MERAKI YOGA
RETREATS
Meraki: to do something with soul, creativity and love
MERAKI YOGA
RETREATS
Meraki Yoga Retreats were created in late 2019 after initially working in collaboration with The Yoga Garden Retreats UK which was originally founded in 2009.
In 2004, Dominic and Claire Skinner discovered The Rou Estate and took it upon themselves to sympathetically restore, renovate and create a haven. Combining their passion for architecture, holistic therapies & yoga helped further build on their vision for hosting & running yoga retreats.
The Estate provides a unique combination of new and old; private luxury houses with modern comforts, surrounded by traditional Corfiot architecture, all set within an area of outstanding natural beauty providing a very distinctive place to combine yoga and wellness. The distinctive Corfiot design of the village and its traditional concept makes it one of the last remaining of its kind on the island.
ABOUT US
WHAT WE OFFER
We are fortunate to have a wonderful relationship with a range of yoga teachers based in the UK and Internationally. With a wealth of experience and a dedication to their practice, we offer retreats with a range of styles and teachings: Ashtanga, Jivamukti, Vinyasa Yoga, Yin Yoga, Restorative Yoga, Yoga Nidra, Yoga Therapy, Somatic Movement & Various forms of Meditation. Each retreat will have a focus on a specific style with mornings offering a more dynamic experience and evenings with a calming nature. All our teachers are highly skilled to create a safe space as well as creating an ethos of ‘yoga is for all’. We offer yoga mats, yoga bricks & blocks, belts and blankets to help support your practice in our beautiful shala overlooking the Ionian Sea.
THE ROU ESTATE
Our accommodation has a wonderful combination of traditional meeting contemporary comforts, all surrounded by an exceptional, award winning Mediterranean garden. We have selected specific houses out of the 16 houses on the Estate, each compromising beautifully decorated bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms, sitting room, a kitchen, outdoor & a plunge pool. Central to the Estate is a large communal pool and a large number of sun loungers. In addition there is a small complex within the original granary of the Estate, where holistic treatments and massages can be booked. Some of our therapists will come from offsite and so it will also be possible to have a treatment within the comfort of your own villa.
Mealtimes we will convene together at our ‘main base’. Together we will eat, discuss and create connections after the morning and evening practice. Lunches will be delivered to your house. All meals are prepared by our in house chef who prepares vegetarian and locally sourced Mediterranean produce.
A TYPICAL DAY
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An early Pre Yoga snack & tea is offered
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Morning Dynamic yoga
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Breakfast - A buffet of homemade granola, yoghurts, fruits, local breads, honey, jams, pancakes, eggs with the group
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Free time: could involve a hike, massages & holistic treatments, local trip, or relaxation by the pool or beach. Option of 1:1 yoga
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Lunch, a variety of nutritious Mediterranean inspired foods, locally sourced or grown, seasonal delivered to your own villa
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Afternoon relaxation - massages, siesta, go exploring, hiking, option of 1:1 yoga
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Late afternoon Yoga of a more restorative nature & meditation
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Dinner with the group
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Hang out, go to bed, read or star gaze
(start and ending times will vary between teachers)
FOOD PHILOSOPHY
On our retreats, we offer locally sourced and fresh Mediterranean food. For the retreats, mainly vegetarian food is offered, although fish is available on request.
We offer a plentiful breakfast, lunches are light and suppers are wholesome. We also offer a range of herbal teas, snacks and juices. On retreat, we have a no alcohol policy to help support the system during the yoga & meditation practice.