My First Retreat at Evia Bay - Writing & Yoga, September 2024

Together with Sarah Gelb - Writer, speaker, writing workshop facilitator, a woman, a heart. Visit her website

Reflecting on Our First Retreat:

Our first retreat wasn’t just about planning the best experience; it was about creating a space that felt like home. A space where you could let your guard down, share your dreams, and reconnect with yourself and others. North Evia Island, a cozy corner of the world where every moment—whether walking in nature or diving into a deep conversation—brings a sense of belonging. Together, we laughed, learned, and found the courage to dream a little bigger. It was a heartfelt gathering, a reminder that when we come together, magic happens.

Mornings of Mindful & Let Go, Ground & Realign Yoga with Me :) As the sun rises, we start our day off with a gentle guidance that helps us move with intention, breathing deeply and soaking in the beauty around. Whether you’re a seasoned yogi or a curious beginner, my classes invite you to slow down and find balance—not just in the asana, but in breath, inner talk, mind to heart connection and your uniqueness in life. Outdoors in the yard, with nature as a soundtrack, it’s impossible not to feel a little more grounded, a little more alive.

Writing Under the Pines with Sara

Imagine sitting beneath a pine tree, pen in hand, as the breeze carries your thoughts into words. Sara’s writing sessions weren’t just about filling pages; they were about unlocking the stories within us. With her prompts and encouragement, creativity flowed effortlessly. The trees, the fresh air, the laughter of like-minded writers—it all came together to remind us why we love storytelling. These moments weren’t just for writers; they were for anyone ready to let their imagination take flight.

Soaking, Savoring, and Exploring

We spent afternoons at the local hot springs, letting the mineral-rich waters melt away stress. Afterwards, we indulged in meals at charming tavernas, where every dish told a story of tradition and love. The flavors, the warmth of the locals, the simplicity—it was pure joy.

And then there was the winery, where time seemed to slow. With every sip, we tasted the heart of the region, surrounded by breathtaking views of rolling vineyards. These moments reminded us how rich life can be when we truly pause and savor it.

Nature’s Wonder: The Waterfall

The day we visited the waterfall felt like stepping into a dream. The sound of rushing water drew us closer, and the cool mist kissed our faces as we stood in awe of nature’s raw beauty. It wasn’t just a hike; it was a journey back to ourselves, a chance to feel connected to something greater - mother earth.

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Of course the retreat was about yoga, writing and trips but at heart it was mainly about the people—the ten of us who came together, each bringing our own stories, fears, and hopes. Through shared laughter, quiet moments, and deep conversations, we found something rare: connection. These bonds weren’t fleeting; they were the kind that stay with you long after the retreat ends. And indeed some of the participants have met and traveled together once more! From time to time all of us share love and laughter, blessings and celebrations in our original WhatsApp group

Looking Ahead

As we hold onto the memories we created, there’s an undeniable excitement for what’s next. These moments have shown us what’s possible when we open ourselves to new experiences. Let’s carry that sense of wonder and connection forward, ready for the next chapter in this beautiful journey.

In Joy - In Peace - In Love - In Abundance - In Gratitude - In Grace - In God

Cooking Up Delight: A Culinary Class with Aggeliki at Her Special Tavern

Meet Aggeliki: The Heart and Soul of the Greek Tavern - Lagoudera

Imagine stepping into a cozy taverna on the shores of beautiful north Evia Island, where the air is filled with the aromas of traditional Greek dishes, calmness and love.

That’s where Aggeliki works her magic, pouring her heart and soul into every meal she serves. Growing up in a family that celebrated culinary traditions, she learned to cook from her grandmother, who would often say, “Cooking is an act of love.” Now, as a taverna owner, Aggeliki takes that sentiment to heart by using fresh ingredients sourced from her own garden and from local farmers and crafting recipes passed down through generations. Whether it’s her smooth as silk eggplant salad or crispy kalamari, each dish tells a story of heritage and passion. Dining at Aggeliki's place isn’t just about satisfying your hunger; it's about sharing in the warmth of her hospitality and feeling like part of the family. So next time you're on Evia Island, don't miss out on experiencing the true essence of Greek culinary traditions through Aggeliki's delightful creations! You could either come and enjoy a regular meal on opening hours of Lagoudera, either book in advance your Cooking lesson with Aggeliki and enjoy both.

