Thank you for another fabulous summer on Skyros

As the Skyros season on Skyros island in Greece has now come to a close and the last remaining staff return from Athens, we would like to say a massive Efharisto (thank you!) to everyone involved. Whether you joined us as one of our inspirational facilitators, a member of the brilliant staff team (see more below) or as a holiday participant – you made our summer rock!!

Here's the latest from a few familiar faces who you may remember from your holiday in Greece ...


John & Zoë, Atsitsa Managers, with their son Felix ...

This winter Felix will have his first taste of cold weather and celebrate his first birthday in the UK. They'll all be at The Grange in the Isle of Wight later this month for the Cuban Salsa weekend and then John will jet off to the Caribbean sunshine to run the Skyros-in-Cuba holiday in November. Several London-based Family Constellations and Salsa workshops later, they're off to California before returning to Atsitsa next summer. Phew... it's all go for the Harris family!

Julian, Skyros Centre Manager ...


Julian returns to the UK this winter and says he'll be spending his time settling into his new home in Sussex, shopping for hats (such as can be seen in the photo), taking siestas, cooking lovely meals for his friends, sleeping some more, and training camels on a camel ranch in Jordan (wow, really?). Where time permits, he will head out to Greece and enjoy the surroundings of his non-native home. 



Andrew, Skyros Centre Assistant ...

Andrew says he's had a wonderful time in Skyros and has met some truly amazing people. Now he's ready for study and travel, perhaps in India again. He's also re-establishing his massage practice in Glasgow and possibly in London too. He'll be staying connected with Skyros supporting the launch of the Skyros Island Horse Trust as this is an exciting time for animal welfare and conservation on Skyros island. Lastly he'll be staying in touch by writing up some foodie blogs this winter on www.friendsofskyros.com recreating traditional Greek recipes from Vasso's kitchen.


Vasso, the Skyros Centre Chef ...


Vasso will be harvesting her olives and pomegranates, all of which will be thoroughly enjoyed - some combined to make the local Rodia liqueur. Yamas! Vasso will spend the winter relaxing (sort of) with her six gorgeous grandchildren (some of them pictured left) and then when spring arrives she'll be preparing another delicious batch of fresh homemade feta cheese for the next season at the Skyros Centre.



Jocelyn and Ivan, Atsitsa's Admin and Maintenance ...

After leaving Atsitsa, Ivan and Jocelyn are spending a few days in Athens, seeing the sights including Delphi before heading back to the UK where they will travel by train to Aberdeen. After taking in some Scottish highlights and visiting relatives they will then take a trip to Marrakesh for a well-earned break. Following this they will visit London and meet with the Harris family before flying the 23 hour journey back to Auckland, New Zealand! We miss you already guys!


Ellie, Atsitsa's Barwoman Extraordinaire ...


Ellie is returning home to the UK from Skyros to catch up with family and friends, including some of the new friends she made whilst in Atsitsa. She's hoping to work in London in the lead up to Christmas and then has plans for exotic travels with her hut-mate, best friend and outstanding Atsitsa chef, Pop, before returning to Atsitsa next summer. Yippee!



Matthew, Atsitsa's Barman Extraordinaire ...

Matthew has lined up much-missed quality time with his family, friends and girlfriend Carol amidst the cold, damp but atmospheric weather of Scotland! Then he's off for Tantra practitioner training in November and he'll be helping to facilitate workshops through the winter and spring. He says that if the Snow Gods smile on the Scottish mountains he'll be there on the slopes. Then he'll be back to Atsitsa ready for next year's season!



Sorry we couldn't include everyone here, but a huge thanks to all the wonderful staff this summer (you know who you are!) including those in the head office in the Isle of Wight. 

Thank you all!

Although the season in Greece has concluded, SKYROS, the leading holistic holiday, will be running holidays throughout the winter including Salsa and Photography in Cuba; Life Choices and Yoga in Thailand; an Overland Adventure with Photography, Art and Personal Development in Cambodia; Christmas and New Year Celebrations, and Weekend Retreats in the Isle of Wight. Call us on 01983 865566 or email office@skyros.com for more information.

Rated 'Number one of the top five adventure retreats,' (The Times) and 'The first and still the best,' (The Guardian), these holidays are not to be missed. See www.skyros.com

The Writers' Lab in Skyros island, Greece

Skyros facilitator Phil Gladwin has been a screenwriter and editor in the UK television industry since 1995. He also runs the www.screenwritinggoldmine.com website. Here he talks about his recent experience teaching screenwriting at the Writers' Lab on Skyros island, Greece, 1 - 11 August 2012...

Screenwriting is the best job in the world. This August I've just been reminded of that even more forcefully: this August I facilitated a screenwriting course at the Skyros Writers Lab.

It was a small group and they all had very different backgrounds. Some with professional writing experience, some with none, but they came united by their desire to experiment and work with the form.

