Recreation and revitalization in the Mani

Art therapy

Art therapy is one of the latest of recreative hobbies that can help you to rediscover yourself and move in new and exciting directions. And the awesome and invigorating environment of the Mani is the ideal place for inspired learning. Originally from Luxemburg, Britt Bernard is an extremely affable professional artist and teacher who has been living in Greece for the last 20 years. She organizes art therapy seminars in Proastio and speaks both English and Greek.
Further information: www.britt-bernard.lu

Massage and physiotherapy

There's no better way to dissolve stress than by treating yourself to a massage – especially when you're on holiday. Ronka Renert-Hager is a qualified physiotherapist/chiropractic from Germany who has been living in the neighbouring village of Neo Proastio for the past fifteen years. Extremely professional, she has enormous experience and knowledge in her field and is known to cure the toughest of back-aches. Young, upbeat, and very friendly, she speaks English, German and Greek, and enjoys a sterling reputation as the area's best physiotherapist/chiropractic. Ronka has turned down many excellent offers to work in well-known hotel spas abroad because she loves life in the Mani.
Further information: (+30) 697 949 9721

Meditation and relaxation

The Olive Garden Retreat provides an ideal relaxing point for those who are looking for an opportunity for introspection and revitalisation. Located in the hamlet of Pedino (near the village of Tseria), the retreat operates prevalently as a holiday lodge, but other guests are welcome to come and laze in a hammock, relax by the pool, or read or meditate in the garden. Courses and workshops are not just yet being offered here, but general manager Lisa is a qualified sivananda yoga and meditation teacher who is actively involved with other centres in the region that run workshop holidays.
Further information: www.olivegardenretreat.com

Meditation, therapy and contemplative seminars

If you're into meditation, re-energizing and kinetic/spiritual therapy, the Sonnenhaus is a luxurious meeting-point for therapeutic seminars of all kinds: from easy-going intellectual get-togethers to t'ai chi classes and small open-air concerts. Organized and run by qualified hypnotherapist Burgi Bläuel, the Sonnenhaus is beautiful, sumptuous Mediterranean-style villa perched on the upper steppes of neighbouring Pirgos, a village which enjoys impeccable vistas of the Messinian Gulf and silver-emerald olive groves of the outer Mani. Clean and modern, the atmosphere here is warm and inviting, and the light is exceptional. New courses are always being organized.
Further information: www.mani-sonnenlink.com

Reiki, shiatsu and yoga

Located in Aghios Nikolaos, the Spirit of Life Centre is a holiday retreat that specializes in holistic therapy. Framed within a relaxing holiday environment, the centre offers courses and workshops that include regular daily sessions in a wide variety of applications – reiki and yoga, for example, as well as certain more esoteric forums, such as dream healing (whose focus is based around the traditions of Asclepius, the ancient Greek god of healing). Spirit of Life also organize a variety of tours.
Further information: www.thespiritoflife.co.uk