Join us on an immersive journey into the world of Pilates practice
Guided by Astarti Athanasiadou
27 April - 4 May 2025
Skill to Flow is a week-long retreat that invites you to fully immerse yourself in the somatic practice of Pilates. Our carefully designed curriculum, tailored exclusively for this retreat and its participants, focuses on enhancing your body awareness and refining your movement skills within the Pilates framework.
Pilates, a lifelong and holistic mind-body practice, serves as the foundation for cultivating strength and resilience. Through this practice, you will discover the harmony of graceful, agile, and precise movements that connect your physical and inner self. Skill to Flow is our way of sharing our love for body knowledge and Pilates with the world, and nurturing a community of like-minded people embarking on this transformative journey.
The Pilates retreat is hosted in Mestá, a beautifully preserved medieval village on the Greek island of Chios. Beyond our classes, you will have the opportunity to explore the island’s rich history, local traditions and cuisine, as well as enjoy nature walks and swimming in the Aegean sea.
Unrushed, in-depth learning
In traditional Pilates group classes, time constraints often limit the depth of learning. Our Pilates retreat breaks free from this norm and redefines your learning experience by providing ample time for practice and questions.
Skill to Flow’s unique curriculum seamlessly blends movement and Pilates skills education. The skills classes introduce fresh perspectives on movement and trigger new physical experiences guiding you towards a holistic mind-body practice. Drawing from Kathy Grant's legacy, passed down by Astarti's mentor Cara Reeser, we cover, among others, breath work, Before the Hundred exercises and postural alignment—skills often overlooked due to their time-intensive and specialized nature.
Every day presents an opportunity for participants to apply the acquired skills in a traditional Pilates flow. This seamless integration is the heart of our retreat, ensuring a profound and transformative experience. By the end of the week, you will have a solid foundation, ready to confidently and independently participate in any Pilates class, free from concerns about injury or technique.
In keeping with the educational focus of our retreat, the Pilates classes will take place in the old school of Mestá, a historic 1920s building now used by the local community for cultural and recreational activities.
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Curious how the retreat week could look? Take a look at last retreat’s schedule below:
Sunday, April 28th, 2024
Evening arrival on Chios and transfer to Mestá
Monday, April 29th, 2024
Welcome breakfast followed by a guided tour of Mestá
Free time and lunch
Introduction to Pilates with Astarti, followed by a Pilates Skills and Flow class
Communal dinner in Mestá
Tuesday, April 30th, 2024
Breakfast
Pilates Skills class followed by a Flow class
Free time and lunch
Excursion to Kampos, including a guided tour of a traditional citrus estate and Genovese mansion, and a visit to the Chios Citrus museum
Communal dinner in the old town of Chios
Wednesday, May 1st, 2024
Breakfast
Pilates Skills class
Free time and lunch
Guided herb foraging hike in local fields
Pilates Flow class
Communal dinner in Mestá
Thursday, May 2nd, 2024
Breakfast
Pilates Skills class followed by a Flow class
Free time and lunch
Excursion to the Chios Mastic Museum and a surprise Pilates activity by the beach
Communal dinner in Mestá
Friday, May 3rd, 2024
Breakfast
Pilates Skills class
Free time and lunch
Guided hike to experience mastic harvesting first-hand
Pilates Flow class
Communal dinner in Mestá
Saturday, May 4th 2024
Breakfast
Pilates Flow class followed by a reflection on the skills curriculum
Farewell communal lunch at the beach
Free time to enjoy the beach, swim, or join a kayaking tour of the bay
Communal dinner in Mestá
Sunday, May 5th 2024
Breakfast and morning transportation to Chios town for departure
Who Is This Pilates Retreat For?
We warmly welcome individuals from all walks of life! Whether you're a beginner or an experienced practitioner, Skill to Flow has something unique to offer.
