Atsitsa – The Power of Place and Space: A Path to Creativity

By Cathy Skora

Phone ringing, deadlines to meet, train schedules, projects due dates, goals to be met, reports to finish, meetings to run, problems to solve, money to be made, professional and personal relationships to be worked out ...Phew! It is a wonder that our brains can function with all of this buzz. I am reminded of a busy train switching station in Paris. How in the world can all of those trains stay on the correct tracks and get to the right places without fail? And how in the world can we navigate through our busy lives with the added layers of emotions, choices, and perceived barriers as we try to choose our right paths and stay on track?

I have found a very powerful navigating and clarifying process through the power of place and space at Atistsa. As I reflect on my 10 years plus of the regenerating nature of Atsitsa, I also see a cumulative affect that Atsitsa has had on my well being. The affect has been on a personal, physical, spiritual and a professional level.

The natural beauty of Atsitsa cannot be escaped by the body, mind, or spirit. The sea calls to the mind to expand and soften with gentle waves changing shape and form as they create a rhythmic and interesting orchestra of sounds that draw focus away from “static” we may have in our minds. This static is further cleared as we enjoy the scents of the pine forest and the seascape of rock formations making interesting shapes and reminding us of the potential of perspective as they appear to change shapes at different times of the day or as a reflection of how we are feeling.

The place we experience at any given time has the potential to influence and impact our perspective. Just when we might be feeling that our brain is simply too full to take on another problem, or that we have exhausted every possibility to solve a problem, a glance at the sea or a whiff of intoxicating pine forest may assist in giving us an opportunity to take a “brain breath”...letting go of what has been stopping us ...moving past a barrier, or at least giving us space to know that there is a possibility to overcome a barrier. Atistsa has given me the opportunity to expand my perspective of possibility and potential.

My background in studies of creativity at the International Center for Studies of Creativity in Buffalo NY has assisted in framing the benefits of place and space at Atsitsa. We all possess the natural process of creativity that runs the gamut from making works or art, inventing novel products, coming up with innovative solutions, and having the ability to look at any given situation from different perspectives without judgment of yourself or others. Additionally we can all rely on our own “gut” feelings, or that fuzzy area not easily defined that may lead you to an awakening in your personal or professional life.

All of the Skyros Holidays provide the perfect blend of space and place to allow us to explore, expand, and enhance our creative process. Creativity scholars have identified four P’s to assist in defining creativity. These are person, process, product, and press (environment). We can see a similarity between these elements of creativity and the structure of the Atsitsa experience.

The Skyros experience is ecological in nature based on the principle of ethos, guiding beliefs or ideals that characterize a community, similar to the 4 P’s of creativity. Each person brings their own wealth to the table of community in working together to appreciate and experience nature, play, studies, and idea sharing and building for the good of the community. Through the Skyros holiday experience we all have an opportunity to experience subtle and powerful moments of insight through the power of space and place.

Through tapping into our creative nature we can experience the joy and pleasure of change and growth, experiment with paths not usually taken. Away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life at Atsitsa we can take a “brain breath”…and become open to potential. What I love about Atsitsa is that the environment provides a fertile palette for us to experiment however we need to at the moment, through play, tears, nature, laughter, love. There are so many rich paths to take through the power of place and space at Atsitsa.

Thank you Skyros Holidays for touching my heart and opening the doors to endless possibilities on many levels.

Quote from founder Dr Yannis Andricopoulos www.skyros.com/philosophy_travel.htm

“Likewise the spirit of innovation is ever-present. Though everything may appear settled, nothing is - the creation of Skyros is taking place daily. New ideas, whether spectacularly successful or dismally ill-conceived, flow in constantly and turn the place into the imagination's workshop.”

For more information on holidays in Atsitsa bay visit http://www.skyros.com/atsitsa_bay.htm or call 01983 86 55 66

A ship in the harbour is safe but that's not what ships are built for! By Catherine Thompson

Catherine Thompson, a coach and columnist who has appeared on TV and radio, explains why goal-setting and taking more risks can be the key to achieving your best…

Q) What was the top response from a group of Octogenarians when asked ‘What would you have done differently with your lives?’

A) ‘Take more risks.’

As a coach, my job is about encouraging people to set and achieve stretching goals. What we know about personality is that some of you will be more energised by taking risks than others, and that we all sit somewhere on the continuum from totally risk adverse to reckless.

