Retreat Wrap up-Lefkada 2026

Sep 17

3 min read

Once again, we left Lefkada, and once again, my heart hurt to say farewell.

This was an action-packed retreat. Some of the action was planned, some was not, but it all served its purpose: to help us bask, luxuriate, flow, sit in stillness, grow, learn, and observe ourselves and our samskaras.

It may surprise some to know that while these retreats may look glossy and glowy—and there are certainly lots of those bits—quite a lot goes into keeping the engine running smoothly: blending different personalities and surrendering to different cultural systems and ways of thinking. It’s part of what makes it more than a vacation.

Changing your backdrop and removing your labels and roles allows you to shake up your ingrained responses and unstick your neural grooves. And a lot of beauty comes from that.

It always helps that the backdrop, in this case, is so heavenly. Even though this is our second time hosting a retreat on Lefkada, I remain astounded by the views. I’m sure I caught several flies from how often my mouth was hanging open. And I’m OK with that.

That sunrise walk to the shala to practice and prepare before the yogis come for class is pretty hallowed stuff. It’s blissfully quiet and still, and the gratitude I feel at being able to roll my mat, mind, heart, and body out in front of that spectacular vista is enormous.

Every morning, the yogis would start to rock up to the shala for practice, in varying degrees of awakening to the moment. It takes some time to really “arrive.” Gotta shake off the jet lag, gotta let go of the concerns you left behind—and what’s waiting on the other side—but day by day, everyone does arrive.

We get into our bodies, we breathe in the rarefied air of Greece, we start to soak up the deep history and ancient teachings, the mythology and the magic. And we might build up a bit of a sweat.

What comes next is as extraordinary as the view, and that is breakfast.

Ourania “Mama” pours her heart and soul into the food. One of my favorite things is watching everyone’s eyes as they dig into each offering, from the beginning of the week to the end. Mama and her crew—Cris, Mike, and Lelo—create the magical meals and take care of this large, wild property. It’s a massive undertaking.

Ourania is an insightful, passionate, and wise woman. Having retreats on this property was her brainchild, and she and her son, Jason, have carried this vision forward through the years. Anytime she speaks, you want to listen and learn from her. She also gives some great hugs.

As the week rolled on, everyone picked their pleasure for each day. Some went for the rewarding/punishing hike down to the secluded beach at the bottom of the property. Some explored the nearby town or the myriad surrounding beaches. Some chilled by the pool, while others explored the local wine and olive oil producers.

Twenty of us went on a boat trip that took us to neighboring islands, more extraordinary water, Jackie O’s holiday home—where we encountered a comically obnoxious boat full of bachelorette partiers—and lots of laughter and excitement.

You can tell when the yogis start to hit their stride. They’re trying new things. They’re sharing observations about themselves. Their countenance just shifts.

It’s my favorite.

It’s what you hope will carry forward into their lives post-retreat.

As we started to wind down, I came back to the odyssey as a theme. It’s hard not to, with Ithaca sitting right in front of you.

There is a word in Greek, nostos. It translates to “homecoming,” but it is just as much about the journey as it is about the destination. It’s about how a person navigates all manner of challenges and what they discover about themselves along the way. When they finally “come home,” they do so as a changed person, with more awareness and a clearer sense of identity.

This is what I wish for our attendees, even in the smallest way: a fresh perspective, an awareness that carries through.

And if you combine nostos with algos—pain or longing—you get nostalgia: that ache for home, or for something that feels like home.

Maybe sometimes it’s a longing for a truer version of ourselves.

Or for that time on a Greek island, when we were able to retreat and feel free.

Until we come home to you again, Lefkada!