Course Calendar

Explore Your Potential and Meet Like-Minded People in Stunning Locations

width, depth and excellence

• Greece - Atsitsa Bay AT4

  SAT 19 - FRI 1 SEP 2017

  £1,385.00

  Book

• Landscape Adventure, T'ai Chi

  Richard Layzell

  Yoga with Awareness

  Ken Eyerman

  Windsurfing

  Mark Gunston

  The Joy of Singing

  Sarah Warwick

  Watercolour Reimagined

  Cate Whittemore

  The Core of Good Fiction Writing

  Lisa O'Donnell

  Alexander Technique, Movement

  Judy Hammond

  Your Best Year Ever, Comedy

  Andrew Risner

Landscape Adventure, T'ai Chi Landscape Adventure An invitation to discover and explore your creativity in a new way. Something happens to us when we are in nature. We become less constrained and our senses are reawakened. In the unique, visually explosive environment of Skyros Island, we will use observation, building, drawing, writing and spontaneity to connect to our creative selves. There will be several exciting projects on offer: unusual approaches to drawing, experimenting with photography, creating a visual journal, exploring the miniature and the monumental, assembling sculptures in nature, and interactive experiences to heighten our senses. In his work as an artist, Richard has developed a unique "experiential" approach to the landscape. His love of Skyros Island, with its distinctive light, colours, wildlife and flora, along with his wide experience of teaching, facilitating and mentoring artists, makes him ideally suited to uncovering your creative potential in an amazingly rich environment. He's also well known for his celebration of play and humour. T'ai Chi An introduction to T'ai Chi and Mindfulness in the spectacular landscape of Atsitsa.

Richard Layzell Richard is an award-winning artist who exhibits and performs worldwide. His expertise includes performance art, photography, sculpture, film-making, design, drawing and creative writing. With over 20 years experience in group facilitation, Richard regularly runs workshops in creativity in the UK and internationally. He loves working with groups of all kinds – recent highlights include dancers in Taipei, taxi drivers in Shanghai, students in Prague, learning disabled people in Glasgow and nursery school children in Essex.  He has shown his work at Tate Britain and the South Bank Centre in London. In 2014 he co-directed and designed GLORY, a major commission for the Commonwealth Games at the Tramway in Glasgow. He lectures nationwide, leads a degree course at the University of the Arts in London and regularly works as a mentor to other artists. He has also worked as an artist in business, with the mission to bring more lightheartedness and community spirit to the workplace. He is known for his playful and irreverent sense of humour and for inspiring creative risk taking. He delights in supporting other people to (re)discover and develop their spontaneity and creativity.

Yoga with Awareness In a focused and yet playful way, experience how Ken integrates Yoga with Feldenkrais. These yoga classes and moving meditation sessions are suitable for all levels, including complete beginners and those who have injuries or are restricted in their movement. The intuitive and spontaneous hands-on approach emphasizes the benefits of using your breath and developing an awareness of your inner process. Holiday participants will learn to use their bodies with intelligence, awareness and efficiency. The Eyerman Technique will ease you into new postures while encouraging you to explore movement in a way that is both developmental and restorative. Ken seeks to work with you, by developing core movement, and helping you tune into the constant flow of life energy essential to maintaining health and clarity of mind. Ken's yoga courses in Atsitsa are included as 'One of the 5 Best Yoga Holidays' on the Healthista website and listed as the 'Best holiday for those with injuries', describing the yoga as 'great for people who want a slower pace, including complete beginners and those who have injuries or are restricted in their movement.'

Ken Eyerman With over thirty five years experience, Ken is an American who has worked as a movement therapist, having studied dance and psychology. Previously he worked at the London Contemporary Dance School as bodyworker in residence. Ken is trained in The Feldenkrais Method, Awareness Through Movement and has a busy private practice at Natureworks/ Danceworks in London. As well as regular yoga workshops, Ken offers his Yoga with Awareness holidays internationally and returns to Skyros for his 25th season! He is the author of an inspirational book, Massage and was named as one of the Londons top three masseurs by the Evening Standard. The Ken Eyerman School of Bodywork and Movement is affiliated to the Institute of Complementary Medicine.

Windsurfing Beginners: This course is aimed at complete beginners and covers the basic skills required to learn this exciting sport. The majority of the time is spent on the water. Windsurfing will help improve your coordination, flexibility and strength. The course will challenge you but the emphasis is on enjoyment. You will be encouraged to take intelligent risks and develop an awareness of your environment. During most of the summer you will only need to wear swimwear, though we recommend that you bring your own wet shoes. At the beginning and end of the season it may be necessary to wear a shortie wetsuit, which will be provided. It is not necessary to be a strong swimmer or athletic to learn windsurfing. However, a basic level of mobility and some confidence in the water is required. Students may continue onto the Improvers class in the 2nd half of the session of a 2 week session. Improvers: This is a series of drop in classes suitable for those with previous experience. An ability to sail away from the beach, turn around and sail back is the only minimum requirement. It is also open to those who took part in the Learn to Windsurf course during the first half of a 2 week session. Each class will take the form of a short clinic followed by on water practice. Continued coaching and feedback will be available or you can just practice without instruction.

Mark Gunston Mark has been teaching Windsurfing for 30 years and is a qualified RYA Windsurfing Trainer. He managed a watersports centre in Cornwall for 6 years and during the late 1980s worked at a Windsurfing Club on the Sea of Galilee. He has taught at a variety of centres in England, Greece, Sardinia and San Francisco and is one of the UK’s most experienced Windsurfing teachers. In 1998 he established and managed a Fitness Centre in New Delhi. Mark qualified as an internationally licensed Ski Instructor in 2001 and has worked in Austria, France, Italy, Spain and Vermont as a Ski Instructor, Ski Guide and Resort Manager. He is also a certified  Life Coach. Mark has been teaching in Atsitsa since 1996. Mark is now realising a life times ambition and is studying 'Film' full time at University.

The Joy of Singing If you can talk, you can sing! Join this course, run by an exceptional singer with three number one dance hits in the UK, and experience the power of sound and song. Whether you are new to singing, or have some experience, this course will be an exciting journey of vocal discoveries. Using breath, movement, dance, song, improvisation, harmony, toning and more, you will be given the opportunity to sing and create. Free your voice, increase your confidence, enjoy self-expression, ignite your creativity and stimulate healing on all levels. No solo singing required unless desired!

Sarah Warwick Sarah Warwick is a singer, songwriter, teacher, conference energizer & corporate team-builder. She has had ten years of international success, mostly under the stage name Sarah Washington. She has had three top thirty hits in the UK charts and three number 1 dance hits. A highly experienced teacher, she trained with Chris James in the Art of Healing Sound. Sarah is passionate about helping others find their natural voice, and bring joy and healing through song. She facilitates courses in singing and songwriting, and the power of healing sound, and regularly teaches for Skyros. She also regularly runs singing and sound healing courses in China. She has been running her choir, The Singing Hearts, for the last eight years. She has recorded two CDs, one of her own songs Pure Love, and the second CD is of The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran, in which Sarah has created a haunting and beautiful musical interpretation of the Gibran timeless masterpiece.

Watercolour Reimagined Painting Can Be a Solace A fun and supportive approach to a new kind of landscape painting experience, which will free you in unexpected and productive ways:  you will experience a positive creative self,  develop your ability to tune in to your inner currents, have enhanced color competency and observational skills, and feel a sense of connection to the natural world.  Catherine Whittemore is an experienced painting teacher and creativity guide,  with a uniquely freeing approach to watercolor. She has developed a playful series  of color ‘bloom’ explorations which delight, support, and inspire participants. What people say about Cate and her course: The painting course with Cate was amazing! She is very encouraging , interested and manages to open up peoples creative side. Inspiring, engaging and made the art of watercolours super accessible and fun. Cate was an excellent teacher, she inspired confidence and was very supportive - everyone in the class developed really well and I did both weeks as she was such a good teacher. Lovely. Did Cate’s watercolour both weeks. Thoroughly enjoyed her energy, knowledge and generosity. Cate is warm and wonderfully experimental. She made it fun and safe and was endlessly positive and encouraging. Cate is magical. Fantastic art course, relaxed and playful and creative. Painting was very good with lots of ideas and feedback from Cate.

Cate Whittemore A professional set painter, realizing backdrops for myriad Broadway productions,  movies, and TV, Catherine has a familiarity with many materials and styles, which fluency informs and inspires her work and her teaching.  Her works embody both classical and contemporary technique, figurative and non-objective imagery.  She loves to find metaphysical meaning in viewing and making visual art. She facilitates creative watercolor courses privately and @ skyros.com. 2014  Botanical Illustration Certificate  Margaret Mee Foundation 2000  Master’s Degree in Drawing & Painting/ U of MN 1982  International Alliance of Stage Employees Membership  1977-79 Apprentice & Teaching Assistant @ The Studio and Forum of Stage Design / NYC 1975  Studio Arts Bachelors Degree / Connecticut College Her work has been collected and exhibited internationally. She has been honored by the support of  numerous artist residencies, including @ La Scuola Di Grafica in Venice, Italy, and The Athens School of Fine Arts in Hydra, Greece. In 2011, she was honored to design a poster for the World PeaceKalachakra of the Dalai Lama in Washington DC.  She is a registered Golden Art Company Artist Educator.   In 2017 she is curating an unusual exhibit at The Anderson Center for Interdisciplinary Studies, of the sometimes unlikely processes which important inventions and works of art come into being, entitled “THERE IS A LADDER”.

The Core of Good Fiction Writing Taught by award winning writer Lisa O'Donnell The Core of Good Fiction is a writing course suitable for beginners and those who wish to develop an existing novel idea. Over the course we will look at the importance of Character and Voice. How dialogue moves your fiction. The importance of Storytelling. We will look at how to write an Opening that hooks your reader. There will be workshops on how experience can shape your work, focusing on the art of description. We will also consider the choices we make as a writer when embarking on our stories. People write for all kinds of reasons, this course isn't just about getting published, it's about finding your authentic voice and giving you the writer the tool to tell the stories deep inside yourself and in a supportive and encouraging community. What people say about Lisa and her course: Really enjoyed writing. Lisa’s one-to-ones were over and above. Really appreciated. Writing teacher very generous and supportive to everyone. Writing with Lisa was wonderful. I discovered my writers voice in the writing course.

Lisa O'Donnell Lisa O'Donnell is an award winning author from Glasgow. She has written two books Closed Doors and The Death of Bees, which won The Commonwealth Book Prize in 2013 and an ALEX Award presented by The American Library Association in 2014. Lisa also writes screenplays and won The Orange Prize for New Screenwriters in 2000. She was also shortlisted for The Dennis Potter Award in the same year. Lisa graduated with an MLitt in Creative Writing from the University of Glasgow and also teaches creative writing for Curtis Brown Creative and was a Visiting Lecturer at City London University. She is also a mentor on The Womentoring Project.

Alexander Technique, Movement Alexander Technique A highly experiential, user-friendly introduction to the concepts and practices of the world renowned Alexander Technique - the gentle, natural way to refine the way we use our bodies in everyday life and in the gym, movement and dance classes, sports, singing, playing an instrument, driving, riding a bicycle. Side effects are very positive - a great antidote for depression, anxiety, insomnia. And it's terrific fun learning in a group. Transformational Movement In just a few days we can benignly change our postural and movement patterns so that we feel and look better, and learn simple but highly effective movements to practise all through life to maintain muscle tone and good alignment. Course content will include movements inspired by Pilates, tai chi/chi qong, yoga and dance, always placing the Alexander principles of safe use of the spine and joints at the heart of the work. In addition, Judy will be pleased to offer Greek dance and/or Egyptian dance as evening activities.

Judy Hammond Judy Hammond, B.Ed., ANATD, MSTAT, has been teaching Alexander Technique for thirty years and for a similar time has been practising yoga, Pilates and tai chi/chi qong. She has teaching qualifications in classical ballet and folk and classical Egyptian dance, and has choreographed, directed and performed in many dance events. She loves to combine her skills and experience to offer very practical, enjoyable movement and alignment classes, where people can see and feel themselves and others making positive changes quickly and easily.

Your Best Year Ever, Comedy Your Best Year Ever With a warm heart and a twinkle in his eye, Andrew will guide you through multi sensory processes and games to help facilitate you to determine how and what your Best Year Ever will look and feel like. Then, layer upon layer, he will work together with you to literally transform you into the person who can confidently create, pursue, and maximize those dreams. You will leave with a clear picture of what your best year ever will look like together with tools and strategies of how to implement it once at home. A complimentary coaching session will be available after the course for anyone completing the workshop. Comedy Improvisation Anyone can improvise if they allow themselves to play. Improvisation IS NOT about being the smartest, being the funniest or being right. It is about accessing the creativity that already exists within us. During this course we will learn how to have fun simply by following a few basic techniques that allow anybody to let go and have fun. Improvisation is an attitude, a way of behaving that allows one person, or a group of people, to innovate and create instantly by using their own sense of trust, truth, acceptance and creativity.  Anyone can improvise if they allow themselves to play. Improvisation IS NOT about being the smartest, being the funniest or being right. It is about accessing the creativity that already exists within all of us.

Andrew Risner Andrew Risner is a leading trainer, facilitator and coach who has been leading transformational workshops since 2001. He is an as empathic and sensitive facilitator who is able to create and maintain an atmosphere of trust and respect and brings a wealth of fun and insight to his workshops. His programmes help individuals fully realise the dormant resources within themselves, whilst helping them raise self-awareness and self-belief. As well as being an NLP Master Practitioner and certified hypnotherapist, Andrew spent time as a member of the magic circle and stand up comedian.

