'The' yoga experience !!!

My relationship with exercise has never been a steady one. It usually goes like this: I get excited with starting some new kind of physical activity and then I'm getting even more excited with starting some newer one.... !!

In one of these 'extensive' searchings for something totally new, some alternative form of exercise which will naturally make me look fit and thin like never before.........yes, I'm still talking about physical exercise, not miracles...., I discovered yoga.

Seriously now, I think at the beginning it didn't have to do so much with exercise but more with trying to find a way for inner balance and peacefulness- probably this relates to approaching 40 but let me not get into that discussion now...!!

Actually it all started last summer in Paros.... My birthday was approaching and I said to myself...why am I not doing something only for me this year?! Enough with the social celebrations....been there, done that...anything new? So I called my friend Pierra- at that time I had only heard of the lady! I arranged a yoga session and a massage with her, I switched off my phone and I .....enjoyed every moment!

Pierra in action !!

One week after she called me to inform me of a yoga sailing trip from Paros to Naxos!! Oh wow!! I joined! What a feeling, doing yoga on the sailing boat, doing yoga at the beach....what a new experience that was!! More and more I started feeling like I could do this more: it suits me, it seems like I can follow, from an exercise point of view there are times that I might literally end up sweating like a pig and, more important, the uplifting feeling I'm getting afterwards can be unique! Let alone, it turns out not to be a costly hobby despite what people would think...

Just arrived in Naxos...getting ready for yoga at the beach!!



On the way back to Paros and in an effort to grasp the moment with my camera



I started reading and searching more about yoga. I soon found out that Paros is one of the famous international yoga destinations. Even more, there is quite a big number of locals who are following yoga lessons too. I, of course, had heard about Taos, the meditation and well-being center, in Paros. Still, I had no idea about the so many other professional people, Greeks and foreigners, who are teaching yoga in the island, and have now become permanent inhabitants. Actually, some of them have created their own retreats offering a different kind of holiday, close to nature, focusing on understanding our true inner needs and just enjoying the simple life.

The truth is that although Paros is mostly well known as a party island, especially for youngsters, it has it's other side too. It has its silent spots, which, combined with the wind can formulate quite a zen atmosphere. I myself feel quite lucky I managed to discover this. I got to know even more people who share the same thinking:

My friend Sotiria, who is passionate about yoga and teaches at Oympus gym, in Parikia



Sotiria in a rather difficult posture...although she swears it is easy!



Another interesting position....by Sotiria

Sasy who has created a really quiet and spiritual space at Okreblue, Santa Maria.



Sasy doing yoga at her own space!





The yoga space at Okreblue...simple and peaceful!



Getting into the zen atmosphere at Okreblue

And there are so many more....!!

As autumn has arrived, doing yoga in Paros can turn into a quite spiritual exercise. The island is not that crowded anymore, the big August winds have finished and as a friend says....'September is the best month ever! The first showers arrive and as they go, they take along the last remaining tourists'.

September calmness: at the little port in Naousa, Paros

Come to think of it, yoga and I....? I might actually want to sustain this relationship. Even Nikos keeps telling me...'If it makes you look and feel that calm as I see you, every time you're having a session, I'm willing to pay all the classes!!!' Men.........

Namaste!

(The word 'Namaste' is derived from Sanskrit, it literally means "bow to you" and it is used as a friendly greeting, commonly accompanied by a slight bow made with hands pressed together, palms touching and fingers pointed upwards, in front of the chest)

Locallita

Xxx

 

Defining 'narrow' ...

...from a different perspective !!

I looked up the word 'narrow' and I found the following:

'Of little breadth or width; not broad or wide; not as wide as usual or expected, limited in extent or space; affording little room'

It's official; 'narrow' doesn't sound good...!

It gets really interesting however when you see how people can give a whole new meaning to this word.

 

'Narrow' can be connected with the charming little alleys found in the Greek islands...





Walking towards Sante bar, Naousa, Paros





Sante Bar, Naousa, Paros

  

Shop in Parikia, Paros

It may actually mean taking a walk along the small island streets, to visit the fancy little boutiques, the one next to or across each other, and do some shopping ...

Shop in Parikia, Paros, selling handmade bags, hats, jewelery ....

Shop in Naousa, Paros

  

Even more, 'narrow' can be....putting a couple of chairs and a table outside in the alley, opening a bottle of Greek ouzo and enjoying some Greek mezedes (Greek tapas)...like the locals would do...

'Souvlaki' tavern, Piso Livadi, Paros

I did exactly that the other day, in Piso Livadi, in Paros.... I actually went for a 'souvlaki' and I ended up drinking and singing with some people who I just met... They had a guitar and a bouzouki with them, they started playing and singing and that was it...the mood changed, the atmosphere became festive and just like that we all became one!!

