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Zen Rocks Mani Retreat Zen Rocks Mani Retreat

“BE an Island of Excellence” Retreat & Teacher Training #303:

Sequences, Adjustments, Teaching Skills in Excellence
Retreat Open to All Levels: Perfecting our Yoga Practice, Self Image, and Life Stance
Extra Option: 50  Hour Teaching Training Retreat for your 300  Hour Teacher Training 

TEACHER(s)
Vivi Letsou
DATE
30 August-6 September, 2020
CATEGORY
Teaching Skills #303:
Higher Education for 300 Hours
and 500 Hour Certification, Yoga Alliance
PRICE
Course: 560€
Accommodations: From 960€

“Be an Island of Excellence”

Retreat & Teacher Training #303,

50 Hours of Teacher Training, for the 300 Hour Yoga Teachers Diploma

Our Invitation for You

Pandit Rajmani Tigunait, PhD, said in his book, “The Secret of the Yoga Sutra” that a human being is an island of Excellence.  In this retreat we will remember our own inner excellence, as we rediscover our deeper human qualities, and inner potential for excellence.  Through an embodied yoga practice, we come to accept and thrive in our own body and spirit, recognize and overcome obstacles, fears and doubts, and let our inner truer voice and stance blossom through our lives.

Retreat Program Description

A journey of transformation, that starts with the body with ASANA both dynamic and restorative-therapeutic practice, Uplifts the heart with elevating Tantric Philosophy,  and guides us to stillness with Zen Meditation…

Let this vacation be not just a mere vacation but a total life transformation. Are you ready to feel good all over again? To feel powerful, healthy, alive, and open to fall in love with every moment in life, every being, and especially the most intimate one inside you?

Our potential for energy, creativity, and well-being is limitless. Yet, our daily stress and self-imposed limitations are constricting this natural flow of energy. When was the last time we felt fresh, happy, and alive, just like we did when we were children?

During this retreat in the heavenly healing embrace of nature in Mani you will be asked to move daily, walk, exercise, and meditate, and work with energetic kriyas, to remove blocks in our nervous system.  You will swim and eat good food.  And you will be asked to look at life and yourself with fresh eyes.  Reconsider some things, overcome blocks and shadows.  Write your own script for the New Chapter of your Life.  Be Empowered, Renewed, and Re-energized!

When you are ready for Positive Change, your life will Change Positively! 

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Two Options to Join: Enjoy-Relax or Yoga Training

Two Options Available:

Guests participating in this retreat follow the general schedule, enjoy, relax, and perfect your Yoga Practice to reach your own level of Excellence. During free time you can relax, swim, explore, or enjoy a healing massage.

Yoga Teachers: Practice and perfect your Yoga Teaching.

Teacher Training #303:  Sequences, Adjustments, Teaching Skills in Excellence, Credit 50 Hours for your 300 or 500  Hour Diploma.  

Daily Activities & Offerings

SUGGESTED SCHEDULE

7:00                    Meditation
8:00                    Morning Ayurvedic Drink, Very light breakfast
9:00-12:00         Asana Yoga Practice & Study
12:00                   Brunch
16:00-19.00       Adjustments, Sequencing & Teaching Techniques
19:30                   Dinner
21:00                   Meditation & Yoga Nidra
(May change slightly as the flow goes…)

ARRIVALS ON SUNDAY

16:00    Welcome to your room/Familiarize yourself with Zen Rocks
18:00 Welcome circle… Easy Introduction practice
20:00 Dinner & Relaxation. Early bed time.

DEPARTURES

7:00 Meditation
8:00 Morning Ayurvedic Drink, Very light breakfast
9:00 Asana—Dynamic & Therapeutic Yoga Practice
11:00 Brunch

ACCREDITATION

50 Hour Higher Education Credit

*NYSY Academy, 500  Hour Yoga Teachers Diploma
* Yoga Alliance, RYT 500

PREREQUISITES

If you are following this as a Course for Credit, the following are necessary.
Basic Anatomy Studies
Yoga Teachers 200 Hour Diploma
Other Movement Teacher Certificate

A few words about Teachers/Facilitators

Vivi Letsou

• Bachelor’s of Science–Aeronautics, Master of Arts–Theater Arts,
• Director of NYSY Yoga & Pilates Academy
• Certified Teacher: Yoga Alliance 500 hours, BASIPilates™,
• Abhaya Yoga Creator
Vivi Letsou, B.S., M.A.,
Certified Teacher: Yoga Alliance 500 hours, BASIPilates™,
Creator of Abhaya Yoga

A visionary and activist for positive change, Vivi loves to share the way of Yoga and Zen, two paths she has sought to combine for over 20 years, while a filmmaker in California. She returned to Greece in 2004 with a strong impetus to join and create enlightened communities.

