Our high quality accommodation and catering is an important part of your Yoga Rocks holiday experience. If you can't find an answer to your question below, or in the other FAQ sections please e-mail us at info@yogaholidaysgreece.com

Here are some miscellaneous questions we have been asked, starting with the weather! If you can't find the answers to your questions below or in are other FAQ sections please email info@yogaholidaysgreece.com

What's the weather like? The weather is normally lovely but bring a jumper for cooler evenings at the beginning and end of the season. Check these websites for temperatures.
www.worldweatheronline.com
www.holiday-weather.com/crete/averages/
www.explorecrete.com/nature/crete-weather.html

What massage services do you have? There is always at least one kind of massage. We think it very important that a high quality massage is available for you at Yoga Rocks to complete your relaxation. We have incredibly talented masseurs ranging from oil massage and Thai massage to deep healing.

Are you really on the beach?
The retreat is just above the beach. We are equal distance from two lovely beaches, one with a taverna and umbrellas (see pic) and the other completely untouched.

Are there watersports? You can snorkel and swim at Yoga Rocks but there are no motorised water sports nearby. We have snorkels, masks and flippers you can borrow.

If there wifi available? The internet connection is slow, but will be available at various times during the week to check your mails but it will not be available at all times and is not fast enough to skype or download.

What nationalities do you have at the retreat? We have people from all over the world. Some teachers have a greater following in specific countries. In our experience people's nationalities melt away at the retreat.

What is the average age? In 2010 we had guests from 0-70 years old. We welcome all ages and there is something for all ages every week. Different teachers tend to attract younger or more mature guests. Write to us for more info.

Can't find the answer to your question? Please email us or check out these other frequently asked question categories: Booking, Paying & Travel
Yoga at the Retreat
Food & Rooms

We get asked many different questions by future guests - if you can't find your question below or our other FAQ sections please email info@yogaholidaysgreece.com

What happens once I contact you?
We will answer any specific questions you may have and if appropriate offer you two ways to pay a 25% deposit or the full amount to reserve your yoga holiday. If you don't want to confirm your place straight away we are here to answer your questions on accommodation, yoga, travel plans or anything else.

What should I do if I get no reply to my email?
We endeavour to get back to you within 24 hours so if you do not hear anything by then please write again or ring on 0044(0)20 32862586. Very occasionally mails get lost in cyber space.

Who is writing to me?
All mails are answered personally by Yoga Rocks hosts, Helen and Phil. We are happy to help you throughout the booking process and will be there during your retreat to make sure you have a great holiday.

How can I pay?
You can pay by Pay Pal or by bank transfer but your bank may charge you for the bank transfer. Once you decide by which method you want to pay, we'll email you either our bank details or a Pay Pal invoice. Pay Pal is very secure and free for you to use. If you haven't used it before just follow the instructions with your card - the verification process may take a few days. Once you've paid your deposit or the full amount your place is confirmed. If you pay a deposit we'll send you a reminder so you can pay the balance two months before the retreat begins.

Is the holiday refundable?
All holidays are fully refundable up to six weeks before start date of the retreat (including the deposit). We can give half refunds from six weeks to three weeks before the retreat start date.

I live in the UK can I pay in pounds?
Yes normally we offer the option of paying the equivalent of the euro price in pounds to save you paying exchange rate costs.

I can't find the price for the holiday
Click here: Retreats & Teachers and click on the more button for each teacher and the price is on that page. The normal price is €750-€800.

What is included and will I need money?
Accommodation, yoga and all meals except for our Friday evening meal are included in the retreat cost. Hot drinks and snacks are available at all times from the guests' kitchen. The Friday Cretan feast at a traditional taverna is normally between €10 and €14. You will also need money for transfers and maybe massage, souvenirs or drinks at a taverna. Everything at the retreat except for massage is included. The nearest cash point from the retreat is half an hour's drive away so it is good to bring euros with you or pick them up at the airport.

Where should I fly to?
You can fly to Heraklion (HER) or Chania (CHQ) aiports on Crete. Chania confusingly is sometimes written Hania though it can also be written Khania, Cania, Canea and Kania and in Greek is Xania!