All ingredients organic, local, fresh, healthy and prepared with care and positive energy!

The Menu: Discovering the Three Delicious Dishes We’ll Create Together

So, you’re ready to whip up some mouthwatering Greek dishes, huh? Picture this: your kitchen filled with the fresh aromas of bio veggies, best home made olive oil, mountain picked oregano and morning caught fish - for our own marinated anchovy - which are apparently from the most expensive meze. Now we know why.. the process of making - takes quite some efforts :)

After preparing the anchovy, we moved to our next dish - Grilled bio Eggplants Salad from Lagoudera's garden - the most tender eggplant salad we have ever tried.

So grab your apron and get ready for a cooking class that’s more than just food; it’s about sharing stories, laughter, and maybe even a little dancing once the meal is ready. You’ll be serving up more than just dinner—you’ll be creating memories!

Behind the Scenes: Capturing Moments with Photos and Video Interviews

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to step into a culinary wonderland, let me take you behind the scenes of our cooking class with the fabulous Aggeliki and her husband Thanassis (big magician behind the scenes ;) Picture this: a cozy kitchen filled with the mouthwatering aroma of fresh herbs and sizzling ingredients, where guests dive into hands-on experiences that transform them from home cooks to greek culinary rockstars. During our video interviews with Aggeliki, she shares her secret tips and tricks while whipping up delicious dishes that make your taste buds dance. It’s not just about learning how to cook; it’s about creating unforgettable memories and bonding over shared flavors and stories. And trust me, every laugh and “oops” moment in the kitchen makes for a recipe worth remembering! This culinary adventure is one you won’t want to miss – it might just inspire your next dinner party!

What to Expect in a Culinary Class at Aggeliki's Tavern?

Imagine stepping into a cozy kitchen filled with aromas of olive oil, fresh herbs, and zesty lemons, all while surrounded by friends who share love for good food, people and moments. In this hands-on experience, you'll not only learn to cook authentic Greek dishes but also dive into the culinary techniques that make them shine. The friendly atmosphere makes it easy to ask questions, experiment with flavors, and even get a little messy—because let's face it, that's part of the fun! By the end of your culinary adventure, you'll leave not just with delicious recipes but also with newfound skills.

Our Conclusion is that as much as a midday lunch or a sunset dinner would be an amazing sense-full time spent at Lagoudera, going for the full experience with a cooking lesson would be even a more profound way to enjoy the gifts this place has to share with the world! We sum up with some useful informations; - Cooking classes are available middle week on Low Season days (Monday - Friday / October - May). - Cost per person - 50 Euro (Cooking class + Meal). - Minimum 3 Participants. For booking you are welcome to get in touch directly with us

Contact Here

Lagoudera - Agiokampos - North Evia Island - Greece

Collaborators on project

Evia Bay Suites & Retreats - Paralia Agios Nikolaos - Loutra Edipsos - North Evia Island - Greece

You are warmly welcomed to be hosted at the brand new hotel Evia Bay - Suites & Retreats Get your 5% off your reservation by entering the code: UNDINA

The Power of Sound Yoga & Frequency Healing

Did you hear about Nada Yoga? In the quest for holistic wellness, the ancient wisdom of sound healing has gained remarkable traction, especially in the realms of yoga therapy. The idea that “By His utterance came the universe,” as stated in the Brhadaranyaka Upanisad around 700 BCE, underscores the profound impact of sound (frequency) on the cosmos and human existence.

The Universal Language of Sound

The concept of the universe originating from sound is not unique to one tradition.

Lets see some examples:

- Shaivism (Shaivism is an ancient religion and spiritual tradition that has been practised in India for thousands of years. The followers of this religion, known as Shaivites, worship the Hindu god Shiva as the supreme being and emphasise liberation from suffering. Shaivism is associated with worship through meditation and contemplation) teaches that the universe began with the sound अ (A), a primal note in Sanskrit associated with Shiva.

Similarly, in Jewish mysticism:

- Sefer Yetzirah, creation is described as a process initiated through letters, akin to sounds.

- Abrahamic traditions (The Abrahamic religions—most prominently Judaism, Christianity, and Islam—are those faiths that trace their origins to the Israelite prophet Abraham) - Sound plays a pivotal role in creation narratives, with the divine command “Let there be light” bringing forth existence.

