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 go home 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:
The Polyvagal Theory was developed by world-renowned researcher and neuroscientist Dr. Stephen Porges and focuses on what happens in the body and nervous system during life experience, explaining how the 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 involved 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 of our homeostasis is created.
Through the regulation of 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 the neural pathways used in processing sensory information. In short, we become healthier and we thrive.
Professionals who have been trained in Polyvagal Theory and its application by Iliana share how they can better connect and understand the people they work with therapeutically and also help them in self-acceptance and in accessing their own healing power.
Dr. St. Porges is Iliana's teacher and strongly supports the idea of the 'Feeling & Healing' Polyvagal retreat:
"The retreat appears to be structured to provide an inspiring field of experience for the integration of the principles of Polyvagal Theory"
venue + accommodation:
We are blessed to have a wonderful piece of land of 3 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 olive trees and beech trees where we experience genuine luxury without modern facilities, living in harmony with Mother Earth .
You will be accommodated in a spacious bell tent or a wooden hut with comfortable beds. The tents are not placed on 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 will show you how they work, it's super simple and clean -, and showers.
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Our practice space is located at the foot of the wise, centuries-old olive tree, under the open sky and in front of a stunning view. We don't have a deck here either.
Our 'dining room' is among rocks and trees.
On our land you will have the opportunity to communicate with beautiful souls, but you will also find the perfect place to silently isolate yourself in the embrace of a hammock.
What we cannot describe is the energy of this place... remaining untouched by humans for hundreds of years, stepping into our fairy forest is like returning to the embrace 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 area around our land has many treasures to discover.
The village of Margarites is just a 2' drive or a 15' walk away and offers a beautiful Cretan setting, with many potters and their works - as Margarites has a long history in ceramic art -, taverns with excellent quality local food and of course the gorge with its rich vegetation, for hiking .
One can also visit the museum of the ancient city and necropolis of Eleftherna (10' by car) and the monastery of Arkadi , a historically decisive part of the Cretan Revolution (20' by car).
And of course, let's not forget the beautiful small beaches of the north coast (20' by car).
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 in which we hold experiences in our bodies.
Ecosomatics is a new movement that recognizes the direct way in which our experience of our bodies is connected to the natural environment around us.
The choice to bring the Polyvagal Theory in an off-grid natural setting is based on this exact knowledge.
Experts believe that this knowledge, combined with natural movement and touch, can aid in healing and well-being, 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
Micromovement
Tapping
Yoga focused on the Vagus Nerve
Breathing techniques
Play
Trauma-informed 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 therapeutic 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, but also collectively, within the group.
All genders, bodies and colors are welcome.
Our community is inclusive, so if you feel uncomfortable with diversity,
please choose another retreat for the convenience of all of us.
Sections that will be covered:
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Introduction to the principles of Polyvagal Theory
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Anatomy-Physiology of the Autonomic Nervous System
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The relationship of Nature with the Nervous System and its healing power through the theory
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The role of the Vagus Nerve in biology and behavior
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Neuroplasticity in relation to threat and safety
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The Biology of Trauma
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Imprint of Trauma on the Nervous System
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Safety as a therapeutic tool
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Nervous System Regulation Practices
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Mapping an individual profile regarding the Nervous System
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Relationship of individual profile with various physical symptoms
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Introduction to SSP & RRP therapeutic listening protocols
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Mind-body relationship through the principles of the theory
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Polyvagal interpersonal communication- (co)regulation
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Polyvagal spaces
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Useful terminology
A Polyvagal-Informed certificate will be provided.
The food:
You'll be surprised at what one can cook in an outdoor kitchen, if they have fresh local ingredients and love, as well as how regulating collective cooking can be for the nervous system.
The menu will be based on Greek cuisine, with priority given to ingredients from small farmers in the area.
An idea from the menu we will prepare and enjoy:
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 fruits
Fresh fruit smoothie
Dinner:
Potato and lentil salad
Village salad
Vegetarian moussaka
Vegan pizza rolls
and of course.. the dessert we will have prepared, such as raw gluten-free chocolate brownies or vegan baklava.
(Tea and snacks available all day)
About the instructor:
Iliana is a certified Somatics Trauma Practitioner (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 doula and Reiki master.
She is trained in the treatment of C-PTSD (complex post-traumatic stress disorder) through IFS and Polyvagal Theory.
Her therapeutic tools also include EMDR and Somatic Experiencing.
She was taught the Polyvagal Theory by its creator Dr. Porges and its application in therapy by Deb Dana. She applies its principles to all aspects of her work, combining it with her vision of equity, compassion and acceptance in therapy.
She has created Kiklos, a therapeutic space and is at the same time the Somatics & Trauma Advisor for Blue Brain, the exclusive partner of the Polyvagal Institute in Greece and Cyprus.
She believes that Love is the antidote to Trauma. She will be happily guiding the practices and training.
An idea of the daily schedule:
08:30-09:15 Vagus Nerve Yoga Practice - Somatics
09:30-10:30 Coffee/tea and light snack
10:30-11:00 Meditation/Safety Practice
11:30-12:30 Brunch
13:00-13:30 Polyvagal-Informed Vagus Nerve Regulation Cycle
13:30-17:00 Free time for siesta, integration of practices in our little fairy forest, Somatic healing session, Reiki treatment, other activities in the area
17:00-19:00 Theory and practical applications of Polyvagal Theory
19:30-20:30 Dinner
Free time to enjoy the sunset and the night sky until we drift off into a peaceful and nourishing sleep.
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 )
Do you want us to create your own installment plan together?
Contact us as soon as possible to
catch as many doses as possible!
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in a bell tent with two more people: 1050€ ( early bird 900 €) 3 spots available
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in a bell tent with one more person: 1290€ ( early bird 1100 €) 4 spots available
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in a tipi tent on your own: €1340 ( early bird €1200 ) 2 spots available
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in a wooden hut: accommodation for one person €1650, or for two people (couple or friends) €1300/person ( early bird €1400 & €1150 respectively) 2 huts available
What is included :
-transportation from/to Heraklion airport/port
-all practices
-the educational program
-the Polyvagal-Informed certificate
-hiking in the Margarites Gorge and visit to the traditional village
- 7 nights accommodation
-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 Trauma healing session and/or Reiki treatment (with extra charge)
What is not included :
xFlight / Ferry tickets
xDinner at Margarites after the hike
xOther optional activities in the area
If you still doubt whether this retreat is for you, we can look into it together.