On the Greek island of Kea, guided by the elements, this week explores ancient wisdom and inner depth. Through yogic teachings and artistic practice, the program explores the connections among presence, ancestral lineage, and elemental forces. Daily practices weave Hatha kriya, meditation, mantra, and sound, with evenings turning to ancestral voice and tribal movement or gentle restorative Yin yoga. Centered on the Root and Throat Chakras, this retreat moves from grounding to clear expression, with growing reverence for one’s path and the natural world.
Elemental Wisdom
Kea, GreeceCreative expression·Healing & Transformation·Meditation·Movement
Movement
Hatha kriya yoga | Intuitive and tribal movement | Yin and restorative yoga
Mindfulness
Meditation | Bija mantra | Painting meditation
Healing
Shamanic drum journey
Rituals
Ajna center activation ritual
Nourishment
Three abundant and delicious meals each day, cooked using fresh farm and sea produce
Beyond the Mat
Relaxing by the pool | Swimming, kayaking, and snorkeling in the private bay | Hiking ancient trails | Exploring the local culture and stores in Ioulida
The Destination
Just an hour from Athens, Kea is one of the Cyclades’ best-kept secrets. It's an island of rugged hills and hidden coves, special for it's wild beauty and deep connection to land and sea. This retreat takes place at Kea Retreats, a boutique hotel located in a private bay on the island, offering a unique sense of stillness that feels worlds away.
The Retreat Host
Rooted in her Oaxacan heritage, Paula Gissel Yama is a painter, sound therapist, yoga instructor, and massage therapist who weaves ancestral practice with contemporary somatics. Guided by teachings from her grandmothers, healers, and temazcaleras, her work is elemental and sensory. A deep affinity for water shapes her facilitation through Janzu and Aguahara, where buoyancy and breath inform slow, fluid movement.
Years of study across Mexico, India, Nepal, the United States, and South America shape her grounded, ceremonial approach to teaching. Gissel offers attentive touch and gentle ritual that support grounded presence and honest expression in all her retreats and workshops.
Sample Day
morning
Light breakfast
Hatha kriya yoga practice to awaken the senses
afternoon
Nourishing lunch
Free time to lounge and read by the pool or swim in the sea
evening
Delicious group dinner
Ancestral voice and tribal movement to awaken dormant energies
*subject to change
Accommodation
This retreat is held at Kea Retreat, a boutique hotel set within a protected natural reserve. The stone-built suites blend seamlessly with nature, offering minimalist elegance, earthy textures, and breathtaking Aegean views. Designed for comfort and tranquility, each space features handcrafted wooden furnishings, woven textiles, and soft linen bedding that complement the raw beauty of the island. Private terraces with outdoor seating invite quiet moments overlooking the sea, creating an atmosphere that’s both grounding and peacefully luxurious.
Style: Elegant Comfort
Rooms & Rates
Amygdalo Room
King bed or two twin beds | Private bathroom | 1-2 guests
Set on the hillside above the bay, Amygdalo sits close to the olive grove and vineyard. Located a 5-min nature walk from the main retreat area, it provides added privacy and a calm, remote atmosphere. Like all the other rooms, it has a small private terrace and includes locally produced and designed towels, pareos, robes and soaps for the stay.
€3,910 single | €2,710 double (per person)
Deposit: from €949 per person
Elia Room
King bed or two twin beds | Private bathroom | 1-2 guests
Set on the hillside above the bay and close to the olive grove and vineyard, Elia is a 5-min nature walk to the beach and pool. Slightly removed from the main center, it offers a calm, private atmosphere. Like all the other rooms, it has a small private terrace and includes locally produced and designed towels, pareos, robes and soaps for the stay.
€3,910 single | €2,710 double (per person)
Deposit: from €949 per person
Psathi Room
King bed or two twin beds | Private bathroom | 1-2 guests
Set on the hillside above the bay, Psathi sits close to the olive grove and vineyard. Located a 5-min nature walk from the main retreat area, it provides added privacy and a calm, remote atmosphere. Like all the other rooms, it has a small private terrace and includes locally produced and designed towels, pareos, robes and soaps for the stay.
€4,010 single | €2,810 double (per person)
Deposit: from €984 per person
Levanda Room
King bed or two twin beds | Private bathroom | 1-2 guests
Levanda is one of the two beach side suites, only steps away from the shore. It's conveniently located close to the main retreat area (pool, bar, restaurant, lounge, yoga shala). Like all the other rooms, it has a private terrace and includes locally produced and designed towels, pareos, robes and soaps for the stay.
€4,110 single | €2,910 double (per person)
Deposit: from €1,019 per person