Waking Up To Life: Retreat with Scott Johnson - A 7 Day Ashtanga Yoga and Mindfulness Retreat in Southern Crete

Scott Johnson 

Scott has been practising yoga since 1998, and teaching Ashtanga yoga since 2003. He’s one of only a few Ashtanga teachers to both be authorised in the primary and intermediate series by Manju Jois and be given senior teacher status by John Scott.

Scott is registered as a senior yoga teacher with Yoga Alliance UK and has also undergone extensive training with Clear Mind International, gaining their level 1, 2 & 3 certificate in Mindfulness and Compassion. Scott’s years of dedicated and committed teaching each morning has led Stillpoint to become a highly respected central London Ashtanga yoga shala. He meets everyone who comes and looks to create long-term relationships, integrating the practice of yoga and embodied mindfulness as a way of meeting the world. 

https://stillpoint.yoga/events/ashtanga-yoga-crete-retreat/

The retreat will include:

• Mindfulness Meditation
• Pranayama/breathing techniques
• Ashtanga yoga - Self practice and guided classes
• Chanting
• Yoga Philosophy
• Movement technique.

What you will gain from the retreat:

Over the retreat you will be led toward an understanding of your personal yogic process and how it pertains to your life. We will see that yoga is a myriad of teachings and practices but at its base it is reflected in the mind, the breath, the body and language. It also relates directly and significantly to our own life and grows out of relationship in all their forms.

Seeing how all these connect together you will receive a sense of what it means to wake up, in your life, through the practice of yoga.

The retreat includes:

3 Hours x 6 morning classes

2.5 Hours x 3 afternoon classes

Morning classes

There will be instruction and guidance in:

- mindfulness

- pranayama

- ashtanga yoga guided and self practice classes

- chanting.

Over the 6 days this will evolve into a fluid experience so that the last day blends from one practice into another.

Afternoon sessions (Technique and Philosophy)

Technique

Looking at the underpinning techniques behind the Ashtanga yoga method eg.

• The Movement principles of Surya Namaskar
• Weight dynamics in standing postures
• Shoulder and hip alignment.
• Breath, Banda through the whole body. How to practice safely in all areas of      asana, with awareness.

Philosophy

Over the afternoons we will unpack how:

• The first 3 sutras of Patanjali and awareness of the four foundations of      mindfulness show us the pathway of contemplation and awakening.
• How the philosophy of classical yoga and the dharma gibe us ways to interact      with the world.
• The 5 Kleshas are what stops us from seeing clearly.
• The Ashtanga yoga eight limbed path is the method that unveils wisdom in our      life time.
• We will be left with how to see our yoga practice through the lens of sutra      1.20 and then see that we are practically almost there, through Mukunda Stiles translation of 1.21.

 About Tertsa Yoga and Retreats

Tertsa is a tiny village hidden in a beach-side valley on the island of Crete. It is a haven for those that seek true retreat from the fast paced modern world.

Off the usual tourist trail, Tertsa’s lush valley and beachfront location offer the best of Crete; living in harmony with nature, generous hospitality, a slow paced lifestyle and the shining Mediterranean sea. Located on the Southeastern Coast of the island, the surrounding Dikti mountain range shelters the small valley from the cold North wind making Tertsa one of the warmest places in Greece.

Tertsa Retreat center – is a 5 minute walk from the village and the beach. A place created with mindfulness and care for nature. A place of healing, banana trees, sun, sea and peace… We are happy to offer you an opportunity to step out of the day to day world and live in pristine nature while you dive deeply into yoga.

Accommodation

The original yogis were totally in tune with nature. We have created an opportunity for you to experience living close to the elements while being completely comfortable!

We have four large and beautiful cotton canvas tents. Each can accommodate two people comfortably. These beautiful structures include a mesh wall that zips onto the groundsheet and canopy, allowing you to roll up the canvas walls for maximum ventilation and view while being totally protected and bug free.

All of our tents are fully furnished including comfortable mattresses, bedding and towels.     Fall asleep to the smell of wild Cretan herbs! .

There are outdoor showers and toilets which are shared by the tents in the camping area. Each tent sleeps two people. Couples can arrange to have their own tent.

Right under the yoga shala and overlooking the lush sub-tropical valley of Tertsa and the sea, is our boho style guest accommodation. With 32 m2 of living space, for up to four people can stay here very comfortably. This space has an outdoor hot shower and toilet.

There are fully equipped indoor bathrooms and a laundry room at the bottom of the retreat.

Food

Organic vegetarian cooking, fresh from farm to table!

Mediterranean cuisine at it’s best. Our meals are catered by a local chef who sources almost all ingredients directly from local farmers.

Traditional Mediterranean dishes with a vegetarian twist, a variety of seasonal vegetables and fruits, fresh bread, fresh fruits an array of traditional Greek and of course an abundance of Cretan olive oil.

Schedule

Sunday 2 July: Check in afternoon

Dinner in a local tavern 19:00

Daily Schedule:

· 6.30 to 8.00am light breakfast (coffee, tea, nuts and dried fruits, cookies, some fruit…)

· 8.00am  Morning Practice

· 11.00am Brunch

· Free time

· 4.30pm Afternoon Class (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday)

· 7.00pm Dinner

Sunday 9 July: Check out after brunch

Price & Booking

EARLY BIRD price - 900 euro*

After May 15th - 1000 euro*

*The price includes: yoga classes (6 morning sessions and 4 afternoon workshops), accommodations, and food.

*4 Off-site accommodation options available (contact us for info and price)

GETTING THERE - Tertsa is one and a half hours drive from Heraklion airport. We can arrange transportation for you if you request it. Some people may prefer to rent a car or take the bus to the neighboring town of Ierapetra where we can pick you up.

For more information or to book your spot, please contact us any time:

https://stillpoint.yoga/events/ashtanga-yoga-crete-retreat/

tertsaretreat@gmail.com

For questions about accommodations, food or transportation

contact Nathalie on Whats app

+30 698 034 75 07