BIODYNAMIC HEALING AND AND ANCIENT YOGA RETREAT
14 - 21st September 2024
KOUFUNISI ISLAND, GREECE
Immerse yourself on the blissful and enchanting Greek island of Koufunisi, surrounded by crystal clear waters and brimming with Cycladian authenticity.
Nourish and recharge your body and mind, through daily Yoga and Ancient Healing practices - take time to truly connect to your centre in a serene and nourishing environment.
Rest peacefully in the beautifully designed Villa Porithea, just 400m from the mesmerising Pori Bay and impressive sea caves of Xylobatis.
YOGA & BIODYNAMIC HEALING
What is Biodynamic healing?
Biodynamic healing can be described as 'assisting in the body's natural healing process' and is concerned with cultivating and enhancing the 'aliveness' or 'life force' in an individual or an organism. When we practice these ancient techniques we are connected with a strong healing current, the past lineage of those that have carved out these practices for us. The term 'Biodynamic' is associated with healing modalities such as Psychotherapy, massage therapy, Cranio Sacral work and is also used in certain types of agriculture.
Methods:
-
Embodied Hatha Flow: Move your body slowly and deliberately. Breathe fully and learn the art of listening inwards to what your body, while increasing flexibility, strength and fitness.
-
Functional Yoga - A form of Yoga that supports the body functional movement patterns, overall posture, strength, mobility, balance and co-ordination.
-
Bioenergetic Exercise: This is a form of Somatic processing, an embodiment technique that can help to melt and soften historical muscular armouring. This can be worked with in various ways, including and not exclusively through, speech, sound, movement and touch.
-
Body Reading: A compassionate enquiry into our chronic muscular tension and misalignments in the body and how they relate directly to our patterns of thinking and feeling. Based on the groundbreaking work of Psychoanalyst Wilhelm Reich and Body Pyschotherapist Gerda Boysen.
-
Pranayama: The science of connecting with the natural forces in the body related to the breath, respiratory organs and the nervous system.
-
Yin Yoga: Hold postures for up to 5 minutes, a practice that encourages a strong and flexible body and a health connective tissue system.
-
Various Meditation Practices: The power of awareness - An ancient healing technique that stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, calming your mind, cultivating clarity, compassion and spaciousness.
-
Full Moon meditation at Pori Bay 18th September
-
Yoga Nidra: Translating as "Yoga sleep" is a guided meditation and is where the body and mind enter a deeper form of conscious relaxation.
FOOD
DAILY MENU by LASKAS RESTAURANT
During our stay we will be catered for by a private chef from the top local Greek restaurant.
There will be gluten free options available and particular dietary requirements can be catered for.
Menu example
BREAKFAST
Homemade almond nut milk with orange zest and cardamom.
Whole oat coconut granola or gluten-free granola with dried fruits.
Whole grain bread.
Tahini and date spread.
Fruit salad made with seasonal ripe fruits.
Green tea
Herbal chai
Filter coffee with vegan sugar.
BRUNCH
Spinach pie with homemade olive oil and fresh onion.
Raspberry orange vegan smoothie bowl with coconut and fresh fruit.
Cherry tomato salad with avocado, green onion, and organic olive oil.
DINNER
Spicy cabbage salad with carrot, fennel, sunflower seeds, and avocado.
Lentil dhal curry, fresh coriander, ginger, and turmeric.
Stir-fry veggies with cassia, broccoli, mint, soya sauce, and steamed rice.
Vegan banana mug cake.
ACCOMODATION
Sleep peacefully at Villa Porithea.
A six bedroom villa with a 4000 m2 garden facing east and is 400 m from the sandy beach of Pori Bay.
The villa's close proximity to the beach and the charming natural surroundings make the outdoor lounge area ideal for relaxing and soaking up the tranquil atmosphere..
PRICE LIST 2024
Sea view bedroom en suite bathroom
Single occupancy £2300
Shared occupancy £1600
Sea view bedroom, shared bathroom with one other bedroom
Single occupancy £2000
Shared occupancy £1430
Basement bedroom with en suite bathroom
Single Occupancy £2100
Shared occupancy £1500
Basement bedroom shared bathroom with one other bedroom
Single occupancy £1700
Shared occupancy £1280
MASSAGES AND TREATMENTS
by Rebecca Wissman
Swedish Native Rebecca is an experienced and passionate massage therapist and will be joining us to offer her expertise during the retreat Choose from a powerful and rejuvenating Swedish massage, a therapeutic ancient Thai Yoga massage or an Indian head massage.
Massages are available from Saturday 14th - Friday 20th September from 12 - 4.45pm ( timings subject to change according to sunrise and sunset).
