2008-01-16T08:13:00.000-08:00

Santorini, Greece

September 22-28, 2008

-Mediterranean Paradise-

A Yoga & Health Retreat

" This yoga retreat was all I could have imagined & more. One of the most joyful weeks of my life. The combination of bodywork, mind work, amazing food, scenery, activity, & the love I felt around me is something I will treasure for the rest of my life " - Lara Z. -San Francisco Yogini & Past Retreat Attendee

With:

Yoga Teachers- Caitlin Matteson, Carlos da Silva, & Samara Mondello

Naturopath- Dr. Paul Gannon

Massage Therapist- Jessica Stanziale

Take part in the trip of a lifetime to the mythical Greek island of Santorini!

For more info see: http://www.renewyourspiritretreats.com/

*Featured in the LA Times Sunday Travel section! click here

Join us in Europe on the Greek Island of Santorini for an unforgettable vacation:

Daily Yoga Classes, Massage, Naturopathic Consultations, Health & Cooking Workshops, Sailing to Neighboring Islands & Hot Springs, Delicious Healthy Food, Stunning Seaside Accommodations.. a holiday to remember!

All included within the retreat:

- Stunning Seaside Accommdoation for 6 nights

- Daily Yoga Classes

- Full Naturopathic Consultation

- Massage

- Delicious Opening & Closing Dinners

- Nutritious Breakfasts

- Q&A's & Workshops w/ the Yoga Instructors & Naturopath Dr. Gannon

- Delicious Healthy Cooking Workshop w/ Naturopath/Chef Dr. Gannon

- Sailing Excursion to neighboring Islands & Hot Springs

..& much more!

It all takes place in the picturesque village of Oia, located high atop a cliff overlooking the blue Aegean Sea. We will be staying at the chic Oia's Sunset Hotel, made up of charming & spotless bungalows, each with their own kitchen, sunlit terrace, & sunset views. The hotel is centrally located & surrounded by cute shops, friendly locals, cafes & restaurants- everything within walking distance.

Lounge & sunbathe by the pool's beautiful turquoise pool; stroll thru narrow streets past the whitewashed buildings, blue-domed churches, & sun-bathed verandas; enjoy fresh Greek Island food in the many tavernas & restaurants; bliss-out in the privacy of your own bungalow terrace; take in Oia's famous sunsets- considered by many as one of the most beautiful in the world!

The history of the Island of Santorini goes back thousands of years, and it is even considered to be the site of the lost civilization of Atlantis!

There is a special, magical energy to the island, and it is no wonder that such luminaries as Shakespeare, Homer, & Plato have been coming to soak up the light & prana-energy of this ocean paradise since ancient years!

For more info, pictures & registration see:

http://www.renewyourspiritretreats.com/

BIOS:

CAITLIN MATTESON

Caitlin's yoga classes should leave your body feeling toned & energized and your mind refreshed! Her energetic, flowing classes incorporate pranayama, held poses & visualization, emphasizing breath work & movement as meditation- leading to grounding & connecting with the present moment. In her years of practicing & studying yoga, Caitlin has been particularly drawn to Vinyasa (Flow Yoga) for its focus on flowing movement and connection with breath, and to Iyengar for its emphasis on proper alignment.

Caitlin completed her teacher training with world-renowned teacher Ana Forrest, and has continued on to seek out & study with highly respected teachers from around the world, including Shiva Rea, Dharma Mittra, Sarah Powers & Aadil Palkhivala.

In addition to her extensive on-going studies of yoga, she is also influenced by her passion for various forms of dance including Contact Improv, and Indian & African Dance. Caitlin’s passion for a Yogic lifestyle & Indian culture also led her to live and study intensively in India, focusing on Orissi, an ancient form of Indian dance, and on studies at the Benares Hindu University, studying the history & philosophy of yoga.
Caitlin's teaching career has spanned from the West to East coast, at top studios in Seattle & Miami, teaching students of all levels, ages & physical conditions.

