Yoga and Walking holiday in Greece

Yoga and Walking holiday in the stunning region of the Mani in the Peloponnese

3-10 May 2025

I'D LIKE TO JOIN!

After having fallen in love with this amazing region in Greece and the old fishing village Agios Nikolaos we’ll go back for already the 10th year. Our yoga and walking week is a perfect combination of physical activity and leisure time. This place is very dear to my heart and I love to share it with you! You are surrounded by stunning beauty and the mountains, the sea and the yoga will be grounding and energising you at the same time. There is something special in the air here that makes people want to come back again and again. 

 

This year, my friend Kim Laperre will be joining me to co-teach yoga, bringing her expertise and presence to the practice and offer massage. Together, we’ll create a space for somatic yoga and movement, deep relaxation and connection with both the body and the natural world.

 

We combine delicious somatic yoga with 2 guided walks and 2 visits to authentic mountain villages where we’ll meet the locals, dine out and enjoy the best home cooked traditional dishes. These little villages are hidden jewels and far from any tourist trap. The guided walks will lead us along the gorges, mountains and ancient kalderimi (dry stone footpaths). Here you can discover the real Greece, explore the surrounding foothills and the ancient Byzantine sites.

 

One afternoon, there is an opportunity to visit a meditation centre high on a mountain in a beautiful natural setting. On the mountain, we’ll offer a guided meditation and allow time for silence. You’ll have the chance to walk around freely or find a peaceful spot to sit and simply be, listening to the whispers of the natural world, high above.

 

During the week there is also plenty of time to visit the lovely fishing village; listen to the waves, enjoy a coffee or a glass of wine in one of the local tavernas, stroll along the beach, swim in the crystal clear blue sea, simply read your book or spoil yourself with a massage.

 

Gentle yoga somatics

This week our yoga practise will be an invitation to slow down so we can enter the proces of undoing and connect with the simple joy of our being. The invitation is to focus on opening, strengthening and softening, balance and flexibility through a somatic, meditative and playful approach. The classes are suited for both beginners and more experienced practitioners.

 

I really enjoy Lisan’s style of ‘teaching’. She isn’t ‘putting us through the yoga paces’ (a lot of yoga teachers do, sadly) but more an exploration of movement and postures. It felt so good to slow down our practice together and talk about and feel the benefits. I love the way Lisan shares her understanding and enjoyment.

Yonnie F. (UK)

Morning sessions

Morning sessions begin with taking some time to quiet the mind by focusing on the present moment, becoming aware of the breath and creating space between the breaths. Then we will move into some somatic movements to wake up the body, followed by a well rounded mix of gentle yoga asana, myofascial unwinding and more movement explorations. Each person is encouraged to honor what serves their body in the present moment and the focus is more on exploring the energetic subtleties of yoga then on challenging our physical practice. The practise will help you to feel more energized and relaxed at the same time.

Evening sessions

Evening sessions are more restorative orientated. Because we'll move quite slow with the focus on grounding ourselves, it helps develop our inner listening. We’ll also practise some Yoga Nidra and learn to surf between the states of wakefulness and sleep so that our body finds its natural state of balans and deep relaxation.

Fabulous food

Each day, except for wednesday when we have our long walking day, we’ll have a yummie brunch at the centre after our morning yoga session. On both the evening of our arrival and on departure day, Kerry (the owner of the centre, our host, restaurateur for twenty years and experienced vegetarian cook), serves us fabulous Greek (organic) cuisine with plenty of mezes and organic wine. On the other evenings we wander down to the local village to enjoy a meal by the harbourside. The family run tavernas offer fresh fish and a good selection of vegetarian dishes. On two nights we’ll dine out in the beautiful mountain villages.

Accomodation

Depending on availabillity your accomodation is either at the Spirit of life centre, or in comfortable traditional apartments in the village within 15 min walking distance from the yoga centre.

During my week at the centre I felt my health increasing on all levels. The yogaclasses were like an adventure, Lisan guided and supported us along the way so we could make our own discoveries. The yoga combined with the walking in this incredibly beautiful area has been deeply rejuvenating for me.

Monique de Jong (Netherlands)

I've enjoyed several yoga holidays in different places but spirit of life is now my favourite. Kerry & Wendy have created a place with a magical quality based on a combination of ancient land and customs, deep love of Nature and respect for yoga and healing. Lisan is a wise and generous yoga teacher and gave us a wonderful week of practice and inspiration. The walks with Lisa were absolutely stunnung! Thank you to everyone involved.

Amber S. (UK)

Lisan has a wonderful ability to help us listen and connect to our bodies needs and lead us into deep relaxation. I felt I could proceed at my own pace during the week. The group was just lovely and although quite stressed upon arrival, after one week I felt both rested and strong again.

Annica E. (Sweden)

Time schedule*

Saturday

Time to settle in after your arrival and at 7 pm a lovely welcome dinner at the centre.

Sunday

  • Yoga 8.30 – 10.00
  • Brunch 10.15
  • Free time (walking, beach, resting, massage)
  • Yoga 17.30 – 18.45
  • Dinner in the village or stay at your own apartment

Monday

  • Yoga 8.30 – 10.00

  • Brunch 10.15

  • Guided walk

  • Yoga 17.30 -18.45

  • Dinner in mountain village

Tuesday

Schedule is the same as sunday.

Wednesday

We have a day off from yoga at the center. Guided walk.

Thursday

Schedule is the same as Sunday.

Optional visit to the meditation-centre on the mountain in the afternoon.

Dinner in a mountain village.

Friday

Like Monday, closing ceremony and farewell diner at the centre.

Saturday

Breakfast and fond farewells.

* The time schedule can be subject to change depending on the weather and our spontaneity.

Meet your facilitators

Lisan

As a senior yoga and movement teacher, Lisan has extensive training in Hatha, restorative, medical, and Yin yoga, as well as somatic movement and the Movingness body-mind integration method. She now weaves these practices into her ongoing exploration, personal practice, and teachings.

 

“For me, open awareness of the body has proven to be the doorway to inner freedom, aliveness, and presence that is already here.”

Kim

With a therapeutic background in healthcare and psychiatry, Kim has cultivated a holistic approach to her practice. She is trained in the field of hatha/ vinyasa/ restorative yoga & trauma-sensitive mindfulness, yoga therapy, energetic work and ongoing body-oriented therapy studies – she now loves to share her passion for movement from her intuitive heart.

Pricing

Price: €975 in a shared room and €1.175 for single accomodation.


This package includes:

  • 7 nights in a shared room or apartment in a traditional apartment
  • 9-10 Yoga classes / 1 dance in the olive yard (if it is available)
  • 2 dinners at the yoga-centre
  • 5 brunches
  • 2 guided walks

Not included:

  • Flight to Kalamata
  • 5 dinners around 15 euro in the villages
  • Massages
  • Transport from the airport Kalamata to the yoga centre between €25 and €50 depending on the amount of people sharing a taxi. We might rent some cars and can then offer a guaranteed rate of €25 p.p. one way. For excellent deals for car rental, click here. Your reservation is made as soon as you pay a deposit of €400. The remaining amount should be paid before the first of October and no refund is possible after that.

  • Our retreat is limited to 12 people, we tend to get fully booked each year so don’t wait to long with your booking if you want to be sure of your space.

Join us!

Contact me directly or fill in the form below if you like to make a booking or need more details:
PHONE NUMBER

0046 703588226

Fill in the form below and I will reach out to you:

Come join us for a magical time in the beautiful Mani!

Visit www.thespiritoflife.co.uk for more info on the centre and surroundings.

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