A case of mistaken identity

Jane Salvage, former editor-in-chief of 'Nursing Times,' has been visiting Skyros Island since 1991 as a tourist, journalist and Skyros participant and facilitator. Jane is author of Skyros: Island of Dreams, a book based on her independent research and personal experience of this beautiful island and her inspiring holiday that is Skyros. Here she talks about her encounter with author Michael Frayn...


I couldn’t believe my eyes, but there it was in the programme. SKIOS – a new novel by Michael Frayn, author of the West End hits Noises Off and Copenhagen. Skios, I thought? Never heard of it.

I know my Greek islands pretty well, and sure enough, I couldn’t locate it anywhere by that name. Frayn’s story was apparently ‘set on a sunlit Greek island, where ‘the Fred Toppler Foundation was preparing for its annual lecture.’ Fred Toppler, I wondered - was the Yannis Andricopoulos in disguise? Was Dina Glouberman the lecturer? And could the fictional Foundation be a thinly disguised Skyros Centre?

So I bought a ticket to hear him talk about it at the Charleston Festival in Sussex, bought Skios from the bookstall and took my seat in the marquee. Leafing through his novel, it definitely had a whiff of Skyros.

Guests at the Foundation’s Great European House Party, for example, spent the day studying Minoan cooking and early Christian meditation techniques, and watching demonstrations of traditional Macedonian dancing and late medieval flower arranging. ‘They had interspersed their labours with swims and siestas... now they were moving towards further intellectual refreshment over dinner and various pre- and post-dinner drinks.’ Sounds familiar?

My mental roll-call of the famous writers who’ve taught at Skyros didn’t summon up Michael Frayn. I had to ask the question, so up I popped at the end of his talk. ‘I often visit a real and magical Greek island called SKYROS – yes, that’s SKIOS with an R!’ I said. ‘Of course I’m dying to know whether you knew about SKYROS when you wrote SKIOS!’

I went on to explain that last year I published a book called SKYROS about a well known holistic holiday centre. I played it straight in the book although Skyros holidays provide much scope for satire. Indeed, some of the writers who taught there, including D M Thomas, Hanif Kureshi, Nigel Gearing and Sue Townsend, have written marvellous comic turns on it. Not, though, Michael Frayn! He clapped his hand to his head in shock, claiming not to know about the real Skios (or maybe he thought I’d sue him for plagiarism). And he quipped that my book might help his sales, though it’s more likely to be the other way round. 

Afterwards I joined the queue of eager fans and he signed my copy of SKIOS with a witty dedication. In exchange, I gave him a copy of SKYROS, which he asked me to sign. At last I’m a literary lion – swapping books with Michael Frayn!

If you haven’t read Skyros, The Island of Dreams yet, it’s available as a free download at www.skyros.com/about_us.htm. SKIOS by Michael Frayn is published by Faber and Faber, and it’s a good laugh. Almost as good as mine. 


On the about us page, scroll down and look to the left hand side, and directly opposite the photo of Yannis Andricopolous, you will see a link to Skyros: Island of Dreams. This PDF download is free of charge. http://www.skyros.com/about_us.htm

Capturing the spirit of Skyros

Yannis Andricopoulos writes:

Skyros has welcomed in its resorts more than 20,000 people since it was established in 1979.  Whilst there, many of these people have explored new possibilities, pursued new ideas and unearthed talents they didn’t even suspect they possessed. Others have taken the opportunity to re-assess their lives, re-define their needs and re-set their priorities.

Unlike a yoga retreat or a Spa, Skyros is not about one thing or another. It’s about life itself – a life that makes sense in a world that makes sense.

Its values-led approach rests on simplicity, ie a life away from conspicuous consumption and ostentatious living. What we encourage people to go for is being rather than having, creating rather than consuming and belonging rather than withdrawing into the garden of their private world.

This does run, of course, against the grain of our materialistic, consumerist, individualistic culture as manifested itself particularly before the current recession, the time we were obsessed with ‘more’ because what we had was never good enough.
Skyros does subscribe to the culture of ‘more’, but ‘more’ in our context means something entirely different: the continuous development of our potentials as human beings and the pursuit of excellence in all fields of human activity.

This vision, inspired by classical Greece, re-opens the windows to the dream and helps to generate the social capital so much needed in our days. Affirming what is best in ourselves ennobles life. And fulfilling our potentials asserts man’s power over his creations – the market, machines, technology, systems, fashion, ideology or fundamentalist beliefs. It reclaims our future.

Now, in the depth of this long recession, these virtues are of course being re-discovered by many people and hence many tend to forego the superficiality of modern living in favour of simple pleasures and life-enriching experiences.

This has changed the name of the game in our world, the holidays  world, as well. Rather than lounging on the sand and drinking away their boredom many opt for learning, while on holiday, something new, growing and developing. And this is what places Skyros once again at the cutting edge of the holidays business and makes it s unique alternative to dated soul-sapping holidays.