• Call for Availability - Greece - Skyros Centre SC4

  SAT 19 - FRI 1 SEP 2017

  £1,385.00

  Book

• Writing Your Story (WL)

  Monique Roffey

  Writing from Life (WL)

  Monique Roffey

  Awaken the Soul: The Joy of Burnout (HW)

  Dina Glouberman

  Awaken the Soul: New Beginnings (HW)

  Dina Glouberman

  Pop Choir

  Richard Lewis

  Songwriting Workshop

  Richard Lewis

  Morning Yoga & Treatments

  Katrina Love Senn

Writing Your Story (WL) Week One: Writing Your Story If you have a strong true story to tell, and have been wondering how to start writing about it, this 5-day course is for you. I will introduce you to essential ideas and questions you must consider before starting to write a memoir. Through presentations, hand-outs, discussions and writing exercises, we will examine how to write about the truth, what decisions are necessary to make, issues around subjectivity and taboo material and the notion of bearing witness to true events. Subjects covered include what makes a good memoir and why write one, truth telling; when are you ready to write? Capturing the right tone; the reflective voice, resonance; getting started, fragments and sketches. You will need a photo of your younger self.

Monique Roffey Monique Roffey is an award-winning Trinidadian-born writer. Her forthcoming novel The Tryst, will be published in the summer of 2017. Her novel House of Ashes, 2014, was shortlisted for the COSTA Fiction Award, 2014, as well as the OCM BOCAS Award 2015. Archipelago won the OCM BOCAS Award for Caribbean Literature in 2013 and was shortlisted for the Orion Award 2014.  In 2010, her novel The White Woman on the Green Bicycle was shortlisted for the Orange Prize and the Encore Award. Her erotic memoir With the Kisses of his Mouth caused controversy and critical acclaim in 2011. She is a Lecturer in Creative Writing at Manchester Metropolitan University and also a writer in residence at a school in London for First Story.

Writing from Life (WL) Week Two: Writing from Life Using meditations, handouts and exercises, you will be prompted to reflect on aspects of your life and write about and share these insights. Please bring notebooks, sketchbooks, photos and ideas. This is a course designed to provoke the unconscious and to delve into long-term patterns. We will look at the different forms of life writing and how to play with and adapt true stories into fiction or poetry.

Monique Roffey Monique Roffey is an award-winning Trinidadian-born writer. Her forthcoming novel The Tryst, will be published in the summer of 2017. Her novel House of Ashes, 2014, was shortlisted for the COSTA Fiction Award, 2014, as well as the OCM BOCAS Award 2015. Archipelago won the OCM BOCAS Award for Caribbean Literature in 2013 and was shortlisted for the Orion Award 2014.  In 2010, her novel The White Woman on the Green Bicycle was shortlisted for the Orange Prize and the Encore Award. Her erotic memoir With the Kisses of his Mouth caused controversy and critical acclaim in 2011. She is a Lecturer in Creative Writing at Manchester Metropolitan University and also a writer in residence at a school in London for First Story.

Awaken the Soul: The Joy of Burnout (HW) Week One: Awaken the Soul: The Joy of Burnout Do you yearn for more joy and fulfilment?  Are you feeling burnt out, stressed, ill, exhausted, disconnected, or just surviving without thriving? Are your head and heart at war?  It’s all a sign that it is time for a turning point in your life. In this course, we will map out the path from where you are back to your authentic self and forward into a new set of choices.  This will include learning how to: Find a metaphor that gives you a map of where you are in your life right now Discover whatever may have been blocking your way and find a way through Forgive life and yourself for whatever hasn’t gone as you dreamed Learn to listen to the voices of heart and soul and integrate them with your mind Consider what are your choices at this moment and find your best way forward Set intentions that you can carry through effectively This is a crash course in using  your ‘genius imagination’ to guide yourself from where you are to a new joy and a new sense of what is possible. There is a wonderful spiritual tradition that says that when we are living our everyday lives in an everyday way, the soul just rests or even sleeps.  But when we are in crisis, or looking for change, or wrestling with something that our ordinary  mind doesn’t know how to deal with, the soul wakes up. And then life begins to move to a whole new level. This course at the Skyros Centre, which is also available as two one-week courses, is about waking the soul, listening carefully to what your heart and soul are whispering, and then figuring out how to follow their call. They are also trainings in working with imagery so that you can be your own therapist and wise consultant every day of your life. While the first week is called The Joy of Burnout and the second week is called New Beginnings, you don’t need to be burnt out to do week one, or having a new beginning to do week two.  Do you want to make the most of your precious life right now? And to find a new way to navigate your life in future? Then these courses are for you.  Since you are what you imagine, if where you are is not where you want to be, why not learn to imagine better? You will be able to emerge from these workshops with the clarity and confidence to take your next step in life. You will also have a magic box of tools, indeed a new way of thinking, that you can use to understand, protect, and guide yourself, not just during the workshop but for the rest of your life. These courses are suitable for complete beginners in imagery and visualisation as well as for those who are experienced in using this approach. Prepare to be surprised. Your images by their very nature don’t always tell you what you expect; rather they will show you what you know deep down inside but haven’t yet told yourself, and they always point the way to transformation. They are based on my books, Life Choices, Life Changes, The Joy of Burnout, and You are what you imagine Don’t forget you can always get free downloads of book chapters or MP3s of imagery exercises, or buy any of Dina's books or MP3s of imagery exercises at www.dinaglouberman.com

Dina Glouberman Dr Dina Glouberman is a world expert in the creative imagination. She is the visionary co-founder of Skyros Holidays, the author of the classic best-selling books Life Choices, Life Changes, The Joy of Burnout and You Are What You Imagine: Three Steps to a New Beginning Using Imagework and an international trainer, coach, speaker and psychotherapist. For over thirty years, she has been a pioneer in creating, teaching, and practicing the use of Imagework, the groundbreaking process that harnesses the imagination to guide our lives and create positive life choices and profound life changes. She is launching her unmissable memoir, Into the Woods and Out Again: Unconventional Wisdom for a Post-Truth World (Karnac Books) in early 2018. To find out more about Dina Glouberman's approach and her books and courses, and to get free downloads, visit her website, www.dinaglouberman.com What people say about Dina Glouberman:  Dina Glouberman is wise and witty and an inspirational teacher. Sue Townsend Dina Glouberman is a home-maker of the spirit. Margaret Drabble When I did your course in Skyros in 1994, I nicknamed you the Yehudi Menuhin of therapy, and your work reminded me of a fabulous painting with a lot of fine brushstrokes. Now I feel you are actually the art gallery itself. Vivienne

Awaken the Soul: New Beginnings (HW) Week Two: Awaken the Soul: New Beginnings Are you wanting to take your next step in life, but not sure what and how, not certain you can do it, or worried about what the price may be? It all starts with getting to a Yes. Saying Yes is a commitment to take whatever is brewing within you into a new behaviour, a new attitude, or a new way of life. An unqualified Yes sets the next stage into motion, opening you to the intuitions, research, actions, and persistence in the face of difficulties.  Next comes the plan, the how, the steps.  It also helps to acknowledge what could stop you and how to get past it. Most important, you need to have a clear and happy sense of the life you are working to create. In this course we will: Find out what your vision of your life is right now Learn how to create or heal relationships See what a healthy life would look like Take a trip into two possible futures and find out which you want Map out the steps to your new future, and take a leap of faith into a new reality. Another crash course in your ‘genius imagination’ that will leave you surprised and delighted. An interesting spiritual tradition says that when we are living our everyday lives in an everyday way, the soul just rests or even sleeps. But when we are in crisis, or looking for change, or wrestling with something that our ordinary mind doesn't quite know how to deal with, the soul wakes up. And then life begins to move to a whole new level.  Both courses during these two weeks at the Skyros Centre are about listening to the soul's whispers. It may be time to wake your soul, listen carefully to what your heart and soul are whispering and then figure out how to follow their call. This is the thing that Dina most loves to help people to do. In addition, these two weeks are a crash course in working with imagery so that you can be your own therapist and wise consultant every day of your life.  While the first week is called The Joy of Burnout and the second is called New Beginnings, you don't need to be burnt out do week one, or to be having a new beginning to do week two. Since you are what you imagine, if where you are is not where you want to be, why not learn to imagine better? You will be able to emerge from these workshops with the clarity and confidence to take your next step in life. You will also have a magic box of tools, indeed a new way of thinking, that you can use to understand, protect, and guide yourself, not just during the workshop but for the rest of your life. These courses are suitable for complete beginners in imagery and visualisation as well as for those who are experienced in using this approach. Prepare to be surprised. Your images by their very nature don’t always tell you what you expect; rather they will show you what you know deep down inside but haven’t yet told yourself, and they always point the way to transformation. They are based on my books, Life Choices, Life Changes, The Joy of Burnout, and You are what you imagine Don’t forget you can always get free downloads of book chapters or MP3s of imagery exercises, or buy any of Dina's books or MP3s of imagery exercises at www.dinaglouberman.com

Dina Glouberman Dr Dina Glouberman is a world expert in the creative imagination. She is the visionary co-founder of Skyros Holidays, the author of the classic best-selling books Life Choices, Life Changes, The Joy of Burnout and You Are What You Imagine: Three Steps to a New Beginning Using Imagework and an international trainer, coach, speaker and psychotherapist. For over thirty years, she has been a pioneer in creating, teaching, and practicing the use of Imagework, the groundbreaking process that harnesses the imagination to guide our lives and create positive life choices and profound life changes. She is launching her unmissable memoir, Into the Woods and Out Again: Unconventional Wisdom for a Post-Truth World (Karnac Books) in early 2018. To find out more about Dina Glouberman's approach and her books and courses, and to get free downloads, visit her website, www.dinaglouberman.com What people say about Dina Glouberman:  Dina Glouberman is wise and witty and an inspirational teacher. Sue Townsend Dina Glouberman is a home-maker of the spirit. Margaret Drabble When I did your course in Skyros in 1994, I nicknamed you the Yehudi Menuhin of therapy, and your work reminded me of a fabulous painting with a lot of fine brushstrokes. Now I feel you are actually the art gallery itself. Vivienne

Pop Choir Week One: Pop Choir Every day we will make some music together before dinner. What happens depends on who comes! We will sing, play instruments, or maybe just resort to singing the whole of Mama Mia! Let's see. No previous experience or expertise is needed to join in, and anyone who can play please bring an instrument which will be put to good use.

Richard Lewis Richard has spent his professional life working in studios and on stages as a composer and producer creating songs, commercials, and TV soundtracks. Music is also his passion which he loves to share with everyone, whether they are experienced or tentative. There’s nothing more fun than playing, singing, or writing a tune together with others, especially when the pressure to perform well is taken away. He's also trained in Gestalt, and interested in the creative process, and how to overcome blocks which hold us back from fully expressing ourselves. He first came to Skyros 20 years ago, has run many courses, and is proud to be part of the team.

Songwriting Workshop Week Two: Songwriting Workshop Write a song, sing it and play it. A simple 4 day course to help you find the song in you, write it, accompany yourself, and maybe perform it to the group. No previous experience or expertise is needed to join in, and anyone who can play please bring an instrument which will be put to good use.

Richard Lewis Richard has spent his professional life working in studios and on stages as a composer and producer creating songs, commercials, and TV soundtracks. Music is also his passion which he loves to share with everyone, whether they are experienced or tentative. There’s nothing more fun than playing, singing, or writing a tune together with others, especially when the pressure to perform well is taken away. He's also trained in Gestalt, and interested in the creative process, and how to overcome blocks which hold us back from fully expressing ourselves. He first came to Skyros 20 years ago, has run many courses, and is proud to be part of the team.

Morning Yoga & Treatments Skyros Centre course participants are welcome to attend a gentle pre-breakfast yoga class in the mornings. This class is a great way to start the day. Wear loose comfortable clothing.  Katrina Love Senn teaches Healing Hatha Yoga which is her own signature blend of yoga, breathing, stretching, visualisation, intention and personal enquiry. It helps students to strengthen their body-mind connection, activating richer levels of creativity and spirituality. Katrina's classes draw on her extensive experience teaching at international healing retreat centres around the world. She infuses her yoga classes with kindness, compassion and a sense of play. Her classes are suitable for students of all levels including beginners. For Katrina, yoga is a powerful tool for total transformation. Through the practice of yoga, you give yourself a gift; a safe space to look within, gaining new insights and using these as a chance to see all the answers that reside inside of you. Being on the mat, is a way that you can heal, build strength and find the courage to take a powerful step forward in your life. Yoga can help to transform and shift any area of your life including your health, your career, and even your relationship to self and others. It can help you to get clear on your old stories, default habits, limitations and fears so that you can move beyond them if you choose to.  Yoga gives you a platform to find your edge and play with it, so that you can go beyond that which you thought was even possible, and create a body and life that you dream of!

Katrina Love Senn Katrina Love Senn is an international yoga teacher, healer and author of the ground breaking book 'Losing Weight is a Healing Journey: A Woman’s Guide to Losing Weight Naturally'. On her healing journey, she lost over 60 pounds for good as well as healed a number of chronic health conditions, including asthma, eczema and adrenal exhaustion, with no diets, drugs or deprivation. She is a natural intuitive and has a fun, warm and heart-centred approach to living and life. She infuses her gentle yoga classes with inspiration, love, kindness and encouragement. Based at The Skyros Centre throughout the season, Katrina is excited to offer massage treatments, along with her signature Break-through Healing Sessions. Her massage treatments and healing sessions are based upon how she healed and transformed her own life using a range of gentle healing tools.