Pre booking is available and prices start from 50 Euros for a half an hour treatment.
Gallery
What's included in the price?
-
7 Nights stay on our beachfront yoga resort
-
Daily Embodied Hatha flow Practice - 90 minutes
-
Daily Afternoon Workshop/Healing Practice - 90 minutes
-
All meals, including: light breakfast, Brunch, Fish available upon request.
-
Vegan & gluten free options available
-
Fresh produce of local fruits to snack
-
Filtered water and infused Tea
-
Daily House keeping
-
Group pickup from Koufonisia port upon arrival & drop off on departure
-
Yoga equipment (Manduka mats, straps, blocks, blankets etc)
-
A Greek themed Goodie bag!
Not Included:
Travel tickets/fees to reach Koufunisi Island.
Massges and treatments
Trips and excursions
Dinning outside of the retreat
CHECK IN | OUT
14th September: Villa Check in: 14:00
21st September: Room Check out: 10:00
—> The retreat officially starts on Sunday morning at 9am with the first practice.
—> If you arrive early on Saturday you can drop off your stuff at the villa and spend some time at the nearby beach.
TRAVEL INFORMATION
Travelling to Koufonisia: Koufonisia (code KOU) can be reached via boat from Santorini (code JTR), Mykonos (code JMK) or Athens. We suggest that you fly directly either to Mykonos or to Santorini airport. From there you take the boat to Koufonisia which is a much shorter boat ride than taking the boat from Athens.
You may choose to arrive one day prior to the retreat and after the retreat for their traveling. However there is a possibility to travel in one day, which includes taking a flight to Athens, then a connecting flight to Naxos - from there a 20 minute boat ride to Koufinisia. Please let me know if you are interested in this option. You may use viva.gr to check the ferries schedule and book your boat tickets online.
A typical day
8.00 - 9am Light breakfast
9.00 - 11am Embodied Hatha Flow
11.00 - 12.00 Brunch
12.00 - 17.00 Free time, massage treatments, excursions, day trips etc
17.00 - 18.30 Afternoon workshop/Practice
19.00 - 21.00 Dinner
Event Date:
Saturday, September 14th, to Saturday September 21st, 2024
DAY TRIPS AND ACTIVITIES
-
Island Hopping Day: A boat day visiting islands and beautiful Greek beaches, including secret beaches & watermelon on board! (subject to weather conditions)
-
Visit to the picturesque town of Koufonisia & dinner in our favourite fish tavern by the sea
-
Beach hike & cliff jumping with stop over at our favourite beach bar
YOUR TEACHER
Natasha Horne
Natasha is an experienced Yoga practitioner and has been seeing clients regularly for the past 14 years. She has a background in modern and contemporary dance, graduating and specialising in movement exploration and expression of body language in live performance.
Natasha understands the complexities of living in the modern Western world, where you can 'have it all' and at the same time, feel there is something missing - where we have become disconnected from the most fundamental resources and impulses within ourselves. She has been integrating healing practices into her life for the last 20 years and has undergone an Intensive - relational body Psychotherapy training. A transformative and life changing process - which means that she can understand the impact trauma can have on our lives and how to heal from it.
Natasha feels truly grateful for the spiritual guidance that she has received and how her previous experience supports her ongoing healing journey and profession - where she is able to work alongside her clients, guiding them to foster their own unique healing path and to hold space for not only their pain but their innate capacity for joy!
BA Contemporary dance
500hr Yoga teacher training hours
14 years teaching experience
Reiki healing, Level 1 Certificate
Polestar Mat Pilates
Thai Yoga massage
Biomedicine foundation year CNM
3 years Biodynamic massage therapy
6 year Body - Orientated Psychotherapy
Feldenkrais method
Body targeted Hypnotherapy
Vipassana silent retreat
Karma Yoga
Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga
Traditional Hatha Vinyasa
Auyverdic healing and cleansing
Autonomic response testing
Vedanta studies
Training and areas of Interest
"I have never felt so much kindness and appreciation for my body, I am definitely coming back"
"The effects of the retreat have been life changing and I am still receiving the benefits long after the retreat"
This retreat is for you if you want to:
Nourish your body, mind and soul with nutritious food, exquisite nature and therapeutic practices - in a supportive and healing environment.
Have a commitment in the diary to support your emotional, physical and spiritual health
Work on your unconscious patterns of suffering and contribute to healing in a wider context.
Meet new people, have a change of scenery and get a new perspective.
Learn Eastern and Western healing practices that are specifically tailored to process stress in the body and to learn how to feel more fully alive.
To learn how to self-regulate and co-regulate successfully.
Slow down and reflect on what's important in life.
Take a look around....
natashahorne.co.uk