Retreats calendar from April to September 2016, Greece

Discover the presentation of the instructors on this page : Yoga Teachers Greece 2016

Françoise Barrios, Ayurveda Doctor and clinical psychologist, will be responsible for Ayurvedic treatments and Ayurvedic dietary there.

Please Click on the name of the teacher to discober is biography.

Ilke Van Camp : Vinyasa and Nidra Yoga

Day 1

• Morning: 2 hours Vinyasa flow (savasana, surya namaskarah A&B), triconasana, sarvangasana
• Afternoon: 2 hours Yoga relaxation (Nidra Yoga)

Day 2

• Morning: 2 hours Pranayama (1h), mini Vinyasa flow
• Afternoon: 2 hours introduction forward bends

Day 3

• Morning: 2 hours Detox Vinyasa
• Afternoon: 2 hours introduction back bending

Day 4

• Morning: 2 hours Hatha Yoga (maintaining postures)
• Afternoon: 2 hours introduction inverted postures (sarvangasana, sirshasana), Nidra

Day 5

• Morning: 2 hours Energizing Vinyasa (pranayama incorporation)
• Afternoon: 2 hours Yoga relaxation (nidra)

Day 6

• Morning: 2 hours Energizing Vinyasa (pranayama incorporation)
• Afternoon: 2 hours Yoga relaxation (nidra)

Caroline Nagel : Hatha and Nidra Yoga

Morning Hatha Yoga : from 7:30 to 9:30

Some info on Hatha Yoga

Hatha yoga seeks to unify the energies of Ha and Tha by merging breath and mind towards the heart. Hatha yoga balances the refreshing energy of the moon (ha) with the energy from the hot sun (tha).

This is done through the practice of asanas and pranayama, movement and breathing.

Hatha Yoga  helps to circulate the energy throughout the body, allowing a better internal functioning.

Teaching of the asanas is practiced to improve physical health and clear the mind to prepare to concentration (dharana) in order to achieve through meditation (dhyana) the state of Samadhi.

The Indian practice of Hatha Yoga strives to develop breath control (pranayama) and stability of postures (asanas) that can be linked as in a choreography, such as Sun Salutation.

In the West, the vast majority of Hatha Yoga sessions revolve around a number of postures organized according to the level of participants and the objective of the session (Bhavana).

Breathing can either be punctuated within postures or concentrated over a given time. The session usually ends with a moment of relaxation. These three components may be disposed in very different ways depending on the school, the time of the day, age and expectations of participants. Less frequently, extracts of the Yoga Sutra may be sung, or even the Yoga Sutra; this is more common in India.

Any posture (asana) that the body can adopt is consider as yoga so long as the intensity provides contentment. Non-violence towards his own body, humility, are principles that avoid confusing yoga and acrobatics. Postures can be static. When they are dynamic, they can be practiced according to a precise sequence, often in a particular breathing order.

It takes some experience to take a posture in a relaxing “structured” with regular breathing and good spinal alignment coordinated with the alignment of other body segments. The postures have an impact

• In terms of stretch, which promotes muscle drainage and relieves pain which ensues from tension,
• In terms of massage of internal organs, by successive compression and decompression,
• In terms of concentration and a certain self-knowledge, in order to contract the muscles needed for the architecture of the posture or on the contrary relax the opposite muscles.

Sequence of asanas (postures)

Trikonasana – Vajrasana – Matsyendrasana – Gomukhasana – Marjarasana – Cakravakasana – Adomukhashvanasana – Guru Pranam – Cobra Pose – Bow Pose – Savasana – Relaxation

We will go deeper each day in different asanas and meditation.

DAY 1: stretching to prepare the body

• Adhomukhashvanasana
• Paścimottānāsana
• Sarvangasana
• Urdhva Dhanurasana

DAY 2: position and alignment

• Baddhakonasana
• Tadasana
• Parśvottānāsana
• Gomukhasana
• Halasana

Day 3: Maintaining strong postures

• Dhanurasana
• Caturanga Dandasana
• Ardhamatsyendrasana
• Pūrvottānāsana

Day 4: Balance

• Navasana
• Vrkasana
• Garudasana

Day 5:

• Pranayama Krias
• Baddha konasana
• Padmasana
• Simhasana
• Day 6: Soft Yin Yoga
• Balasana
• Vajrasana
• Matsyasana

Afternoon from 5:30 to 7:30 pm : Yoga Nidra

Midi Nidra Yoga to balance deeply body and mind

Some information about Nidra Yoga:

Yoga Nidra is one of the most effective and least explored technique to unlock the power of your deep subconscious. The literal translation of Nidra is sleep. But Nidra Yoga is a dynamic state, not the unconscious sleep of the night. As the ordinary sleep may renew the body and refresh the mind, as Nidra Yoga has the opportunity to change your subconscious programming.

