Yoga & Well-Being Retreat Sept 4-9, 2024

Relax, Nourish, & Energize your Mind, Body, & Soul in Beautiful Greece

Immerse Yourself in Daily Yoga Practices, Self-Discovery, and Wellness Rituals on the Gorgeous Greek Island of Aegina

September 4th - 9th, 2024

Retreat highlights: Give yourself the gift of diving deeper into your yoga and mindfulness practice. Explore the gorgeous island of Aegina and connect with like-minded people. Relax at the comfy sunbeds by the seaside pool or at the private sand beach by the hotel, and take a rejuvenating dip into the crystal clear, turquoise water. Enjoy authentic Greek food with fresh ingredients at the hotel and at local tavernas. Give yourself permission to find deep relaxation and nourishment, time for self-reflection, and take care of your well-being in intentional ways.

About the Greek island: The Saronic island Aegina is located just a 40 min ferry ride from Piraeus, Athens. Aegina is known for its picturesque landscapes, famous archaeological sites, and delicious pistachios. September is an ideal month for a Greece visit, with reduced tourist crowds after the peak season and a reduced chance of heatwaves, while still providing warm and comfortable temperatures.

About the hotel: The luxurious 5-star hotel LaLibay Resort & Spa provides a peaceful (and child free!) space for you to immerse yourself in your yoga and self-care practices and enjoy relaxation. LaLibay offers various luxurious amenities and facilities, including a serene spa, gourmet dining options, and picturesque views of the surrounding landscapes.

YOU are invited! No previous experience with yoga is necessary; all levels are welcome. This is an exclusive retreat and spots are limited.

Scroll further down for more testimonials!

What’s included:

  • 5 nights at 5-star hotel LaLibay Resort & Spa on the island of Aegina  

  • Stay at a luxurious hotel room with sea view and private balcony

  • Daily yoga practices every morning and afternoon/evening

  • Positive psychology and well-being workshops

  • 5 breakfasts at “Kavos” restaurant at the hotel

  • 5 dinners: 3 at the hotel restaurant (with a Michelin chef) and 2 at local tavernas

  • Individual treatment: one 25 min neuro-reflexology and scalp/forehead massage for deep relaxation

  • Day Trip to the island Moni to enjoy the gorgeous beach, go on an optional hike to a view point, and observe the wandering peacocks and tame deer

  • Pistachio tasting of local products & sweets

  • Excursion to the Temple of Aphaia and hike at the Archaeological Site of Palaiochora

  • Time to relax and rejuvenate at the private sandy beach or by the seawater pool at the hotel

  • Access to the hotel’s open air gym, tennis court, basketball court, and pétanque game

  • Round-trip ferry tickets from Piraeus port in Athens to Aegina and hotel pick-up and drop-off from the ferry

  • Transportation to and from excursions

  • A wellness welcome gift

What’s not included:

  • Beverages, lunches, and additional meals or snacks

  • Other personal expenses during the retreat

  • Airfare/travel expenses to Piraeus

  • Paddle boarding at the hotel

  • Treatments at Spa "Pigi" at the hotel (you’ll get the opportunity to book body and face treatments, hydrotherapy and massage and get access to the spa’s steam bath, sauna, showers and spa pool)

Investment:

Shared room: 2,400 Euro / 2,570 USD / 28,500 NOK (per person in shared room)

Single room: 2,950 Euro / 3,160 USD / 35,030 NOK

—> Flexible payment plans without interest are available upon request.

Logistics: We will meet by Port Piraeus, by Gate E9 at 2.00pm local time on Wednesday Sept 4th and end the retreat at Port Piraeus around 2:30 pm local time on Monday Sept 9th. See FAQs below for more logistic details!

Meet your Retreat Facilitator & Yoga Teacher

Picture of Cecilie Lovestam smiling with green plants in the background

Hi! I’m Cecilie Løvestam.

I’m a positive psychology practitioner and certified yoga teacher. This retreat offers such a unique and special way for me to share several of my passions: yoga, mindfulness, positive psychology, great food, community & traveling. Greece is a country that means a lot to me, and I can’t wait to enjoy it with you!

Cecilie Lovestam practicing yoga and mindfulness outside in green surroundings

Practice Yoga every Morning & Evening

We invite you to practice Vinyasa yoga or MediYoga in the mornings to energize mind & body. One morning, we’ll practice a dynamic core workout. In the afternoons/ evenings, we will practice a gentle yoga flow or yin & restorative yoga to promote deep relaxation.

We will incorporate mindfulness meditations and pranayama (breathwork) into every class. Each day, we will explore a new theme in our practices.

We will be practicing yoga outside at the hotel’s amphitheater or at the beach.

The yoga sessions will be taught in English with an all levels approach meaning that you will get several options to explore what feels supportive in your body.

Meet your Greek Guide & Logistics Support

Greek man at the beach in Aegina, Greece

Kalimera! I’m Dimitris Fougalas.

