Yia Mas

Yia Mas Retreats, workshops, and offerings that celebrate Health, Hellenic culture, and community.

18/09/2026

NEW YIA MAS PODCAST 🏺 with Nomiki Konst 🧿

Whew, friends. We covered a lot of ground on this one!
Nomiki Konst and I reconnected from our respective islands for a deep dive into everything from Greek geopolitics and Greek/Italian folk magic to her family’s roots in Epirus and its fascinating (and often tragic) history.

And yes... the island internet gave us a run for our money , so forgive a few dropped frames, awkward pauses, and lost moments along the way. Think of it as leaving a little to the imagination!

If you don’t already know Nomiki, she’s a brilliant investigative journalist, political strategist, and founder of both Kefi Strategies and Matriarch (an organization training working-class women to run for office). She was a national surrogate for Bernie Sanders’ 2016 and 2020 campaigns, served on the DNC Unity & Reform Commission, and has helped lead major grassroots victories nationwide. You might also recognize her as the co-host of Rising or from her commentary across CNN, MSNBC, and SiriusXM.

Grab a cafedaki (or aperitif) and give it a listen this weekend 🏺listen for free on Spotify or Apple Podcasts:)

REFLECTING ON ALMOST A DECADE OF YIA MAS RETREATS. 🏺🧿 Since 2018, we’ve had the deep privilege of leading and teaching o...
17/09/2026

REFLECTING ON ALMOST A DECADE OF YIA MAS RETREATS. 🏺🧿 Since 2018, we’ve had the deep privilege of leading and teaching on retreats across Greece. From the Cyclades to the majestic mountains of Epirus, our mission has always been to share the magic inherent in the Greek land, as well as our living traditions, music, dance, and ancient wisdom.

As we prep to announce our first couple of 2027 offerings I’ve been reflective! It’s surreal that it’s been nearly a decade since I began teaching in Greece. It started in Paros, where I was first invited to teach, followed by Corfu with Myths + Muses at Domes Miramare, and a sweet “mini” retreat in Koufonisia. Then came 2020—cancellation of our Andros retreat, pauses, and the necessary shifting of plans. Not to mention a lot of personal growth and the beginning of hosting virtual workshops that reached people literally around the globe.

Since then, and as much as navigating new motherhood has allowed, we’ve gathered momentum, hosting cultural immersions and retreats in Amorgos, Serifos, Skyros, and Epirus, to name a few. Yogic practices have also been part of many of our retreats, and I have to offer my gratitude and credit to Indian culture, Katonah Yoga, and the teachers who kept those traditions alive. Weaving together eastern and western (re: Ancient Greek) wisdom has become a true passion.

What fills our cups (tiny amphoras! Hehe) most are the people. Witnessing the profound transformations thtat happen over a few shared days, and watching lifelong friendships bloom long after we go our respective ways, is the greatest gift of this work.

None of this exists without our incredible collaborators! The co-hosts and facilitators who bring their magic, and the locals on the ground who open their homes and hearts to us.

And above all, the land (herbs, mountains, elements, secrets) remains our constant guide, our greatest teacher, and our endless muse.

YIA MAS (that means cheers!) to almost ten years of gathering, and to all the dances to danced, paths to be walked, and places yet to be experienced together. 💙

REFLECTING ON ALMOST A DECADE OF YIA MAS RETREATS. 🏺🧿 Since 2018, we’ve had the deep privilege of leading and teaching o...
17/09/2026

REFLECTING ON ALMOST A DECADE OF YIA MAS RETREATS. 🏺🧿 Since 2018, we’ve had the deep privilege of leading and teaching on retreats across Greece. From the Cyclades to the majestic mountains of Epirus, our mission has always been to share the magic inherent in the Greek land, as well as our living traditions, music, dance, and ancient wisdom.

As we prep to announce our first couple of 2027 offerings I’ve been reflective! It’s surreal that it’s been nearly a decade since I began teaching in Greece. It started in Paros, where I was first invited to teach, followed by Corfu with Myths + Muses at Domes Miramare, and a sweet “mini” retreat in Koufonisia. Then came 2020—cancellation of our Andros retreat, pauses, and the necessary shifting of plans. Not to mention a lot of personal growth and the beginning of hosting virtual workshops that reached people literally around the globe.

Since then, and as much as navigating new motherhood has allowed, we’ve gathered momentum, hosting cultural immersions and retreats in Amorgos, Serifos, Skyros, and Epirus, to name a few. Yogic practices have also been part of many of our retreats, and I have to offer my gratitude and credit to Indian culture, Katonah Yoga, and the teachers who kept those traditions alive. Weaving together eastern and western (re: Ancient Greek) wisdom has become a true passion.