• Call for Availability - Greece - Skyros Centre SC4 Wk 1

  SAT 19 - SAT 26 AUG 2017

  £745.00

  Book

• Writing Your Story (WL)

  Monique Roffey

  Awaken the Soul: The Joy of Burnout (HW)

  Dina Glouberman

  Pop Choir

  Richard Lewis

  Morning Yoga & Treatments

  Katrina Love Senn

Writing Your Story (WL) Week One: Writing Your Story If you have a strong true story to tell, and have been wondering how to start writing about it, this 5-day course is for you. I will introduce you to essential ideas and questions you must consider before starting to write a memoir. Through presentations, hand-outs, discussions and writing exercises, we will examine how to write about the truth, what decisions are necessary to make, issues around subjectivity and taboo material and the notion of bearing witness to true events. Subjects covered include what makes a good memoir and why write one, truth telling; when are you ready to write? Capturing the right tone; the reflective voice, resonance; getting started, fragments and sketches. You will need a photo of your younger self.

Monique Roffey Monique Roffey is an award-winning Trinidadian-born writer. Her forthcoming novel The Tryst, will be published in the summer of 2017. Her novel House of Ashes, 2014, was shortlisted for the COSTA Fiction Award, 2014, as well as the OCM BOCAS Award 2015. Archipelago won the OCM BOCAS Award for Caribbean Literature in 2013 and was shortlisted for the Orion Award 2014.  In 2010, her novel The White Woman on the Green Bicycle was shortlisted for the Orange Prize and the Encore Award. Her erotic memoir With the Kisses of his Mouth caused controversy and critical acclaim in 2011. She is a Lecturer in Creative Writing at Manchester Metropolitan University and also a writer in residence at a school in London for First Story.

Awaken the Soul: The Joy of Burnout (HW) Week One: Awaken the Soul: The Joy of Burnout Do you yearn for more joy and fulfilment?  Are you feeling burnt out, stressed, ill, exhausted, disconnected, or just surviving without thriving? Are your head and heart at war?  It’s all a sign that it is time for a turning point in your life. In this course, we will map out the path from where you are back to your authentic self and forward into a new set of choices.  This will include learning how to: Find a metaphor that gives you a map of where you are in your life right now Discover whatever may have been blocking your way and find a way through Forgive life and yourself for whatever hasn’t gone as you dreamed Learn to listen to the voices of heart and soul and integrate them with your mind Consider what are your choices at this moment and find your best way forward Set intentions that you can carry through effectively This is a crash course in using  your ‘genius imagination’ to guide yourself from where you are to a new joy and a new sense of what is possible. There is a wonderful spiritual tradition that says that when we are living our everyday lives in an everyday way, the soul just rests or even sleeps.  But when we are in crisis, or looking for change, or wrestling with something that our ordinary  mind doesn’t know how to deal with, the soul wakes up. And then life begins to move to a whole new level. This course at the Skyros Centre, which is also available as two one-week courses, is about waking the soul, listening carefully to what your heart and soul are whispering, and then figuring out how to follow their call. They are also trainings in working with imagery so that you can be your own therapist and wise consultant every day of your life. While the first week is called The Joy of Burnout and the second week is called New Beginnings, you don’t need to be burnt out to do week one, or having a new beginning to do week two.  Do you want to make the most of your precious life right now? And to find a new way to navigate your life in future? Then these courses are for you.  Since you are what you imagine, if where you are is not where you want to be, why not learn to imagine better? You will be able to emerge from these workshops with the clarity and confidence to take your next step in life. You will also have a magic box of tools, indeed a new way of thinking, that you can use to understand, protect, and guide yourself, not just during the workshop but for the rest of your life. These courses are suitable for complete beginners in imagery and visualisation as well as for those who are experienced in using this approach. Prepare to be surprised. Your images by their very nature don’t always tell you what you expect; rather they will show you what you know deep down inside but haven’t yet told yourself, and they always point the way to transformation. They are based on my books, Life Choices, Life Changes, The Joy of Burnout, and You are what you imagine Don’t forget you can always get free downloads of book chapters or MP3s of imagery exercises, or buy any of Dina's books or MP3s of imagery exercises at www.dinaglouberman.com

Dina Glouberman Dr Dina Glouberman is a world expert in the creative imagination. She is the visionary co-founder of Skyros Holidays, the author of the classic best-selling books Life Choices, Life Changes, The Joy of Burnout and You Are What You Imagine: Three Steps to a New Beginning Using Imagework and an international trainer, coach, speaker and psychotherapist. For over thirty years, she has been a pioneer in creating, teaching, and practicing the use of Imagework, the groundbreaking process that harnesses the imagination to guide our lives and create positive life choices and profound life changes. She is launching her unmissable memoir, Into the Woods and Out Again: Unconventional Wisdom for a Post-Truth World (Karnac Books) in early 2018. To find out more about Dina Glouberman's approach and her books and courses, and to get free downloads, visit her website, www.dinaglouberman.com What people say about Dina Glouberman:  Dina Glouberman is wise and witty and an inspirational teacher. Sue Townsend Dina Glouberman is a home-maker of the spirit. Margaret Drabble When I did your course in Skyros in 1994, I nicknamed you the Yehudi Menuhin of therapy, and your work reminded me of a fabulous painting with a lot of fine brushstrokes. Now I feel you are actually the art gallery itself. Vivienne

Pop Choir Week One: Pop Choir Every day we will make some music together before dinner. What happens depends on who comes! We will sing, play instruments, or maybe just resort to singing the whole of Mama Mia! Let's see. No previous experience or expertise is needed to join in, and anyone who can play please bring an instrument which will be put to good use.

Richard Lewis Richard has spent his professional life working in studios and on stages as a composer and producer creating songs, commercials, and TV soundtracks. Music is also his passion which he loves to share with everyone, whether they are experienced or tentative. There’s nothing more fun than playing, singing, or writing a tune together with others, especially when the pressure to perform well is taken away. He's also trained in Gestalt, and interested in the creative process, and how to overcome blocks which hold us back from fully expressing ourselves. He first came to Skyros 20 years ago, has run many courses, and is proud to be part of the team.

Morning Yoga & Treatments Skyros Centre course participants are welcome to attend a gentle pre-breakfast yoga class in the mornings. This class is a great way to start the day. Wear loose comfortable clothing.  Katrina Love Senn teaches Healing Hatha Yoga which is her own signature blend of yoga, breathing, stretching, visualisation, intention and personal enquiry. It helps students to strengthen their body-mind connection, activating richer levels of creativity and spirituality. Katrina's classes draw on her extensive experience teaching at international healing retreat centres around the world. She infuses her yoga classes with kindness, compassion and a sense of play. Her classes are suitable for students of all levels including beginners. For Katrina, yoga is a powerful tool for total transformation. Through the practice of yoga, you give yourself a gift; a safe space to look within, gaining new insights and using these as a chance to see all the answers that reside inside of you. Being on the mat, is a way that you can heal, build strength and find the courage to take a powerful step forward in your life. Yoga can help to transform and shift any area of your life including your health, your career, and even your relationship to self and others. It can help you to get clear on your old stories, default habits, limitations and fears so that you can move beyond them if you choose to.  Yoga gives you a platform to find your edge and play with it, so that you can go beyond that which you thought was even possible, and create a body and life that you dream of!

Katrina Love Senn Katrina Love Senn is an international yoga teacher, healer and author of the ground breaking book 'Losing Weight is a Healing Journey: A Woman’s Guide to Losing Weight Naturally'. On her healing journey, she lost over 60 pounds for good as well as healed a number of chronic health conditions, including asthma, eczema and adrenal exhaustion, with no diets, drugs or deprivation. She is a natural intuitive and has a fun, warm and heart-centred approach to living and life. She infuses her gentle yoga classes with inspiration, love, kindness and encouragement. Based at The Skyros Centre throughout the season, Katrina is excited to offer massage treatments, along with her signature Break-through Healing Sessions. Her massage treatments and healing sessions are based upon how she healed and transformed her own life using a range of gentle healing tools.

• Greece - Atsitsa Bay AT4 Wk 1

  SAT 19 - SAT 26 AUG 2017

  £745.00

  Book

• Landscape Adventure, T'ai Chi

  Richard Layzell

  Yoga with Awareness

  Ken Eyerman

  Windsurfing

  Mark Gunston

  The Joy of Singing

  Sarah Warwick

  Watercolour Reimagined

  Cate Whittemore

  The Core of Good Fiction Writing

  Lisa O'Donnell

  Alexander Technique, Movement

  Judy Hammond

  Your Best Year Ever, Comedy

  Andrew Risner

Landscape Adventure, T'ai Chi Landscape Adventure An invitation to discover and explore your creativity in a new way. Something happens to us when we are in nature. We become less constrained and our senses are reawakened. In the unique, visually explosive environment of Skyros Island, we will use observation, building, drawing, writing and spontaneity to connect to our creative selves. There will be several exciting projects on offer: unusual approaches to drawing, experimenting with photography, creating a visual journal, exploring the miniature and the monumental, assembling sculptures in nature, and interactive experiences to heighten our senses. In his work as an artist, Richard has developed a unique "experiential" approach to the landscape. His love of Skyros Island, with its distinctive light, colours, wildlife and flora, along with his wide experience of teaching, facilitating and mentoring artists, makes him ideally suited to uncovering your creative potential in an amazingly rich environment. He's also well known for his celebration of play and humour. T'ai Chi An introduction to T'ai Chi and Mindfulness in the spectacular landscape of Atsitsa.

Richard Layzell Richard is an award-winning artist who exhibits and performs worldwide. His expertise includes performance art, photography, sculpture, film-making, design, drawing and creative writing. With over 20 years experience in group facilitation, Richard regularly runs workshops in creativity in the UK and internationally. He loves working with groups of all kinds – recent highlights include dancers in Taipei, taxi drivers in Shanghai, students in Prague, learning disabled people in Glasgow and nursery school children in Essex.  He has shown his work at Tate Britain and the South Bank Centre in London. In 2014 he co-directed and designed GLORY, a major commission for the Commonwealth Games at the Tramway in Glasgow. He lectures nationwide, leads a degree course at the University of the Arts in London and regularly works as a mentor to other artists. He has also worked as an artist in business, with the mission to bring more lightheartedness and community spirit to the workplace. He is known for his playful and irreverent sense of humour and for inspiring creative risk taking. He delights in supporting other people to (re)discover and develop their spontaneity and creativity.

Yoga with Awareness In a focused and yet playful way, experience how Ken integrates Yoga with Feldenkrais. These yoga classes and moving meditation sessions are suitable for all levels, including complete beginners and those who have injuries or are restricted in their movement. The intuitive and spontaneous hands-on approach emphasizes the benefits of using your breath and developing an awareness of your inner process. Holiday participants will learn to use their bodies with intelligence, awareness and efficiency. The Eyerman Technique will ease you into new postures while encouraging you to explore movement in a way that is both developmental and restorative. Ken seeks to work with you, by developing core movement, and helping you tune into the constant flow of life energy essential to maintaining health and clarity of mind. Ken's yoga courses in Atsitsa are included as 'One of the 5 Best Yoga Holidays' on the Healthista website and listed as the 'Best holiday for those with injuries', describing the yoga as 'great for people who want a slower pace, including complete beginners and those who have injuries or are restricted in their movement.'

Ken Eyerman With over thirty five years experience, Ken is an American who has worked as a movement therapist, having studied dance and psychology. Previously he worked at the London Contemporary Dance School as bodyworker in residence. Ken is trained in The Feldenkrais Method, Awareness Through Movement and has a busy private practice at Natureworks/ Danceworks in London. As well as regular yoga workshops, Ken offers his Yoga with Awareness holidays internationally and returns to Skyros for his 25th season! He is the author of an inspirational book, Massage and was named as one of the Londons top three masseurs by the Evening Standard. The Ken Eyerman School of Bodywork and Movement is affiliated to the Institute of Complementary Medicine.

Windsurfing Beginners: This course is aimed at complete beginners and covers the basic skills required to learn this exciting sport. The majority of the time is spent on the water. Windsurfing will help improve your coordination, flexibility and strength. The course will challenge you but the emphasis is on enjoyment. You will be encouraged to take intelligent risks and develop an awareness of your environment. During most of the summer you will only need to wear swimwear, though we recommend that you bring your own wet shoes. At the beginning and end of the season it may be necessary to wear a shortie wetsuit, which will be provided. It is not necessary to be a strong swimmer or athletic to learn windsurfing. However, a basic level of mobility and some confidence in the water is required. Students may continue onto the Improvers class in the 2nd half of the session of a 2 week session. Improvers: This is a series of drop in classes suitable for those with previous experience. An ability to sail away from the beach, turn around and sail back is the only minimum requirement. It is also open to those who took part in the Learn to Windsurf course during the first half of a 2 week session. Each class will take the form of a short clinic followed by on water practice. Continued coaching and feedback will be available or you can just practice without instruction.

Mark Gunston Mark has been teaching Windsurfing for 30 years and is a qualified RYA Windsurfing Trainer. He managed a watersports centre in Cornwall for 6 years and during the late 1980s worked at a Windsurfing Club on the Sea of Galilee. He has taught at a variety of centres in England, Greece, Sardinia and San Francisco and is one of the UK’s most experienced Windsurfing teachers. In 1998 he established and managed a Fitness Centre in New Delhi. Mark qualified as an internationally licensed Ski Instructor in 2001 and has worked in Austria, France, Italy, Spain and Vermont as a Ski Instructor, Ski Guide and Resort Manager. He is also a certified  Life Coach. Mark has been teaching in Atsitsa since 1996. Mark is now realising a life times ambition and is studying 'Film' full time at University.