I’m here to be your local guide and support you with anything practical during this retreat. I’m happy to tell you about Greek food and culture if you’re curious about that and maybe teach you some Greek phrases! Aegina holds a very special place in my heart as I’ve been visiting this island almost every year since I was a kid. I’m looking forward to sharing it with you!

Meet your MediYoga Teacher and Neuro-Reflexologist

Hi! I’m Ingvild.

I’m a certified yoga therapist with specialization in MediYoga, which is a gentle and therapeutic form of yoga. I’m also a neuro-reflexologist. I’m looking forward to guiding you through two morning MediYoga practices and to offering you one individual de-stress reflexology and scalp massage treatment during the retreat. I can’t wait to participate in the retreat and enjoy Greece with you!

Meet your Self-Love Workshop Facilitator

Hi! I’m Fallon.

I’m a certified therapist and an artist. I help people feel safe in their bodies and minds through inclusive art, empowerment workshops, and psychotherapy. I’m looking forward to guiding you through an empowering self-love workshop! I really enjoyed attending this retreat last year, and I can’t wait to participate again!

Testimonials

What participants of the 2023 retreat are saying:

“This retreat was such a reset for me. It was an introspective journey in the most calm and picturesque setting. Cecilie's gentle yoga style was perfect for grounding one's mind from the daily grind. The resort is incredibly beautiful and luxurious! In addition to a private beach and pool, I loved the nearby hike to the local chapels and 1500 year-old olive trees. I was very satisfied with the mix of free time to relax and social excursions to enjoy the authentic tavernas, delicacies (the food is amazing!) and culture. Thank you for a memorable experience!”

– Roosa Tikkanen – Trondheim, Norway

“Cecilie’s retreat was incredibly therapeutic and rejuvenating. It was just a soul nourishing experience. Cecilie has a lovely presence and she’s a great yoga teacher. I worried the yoga classes would be too hard, but it wasn’t, it was just right. She came around and gave us adjustments and support. I had so much fun getting to know the people on the retreat, I really enjoyed the place where we stayed. This was also a cultural experience because we had native Greek guides telling us about the culture and the food. I loved trying local food, going hiking and exploring the island! I also enjoyed the workshops on positive psychology. This retreat was exactly what I needed, and I felt a sense of release from a lot of stress and tension that I had been carrying. I’m so grateful for that experience. Thank you Cecilie for providing that opportunity for me. It’s invaluable. This retreat was the highlight of my year for sure. And I definitely will be going again!”

– Gabrielle Corse – LA, California

“It was a much-needed retreat for me to deepen my yoga practices, connect with the elements of nature to heal and take time for self-reflection, discovery and integration. Cecilie and Dimitris did an amazing job of organizing the retreat, guiding us in exploring the local culture and cuisine and holding the space throughout. There was something magical about the Mediterranean Ocean – I hope to meet it again!”

– Sandeep Karthikeyan – Oslo, Norway

“Cecilie is one of the most present and compassionate yoga teachers I have ever met. And it’s not just when she is teaching yoga. I felt so cared for and nurtured in every moment of this retreat. If you are looking for a soft, kind space to restore (while strengthen), I can’t recommend Cecilie’s retreat enough!”

– Caitie Corradino – Lisbon, Portugal

What Cecilie’s previous yoga students are saying:

“Cecilie’s yoga and mindfulness classes fill me with so much joy and a sense of achievement. Her methods are by far the most comfortable and effective I have experienced in my yoga journey. She has helped me manage my stress levels by teaching me breathing techniques. Cecilie’s positive psychology education really shines through in her teachings, making each class a great moment of self-reflection and healing.”

- Maria Antvort, – London, England

“Yoga with Cecilie is something I always look forward to, especially when life is stressful. As a beginner, I find Cecilie’s classes easy to follow and having attended the sessions for a few months I can see an improvement in my flexibility and strength! Cecilie’s classes give me the space to switch off, focus on myself, relax and recharge.”

– Sacha Kuilman – Erbil, Iraqi Kurdistan

What Ingvild’s previous neuro-reflexology clients and MediYoga students are saying:

“Ingvild’s neuro-reflexology treatments are extremely beneficial for my mental and physical health and wellness. I’ve been coming to Ingvild for regular treatments since 2014. I’m very grateful for Ingvild’s treatments, which help me reducing stress and physical tension as well as improving my sleep quality. Ingvild is a warm, kind, and trustworthy person, and I strongly recommend her reflexology treatments.”

– Marit Breivik – Oslo, Norway

“I started neuro-reflexology treatments with Ingvild in the fall of 2012. I have complex health challenges that created an imbalance in my body. Ingvild helped me find balance and thereby less pain. She is extremely knowledgeable and conveys her knowledge in a helpful and accessible way. Ingvild has a warm personality that gives you a sense of safety and calm that you rarely find. I recommend neuro-reflexology with Ingvild to everyone.”