Through her journey of teaching Yoga and practicing Zen, Vivi has been able to find a way of Practice & Action that makes us strong on all levels and helps us to triumph even in challenging circumstances.  Amidst the Greek economic crisis, Vivi and her beloved husband, Eraj, have managed to create successfully: NYSY Academy for Yoga and Pilates, and Avocado Vegetarian Café—two bright centers in the heart of Athens fostering community and a compassionate/healthy lifestyle. Recently they completed another life long dream, building Zen Rocks, a stunningly beautiful retreat center in Mani/Southern Greece, dedicated to re-building human potential through the healing practices of Zen, Yoga, Meditation, Pilates, Exercise, meaningful nutrition, and restorative living.

Vivi is fully trained BASI Pilates teacher and educator. She likes to incorporate Pilates in all her classes as a way to bring alignment, good stance, and integration into practice and life.

On the path of yoga, Vivi is a strong and charismatic Yoga Teacher and Teachers’ Educator. She has trained well over 200 yoga teachers. Having taught in the traditions of Ashtanga, Anusara, and Vinyasa Yoga, Vivi has created Abhaya Yoga—a style that combines dynamic alignment-based asana, with the empowering philosophy of Tantra and Buddhist ideal of compassion for all beings.

Vivi teaches internationally, as she loves to empower people through Asana movement, breath, and the uplifting philosophy of Zen and Tantra. With passion and enthusiasm, Vivi shares this incredible journey combining movement, breath, meditation and positive thinking with friends across the globe who are ready for transformation.

When you are ready for POSITIVE CHANGE, your life will CHANGE POSITIVELY!

When you are ready for POSITIVE CHANGE,
your life will CHANGE POSITIVELY!
Register

Value & Prerequisites

ACCOMMODATIONS

€1.060 for Triple or 4 bed Room
€1.200 Double Room
€1.600 Single Room

PROGRAM

Extra Option:

TEACHER TRAINING COURSE 560€

WHAT’S INCLUDED

Accommodations, 6 nights
Daily Yoga classes & meditation
Τwo delicious vegetarian meals a day (brunch and dinner) and Light Breakfast
All yoga equipment and accessories
Biodegradable toiletries

NOT INCLUDED

  • Transfer to and from Zen Rocks Mani
  • Transfers around Zen Rocks and the area
  • Additional therapeutic treatments or private yoga sessions where applicable.

Looking forward to welcoming you to Zen Rocks!

Rediscover your  EXCELLENCE as a human being, and as Yoga Teacher.

Accommodations

Double Room

Double Room

Deluxe Triple Room with Sea View. This triple room features a balcony, dining area and minibar. Share a room with two of your friends or two other retreat guests.

Make Inquiry
Triple Room

Triple Room

Deluxe Triple Room with Sea View. This triple room features a balcony, dining area and minibar. Share a room with two of your friends or two other retreat guests.

Make Inquiry
Quadruple Room

Quadruple Room

Deluxe Quadruple Room with Sea View. This quadruple room features a balcony, dining area and minibar. Share a room with three of your friends or three other retreat guests.

Make Inquiry
Register

Have a question?

All our retreats aim to create a nurturing and welcoming environment for all levels of practice and all student needs. All programs offer the opportunity for a dose of daily good exercise through yoga or pilates, walks in nature and/or swimming in the sea, and both restorative and meditation practice. A weekly program offers a complete experience of well-being. Our teachers are highly experienced and skilled. If a program seems enticing to you, it is probably the one you need. Make a bold step and trust it: Go for it!

Absolutely! Our friendly staff and group of guests/friends will make you feel right at home. Surrounded by good company, with space to be on your own, according to your needs and wishes.

Yes. As long as one understands and respects the philosophy of Zen Rocks, your partner can join in the daily activities, or feel free to relax and follow their own schedule. Your friend or partner will feel warmly welcome at Zen Rocks.

Book early, as soon as you know the retreat you are interested in, and your schedule. Click here to send us your questions or to register. Link: REGISTER

We would be happy to help arrange your transfer from Athens or Kalamata to Zen Rocks.
The retreat is located about 30 minutes south of the city of Kalamata, in a quiet olive grove amidst sea and blue skies. The closest village to us is Kalianeika, about one kilometer from us. There is airport access both from Athens Airport (3 hours from ZR) and from Kalamata Airport (30-40min from ZR).