The Amrit Yiga Nidra method does not require years of practice, intellectual understanding or access to power. All that is required is attention and unwavering confidence in the process of revelation through direct experience. It is a unique combination of awareness and deep relaxation.

At the most basic level, Nidra Yoga relaxes, rejuvenates and renews the physical body. It also eliminates barriers and unconscious energy blocks that impede you from living your life to the fullest. With regular practice, Yoga Nidra makes it easy to realize your intentions and achieve an integrated state in which your body moves towards self-healing.

Yoga Nidra works by immersing your brain in healing rhythms of the alpha state. Here you simultaneously access the power of the two hemispheres of the brain: left side, which is logical and intuitive, and right side, which is incisive. This also allow you to align sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems to achieve homeostasis of the body and mind.

This is a state of unity, where you draw from the creative power beyond the ego-mind and where you can have access to healing physically, mentally and emotionally.

It has been estimated that stress is the underlying cause of almost 80% of illnesses.

Stress can appear in different forms, most doing so much part of our routine that we fail to recognize them as problems. These hidden stressors invade us continuously and cumulatively result in a wide range of health problems, including premature aging, degenerative diseases, insomnia, indigestion, high blood pressure, heartburn, addictions to alcohol, drugs and tobacco, and more.

The fight is not an effective solution to change stressful destructive behaviors because these habit patterns are deeply rooted in the pre-programming of the karmic body. To release these blockages, you must dismantle them from the essence.

Yoga Nidra takes you beyond the gates of the five senses. In this area, called “Zero Stress Zone”, you have the power to refresh your intentions, affirmations and prayers. Yoga Nidra initiates changes in the deepest core of your being and provides powerful tools to eliminate stress and banish self-destructive unconscious fears, beliefs and habits. Your life begins to synchronize with your intentions, because you do not fight with yourself anymore.

This technic is neither logical nor psychological. It is a leap forward, beyond the understanding of the intellect, in the areas of trust and faith, love and compassion. It bypasses the linear approach and solves destructive behavior to their source. Yoga Nidra is a powerful tool that can help you reshape your life, rebuild your health and renew your life.

Samuel Apedo Atti (Hardhan Singh) : Kundalini Yoga

Related to the Tantric tradition, Kundalini yoga or “yoga of awakening of consciousness” takes source in the Punjab (North India). It combines and synthesizes several forms of yoga : Hatha Yoga, Tantra Yoga, Gyan yoga, Karma Yoga, Naad Yoga, Bakti Yoga, Raja Yoga…

As an awakening of consciousness technology, Kundalini yoga will help to develop the creative energy potential of your being. It is a great user guide of human consciousness, to explore your dimensions, your depth, your nature and your potential as a human being.

Knowledge becomes true wisdom when experienced with our heart and our whole being. Kundalini yoga will act on three structures: body, mind, soul. This is the fastest and more powerful way to establish a link between body, mind and soul.

On the menu of this six days retreat, we will approach in the morning from 7:30 to :30 and in the evening from 5:30 to 7:30 all practices that will work your entire being:

• Posture practice (asanas)
• Practice of mental concentration (dharana)
• Practice of prana (pranayama)
• Meditation practice (Naad yoga)
• Mudras practice (energy loopback)

The regular practice of Kundalini Yoga will help regenerate and strengthen the nervous system, cleanse internal organs, develop the respiratory system, tone the entire glandular system.

The practice will allow you to abandon the old mental models to make room for a clarified and purified mind, with a deeper understanding of self-awareness and life.

Music accompanies practice: singing mantras is an integral part of kriyas or meditations.

Laurent Peyret (Seva Karam) : Ashtanga Vinyasa and Kundalini Yoga

Give yourself the opportunity to experience the transformative powers of yoga away from your usual routine

Whether you are a beginner with many questions or someone who has practiced yoga before, this retreat offers the opportunity to reconnect with a lifestyle that nourishes body and mind.

During this retreat, we will explore key aspects of Kundalini Yoga method and Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga to help you understanding all aspects of the practice so that you can begin to cultivate a healthy, sustainable yoga practice.

The daily yoga practice will consist of Ashtanga yoga classes (asanas and pranayama) in the morning and Kundalini Yoga (Kriya, pranayama, meditation Mantra) in the afternoon.

Yoga practice will take place in a dedicated area bathed by natural light. In the morning, yoga session will be from 07:00 to 09:30: we will cover all aspects of the practice of Ashtanga: Ujjayi breathing, sequence of postures, concentration, bandas, synchronizing breath and movement, anchorage, alignment, listening.

In the afternoon, Kundalini session will run from 05:30 to 07:30pm. This class will focus on the exploration and practice of kriyas, meditation mantras to work in depth “10 bodies”.

This workshop is intended for beginners and students of all levels.

