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The Way of the Heart

GREECE

Mantra Holiday Retreat with Kevin James & Susana

From the 21st – 26th July 2024

Arillas, Corfu (Greece)

Spend your holidays bathing in the healing mantras and the greek sun

We are happy you’re here because we guess you’re ready to connect to your heart, to give it some space in your life, to listen and express with joy, its love and wisdom. 

There is no greater gift to this world.

Join us on a Heart-opening gathering where you can immerse yourself in the healing and uplifting power of mantras and Heartsongs.

With the current affairs, it’s easy to feel challenged by these circumstances and without a supportive space where you can rise up to connect with your true being.

That’s why Susana and I created this retreat, to nourish our souls and bodies with music, healthy food, and yoga in the beautiful, calm Greek island vibes of Corfu.

Take this chance to open and free your heart to reconnect with your freedom, joy and happiness.

What is this retreat about?

Imagine..

You are looking out through the olive trees at the beautiful warm sunset, while surrounded by harmonious, uplifting Heartsongs and Mantras of peace, as you sink into the silence that follows.

You can hear the bird’s calls responding and your mind flashes through this day gone by where your heart sings.

You’ve practiced yoga with an inspiring teacher, eaten a healthy life-giving breakfast with like-minded and open-hearted people.

Then you’ve expressed your voice, tuned and harmonized your emotional body to achieve a state of equilibrium and silence that you only remember feeling as a child…

It’s natural and effortless to be here and now and all the stresses that once plagued your mind seem so trivial.

Now is the time more than ever to look beyond, now is the time to grow, to move on and remember your vision, to reconnect with yourself through the heart and therefore reconnecting to your purpose in this life.

What’s so magic about this retreat is that we get to take that journey together, over the 6 days we form a heart-family and that’s really what transforms.

That’s what gives us the momentum to re-orientate and create our own destiny.

I am in!

What you will take with you after this retreat..

After 6 days immersed in the healing powers of the Mantras and sacred sounds and experiencing the incredible benefits of singing and exploring your voice you will:

  • Feel more grounded and connected to your Heart, as you were able to give space to listen your emotions in a safe environment.
  • Find emotional stability and be more calm and relaxed as you have been immersed in nature, inspired by its beauty and connected with its rhythms.
  • Connect to your natural voice, as you explored and found different ways of expressing your emotions.
  • Get inspired to make a positive change in your life, as you will hear your Heart crystal clear!
  • Meet like-minded people where easily can become friends for life, as you shared from a deep level in a loving atmosphere of understanding and non-judgement.

The Location

Our group will be hosted at the beautiful Corfu Buddha Hall, a place for meditative arts in the town of Arillas. We will be the only ones in the centre so that will help us to unwind and have a safe space to let go.

Located on top of a hill, this venue set has stunning 360 views to the sea and mountains with a special peace and beauty that surrounds it to support and inspire us in our days together.

The closest beach villages of Arillas and Agios Stefanos are about 3km away.

Activities

Here is a list of all the practices you will be enjoying during the retreat:

10

Chanting circles

The benefits of chanting are incredible, as it has a positive effect on our mental, physical, and emotional health and harmony.

Chanting mantras and singing together is one of the most powerful and effective ways to connect with your heart, and although science is now beginning to recognise its benefits, the practice is ancient and universal.

When chanting every day like on this retreat, one can experience a state of peace and a connection to the wisdom of the heart that can give us the nourishment from within that is directly applicable to you, your life, and for where you’re at within yourself.

The healing happens by itself without the need to go into problems from the past or worries of the future. The mantras help to resolve and dissolve those blockages without the need to “rationalize” or regress.

It’s a gentle process, where there is no pushing, no confrontation, as it’s done in the joy of singing.

14

Chakra Voice Activation

An amazing experience of emotional harmony and stability, simply using focused awareness and your own voice. The outcome is a deep sense of peace and fulfilment.

The Chakra Voice Activation is an explorative practice that is based around singing the Indian Swar scales of Sa Re Ga Ma… and using your conscious awareness to focus on the chakras, channeling emotional energy through them to come into a connection with our natural voice and our authentic self beyond the filters of the mind.

Through this practice, you will tap into your own emotional body and feel all the positive emotions of love, peace, wisdom even bliss from within to begin your self-healing journey and emotional harmony, regardless of your outer experience.

This practice which we call “The Morning Practice“, brings a great sense of connection, and fulfillment and helps us lose our dependency on things that come and go for our happiness.