The Joy of Singing If you can talk, you can sing! Join this course, run by an exceptional singer with three number one dance hits in the UK, and experience the power of sound and song. Whether you are new to singing, or have some experience, this course will be an exciting journey of vocal discoveries. Using breath, movement, dance, song, improvisation, harmony, toning and more, you will be given the opportunity to sing and create. Free your voice, increase your confidence, enjoy self-expression, ignite your creativity and stimulate healing on all levels. No solo singing required unless desired!

Sarah Warwick Sarah Warwick is a singer, songwriter, teacher, conference energizer & corporate team-builder. She has had ten years of international success, mostly under the stage name Sarah Washington. She has had three top thirty hits in the UK charts and three number 1 dance hits. A highly experienced teacher, she trained with Chris James in the Art of Healing Sound. Sarah is passionate about helping others find their natural voice, and bring joy and healing through song. She facilitates courses in singing and songwriting, and the power of healing sound, and regularly teaches for Skyros. She also regularly runs singing and sound healing courses in China. She has been running her choir, The Singing Hearts, for the last eight years. She has recorded two CDs, one of her own songs Pure Love, and the second CD is of The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran, in which Sarah has created a haunting and beautiful musical interpretation of the Gibran timeless masterpiece.

Watercolour Reimagined Painting Can Be a Solace A fun and supportive approach to a new kind of landscape painting experience, which will free you in unexpected and productive ways:  you will experience a positive creative self,  develop your ability to tune in to your inner currents, have enhanced color competency and observational skills, and feel a sense of connection to the natural world.  Catherine Whittemore is an experienced painting teacher and creativity guide,  with a uniquely freeing approach to watercolor. She has developed a playful series  of color ‘bloom’ explorations which delight, support, and inspire participants. What people say about Cate and her course: The painting course with Cate was amazing! She is very encouraging , interested and manages to open up peoples creative side. Inspiring, engaging and made the art of watercolours super accessible and fun. Cate was an excellent teacher, she inspired confidence and was very supportive - everyone in the class developed really well and I did both weeks as she was such a good teacher. Lovely. Did Cate’s watercolour both weeks. Thoroughly enjoyed her energy, knowledge and generosity. Cate is warm and wonderfully experimental. She made it fun and safe and was endlessly positive and encouraging. Cate is magical. Fantastic art course, relaxed and playful and creative. Painting was very good with lots of ideas and feedback from Cate.

Cate Whittemore A professional set painter, realizing backdrops for myriad Broadway productions,  movies, and TV, Catherine has a familiarity with many materials and styles, which fluency informs and inspires her work and her teaching.  Her works embody both classical and contemporary technique, figurative and non-objective imagery.  She loves to find metaphysical meaning in viewing and making visual art. She facilitates creative watercolor courses privately and @ skyros.com. 2014  Botanical Illustration Certificate  Margaret Mee Foundation 2000  Master’s Degree in Drawing & Painting/ U of MN 1982  International Alliance of Stage Employees Membership  1977-79 Apprentice & Teaching Assistant @ The Studio and Forum of Stage Design / NYC 1975  Studio Arts Bachelors Degree / Connecticut College Her work has been collected and exhibited internationally. She has been honored by the support of  numerous artist residencies, including @ La Scuola Di Grafica in Venice, Italy, and The Athens School of Fine Arts in Hydra, Greece. In 2011, she was honored to design a poster for the World PeaceKalachakra of the Dalai Lama in Washington DC.  She is a registered Golden Art Company Artist Educator.   In 2017 she is curating an unusual exhibit at The Anderson Center for Interdisciplinary Studies, of the sometimes unlikely processes which important inventions and works of art come into being, entitled “THERE IS A LADDER”.

The Core of Good Fiction Writing Taught by award winning writer Lisa O'Donnell The Core of Good Fiction is a writing course suitable for beginners and those who wish to develop an existing novel idea. Over the course we will look at the importance of Character and Voice. How dialogue moves your fiction. The importance of Storytelling. We will look at how to write an Opening that hooks your reader. There will be workshops on how experience can shape your work, focusing on the art of description. We will also consider the choices we make as a writer when embarking on our stories. People write for all kinds of reasons, this course isn't just about getting published, it's about finding your authentic voice and giving you the writer the tool to tell the stories deep inside yourself and in a supportive and encouraging community. What people say about Lisa and her course: Really enjoyed writing. Lisa’s one-to-ones were over and above. Really appreciated. Writing teacher very generous and supportive to everyone. Writing with Lisa was wonderful. I discovered my writers voice in the writing course.

Lisa O'Donnell Lisa O'Donnell is an award winning author from Glasgow. She has written two books Closed Doors and The Death of Bees, which won The Commonwealth Book Prize in 2013 and an ALEX Award presented by The American Library Association in 2014. Lisa also writes screenplays and won The Orange Prize for New Screenwriters in 2000. She was also shortlisted for The Dennis Potter Award in the same year. Lisa graduated with an MLitt in Creative Writing from the University of Glasgow and also teaches creative writing for Curtis Brown Creative and was a Visiting Lecturer at City London University. She is also a mentor on The Womentoring Project.

Alexander Technique, Movement Alexander Technique A highly experiential, user-friendly introduction to the concepts and practices of the world renowned Alexander Technique - the gentle, natural way to refine the way we use our bodies in everyday life and in the gym, movement and dance classes, sports, singing, playing an instrument, driving, riding a bicycle. Side effects are very positive - a great antidote for depression, anxiety, insomnia. And it's terrific fun learning in a group. Transformational Movement In just a few days we can benignly change our postural and movement patterns so that we feel and look better, and learn simple but highly effective movements to practise all through life to maintain muscle tone and good alignment. Course content will include movements inspired by Pilates, tai chi/chi qong, yoga and dance, always placing the Alexander principles of safe use of the spine and joints at the heart of the work. In addition, Judy will be pleased to offer Greek dance and/or Egyptian dance as evening activities.

Judy Hammond Judy Hammond, B.Ed., ANATD, MSTAT, has been teaching Alexander Technique for thirty years and for a similar time has been practising yoga, Pilates and tai chi/chi qong. She has teaching qualifications in classical ballet and folk and classical Egyptian dance, and has choreographed, directed and performed in many dance events. She loves to combine her skills and experience to offer very practical, enjoyable movement and alignment classes, where people can see and feel themselves and others making positive changes quickly and easily.

Your Best Year Ever, Comedy Your Best Year Ever With a warm heart and a twinkle in his eye, Andrew will guide you through multi sensory processes and games to help facilitate you to determine how and what your Best Year Ever will look and feel like. Then, layer upon layer, he will work together with you to literally transform you into the person who can confidently create, pursue, and maximize those dreams. You will leave with a clear picture of what your best year ever will look like together with tools and strategies of how to implement it once at home. A complimentary coaching session will be available after the course for anyone completing the workshop. Comedy Improvisation Anyone can improvise if they allow themselves to play. Improvisation IS NOT about being the smartest, being the funniest or being right. It is about accessing the creativity that already exists within us. During this course we will learn how to have fun simply by following a few basic techniques that allow anybody to let go and have fun. Improvisation is an attitude, a way of behaving that allows one person, or a group of people, to innovate and create instantly by using their own sense of trust, truth, acceptance and creativity.  Anyone can improvise if they allow themselves to play. Improvisation IS NOT about being the smartest, being the funniest or being right. It is about accessing the creativity that already exists within all of us.

Andrew Risner Andrew Risner is a leading trainer, facilitator and coach who has been leading transformational workshops since 2001. He is an as empathic and sensitive facilitator who is able to create and maintain an atmosphere of trust and respect and brings a wealth of fun and insight to his workshops. His programmes help individuals fully realise the dormant resources within themselves, whilst helping them raise self-awareness and self-belief. As well as being an NLP Master Practitioner and certified hypnotherapist, Andrew spent time as a member of the magic circle and stand up comedian.

• Call for Availability - Greece - Skyros Centre SC4 Wk 2

  SAT 26 - SAT 2 SEP 2017

  £745.00

  Book

• Writing from Life (WL)

  Monique Roffey

  Awaken the Soul: New Beginnings (HW)

  Dina Glouberman

  Songwriting Workshop

  Richard Lewis

  Morning Yoga & Treatments

  Katrina Love Senn

Writing from Life (WL) Week Two: Writing from Life Using meditations, handouts and exercises, you will be prompted to reflect on aspects of your life and write about and share these insights. Please bring notebooks, sketchbooks, photos and ideas. This is a course designed to provoke the unconscious and to delve into long-term patterns. We will look at the different forms of life writing and how to play with and adapt true stories into fiction or poetry.

Monique Roffey Monique Roffey is an award-winning Trinidadian-born writer. Her forthcoming novel The Tryst, will be published in the summer of 2017. Her novel House of Ashes, 2014, was shortlisted for the COSTA Fiction Award, 2014, as well as the OCM BOCAS Award 2015. Archipelago won the OCM BOCAS Award for Caribbean Literature in 2013 and was shortlisted for the Orion Award 2014.  In 2010, her novel The White Woman on the Green Bicycle was shortlisted for the Orange Prize and the Encore Award. Her erotic memoir With the Kisses of his Mouth caused controversy and critical acclaim in 2011. She is a Lecturer in Creative Writing at Manchester Metropolitan University and also a writer in residence at a school in London for First Story.

Awaken the Soul: New Beginnings (HW) Week Two: Awaken the Soul: New Beginnings Are you wanting to take your next step in life, but not sure what and how, not certain you can do it, or worried about what the price may be? It all starts with getting to a Yes. Saying Yes is a commitment to take whatever is brewing within you into a new behaviour, a new attitude, or a new way of life. An unqualified Yes sets the next stage into motion, opening you to the intuitions, research, actions, and persistence in the face of difficulties.  Next comes the plan, the how, the steps.  It also helps to acknowledge what could stop you and how to get past it. Most important, you need to have a clear and happy sense of the life you are working to create. In this course we will: Find out what your vision of your life is right now Learn how to create or heal relationships See what a healthy life would look like Take a trip into two possible futures and find out which you want Map out the steps to your new future, and take a leap of faith into a new reality. Another crash course in your ‘genius imagination’ that will leave you surprised and delighted. An interesting spiritual tradition says that when we are living our everyday lives in an everyday way, the soul just rests or even sleeps. But when we are in crisis, or looking for change, or wrestling with something that our ordinary mind doesn't quite know how to deal with, the soul wakes up. And then life begins to move to a whole new level.  Both courses during these two weeks at the Skyros Centre are about listening to the soul's whispers. It may be time to wake your soul, listen carefully to what your heart and soul are whispering and then figure out how to follow their call. This is the thing that Dina most loves to help people to do. In addition, these two weeks are a crash course in working with imagery so that you can be your own therapist and wise consultant every day of your life.  While the first week is called The Joy of Burnout and the second is called New Beginnings, you don't need to be burnt out do week one, or to be having a new beginning to do week two. Since you are what you imagine, if where you are is not where you want to be, why not learn to imagine better? You will be able to emerge from these workshops with the clarity and confidence to take your next step in life. You will also have a magic box of tools, indeed a new way of thinking, that you can use to understand, protect, and guide yourself, not just during the workshop but for the rest of your life. These courses are suitable for complete beginners in imagery and visualisation as well as for those who are experienced in using this approach. Prepare to be surprised. Your images by their very nature don’t always tell you what you expect; rather they will show you what you know deep down inside but haven’t yet told yourself, and they always point the way to transformation. They are based on my books, Life Choices, Life Changes, The Joy of Burnout, and You are what you imagine Don’t forget you can always get free downloads of book chapters or MP3s of imagery exercises, or buy any of Dina's books or MP3s of imagery exercises at www.dinaglouberman.com

Dina Glouberman Dr Dina Glouberman is a world expert in the creative imagination. She is the visionary co-founder of Skyros Holidays, the author of the classic best-selling books Life Choices, Life Changes, The Joy of Burnout and You Are What You Imagine: Three Steps to a New Beginning Using Imagework and an international trainer, coach, speaker and psychotherapist. For over thirty years, she has been a pioneer in creating, teaching, and practicing the use of Imagework, the groundbreaking process that harnesses the imagination to guide our lives and create positive life choices and profound life changes. She is launching her unmissable memoir, Into the Woods and Out Again: Unconventional Wisdom for a Post-Truth World (Karnac Books) in early 2018. To find out more about Dina Glouberman's approach and her books and courses, and to get free downloads, visit her website, www.dinaglouberman.com What people say about Dina Glouberman:  Dina Glouberman is wise and witty and an inspirational teacher. Sue Townsend Dina Glouberman is a home-maker of the spirit. Margaret Drabble When I did your course in Skyros in 1994, I nicknamed you the Yehudi Menuhin of therapy, and your work reminded me of a fabulous painting with a lot of fine brushstrokes. Now I feel you are actually the art gallery itself. Vivienne

Songwriting Workshop Week Two: Songwriting Workshop Write a song, sing it and play it. A simple 4 day course to help you find the song in you, write it, accompany yourself, and maybe perform it to the group. No previous experience or expertise is needed to join in, and anyone who can play please bring an instrument which will be put to good use.

Richard Lewis Richard has spent his professional life working in studios and on stages as a composer and producer creating songs, commercials, and TV soundtracks. Music is also his passion which he loves to share with everyone, whether they are experienced or tentative. There’s nothing more fun than playing, singing, or writing a tune together with others, especially when the pressure to perform well is taken away. He's also trained in Gestalt, and interested in the creative process, and how to overcome blocks which hold us back from fully expressing ourselves. He first came to Skyros 20 years ago, has run many courses, and is proud to be part of the team.