'Souvlaki News'
Check out a creative way of presenting the menu...in French!
Piso Livadi, Paros

 At moments like this you realize that defining anything in life, from simple words to life-time situations, is clearly a personal choice! To put it differently, remember the story with the half-full or half-empty glass...the image is the same for everyone but the human perception can be completely different...!

Hmmmm, let me think again...

How do I, personally, define 'narrow' when in Paros?

Would Ι use the word 'Cosy'? 'Small'? 'Friendly'? or 'Loose' and 'Relaxed'? Actually I use all the above, I add some positive attitude, the summer breeze....and I just enjoy! :-)

Xxx

Locallita

 

The Power of Nature!!!

With everything going on in Greece, the usual question I get every time I am in Paros is: 'How are things in Athens?' 'How are people holding up?' ......

Then I start hearing stories like 'I was in Athens the other day and..honestly... it wasn't looking good... gloomy faces, depressed people....I just wanted to rush back home, back to my island! ......'

At that point, depending on your patience levels (unfortunately I am still working on mine.....) you might start thinking....'OK, let me hear it....the usual story about how perfect your home town or your village is...'. Surprisingly enough, this time I heard something different....

'You know, we, here in the island, might be lacking some of the luxuries which you can easily find in the city, but when things go bad, we always have the sea and the beautiful nature all around us to heal our souls!'

Oops! Reality check! She has a point!

Lamprini, the lady I usually chat with every time I want to enjoy a good coffee by looking at the wondersful sea view, in Piso Livadi, is a lady who came with her husband in Paros 25 or more years ago, fell in love with the place and decided to live in the island. She works as a waitress in 'Captain Yiannis', my favorite coffee place! Every morning, around 7-8, she opens the cafeteria and prepares for the morning customers- here is what she needs to put up with every 'fricking' day.....please try not to feel sorry for her.....

Piso Livadi is a small ex-fishing village with its own little marina, quite picturesque, from where you can actually visit many of the not so famous little islands across, including of course the beautiful Naxos.

A number of busses is daily arriving in Piso Livadi with tourists who just want to walk around, enjoy some quality sea food, have a coffee or a drink....and relax!!

I can spend hours in 'Captain Yiannis', actually whole mornings. I bring my lap top, my books, I sometimes even work from there... I usually start with a coffee and if noon finds me there, I will order a beer. The view of Naxos across, the sound of the waves when hitting the rocks, the image of the fishermen returning from their morning shift to supply the local taverns with fresh fish......can be mind blowing!

It makes you wonder...why always rushing so hard??? Why not stop for a moment to look around, to observe nature, to learn to respect the pace of nature....?!

It actually makes you think....have I really set my priorities right....?! Am I really where I want to be?

With that in mind, let me leave you for now... It's getting dark anyway ;-)

xxx

Locallita

A New Era

I have always been into traveling!! My job has definitely helped a lot into that. I have been in places that honestly 15 years ago I would never think of…although I’m sure, if I compare my travel experiences with others’, there is still a lot to see……………..and that’s the best part about it! J

In all my travel endeavors I have come to realize that there is one, common thing I am always looking for- to feel, eat, see, walk, experience … like the locals do! Other people put it differently: Don’t be a tourist, be a traveler! Sooo true! It makes a huge difference!

As such, every time I’m organizing my next trip adventure abroad, I’m pretty known for connecting with my dear friends, living at the different places of the world, to listen to their recommendations! Don’t get me wrong…I’ll definitely go on Google and for sure I’ll buy my lonely planet!! Still, my local friends’ suggestions are invaluable! 

Lately it hit me….I can actually do the same for them! How come? Some personal choices (love you Nikos!) have led me to (re-)discover the island of Paros!

Paros is one of the many beautiful islands of Greece. It belongs to Cyclades, a complex of about 220 islands, most of them non-inhabited. Located in the middle of the South Aegean sea, Paros is home to approximately 15,000 people with many thousands of tourists visiting, every year, over the summer period.

Have you ever seen these quite typical pictures with the white/blue scenery portraying small chapels (there is a chapel everywhere in Greece!!) or people enjoying the sun and the beach??? Quite a paradise don’t you think?

Take a look at this picture…

What about this one?

About now, you are probably wondering ....where the hell is this place …and more important…why am I not there?

Well…actually…you can go there! Come and find me in Paros, Greece. J Lots to do and lots to enjoy! This blog will try to give you a flavor of places worth visiting and things doing in the island. In this blog I will be sharing with you the very best on how the locals do it, on how the ‘Parians’ enjoy the good life!

So, let the blog begin..!! Join me into this endless journey….of images, tastes and smells. Get exposed to the beauty of Paros and enjoy the ride!! J

xxx

Locallita