About this retreat
Join us for a week of self care in body and spirit: Iyengar yoga and meditation, group sessions among olive trees, swims in cool turquoise waters at quiet beaches, unspoilt landscapes, wholesome local food, excursions, and a warm, supportive group—held with care, depth, and professionalism.
Together, we’ll explore the key forces shaping male identity today. Modern life often brings invisible pressures about how a man “should” look, perform, relate, succeed, and show emotion. These expectations can quietly narrow our sense of self—pushing us into roles and moulds that don’t truly fit. This week offers a chance to step back, name those pressures, and reconnect with what feels authentic, grounded, and personally meaningful.
Alongside this, we’ll cultivate practical self-care in ways that respect each man’s uniqueness—because male identity isn’t fixed; it’s living, evolving, and deeply personal. Through Focusing, a body-based form of psychotherapy, and Iyengar yoga, you’ll learn how to listen to the wisdom of your body, regulate stress, and build a healthier relationship with yourself and others.
Each morning begins with yoga led by Eugenia, specifically designed to meet the needs of the male body and support strength, mobility, and inner steadiness. In the evening group sessions will be gently facilitated and professionally held by two psychotherapists—creating space for reflection, connection, and real support through shared experience.
Come as you are. Leave with clarity, tools, and a renewed sense of direction — inside and out.
Your facilitators
This retreat is co-guided by Nikos Tsoukalas and Nikolaos Gonakis.
Nikos Tsoukalas
Nikos works professionally in Counselling and Psychotherapy, both online and in person, and has specialized in Person-Centred and Focusing-Oriented Experiential Counselling and Psychotherapy at the Hellenic Focusing Center.
As a professional counsellor and psychotherapist, Nikos supports men in reconnecting with themselves through embodied awareness, listening, and gentle self-inquiry.
Nikolaos Gonakis
Nikolaos Gonakis is a certified Psychologist, with a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Crete. He works professionally in Counselling and Psychotherapy, both online and in person, and has specialized in Person-Centred and Focusing-Oriented Experiential Counselling and Psychotherapy at the Hellenic Focusing Center. He has gained experience in various settings, such as the Day Centre for Alzheimer’s Disease and related disorders in Chania.
At present, he is a trainee facilitator in Person-Centred and Focusing-Oriented Experiential Counselling and Psychotherapy at the Hellenic Focusing Center.
Practical details
Dates
Daily rhythm
Each day begins with a 2-hour yoga class, designed to support strength, mobility, and inner steadiness. The evening 2-hour group encounters will create space for reflection, connection, and shared experience.
Know before you go
Airport transfers
Taxi transfers to and from the airport can be arranged on request and, whenever possible, shared with other guests.
Transfers are not included in the retreat price.
If you prefer, we can also help you arrange a hired car to meet you at the airport.
Please let us know your arrival details as soon as you book your flights.
What to wear
Light, loose clothing made from natural fibres is recommended, allowing you to move freely and comfortably during practice.
What to bring
Please bring a swimming costume and towel, walking shoes for optional hikes, sunscreen, mosquito repellent, and a small torch, as village paths have limited lighting at night.
We kindly ask guests to use natural soaps and shampoos to help protect our surroundings. These can also be purchased locally.
Indoor slippers or flip-flops are useful, as we follow a no-shoes policy inside the house.
And last but not least — don’t forget to bring your smile!
Special menu requests
If you have any dietary requirements, please let us know in advance. We will do our best to accommodate your needs.
House guidelines
We kindly request that you respect our rule against smoking and consumption of alcohol or other substances on our premises.
Booking & payment
To reserve your place, a €400 deposit is required after availability is confirmed.
Full payment details, cancellation terms, and accepted payment methods are available in our
Booking & Cancellation Policy.
Location
Chora Sfakion, Southern Crete
→ Getting Here
Level
No previous experience in yoga or movement is required to participate in this retreat.Teaching is adapted to the group, with clear guidance and individual attention.
How to enquiry
To check availability and receive the full info pack, please send an enquiry.
Accommodation options
Explore the rooms at YogaOnCrete — each with its own character, privacy, and view.
The house comfortably accommodates up to 10 guests in our four private guestrooms, while it is more common that 5-6 students stay in-house.
When retreat numbers exceed the house’s capacity, additional accommodation is arranged in nearby en-suite studios and family-run hotels in our village, 200-500 metres from our house.
Oleander room
A spacious, light-filled room with an open terrace and sea views, offering openness, flexibility, and a relaxed rhythm between practice and rest.