8

Yoga

Coming home into the body, home to the Self, tune in and find your own way and rhythm of yoga.

One year more, we will have Audur Bjarnadottir as our yoga teacher. Her lifetime experience as a professional dancer and yoga teacher is backed up with an ability to make even an absolute beginner feel equal as her multidimensional classes offer, the yogi and non yogi, a wonderful multi-style, morning stretch, dance, meditation or whatever else she plucks from the ether.

Her lightness and wisdom will touch the heart and bring positive affirmations to your day.

12

Yoga Nidra

Yoga Nidra or deep relaxing yogic sleep is like putting the body to sleep while your mind will stay focused and awake.

Yoga Nidra can be practiced by anyone. It provides a window into yourself and offers a space to explore what you need in the moment, as well as an opportunity to work on releasing any long-held emotions without “diving into it” completely—meaning without feeling the emotion so completely that you become overwhelmed.

It holds immense benefits for all those who struggle to let go, those who suffer from lack of sleep, trauma, burn-out, and anxiety. It is also highly beneficial and holds great healing power for anyone who wants to experience a deeper sense of peace and re-connect more profoundly with themselves.

11

Dance

A great way to be in touch with yourself in the moment, to experience joy and playfulness, to confront limited judgments of your unique expression that holds you back from being you freely.

Throughout our retreat, usually when we feel we need to move, we will dance together.

The beauty of this retreat is that we form a bond from all the chanting that dissolves that self consciousness and we can really let go. We will dance freely and in a fun way.

11

Beach Time

This has proved to create the perfect balance between the practices we do together and time to really unwind and integrate in the beauty of nature. 

Every day, after lunch we have free time for you to relax, at the pool or enjoy the beach.

For those of us who are feeling social, will also have a designated place on the beach where our group gathers to connect and deepen friendships, but it’s also a moment to enjoy some “solo time” if you need to.

Schedule

The retreat starts on Sunday, July 21st 2024, with breakfast at 9.00 am

It will end on Friday, July 26th 2024 after our last evening circle (so please make sure not to leave Corfu earlier than Saturday morning)


Daily Program (subject to changes)

8.00 am – 9.00 am: Morning Yoga

9 am: Breakfast

10.30 am – 1.00 pm: Group activities

(Aum Meditation, Chakra toning, Chanting, Dance or Yoga Nidra)

1:30 – 3.00 pm: Lunch

3.00 – 7.30 pm: Free beach time & dinner

8.00 – 9.30 pm: Chanting Circle

Price

SUPER EARLY BIRD

Until 31st of January 2024

795 €

EARLY BIRD

Until 30th of April 2024

875 €

STANDARD PRICE

From the 1st May

940 €

Save my spot

What is included?

  • Morning Practice workshop with Kevin James
  • Afternoon/evening chanting circles with Kevin James
  • Daily Yoga classes
  • Dance sessions
  • Yoga Nidra classes
  • Delicious daily breakfast and vegetarian lunch (buffet)
  • Drinking water access
  • Daily shuttle service between Corfu Buddha Hall and Arillas (beach and hotels)
  • Access to the swimming pool of the retreat center

What is not?

  • Your round-trip airfare from home to Corfu.
  • Accommodation & dinner (please read below the different ways you can find accommodation).
  • Transfer service between Corfu airport and Arillas (although we can help you to find ways and maybe share with another participant/s).

About Corfu

Corfu, “the Mermaid island”, has like many islands a particular and powerful magic.

With a beauty like many of its Greek sisters, this island is home of a place where tranquility and spirituality come together: the small town of Arillas.

Arillas has a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, and because of its history of resident Sanyasins, and various festivals and retreats centers, the village and its many restaurants are accustomed to alternative diets and preferences. It also has a beautiful, easily accessible beach.

It is a small town (it has only 3 main streets) that, until now, has been able to escape the mass tourism and therefore offers a relaxed and more authentic feeling of Greek culture.

Everything is within walking distance and also next to it, there is the beautiful town of Afionas known for its sunsets and its beautiful “Double bay” beach.

You will find a big variety when looking for accommodation and a different range of prices.

As Corfu has an international airport, many airlines from different parts of Europe offer direct flights.

Meet the Facilitators

Kevin James & Susana

Kevin James is an experienced Chant leader who travels continuously sharing his presence and heartfelt voice with people from many different cultures and religions throughout the world. 