And work they did.

Was I a harsh taskmaster? I don't think so, but I did gently encourage them to make the most of their writing time.

We had three hour sessions in the morning, full of creativity experiments, the occasional lecture, writing exercises, and quite a lot of fun.

For the rest of the day went off to let their imaginations run riot in the (entirely voluntary!) exercises I gave them.

It says a lot that, despite them being on holiday on a beautiful island, in the middle of a beautiful summer, and then having SO many other distractions (you know, the wide sandy beach and the aquamarine Aegean Sea, Skyros town itself, curling up the side of the hill in a labyrinth of white painted cottages and tiny cobbled alleys, brilliant evening sessions from the ever inventive Ilene Sawka, let alone the ever wonderful long lunches and leisurely suppers on the shady terrace) each participant returned every morning with more and more terrific work.

The nine muses did their bit too, clearly taking a bus en masse down from Mt Helicon. Every single participant found their voice; every single participant wrote some electrifyingly good (and often very funny) material.

What's more, it wasn't uncommon to reconvene in the morning and hear a participant tell the story for a fully imagined feature film that had somehow arrived fully formed overnight.

Eleven days later and each participant came away with an inside take on the screenwriting business, a massive tool-chest of writing techniques, and the knowledge that, if they chose to, they could each write a great script in their own style.

Let alone the wonderful experience of making friends and bonding with a wide group of friendly people in an almost magically beautiful location. Not at all bad for a holiday in the sun.



For your chance to book a Skyros writing holiday call the office on +44 (0) 1983 865566, or drop a line to office@skyros.com. Please note that many of the courses are already full, so book soon to guarantee a space. http://www.skyros.com/writers_lab.htm

Do something good for yourself . . .

Peter Collins is a Skyros holiday participant who recently returned from his Skyros holiday in Atsitsa Bay, Skyros Island, Greece, and is due to return in just a few days. Here he talks about his first experiences of the leading holistic holiday, and the effect it has had on his life.

I booked my holiday at Atsitsa at the last minute - literally - as I had to find flights and depart the following day. Making the commitment to book was quite scary for me as I had not been coping well with life and was not feeling good. I knew that I needed to makes some changes in my life but was unsure how to start. Someone recommended an 'alternative' holiday at Skyros and I had read the brochure many times but always found an excuse not to book. 'Alternative' anything was something new to me.

I remember reading something along the lines of 'If you keep doing the same thing you will keep getting the same result' and that had certainly been true for me so possibly time to try something different. Everything fell into place once I had decided to book. The flights were available at the right time and price and I was running out of excuses.

I had been to Greece many times and love the place. For me it has the perfect combination of environment, lifestyle, weather, food and people so I was not apprehensive about being there, but Atsitsa and all those new people was something I was not sure about. Still I told myself that I did not have to take part in anything, I could hide away if I wanted, but perhaps I might learn something on the courses.

Well 10 days later I did not recognise myself. I felt better than I had ever felt, I had learned the basics of yoga, meditation and mosaics, I was tanned, fit (thanks for the runs Berny) and felt so incredibly healthy (the food is amazing). But most of all, and completely unexpectedly, I had learned most from all those other participants on the courses. Those wonderful people who sat, listened, gave advice, related their own experiences and life journeys and became friends. That is the essence of Skyros for me - the people.

Thank you so much for giving me my life back. The experience for me was life changing and I will never forget it.

Kind regards,

Peter.

For your last chance of a taste of Greek sunshine this season, give us a call on 01983 865566 and reserve your place on one of the few remaining spaces for holiday 11 - 21 September in Atsitsa bay. Alternatively, why not join us for a holiday in one of our offshoots in Thailand, Cuba, Cambodia, or the Isle of Wight, UK. Book now and do something good for yourself. More information at www.skyros.com.

The joy of (teaching in) Skyros

Recently returned from a renowned Skyros holiday, life coach and facilitator Claire Schrader shares her recent experiences of the leading holistic holiday and the wonderful Greek island that is Skyros. Thanks Claire, for blog and for the lovely pictures too!

Photo above shows Claire (in the red trousers) with her participants, enjoying a cool drink at the Skyros Village centre.

My first sight of the view from the Skyros Centre, brought tears to my eyes. They were the tears of not only of a beautiful sight but of all the memories of the last time I was in Skyros – the people, the inspiration, the fun, the magic. How could this time be even better? But it was!

The title of my course this year was A Call to Adventure – and I found myself on a bit of an unexpected adventure.

A few days before I came out, I was knocked over by a moped. As I looked down at the two inch gash in my leg – the skin had torn like a piece of cloth - I wondered if this was going to be a problem. I was patched up with 5 stitches and hobbled out to Skyros, hoping that it would heal up quick and I would be only too soon swimming in that glorious sea. But it was not to be. My wound developed an infection and I was taxi-ed to the Skyros Medical Centre, where the doctors frowned at my wound – and did what was necessary to heal it up.