A few words about Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga:

Vinyasa Yoga is a practice that is both dynamic and meditative, which involves the optimal synchronization of breath and movement incorporating the following principles: a controlled breathing (Ujjayi), physical postures (asanas), the vinyasa (dynamic transition from a pose to another), bandhas (energy and muscle lock) and a look turned inward (Dristi). Combined, these result in a deep inner listening, a subtle body awareness and withdrawal of the senses to the self (prathyahara).

The system consists in six sequences of physical postures (called ‘series’), arranged in a predetermined, unchangeable and progressive order.

Learning a posture requires knowledge of the previous posture; learning the second serie requires the full implementation of the first and so on…

The Ashtanga Yoga includes specific methods, which include the following three elements (Tri-Shtana):

• The Vinyasa : breath linked to movement
• The Bandas: energy locks
• The Drishtis: look on concentration points

Ashtanga yoga is known to improve blood circulation by thinning thanks to internal heat, strengthen the immune system, tone the heart and slowing the heart rate. It also allows, through sweating, eliminate toxins from muscles and organs, and thus to cleanse the body thoroughly. Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga’s system pays attention to the balanced development of strength, flexibility, balance and endurance. It provides better body awareness, mental balance and develops concentration during and after the practice. Ashtanga yoga gradually shapes a light and strong body, and a calm and serene mind.

A few words about Kundalini Yoga

Related to the Tantric tradition, Kundalini yoga or “yoga of awakening of consciousness” takes source in the Punjab (North India). It combines and synthesizes several forms of yoga : Hatha Yoga, Tantra Yoga, Gyan yoga, Karma Yoga, Naad Yoga, Bakti Yoga, Raja Yoga…

As an awakening of consciousness technology, Kundalini yoga will help to develop the creative energy potential of your being. It is a great user guide of human consciousness, to explore your dimensions, your depth, your nature and your potential as a human being.

Knowledge becomes true wisdom when experienced with our heart and our whole being. Kundalini yoga will act on three structures: body, mind, soul. This is the fastest and more powerful way to establish a link between body, mind and soul.

On the menu of this six days retreat, we will approach in the morning from 7:30 to :30 and in the evening from 5:30 to 7:30 all practices that will work your entire being:

• Posture practice (asanas)
• Practice of mental concentration (dharana)
• Practice of prana (pranayama)
• Meditation practice (Naad yoga)
• Mudras practice (energy loopback)

The regular practice of Kundalini Yoga will help regenerate and strengthen the nervous system, cleanse internal organs, develop the respiratory system, tone the entire glandular system.

The practice will allow you to abandon the old mental models to make room for a clarified and purified mind, with a deeper understanding of self-awareness and life.

Music accompanies the practice: singing mantras is an integral part of kriyas or meditations.

Olivia Charpentier : Ashtanga yoga and Hatha Yoga + SophroYogi

This retreat will allow you to experience the benefits of yoga in an ideal environment and explore various aspects of practice (meditation, pranayama, kriyas, asanas, yoga nidra).

The morning session will start with a sitting meditation followed by a session of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga, dynamic yoga that strengthens the body and balances the mental, while eliminating toxins through the synchronization of breath and movement.

We will study the key elements of the Ashtanga bandas system, drishtis, vinyasa and ujjayi breathing, seeking the fluidity of breath, towards this state of meditation in movement of an Ashtanga.

The evening Hatha session, guided by a theme, will be softer. You will learn to relieve stress and listen to your deepest feelings, while preparing you to sleep.

Two workshops will also be offered to adjustments late in the day to better understand the postures and their principles.

This retreat is for all those who wish to make a rejuvenating break out of their daily life, deepen their personal practice and leave with a solid foundation to continue their way.

1^st day: welcoming participants, installation in rooms, presentation and discussions about everyone’s needs and goals

2^nd day

• 7:30-9:30 am: introduction to Pranayama and meditation, then Ashtanga/Vinyasa
• 5:0-7:30 pm: Hatha Yoga / Sofroyogy® – ‘learning to evacuate physical, mental and emotional tensions’

3^rd day

• 7:30-9:30 am: Meditation, pranayama, then Ashtanga/Vinyasa
• 5:30-7:30 pm: workshop on adjustments and postures with a magnifying glass

4^th day

• 7:30-9:30 am: Meditation and pranayama, then Ashtanga/vinyasa
• 5:30-7:30 pm: Hatha Yoga / Sofroyogy® ‘Balancing on the mate and in ourselves’

5^th day

• 7:30-9:30 am: Meditation and Pranayama, then Ashtanga/Vinyasa
• 5:30-7:30 pm: Workshop adjustments and postures with a magnifying glass

6^th day

• 7:30-9:30 am: Meditation and Pranayama, then Ashtanga/Vinyasa
• 5:30-7:30 pm: Hatha Yoga/Sofroyogy® ‘learn letting go and be open to possibilities’