Morning Yoga & Treatments Skyros Centre course participants are welcome to attend a gentle pre-breakfast yoga class in the mornings. This class is a great way to start the day. Wear loose comfortable clothing.  Katrina Love Senn teaches Healing Hatha Yoga which is her own signature blend of yoga, breathing, stretching, visualisation, intention and personal enquiry. It helps students to strengthen their body-mind connection, activating richer levels of creativity and spirituality. Katrina's classes draw on her extensive experience teaching at international healing retreat centres around the world. She infuses her yoga classes with kindness, compassion and a sense of play. Her classes are suitable for students of all levels including beginners. For Katrina, yoga is a powerful tool for total transformation. Through the practice of yoga, you give yourself a gift; a safe space to look within, gaining new insights and using these as a chance to see all the answers that reside inside of you. Being on the mat, is a way that you can heal, build strength and find the courage to take a powerful step forward in your life. Yoga can help to transform and shift any area of your life including your health, your career, and even your relationship to self and others. It can help you to get clear on your old stories, default habits, limitations and fears so that you can move beyond them if you choose to.  Yoga gives you a platform to find your edge and play with it, so that you can go beyond that which you thought was even possible, and create a body and life that you dream of!

Katrina Love Senn Katrina Love Senn is an international yoga teacher, healer and author of the ground breaking book 'Losing Weight is a Healing Journey: A Woman’s Guide to Losing Weight Naturally'. On her healing journey, she lost over 60 pounds for good as well as healed a number of chronic health conditions, including asthma, eczema and adrenal exhaustion, with no diets, drugs or deprivation. She is a natural intuitive and has a fun, warm and heart-centred approach to living and life. She infuses her gentle yoga classes with inspiration, love, kindness and encouragement. Based at The Skyros Centre throughout the season, Katrina is excited to offer massage treatments, along with her signature Break-through Healing Sessions. Her massage treatments and healing sessions are based upon how she healed and transformed her own life using a range of gentle healing tools.

• Greece - Atsitsa Bay AT4 Wk 2

  SAT 26 - SAT 2 SEP 2017

  £745.00

  Book

• Landscape Adventure, T'ai Chi

  Richard Layzell

  Yoga with Awareness

  Ken Eyerman

  Windsurfing

  Mark Gunston

  The Joy of Singing

  Sarah Warwick

  Watercolour Reimagined

  Cate Whittemore

  The Core of Good Fiction Writing

  Lisa O'Donnell

  Alexander Technique, Movement

  Judy Hammond

  Your Best Year Ever, Comedy

  Andrew Risner

Landscape Adventure, T'ai Chi Landscape Adventure An invitation to discover and explore your creativity in a new way. Something happens to us when we are in nature. We become less constrained and our senses are reawakened. In the unique, visually explosive environment of Skyros Island, we will use observation, building, drawing, writing and spontaneity to connect to our creative selves. There will be several exciting projects on offer: unusual approaches to drawing, experimenting with photography, creating a visual journal, exploring the miniature and the monumental, assembling sculptures in nature, and interactive experiences to heighten our senses. In his work as an artist, Richard has developed a unique "experiential" approach to the landscape. His love of Skyros Island, with its distinctive light, colours, wildlife and flora, along with his wide experience of teaching, facilitating and mentoring artists, makes him ideally suited to uncovering your creative potential in an amazingly rich environment. He's also well known for his celebration of play and humour. T'ai Chi An introduction to T'ai Chi and Mindfulness in the spectacular landscape of Atsitsa.

Richard Layzell Richard is an award-winning artist who exhibits and performs worldwide. His expertise includes performance art, photography, sculpture, film-making, design, drawing and creative writing. With over 20 years experience in group facilitation, Richard regularly runs workshops in creativity in the UK and internationally. He loves working with groups of all kinds – recent highlights include dancers in Taipei, taxi drivers in Shanghai, students in Prague, learning disabled people in Glasgow and nursery school children in Essex.  He has shown his work at Tate Britain and the South Bank Centre in London. In 2014 he co-directed and designed GLORY, a major commission for the Commonwealth Games at the Tramway in Glasgow. He lectures nationwide, leads a degree course at the University of the Arts in London and regularly works as a mentor to other artists. He has also worked as an artist in business, with the mission to bring more lightheartedness and community spirit to the workplace. He is known for his playful and irreverent sense of humour and for inspiring creative risk taking. He delights in supporting other people to (re)discover and develop their spontaneity and creativity.

Yoga with Awareness In a focused and yet playful way, experience how Ken integrates Yoga with Feldenkrais. These yoga classes and moving meditation sessions are suitable for all levels, including complete beginners and those who have injuries or are restricted in their movement. The intuitive and spontaneous hands-on approach emphasizes the benefits of using your breath and developing an awareness of your inner process. Holiday participants will learn to use their bodies with intelligence, awareness and efficiency. The Eyerman Technique will ease you into new postures while encouraging you to explore movement in a way that is both developmental and restorative. Ken seeks to work with you, by developing core movement, and helping you tune into the constant flow of life energy essential to maintaining health and clarity of mind. Ken's yoga courses in Atsitsa are included as 'One of the 5 Best Yoga Holidays' on the Healthista website and listed as the 'Best holiday for those with injuries', describing the yoga as 'great for people who want a slower pace, including complete beginners and those who have injuries or are restricted in their movement.'

Ken Eyerman With over thirty five years experience, Ken is an American who has worked as a movement therapist, having studied dance and psychology. Previously he worked at the London Contemporary Dance School as bodyworker in residence. Ken is trained in The Feldenkrais Method, Awareness Through Movement and has a busy private practice at Natureworks/ Danceworks in London. As well as regular yoga workshops, Ken offers his Yoga with Awareness holidays internationally and returns to Skyros for his 25th season! He is the author of an inspirational book, Massage and was named as one of the Londons top three masseurs by the Evening Standard. The Ken Eyerman School of Bodywork and Movement is affiliated to the Institute of Complementary Medicine.

Windsurfing Beginners: This course is aimed at complete beginners and covers the basic skills required to learn this exciting sport. The majority of the time is spent on the water. Windsurfing will help improve your coordination, flexibility and strength. The course will challenge you but the emphasis is on enjoyment. You will be encouraged to take intelligent risks and develop an awareness of your environment. During most of the summer you will only need to wear swimwear, though we recommend that you bring your own wet shoes. At the beginning and end of the season it may be necessary to wear a shortie wetsuit, which will be provided. It is not necessary to be a strong swimmer or athletic to learn windsurfing. However, a basic level of mobility and some confidence in the water is required. Students may continue onto the Improvers class in the 2nd half of the session of a 2 week session. Improvers: This is a series of drop in classes suitable for those with previous experience. An ability to sail away from the beach, turn around and sail back is the only minimum requirement. It is also open to those who took part in the Learn to Windsurf course during the first half of a 2 week session. Each class will take the form of a short clinic followed by on water practice. Continued coaching and feedback will be available or you can just practice without instruction.

Mark Gunston Mark has been teaching Windsurfing for 30 years and is a qualified RYA Windsurfing Trainer. He managed a watersports centre in Cornwall for 6 years and during the late 1980s worked at a Windsurfing Club on the Sea of Galilee. He has taught at a variety of centres in England, Greece, Sardinia and San Francisco and is one of the UK’s most experienced Windsurfing teachers. In 1998 he established and managed a Fitness Centre in New Delhi. Mark qualified as an internationally licensed Ski Instructor in 2001 and has worked in Austria, France, Italy, Spain and Vermont as a Ski Instructor, Ski Guide and Resort Manager. He is also a certified  Life Coach. Mark has been teaching in Atsitsa since 1996. Mark is now realising a life times ambition and is studying 'Film' full time at University.

The Joy of Singing If you can talk, you can sing! Join this course, run by an exceptional singer with three number one dance hits in the UK, and experience the power of sound and song. Whether you are new to singing, or have some experience, this course will be an exciting journey of vocal discoveries. Using breath, movement, dance, song, improvisation, harmony, toning and more, you will be given the opportunity to sing and create. Free your voice, increase your confidence, enjoy self-expression, ignite your creativity and stimulate healing on all levels. No solo singing required unless desired!

Sarah Warwick Sarah Warwick is a singer, songwriter, teacher, conference energizer & corporate team-builder. She has had ten years of international success, mostly under the stage name Sarah Washington. She has had three top thirty hits in the UK charts and three number 1 dance hits. A highly experienced teacher, she trained with Chris James in the Art of Healing Sound. Sarah is passionate about helping others find their natural voice, and bring joy and healing through song. She facilitates courses in singing and songwriting, and the power of healing sound, and regularly teaches for Skyros. She also regularly runs singing and sound healing courses in China. She has been running her choir, The Singing Hearts, for the last eight years. She has recorded two CDs, one of her own songs Pure Love, and the second CD is of The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran, in which Sarah has created a haunting and beautiful musical interpretation of the Gibran timeless masterpiece.

Watercolour Reimagined Painting Can Be a Solace A fun and supportive approach to a new kind of landscape painting experience, which will free you in unexpected and productive ways:  you will experience a positive creative self,  develop your ability to tune in to your inner currents, have enhanced color competency and observational skills, and feel a sense of connection to the natural world.  Catherine Whittemore is an experienced painting teacher and creativity guide,  with a uniquely freeing approach to watercolor. She has developed a playful series  of color ‘bloom’ explorations which delight, support, and inspire participants. What people say about Cate and her course: The painting course with Cate was amazing! She is very encouraging , interested and manages to open up peoples creative side. Inspiring, engaging and made the art of watercolours super accessible and fun. Cate was an excellent teacher, she inspired confidence and was very supportive - everyone in the class developed really well and I did both weeks as she was such a good teacher. Lovely. Did Cate’s watercolour both weeks. Thoroughly enjoyed her energy, knowledge and generosity. Cate is warm and wonderfully experimental. She made it fun and safe and was endlessly positive and encouraging. Cate is magical. Fantastic art course, relaxed and playful and creative. Painting was very good with lots of ideas and feedback from Cate.

Cate Whittemore A professional set painter, realizing backdrops for myriad Broadway productions,  movies, and TV, Catherine has a familiarity with many materials and styles, which fluency informs and inspires her work and her teaching.  Her works embody both classical and contemporary technique, figurative and non-objective imagery.  She loves to find metaphysical meaning in viewing and making visual art. She facilitates creative watercolor courses privately and @ skyros.com. 2014  Botanical Illustration Certificate  Margaret Mee Foundation 2000  Master’s Degree in Drawing & Painting/ U of MN 1982  International Alliance of Stage Employees Membership  1977-79 Apprentice & Teaching Assistant @ The Studio and Forum of Stage Design / NYC 1975  Studio Arts Bachelors Degree / Connecticut College Her work has been collected and exhibited internationally. She has been honored by the support of  numerous artist residencies, including @ La Scuola Di Grafica in Venice, Italy, and The Athens School of Fine Arts in Hydra, Greece. In 2011, she was honored to design a poster for the World PeaceKalachakra of the Dalai Lama in Washington DC.  She is a registered Golden Art Company Artist Educator.   In 2017 she is curating an unusual exhibit at The Anderson Center for Interdisciplinary Studies, of the sometimes unlikely processes which important inventions and works of art come into being, entitled “THERE IS A LADDER”.

The Core of Good Fiction Writing Taught by award winning writer Lisa O'Donnell The Core of Good Fiction is a writing course suitable for beginners and those who wish to develop an existing novel idea. Over the course we will look at the importance of Character and Voice. How dialogue moves your fiction. The importance of Storytelling. We will look at how to write an Opening that hooks your reader. There will be workshops on how experience can shape your work, focusing on the art of description. We will also consider the choices we make as a writer when embarking on our stories. People write for all kinds of reasons, this course isn't just about getting published, it's about finding your authentic voice and giving you the writer the tool to tell the stories deep inside yourself and in a supportive and encouraging community. What people say about Lisa and her course: Really enjoyed writing. Lisa’s one-to-ones were over and above. Really appreciated. Writing teacher very generous and supportive to everyone. Writing with Lisa was wonderful. I discovered my writers voice in the writing course.

Lisa O'Donnell Lisa O'Donnell is an award winning author from Glasgow. She has written two books Closed Doors and The Death of Bees, which won The Commonwealth Book Prize in 2013 and an ALEX Award presented by The American Library Association in 2014. Lisa also writes screenplays and won The Orange Prize for New Screenwriters in 2000. She was also shortlisted for The Dennis Potter Award in the same year. Lisa graduated with an MLitt in Creative Writing from the University of Glasgow and also teaches creative writing for Curtis Brown Creative and was a Visiting Lecturer at City London University. She is also a mentor on The Womentoring Project.

Alexander Technique, Movement Alexander Technique A highly experiential, user-friendly introduction to the concepts and practices of the world renowned Alexander Technique - the gentle, natural way to refine the way we use our bodies in everyday life and in the gym, movement and dance classes, sports, singing, playing an instrument, driving, riding a bicycle. Side effects are very positive - a great antidote for depression, anxiety, insomnia. And it's terrific fun learning in a group. Transformational Movement In just a few days we can benignly change our postural and movement patterns so that we feel and look better, and learn simple but highly effective movements to practise all through life to maintain muscle tone and good alignment. Course content will include movements inspired by Pilates, tai chi/chi qong, yoga and dance, always placing the Alexander principles of safe use of the spine and joints at the heart of the work. In addition, Judy will be pleased to offer Greek dance and/or Egyptian dance as evening activities.