Skyros has no gurus to preach the ‘truth’ and does not intend to provide answers to existential problems. But it does question and challenge our culture’s assumptions and, in so doing, helps people to get in touch with their gut feelings and do what they need to do to lead a happy and fulfilling life.

How do we do that? We encourage people to bring forward first and foremost their very best selves in order to re-establish trust in the goodness of human nature we so often tend to forget about. Then we ask them to be themselves without fear of being rejected for what they are because, as it is, we all have something we don’t feel all that happy about, and to give generously to others in terms of time, attention, concern and care. We ask them to re-connect with the playfulness, curiosity and spontaneity of the child within, and, finally, in such a safe environment to take risks and go for the seemingly impossible.

Somehow people do listen. And confidently, they then go for it and to their surprise they make the impossible possible. Stretch their body in a yoga class beyond their expectations, learn to windsurf, sail or abseil, dance to the rhythms of salsa, create their artistic masterpiece, start the novel they always wanted to write, lead a comedy-improvisation event, sing their favourite songs in front of a large audience or take a look at what they really need in life.


The intention, of course, is not to produce windsurfers, singers, actors, comedians or dancers but to demonstrate that there’s no such a thing as "I can’t do it." Once you’ve done what you had always thought of as impossible then you can do many other things in life.

But, whatever our intentions, it’s all great fun made possible by the informal, friendly, relaxed and yet vibrant community which brings people together in a way daily life back home rarely does.

The experience has many other great benefits as well. They include new often life-long friendships and relationships, new interests and skills, renewed self-confidence and optimism, new understandings, a fresh outlook or even a whole new way forward.


It’s because of this that the poet Hugo Williams described Skyros as ‘the holiday you can take home with you’.


Holidays in Greece will take place from 21st July through to 21st September. For a copy of your brochure call + 44 (0)1983 86 55 66, or e-mail The Skyros Team at office@skyros.com. www.skyros.com 

Hello from Atsitsa!

The Atsitsa Team

Skyros holidays is due to begin its summer season in Greece on the 21st of July. Centre Manager from the holistic holiday in Atsitsa Bay, Zoë Harris writes:

In our time off we have been enjoying beautiful weather, a bumper crop of apricots and lemons (figs and almonds are on the way), swimming and relaxing in the evenings with the occasional glass of wine and a song or two! As the slow pace of Skyrian life goes on, we feel a million miles away from the political turmoil heard about on the news. The azure blue sea is tepid, the beaches clean, untouched by mass tourism, and local produce such as honey and cheeses are readily available. Our newborn son, little Felix, who has been thoroughly enjoying the warmer climate, space and tranquility, has charmed all of the staff and Skyrian locals.


But it hasn't been all play. Zoë, together with her husband John, Atsitsa's Site Manager, have been beavering away to select a stellar team to welcome and take care of you in Atsitsa. Plus for those in the house, expect to see lovely new wardrobes with copious room for all that necessary summer wear; shiny new bathrooms with added fixtures and fittings; a selection of well chosen art in the rooms & much more. The Atsitsa gardens look absolutely awesome thanks to resident gardener and plant whisperer, Manolis, who coaxed some of the most lush Greek offerings to blossom as a welcome to you all. He has transformed Atsitsa from 'wintery site' to 'summer sight!' (see images below).

Huts in Atsitsa

Atsitsa House

Atsitsa Grounds

Double Room in Atsitsa House

Twin Share Room in Atsitsa House

Blooming Lovely

Lemon trees

Co-listening, A Skyros Tradition

Co-listening is a Skyros tradition on the unique Skyros holidays offered in Greece, Cuba, Thailand and Cambodia. See www.skyros.com. It is one of the options available to holiday participants that enable them to bond very quickly and deeply. Often the friendships made on a Skyros holiday are surprisingly long-lasting.


The basic format is that one individual talks and the other listens, then they switch roles, and give each other feedback. This is a completely safe and powerful way of working together, as long as the basic rules are followed. Co-listening shouId be clearly distinguished from co-counselling which has a similar pattern of switching roles, but has a different format and involves different kinds of interventions.


The principles of co-listening
Each participant must have equal time, not to be varied because someone feels that the needs of one are greater than those of the other. About 10 minutes per person and 4 minutes feedback each seems about average. If short of time, even three minutes each will suffice. Better to do it briefly, than to skip it altogether.


When talking, you have a space open to you. Breathe and simply wait to see what happens, it's a bit like thinking aloud. When listening, again simply breathe and just listen. You are not doing anything.  You are just being totally present.


During the talking and listening, it is advisable for the listener to keep approval statements or sounds to a minimum, and to simply be aware of giving the other full attention.


Whatever is said is completely confidential.


Feedback rules
Clarifying and reflecting back what the other said (‘What I heard you saying between the lines, or in your tone of voice or non-verbal messages was…’).


Or saying how you felt about it (‘I felt annoyed, sympathetic, loving, etc’. but not ‘I felt that…’ and giving a thought).


You do not have to repeat back what the person has said, but simply to reflect back in a way that makes the person feel heard and understood.


