets. Molyvos is situated on a small mountain topped by a dramatic medieval castle and boasts one of the most picturesque harbours in Greece. Discover beautiful walks and beaches or bathe in the nearby hot springs famed for their natural healing properties.

Program
The day begins with a session of meditation and pranayama, followed by a light breakfast (fruit and hot beverage), and then a yoga asana practice (about an hour and a half).

Then we break to share a nourishing vegetarian brunch, and a period for rest and enjoying the beauty of the natural surroundings.

Following the break, the afternoon session will consist of both guided and silent meditation and other group activities, including walks in the surrounding nature (if it isn’t too hot), followed by an afternoon yoga session.

The first part of the day will be held in silence, as a way to connect deeply with our own experience, without distractions or the need to share or communicate with others.

Dinner will be a break from the group program – everyone is invited to take a stroll to one of the nearby tavernas and enjoy the ancient village and its fares.

We will meet again for meditation and discussion at the close of the day.

 

If you have any questions or would like more information we would love to hear from you at