Judy Hammond Judy Hammond, B.Ed., ANATD, MSTAT, has been teaching Alexander Technique for thirty years and for a similar time has been practising yoga, Pilates and tai chi/chi qong. She has teaching qualifications in classical ballet and folk and classical Egyptian dance, and has choreographed, directed and performed in many dance events. She loves to combine her skills and experience to offer very practical, enjoyable movement and alignment classes, where people can see and feel themselves and others making positive changes quickly and easily.

Your Best Year Ever, Comedy Your Best Year Ever With a warm heart and a twinkle in his eye, Andrew will guide you through multi sensory processes and games to help facilitate you to determine how and what your Best Year Ever will look and feel like. Then, layer upon layer, he will work together with you to literally transform you into the person who can confidently create, pursue, and maximize those dreams. You will leave with a clear picture of what your best year ever will look like together with tools and strategies of how to implement it once at home. A complimentary coaching session will be available after the course for anyone completing the workshop. Comedy Improvisation Anyone can improvise if they allow themselves to play. Improvisation IS NOT about being the smartest, being the funniest or being right. It is about accessing the creativity that already exists within us. During this course we will learn how to have fun simply by following a few basic techniques that allow anybody to let go and have fun. Improvisation is an attitude, a way of behaving that allows one person, or a group of people, to innovate and create instantly by using their own sense of trust, truth, acceptance and creativity.  Anyone can improvise if they allow themselves to play. Improvisation IS NOT about being the smartest, being the funniest or being right. It is about accessing the creativity that already exists within all of us.

Andrew Risner Andrew Risner is a leading trainer, facilitator and coach who has been leading transformational workshops since 2001. He is an as empathic and sensitive facilitator who is able to create and maintain an atmosphere of trust and respect and brings a wealth of fun and insight to his workshops. His programmes help individuals fully realise the dormant resources within themselves, whilst helping them raise self-awareness and self-belief. As well as being an NLP Master Practitioner and certified hypnotherapist, Andrew spent time as a member of the magic circle and stand up comedian.

• Greece - Atsitsa Bay AT5

  SAT 2 - SAT 9 SEP 2017

  £745.00

  Book

• The Joy of Singing

  Sarah Warwick

  Art from the Heart

  Stoney Parsons

  Comedy Improvisation

  Alison Goldie

  Abseiling

  Berny Woodward

  Massage, Reflexology

  Johanna Simonetti

  Life Writing

  Nick Barlay

  Yoga with Awareness

  Ken Eyerman

  Windsurfing

  Mark Gunston

The Joy of Singing If you can talk, you can sing! Join this course, run by an exceptional singer with three number one dance hits in the UK, and experience the power of sound and song. Whether you are new to singing, or have some experience, this course will be an exciting journey of vocal discoveries. Using breath, movement, dance, song, improvisation, harmony, toning and more, you will be given the opportunity to sing and create. Free your voice, increase your confidence, enjoy self-expression, ignite your creativity and stimulate healing on all levels. No solo singing required unless desired!

Sarah Warwick Sarah Warwick is a singer, songwriter, teacher, conference energizer & corporate team-builder. She has had ten years of international success, mostly under the stage name Sarah Washington. She has had three top thirty hits in the UK charts and three number 1 dance hits. A highly experienced teacher, she trained with Chris James in the Art of Healing Sound. Sarah is passionate about helping others find their natural voice, and bring joy and healing through song. She facilitates courses in singing and songwriting, and the power of healing sound, and regularly teaches for Skyros. She also regularly runs singing and sound healing courses in China. She has been running her choir, The Singing Hearts, for the last eight years. She has recorded two CDs, one of her own songs Pure Love, and the second CD is of The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran, in which Sarah has created a haunting and beautiful musical interpretation of the Gibran timeless masterpiece.

Art from the Heart This course is for anyone who ever longed to get in touch with their creativity through art. Here is your chance to just do it, to try out new things, explore what you are capable of in a safe and happy atmosphere within a group. Participants will do different exercises designed to draw out their inner artist, getting into the right-side of the brain and connecting with your heart. It's about the doing and the daring to do and discovering what you are capable of. Course will include painting (water-colours and acrylics) drawing, collage, mixed media. Stoney is an experienced facilitator and teaches the Art from the Heart courses from her studio. She passionately believes that we are all creative.

Stoney Parsons Stoney is a professional stained glass artist and teacher. She works and teaches in her lovely studio on the Kent/Sussex border in a country park estate. Stoney has been working to commission for the last 30 years. Her work ranges from commissions in hospitals, schools, restaurants and private residences throughout the UK for, for example Raymond Blanc at his restaurant Le Manoir aux QuatSaisons, Martlets Hospice, Hove, to name but a few.

Comedy Improvisation This cheerful and informative course uses a wide range of games and exercises and covers: unblocking your imagination, storytelling, character-building, status-play, comedy-business, how to enjoy looking stupid and devising skills. Improvisation gives participants confidence and the ability to think on their feet (useful for all sorts of situations). It stimulates creativity and helps unlock the huge range of characters and stories within you that can be used to delight an audience, professionally or in everyday life. It aims to broaden comic and performance skills, motivate mind and body, and release lots of laughter in the process.  Facilitated by Alison Goldie, one of the most experienced improvisers in the U.K. and the author of The Improv Book: Improvisation for Theatre, Comedy, Education and Life (Oberon Books) this is one of the best improv courses you’ll ever do. And it’ll make you look younger, give you a six-pack and attract the person of your dreams.*   *Might be a fib.

Alison Goldie Alison Goldie is an actor, theatre director, writer and teacher. After graduating from Hull University with a degree in drama she performed in many rooms above pubs, did solo stand-up comedy, played all the female characters in Newman and Baddiel in Pieces (BBC2), then became a travel reporter on The Travel Show (BBC2). She toured the world with the award-winning The Weird Sisters Theatre Company and received huge acclaim for her solo show, Lady in Bed. She has directed plays for Vienna’s English Theatre, and in London’s West End, as well as many fringe and community shows. Alison’s book ‘The Improv Book: Improvisation for Theatre, Comedy, Education and Life’ was published in 2015 by Oberon Books and has received unanimously positive reviews. Alison is also a trained and practising life coach. See Alison's website here: www.alisongoldie.com and www.alisongoldiecoach.com.

Abseiling Take up the challenge and experience abseiling in the stunning scenery and nature of Atsitsa. Berny offers a Greek experience with a difference! From a basic, beginners abseil, to the amazing experiences of tackling sea cliffs, mineshafts and the possible ultimate experience of abseiling directly into the warm, blue sea! Whether with previous experience or a complete novice, here's the opportunity to challenge yourself and achieve the satisfaction of "safely" defying gravity, in a shared, group experience with a very experienced instructor who offers adventure, camaraderie and a diversity of ways to overcome your fears, both actual and analogous. Return back to the UK with spectacular photos and memories of the unique experience of an abseil in the sun!

Berny Woodward Berny holds the UK Mountain Instructors Certificate and has extensive experience having worked in the RAF as an Outdoor Adventure Instructor for over 20 years. He is also a self taught artist and poet.

Massage, Reflexology The massage and reflexology courses are aimed at introducing participants to these therapies in a very safe but relaxed manner. The massage course will include Indian Head Massage techniques and Ayurvedic Facial Massage.

Johanna Simonetti Johanna has enjoyed a long and fulfilling career in holistic health. She studied in Britain and the United States and qualified in a wide range of therapies, including massage, aromatherapy, reflexology, lymphatic drainage, cranio-sacral therapy, sports injuries and stress management. She is also a Reiki Master. Having trained as a teacher, Johanna set up a number of colleges in her native Ireland. She also worked as an examiner for ITEC (International Therapy Examination Council) which involved assessing students in The United States, South Africa, Malta, Great Britain and Ireland. She has facilitated a number of sessions in Atsitsa. For the last five years, Johanna has worked as a touch therapist in a cancer support centre.

Life Writing During the course, we will explore approaches to life writing through a combination of examples, discussions and practical exercises to discover forms most appropriate to unique and individual stories. Autobiography? Memoir? Reportage? Family history? Life writing can provide a singular perspective on dramatic events, as well as insight into history, society and the human relationships that underpin them. The writer's intimate connection to the material can add a new and resonant dimension to a reader's experience. Topics will include: finding the universal in the particular; the "I" of autobiographical writing and what it means to be true to someone's story; creating characters and places; descriptive techniques; using voices and dialogue to create scenes; developing acts, arcs and narrative potential through the dynamics of structure and plot; how to use contextual research to add depth and understanding. Life writing is often emotionally and psychologically demanding, occasionally cathartic but always challenging. The aim of the course is ultimately to bring out the stories lurking in all of us and to share them in an open, supportive and participatory environment.

Nick Barlay Nick Barlay is the author of four widely acclaimed novels, Curvy Lovebox, first published by the Black imprint X Press, and Crumple Zone and Hooky Gear. Together, these formed a loose trilogy set in the underbelly of contemporary London. Hooky Gear was mentioned in Granta’s ‘Best of Young British Novelists’ in 2003, and was highly praised by Hilary Mantel until it was realised he was too old to be young. His fourth novel, The Wife of a Man Who, rejected in the UK, became a success across the Channel and was praised as a masterpiece. It is currently available in French only. Barlay was born in London to Hungarian Jewish parents and his first non-fiction book, Scattered Ghosts, is the story of his family over two centuries. It was longlisted for the Wingate Prize 2015. He has also written short stories, award-winning radio plays and wide-ranging journalism, including a long-running series about London for the Times. More recently, he has contributed articles to the online Central and Eastern European News. He regularly teaches creative writing and journalism, as well as Guardian Masterclasses on writing family history. www.nickbarlay.com

Yoga with Awareness In a focused and yet playful way, experience how Ken integrates Yoga with Feldenkrais. These yoga classes and moving meditation sessions are suitable for all levels, including complete beginners and those who have injuries or are restricted in their movement. The intuitive and spontaneous hands-on approach emphasizes the benefits of using your breath and developing an awareness of your inner process. Holiday participants will learn to use their bodies with intelligence, awareness and efficiency. The Eyerman Technique will ease you into new postures while encouraging you to explore movement in a way that is both developmental and restorative. Ken seeks to work with you, by developing core movement, and helping you tune into the constant flow of life energy essential to maintaining health and clarity of mind. Ken's yoga courses in Atsitsa are included as 'One of the 5 Best Yoga Holidays' on the Healthista website and listed as the 'Best holiday for those with injuries', describing the yoga as 'great for people who want a slower pace, including complete beginners and those who have injuries or are restricted in their movement.'

Ken Eyerman With over thirty five years experience, Ken is an American who has worked as a movement therapist, having studied dance and psychology. Previously he worked at the London Contemporary Dance School as bodyworker in residence. Ken is trained in The Feldenkrais Method, Awareness Through Movement and has a busy private practice at Natureworks/ Danceworks in London. As well as regular yoga workshops, Ken offers his Yoga with Awareness holidays internationally and returns to Skyros for his 25th season! He is the author of an inspirational book, Massage and was named as one of the Londons top three masseurs by the Evening Standard. The Ken Eyerman School of Bodywork and Movement is affiliated to the Institute of Complementary Medicine.

Windsurfing Beginners: This course is aimed at complete beginners and covers the basic skills required to learn this exciting sport. The majority of the time is spent on the water. Windsurfing will help improve your coordination, flexibility and strength. The course will challenge you but the emphasis is on enjoyment. You will be encouraged to take intelligent risks and develop an awareness of your environment. During most of the summer you will only need to wear swimwear, though we recommend that you bring your own wet shoes. At the beginning and end of the season it may be necessary to wear a shortie wetsuit, which will be provided. It is not necessary to be a strong swimmer or athletic to learn windsurfing. However, a basic level of mobility and some confidence in the water is required. Students may continue onto the Improvers class in the 2nd half of the session of a 2 week session. Improvers: This is a series of drop in classes suitable for those with previous experience. An ability to sail away from the beach, turn around and sail back is the only minimum requirement. It is also open to those who took part in the Learn to Windsurf course during the first half of a 2 week session. Each class will take the form of a short clinic followed by on water practice. Continued coaching and feedback will be available or you can just practice without instruction.

Mark Gunston Mark has been teaching Windsurfing for 30 years and is a qualified RYA Windsurfing Trainer. He managed a watersports centre in Cornwall for 6 years and during the late 1980s worked at a Windsurfing Club on the Sea of Galilee. He has taught at a variety of centres in England, Greece, Sardinia and San Francisco and is one of the UK’s most experienced Windsurfing teachers. In 1998 he established and managed a Fitness Centre in New Delhi. Mark qualified as an internationally licensed Ski Instructor in 2001 and has worked in Austria, France, Italy, Spain and Vermont as a Ski Instructor, Ski Guide and Resort Manager. He is also a certified  Life Coach. Mark has been teaching in Atsitsa since 1996. Mark is now realising a life times ambition and is studying 'Film' full time at University.

• Greece - Skyros Centre SC5

  SAT 2 - SAT 9 SEP 2017

  £745.00

  Book

• Book Under the Bed (WL)

  Julia Bell

  New Ways to Calm Wellbeing (HW)

  Andry Anastasiou

  The Community of Song

  Luke Meredith

  Morning Yoga & Treatments

  Katrina Love Senn

Book Under the Bed (WL) Book Under the Bed Have you always harboured a desire to write, even written a book but never taken it any further? This is an opportunity to dust off your ambition and find some new motivation and inspiration through a mixture of exercises and group workshops. Designed for people at all stages of the process from beginners to professionals seeking new ideas. This course will inspire, challenge and offer useful tips on crafting irresistible, engaging prose.