Bougainvillae room
A serene, intimate room with private balcony and sea and garden views, designed for deep rest, privacy, and a slower pace of retreat living.
Thyme room
A generous, versatile room with garden, village, and sea views, offering space, comfort, and flexibility for shared stays.
Olive room
A bright, calm single or twin non-ensuite room looking out onto the garden, offers simplicity, privacy, and a gentle sense of retreat. Ideal for rest between practices and quiet moments of reflection.
External Accommodation (Nearby Hotels)
When the main house reaches capacity, accommodation is arranged in nearby family-run ensuite studios and hotels, just a 2-10 minute walk from the house.
Price
All prices are per person, per week (all inclusive).
Accommodation is provided in a quiet shared retreat house surrounded by a luscious garden and olive trees. The price includes morning 2-hour yoga and afternoon 2-hour awareness session, 7 brunches and 5 dinners, use of the retreat spaces, on-site support, and a return boat trip to the magnificent Sweet Water beach.
Accommodation options
€720 — shared non-ensuite room (2 friends sharing, communal bathroom)
€830 — shared en suite room (3 people)
€880 — single non-ensuite room (communal bathroom)
€910 — shared en suite twin or double room
€1120 — single en suite room (limited availability)
Other options
€690 — yoga and meals only (own accommodation)
from €740 — *work-exchange option (1 place per week, 2–3 hours daily support)
€660 — non-participating partner sharing a room
*The work-exchange option includes approximately 2–3 hours of daily help with light household tasks (such as sweeping the yards and cleaning the yoga studio). This support does not interfere with participation in all classes. Accommodation depends on the options available.
Full details are shared upon enquiry.
Enquire about this retreat
Experience
– Daily Iyengar yoga
– Focusing body-based psychotherapy
– Group encounters
– Swims in cool turquoise waters
– Time in unspoilt landscapes
– Shared meals
– Warm, supportive group
Is this retreat for you?
You are curious about identity
- You are curious about how modern expectations shape male identity.
- You are open to self-reflection in a supportive, professionally held space.
You value structure and clarity
- You value structure and clarity in practice.
- You appreciate precise, anatomy-informed guidance and a steady rhythm.
You are ready to reconnect
- You are ready to reconnect with your body.
- You want to listen more closely to your own experience without pressure to perform.
You seek depth
- You seek depth, not intensity.
- You are interested in meaningful dialogue, not surface-level discussion.
FAQ
Do I need prior experience in psychotherapy or group work?
No. The group process is gently facilitated and professionally held. No previous experience is required. What matters most is a willingness to participate with openness and respect.
Is this retreat right for me if i'm new to yoga/Iyengar?
Yes. The retreat is open to practitioners of different levels. Teaching is adapted to the group, with clear guidance and individual attention throughout the week. No previous experience in yoga is required.
What is included in the retreat price?
What is included depends on the specific retreat.
For all courses, the retreat price includes:
All scheduled yoga classes and psychotherapy sessions
7 nights accommodation
Daily meals: 7 brunches and 5 dinners
One return boat trip to Sweet Water beach
Bed linens and bath towels
(a limited number of beach towels is available)
Full details for each retreat are shared in the information pack after enquiry.
What is not included?
The retreat price does not include:
Flights to Crete
Transfers to Chora Sfakion
Lunches and two dinners out per week
Massage treatments
Insurance
Additional excursions to beaches outside walking distance
(approx. 5–20 EUR per trip, depending on shared boat or taxi)
Massage treatments are available on request:
Holistic Massages with Eva (a combination of Thai, Ayurvedic, relaxing, deep tissue massage, and reflexology, adapted to individual needs) — 70 EUR per 1-hour session.
How do I reserve my place?
To check availability and reserve your place, please send an enquiry via the form on this page. Once availability is confirmed, you will receive the full information pack with all practical details and next steps.
Can I come alone?
Yes. Many guests join the retreat on their own. The atmosphere is welcoming and supportive, and shared practice and meals naturally create a sense of connection within the group.
What is the group size?
The group is intentionally limited to 14 men to allow for individual attention, a calm rhythm, and a sense of shared presence.
I still have questions — who can I contact?
If you have any questions regarding your participation, travel arrangements, or whether this retreat is right for you, feel free to contact us. We’re happy to help and, if needed, to put you in touch with the teacher.
Ready to join this retreat?
Send an enquiry to receive full details, availability, and room options.
If you are looking for other dates, you can also explore our upcoming retreats.