6 day Kaisanji Zen & Yoga Retreat
6 day Kaisanji Zen & Yoga Retreat
Up to 20 in group
Oct 23 - 28, 2026
Retreat Highlights
- Zen Monastery
- Aegean Sea
- Unspoiled nature
- Yoga practice
- Peace and Quiet
About this Retreat
Your Guides
Born and raised in Athens, Greece, Alexandra began practising Yoga in 1996 under the guidance of Derek Ireland and Kristina Karytinou in the Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga system, at the Practice Place in Southern Crete. This marked the start of a lifelong journey that brought her immediate relief from physical and psychological pain. She completed two teacher training courses in Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga, with Kristina Karytinou in 2003 and David Swenson in Scotland in 2005.
In 2002, Alexandra enrolled in Yogic Studies 1 of the Satyananda Yoga system. She continued the practice of this powerful teaching by attending the Instructor's Training Course at Satyanandashram Hellas in 2007.
Alexandra became very intrigued when she read Vanda Scaravelli's book "Awakening the Spine." Inspired by the author's poetic and articulate explanation of the method, and as she sought out a close student of Scaravelli, she came across Diane Long, a close student of Scaravelli for 23 years, and studied Scaravelli-inspired Yoga with her from 2008 to 2019.
In addition to her role as a dedicated Yoga Instructor at Zen Center Athens, Alexandra serves as the Coordinator and Teacher for the Kaisanji Yoga and Zen Retreats in the beautiful island of Serifos, Greece. She is dedicated to orchestrating immersive experiences that combine the wisdom of Yoga and Zen practices.
With three decades of personal practice and teaching experience since 2003, Alexandra is a 500-hour certified Yoga Instructor by Yoga Alliance International. She is fluent in English and specializes in Asana and Meditation, guiding others on their spiritual journeys with a deep sense of purpose and great passion.
Details of this retreat
Joining a Zen and Yoga Retreat in Serifos
The purpose of the Yoga & Zen Retreat is to facilitate a transformative shift in our way of living and our perspective on things for a specific period and beyond. All teachings emphasize that to expand awareness, we must step outside the "box", which symbolizes the mechanical ways we live and interact. This shift in daily routine is closely linked to a change in our habitual thinking patterns.
During the Retreat, participants are encouraged to evaluate their true needs and goals in life. This process often leads to spontaneous reflections on essential questions such as:
What does a human being need to be happy?
What are the foundations of a healthy mind and body?
How can meditation enhance all aspects of life?
These questions can find answers as we learn to relax into silence, embracing the present moment without expecting or desiring something different. The Retreat aims to create an environment where the participants can reassess their priorities, cultivate mindfulness, and foster a deeper connection with themselves and the world around them.
This experience not only supports personal growth but also encourages a compassionate outlook towards oneself and others.
RETREAT DETAILS
What is included:
Five nights accommodation in single, double, and triple rooms.
Two Yoga classes and two Zen meditation sittings daily.
Delicious Plant-based meals freshly prepared by our chef.
Meals
All meals are vegan, prepared by our cook with fresh fruit and seasonal vegetables. The recipes are simple and tasty, based on the principles of the Plant-based diet, which emphasises good nutrients and body detoxification. Please let us know if you have any specific dietary requirements that we have to consider.
Participation fee
600 euros for Zen Center Athens members
800 euros for non-members
The purpose of the Yoga & Zen Retreat is to facilitate a transformative shift in our way of living and our perspective on things for a specific period and beyond. All teachings emphasize that to expand awareness, we must step outside the "box", which symbolizes the mechanical ways we live and interact. This shift in daily routine is closely linked to a change in our habitual thinking patterns.
During the Retreat, participants are encouraged to evaluate their true needs and goals in life. This process often leads to spontaneous reflections on essential questions such as:
What does a human being need to be happy?
What are the foundations of a healthy mind and body?
How can meditation enhance all aspects of life?
These questions can find answers as we learn to relax into silence, embracing the present moment without expecting or desiring something different. The Retreat aims to create an environment where the participants can reassess their priorities, cultivate mindfulness, and foster a deeper connection with themselves and the world around them.
This experience not only supports personal growth but also encourages a compassionate outlook towards oneself and others.
RETREAT DETAILS
What is included:
Five nights accommodation in single, double, and triple rooms.
Two Yoga classes and two Zen meditation sittings daily.
Delicious Plant-based meals freshly prepared by our chef.
Meals
All meals are vegan, prepared by our cook with fresh fruit and seasonal vegetables. The recipes are simple and tasty, based on the principles of the Plant-based diet, which emphasises good nutrients and body detoxification. Please let us know if you have any specific dietary requirements that we have to consider.
Participation fee
600 euros for Zen Center Athens members
800 euros for non-members
Schedule
06:00 – 09:00 Yoga & Zazen
09:30 – 10:00 Breakfast
10:00 – 11:00 Free time
11:00 – 12:30 Meditation in Action (Karma Yoga)
12:30 – 13:00 Light lunch
13:00 – 16:00 Free time
16:00 – 18:00 Yoga
18:30 – 19:15 Dinner
20:20 – 21:00 Zazen
21:30 Lights out
09:30 – 10:00 Breakfast
10:00 – 11:00 Free time
11:00 – 12:30 Meditation in Action (Karma Yoga)
12:30 – 13:00 Light lunch
13:00 – 16:00 Free time
16:00 – 18:00 Yoga
18:30 – 19:15 Dinner
20:20 – 21:00 Zazen
21:30 Lights out
Note: Schedule is approximate and may change
Getting Here
Directions
The closest airport to Serifos is Athens International Airport, which receives domestic and international flights all year round. From the airport, you can easily reach Piraeus port and embark on the ferry to Serifos. The trip to Serifos lasts approximately 2 hours with the speedboat and 4 hours with the slow boat.
Accommodation
Program Price
What's Included
- Two Zen Meditation Sittings per day
- Two Yoga Classes per day
- Three Meals per day
- Accommodation in double rooms
What's Not Included
- Transportation
You might also like
/