Julia Bell Julia Bell is a novelist and Course Director of the successful MA in Creative Writing at Birkbeck in London. She is the editor of the bestselling Creative Writing Coursebook. Her latest novel, The Dark Light is published by Macmillan. She also writes poetry, short stories and is a keen street photographer. You can find out more at www.juliabell.net

New Ways to Calm Wellbeing (HW) New Ways to Calm Wellbeing Enhance  your sense of relaxation and calm by creating simple daily moments of centering, listening and stillness. That way you  can feel relaxed, however busy and demanding  life is. On this one week workshop you’ll learn new approaches and tools you can use to help you feel centred, and at ease in your daily life. You’ll experience a week of immersing yourself in meditation, relaxation, dialogue walks and journalling. With practice these new and established techniques will support you to listen more deeply to yourself and others, and to feel relaxed and calmer from the inside out.

Andry Anastasiou Andry Anastasiou is an insightful experienced, qualified coach, international  workshop facilitator and learning consultant. She has been leading personal and professional development workshops for over 20 years that have enabled her clients to experience wellbeing, change career direction, find new jobs, discover work-life balance and improve relationships. Andry has skills and knowledge in a range of coaching, mentoring, success and well-being and change techniques such as, Solutions Focused coaching dialogue, mindfulness, Qi Gong, MIT U Theory and possibility thinking.  Andry facilitates creative, supportive workshops with real passion, insight authenticity and playfulness.    What Andry’s clients say:   •     ‘The biggest  change I experienced as a result of coaching with Andry has to be my new job, with my new career.’  •     ‘Working with Andry is great because it’s like a journey of starting with someone stuck in a certain place and then by using skills and technique you enabled me to unravel it all to get to a different space. It’s all about understanding.’  Visit Andry's website here: http://thelearningmoment.org

The Community of Song We all love singing along to our favourite tunes, and research from various universities has indicated that singalong could be as good for you as yoga (University of Gothenburg), improves mental health (University of London) and actually makes you live longer (Harvard and Yale). This course explores singalong, what particular songs mean to people, and what happens when we share that song - as well as being a jolly old knees-up!

Luke Meredith Luke Meredith, or Mister Meredith, is a cabaret entertainer and compère, and is at the forefront of the revival in piano singalong nights. He performs regularly in London at cabaret and comedy venues, including Proud Cabaret, Royal Vauxhall Tavern, Cafe de Paris, Fontaine's and Leicester Square Theatre, and at high profile theatres around the UK from Newcastle Theatre Royal down to Kings Theatre in Portsmouth via Birmingham Old Rep. His last three solo shows at the Edinburgh Fringe in The Voodoo Rooms have gathered four and five star reviews, while he continues to pack houses with his variety show Magic Faraway Cabaret, now in its 6th year. Luke is also a visiting lecturer at City Lit, where he has taught singing on the accredited drama courses since 2009, as well as daytime courses on Singing for Actors, Cabaret and Musical Theatre. He has a BA Hons in Music Drama and Dance from Birmingham University and a PTLLS from City Lit, and continues to research and develop new vocal teaching techniques. Visit Luke's website here: http://mistermeredith.co.uk “One of the greatest cabaret performers of his generation” Scotsgay “A subversive compère who takes pride in getting the City boys a little hot under the collar“ The Telegraph

Morning Yoga & Treatments Skyros Centre course participants are welcome to attend a gentle pre-breakfast yoga class in the mornings. This class is a great way to start the day. Wear loose comfortable clothing.  Katrina Love Senn teaches Healing Hatha Yoga which is her own signature blend of yoga, breathing, stretching, visualisation, intention and personal enquiry. It helps students to strengthen their body-mind connection, activating richer levels of creativity and spirituality. Katrina's classes draw on her extensive experience teaching at international healing retreat centres around the world. She infuses her yoga classes with kindness, compassion and a sense of play. Her classes are suitable for students of all levels including beginners. For Katrina, yoga is a powerful tool for total transformation. Through the practice of yoga, you give yourself a gift; a safe space to look within, gaining new insights and using these as a chance to see all the answers that reside inside of you. Being on the mat, is a way that you can heal, build strength and find the courage to take a powerful step forward in your life. Yoga can help to transform and shift any area of your life including your health, your career, and even your relationship to self and others. It can help you to get clear on your old stories, default habits, limitations and fears so that you can move beyond them if you choose to.  Yoga gives you a platform to find your edge and play with it, so that you can go beyond that which you thought was even possible, and create a body and life that you dream of!

Katrina Love Senn Katrina Love Senn is an international yoga teacher, healer and author of the ground breaking book 'Losing Weight is a Healing Journey: A Woman’s Guide to Losing Weight Naturally'. On her healing journey, she lost over 60 pounds for good as well as healed a number of chronic health conditions, including asthma, eczema and adrenal exhaustion, with no diets, drugs or deprivation. She is a natural intuitive and has a fun, warm and heart-centred approach to living and life. She infuses her gentle yoga classes with inspiration, love, kindness and encouragement. Based at The Skyros Centre throughout the season, Katrina is excited to offer massage treatments, along with her signature Break-through Healing Sessions. Her massage treatments and healing sessions are based upon how she healed and transformed her own life using a range of gentle healing tools.

• Greece - Atsitsa Bay AT6

  SAT 9 - SAT 16 SEP 2017

  £725.00

  Book

• Abseiling

  Berny Woodward

  Mindfulness

  Michael Eales

  Massage, Reflexology

  Johanna Simonetti

  Novel Writing

  Claire McGowan

  Yoga Beyond Yoga

  Kenneth Ryan

  Windsurfing

  Mark Gunston

  Delivering a Song

  Luke Meredith

  Art from the Heart

  Stoney Parsons

Abseiling Take up the challenge and experience abseiling in the stunning scenery and nature of Atsitsa. Berny offers a Greek experience with a difference! From a basic, beginners abseil, to the amazing experiences of tackling sea cliffs, mineshafts and the possible ultimate experience of abseiling directly into the warm, blue sea! Whether with previous experience or a complete novice, here's the opportunity to challenge yourself and achieve the satisfaction of "safely" defying gravity, in a shared, group experience with a very experienced instructor who offers adventure, camaraderie and a diversity of ways to overcome your fears, both actual and analogous. Return back to the UK with spectacular photos and memories of the unique experience of an abseil in the sun!

Berny Woodward Berny holds the UK Mountain Instructors Certificate and has extensive experience having worked in the RAF as an Outdoor Adventure Instructor for over 20 years. He is also a self taught artist and poet.

Mindfulness Mindfulness is an exploration of the practice of present-moment awareness, kindness and whole-hearted living. It is a simple path to our core self, the place of inner wisdom, wellbeing and happiness. It also provides tools for recognizing and reducing unhealthy stress and for becoming aware of our habits of thought and action, which keep us stuck. This awareness is the first step toward self-transformation. Putting these skills into practice takes focus, will, intent and discipline. Paying attention to our bodies, thoughts, feelings, and how we express ourselves, in a kind hearted friendly way, is the key to release us from our attachments and blocks. The course combines western psychology with the wisdom of the East.

Michael Eales Michael Eales, psychologist, writer, and leadership coach for 30 years, is one of the leading figures in Humanistic Psychology. He is co-author of The Personal Management Handbook,Implausible Professions and The Coaching Cube and is a management consultant with major organizations. He was part of the staff team of the Human Potential Research Project at Surrey University and has trained many practitioners in the field. He has written for film and television. He co-wrote and acted in the film Inertia (Dir. Anna Campion), which opened at the London Raindance Film Festival, and Bipolar‚ which premiered in 2006 at the Edinburgh Film Festival. He is currently working with Anna Campion on a film adaptation of a novel. In 2013 he published Sketches of Skyros, a collection of poems illustrated by paintings of the late Manos Faltaits, and Dreams Like Enigmatic Paintings, a translation of the work of Henri Michaux.

Massage, Reflexology The massage and reflexology courses are aimed at introducing participants to these therapies in a very safe but relaxed manner. The massage course will include Indian Head Massage techniques and Ayurvedic Facial Massage.

Johanna Simonetti Johanna has enjoyed a long and fulfilling career in holistic health. She studied in Britain and the United States and qualified in a wide range of therapies, including massage, aromatherapy, reflexology, lymphatic drainage, cranio-sacral therapy, sports injuries and stress management. She is also a Reiki Master. Having trained as a teacher, Johanna set up a number of colleges in her native Ireland. She also worked as an examiner for ITEC (International Therapy Examination Council) which involved assessing students in The United States, South Africa, Malta, Great Britain and Ireland. She has facilitated a number of sessions in Atsitsa. For the last five years, Johanna has worked as a touch therapist in a cancer support centre.

Novel Writing Many people dream of writing a novel, but few succeed in finishing one and then selling it for publication. This course will show you how to do exactly that. We'll start by looking at the key building blocks of a successful novel, including genre, story and concept, narrative techniques, plotting, suspense and characterisation. We'll also look at the creative process, and find ways to overcome blocks and doubts, as well as techniques for planning and outlining. Finally we will discuss ways into the industry, finding an agent, pitching your work, and working as a writer. You will leave with renewed motivation, a strong sense of the path ahead in your work, and the tools and techniques you need to succeed as a novelist. The course will also offer opportunities to share your work and receive feedback and guidance.

Claire McGowan Claire McGowan writes an acclaimed crime fiction series, and also writes women's fiction under the name Eva Woods. She has published seven novels to date with two more to come in 2017. She set up and currently runs the UK's first genre-based MA at City University London, and has taught for many organisations and festivals including Arvon, Guardian Masterclasses, The Literary Consultancy, the Cheltenham festival, and many others. Claire's enthusiastic and honest teaching style has motivated many of her students on to publication already.

Yoga Beyond Yoga That, “the essence is at ease, the essence is at ease!”, you will find to be a predominant theme and focus in enjoying the eastern arts with Kenneth. Sessions with Kenneth will include  Yoga (from Energetic through Restful ), Qi Gong, Tai Chi, traditional and contemporary moving meditations. These practices will be adapted, often softened to keep them approachable and to suit your experience and level of ability.  After Meditation, early morning classes will tend to be lively and energetic. Mid-day classes will be slower, having greater technical emphasis. Evening classes you will find to be restful restorative and deeply relaxing. Whether holding  steady, even strong  postures or if you wish and are ready to “jump along” to a more energetic practice,  you can expect to discover great Openness and Energy with ease. Anticipate also the Bliss of being cradled  into a deep relaxed  Awareness of Being... The sessions will include: Relaxing Restorative Yoga Dynamic Yoga Yoga Nidra;Yoga of sleep and dream fulfillment Tibetan Yoga; the fountain of Youth Traditional and Contemporary Meditations Restful Awareness; just that Spirit Circle; contemplating the Epitome philosophical teaching from the Eastern world Qi Gong/Tai Chi Above are just a number of suggested possibilities. Naturally, the programme will be tailored to suit personal requirements and the collective energy of the group. The Yoga Beyond Yoga programme will be offered as a means of recognition and as a reminder of the ease of being and natural harmonious state which is the natural essence of being.

Kenneth Ryan Kenneth Ryan is from Galway town in the west of Ireland, although in recent years has spent most of his time abroad; he has travelled extensively. It was during one of his extended trips, during the long warm winter of his first trip to India in 1994 that Kenneth spent much of his time living alone in the tropical forest, at Peace with nature. He has since been inspired to regularly return to the mystical sub-continent and further east for lengthy periods of study and practice at traditional and contemporary schools of Yoga, Tai Chi, Awareness, Massage and Meditation. On retreat Ken interprets these teachings in a form more appropriate to the western mind and lifestyle without compromising the essence of Truth that is Yoga. His style of teaching is often lively, balanced with gentleness of approach. Practical Tantric awareness has been one of the strongest influences along with a deep Love for the more subtle aspects of Hatha Yoga Vedanta philosophy. Kenneth has always placed great emphasis on restful Awareness and he loves to share the many epitome eastern teachings which are simple realisations of the natural state of being.

Windsurfing Beginners: This course is aimed at complete beginners and covers the basic skills required to learn this exciting sport. The majority of the time is spent on the water. Windsurfing will help improve your coordination, flexibility and strength. The course will challenge you but the emphasis is on enjoyment. You will be encouraged to take intelligent risks and develop an awareness of your environment. During most of the summer you will only need to wear swimwear, though we recommend that you bring your own wet shoes. At the beginning and end of the season it may be necessary to wear a shortie wetsuit, which will be provided. It is not necessary to be a strong swimmer or athletic to learn windsurfing. However, a basic level of mobility and some confidence in the water is required. Students may continue onto the Improvers class in the 2nd half of the session of a 2 week session. Improvers: This is a series of drop in classes suitable for those with previous experience. An ability to sail away from the beach, turn around and sail back is the only minimum requirement. It is also open to those who took part in the Learn to Windsurf course during the first half of a 2 week session. Each class will take the form of a short clinic followed by on water practice. Continued coaching and feedback will be available or you can just practice without instruction.

Mark Gunston Mark has been teaching Windsurfing for 30 years and is a qualified RYA Windsurfing Trainer. He managed a watersports centre in Cornwall for 6 years and during the late 1980s worked at a Windsurfing Club on the Sea of Galilee. He has taught at a variety of centres in England, Greece, Sardinia and San Francisco and is one of the UK’s most experienced Windsurfing teachers. In 1998 he established and managed a Fitness Centre in New Delhi. Mark qualified as an internationally licensed Ski Instructor in 2001 and has worked in Austria, France, Italy, Spain and Vermont as a Ski Instructor, Ski Guide and Resort Manager. He is also a certified  Life Coach. Mark has been teaching in Atsitsa since 1996. Mark is now realising a life times ambition and is studying 'Film' full time at University.