It is also agreed that for healthy mental wellbeing we need a certain degree of positive stress to function at an optimal level. I’m sure we can all cite the example of the business executive who worked hard all their life only to drop dead on the golf course weeks after retirement. However, perhaps too little stimulation can be even more harmful than too much.

So, taking risks is necessary not only for survival but for building self-esteem and self -confidence. Let me share a recent coaching experience of mine. I was asked to coach a rather shy and self-effacing chap called Ian who had a very important role as Head of Engineering. His company had decided he needed to build his confidence and leadership skills and so appointed me as his coach. At our first session, Ian revealed that in twenty years of working for the company he had never dared to speak to the Chairman, even though he had had the opportunity on many occasions. He, like all of us, was fearful of rejection. And so the goal was set, because of course for Ian, if he undertook to have conversation with the Chairman, he would embark on a risk whilst demonstrate a commitment to change.

So the day before I was due back to see him, three times he walked down the corridor to the Chairman’s office. Three times he stood at the door poised to knock. And three times he retreated without doing it. On his third retreat the HR director who had been observing him stepped out of her office and asked him what he was about. When he told her she gently turned him around and once again sent him back down the corridor to the Chairman’s office.
This time he knocked and was beckoned in by the Chairman, and apparently he stood on the threshold and blurted out:

“Mr Chairman, I have this very demanding coach who is coming back tomorrow and I promised to speak to you as one of my goals. So if you could spare me a minute it will allow me to complete my commitment.”

The Chairman beckoned him to his desk and they spoke for over an hour.

Now, can you remember Morecombe and Wise in the closing credits when they would skip out to ‘Bring me sunshine’? Well my chap Ian literally skipped down the executive floor. A fire was ignited in him that day and he went on to achieve many other modest successes, maybe in some people’s terms, but for him they were life changing.
Morgan Freeman said in the wonderful film Shawshank Redemption we can either "wake up each day and get on with living or get on with dying its’ our choice". Taking risks is very much about being in the alive business.

To date I lived in several foreign countries, left a couple of husbands (and lived with the regret), a high paying job, launched several new careers, raised two young children as a single parent and made a right drama of finding a suitable chap to court (and recently married Wahoo) I am no stranger to risk.

But how determined are you that will not be an 80 something who declares they wished they had taken more risk. Because as John Shedd said: ‘A ship in harbour is safe - but that is not what ships are built for’

If I could guarantee that there would be no failure what would you be doing differently with your lives?

And why aren’t you doing it?

If you need that nudge or the clarity of purpose to be out there on the high seas having your own bold adventure then why not join me at Skyros Centre May 21st to 31st.

Brace the main sails, excitement awaits!

Catherine Thompson

Catherine will be teaching at the Skyros Centre from 21 - 31 May. Her Life Choices course 'Get Out Your Own Way' will explore goal-setting, aligning values with goals, life-purpose and core strengths in order to take action to be at your best.To secure your place on Catherine's course, call 01983 86 55 66 or book online at www.skyros.com/new/stage1.php

Skyros: Island of Dreams

Seeing the extracts from my book Skyros: island of dreams appear on the Skyros website these last few weeks, I’ve been feeling proud, exhilarated and nervous all at once. I’ve been working on the book for several years and sometimes thought I’d never get to the end. I would grit my teeth and follow Dina Zohar Glouberman’s advice: give up hope, but keep the faith. In true Skyros spirit, I took the risk and finally made it.

I’ve been visiting Skyros since 1991 as tourist, journalist, participant and course teacher. My London housemate Pauline Lummas went in 1990, and fell in love with a Greek weatherman from the air base. By the next year they were living in Skyros village, so I joined them for a holiday and fell in love with the island, but did not do the Full Skyros Monty until 1999, in Tobago. Since then I’ve been to Atsitsa and the Centre a number of times.

As a Friend of Skyros you don’t need me to tell you how Skyros stimulates stories of island life and people’s transformations, in travellers’ tales, novels, plays, poems, paintings, photos, jokes, songs, images and imaginations. Yet back home I’d find myself tongue-tied when I tried to describe my experiences, especially to people who were sceptical of anything up close and personal or soulful. Writing it down seemed easier. And as I thought about my personal journey, I realised that the amazing Skyros story had never been fully told, let alone the myriad stories of Skyros people.