-Flights to Athens International Airport (ATH) and transportation to Zen Rocks
All major airlines fly to Athens international airport, called Eleftherios Venizelos. Zen Rocks is about a 2.5-3 hours’ drive from Athens. We can arrange a private transport for you and/ or your group or you can rent a car to drive yourself to Zen Rocks. The ride is beautiful, and you can enjoy a direct ride along the new Athens-Kalamata highway, or you can make stops in places like the sites of Ancient Mycenae, Ancient Nemea, the city of Nafplion, and the town of Kalamata.

-Flights to/from Kalamata (KLX)
More and more there are direct and/or charter flights to the small airport of Kalamata from different European cities. Also, new 30 minutes flights have just started from Athens to Kalamata regional airport are very reasonably priced if booked well in advance.
Alternatively, you can fly to Kalamata from the northern Greek town of Thessaloniki.

-Transportation options while in Greece
The way to reach Zen Rocks is either with our luxurious Mini Van for 8 people or by renting a car from Athens or Kalamata and drive around on your own. Our office can assist you with your car rental reservation. Or you can make your booking directly. During your stay at Zen Rocks our minivan is available for hire along with an experienced driver. The rates for transfers with our minivan are in the attached document titled: ZenRocksRates.
Allow us to book your transfer from Athens or Kalamata. Simply email us at: info@zenrocksmani.com

The retreat is located about 30 minutes South of the city of Kalamata, in a quiet olive grove amidst the sea and blue skies. The closest village to us is Kallianeika.

1. Drive on the new freeway from Athens to Kalamata, and be prepared to stop frequently for tolls. Expect to pay around 15€ each way. It may take you 2-2.5 hours to reach Kalamata.

2. Stay on the freeway and exit Kalamata heading towards Areopolis and Kitries. After the freeway ends, you will pass Lidl, and a café called Cosi on the right, and then the road forks and you see a road sign. At this point you have the option of heading up towards the mountain towards Areopolis and Kardamyli, or taking a right towards the sea and Kitries. You can reach us either way. We are giving you directions through the coastal road here, as it may be easier to find our location this way.

3. Take a right towards Kitries and drive down the coast for about 10-15 minutes. Right as you approach Kitries, the road goes uphill. There is a big retaining wall right in front of you, causing you to almost stop. You see a road sign for Doloi.

4. Make a sharp left up the mountain towards Doloi.

5. Drive for 5 minutes until you reach the village of Kalianeika.

6. When you reach Kalianeika, stop in front of the church and set your odometer to 0.

7. Drive for one kilometer, and you will come to switch back turn where you will see a fence with big cacti and a huge rock. You are getting close.

8. Immediately afterwards, you see a second switch back turn and a couple small signs for Zen Rocks. At this point leave the asphalt road and enter a smaller cement farm road. Drive 200 meters on cement, and then another 400 meters of dirt road. At this point you will see the electrical posts and a cement road up on your left. This is our private drive way to Zen Rocks.

(Attention: our drive way is the SECOND paved road you see on your left. Do not take the first one, right where the cement ends… wait till you drive the extra 400 meters of dirt and pebble road and you come across the electrical wires and big posts… at this point you will also notice that the farm road you are on is covered with the cement of our paved drive way.)
9. Go left on our cement road. It is a sharp incline. Come up on first gear and full throttle. Small cars will do fine if you know how to drive fearlessly.

