Anchor & Align
Greece
May 25th- June 1st, 2025
Nestled in the beautiful Evia Island along the Aegean Sea, the Anchor & Align retreat is a 7-night immersive experience designed to help participants reset their body, mind, and soul through yoga, mindfulness, somatic practices, and nervous system regulation. Come and bask in the sun right next to the beautiful Aegean Sea and experience the riches of Grecian history, including a visit to the ancient temple of the goddess Athena, the Acropolis. Participants will leave with tools to anchor and align themselves amidst stress, feeling relaxed, connected, and more embodied.
This retreat is sold out. Join the waitlist in case a space opens.
Focus and Intentions
Holistic Reset
This retreat focuses on resetting the body and nervous system, supporting participants in moving into a state of rest and healing. Retrain your brain-body connection to work for you.
Authenticity & Connection:
Through practices like authentic relating and boundary work, participants will reconnect with their true selves and build meaningful relationships with others.
Embodiment & Nervous System Awareness
Guests will learn somatic techniques to regulate their nervous system, including meditation, intentional breathing, visualization, and grounding. Feel more at one with yourself and the world around you.around you.
What’s Included
1 night stay in central Athens upon arrival
6 nights in the beautiful Anandamaya Retreat Center. Located on Evia Island, Greece
3 abundant vegetarian meals per day. Can accommodate vegan/dietary restrictions
Daily yoga
Ancient Acropolis Guided Sunrise Tour
Thermal Springs Visit
Forrest hiking
Guided meditation
Yoga nidra
Polyvagal Theory workshop
Embodied boundaries workshop
Self-compassion workshop
Transport to and from the retreat center
Philosophy Yoga Sutras - Samskaras
Water ceremony
Beach day
Overview
Mindful & Somatic Awareness: Through paying attention to bodily sensations, participants will explore how a simple “yes” or “no” can shift their inner world. We’ll delve into the world of nutritious eating, emphasizing the gut-brain connection to encourage awareness of the digestive system’s role in emotional regulation.
Authentic Relating & Connection-Building: Through group exercises and discussions, participants will connect deeply with others while staying true to their authentic selves.
Yoga: Daily pranayama, meditation, and asana sessions will support participants in embodying mindfulness and inner balance.
Nervous System Knowledge: A polyvagal theory workshop will help you understand the body’s stress responses and how to regulate them through somatic markers and orienting practices. We’ll explore the vagus nerve, its role in protecting the body, and how mindful practices can stimulate a return to the parasympathetic nervous system, including practical techniques like mindful eating and breath-work. Participants will receive a handout that outlines a framework for nervous system regulation and awareness.
Emotions Workshop: A deep dive into recognizing and processing emotions, participants will learn how to stay present during difficult emotional states and understand the body’s instinctual nerve responses.
Mindfulness Practices: Mantras provide a space for shared healing through vocal expression. Loving-kindness meditation and Yoga Nidra will provide deeper layers of rest and compassionate awareness.
This retreat offers a profound opportunity for participants to restore their nervous system, reconnect with their bodies, and build meaningful, heart-centered relationships—all while soaking in the beautiful, healing energy of Greece.
Diala and Justine bring in the cutting-edge science of the mind-body connection with the modern art and ancient wisdom of movement practices. Dr. Justine Grosso is a holistic psychologist and yoga teacher who specializes in somatic approaches to stress management and healing. Diala Hamed is a Gut Health Dietitian, yoga teacher and business coach who focuses on empowering individuals to bring their heart to the forefront of their lives and goals.
Your Teachers
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Raleigh native, Diala Hamed RDN E-RYT 500, began her studies of yoga under Adi Shakti in Vinyasa and traditional Hatha yoga in Costa Rica. After years of travel and teaching yoga, she ventured off to India to earn her 500 hr certification through Akhanda Yoga School in Rishikesh. She has since taught and participated in yoga across the globe, in places throughout Europe, Asia, and Australia. As a Vipassana meditator she values the quiet space that yoga creates and enjoys sharing her learnings on and off the mat in Yoga Teacher Training and retreats around the world. Yoga has taught Diala to ride the waves of life instead of trying to fight them. She believes wherever you are in your practice is always enough, but when you’re ready she’ll give you the extra push you need to pass your expectations.
When she is not on the mat you can find her strumming her ukulele or sipping cacao reading in a comfy chair.
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Dr. Justine Grosso is a holistic psychologist and certified yoga teacher (YTT-200) with a passion for helping women reconnect with their bodies and reclaim their inner strength. Blending the science of neurobiology, positive psychology, and nervous system regulation with the art of embodied movement, she guides women to feel more grounded, empowered, and at ease in their lives.
With a doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from Baylor University and a Postdoctoral Fellowship at Duke Academic Medical Center, where she specialized in trauma and women’s health, Dr. Justine is committed to holistic, mind-body healing. Her approach is both compassionate and dynamic, rooted in the belief that healing is not just about managing symptoms—it's about thriving in joy, resilience, and authentic connection.