Are transfers available for night flights?
Our taxi drivers are happy to pick you up any time. Some flights do get in at funny times! You can pick up a hire car from early until late.

How far and how much are the transfers from the airport to the retreat?
Both Heraklion (€110) and Chania (€120) are about one hour and forty-five minutes from the Yoga Rocks retreat by taxi. Normally you will be able to share the taxi with up to three other guests. You can also rent a car from the airport for the week. This will be about €155- a little more in high season. We arrange both car hire and taxi transfers as well as sharing these with guests arriving at similar times.

Can I have a single room?
We have a limited number of single rooms available. If one is available you will pay a €200 single supplement on most weeks. In practice it is often nice to share with another yogi and we sensitively arrange the room sharing.

Can we bring children to the retreat?
Unless the teacher has specified otherwise, we can provide for well behaved children. Please contact us over details if you want to bring kids. Those who have been so far had a great time.

Can I come alone - will I feel welcome?
Many of our guests come alone and all feel very welcome. The community atmosphere is a lovely part of the retreat and there is always room to find your own space.

I’m travelling alone does this mean I have to pay a single supplement?
No we can sensitively put you with another yogi of the same sex. If you want a single room there is a single supplement.

Can a friend come who does not want to participate in the yoga?
We welcome non participating partners, though few find they can resist joining in. For those who really don't want to do the yoga we can work out a non-participating rate on most retreats.

Can I take a bus to the retreat?
You can't get right to retreat by bus but you can get to Akoumia which is about 11km away and normally we can pick you up if you arrange it in advance. We are very happy to do this if you have made the effort to get the bus! From either airport it is three buses. They are not so regular and it would be good not to have so much luggage. If you are serious about bus-ing it we can help you organise it. Its not the most relaxing way to start a week yoga retreat if you are not used to travelling. Crete bus timetable here

What time is best to arrive?
On the first Saturday of the retreat the rooms will be ready from 14.00 but you can arrive earlier than this and have some lunch while you wait for your room to be ready, or leave your luggage and explore the beaches. You can also arrive late - there are always some late arrivals.

When must I depart?
We normally ask you to be out of your room by 10.00am on the Saturday you depart but you can then hang out at the retreat for lunch or at the beach until it is time for you to go.

Are your retreats only Saturday to Saturday or can we join at a different time, Sunday to Sunday for example?
Some weeks there may be an option to come on other arrival and departure days, depending on your flights or circumstances. Please write to us and ask.

Do you offer any discounts for families or otherwise?
Sometimes we have early bird retreat discounts, for our Facebook group or particular weeks. If you are coming with your family, want to share a room with three friends, want to come for two weeks or more or have any special requests/circumstances then let us know and we'll see what we can do.

Do you ever cancel yoga retreats due to low numbers?
No we never have and never will cancel a holiday due to low guest numbers. Guests as well as teachers have taken time out, organised flights etc and we will always run the scheduled retreat.

What happens if the teacher can not make it to their retreat week?
Thankfully not a situation we've been faced with - but if it were to happen we have expert teachers on standby who could cover the yoga retreat and all guests would have the option of attending the replacement teacher or receiving a full refund.

Can't find the answer to your question?
Please email us or check out these other frequently asked question categories: General questions
Yoga at the Retreat
Food & Rooms

There are many things to do round the retreat and further afield. Though most guests do very little and really relax, there are always options. Here's a mini guide:

Nothing
This is a popular pastime at Yoga Rocks.

Massage
There is always at least one kind of massage. We think it very important that a high quality massage is available for you at Yoga Rocks to complete your relaxation. We have had some incredibly talented masseurs ranging from oil massage and Thai massage to deep healing.

Swimming Pool & Hammock Lounge
We have a swimming pool and shaded and sunny hammock lounges.

Library & Film Night
Our library has a good selection of yoga and reading books. Sometimes we have film night if it suits the week.

Beaches & Swimming
There are four beautiful beaches within walking distance and many more if you hire a car for the week. One is completely unspoilt. There is a beach either side of the three rocks that give the area its name - Triopetra.