This notion parallels the scientific perspective of the:

- “Big Bang” suggesting a sound at the universe’s inception.

- Albert Einstein’s theory that all matter breaks down into energy, vibrating constantly, further supports this idea.

- As particle physicist Don Lincoln notes, “the thing that we visualise as a particle is just a localised vibration of that field.”

This insight into the nature of sound as organised vibration reveals its potential to influence matter.

Which is what we experience with tuning forks, crystal bowls and the more traditional Tibetan bowls (which originally were made for food serving....:)

The Philosophical Foundations

Since ancient times, Indians have been searching for an explanation for the mysteries of life and existence. This search gave rise to several schools of thought and different philosophies. Each philosophy recognizes the principle of karma, the cycle of birth and death, and reincarnation. Also, each acknowledges that moksha, or liberation is the ultimate aim of all human effort.

Samkhya is the oldest school of philosophy. It states that everything is derived from the Purusha or self, soul, intellect, and Prakriti or matter, creation, and energy.Samkhya philosophy concurs with the idea that the universe is a manifestation of sound. This sound relates to ether or space (आकाश ākāśa), the most subtle of the five elements. The path of creation in yogic theory moves from the subtle (ether) to the gross (physical elements), corresponding to the chakras in Tantra Yoga and doshas in Āyurveda.

The Science of Sound in Yoga and Therapy

The principle of entrtainment (Entrainment explains how certain sounds and rhythms can change brain waves), discovered by Christian Huygens, demonstrates how external rhythms, like music, can synchronise and modify our internal states, such as brain waves and emotions.

Sensing and Responding to Sound

Sound begins to impact us even before birth. Fetuses respond to external sounds and distinguish between novel and familiar ones. The mechanics of hearing are complex, involving the transmission of sound waves through the ear to the brain, where they’re processed in various regions responsible for different aspects of auditory perception.

Dr. Tomatis, an influential figure in psychoacoustics, highlighted that sounds fuel our brain, with high-frequency sounds being particularly effective. He also discovered the role of bone conduction in hearing and the stimulation of the vestibular system, which affects our sense of balance and spatial orientation (the ability to relate position and positional changes of body or body parts to any stable reference system).

Curious to understand the Therapeutic Power of Sound?

The concept of Nitric Oxide (NO) in our bodies, a gas molecule crucial to our organ systems, illustrates the physiological impact of sound.

Stress reduces NO production, while its release induces relaxation. Humming, for instance, significantly increases nasal NO, demonstrating the physical benefits of sound practices.

Sound Healing in Practice

The foundation of sound healing lies in the belief that everything, including our body and energetic centres, has a unique resonance. When parts of our body are unwell or stressed, they fall out of their optimal vibrational state. Sound

healing employs sympathetic vibrations to realign our body to its natural, harmonious state.

This idea is not new; it has roots in various traditions such as the Hindu/Nada yoga6 and the Greek practice of using music for emotional and psychic healing. Modern scientific research supports the healing capacity of sound and music, further validating its use in various therapeutic contexts, including sound yoga and yoga therapy.

Sound Yoga Therapy: A Path to Wellness

In the realm of yoga in general and yoga teacher trainings in particular, the inclusion of sound yoga therapy and sound meditation is increasingly prevalent. These practices integrate the transformative power of sound into the yogic journey, offering a path to holistic wellness that resonates with our very essence.

Through sound yoga therapy and sound meditation, practitioners can experience profound shifts in their physical, mental, and emotional states. As they harmonise their inner vibrations with the external world, they embark on a journey of self-discovery and healing that transcends conventional yoga practices.

Final Thoughts

Nada yoga or sound healing represent a fusion of ancient wisdom and modern scientific understanding, offering powerful tools for transformation and healing. As we continue to explore these practices, we uncover the immense potential of sound to harmonise our inner and outer worlds, leading us toward a deeper sense of wellness and unity with the universe.

By now - anyone has a clue what Nada Yoga stands for? :)

Nada Yoga is the process of the union of the individual mind with cosmic consciousness through the flow of sounds. It is the Union of the body and mind and the expansion of atman (individual self) to the nada brahman (universal self).