If you're new to Pilates, this retreat is the perfect opportunity to transform your lifestyle by connecting with a somatic practice that will continue to benefit you long after the retreat ends. All you need is an open mind, curiosity about your body, the ability to listen and reflect, and a commitment to self-care (and, of course, the readiness to embrace a daily 3-hour Pilates practice).
For intermediate and advanced practitioners, Skill to Flow provides an excellent chance to revisit familiar material and gain new anatomical knowledge. This will not only strengthen your existing practice but also add new depth to your movement journey.
What’s included
7 nights' accommodation in Mestá, one of Chios' most picturesque and well-preserved medieval villages.
3 hours of daily Pilates mat sessions, including Astarti’s unique Pilates skills curriculum, with all necessary equipment provided.
A delicious vegetarian menu for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, featuring sustainably sourced, local ingredients and fresh, seasonal products.
Transportation to and from Mestá upon your arrival and departure on Chios, as well as for all excursions and activities.
Guided excursions and activities, including scenic nature walks, explorations of local citrus and mastic traditions, hikes to secluded beaches, and opportunities for swimming and kayaking (weather permitting).
Double occupancy from €3,000
10% Early-bird discount until December 31, 2024
Single occupancy from €3,400
Practical Information
About Mestá
Our Pilates retreat will be held in Mestá, an enchanting medieval village located in the southern part of Chios island, Greece. Mestá is part of the Mastichochoria region, renowned for its production of mastic, a precious resin extracted from the mastic tree (Pistacia lentiscus)—a unique tradition protected by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage.
Mestá’s architecture, reminiscent of medieval times, and captivating ambiance transport you to a different world. The village's intricate layout, with its narrow cobblestone streets and strategically designed stone houses resembling a labyrinth, once served as a defense against pirates and invaders during the Middle Ages. Each turn reveals charming details, from preserved arches and doorways to hidden courtyards. The central square is the perfect spot for soaking in the local culture. Exploring Mestá feels like stepping back in time, offering a unique and enriching experience.
Accommodation
Your retreat accommodation is nestled within Mestá's historic castle walls. The rooms, studios, and apartments are located in traditional stone-built houses that are part of the medieval fortification, providing a charming cave-like ambiance. Most accommodations are conveniently situated just a 5-minute walk from the school building where the Pilates classes take place, right outside the castle walls of Mestá.
You will also have the opportunity to socialise and connect with fellow participants on outdoor terraces atop the houses—perfect for stargazing—and in the traditional atriums nestled between the houses and castle walls.
Fresh and local cuisine
Nutritious food is essential fuel for the body, especially during an active retreat week. You will enjoy a delicious vegetarian menu for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, focusing on sustainably sourced, local ingredients and fresh, seasonal products. To ensure that everyone can enjoy our meals, we are happy to accommodate specific dietary needs.
Our menu showcases the abundance of Chios in spring, including delectable artichokes, wild asparagus, and fennel. Meals celebrate the island's agricultural heritage, infused with the unique flavors of its citrus fruits and the distinctive essence of mastic. Throughout the week, you will savor the best of Greek cuisine and a variety of local delicacies, all sourced from local producers who supply us with delicious produce.
How to get here
For international travellers, the quickest route is a connecting flight to Chios Island Airport (JKH) via Athens International Airport 'Eleftherios Venizelos' (ATH) in Athens or Thessaloniki Airport 'Macedonia' (SKG) in Thessaloniki. The domestic flight from Athens or Thessaloniki to Chios takes approximately 50 minutes. Airlines like Aegean/Olympic and Sky Express offer convenient connections with international flights from mainland airports.
Within Greece, Chios is directly accessible by ferry from several ports, including Pireaus (Athens), Thessaloniki, Samos, and Lesbos. If you opt for a ferry from the Port of Piraeus in Athens, the journey can take anywhere from 6 to 9 hours, depending on the ferry type.
Should you need help booking your travel to and from Greece and Chios or wish to plan a holiday around this Pilates retreat, feel free to contact us for personalised travel advice and recommendations.
