Press the pause button, deeply nourish and reconnect to YOU retreat!!
We love this venue so much, we're returning and we can't wait to welcome you to join us at Vericoco in the south of Kefalonia, Greece.
Our 7 day retreat will offer an idyllic & nourishing haven for you to pause, slow down and reconnect to that part of you that gets forgotten or ignored when life is so busy. Devoting more time to yourself to spend it how you wish & to delve deeper into your yoga practice, will be the ultimate antidote.
Vericoco is set amongst olive groves, just a 15 min drive from the Islands airport and just 15mins walk from 2 gorgeous sandy beaches, Spartia & Thermanti (only accessible by foot, sshh don't tell anyone about this one!). There are various accommodation options to suit individual budgets & preferences. Inside the decor is modern, chic & comfortable in Vericoco colours that create a sense of harmony with the natural surroundings & landscape. All accommodations are within easy walking distance to the beautiful yoga deck which is secluded amongst olive trees with views of the Ionian Sea.
Meals are vegetarian, freshly prepared on site using produce from their organic vegetable garden & locally sourced produce. Together we'll enjoy a generous brunch after morning yoga each day & 6 evenings meals, leaving 1 night to eat out in a local taverna or hop in a taxi to explore further afield. Each accommodation has access to kitchen facilities, so you are welcome to buy & prepare food (2 shops in Spartia village) for an afternoon snack or evening meal.
There are two fabulous swimming pools, one within the grounds of each of the Villa's, and plenty of space to lounge, sit, read, chat & relax with company or in solitude.
Kefalonia itself is a beautiful & lush Ionian Sea island, with crystal clear shallow waters, secluded beaches, spectacular mountain side coastal drives & the majestic Mount Aenos.
Going on a yoga retreat can be a truly magical experience. It's a chance for you disconnect from the noise & routine of daily life & truly press pause to reconnect to YOU! On our retreat, our aim is on nourishing both body & mind through guided yoga practices as well as giving you the space & time to enjoy on your own. There is no pressure to participate in all the yoga offerings, think of it as your refuge to decide what's best for you. Join us with your partner, friend or on your own. It's a fabulous way to meet new friends with like minded souls, with one common vice!! YOGA
Our morning practice will be varied, always incorporating a pranayama (breathwork) practice & Vinyasa flow to wake us up, to get us moving. We may spend time focusing on a particular pose or sequence, some strength building, inversions & balance work. It would be so much fun to have a partner yoga session later in the week. These are all ideas, and if you're already a student of mine, you'll know I tend to go with the flow and am guided by your energy! By the way, please don't feel you will be an outsider if you are not a student of mine. Our retreat in 2023 welcomed more than half the total number of retreaters who weren't Empowering Yogi's. It was amazing to see how the universe brought such a fabulous group of souls together !
Our evening practice will be calming & grounding. I love love love Yin yoga and it's a style of yoga that I find is crucial to include at this stage in my life. We'll use lots of props (blocks, belts, bolsters) to support our bodies in these deep, nourishing stretches. In Yin there is time, lots of time to notice what you notice & feel what you feel. There will be periods of silence & periods of time for poetry, readings & affirmations. Guided relaxations & long savasana will follow to conclude these serene classes.
Enjoy a tea/coffee snack in your Villa/Apartment
Morning Vinyasa Flow Yoga practice
Hearty brunch outdoors at Vericoco Villa
Free time to relax by the pool, have a snooze in a hammock, play petanque or table tennis. Take a walk down to the beach or explore some of the Island. One afternoon we have a Greek cookery workshop. Plus, we will also offer some other optional activities such as: boat trip / yoga paddleboard lesson / wine tasting / on-site massage / Bioenergy treatment (with Joanne) - details of these will be confirmed & bookings can be made on arrival
Late afternoon wind down practice - Restorative/yin/yoga nidra practice plus a soundbath one evening)
Dinner (6 x evening meals leaving 1 night to explore a local taverna or hop in a taxi for a night out)
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There are 3 luxury ensuite bedrooms- all with sea view. This is where all meals are served. Swimming pool / petanque
The 4 large ensuite bedrooms - all with balconies & sea view. 3 on the 1st floor, 1 on the ground floor. Swimming pool / Table tennis
There are also apartment rooms available in 2 Beach Houses, a 3 bed apartment & a studio
2 x bedrooms sharing a bathroom, 1 x ensuite master bedroom
Studio apartment, ensuite with small kitchen facilities
The care and attention to detail that Jo put into this retreat is outstanding. Ensuring everyone knew what was happening on a day by day basis. Meal times, down times, accommodation details and options on leisure times. Then there's the yoga which is first class, varied and gradually builds up on day by day basis. You would never know this is the first retreat that Jo has presented such was the calm yet purposeful way the retreat was managed.
For me I liked the way the lesson progressed. From gentle to more strength and vigorous. I liked the style very much and the pace for sure. The retreat Vericoco is a picturesque, beautiful, tranquil surrounding picture perfect cottages, houses accommodations, and over looking the blue sea . This retreat is a perfect one for those who are seeking and absolute cut off from the hussle bustle of their day to day life - whatever their occupation. Or just wanted a different experience, a treat :"" truely""
This retreat salved my body and soul. The setting was outstanding. More importantly for me, Joanne & Empowering Yoga made me feel good about my yoga practice i.e. no judgement or competition. Rather, a strong emphasis on myself and not others. The pace was good for me. Options provided for all dependent on yoga experience, boy shape, confidence. I liked the emphasis on strength and core.
Joanne is an excellent yoga teacher; her extensive experience is evident in the way she conducts her classes. She is clear in her instructions, vigilant about the differing levels of her students and makes classes very enjoyable. I am new to yoga and had a thoroughly enjoyable time...
'What a wonderful treat of a retreat - lovely people, food, location and yoga (and wine) - what more could I ask for?' Lovely balance between yoga and free time (although I would also have liked a little more yoga); I especially appreciated the late brunch allowing pre-meal yoga to start at a reasonable time
The yoga sessions were great, I enjoyed your style of teaching and the additional poems. You have such a calm and kind demeanor. Thank you for the nurturing and self-nourishing week.
Loved when the pace picked up a little. It really challenged me and made me feel great! Also loved the more active session on Friday even though I love Yin.
Vericoco is a magical place, I felt looked after as soon as we arrived. I felt that the morning yoga practice really set me up for the whole day of rest, contemplation and reflection. The evening practice consolidated the day’s endeavours. I felt that I was able to delve deeper into my practice, and it was wonderful to focus so much attention for the week.
Joanne has been a part of my Yoga journey, since my first class and I have found her to both take into account any issues I have and still help me grow in my Yoga journey. From personalised one to one classes and fun retreats I have found her style and enthusiasm to be inspiring