For anyone who has ever worried about something similar happening, let me first applaud the superb treatment I received from the Greek medical system - and to Julian and Andrew who took magnificent care of me. I could not have been in better hands. And thanks too to the wonderful participants on my course who made sure I didn’t jump around too much!

But this did nothing to mar a wonderful time – a time that is hard to put into words. And I hope these pictures give you some sense of what we experienced...

A gorgeous evening shot of the Skyros beach at sundown as we waited for freshly caught fish to be cooked at the fantastic fish restaurant on the beach.

The beach where we wiled away many an hour....

I may have been hobbling but I could still strut my stuff as the MC.

 One of the highlights of the holiday for me was the celebration of Saint Agios Ermileous - a holy day in which hundreds of people gathered on the Molos and piled into fishing boats to be taken across to a little island where there was a special service to celebrate the saint’s day.

Applause at the end of another fantastic cabaret night of heart warming creativity – after which Orville (Mez Packer’s husband) “dropped some tunes”. Dancing to James Brown and Bob Marley till the very early hours.

The hilarious sweeping scene

  

And then it was time to go...

Here art facilitator Michael Gahagan enjoys the appreciation of the group for his wonderful work

Saying goodbye to those lovely hills to return again next year??!!

The Importance of Deep Relaxation by Beverley Drumm

The current season for Skyros holidays, the leading holistic holiday, is now in full swing, offering inspiring and invigorating course-based breaks on the beautiful Greek island of Skyros.

Most recently inspired was Skyros facilitator and holistic wellbeing specialist Beverley Drumm who just returned from the latest Atsitsa  holiday where she ran her fabulous courses in Nia dance and Kundalini yoga.

Affected by profound sense of relaxation and freedom on the holiday, Beverley was spurred into sharing her observations.

At the end of any yoga class, there will always be time for deep relaxation.  And, as any yoga teacher will tell you, this period of complete surrender into stillness is just as important as the active engagement of body and mind that has gone before.  This is the time when the "amrit", or "sacred nectar", generated during practice settles and assimilates.

Coming to Skyros reminds me - both personally and in witnessing others - that this kind of deep relaxation is very much absent from our everyday lives.  In conversation after conversation with participants, especially in the first days after arrival, I hear tales of lives lived full-on, packed with activity, doing and stress.

And then, on coming to Skyros, there is suddenly the time and space to take a long, slow, deep breath and just be.  No agenda to fulfill, no deadline to meet, no constant bombardment and distraction from the media and electronic communications.  The body and mind are able to relax and let go.

 
What happens as a result is quite magical.  Tense bodies and faces visibly soften and brighten. Deep connections are forged.  Life-changing insights arise without effort, and astounding creativity unfolds.  A community spirit and structure grows that is inclusive and generous-hearted, able to flow spontaneously with group needs, yet deliver specifics on time and in place.

If only we could remember this as we journey home, back to our lives "out there", and all the demands and responsibilities we'll be met with.  If only we could remember how much richer and easier our lives would be, if we kept this sense of deep relaxation present with us.

Those decisions and tasks we fret and agonise over, the problems that seems insurmountable, the burdens we feel on our shoulders, will surely diminish and be met with new solutions, when faced with a calm mind, open heart and a full deep breath that slowly expands and contracts the belly.

Whether you are "out there" right now, or enjoying a magical holiday with us in Skyros, take time to breathe deep and remember how cultivating a sense of deep relaxation in your life, will enhance your sense of well-being and allow all aspects of your life to flow with greater ease.  Your body, mind and spirit - not to mention your friends and family - will thank you for it.


Beverley Drumm
Nia Dance Teacher and Kundalini Yoga Instructor with Skyros
www.nectaroflife.co.uk


In need of some deep relaxation? Why not join a Skyros holiday this summer and experience the holiday of a lifetime? But do hurry as spaces are limited. See www.skyros.com - for more information, or call the Skyros office on 01983 865566.

Attention camera buffs -- Interview with Monty Python's Julian Doyle . . .

Julian Doyle is a British film maker who is best known for editing Monty Python’s Life of Brian and also for shooting the special effects for Terry Gilliam’s Brazil. 

He has directed the films Love Potion (1987), about a drug rehabilitation centre, and Chemical Wedding (2008), an occult thriller starring Simon Callow which he wrote together with Iron Maiden singer Bruce Dickinson. 

He has also written Twilight of the Gods, a play about the relationship between Wagner and Nietzsche which was performed at the Edinburgh Festival and directed music videos, including those for Kate Bush’s Cloudbusting and Iron Maiden’s hit Can I Play with Madness. 

His latest book The Life of Brian/Jesus is billed as the book that will ruin Christmas! 