Snorkelling
You can snorkel - it is not prolific tropical reef but there are some nice fish and the visability can be mind blowing. Click here to check out the fish. The octopus below was spotted just below the retreat - thanks Denis for the photo.

Can we borrow snorkels?
Yes we have snorkels, masks and flippers for you to borrow.

Walking
There are lots of nice walks around the retreat.

Spili
A popular afternoon out is to go to Spili which is about forty minutes drive and has many shops for tasteful souvenirs and tavernas for, amongst other things, traditional ice coffee.

Agia Galini
Agia Galini is a pleasant seaside holiday town 30-40 minutes by car east of Triopetra. It is a busy little place and you will appreciate the peace and quiet of Yoga Rocks on your return.

Matala
A little further afield from Yoga Rocks is Matala where Joni Mitchell and lots of other hippies once lived in caves. You can see the caves, a nice beach and lots of tourist shops. Our guests have come back with completely conflicting reviews but we like it! It makes a nice addition to a day out at Phaistos.

Phaistos/Festos Palace
Crete is full of ancient history and the best place to see it within in a day trip from Yoga Rocks is Phaistos and its a spectacular setting for a palace. Click here for an interesting web page on Phaistos another webpage is here

Knossos
Knossos is too far to visit from the retreat in a day trip but you could go and see it easily on your way to Heraklion airport. It is the most famous archaeological site on Crete. This site has a lot of information on it - click here

Psiloritis/Mount Ida
Interestingly you can still see snow on the top of Psiloritis, Crete's highest mountain, from the retreat in to June - a great sensation when you come out of the yoga room into the warm sunshine wearing your shorts and vest. In Greek mythology this was where Zeus spent much of his childhood.

So much more!
There are so many things to do on Crete that are a little too far to do in day trips whist on retreat. We're happy to help if you fancy extending your holiday on the island after the retreat and using some of your new found energy to get to know anything from Europe's biggest gorge to the delights of Chania.

Here's a few of the lighter moments. While people come to retreat here, enjoy the peace and find themselves, they also bond, laugh and are silly! An amusing view of our yoga holidays showing glimpses of the joy that comes out on a yoga retreat here.

We are often asked by prospective guests which retreat, teacher or style of yoga they would enjoy most. Our short answer would be that most retreat weeks are suitable for most people. Quality and experienced teachers are one key to great yoga holidays – their care and understanding should make their particular style accessible and enjoyable to all. Having said this certain styles and retreats may appeal to different people.

Ashtanga yoga is one of the most physically demanding styles of yoga. It is set sequences of poses, either led by the teacher or taught Mysore style. In the Mysore method everyone works through a set sequence in their own time holding each position for 5 breaths, receiving help from the teacher as you need it. Ashtanga yoga retreats at Yoga Rocks are suitable for anyone, though it helps if you have a reasonable level of fitness. This style of yoga encourages fast physical changes and after a week here you will have a personal practice and the confidence to continue it at home. Some people love the physical nature of an Ashtanga retreat as by the time they have finished their morning practice they really feel they deserve making a holiday of the rest of the day on a beach with a book or in a hammock. Others if they don't soften the practice and approach it joyfully can find it a little over strenuous .

In 2012 Maria Boox teaches Mysore style here. David Williams, who first took Ashtanga to the USA, teaches led Ashtanga in a way designed to make it a lifetime practice. Danny Paradise will be teaching a more freestyle led class and he likes to include the Ashtanga pranayama (breathing) sequence. For more on this style and its founder Pattabhi Jois click here.

Vinyasa yoga owes its flowing movements supported by the breath to Ashtanga. Each Class is different and some people really enjoy the variety of yoga poses. Some teachers are very creative; others stick to more well known poses. Each pose has variations so that those who are more/less flexible or strong can benefit from going as far as they are comfortable with, in a safe way – it should be a fun, but challenging, yoga style.

At Yoga Rocks in 2012 we have David Lurey and Helen Reavill teaching vinyasa yoga, both have a very varied yoga back ground meaning that lots of different influences pop up in the flow. Over the course of a week’s retreat the focus of the classes can bounce between strong asana, restorative flow, pranayama and meditation techniques. Though the teacher leads the flow, it is often the needs of the individual groups that create it. Vinyasa builds strength and flexibility and suitable for those who are willing to move.