It turned out that Zohar and course director Julie McNamara, whom I’d met in Tobago and turned out to live near me in north London, were planning a Skyros book. Working with them at first, and later mostly on my own, I became a gatherer of tales, creating a tapestry that would also weave in the island’s history and culture, and the evolution and values of the Skyros organization. I also wanted to talk about how what we learn at and from Skyros can help make the world a better place. The six instalments being made available as free downloads come from the full-length book I finally completed last year. It was done unpaid in my spare time. Slaving over the computer in my chilly basement on a dark December evening, it could be hard to summon up the sun, sea and sand I wanted to describe, let alone the soul struggles and celebrations. Writing really is 99% perspiration, but the 1% inspiration somehow kept me going, along with my desire to give something back to the place and people who meant so much to me, and had shared their stories with me. Although the final product is mine, I dipped into an overflowing treasure chest in its making.

People involved with Skyros often adopt different roles, some changing over time. One of mine is a kind of griot: in West Africa, someone who delivers history as a poet and wandering musician, and carries the cultural knowledge and identity of the tribe. I hope my book carries and honours the cultural knowledge and identity of the Skyros tribe.

Lots of people are quoted, and many more appear in the wonderful photos that Yannis Andricopoulos has used to illustrate the book. Take a look, if only to see whether you make a guest appearance. And do post a comment on it if the spirit moves you. We writers love to know that we are being read!

Jane Salvage

To download the first four chapter's of Jane's book Skyros: Island of Dreams, visit the Skyros website at www.skyros.com

Thai Hospitality At It's Best, by Richard Lewis

I'm on the beach in white sands near to our resort hotel. The sun is shining, the waves sound lovely with a faint reggae in the background. Today I did yoga in the early morning looking at the beautiful sea below, had a very Thai breakfast of fruit and steamed fish and have come to the Seaside town to have some me time. I went for a fitting of the custom made cashmere wool suit I'm having made by Mr. Hem (yes that's his real name). The suit is fantastic and costing £100 is breathtakingly cheap which in Europe would be only a once in a lifetime treat. An indication of how amazingly nice the Thai people are is that after measuring me up the other night he gave me a lift back to the resort on the back of his moped, whilst telling me all about his wife who is expecting a baby any minute. I told him to go home and stop giving lifts to customers. He only laughed.

At our hotel the luxury goes on and on with gorgeous food, beach, spa, gym, massages, swimming pool, kayaking, etc etc. But the most important thing is the people. Not only do we get the intelligent, supportive and caring community we've come to expect from a Skyros holiday. But also a deep and life changing image work course from Dina, courses in music, creativity and photography, plus we are also experiencing a level of service which goes beyond the usual holiday experience. It seems to me that the resort staff who work at Ayapura genuinely like their customers and really care if we are having a good time. I think Mr Owen, the restaurant manager, may secretly be the Buddha in disguise. He learnt the whole groups' names in a day, remembers what we all like to drink, and more importantly gently shares his interest in having a healthy diet and mind. He lent me a book on Buddhism, took us to the temple to meet the monks, and when I ask for coffee he brought me a chlorophyll drink first to counteract the negative effects. None of this is part of his job, he just engages with us on a human level and in a special way.

The rest of the staff are the same. Happy, helpful, kind, funny and seemingly not resentful that we are having such a good time. This kind of interaction is more rare in UK hotels. We have ridden on elephants, a speedboat, been in the jungle, observed a Thai karaoke (although too chicken to join in!) and still had time to get to know each other, debate with each other, and make long lasting friends over dinner and drinks in the evenings.

This is truly a special kind of holiday and I feel lucky to have been part of it.

Richard Lewis

Komedie skriftlig på Skyros Centre, By Ingunn

Min plan var å finne en yoga-ferie i Hellas, da jeg synes Hellas er et flott ferie-mål. Ønsket var å kombinere ferien med yoga. Jeg googlet litt, men til min store glede fant jeg noe som var enda bedre. Komedie-skrivnings kurs.

