Aphrodite’s Island - the island of love

The Minoan civilization (3000-1600 BC) was the first civilization in Europe. Kythera was a Minoan colony. Aphrodite, the goddess of love, arose from the shores of Kythira and the temple to her attracted women from all over Greece. It is from here that Helen, queen of Sparta, left for Troy. The temple of Aphrodite is the oldest temple to the goddess.

The village architecture

Kythera is located between the Peloponnese southern mainland and Crete. It has a unique blend of architectural styles from traditional, Aegean and Venetian culture. It has suffered constant invasions by the Romans, Byzantines, Venetians, Turks, and pirates. Castles were built to protect the island and their ruins remain today. The Venetian and Aegean influences can be seen in the simple village architecture. The churches and monasteries retain a simple Byzantine design.

Local products

Kythera has a variety of small production, local products. The island air is clear and the products are healthy and high-quality. The award-winning wild thyme honey is recognized around the world for its quality. The rich beekeeping tradition and the island’s abundance of wild thyme, oregano and other herbs make for an exceptional honey. In our household, and for generations before, we have always used this for medicinal properties. The owner of our hotel is a great beekeeper and we regularly buy directly from him.

Kythera has excellent bakeries, pottery workshops and Greek food products.

— Each morning in the charming seaside town of Agia Pelagia on the island of Kythera the sun rises like a ball of fire over the Aegean Sea. It is hard to sleep in and I am up early getting ready to teach our morning yoga class.

Morning yoga class at Pelagia Aphrodite Hotel on the Aegean Sea

Since 2010 our retreat groups have been staying at the Pelagia Hotel in Agia Pelagia. Each morning our classes are on the lawn facing the Aegean Sea with the waves crashing on the rocks below. From here we see the Peloponnese mainland in the distance. from our hotel. Each morning I set up the mats, yoga straps, blocks and warm up a bit before others come. We start each class with silent warm up stretches and a quiet meditation. Sometimes guests take a day off to sleep in and relax. Some guests choose not to do yoga at all, and are here mainly for the explorations of Greek island culture.

— Pelagia Aphrodite Hotel — https://www.pelagia-aphrodite.com/en/home

Morning walks, runs and swims along the shore of Agia Pelagia

Before or after morning yoga guests often go for a long walk or run along the shore road surrounded the aromatic smells of blooming sage and thyme. A few guests go for an early morning swim before breakfast.

All levels of Yoga Practice Offered

Each day one of the yoga teachers (myself included) focus on a different set of warm-ups and yoga asanas. We always offer gentle and moderate yoga with options to modify. We always offer each student support if desired. We often invite local guests from the village to join our yoga classes, including some cousins and our friend, the Michelin cook from one of our favorite seaside tavernas (Kaleris Restaurant). We love our morning yoga at the Pelagia Aphrodite hotel!

—"Kaleris Restaurant serves local (i.e. traditional Kytherian), Greek and Mediterranean cuisine with creative gastronomic additions. Located in the picturesque village of Agia Pelagia, right in front of the sea."

I love teaching the yoga classes and also attending when the other very talented teachers teach. We do Wake Up Stretches and Warm ups, Soothing Self Care Affirmations, Body Scan, Soothing Rhythm Breathing, Meta Prayer of Kindness, Rumi verses, Thich Nhat Han’s 10 mindful movements, Five Tibetan Rites, Ocean Breath, Restorative Yoga, Warrior Series and much more ending with a deep Shavasana relaxing Corpse Pose and meditation.

It is a magical experience to do yoga, breathing exercises (pranayana) and meditations outside in nature on this undisturbed Greek island with the sounds and smells of the Aegean Sea, island life and sky all around us.

Yoga is followed with home cooked breakfast including local food from the hotel owner’s farm! The breakfast includes local fruits, vegetables, eggs, baked goods, mountain tea, sage tea and so much more.

— Unlike a number of Greek islands which are more and more crowded by tourists, Kythera retains its intimate peacefulness. You immediately can feel the serenity when you arrive, whether by ferry or airplane from Athens. It is a wonderful hidden gem.

The beauty of the nature and landscape