- Kristin Meling - Bergen, Norway

“In October 2021, we started with MediYoga classes with Ingvild. It immediately became the highlight of the week! These are calming practices that everyone can do and adapt to their own body. Ingvild leads the class in a pleasant way and gives everyone the opportunity to find "their way" of doing the exercises. Ingvild’s MediYoga practices give us peace, relaxation and well-being, which has had very positive health benefits for us. We sleep better, have reduced back pain/pain in general, and not least the ability to use the breath in a good way. We would recommend Ingvild's MediYoga classes to everyone!”

- Kristin and Knut Meling - Bergen, Norway

“Cecilie’s retreat gave me so much joy and energy! I loved practicing yoga outside next to the ocean. Cecilie’s unique approach to teaching yoga and facilitate positive psychology workshops makes the experiences very inclusive and accessible. Overall, the retreat schedule was designed in a very thoughtful way. The balance between free time and activities was literally perfect. There were always options available and I really felt that I was able to pick and choose what to do to make the retreat experience ideal for me. Cecilie and Dimitris took such great care of us!”

– Fallon Smalberg – Manhattan, New York

 Frequently Asked Questions

  • You’ll fly into Athens International Airport.

  • We will meet by Port Gate E9 at the ferry port in Piraeus at 1 PM (13:00) local time on Wednesday September 4th.

    If you come directly from Athens International Airport, you can take the metro (blue line) to Piraeus station for about 1 hour and then walk 5 minutes to the meeting point by the ferry. You can also take a taxi. From central Athens, you can also take the metro or taxi. Reach out if you need any support with this trip!

  • Absolutely! As you book your own travel to and from Greece, you can definitely combine the retreat with a longer stay in Greece, for example some days in Athens or a stay at a different island before and/or after the retreat.

  • On the first day, we will meet up at Piraeus Port in Athens and then travel to Aegina from there together by the ferry. We will check-in at the hotel and have some time to settle in and enjoy the hotel before we have an opening circle and yoga practice to officially begin our yoga retreat. The following days, we will practice yoga every morning. Then, we will have breakfast at the hotel. During the day, there will be opportunities for pool/beach time & relaxation. We will vary where we have our lunches and dinners. We have another yoga session in the afternoon/evening. Every day, we will explore a new theme in our practices. We have some optional activities, excursions, and one day-trip planned, so each day will be a little bit different. On the last day of the retreat, we will complete our retreat with a closing circle before we check out and take the ferry back to Piraeus Port in Athens. Check out the program linked below this section for more details!

  • It’s your responsibility to make sure you have the insurances you need for the trip. We highly recommend that you hold a travel insurance.

  • Check out the packing list included on the retreat schedule linked below this section.

  • All of the breakfasts and dinners are included. For the lunches, we want you to be able to choose what you want for yourself. The beach restaurant at the hotel has many delicious lunch options, such as salads, sandwiches, burgers, and smoothies. You can place these meals on your room and pay when you check out.

  • Of course! Just let us know when you sign up for the retreat that you would like to share rooms. Please also let us know if you want a double bed or two separate beds.

  • Yes! Many attendees will be traveling by themselves. If you’re traveling alone but you’d still like to share a room with someone, just let us know when you register and we’ll match you with another attendee. You will get separate beds.

  • We will practice vinyasa flow yoga or MediYoga in the mornings. Vinyasa is a type of yoga where we combine breath and movement into sequences with emphasis on vinyasa “flows” in between sequences. MediYoga a therapeutic form of traditional Yoga that is very gentle and accessible, and consists mostly of seated asanas (postures). We will practice a gentle flow, or yin & restorative yoga in the afternoons / evenings. In these gentle classes, we’ll explore poses that release tension in the connective tissue and promote rest and deep relaxation. We will also have one morning session with a more active core workout inspired by Pilates and barre. The yoga sessions will be taught in English with an all levels approach meaning that you will get several options and get to explore what feels supportive in your body in each moment. It is of course optional to participate in all the yoga classes. There is no pressure to attend every session and if you want to pass on any of the sessions, this is completely up to you.

  • When the time is close, you will receive information via email. Before the retreat, we will set up a WhatsApp group chat to communicate/send updates during the retreat.

  • Yes! What you drink is completely your choice. Keep in mind that beverages are not included in the retreat cost.

  • The hotel provides a hearty breakfast buffet with everything from eggs, grilled vegetables, fresh fruit, bread, cheese, Greek yogurt, cereals, and delicious pastries as well as coffee, tea, and juice.

    For lunch and dinner, you will get plenty of food options - from plant-based to fresh sea food and meat-based dishes. A lot of Greek food is naturally vegetarian, which makes Greek food perfect for vegetarians. Vegan options will also be available. Let us know of any allergies or dietary restrictions you might have when you sign up, and we will accommodate you.

  • Everyone is welcome! We will get a mixed group with people from different parts of the world, different ages, and different levels of experience with yoga. What we have in common is a curiosity for well-being, and openness to travel, and a wish for meaningful connections with other people.

  • Yay, let’s gooo!

    Sign up by filling out the registration form - you’ll find the link at the bottom of this page. After you’ve signed up, you will receive an invoice via email with payment information. Once the invoice is paid, your spot is confirmed!