You will arrive on a Tuesday at either Chania or Heraklion Airport and transfer to us either by taxi, car hire (or minibus by arrangement).
If you are able to arrive in the afternoon, you may wish to attend an informal welcome buffet on the terraces of the organisers' villa, which is a few hundred metres from your own accommodation. Here we will acquaint you with the area and facilities. The evening will be free for you to explore, perhaps enjoying a meal at one of the many fine local restaurants.
Our first class begins next day, Wednesday morning at 8.30 am. Vicky will introduce her style of yoga to you, and there will be time to get to know your fellow students and staff, followed by your first yoga lesson.
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book now and secure your 2008 place: strictly limited to 12 students per week
choice of 4 weeks in May/June and Sept/Oct 2008
After brunch on the patio of Villa Helios, we will have our formal welcome meeting and the weeks activities will be confirmed to suit everybody's requirements. You then have the opportunity to book alternative holistic therapies, direct with the visiting practitioners. Normally there is a choice of Energy Clearings, Reiki, Birth Astrology Readings, Ayurvedic Massage, and Thai Yoga Massage (although may be subject to change, depending on availability). The cost of these treatments is extra and paid direct to the practitioner at the time of your visit.
the 7-day course: for beginners & more practiced yogis
Yoga is a science and a way of life, integrating body, mind and spirit. Yoga balances, harmonizes, purifies and strengthens. It shows the way to perfect health, perfect mind-control and perfect peace with one's own self, the world and nature.
The Sivananda Hatha Yoga is a program that has been adapted for the busy life style of the west. It incorporates a system that is simple and natural involving the main principles of yoga that can be applied to everyday life for long term health.
During your week together, Victoria will provide step-by-step introduction of the theory and practice of Hatha Yoga. This will include the 12 basic postures performed in a systematic way to fully benefit all of the body plus breathing exercises and relaxation. You will learn:
Correct Exercise (Asana / Postures)
Yoga physical exercise, called asanas, provides a gentle stretching which lubricates the joints, muscles, ligaments, tendons and other parts of the body. Asanas work on our entire system by increasing circulation, flexibility and strength. Simultaneously, they are also mental exercises in concentration and meditation.
Correct Breathing (Pranayama)
Deep breathing and specific breathing techniques that help to cleanse and nourish the physical body and calm the mind are called Pranayama. They connect our body to its battery, the solar plexus, were tremendous potential energy is stored. By learning proper breathing the energy is released for physical and mental rejuvenation.
Correct Relaxation (Shavasana)
When the body and mind are continually stressed and over-worked, their natural efficiency diminishes. Yoga teaches us how to relax. It sounds simple, yet we forget how. There are three levels of relaxation physical, mental and spiritual. Yogic relaxation retrains the mind and the muscles for deep and complete relaxation.
At the end of the course you will have an understanding of the postures, breathing and relaxation. You will have increased energy, vitality and a feeling of peace to calmly deal with the everyday stresses of life long after you have left Crete.
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For the Thursday afternoon and evening, Victoria invites you to visit the ancient historic ruins of nearby Aptera where we will indulge in some sightseeing. After dark, we perform a group exercise called Chandra Namaskara 'Moon Salutation' using the energy of the Moon, the Earth, colour and sound. This helps clear our energy centres to give perfect balance in mind, body and spirit. Free transport is provided and we will stop for supper at Victoria's local village for a traditional Cretan meal at a local taverna. This visit, including your meal and glass of village wine, is included free of charge.
On the Sunday, the Organisers invite you to the secret cove at Ombroglios, where you can swim in crystal clear waters from 'Zeus's Rock'. You can then enjoy an unhurried complementary lunch at one of the best waterside tavernas in Crete (unknown to most tourists!). Free transport is again provided.
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There are many activities close at hand, starting with a variety of spectacular walks straight from the door. An expert knowlegeable and experienced guide is available from Faragi Tours - where you can be taken along gorge walks to see an astonishing display of wild flowers - including huge carnivorous plants growing wild! For beach lovers, you could not find better than the clean Blue Flag beach in Almirida Bay, where there is also a windsailing school.
In Chania there is a licenced scuba centre (PADI) which specialises in diving in and around the many undersea caves for which this area is renowned. Further afield is the world-famous Samaria Gorge. At over 14 miles long, it is the longest in Europe and a favourite of seasoned hikers.
For archaeology buffs, it's just a two hour drive to the capital city of Heraklion and the ancient ruins of Knossos - the Minoan palace of King Minos at the centre of Europe's first civilisation, also associated with the legend of the Labrynth and the Minotaur.
So much to see and do! You may want to hire a car so you don't miss out.
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