10. Welcome to Zen Rocks.
As Zen master Thich Nhat Hahn says: YOU HAVE ARRIVED!

Το Zen Rocks Mani βρίσκεται σε απόσταση περίπου 30 λεπτών Νότια από τη πόλη της Καλαμάτας, ανάμεσα σε ήσυχους ελαιώνες, τον ουρανό και τη θάλασσα! Το κοντινότερο χωριό είναι τα Καλλιανέικα.
1. Πάρτε τη νέα εθνική οδό απο την Αθήνα προς τη Καλαμάτα οπου θα χρειαστεί να σταματήσετε συχνά σε σταθμούς διοδίων. Υπολογείστε οτι το συνολικό κόστος των διοδίων θα ειναι 15€ η διαδρομή. Η απόσταση ειναι περιπου 2-2.5 ώρες απο την Αθήνα μέχρι να φτάσετε στη Καλαμάτα.
2. Μείνετε στην εθνική οδό και βγείτε στην έξοδο της Καλαμάτας με κατεύθυνσή προς Αρεόπολη και Κιτριές. Όταν τελειώσει η εθνική οδός, θα συναντήσετε ένα σούπερ μάρκετ Lidl και μια καφετέρια στα δεξιά σας που ονομάζεται Cosi. Σε εκείνο το σημείο ο δρόμος χωρίζεται και θα δείτε μια πινακίδα. Σε αυτό ακριβώς το σημείο, έχετε την επιλογή είτε να συνεχίσετε προς το βουνό με κατεύθυνση προς Αρεόπολη και Καρδαμύλη είτε να πάρετε το δρόμοι που είναι στα δεξιά σας που πάει μέσω του παραλιακού δρόμου στις Κιτριές. Όποιο δρόμο και να πάρετε μπορείτε να έρθετε στο Zen Rocks Mani. Εμείς παρακάτω σας δίνουμε οδηγίες από το παραλιακό δρόμο μιας και θεωρούμε ότι είναι ο πιο εύκολος δρόμος για να έρθετε.
3. Κάνετε δεξιά προς Κιτριές και οδηγείτε στο παραλιακό δρόμο για περίπου 10-15 λεπτά. Στο σημείο που έχετε φτάσει σχεδό στις Κιτριές, ο δρόμος έχει μια ανηφόρα. Στο σημείο αυτό υπάρχει ένας μεγάλος τοίχος μπροστά σας που σας αναγκάζει σχεδόν να σταματήσετε. Εκεί βλέπετε μια πινακίδα προς Δολούς.
4. Εκεί αριστερά προς το βουνό με κατεύθυνση προς Δολούς.
5. Οδηγείστε προς τα επάνω αυτόν τον δρόμο με τις στροφές, για 5 λεπτά μέχρι να βρείτε το χωριό Καλιανέϊκα.
6. Όταν φτάσετε στα Καλιανέϊκα, σταματήστε μπροστά από την εκκλησία και ρυθμίστε το μετρητή χιλιομέτρων σας στο 0.
7. Οδηγείστε για 1 χιλιόμετρο και θα δείτε μια στροφή φουρκέτα, η οποία σας φέρνει προς τα δεξια. Εκεί θα δείτε ένα φράχτη με μεγάλους κάκτους και ένα τεράστιο βράχο. Πλησιάζετε!
8. Αμέσως μετά βλέπετε μια ακόμα στροφή φουρκέτα που στρίβει τον δρόμο προς τα αριστερά. Θα δείτε δύο μικρές πινακίδες για το Zen Rocks. Σε αυτό το σημείο αφήνετε το ασφαλτοστρωμένο δρόμο και μπαίνετε προς τα δεξιά σε έναν μικρό αγροτικό δρόμο από τσιμέντο.
Οδηγείστε για 200 μέτρα στο τσιμεντένιο επαρχιακό δρόμο και άλλα 400 μέτρα σε χωματόδρομο. Ακολουθήστε τις πινακίδες για να μην μπείτε στον ελαιώνα που είναι πριν από εμάς. Περιμένετε να δείτε το σημείο με την πινακίδα του Zen Rocks να δείχνει τον ανηφορικό ιδιωτικό τσιμεντένιο δρόμο στα αριστερά σας. Είναι που θα σας φέρει στο κατάλυμα.
Σε αυτό το σημείο και μόνο θα δείτε και τους στύλους της ΔΕΗ να ανεβαίνουν προς τα πάνω.
9. Κάντε αριστερά σε αυτόν τον τσιμεντένιο δρόμο. Έχει έντονη ανηφορική κλίση, οπότε βάλτε πρώτη ταχύτητα για να ανεβείτε. Ακόμα και μικρά αυτοκίνητα ανεβαίνουν άνετα. Είναι λίγο σα να ανεβαίνετε ίσια πάνω στον ουρανό, στα σύννεφα… Απογειώνεστε λοιπόν.
10. 5 Δευτερόπτα μετά: Καλώς ορίσατε στο Zen Rocks Mani. Χαλαρώστε και απολαύστε τη διαμονή σας!

Όπως λέει και ο δάσκαλος του Ζεν Thich Nhat Hahn: You have arrived! Pause. Enjoy!

Let us know about your needs and preferences and we can pre-arrange the perfect nurturing massage or related therapy session for you.

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