Reservations are now closed. Contact us for the 2026 retreats.
Sunday 3 August - Sunday 10 August
This healing and educational retreat is for you who feel overwhelmed by stress and emotions, disconnected from your spiritual side, or dealing with physical ailments and mental trauma, and for you who want to become a Polyvagal-Informed practitioner . Here, you will find the support you need to reconnect with nature and take time to reprogram your nervous system. You will learn how to manage emotions , create healthy boundaries and find your inner peace , in an enjoyable way. Treatment doesn't have to be a heavy affair.
If you're wondering what you'll take with you when you leave, we promise you'll leave with valuable tools for your personal development and the ability to apply the principles of Polyvagal Theory to your professional services. You will also have our ongoing support to integrate this new perspective on the human experience into your life and profession.
We want to offer you something more than a common training or a simple retreat. We want to create a transformative experience with you so that you can take care of your body, mind and spirit, and be able to support other people even more meaningfully.
The retreat has a therapeutic and educational purpose at the same time and is aimed at people who are on the healing path either as patients or as therapists, Yoga teachers, teachers and caregivers.
Polyvagal-Informed certification will be provided.
Imagine waking up with the morning birds and practicing
Yoga next to the wise centuries-old olive tree . Feel it
gentle breeze coming from the mountain where Zeus was born
and to gaze at the sight of the colors of the fields and the sea.
In this retreat, you will find the safety to work with yourself and share openly with souls who understand you.
Imagine experiencing safety and joy , relaxing in a hammock,
enjoying delicious and healthy meals while sitting on a rock, learning useful healing information and skills.
Come reconnect with your nervous system and feel the awe of connecting with Mother Earth.
The science behind the idea:
Polyvagal theory was developed by world-renowned researcher and neuroscientist Dr. Stephen Porges (pictured) and focuses on what happens to the body and nervous system during the experience of life, explaining how a sense of safety, danger or threat can affect our behavior and health .
What the theory wants to briefly emphasize is that when our Autonomic Nervous System is constantly engaged in defensive reactions, as can happen in traumatic situations or prolonged stress, these can become harmful to our physical and mental health because a chronic imbalance is created .
Through regulating the Nervous System and especially the Vagus Nerve we can effectively respond to life's challenges, gain access to higher learning and knowledge , build positive social relationships and improve Neuroplasticity , the brain's ability to change by activating neural pathways used in processing sensory information. We become healthier and we thrive.
Professionals trained by Iliana in Polyvagal Theory and its application, share how they can better connect with and understand the people they work with therapeutically, helping them accept themselves and heal more effectively.
Dr. St. Porges is Iliana's teacher and strongly supports the idea of this retreat!
Dr. Stephen Porges, father of the Polyvagal theory about the 'Feeling & Healing' Polyvagal retreat
"Your retreat seems to be structured to provide an inspirational experiential platform for the embodiment of Polyvagal principles."
the venue:
We are blessed to have a wonderful piece of land of 12 acres in the heart of Crete, near the village of Margarites, among fields, ruins of an ancient city, open sky, with the sea on one side and Psiloritis on the other. We could describe it as a perfect little private fairy forest of oaks, carobs, centuries-old olives, beeches where we experience genuine luxury without modern facilities, living in harmony with Mother Earth .
You will be accommodated in a spacious bell tent with comfortable beds. Scenes are not placed in decks because we want to make the most of the healing frequency of the Earth . We also have eco-friendly composting toilets - don't worry, we'll show you how they work, it's super simple and clean - and showers .
Our practice area is located at the feet of the wise centuries-old olive tree, under the open sky and in front of an amazing view. We don't have a deck here either.
Our 'dining room' is between rocks and trees.
In our land you will have the opportunity to communicate with beautiful souls, but you will also find the perfect place to quietly isolate yourself in the arms of a hammock.
What we cannot describe is the energy of this place... untouched by humans for hundreds of years, stepping into our fairy forest is like stepping back into the arms of Mother Earth. And let's not forget the vast sky and the amazing universe above us, day and night.. oh, especially at night!
The region around our land has also many treasures to discover. Village Margarites is only 2' drive or 15' walk away and offers you a beautiful Cretan scenery, numerous pottery artists and their products -as Margarites have a long history in ceramic art -, taverns with great quality local food, and of course, the gorge with its lush vegetation for hikes. One can also visit the museum of the ancient city and necropolis Eleftherna (10' drive), the monastery of Arcadi, a historically major part of the Cretan revolution (20' drive). Oh, and let's not forget the beautiful small beaches of the northern coast (20' drive).
Reservations are now closed. Contact us for the 2026 retreats.
Sunday 3 August - Sunday 10 August
The practices:
The term Somatics describes any practice that uses the mind-body connection to access the inner self and listen to the signals the body sends, allowing us to process more information about the ways we hold experiences in our bodies.
Ecosomatics is a new movement that recognizes how our experience of our bodies is connected to the environment around us.
Experts believe that this knowledge, combined with physical movement and touch , can aid in healing and wellness by creating safety in the body and mind through the Nervous System. Some of the Ecosomatics practices we will explore during our retreat are:
Mind-body awareness and focus
Dance
Micromotion
Tapping
Yoga focused on the Vagus Nerve
Breathing techniques
Game
Touch
Somatic IFS
All of the above practices will be our tools to explore the practical application of Polyvagal Theory, as well as how they can be integrated into the healing process.
Imagine living this experience under the open sky and feeling the vibration of the planet, deeply connected to the energy of Mother Earth!
Doesn't that sound great?