Please do not
Make interpretations (eg, ‘I think this is because of how your mother treated you).
Give advice (eg, ‘Why don’t you…?’).
Approve/rescue (‘You’re not ugly.  You have a lovely smile’).
Disapprove/criticise (‘You’re not doing as well as you think’).

Choosing a Partner:
Your co-listening partner should be someone you feel comfortable with. If you use it as an opportunity to get close to someone with whom you hope to have an intimate relationship the chances are that it won’t work as a co-listening experience.


The exercises:
Stand up and find someone you don’t know very well and sit down with them. Spend a moment silently tuning into yourself, then tuning into each other, then tuning into yourself again. Now person A talks for three minutes saying whatever comes to heart and mind while person B listens. The listener is fully present and listens unconditionally. If intervention seems necessary, a statement like ‘‘Tell me more about X’, ‘X’ being a word that the person has used, or what is the feeling behind X?’ should come in a relatively non-intrusive fashion. At the end of the three minutes person B gives his/her feedback. Then person B’s turn comes and A gives his or her own feedback, afterwards.


Just remember in your feedback, you say what you heard or what you understood the other  person was saying, not only literally, but also between the lines or by their non-verbal communication. You can also express what you felt, but do not offer advice, do not interpret, do not express approval or disapproval and do not attempt rescuing or criticism. At the end say goodbye to your partner non-verbally.


The next exercise is the same but with eyes closed. This won’t suit everyone, and some will love it and some will hate it. For some people closed eyes deepens the experience dramatically and cuts out any interference while for others it is uncomfortable and unproductive. Just try it out, both talking and listening to find out how it is for you, and later you can do what you like.


Confidentiality is a condition which must be observed about everything that occurs in these sessions. So is the principle of equal time. If after a few of days of trying this simple method of talking and listening you find that you strongly prefer more active interaction, then change it by agreement. But continue to observe the principles of equal time and confidentiality and refrain from giving advice, making interpretations, attempting rescuing or resorting to criticism.


If it just becomes a discussion or chat session then go back to the strict rules.


For more experience of this practice of co-listening, join a holiday with Skyros, the leading holistic holiday company. Holidays in Greece this summer run from 21st July through to 21st September and always include good food and great company along with inspiring courses set in stunning locations. Choose from yoga, creative writing, life coaching, sailing, windsurfing, art, mosaics, painting, song, music & more. Skyros, the holiday that lasts long after the suntan fades....

As Happy as Sunflowers in Sunshine! Make the most out of your Atsitsa experience ...

You’ve just arrived in Atsitsa Bay…

The summer sun has just burst into view from the far east of the horizon. The sea, though as old as time, today has a face as young as a baby’s. The refreshing breath of the pine forest cuddles our world which the cicadas philharmonic has set as its task to entertain. Such tranquility and peace. Such refined beauty, untampered by man and bestowed on us by nature, today in her best of moods!

The group, new citizens of the island’s blue republic, had arrived the night before. Surrounded by fruit trees and flowers, they are all now sitting up in Atsitsa’s Magic Circle to hear a heartfelt welcome plus a few suggestions as to how to make the most of their Skyros holiday. Nothing people didn’t already know. Yet quite important. That’s the spirit of what they are told:

1) First of all feel free to be yourselves – there's no need here to pretend to be what you’re not. It's too exhausting! Show, instead, your real self in the certainty that you’ll be liked for who you really are. We are often uncharitable towards our own selves and usually have sides that we don’t feel comfortable with. However, here's the place to open up to the world. You'll find that the world will also open up to you. You'll find it a blessing and a relief!

2) Next, give generously to others as much as you can without expectations of getting something back in return. Give for the pleasure of giving in terms of concern, time and attention. Be sure that the best will come back to you. Be able to accept what is offered to you with appreciation and grace. Sometimes, accepting is more difficult than giving!

3) This honest and supporting environment provides all you need to be able to take risks. It doesn’t matter if you don’t feel confident about it  – everybody’s in the same boat. Try all things you fancy, things you’ve never tried before, from singing to climbing, from comedy improvisation to painting, from windsurfing to writing. Learn new things and have fun. Nothing is impossible!

4) Lastly, focus, like a child, only on the present and experience the child’s happiness at the simplest of things. Life may not be as complicated as we think! Re-connect with the child within and his or her curiosity, innocence, spontaneity, lack of fear and uncritical joy. See everything as a world waiting to be discovered, a game to be enjoyed, an opportunity for a good laugh.

As it happens, people do respond to the encouragement and, as a rule, we tend to end up with individuals and a community as happy as sunflowers in sunshine. Come and find out for yourselves….

Kind Regards, The Skyros Team

Skyros, the leading holistic holiday offers inspiring courses and activities in stunning locations such as Skyros Island, Greece. Yoga, windsurfing, sailing, song, dance, writing, life choices, music & more, join Skyros for a creative holiday that opens the heart, expands the mind and uplifts the spirit. 
www.skyros.com 

Contact the Skyros Team at the office via email or telephone. e: office@skyros.com Tel: 01983 86 55 66