Healing Retreat, on the Medicine Island of Ikaria
Actress and Transformative Coach Simone Leona Hueber arrived on Ikaria in the summer of 2015, in search of how the body and the island’s healing power impacted her work as an actress, artist and healer. What she discovered led her to move to Ikaria permanently.
Ever since then, we have not only become great friends, but I have watched how she has introduced people to the healing powers of the island through her one-on-one healing and coaching sessions in nature, and the weekly mindfulness and yoga classes that she teaches here at Thea’s Inn.
Her work over the last few years has led her to offer a very special healing retreat, for the first time this year – designed for people seeking an even deeper transformative healing experience.
In Simone’s words:
“In the modern world we live in a culture that is dominated by our logical mind. This often leaves us disconnected from our body, soul and from the places we live and work in. As a result, we lose our sense of the present moment; we lose balance, health and the impulse for what naturally makes us truly happy. So we compromise our health, work longer hours, get overly stressed – which in the long-term leaves us feeling anxious, burnt out, and often ill.
“Ikaria is a place that exists in a different rhythm to what we know well in our modern society. It is a place where logic and rational thinking about time needs to be left behind, from the moment you step onto the island.
“For healing and magic to occur, Ikaria teaches us we only need to open up to a deeper place of connection, give our rational thinking a rest, and let our hearts speak in this place of openness and connection.
“Opening to this space is what this retreat will facilitate.”
A Personal Journey on Medicine Island
In this retreat, over seven days, Simone Leona will offer a safe space for you to deeply connect to yourself and the natural medicinal powers of the island. This will allow you to receive the island’s sacred messages that will help you to journey and transform deeply seated wounds – physical, emotional or spiritual. Often these places of wounding carry the power of our potential for change healing and creativity.
The format for the healing retreat is as follows:
16 October – Arrival:
Arrive on the island of Ikaria. You have the option to fly into Ikaria from Athens, or to take the boat journey from Athens (Piraeus) to Ikaria (Evdilos). For this retreat in particular, we would recommend travelling to Ikaria by boat from Piraeus, to begin the slower journey into the timelessness that Ikaria offers.
Transfers from the airport and the port, will be provided to the village of Nas, where there will be time to check in to your accommodation. Then there is time to introduce yourself to the ‘ancient land of Nas’, and the ancient temple of Artemis, where you might like to take a a swim at the beach. The group will gather together for dinner, spending more time arriving and settling in.
17 – 22 October – Healing days on Medicine Island:
The healing process begins with a connection to a number of sacred nature spots around the island, where each participant can begin to open to a deeper connection to the island and her healing gifts, through what they experience in their own body.
This connection is accessed slowly and will build during the course of the week, through deep somatic processes guided by Simone. This can include mediation, movement, and yoga.
All activities during the six transformational days are designed to help you deeply connect with your own healing and intuitive self and the medicinal powers of the island.
You will emerge from the week, with a deeper embodied knowledge of the ‘Nothingness Process’ of mindfulness that is guided by Simone, to put you in touch with your own inner wisdom. You will have gathered deeply held experiences and practices that you can take home, that draw you effortlessly back to the healing connection that you made to yourself on the island.
There will also be time spent with Thea Parikos, who has lived on the island for more than 25 years and has opened the doorway to hundreds of people to the many gifts of Ikaria through her work at Thea’s Inn.
23 October – Departure:
After breakfast and a final swim, we gather to give thanks to the island and close the retreat. The bus transfer will depart Nas at 11am for those departing the island by plane or boat. For those who wish to stay on in Nas for longer, we can provide assistance in extending your stay.
At a glance, your island experience includes:
7 nights in the village of Nas including locally grown breakfast, lunch and dinner for the entire retreat.
Accommodation for the retreat is at various locations in the village to give you a sense of the local community. All rooms give the feeling of having nature ‘right at your doorstep', with most rooms enjoying views of the sea. Nas is situated as the perfect base to explore the island and get immersed in the culture.
The gourmet breakfasts at Thea’s Inn include fresh eggs and goats cheese from our organic farm, locally baked bread, hot coffee, and yogurt with Ikarian honey, famous for its healing properties.
All transport and transfers to nature spots and activities around the island.
All somatic processes, individual and group work, initiated and guided by Simone.
Retreat cost: 1,500 Euros
Additional costs and information:
You will need to purchase your own return flights to Athens and from Athens to Ikaria. If you are travelling to Ikaria (Evdilos) from Athens by boat, you will also need to purchase your boat tickets. You will need to arrange your own Travel Insurance.
To reserve your place:
The Healing Retreat will be only for 9 guests. This ensures that every person receives close attention and the deepest healing experience possible.
If you are interested in reserving your place, please contact me at info@simoneleoahueber.com for more detailed information.