Julian teaches at the London Film Academy and for the lucky few who book his 12 - 22 November 2012 photography course in Cuba with Skyros Holidays, Julian will be heading up the programme to help Skyros participants capture the rebel spirit of Havana through a lens! Find out a little more about Julian and the course he has to offer . . .
 
1) Hello Julian, welcome to our little office. Have a seat, can I get you some fruity tea? To begin, just to get to know you a little better, what would you say is your favourite piece of work you have had in print or on film/TV?

It has to be Life of Brian which has remained a classic.  But that was as Editor - on the photography side I think I enjoyed shooting the special Fx on TimeBandits. As Evil kept changing people into animals (eg Og into a pig) I had the fun of working with pigs and dogs making them change and do strange things.

2) If you could have produced any works by another photographer / filmmaker, which would it be and why?

I suppose I would have to go for David Bailey as he works in a way that is very different from me. I go for the gritty and real while he glamourises and romanticises the subjects. I like that skill.

3) So, a little birdie tells me your going to be the Skyros facilitator for photography in the Cuban capital this November. Can you tell me, what do you think participants will learn from your course?

My main aim is to train their eye to see life in a fresh way and then teach them the simple skills that will capture that view of the world in their photographs or videos.  For example, understanding the difference between photographing a subject with a wide angle lens or a long lens is crucial. You can stand somebody in front of a majestic building and in one go you can make the person look bad and the building look like nothing. Why? because one does not understand the difference between the 2 lenses. These simple steps will change forever the way you take photographs.

4) What advice would you give to anyone booked on your photography course? Is there anything they should bring?


Bring a camera or video camera.  it does not matter how simple or how complex. By the end they will be taking better photos even on their mobile phones.

5) And last, but not least, are you as excited about Havana as we are? Any particular reason?

I often teach at the Havana Film School so I have friends there. I love the island and its people and I know our little band will capture much of this in their photographs.

Join us and capture the rebel spirit of Cuba through a lens with the helpful guidance from Monty Python maestro, Julian Doyle! Why Cuba? Where better to find your own rhythm or creative edge than in a country that breathes passion, culture, music and dance? 

For more information, visit http://www.skyros.com/cuba.htm. Call us on +44 (0)1983 865566, or e-mail office@skyros.com. We'll be happy to help so that you don't miss this wonderful opportunity.

Abseiling in Atsitsa by Berny Woodward

Skyros Holidays facilitator Berny Woodward holds the UK Mountain Instructors Certificate and has extensive experience having worked in the RAF and as an Outdoor Adventure Instructor for over 20 years.

Here, Berny talks about his recent experience teaching abseiling at the Atsitsa Bay Centre on Skyros island, Greece (21 - 31 July 2012). 

Where else in the world can you go on holiday and have the opportunity to abseil into a mine shaft, abseil over overhangs and abseil into the warmth of the Aegean sea.

To scramble onto an ancient limestone ridge to see the most panoramic and photogenic view of Atsitsa Bay on Skyros Island. To experience a controlled sense of fear and challenge in the safe hands of an experienced mountaineer and the camaraderie of a shared group experience in which you know your fully alive as the adrenalin and the adventurous spirit courses through your veins?


This is the pleasure and gratitude I hold every year I am invited to attend the Skyros holiday experience as a part of a facilitator team of experienced teachers, offering a variety of holistic and life enhancing activities that vary from sailing and windsurfing, to T'ai Chi, Yoga, Drama, Life Coaching and creative expressions of song, music, art, mosaics, creative writing and many other soul nourishing feasts. 

To see people facing their innate fears and become overcomers, is a great privilege I'll never tire of. To see them grow incrementally in their confidence and seeing that adventurous spirit then spill over into the community experience that is Atsitsa, is a transformative phenomena that inspires me every year, that the human spirit needs new challenges in life.

Whilst a simple activity that requires limited skills and is backed up by the safety rope I provide in addition to the abseil rope, it does also require an accelerated and apparently irrational form of trust to commit oneself to leaning back over a spectacular drop into space. 

Standing on the edge at the start of an abseil is for most people, a very scary moment and it is in this moment I see the start of a transformation that is personal to each and every participant, leaving them a reference point that translates to the analogy of the obstacles life throws at us.....often I will hear thereafter, "If I can abseil down a scary 70ft cliff, I can do anything!" . 

This is the satisfaction I get out of enabling someone to overcome their fear whilst introducing them to a new activity in a stunning paradise setting that is the wonderful Greek experience of Atsitsa Bay... long may my association continue with this very special and life enhancing experience.  

Holidays in Atsitsa on Skyros island, Greece, run up until the 21st September this season. Grab one quick!

See www.skyros.com. Call Gemma, Michelle or Laura on +44 (0)1983 86 55 66 or email office@skyros.com for your free brochure.