What fills our cups (tiny amphoras! Hehe) most are the people. Witnessing the profound transformations thtat happen over a few shared days, and watching lifelong friendships bloom long after we go our respective ways, is the greatest gift of this work.

None of this exists without our incredible collaborators! The co-hosts and facilitators who bring their magic, and the locals on the ground who open their homes and hearts to us.

And above all, the land. She remains our constant guide, our greatest teacher, and our endless muse.
Yia mas to almost ten years of gathering, and to all the dances to danced, paths to be walked, and places yet to be experienced together. 💙

«με τη βάρκα μου τη γυάλα θα σε πάρω μαυρομάλλα στη Δονούσα στο Σταύρο» 🏺 SUMMER CUPS FILLED. Nothing like saving your v...
15/09/2026

«με τη βάρκα μου τη γυάλα θα σε πάρω μαυρομάλλα στη Δονούσα στο Σταύρο» 🏺 SUMMER CUPS FILLED.

Nothing like saving your vacation for Virgo season to savor the final sweet sips of summer. Grateful to have this island in our “neighborhood” of the Small Cyclades. A trip with a toddler is certainly a different type of “vacation” - much less restorative 🤭 but sweet in so many ways. We are gifted what the Buddhists might call Beginner’s Mind when we get present alongside them.

And beautiful to celebrate the Exaltation of the cross on an island where the celebrations last TWO days. These traditions are alive and well among young folks, we love to see it.

While the time “off” was short, it reminded me how much retreats matter. Simply by being less online I felt a lot of feelings that likely exist constantly as an underlying low hum, but are typically buried in the busyness of daily life and the darn internet. A post to come on why this short island jaunt further affirmed for me why retreats are necessary, especially in a world where we get so little quiet time to be with our beings.

OFFLINE TO FILL OUR CUPS 🏺🌊Taking a few days to unplug and for my first actual vacation of the summer. If you’re interes...
09/09/2026

OFFLINE TO FILL OUR CUPS 🏺🌊

Taking a few days to unplug and for my first actual vacation of the summer. If you’re interested in the October retreat, there’s ONE room left! Just book it or send an email, as we won’t be checking DMS till Tuesday, SEPTEMBER 15th!

Wishing you a blessed, grounding, EARTHY Virgo season! 🌾

Image artists unknown - please share if you have names for us to credit.

APOKRIES TRIP 2027 🧿 SAVE THE DATE! Labor Day has come and gone, and while ‘back to school’ mode has entered the chat, m...
08/09/2026

APOKRIES TRIP 2027 🧿 SAVE THE DATE! Labor Day has come and gone, and while ‘back to school’ mode has entered the chat, most of us need something to look forward to. And so: excited to share that our semi-annual Apokries small group immersion returns this March.

Past trips have taken us to Skyros, Epirus, and Naoussa, and we’re excited to offer something COMPLETELY different this year… stay tuned for more;)

COMMENT or DM us if you want to be on the early access email list! This trip fills up quickly and it’s going to be a fun one! 🐴 🌈🇬🇷

JOIN US HERE THIS OCTOBER 🏺 Because Greece is more than our beloved islands. On our Reclaiming our Roots retreat we’ll t...
07/09/2026

JOIN US HERE THIS OCTOBER 🏺 Because Greece is more than our beloved islands. On our Reclaiming our Roots retreat we’ll travel to the ancient navel of Delphi and then BEYOND into the epic mountains of Fokida.

It’s a magical region with traditional villages, amazing food, and, genuinely, no mass tourism. Who’s taking the last room in our cozy, witchy mountain home???

Does anyone else feel like a week of tactile experiences, time in Greek nature, and mindful conversations with women wou...
03/09/2026

Does anyone else feel like a week of tactile experiences, time in Greek nature, and mindful conversations with women would do a lot for their lives right now?

Join us this October, the perfect shoulder season period in Greece, for Reclaiming Our Roots: a retreat for mindful ancestral connection. We’ll dance, weave, bake bread, walk through greek mountains, learn about honey production, and connect with sacred sites. All retreaters are invited to bring photos, icons, or any objects that connect them with their ancestors for a shared altar we’ll create throughout the week.

It’s also a time for conversation and contemplation - how can we become better future ancestors? What does that look like?

Due to a cancellation we have a couple spots left! If you’re feeling called, I hope you’ll join us. 🧿🏺💙

Image one by Anna Papadopoulou - who we have featured on our blog.

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