All practices are Trauma/Nervous System/Polyvagal - Informed, aiming to create safety within the body and collectively. All genders, shapes, colours and ages are welcome. Our community is inclusive, so if you feel uncomfortable with diversity please choose another retreat for everyone's convenience
Sections to be covered:
Introduction to the principles of Polyvagal Theory
Anatomy-Physiology of the Autonomic Nervous System
The connection between Nature and the Nervous System and its healing power through a Polyvagal lens
The Role of the Vagus Nerve in Biology and Behavior
Neuroplasticity in relation to threat and safety
The biology of Trauma
Imprint of Trauma on the Nervous System
Safety as a therapeutic tool
Practices of Regulation of the Nervous System
Mapping an Individual Profile on the Nervous System
Relationship of individual profile to various physical symptoms
Body-mind relationship through the principles of theory
Polyvagal interpersonal communication- (co)regulation
Polyvagal spaces
Useful terminology
Polyvagal-Informed certification will be provided.
The food:
If you are about to read this part we suggest you have eaten. You will be amazed by what one can cook in an outdoor kitchen if they have fresh local ingredients and love.
Menu is vegetarian and vegan, based on Greek cuisine, with priority given to ingredients from small Cretan growers.
An idea from the menu:
Brunch:
Salad with avocado and eggs (fresh and local)
Pie with local cheese and peppers
Sweet potato with peanut butter, Cretan banana and honey
Oatmeal with hazelnut milk and dried fruit
Fresh fruit smoothie
Dinner:
Potato and lentil salad
Greek salad
Vegetarian moussaka
Vegan pizza rolls
and of course.. the dessert we will have prepared, such as raw gluten-free vegan chocolate brownies or vegan baklava.
(Tea and snacks available all day)
About us:
We are a family of four: Iliana, Nondas, our son Michael and our dog Dida.
Iliana is a certified Somatics Trauma Therapist (she has been taught by Stephen Porges, Peter Levine, R. Schwartz, B. Van der Kolk, Gabor Mate, Arielle Schwartz, Pat Ogden, Nkem Ndefo, Staci Haines, Deb Dana), Trauma-Informed and Accessible Yoga teacher, Pain Management practitioner, End of Life helper and Reiki master. She is trained in the treatment of C-PTSD (complex post-traumatic stress disorder) through IFS and Polyvagal Theory. She has been taught Polyvagal Theory by its creator Dr Porges and its application in therapy by Deb Dana and applies its principles to all aspects of her work, combining it with her vision of equality and acceptance in therapy.
He believes that Love is the antidote to Trauma. He will happily guide practices and training.
Nondas has extensive experience in hospitality and catering and is trained in Group Coaching, horticulture and Shinrin-Yoku, the Japanese art of absorbing the forest atmosphere. He is the perfect host to handle logistics while chatting with the trees and talking about stars and planets. He is also an amazing cook, luckily for us.
Michael is a young teenager and has a special relationship with our land, so you might be lucky enough to have him show you around. Watch out for the 'Mike's place only-do not enter' sign. We never, ever violate it uninvited.
Dida is our beautiful pointer and will be spreading love, hugs and kisses. She will also stare at your food, pretending she hasn't eaten in days, trying to get you to share... Don't fall into the trap.
An idea for the daily schedule:
08:00-09:15 Vagus Nerve Yoga practice
09:30-10:30 Coffee/tea and light snack
10:30-11:00 Safety meditation
11:30-12:30 Brunch
13:00-13:30 Polyvagal-Informed cycle of Vagus Nerve regulation
13:30-17:00 Free time for siesta, integration of practices in our little fairy forest, somatic psychotherapy session, Reiki treatment, other activities in the area
17:00-19:30 Somatics group practice
19:30-20:30 Dinner
Free time to enjoy the sunset and night sky until we drift off into a restful and nourishing sleep.
(Practice guidance in English or Greek. Iliana also speaks Italian and French)
See what has been said about
'Feeling & Healing' Polyvagal retreat
Your hospitality, respect and emotional intelligence made this an unforgettable experience!
The best thing I have done for myself!
I am very happy and grateful... would definitely recommend this retreat to anyone interested in such inner work.
Iliana has a lot of knowledge about Polyvagal Theory and Trauma healing. She gives you tools to relax and regulate your Nervous System that are practical and useful.
Investment :
(early bird until January 31)
If a payment plan would make your participation more
accessible, contact us!
-
in bell tent with two more people: € 1050 ( early bird €900 ) 6 spots available
-
in bell tent with one more person: € 1290 ( early bird €1100 ) 2 spots available
-
in tipi tent by yourself: € 1340 ( early bird €1200 ) 2 spots available
-
bringing your own camping equipment: € 900 ( early bird €850 )
We can provide a composting toilet.
6 spots available
What is included :
-all practices
- the educational program
-the Polyvagal-Informed certificate
-hiking in the Margarita gorge and visiting the traditional village
-7 nights
-composting toilet and shower
-hammock for quiet moments
-full board (7 brunches and 6 dinners, desserts, tea, fruit and snacks always available).
Optionally:
Personal Somatic Psychotherapy session and/or Reiki treatment (with extra charge)
What is not included:
xAirline/ferry tickets
xTransfer from/to the airport/port
xDinner at Margarites after the hike
xOther optional activities in the area
The location is 60 km. away from the airport and port of Heraklion. To come to our fairy forest, there are several options:
1: you can take the bus to Rethymno up to Panormo village and we can pick you up from there.
2: you can meet other people arriving in Heraklion for the retreat and share a taxi.
3: if you wish to have a car during your stay, you can rent one from the airport or port.
In any case we will arrange the best way for you to join us.
Reservations are now closed. Contact us for the 2026 retreats.
Sunday 3 August - Sunday 10 August
If you still doubt whether this retreat is for you, we can look at it together.