Practicing Bhakti Yoga (The yoga of devotion) since his first visit to India in 1990, Kevin weaves ancient Mantra’s with his own prayers and hearts song, he draws upon influences from traditional Indian Kirtan, Bhajans, Celtic and Sufi chants mixed with his own Heartsongs, western folk sounds and world instruments.

Since 2003, he has been leading chanting circles in and around the world as he travels the globe sharing his vision of heart centered connection and oneness.

Susana Rodriguez is originally from Spain and Kevin met in 2016 in Corfu, soon after, they began their life journey together. 

Susana is playing the Harmonium and singing with Kevin. Also is on hand with general support as well as sharing her water therapy sessions called Aguahara.

In 2012 Kevin first started to organize and hold retreats in different parts of the world. Now, he and Susana, choose carefully different locations that support their intention to create the ultimate experience for people to reconnect to their heart and The Buddha Hall is definitely one of those places

Audur Bjarnadottir

Auður has been has held the morning yoga, yoga Nidra and the dance classes in our retreats since 2018.

She taught yoga since 2000 and she runs a yoga studio, Jogasetrid in Reykjavik, Iceland since 2002. She teaches Hatha Yoga, Kundalini Yoga, Yoga Nidra, Prenatal, Moms and babies and seniors. She also runs Teacher trainings in Kundalini yoga, Yoga Nidra, Childplay as well as diverse workshops and events.

Audur is a yoga therapist and in all her work focuses on the magic of coming home into the body, home to the Self, and with compassion finding the oneness within so we can unfold to who we really are and unite with all.

Auður was a professional dancer, choreographer and theater director for years, dancing in Germany, Switzerland and Sweden. She also lived and studied yoga and theater in Wales and in the US.

Auður loves to teach yoga but also to be an eternal student in yoga and life. She enjoys combining traveling and exploring the world as teaching yoga, like Spain, Crete and Corfu.

Ale Namita (Michaela Schieber)

Our Booking Manager.
Ale, (founder of “Dhara Music ~ Connecting Spirit and Mind” in Austria) has been managing our Mantra Holidays retreats in Corfu since the first edition in 2016.

She is wonderful and will be happy to attend you in the process of registration and helping in whatever you need during the retreat.

What previous participants say about our retreats

“I think I am lucky to have access to a retreat like this. For me it is combination of enjoyment, inward thinking and body nourishment. For me it makes a balance to my everyday life that is not always easy and tends to make ones mind numb.
It is good to be able to feel pure joy, pure kindness and, though not so easy, getting in touch with my inner feelings.

Thanks to Kevin and Susanna who have made this happen, with lovely songs and Auður with her contribution. The retreat is also very well organized as usual. This was the fourth retreat with them and there is a good reason I keep coming back.”

Anna Rún ( The Way of the Heart 2023)

“The retreats with Kevin and Susana are always filled with light, love and laughter. This combination makes it so deep going. We dive deep into the divine, opening our hearts but always with a fine sense of humor. In this week I felt so deep connected with myself, with nature and divine and with the group as never before. My trust in life was strengthend and the way of my heart showed up clearly.
And beside all the deep going experiences it also was fun singing and dancing playfully and lively. Thanks to Kevin and Susana for this fantastic retreat.”

Tina Elay (The way of the Heart 2022)

“I really lived a first unique experience in Arillas in August 2023 during our retreat the Way tobthe Heart with Kévin James and Susana. The place ,the venue, the teachings , the Nature and this wonderful community coming together from all over the world .What a blessing This was the first but definitely not the Last one !! Thank you.”

Dominique Barea (The Way of the Heart 2023)

“I just returned from the 6-day retreat and feel deeply nourished by the profound journey you took us on. You have the gift of creating such a deep and powerful sacred space, in which we all could dive into the vastness of our own being and bring forward radiant pearls.

I have been working with soundhealing for over 25 years and am deeply moved by the power of your work. Simple, direct, highly transformative and above all, pure medicine for the heart and soul. My deepest gratitude!”

Roel Crabbe (The Way of the Heart 2021)

“Kevin and Susanna have a unique way of leading retreats, putting everyone at ease, letting everyone express themselves in the most spontaneous and natural way. The result is a wonderful, joyful experience that generates a high level of energy and allows one to fill up with ‘good vibes’ to express in daily life.”

Axelle Dalmazzone (The Way of the Heart 2022)

“In a world where we feel less connected than ever. This is a retreat to discover the beauty of connection and the joy of discovering your voice. To discover that we can really sing! Its been a total revelation to me how beautiful it is to be together for this retreat and feel us all “light-up” with the ecstasy that this harmonious coming together can bring under the guidance of Kevin and Susana.