After completing her yoga teacher training and fellowship, she launched her own 1:1 psychotherapy practice and became a sought-after voice in the world of holistic wellness. She shares her insights and expertise on social media (@heydrjustine), through online courses, and in the media—where she’s been featured in Vogue, Newsweek, and National Geographic.
Personally, she’s found that somatic psychology, mindfulness, and yoga have transformed her life by helping her let go of control, embrace playfulness, and feel safe in her body. Ever curious and open to learning, Dr. Justine loves to explore new ways to bring more lightness, growth, and freedom into both her life and the lives of others.
Venue
Lying on the hilltop of an amphitheatric, tiny village over the northern shore of Evia island, Anandamaya is a holistic wellness resort fully immersed in slow & conscious living. Your body will naturally relax due to breathtaking views of the Aegean infinite blue, deep pine forests and olive groves.
Watch the sun rising from our Shala during your morning practice and get your energy flowing. Forests, sea breeze and wonderful landscapes will inspire your brain and nervous system to settle, while local food and nearby hot springs will keep your body fully pleased. At our house, you will experience Greek hospitality at its best and you will be served unique, homemade organic, vegetarian food (vegan and other dietary restrictions can be accommodated).
Anandamaya is three hours away from Athens and reachable by both ferry and a bridge.
We will have group transportation to and from Athens arranged.
PRICING
Shared Twin Room
$3,493 $2,993
Earlybird Pricing
All rooms are shared with two twin beds.
Two guests per room.
A $500 deposit is required to reserve your space.
The remaining payment is due in two parts on January 16th and April 1st, 2025.
This retreat is sold out. Join the waitlist in case a space opens.
Save $500 when you book before December 16th, 2024
Save $500 when you book before December 16th, 2024
Flow of the day
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner served at the retreat center
Group excursions throughout the week
Plenty of free time to relax OR add-on your own excursions
A more active vinyasa/power/flow morning session and a more passive yin/restorative/gentle evening session
All classes are suitable for all levels. Beginners welcome.
*All activities are optional*
Sample Itinerary
7:00-7:30 AM Meditation/Journaling
7:30-9:00 AM Morning Yoga
9:00 AM Breakfast
9:00-12:00 PM Free time for relaxing on the property, hiking local trails, or going for longer excursions like thermal pools & waterfall hikes
12:00 PM Lunch
1:00-4:00 PM Free time for relaxing, beach time, massage & spa services, or other excursions.
4:30-6:30 PM Evening yoga session or workshop
6:30 PM Dinner
7:30 PM Relax or group activity like a sharing circle, yoga nidra, or water ceremony
FAQs
Do I need to be good at yoga and can beginners join?
Beginners are absolutely welcome. These retreats offer longer practices with more time to dive into instruction and the purpose of each pose. The instructors work individually with you to correct alignment, achieve goals, and answer any questions. It’s a great way to start your practice, equipping you with every tool you’ll need for a successful yoga journey.
What can I expect daily?
You can expect a yoga practice once or twice daily. When there are two classes, one will be more active vinyasa style in the morning, and the other will be a gentle, yin, or restorative evening flow. Our teachers are highly qualified and incorporate yogic wisdom, pranayama (breathing practices), and mantra throughout each class.
Between classes, you are free to explore the area, go on excursions like surfing and paddle boarding, or enjoy a spa service. Our international retreats focus on cultural immersion and education around the history of the land and offer many opportunities for optional activities. Local mountain and beach retreats focus on outdoor activities and connecting with nature. Through other local retreats, take a deep dive into the practice through optional informative sessions on ancient yogic principles, nutrition, and more.
What is the typical retreat group size?
This retreat will be limited to 10 participants.
Who typically attends yoga retreats?
We have a variety of attendees with a wide range of ages and backgrounds. We appreciate variety and the wisdom that each person brings from their unique background. Our international retreats include guests from all over the globe, and our local retreats tend to attract more North Carolina residents.
Do I need to know someone going already?
Most of our attendees are solo, but we sometimes have couples, friends, daughter-mom duos, etc. All are welcome.
What kind of meals are served, and will my dietary restriction be an issue?
Our retreats include vegetarian meals with occasional fish. We gladly accommodate all diet restrictions and allergies. Our retreat host Diala is a licensed Dietitian Nutritionist who ensures our delicious meals are packed with fuel for our transformational experiences! As they say, yoga starts in the kitchen.
What does the rooming situation look like?
For this retreat, all rooms are shared between two guests. Each room has two twin beds.
How do I book?
Bookings can be made on our website on the retreat page once the retreat is open for registration. A $500 nonrefundable deposit is required to hold your space, and the remaining payment is due in two parts before the start date of the retreat. You can also pay in full, or make a custom payment plan that concludes before the start of the retreat.