The Summer Solstice Week invites us to celebrate the joy and lightness life on earth provides for us each year. My Embody Nature Retreat is intending to support us in storing all the goodness of this magical time deep within our being.
Within the pleasure and safety of a loving container, we journey through the Elements inside ourselves: Earth, Water, Fire, Air & Space. Join us on the green, enchanting, and mystical island of Corfu for a nurturing nature immersion, with plenty of Yoga, Qi gong, Somatics and more surprises.
The days will start with a carefully-themed Yoga practice helping us to attune to one element at a time. Opening up to the different parts that make up our being during yoga is a very special and inspiring experience in itself. All your senses can fully receive the teachings, beauty and harmony of the elements. To deepen your experience, each evening I will guide you through a somatic or meditative journey, offering a slow space to integrate the insights of your day.
The physical container for our journey is a beautiful Yoga Shala overlooking Greek olive groves. In that wonderful setting so close to nature you will enjoy dropping into the precious quality of silence and re-member more of your own inner wholeness. The nourishing component of a group-presence helps to expand the depth of your practice, give new perspectives, and offers a sense of belonging to the earth and our human family.
Faciltator
Laila Sell
Somatic Yoga Retreats & Teacher Training
During her yoga retreats Laila takes her students on a journey to reconnect to themselves more fully. To feel, sense and connect to the body, breath and mind. Her classes are process-oriented, looking for a quality of movement that enhances awareness and freedom.
It is an invitation to explore and experience new ways of moving, breathing and being — finding a harmonious flow between the Ying & Yang.
Laila spent 8 years of her life living in India, where she developed her teaching skills during 4 years in the Iyengar Yoga tradition under the guidance of an Indian Master. She continued her studies in different forms of Yoga with teachers of various backgrounds including Yin, Restorative, Scaravelli – inspired Yoga, Yoga Synergy, Calligraphy Yoga and Vipassana meditation. She is also a somatic movement coach, knowledgeable in various healing techniques as well as being a trained dancer. Laila has been teaching yoga since 2006, dividing her time between India, Morocco, Malta, France, Germany, UK and Italy. She loves to share tools that effectively release tensions from the nervous system and reset the brain, muscles and cellular memory to be more relaxed and open. This in turn brings greater energy, vitality and hormonal balance by improving circulation, digestion and sleep patterns.
Laila places a strong emphasis on rejuvenating poses & restorative yoga that recharges the inner batteries and help to achieve emotional balance. Her flow classes are slow, deep and graceful. It’s a unique combination of traditional Hata yoga postures and ancient Shaolin Martial art techniques that bring a particular fluidity and ease to the practice. Creating within the movement a “no mind” state of presence that is meditative, energy building and providing a sense of deep peace and happiness.
Location
Arillas is a small village located on the North West coast of the island of Corfu, about 40 km from Corfu town and airport. Around here you can find the most beautiful beaches on the island. They can be accessed within 15 min walking distance from the venue. Waters are crystal clear and so inviting for a refreshing swim. Along this coast you’ll also find dramatic cliffs and various stunning bays to walk and explore, plenty of places to be in silence with the abundant olive groves and a totally stunning sunsets spectacle every evening. During the summer months Arillas comes alive with a truly vibrant and lively creative community of people living here with plenty of fabulous concerts and all sorts of interesting events happening. On the sea front you will find a large variety of options for meals from the typical Greek tavernas, healthy juice bars all the way to hype fusion cuisine. The atmosphere is easy going, friendly and relaxing…. The perfect place to recharge and nourish heart, body and soul.
Accomodation and Meals
Alexis Zorbas is a retreat venue that has been established in Arillas since many years. Here the guests are welcomed by the friendly team in various cosy holiday apartments with kitchenette, shared bathroom and two double rooms. Most rooms have their own ocean view. For those who prefers more privacy, single occupancy is also available. Please inquire for availability.
The meals will be enjoyed at the beautiful Sunset Bar with a gorgeous buffet style breakfast and lunch in the garden with magnificent views over Arillas Bay. The meals are vegetarian and are adaptable to special diets.
Schedule
7:30 – 9:30 morning Yoga
9:30 – 10:30 Breakfast buffet
10:30 – 17:30 free time
17:30 – 19:00 evening Yoga
19:30 – 20:30 Dinner buffet
Wednesday afternoon there will be no yoga class.This schedule is flexible and subject to change if needed!!
Activities
Enjoy plenty of free time, soaking up precious sun light and experiencing the magic of Corfu Island. After the morning’s classes, workshops and nourishing healthy food you will have the entire afternoon to follow your own flow, explore and relax. Hang out on the beach without having to be back at any given time, swim, get a massage treatments or just relaxing with a book somewhere peaceful. The sun set time in Arillas is absolutely magical on the beach so this where you may choose to be. There will be a couple of beach gatherings during the week to be announced during the week. Dinner is free to choose from the large restaurants available.
Venue: Alexis Zorbas Center, Arillas
Cost:
€ 985 Shared room (1085€ normal price)
€ 1085 Single room (1185€ normal price)
* Prices include breakfast, dinner and accomodation
Retreat price includes:
8 days and 7 nights accommodation (bedrooms each with private bathrooms, linens)
All breakfast and dinners
Use of estate premises (yoga spaces, gardens, filtered water, tea during the day)
Two Daily Yoga Classes (over 22 hours in total)
Use of yoga mats and props
Not included in the trip price: Air fare to and from Arillas, Travel insurance transfers and any extras such as 1-1 sessions (massages/bodyworks) or excursions or snacks during the day. Drinks.
