Ali Gilling

Breathwork, yoga & mindfulness retreat on the island of Kefalonia, Greece

11 - 18 June 2023

Cost from £475

Teacher Ali Gilling

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About Vigla

The first thing to strike you about Vigla Village is its sublime location on the Ionian Coast of the Greek island of Kefalonia. It's a feast for the senses as you take in the intoxicating smell of the pine and eucalyptus trees and the crystal clear, deep blue of the Ionian sea. Coupled with the welcoming and open-hearted Greek hospitality of Anna, Angelos and Yannis, you cannot help but begin to relax as soon as you arrive.

Perched high on a clifftop, the clean and comfortable apartments with private balconies, overlook the inspiring panorama. Just a short stroll away you can take the picturesque path down to Vigla's own private beach and the warm and inviting sea.

Vigla Village simply blows you away; it's the sort of place that you want to come back to time after time.

Retreat programme

Each morning will begin with meditation, pranayama, and an energising yoga class on the wonderful yoga platform overlooking the endless blue ocean, opening the body and attuning the mind to the breath. The morning practices will be in silence followed by a hearty breakfast.

On three mornings there will be an opportunity to explore a type of breathing practice known as ‘conscious connected breathwork’. So after a shortened yoga practice, there will be a guided breathwork practice to music.

There will be free time between classes to head off to the beach, relax by the pool or explore the stunning beauty of the surroundings. There will be one free day during the week to explore further around the island if you choose.

The group will meet again in the late afternoon for a session of restorative yoga, mindfulness practices and yoga nidra. The classes will be suitable for all levels of yoga, meditation and breathwork experience.

In the evenings, there are a few charming traditional Greek tavernas within walking distance of Vigla. Lunch and dinner aren't included in the cost to give people the option to go for dinner as a group or self cater if they prefer, each apartment has a small kitchen.

A note on the breathwork practice.

Conscious connected breathwork is a powerful breathing technique that can be a deeply transformative practice, giving us the opportunity to deeply connect with our core being. It has the possibility of bringing about profound healing on many levels, by helping to release blocked emotions or trauma that is stuck in the body and allow us to access higher states of consciousness; switching off our default mode of thinking, old patterns and stories that go on in our brains. And it can also be peaceful, profound and gentle.

Things to do

One could quite easily while away a week of deep rest and rejuvenation here, enjoying the wonderful private beach and swimming pool. There's also plenty of space at Vigla Village to find a quiet spot in the shade of the trees enjoying the colours and fragrance of the beautiful flowers.

The local village, Spartia, also has its' own pretty beach just a 10 minute walk away and a small centre with a couple of shops and a restaurant.

For those with an adventurous spirit you could hire a car to explore the outstanding beauty of this island. Caves, boat trips, snorkelling, fishing, trips to stunning local villages and a visit to Myrtos, known to be one of the world's most beautiful beaches, are amongst some of the many things on offer in Kefalonia.

Accommodation

Vigla Village offers self catering apartments which are clean, spacious and have air conditioning and private balconies with sea views. All apartments have between one, two or three bedrooms and share a bathroom, small lounge area and kitchen facilities.

Comments

What a wonderful, rejuvenating, soul stirring time was spent among like minded people in gorgeous Kefalonia. Ali was a gentle, nurturing teacher and presence, and the place itself is a tonic with its pine trees, azure seas and yoga shala with breathtaking views. This is my second YOAS retreat and it won't be my last. Their teachers are world class, the places they find are beautiful and Wendy is always helpful. I feel renewed and restored after my week in Kefalonia following a tough year. Highly recommend this company.
Lisa

Still glowing after a truely lovely time with Yoas again at Viglia. A deeply relaxing time with a great bunch of people. Anna was a superb warm welcoming host as usual- no request was too much for her. Ali and Shian provided a safe supportive and gently challenging routine on that most beautiful of yoga platforms overlooking the sea with the delicious warm evening eucalyptus scented breeze. Missing it and everyone already as I travel back to a grey wet london office.
Dinah

Exceeded all expectations...again! I keep promising myself that I will look at other yoga weeks but then I arrive at Vigla, see the sea, a welcoming Anna, with Ali's gentle and challenging yoga...and then I know why I keep on coming back.
Bridget

Reviews

Seduced by the sea with Yoga on a Shoestring on Kefalonia

Queen of Retreats, July 2017

Sasha Bates reviews this uplifting yoga holiday on Kefalonia with Yoga Teacher Dory Walker and is seduced by the beauty of the sea and contact with the locals.

As a big fan of Captain Corelli’s Mandolin it was hard to resist the prospect of a week of yoga on the island on which it is set. One of the Ionian island off Greece’s west coast, Kefalonia is hilly, largely undeveloped, and surrounded by clear calm waters lapping rocky bays. For nine weeks a year Yoga on a Shoestring set up home here at a small family-run venue, Vigla Village, overlooking Spartia beach in the South West. I join long-time Yoga on a Shoestring teacher, Dory Walker, on a week of her own blend of Sivananda, Krishanamacharya and Iyengar-based practice.

Read the full article on the Queen of Retreats

To see more of Dory’s retreats, click here

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Breathwork, yoga & mindfulness retreat on the island of Kefalonia, Greece, 11 - 18 June 2023

Costs

Sharing a twin or double room in a 1, 2 or 3 bedroom apartment £475
Single room in a 2 or 3 bedroom apartment £575
Single room in a 1 bedroom apartment £675
All room rates are per person.
All apartments share a bathroom, small lounge area and kitchen facilities.

Includes:
Accommodation
Daily breakfast
Daily meditation and yoga classes (apart from one yoga free day)

Not included:
Airport transfers (30-35 euros for a taxi each way, we will group people together where possible to share the cost). Other meals.

A 50% non-refundable deposit is required on booking and the balance is due 6 weeks before you travel.

Travel Arrangements

Kefalonia has its own airport and there are a range of direct flights from Europe. It is also possible to take an indirect flight via the Greek mainland.

Airport transfers will be arranged for you. The price will depend on numbers sharing the cost and time of arrival. Arrival is anytime on 11 June and departure is anytime on 18 June. No yoga on travel days.

There are a few airlines that fly to Kefalonia direct and it is also possible to take an internal flight from the Greek mainland. Here are a selection of websites for flights:-

www.skyscanner.net
www.easyjet.com
www.ba.com
www.ryanair.com
www.tui.co.uk