Jeg har lenge lekt med tanken om å skrive komedie. Man kunne kombinere en uke med sol, strand og ca.fire timers skrive-workshop på formiddagen. Inkludert var det tilbud om yoga på morgenen og smykke-lagning på ettermiddag/kveld for de som ønsket det. Sunn god frokost og lunsj. Etter lunsjen gikk som regel turen ned til stranden. Man fikk lekser til neste dags workshop, men dette ble gjerne sett på som noe morsomt og kreativt.

Læreren var en engelsk komiker, Arthur Smith. En veldig uhøytidelig, utrolig morsom og hjelpsom mann. Klassen jeg gikk i ble en veldig sammensveiset gjeng. Jeg var eneste medlem i gruppen som ikke hadde engelsk som morsmål. Til tross for dette følte jeg meg veldig inkludert. Fra starten av var jeg innstillt på at det kunne bli litt av en utfordring å skrive komiske fortellinger/vitser på engelsk. Det er naturligvis veldig mange ord og uttrykk som er mye enklere å både uttrykke og forstå på eget språk. Det sier seg egentlig selv. For min del ga kurset likevel en boost i selvtilliten på det å skrive kreativt, som jeg aldri ville vært foruten. Personelig tror jeg man må være hundre prosent innstillt på å skrive på et annet språk. Samt bør man også virkelig brenne for kurset man skal delta i, så vil oppholdet bli vellykket.

Reise-lederne på senteret var også svært hjelpsomme og service-innstillte,og det bidrog til en flott ferie. Jeg ble kjent med mange veldig hyggelige folk fra andre land i gruppen.
På kveldene var det også tid til å titte litt i sentrum. Skyros sentrum som vi bodde i, var en koselig typisk gresk nydelig landsby. Jeg delte et lite hvitkalket hus/leilghet med en engelsk dame fra kurset. I løpet av uken var vi også på en arrangert utflukt til senteret på Atsitsa på den landre siden av øya. Det var virkelig en opplevelse. Atsitsa`s natur bød på blandt annet krystall-klar sjø, furu og daddel-trær som i et lite paradis.

Det virker som Skyros Holidays har noe for enhver smak. Denne uken i slutten av september var en uke med masse latter og glede.

Ingunn


Comedy Writing at The Skyros Centre, By Ingunn

My plan was to find a yoga holiday in Greece, as I think Greece is a great vacation destination. The desire was to combine your holiday with yoga. I googled a bit, but to my delight, I found something that was even better. Comedy spelling course.

I have long toyed with the idea of writing comedy. One could combine a week of sun, beach and ca.fire hour writing workshop in the morning. Included was the offer of yoga in the morning and jewellery layering in the afternoon / evening for those who wanted it. Healthy breakfast and lunch. After lunch was usually head down to the beach. You got homework the next day's workshop, but this was often seen as something fun and creative.

The teacher was an English comedian, Arthur Smith. A very unpretentious, very funny and helpful man. The class I went to was a very tight group. I was the only member in the group who did not have English as their mother tongue. Despite this, I felt very included. From the beginning, I was set in that it could be quite a challenge to write funny stories / jokes in English. It is of course very many words and phrases that are much easier to both understand and express in their own language. Needless to say, really though. For my part, however, gave the course a boost in confidence in the creative writing, which I never would have done without. Personal I think you must be a hundred percent set in writing in another language. Each one should also really burn for the course you should join, then the stay will be successful.

Travel Leaders at the Center was also very helpful and service-adjusted, and it contributed to a great holiday. I got to know many very nice people from other countries in the group.
In the evenings there was also time to look a little bit in the center. Skyros center that we stayed in was a nice typical Greek lovely village. I shared a small whitewashed house / leilghet with an English lady from the course. During the week we were also arranged on a excursion to the center of Atsitsa Landre on the side of the island. It was really an experience. Atsitsa `s nature offered among other things, crystal-clear sea, pine trees and date-trees in a small paradise.

It seems like Skyros Holidays has something for everyone. This week in late September was a week with lots of laughter and joy.

Ingunn

Skyros Cambodia: Behind the Lens by Julian Doyle

Our journey to Cambodia begins with a trek through the jungle where we catch sight of a family of Gibbons swinging high in the treetops.


While we capture them on camera a hidden monkey watches us with equal interest.


On the road we encounter fascinating subjects for our flowering photographers.

A group of young monks at a service station...


... and the many beautiful children.