One popular form vinyasa flow yoga is Shiva Rea’s Prana Flow Yoga. This uplifting yoga works towards a free style flow which she calls trance dance. In 2012 we have Simon Park one of the most respected Prana Flow teachers joining Yoga Rocks from the States

Hatha yoga often refers to a gentler form of yoga. The postures are steadier and can be held a little longer while the emphasis is often on a more traditional Indian style of yoga. Those who are not so physically active often enjoy hatha yoga more. Though not as physically tough as some yoga, it reaches deep levels, gently opening you up physically and releasing stress from the body and mind. Hatha yoga is nice for those who want a gentle practice, be it beginners, or experienced yogis who know their body and mind will benefit from a softer practice. Everyone has something to gain by learning to relax in a good hatha pose – and this can sometimes only be learnt on a yoga retreat rather than in a yoga class squeezed between work and social commitments.

Sky and Daniel Stausser teach hatha yoga at Yoga Rocks in 2012. Sky and has a vast array of knowledge and yoga goodies he loves to share. His yoga is deeply rooted in traditional practice with real flair thrown into the mix. Daniel Stausser teaches a lot of meditaion and leads a very traditional and all encompassing retreat here.

Iyengar Yoga gives much emphasis to the details and integrity of the poses. Often poses are held for a longer time and props are used instead of variations. We have no pure Iyengar teachers here though Melanie Cooper will be exploring some afternoon Yin Yoga classes in her retreat here. Yin Yoga holds the poses for a very long time, so you have space to focus on alignment, allowing the body and mind to melt into deep hip openers and forward bends. It is very satisfying but also challenging as, a little like in meditation, you resist the urge to move.

Acro Yoga is partner yoga and plays with the qualities of trust and reliance. The basics are not difficult so anyone can try and it feel s nice and looks good (!) – hence the photos and films all over the internet. If you want to try some acro, whether you have done some before or not, David Lurey’s retreat would be great week for you. He’s one of only a handful of level 2 Acro Yoga teachers in the world and likes to explore the fun of this style over a few afternoons on his yoga retreat here. It is quite a nice way to get to know the other guests a bit better so tends to lead to a very sociable retreat atmosphere and it is fun.

All of the above needs to be taken with a liberal pinch of salt. Great yoga is honest, sincere and heartfelt – these qualities make for special week’s yoga on a holiday here. There are many labels attached to the various yogas simply as a way to give people an idea of what to expect.

As we said at the beginning, the safe, supported and encouraging way our teachers lead you through the yoga is more important than the style, when it comes to having a great retreat. Beginners, advanced pupils and teachers all attend most of the weeks. The calibre of our teachers mean other yoga teachers want to come on retreat to Yoga Rocks to practice and learn more, but to come as a beginner is real a gift to yourself - you will learn so much.

One thing we have not touched on is other yogic activities like pranayama (yogic breathing exercises,) meditation, or chanting which can often be enjoyed here. While some teachers like to teach some meditation as a separate session, others simply encourage and show you how to find the meditative space within your yoga practice, while others weave a sitting practice into a class.

In the meantime if you have any questions about on specific retreats here and what further yoga activities might be on offer please write and ask. Our teachers all teach from their vast knowledge and personalities, some weeks are very much yoga holidays while other weeks are deeper yoga retreats that tend to the monastic. Neither is better - they are all good for some people at some time. Feel free to write, tell us about your yoga experience and what you are looking for and we'll help you pick a suitable week. Often the highly driven look for strenuous yoga yoga when they'd benefit more from learning to relax in a more meditative class, while those that are more naturally meditative and relaxed could do with a more active class to light some fire inside them!

Finally we’d like to express that while the teacher is vital and the style may not be the most important thing, the biggest plus about the centre is not one exclusive thing. It’s a combination of world class yoga teachers, the amazing natural energy in the beautiful environment, the locally produced tasty and nutritious bounty of food that is lovingly prepared and the caring atmosphere that we, our team and our teachers create all combining to make something very special. Hopefully, at some point in the future you’ll get the opportunity to experience one of our yoga retreats.