Wild Samothrace
An interview with Valia Vlatsiou, an expert practitioner in Thai massage and yin yoga, and the television presenter of Βότανα Καρποί της Γης (Herbs: Fruits of the Earth). Valia and Maria Christodoulou (The Greek Herbalist) are offering the Herbal Medicine & Wellness Retreat on Samothrace on August 25-30, 2024.
A view of Samothrace island from the Aegean Sea
Maria: We are offering the Herbal Medicine & Wellness Retreat together in August that brings us to a very special place in Greece. Can you tell us what makes Samothrace so unique from other Greek islands?
An ancient plane tree on Samothrace island
Valia: Samothrace, the second northeast Greek island, is a truly unique place. It is actually a glorious mountain of 1,611 meters height surrounded by the Aegean Sea. Covered by astonishing lush nature and numerous rivers flowing down all the way to its crystal clear sea waters, it invites us to an unforgettable journey into the wilderness. Mesmerizing landscapes, refreshing river pools, astonishing sunrises and sunsets to mention just a few. The elements of nature are so alive here that they fully awaken all of our senses. Wild yet friendly and inviting. It also has a long history of ancient ceremonies taking place on what is now the archaeological site of the Sanctuary of the Great Gods, which is truly one of the most energetically charged and holy places one can find in Greece. The Samothrace experience is considered to be a real initiation to our most authentic self.
Maria: Who is our retreat designed for? What can participants expect to experience there?
Valia: This retreat is designed for people who want to immerse themselves into the untamed beauty of nature. For the ones who want to feel deeply connected and moved, to reclaim their aliveness of spirit. The ones with an adventurous appetite in the safety of the framework we have created for them. Our relaxation will be deep on a psychic level but our routine will be active and full of a range of emotions. It is an ideal experience for life’s wanderers and explorers.
Maria: What are the highlights of the tour that you are most excited about?
Valia: We will have the opportunity to enjoy both the sea and the mountain. On the one end of the road, the south part of the island, there is a beautiful sandy beach waiting for us to relax in a more typically Greek island scenery. On the other end, we will find ourselves in a mystical black pebbled beach where we can also have a beautiful fire ceremony.
As far as the mountain is concerned, hiking through the abundant plane tree forest by the river will take us to a variety of impressive waterfalls and pools we can bathe in. Moreover, we will visit the archaeological site of the Sanctuary of the Great Gods and glimpse the mysteries of ancient traditions. Finally, the picturesque main village with its castle, the tasty local Greek cuisine, and the music offered at many of these taverns will nourish our body and our soul.
“A calling to remember how much we are connected with Mother Earth and to each other. To truly remember and experience ourselves belonging to this astonishing primordial home of ours that has so much joy and beauty to offer.”
Maria: You have so many talents as a wellness practitioner, including as a yoga teacher and Thai massage therapist. What inspired you to take this path?
Valia Vlatsiou, expert practitioner of yoga, Thai massage, and relaxation techniques, and television presenter of Βότανα Καρποί της Γης (Herbs: Fruits of the Earth).
Valia: My personal experience of course! Yoga, the Sanskrit term itself meaning Union, is a vast ocean of practices that all of them offer us the opportunity to cultivate wholeness. This is the meaning of Holistic, to really experience our physical, mental, and emotional body as one in a world full of distractions. To be deeply rooted in our center and from there to alchemize and choose how to act in the world. To be fully embodied and present in our human experience and our life’s journey. To cultivate our humanity and qualities such us mindfulness, compassion, and courage. To cultivate a truly loving relationship with our very own self and a more authentic and heartful connection with the world around us. Admittedly, we live in a challenging era and all these tools coming from Yoga as well as other healing modes are much needed. Both for our personal wellbeing and for the world we co-create every single day.
Maria: You were on a public television series called Βότανα Καρποί της Γης (Herbs: Fruits of the Earth). What was this show about and what did you most enjoy when making it?
Valia: I was happy and honored to be the public face of this beautiful national documentary about herbs, nature-based therapies, tradition and reconnection to nature. Interviewing scientists to local organic farmers, making old recipes with Greek elders who grew up with these remedies and learning their stories, getting inspired by so many people, their passion, entrepreneurship initiatives and vision are just a few to mention. Travelling around Greece, walking through the mountains or other beautiful landscapes, and searching for medicinal plants, taught me a lot and allowed us to give voice and raise awareness on significant environmental, wellness, and other nature-related issues of our time.
This experience, combined with my Yoga and Healing practices, made space for a new passion to arise. That is, to invite and initiate people into a deeper relationship with inner and outer nature. Or, as it came recently, to cultivate inner and outer ecology. A calling to remember how much we are connected with Mother Earth and to each other. To truly remember and experience ourselves belonging to this astonishing primordial home of ours that has so much joy and beauty to offer.
Herbal Medicine & Wellness Retreat on Samothrace
August 25-30, 2024
Join the Greek Herbalist and Valia Vlatsiou on a 6-day experience exploring the wild landscape of the land and of the heart on the rugged island of Samothrace.