I can only feel gratitude for what they have brought to all of us who participated. I realize that we need more of this in each family in each community. This time is now!”

Peter Gordon (The Way of the Heart 2021)

Our philosophy

What we've found is that the combination of chanting mantras, doing yoga, having a sense of community, enjoying relaxing time, eating healthy and immersing in nature for several days is the perfect recipe to facilitate a true positive transformation within yourself.

Since I started offering chanting retreats in 2012, every year, at each retreat, I’ve seen a profound positive transformation occur in each person which has inspired me to refine and define these retreats to support this in every way and every year, it just gets better.

As you may have experienced, Mantra music has a healing force that helps you connect with your heart, gain mental clarity and raise your vibration. Once you feel that connection, you can heal and release whatever you need, and as a consequence, feel more inner peace and harmony in your life. 

 
Our intention is to create a family where we support each other on a journey, back to our own true nature. That’s why we like to limit the group to a small size to keep an intimate atmosphere.
We respect each participant for who they are and where they are at, simply offering support, with the freedom for they to choose, because we recognise that each of us grows in our own way and in our own time. We just provide the best we can to help you grow.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Practical information

How do I register?

Here are the steps in order to register:

  • Make the first payment here.
  • After booking your place, we will contact you to communicate further information and to ask you to fill a simple questionnaire.
  • Arrange your accommodation and your flight to Corfu and back home, as well as the transfer from the Airport to Arillas.
  • Make the last payment on arrival at Corfu Buddha Hall on the 21st July (380,- €).  

Do I have to know “how to sing”?

If you can talk, you can sing 🙂

Many have joined our retreats with blockages in their voice and have achieved the wonderful and rewarding experience of finding their natural voice.

We will always be singing together so you can feel a safe, free and open space to find your unique expression in your own time and the “morning practice” will provide you with tools to be able to express freely, and improve your vocal skills.

By the end of the week, we will all be singing like angels.

Recommended items to bring

Loose and light clothing, torch (if you have), mosquito repellent, driving license (in case you want to rent local transportation), water bottle, hat (in Arillas there are few shops with a good selection as well), sun cream.

Can I travel alone?

Of course! A lot of the people who participate in our retreats come alone. It is a great opportunity to meet like minded people with similar interests and are in the same vibration. We have so many friends from retreats who are friends for life. 

Booking your accommodation

If you would like to receive help with finding the right accommodation you can write an email to accommodation@corfubuddhahall.com, check out www.arillas.com or Green Corfu at www.greencorfu.com. You can send an email to Alex and Christina at Green Corfu to get their free-of-charge accommodation help service.

Cancellation fees

Sometimes plans change – in such circumstances, the following charges apply to cover costs already incurred with the processing of your booking:
 50% charge of the first payment applies if a booking is canceled before June 1st, 2024. After this date no refund is possible, but you may transfer your booking to another person.

Getting to Corfu and Arillas

Because it is Holiday season we recommend to book your flight to Corfu International airport (CFU, near Corfu Town) as early as possible.
Once you arrive to the island, there are several ways to get to Arillas or Corfu Buddha Hall, either by taxi or car.

 

By taxi
They are the easiest and most common way to get here.
If you take a taxi at the airport, the cost varies between 65-85 € each way. 
However, we highly recommend you book your taxi in advance, as in high season you might have to wait a few hours before you can actually get one. Also, not all the taxi drivers will know where to go.
Corfu Buddha Hall works with a reliable taxi service which is Mycorfudriver. 
The best would be to send an email to MyCorfuDriver ( info@mycorfudriver.gr ) as soon as you get your flight tickets.

 

By car
You can also rent a car (about 350 € a week) and have it delivered to you at the airport. The drive from the Airport to Buddha Hall takes about an hour.  

Language

The retreat is held in English.

Final recommendations

As Arillas is a small touristic town and this retreat is taking place during the high season, in order to find easily accommodation, we recommend you to book the retreat and your accommodation very much well in advance.

We also recommend (if it’s possible for you) to give yourself one or two extra days in Corfu to enjoy the sweet feelings of the previous days, to integrate them and to slowly come back to “reality” 😉

Let your heart lead the way!

Save my spot

Do you have any questions?

Write us!

Photography by Mariana Borau
© Copyright 2023 Kevin James Music. All rights reserved.