(No availability) 8 Day Anahata Yoga and Kirtan Retreat with Cacao Ceremony on Crete
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Kirtan, Meditation, and Yoga Retreat in Greece
Join in an Anahata yoga and Kirtan retreat at Om Shanti in south Crete, the island of light. Anja, the owner of the place, has been doing retreats since 2010 and welcomes you warmly. This retreat is organized to open your heart through asanas, pranayama, and meditation guided by Anja and mantra singing while holding the asanas with Lalita. You will find out who you really are, resting in your heart, and spreading love and light into the world. The start is with a Cacao ceremony. Did you know that cacao ceremonies are a centuries-old ritual seen as the ultimate heart-opener? Cacao is packed full of vitamins and minerals and increases blood flow to the brain which helps to strengthen awareness and focus. There will be Kirtan every evening and one dancing meditation at the end of the retreat. Also, you will have time to relax, go to the beach, and enjoy your stay with Om Shanti.
Meet the instructors
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Highlights
- Daily yoga classes
- Lotus meditation practice
- Kirtan singing in the evening with Lalita Devi
- Harmonium and mantras together with the morning yoga class
- Dancing meditation with DJ Forest on the last evening
- Daily vegetarian brunch and 5 dinners
- 7 nights accommodation
- Cacao ceremony
Skill level
- Beginner
- Intermediate
- Advanced
Accommodation
The house is an old stone house with a wonderful garden, pure nature, and surrounded by olive trees with a view of the Libyan Sea from all the rooms. There is space in the garden for relaxation in many private places. The yoga shala has an amazing view and is on the rooftop of the house, overlooking the Libyan Sea and has the mountains in the back.
All rooms have been restored to the original style of the house with natural stone, giving a refreshing feeling for the summer. There are three double rooms which will be shared during the retreats. They are big and everyone has his privacy even when sharing a room. It also has all mosquito nets and natural Coco-mat mattresses.
Apart from the retreat, you can use also the yoga shala for private practice. The bathrooms are one closed shower with an old olive tree inside and one outside shower under the fig tree. There are also various toilets and sinks. There is a space for having breakfast and dinner and also a fridge you can use.
Program
In this retreat, you work with asanas for the opening of the heart, pranayama, and meditation (Lotus meditation). Kirtan sings and talks about the meaning of the mantras in the evening with Lalita, dancing meditation, and much more.
Cacao ceremony on the first afternoon to open the retreat and open your heart fully to yourself and others.
Did you know that cacao ceremonies are a centuries-old ritual seen as the ultimate heart-opener? Cacao is packed full of vitamins and minerals and increases blood flow to the brain which helps to strengthen awareness and focus. It helps the body to heal, detoxify and give your immune system a good boost.
You start the day at 8 a.m. with meditation and 1.5 hours of asanas (long holding of the postures) in which Lalita accompanies you with the harmonium and sings mantras to move deeper into your hearts, into silence. Then there is a delicious breakfast and free time for swimming, walking, relaxing, etc.
At 5 p.m., enjoy 2 hours of normal Hatha yoga class, except Wednesday and Friday afternoons. On the other evenings, the team will serve a rich vegetarian dinner (organic, bio). Both the Cretan and Indian Ayurvedic cooking of Chef Sidharth will balance your diet.
The Cretan diet is one of the healthiest on the planet. You will travel through culinary experiences each day and feel healthy and nourished.
In the evening, you will experience Kirtan with Lalita Devi. Also, there will be one Kirtan on the beach and one dancing meditation with Dj Forest playing live spiritual and dancing music.
Kirtan is a practice that allows anyone, including non-musicians, to experience the many life-enhancing benefits of singing.
A way for you to connect with the community, to feel a part of a vital, larger whole. A judgement-free space, where you can come home to yourselves. A powerful tool for self-exploration, self-improvement, and conscious evolution. A way for you to get out of your heads, to be liberated from the prison of thought.
An opportunity to connect with the power of a living tradition that stretches back for thousands of years. A means to directly experience yourselves as vibrational, energetic beings.
Instructors
Anja Hettich
Anja, also known as Apinaya, is an alternative healer, teacher of the new consciousness, and qualified Shivananda yoga teacher. She also teaches Yin Yoga, yoga flow and playing harmonium and singing mantras. She has also been studying with Iyengar yoga teachers for quite some time. Originally born in South Germany, she came to Crete, the island of light. Realizing that life is much more than what the eyes can see, her inner journey began and yoga and meditation came into her life, as well as different energy healing methods and massages. She has also been a Reiki master for more than 20 years.
Lalita Devi
When Lalita was doing her yoga teacher training in 1994 she was deeply touched by the singing of the Bajans and she followed after from the mountain Arunachala in South India the voice of Papaji (Enlightened Master) to Lucknow where he told her "Lalita you sing - Mind is quiet !" With her total devotion when she sings, Lalita inspires so many people giving you the possibility to dive deep into yourself and feel total bliss and happiness. Bajans are not to simply entertain you, but to awaken you to the truth of what you really are.
Location
This retreat takes place at Om Shanti Yoga and Healing in South Crete, Amiras, Greece.
Features
Activities
- Mountain walking
- Swimming
General
- Balcony
- Beach
- Garden
- Kitchen
- Terrace
Food
You have included in the price daily brunch, 5 dinners, and drinks. The food is vegetarian, Mediterranean, organic, and yogic. In all the meals, they can provide vegan food and if you have any other intolerance just let them know in advance. Wednesday and Friday, there is no afternoon class and you have time to go to the beach and have dinner there too.
The following meals are included:
- Brunch
- Drinks
The following drinks are included:
- Water
- Coffee
- Tea
- Detox juices
The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:
- Vegetarian
- Vegan
- Organic
- Yogic
Things to do (optional)
- Swimming
- Beach time
- Walking and trekking
- Shopping
- Relaxing
- Book various massages
- Book a Reiki treatment
What's included
- Daily meditation and one dancing meditation
- Whole yoga program, evening Kirtan and cacao ceremony
- Car for going around
- Daily brunch, 5 dinners, and drinks
- 7 nights accommodation
What's not included
- Flights and transfers
- Petrol for the shared car you use to go around
How to get there
Recommended Airports
Heraklion International Airport (Nikos Kazantzakis Airport)
41 km
Transfer not provided
Arrival by airplane
Please book your flight to arrive at Heraklion International Airport (HER). From there you can take a bus to the location, or you can ask Om Shanti Yoga and Holidays to arrange a transfer for you at an additional cost.
Cancellation Policy
- A reservation requires a deposit of 30% of the total price.
- The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
- The rest of the payment should be paid on arrival.
