Iremia Seminar Facility

STANDARD

The quaint village of Lentas, located in southern Crete, is nestled in a bay and overlooked by the 'Lion', a lion-shaped rock that gazes serenely towards Africa, radiating calm and slowing down any hustle. Lentas is the perfect place for your yoga journey. Here, you can immerse yourself in timelessness, where life simplifies to the essentials. This setting easily induces a meditative mood, allowing your soul to breathe and helping you find your inner peace. In ancient times, people travelled from afar to Lentas to visit the temple of the healing god Asklepios and seek cures. The site, with the remnants of the old Asklepios temple, remains a place of power, inviting you to linger and meditate.

Numerous taverns, a grocery store, and a boutique are conveniently located nearby. Lentas is about a 20-minute walk away, also featuring many taverns and shops. Culinary delights are well catered for, and as the locals increasingly cater to yoga guests, a variety of vegetarian and vegan dishes are available. Traditional musical performances by local artists with the lyra and bouzouki are often held.

The retreat price includes breakfast, which is vegetarian but can also be vegan upon request.

Hatha Yoga instructor Birgit Westphal trained in the tradition of Swami Shivananda. She is also a nutritionist, social pedagogue, and dance educator with further training in dance therapy. Birgit has lived in Crete for 25 years and is well-acquainted with the local culture and people. For several years, she has been offering yoga classes to both locals and tourists. Her teaching approach is to attentively cater to each individual participant, focusing on mindfulness and body awareness. She incorporates chakra work, Pranayama (breathing techniques), and deep relaxation into her sessions.

Judith Woerner is a certified yoga instructor (300h Vinyasa Yoga, 500h Anusara Yoga, and 100h Aerial Yoga). She enjoys spending time in Lentas, Crete, where she has grown to love the land and its people. Her teaching philosophy is to individually address each student, emphasizing mindfulness and body awareness. Pranayama (breathing techniques), meditation, and deep relaxation are always included. Additionally, as a "Spirit Life Design" coach (certified February 2023), she integrates her knowledge into her yoga classes. Coaching sessions can also be arranged in the afternoon upon request.

Marion Büchner is a licensed yoga, Pilates, and back school instructor who teaches with great passion. Joy and balance permeate her harmonious and energizing yoga classes. The goal is to calm the mind and align body and spirit.

The excursions start after a shared breakfast (usually on the second and fourth day of the holiday). If the boat tour is chosen, the yoga session can either be moved earlier or made up in the evening. Additional costs for the boat tour are 40€ (approx. UK £34 / USD $42). For other excursions, additional costs may arise up to 30€ (approx. UK £26 / USD $32). You can choose from various suggested tours:

1. Tour through Agia Farango (sacred gorge): about 1 hour drive, then a 1-hour walk through a breathtakingly beautiful gorge, ending at a paradisiacal beach. On the way back, visit a beautiful monastery complex with a small museum, offering a spectacular view of Crete's highest mountains (Psiloritis).

2. Tour to Kofinas, the highest mountain in the southern mountain range. With good weather, enjoy views over half the island and take some time for meditation at the summit. The drive takes about 90 minutes, and the climb (not too difficult) can take 30 – 60 minutes as desired!

3. Relaxing, eventful, and educational boat tour: Departs at 10 a.m. from Lentas. The tour heads to Koudouma, a secluded monastery complex, and two other beautiful beaches for swimming and a picnic. The boat journey takes about 2 hours each way, with arrival back in Lentas around 5 p.m. (Extra costs 36€ (approx. UK £31 / USD $38)).

4. Hike from the mountain village of Krotos through ancient olive groves to a rock church (a special place of power for meditation), to the harbour and back to Lentas. Depending on preference, stop at a tavern at the harbour. You can either take a public bus to Krotos or drive rental cars. The drive takes about 20 minutes, and the hike about 2 hours.

5. Hike from the mountain village of Miamou: Start with a brief tour of the picturesque village, then walk the old road (gravel road) to Lentas, passing through beautiful ancient olive groves, with a fantastic view of the open Libyan Sea on the last major part of the route. The drive takes about 30 minutes (by bus or rental cars), and the hike about 2.5 hours.

6. Trip to the legendary site of Matala, a hippie stronghold of the 70s! Matala is a well-known tourist spot with small souvenir shops and a beautiful bay in front of the famous caves where hippies once settled. Located on the west coast at Komos Beach, a stunning sandy beach. If you stay long enough, you can watch the sun set into the sea in the evening. Drive time 60 minutes to Matala.