CARLOS DA SILVA
Originally from Portugal, Carlos is a yogi and internationally recognized electronic producer/musician. Carlos' passion for a yogic lifestyle began in his early teens when at 15 he began practicing a form of yoga called 'Kriya'. He has studied with master yogi Ana Forrest and went on to receive his teachers training with her and Jonathan Bowra. Along with his partner Caitlin he leads classes in their Yoga studio.

He has worked as an art director for various fortune 500 companies such as Microsoft and Adidas. He was also co-owner of one of Seattle's most respected electronic and world music stores and owned several small independent record labels. He left the corporate world in 2001 to pursue and explore a union of Yoga into his creative life as a musician on a daily level. Among his travels around the world he has spent extensive time in India studying Yoga and traditional Indian music.

He has continued his devotion to bridging a Yogic lifestyle and in his classes and retreats and he is known for his wise touch, helpful adjustments, and attention to alignment. Along with his sense of humor he inspires students to explore their edge of self exploration on and off the mat.

DR. PAUL GANNON
Dr. Paul Gannon earned his doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine from Bastyr University in Seattle, recognized around the world as the leader in the education and scientific study of natural medicine. Dr. Gannon has a private practice in Aspen, Colorado and is Doctor in Residence at The Standard - South Beach, Miami. He specializes in gastro-intestinal problems, women’s health, allergies, chronic disease and liver detoxification programs. Dr. Gannon is an expert at tailoring natural therapies to the uniqueness of the individual, emphasizing prevention, self-care and motivation that honors the wisdom of nature while effectively and efficiently creating a healthier mind and body.

*Natural Health Consultants are medically trained to emphasize all natural therapy treatments such as homeopathy, herbal medicine, diet, nutrition and physical therapies.

SAMARA MONDELLO
Samara is honored to share the magic & truth of yoga, to remind people of their innate Divinity and to spark their own bhakti and enthusiasm.
She is infinitely grateful to the lineage of brilliant teachers that continue to inspire her. Her yoga studies have led her to study with yogi gurus Sharon Gannon, Ana Forrest, & Shiva Rea. Certified through master teacher Ana Forrest, she is also an apprentice to Jivamukhti teacher Sandhi Ferreira. Samara has a background in dance, which has led her to Brazil where she studied extensively with the world-renowned DIDA school of Afro-Brazilian dance. Samara is also a nationally certified Holistic Health Practitioner, & holds a bachelor's degree in Holistic Health from San Francisco State University.

Samara teaches yoga in New York City as well as at retreat centers in Central America. In her classes, Samara fluidly combines her love of dance, music, & poetry, on-going study of anatomy & energetic healing arts, and Patanjali's eight limbs to lovingly guide students in cultivating deeper presence and awareness. She enjoys teaching students to connect to the innate peace, balance & unity within them, while aligning the breath & body in fun, graceful, and empowering postures. She encourages yogis to take the beauty, wisdom, & joy they discover in their own hearts into their daily lives.

SUSAN MATTESON

With a lifelong commitment to health and healing, and a degree in Expressive Arts, Susan Matteson LMP, NCTMB is a licensed massage practitioner in Washington State and is nationally certified. She has a private practice on Bainbridge Island, Washington where she sees a diverse group of clients for everything from relaxation & health maintenance to treatment of injury & more chronic physical conditions, as a credentialed preferred provider for health insurance plans.

Susan draws from a wide variety of bodywork modalities such as deep tissue, Swedish, trigger point, myofascial release, energy work, Trager, craniosacral work, & others, depending on what you & she decide would fit with your particular needs. She has also trained in hypnotherapy and breathwork, and often incorporates guided imagery & working with the breath into her sessions. A longtime student of yoga, she has seen the powerful health benefits of combining yoga and massage in one's life. Susan offers massage therapy sessions and workshops to enhance your week of relaxation and renewal.

" Massage can be a key element of one's health, with benefits such as improved circulation & muscle tone, enhanced immune system, increased healing of injuries, & increased release of endorphins, which improves mood & energy level. It can be a wonderful tool to help facilitate greater self-awareness & to become more present in the body."

Renew Your Spirit