Benefits of a Men's Retreat
Want to slow things down? Want to take some time for you?
Why our Men’s retreat could be just what you need!
What even is a Men’s Retreat you ask?
Well for me, it is the same as any other inspirational yoga, spirituality and wellness getaway, but with the crucial benefit of being surrounded by people who share your experiences, your challenges and your perspective. A group of men who are open to connect, learn and grow, building a small supportive and fun community along the way.
So, a bit about myself and the journey that got me here. I am Ian, the creator of AthensFlow. Originally from the UK, my love affair with Greece has been ongoing for many years now, but it wasn’t until I permanently moved to Athens in 2020 that I had the opportunity to combine all my passions.
Firstly, I wanted to visit a beautiful Greek Island and attend a yoga and wellness retreat with people I could relax and engage with. And then pretty quickly I realised the retreat that I wanted to attend just didn’t seem to exist.
So, I thought I’d create it instead.
And it seems like many people were searching for it too!
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Sure, there were other Men’s Retreats out there, but so many seemed to revolve around words like ‘warrior’, ‘manhood’ and ‘testosterone’ and this just didn’t resonate with me. I am sure these events have great benefits for the right audience, but as a gay man who is comfortable in my identity, I didn’t want to work in this way, instead my focus is to facilitate people on their individual journeys as they continue to develop their authentic self.
I wanted a retreat where I could connect mind, body and spirit in a beautiful environment with a small community of like-minded people.
I wanted to explore the gorgeous Greek Islands, but not just the well-known ones. I wanted to feel the escapism, the personal growth, the yoga stretch & the connection and safety of an environment with a group of interesting and inspiring men.
Yoga has always been a passion of mine, and during the pandemic I became committed to developing meditation and pranayama breath work as a tool to help me overcome my own feelings of anxiety and stress. As I immersed myself in my personal practice, I realised this could benefit others too, so I began to hold intimate classes and used what I’d learnt to help others. The positive advantages to your mental health and wellbeing are so substantial and for me this is a key part of what we offer; the opportunity to connect with your inner self, reset your thinking and your body & adopt healthy ways to deal with the pressures and responsibilities of everyday life.
When creating the Men’s Retreats the puzzle pieces then began to fall into place. I started working with yoga teachers, spiritual practitioners and fitness instructors from around the world and began to curate unique retreats that bring people to new parts of Greece!
At the Men’s Retreats I want our small communities to gain an improved yoga & meditation practice, but my goal also is for everyone to look inwards and gain some peace, clarity and feel truly grounded. And what better company to do this with, than other men who share similar life experiences, challenges and goals, who can potentially become your support system and lifelong friends.
Every retreat is uniquely curated, working closely with the expert instructors who join us, some have a greater yoga and fitness content, with some focusing more on workshops, community and spiritual connection.
And of course, it is essential that our retreats are sociable, fun, relaxing and a special experience you won’t forget!
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As we approach our third season and reflect upon the 15 Mens Retreats we have had the privilege to host so far, it becomes more and more clear that the heart of our retreats is always the guests that join us, the experiences we share and the bonds that we create. We are truly grateful for this and are so proud to have welcomed many guests back for their second and even third retreats with us.
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AthensFlow will host 8-10 retreats in 2024 but there is always more to come, so connect with us on Instagram @athensflowretreats or visit www.athensflowretreats.wixsite.com/2021 to keep up to date.
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For this coming summer I am excited and lucky to again work with Panos Kontogiorgos, owner of Soul House (www.soulhouse.gr/ @thesoulhousegr) and also be joined next season by the inspiration Spuros Mourelatos to create beautiful Men’s Retreat programmes. Our inspirational yoga instructors teach Hatha, Vinyassa, Sivananda, Yin Yang, Yoga Nidra and Mindfulness Meditation. Dimitris also offers Thai Yoga Massage as either a practical workshop or an additional service when on retreat.
Alongside Panos, Spuros and I, we will be joined by Greek Masterchef contestant and personal trainer Giorgos Vlachos (@_vegym_) who will cook delicious plant based meals and offer HIIT & functional fitness classes with a mindful approach that are suitable for all levels.
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Our retreats are held in wonderful villas that have incredible views, many with their own private pools and nearby secluded beaches. We have options for single occupancy in a shared room of two people, or double rooms perfect for couples or friends. We would love to have you join us, so for the full brochures including everything you may need to know, please get in touch with me at athenslowretreats@gmail.com
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We can’t wait to share our unique Men’s Retreat experiences with you!
Have a beautiful day, Ian.