Our happy band are becoming proficient photographers and expand from recording the journey to surprising me with works of art.


And even skilled in capturing the small rainbow at the foot of a waterfall.


Or their dangerous encounter with elephants.


Then on to temples lost in jungles, where giant trees snarl their roots round dark doorways. Many rate the Women’s Temple one of their favourites with its delicate carvings.


We finish with a final rest in the cool shadows...


...before heading back for an ice cold beer in a bar in Siam Reap, feet dangling in a giant fish tank where minnows do a perfect pedicure on those tired soles or souls.


Let’s hope they’re not piranha’s!

Julian Doyle
With photos by participants on the Cambodia Adventure 14 - 23 January 2011

Julian recently facilitated ‘The Documented Journey’ on the Cambodia Adventure. Julian is one of the worlds most versatile Film Makers and is most famous for editing the Monty Python films ‘Life of Brian’ and shooting the Fx’s for Terry Gilliam’s ‘Timebandits’ and ‘Brazil’ which he also edited. Julian teaches at the London Film Academy.

Julian will be teaching at Atsitsa Bay in Greece from 1 - 11 June 2011 and at Skyros offshoot The Grange on the Isle of Wight from 30 Nov – 2 October 2011.

For more information on Skyros Holidays in Cambodia, why not take a look at the Cambodia section of our website at http://www.skyros.com/cambodia.htm

Skyros in Thailand by Kate Lester

To be honest when I searched for a holiday this winter I wasn’t thinking of personal development – I was thinking of warmth and escape from the cold British winter. So I searched for Yoga holidays in Thailand and Skyros came up. Now I had heard of Skyros – a friend had subscribed me to their brochures many moons ago – but I was a younger, more corporate me and the thought of all this hippy nonsense just didn’t do it. But after 3 years of recession and a feeling that it was time I did a radical life rethink I was ready to give Skyros a go. So I booked and found myself less than a month later in sunny Thailand.

The Sofitel in Bangkok is great – I felt like I was having a 'Lost in Translation' moment gazing out over the multicoloured cityscape of Bangkok whilst I enjoyed the first of many splendid meals in Thailand. The next morning I touched base with my companions for the next 2 weeks and we enjoyed a fairly painless transfer to the beautiful island of Koh Chang. My middle class sensibilities were amply pandered to at our atmospheric 5 star resort – and the room was perfect – great views, lots of space, nicely appointed.

The next day, the week was set out for us – Yoga at 07.45, then a variety of meetings, which would become the backbone of every day, then our morning session hosted by the inimitable Malcolm Stern, and then an evening course in singing. Evenings could and would be organised if we liked or we could our separate ways and explore Koh Chang. Bit more than the anticipated yoga break!

In for a penny, in for a pound I thought and decided to cast away my standard cynicism and participate. And participate I did. And I can’t believe what a revelation it has been. The yoga every morning was a great way to start the day. The Oekos group provided me with support I didn’t know I needed, the Courage to Change has brought about revelations that mean I can find a more authentic way of being, to be happier and more fulfilled, and the singing… oh the singing!! Well if I tell you I haven’t sung in public for 25 years and found myself on a stage doing a rendition of 'Summertime' by the end of the course you will understand that Sarah Warwick is an illuminating teacher who has the ability to inspire and motivate, not to mention the voice of an angel. Quite simply the whole trip was bliss. Amazing, thought provoking, sometimes controversial but truly life changing.

The only way I can describe the impact of Skyros is to give you a before and after picture of me. In all honesty before the course I was very stressed, at a crisis point in my marriage, career and facing my children going off to University with dread. Since Skyros I feel like I have found my self again – had 2 weeks of sunshine, am very bendy and feel that with continued practice I can create a more fulfilling life. In addition to that I have been massaged to the point of bliss, eaten the most glorious food and made friends I look forward to seeing again.

Try it. I can’t recommend it highly enough.

Kate Lester
www.katelester.com

Kate joined Skyros in Thailand for celebrations over the New Year. Skyros-in-Thailand is hosted in the exquisite Aiyapura Resort and Spa on the magical island of Koh Chang. The holiday included courses such as life coaching, singing and yoga as well as optional spa treatments, snorkelling and elephant trekking. To find out more about Skyros holidays, including holidays in Greece this summer, visit www.skyros.com.