Delivering a Song Delivering A Song Performing a song is more than just remembering where to match the notes to the words. Sometimes it’s not even about that! Learn all the tricks of the trade, finding the sense of a song and the best way to deliver that to your audience. We’ll cover dramatic and vocal techniques and how to combine the two. We’ll be looking at comedy songs, ballads and uptempo numbers and how to bring out the best in them – and in you! Whether you want to wow them on stage or just be more confident when you do your turn at the party, this course will help you on your way. There will be solo singing within the group and plenty of tutor feedback, with a mini-showcase at the end hosted by yours truly.

Luke Meredith Luke Meredith, or Mister Meredith, is a cabaret entertainer and compère, and is at the forefront of the revival in piano singalong nights. He performs regularly in London at cabaret and comedy venues, including Proud Cabaret, Royal Vauxhall Tavern, Cafe de Paris, Fontaine's and Leicester Square Theatre, and at high profile theatres around the UK from Newcastle Theatre Royal down to Kings Theatre in Portsmouth via Birmingham Old Rep. His last three solo shows at the Edinburgh Fringe in The Voodoo Rooms have gathered four and five star reviews, while he continues to pack houses with his variety show Magic Faraway Cabaret, now in its 6th year. Luke is also a visiting lecturer at City Lit, where he has taught singing on the accredited drama courses since 2009, as well as daytime courses on Singing for Actors, Cabaret and Musical Theatre. He has a BA Hons in Music Drama and Dance from Birmingham University and a PTLLS from City Lit, and continues to research and develop new vocal teaching techniques. Visit Luke's website here: http://mistermeredith.co.uk “One of the greatest cabaret performers of his generation” Scotsgay “A subversive compère who takes pride in getting the City boys a little hot under the collar“ The Telegraph

Art from the Heart This course is for anyone who ever longed to get in touch with their creativity through art. Here is your chance to just do it, to try out new things, explore what you are capable of in a safe and happy atmosphere within a group. Participants will do different exercises designed to draw out their inner artist, getting into the right-side of the brain and connecting with your heart. It's about the doing and the daring to do and discovering what you are capable of. Course will include painting (water-colours and acrylics) drawing, collage, mixed media. Stoney is an experienced facilitator and teaches the Art from the Heart courses from her studio. She passionately believes that we are all creative.

Stoney Parsons Stoney is a professional stained glass artist and teacher. She works and teaches in her lovely studio on the Kent/Sussex border in a country park estate. Stoney has been working to commission for the last 30 years. Her work ranges from commissions in hospitals, schools, restaurants and private residences throughout the UK for, for example Raymond Blanc at his restaurant Le Manoir aux QuatSaisons, Martlets Hospice, Hove, to name but a few.

• Greece - Skyros Centre SC6

  SAT 9 - SAT 16 SEP 2017

  £725.00

  Book

• How to Build a Novel (WL)

  DJ Connell

  Discover Your Life-Calling (HW)

  Julian Russell

  Playtime for Grownups

  Alison Goldie

  Morning Yoga & Treatments

  Katrina Love Senn

How to Build a Novel (WL) We will examine the novel from a structural perspective, breaking it down into the elements of a good story. You will learn how to plan your novel and how to build its chapters along the bones of a narrative arc. This course is about demystifying the process and about giving you practical skills to construct a compelling book with vivid characters. You will be guided and encouraged within a positive and supportive group environment. There will be daily exercises to stimulate creativity and to provide you with the confidence to power ahead with your novel.  Key benefits: You will come away with an outline and timeframe for proceeding with your novel. You will leave the course feeling confident about your ability to write your book. You will feel enlivened and encouraged by the group dynamic.

DJ Connell DJ Connell was born in New Zealand and has lived and worked in various countries including Australia, Japan, France and the UK. She began her writing career as a newspaper journalist and also wrote for the international non-profit field and advertising before becoming a novelist. Her first novel 'Julian Corkle is a Filthy Liar' was published in the UK by Blue Door HarperCollins and was shortlisted for the Polari First Book Prize. Optioned by Sarah Radclyffe Productions and Macgowan Films, the novel was adapted for screen by Mark Herman and Jonathan Entwistle. The feature film is currently in pre-production. DJ Connell’s second novel 'Sherry Cracker Gets Normal' was also published by Blue Door with editions published in France and German by Editions Belfond and Rowohlt Verlag, respectively. DJ Connell lives in London and is a regular contributor on BBC London 94.9. In 2014, she received a grant from Arts Council England to complete her third book 'The Absurdist'. She is currently working on the second draft of her fourth novel which is set in Camden, London. To find out more about DJ Connell visit her website, djconnell.com and blog, djconnell.wordpress.com

Discover Your Life-Calling (HW) Find the difference you make in the world “Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life…have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.” - Steve Jobs, Stanford Commencement Speech Do you long to wake up with a sense of purpose and passion, a clear idea of your strengths and talents and the knowledge of how to put them to the best use? When you ‘Discover Your Life-Calling’, this is precisely what happens. Suddenly, you can begin every day with a clear vision and sense of inner-knowing of who you are and what has deepest meaning for you. You can engage more often with the fun, creative, playful aspects of you which ignite your passion and inspire your soul. Everyone has a Life-Calling and everyone can discover theirs. It will most likely be the thing you are doing already without even thinking about it – the part of you that is so instinctual, so ‘you’ that you barely notice it is there. But when you discover it, when you have clarity about what it is, it can change your life. Discovering your Life-Calling allows you to see yourself in a positive light. Allows the potential of what you can use your strengths and talents for to open out, feel closer, more possible. It helps bring the you that is great to life.

Julian Russell Julian’s passion is helping people make the most of their lives. He has been on his own path of personal exploration for 40 years and leading others on theirs since the 1980s with the Life Talent integrative approach to human development. Today he offers open workshops, on-going groups, and he is an executive coach to leaders in global organizations in Europe, the USA and China. He helped to introduce NLP into the UK and is co-author, with Robert Dilts and Anne Deering, of the book Alpha Leadership – Tools for Business Leaders Who Want More Out of Life (Wiley and Co, 2002). He is a regular speaker at the annual NLP Conference and at Alternatives, Piccadilly. He has run coaching master classes for the Academy of Executive Coaching and the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD). He is also a former trustee of Re-Vision, a Psychosynthesis training charity; has been a UKCP registered psychotherapist; and is a former board member of the UK Association for NLP (ANLP). He holds a 2nd dan black-belt in Aikido, regularly dances 5 Rhythms and has been a close disciple of a great Buddhist master for over 20 years. Visit his personal development website at  www.LifeTalent.com  and his executive coaching website at www.ppdconsulting.com

Playtime for Grownups An opportunity to have some proper fun in a series of drop-in 90 minute sessions. Alison Goldie facilitates games and activities for all Skyros participants that will stimulate your creativity, reacquaint you with your silly side and generate lots of enjoyment.   Expect a mix of improvisation, singing, party games, themed chats, fig-picking while nattering – Alison likes finding the right activity for the people playing, and giving them a space to loosen up and bond with others after working hard on their full courses.

Alison Goldie Alison Goldie is an actor, theatre director, writer and teacher. After graduating from Hull University with a degree in drama she performed in many rooms above pubs, did solo stand-up comedy, played all the female characters in Newman and Baddiel in Pieces (BBC2), then became a travel reporter on The Travel Show (BBC2). She toured the world with the award-winning The Weird Sisters Theatre Company and received huge acclaim for her solo show, Lady in Bed. She has directed plays for Vienna’s English Theatre, and in London’s West End, as well as many fringe and community shows. Alison’s book ‘The Improv Book: Improvisation for Theatre, Comedy, Education and Life’ was published in 2015 by Oberon Books and has received unanimously positive reviews. Alison is also a trained and practising life coach. See Alison's website here: www.alisongoldie.com and www.alisongoldiecoach.com.

Morning Yoga & Treatments Skyros Centre course participants are welcome to attend a gentle pre-breakfast yoga class in the mornings. This class is a great way to start the day. Wear loose comfortable clothing.  Katrina Love Senn teaches Healing Hatha Yoga which is her own signature blend of yoga, breathing, stretching, visualisation, intention and personal enquiry. It helps students to strengthen their body-mind connection, activating richer levels of creativity and spirituality. Katrina's classes draw on her extensive experience teaching at international healing retreat centres around the world. She infuses her yoga classes with kindness, compassion and a sense of play. Her classes are suitable for students of all levels including beginners. For Katrina, yoga is a powerful tool for total transformation. Through the practice of yoga, you give yourself a gift; a safe space to look within, gaining new insights and using these as a chance to see all the answers that reside inside of you. Being on the mat, is a way that you can heal, build strength and find the courage to take a powerful step forward in your life. Yoga can help to transform and shift any area of your life including your health, your career, and even your relationship to self and others. It can help you to get clear on your old stories, default habits, limitations and fears so that you can move beyond them if you choose to.  Yoga gives you a platform to find your edge and play with it, so that you can go beyond that which you thought was even possible, and create a body and life that you dream of!

Katrina Love Senn Katrina Love Senn is an international yoga teacher, healer and author of the ground breaking book 'Losing Weight is a Healing Journey: A Woman’s Guide to Losing Weight Naturally'. On her healing journey, she lost over 60 pounds for good as well as healed a number of chronic health conditions, including asthma, eczema and adrenal exhaustion, with no diets, drugs or deprivation. She is a natural intuitive and has a fun, warm and heart-centred approach to living and life. She infuses her gentle yoga classes with inspiration, love, kindness and encouragement. Based at The Skyros Centre throughout the season, Katrina is excited to offer massage treatments, along with her signature Break-through Healing Sessions. Her massage treatments and healing sessions are based upon how she healed and transformed her own life using a range of gentle healing tools.

• Isle of Wight IOW

  FRI 6 - SUN 8 OCT 2017

  £90.00

  Book

• Screenwriting

  Phil Gladwin

Screenwriting An Introduction to Screenwriting is an exciting glimpse into the world of the professional storyteller. During the course of the weekend you will learn how to create the kind of story that grips an audience, how to guide that audience through ever bigger emotional highs and lows, how to build to a dramatic climax, and how to leave them desperate for more. You should come with a blank piece of paper and no preconceptions, and expect to leave with a vivid insight into how TV drama is actually written. Using a mix of practical workshops, more formal discussions, and private writing time, Philip will introduce you to dramatic screenwriting. He will show you how it differs from other forms of writing, and he will explain what elements you absolutely need for a dramatic story. He will explain his professional methods for creating engaging characters, get you writing great scene and dialogue, and help each of you with your dramatic writing, whether you are just starting out, or whether you have been writing professionally for years. If you have ever looked at the TV and thought, I can do better than that‚ then this is your chance to begin. PLEASE NOTE that this course is best suited to people who want to write drama for the screen, the stage, or for radio. The course weekend begins with arrival from 4pm on the Friday evening and optional dinner at 7.30pm. After dinner there is a welcoming get-together and an introduction to the course.  Courses run for two hours from 10.30am to 12.30pm on Saturday, 5pm to 7pm on Saturday afternoon and from 10.30am to 12.30pm on Sunday. The course price is £90.00 and a 10% discount applies to Friends of Skyros. As you proceed through the booking system you will be asked for your accommodation requirements.

Phil Gladwin Owner of Screenwriting Goldmine, and most recently Head of Development for Bentley Productions (famous for making Midsomer Murders), Philip Gladwin has worked as a television script editor and screenwriter since 1995. He has been hired by (and sometimes been fired by) the BBC, ITV, and many different independent production companies, to write or edit TV shows such as New Tricks, The Dumping Ground, The Sarah Jane Adventures, Grange Hill, Holby, Trial & Retribution, The Bill, Casualty, Bugs, Crossroads, and Berkeley Square, plus a good few others that never made it to broadcast. Two of his stage plays went on national tour in 2011 and 2012, he has been nominated for a Sony award and a Medical Journalists Award for his radio plays, and nominated twice for the Dennis Potter Award for his TV work. While learning to write he worked as a cycle courier in central London, a researcher in Artificial Intelligence at Cambridge University, a waiter in London, Brighton and the East Village, and a technical writer for an IBM software house. He loved being a cycle courier, but possibly his least favourite job was being the man who sat outside a massive freezer keeping tally of the movements of tons of frozen fish. He now lives by the sea in Brighton.

• Isle of Wight IOW

  FRI 13 - SUN 15 OCT 2017

  £90.00

  Book

• How to Build a Novel - Weekend

  DJ Connell

How to Build a Novel - Weekend We will examine the novel from a structural perspective, breaking it down into the elements of a good story. You will learn how to plan your novel and how to build its chapters along the bones of a narrative arc. This course is about demystifying the process and about giving you practical skills to construct a compelling book with vivid characters. You will be guided and encouraged within a positive and supportive group environment. There will be daily exercises to stimulate creativity and to provide you with the confidence to power ahead with your novel.  Key benefits: You will come away with an outline and timeframe for proceeding with your novel You will leave the course feeling confident about your ability to write your book You will feel enlivened and encouraged by the group dynamic The course weekend begins with arrival from 4pm on the Friday evening and optional dinner at 7.30pm. After dinner there is a welcoming get-together and an introduction to the course.  Courses run for two hours from 10.30am to 12.30pm on Saturday, 5pm to 7pm on Saturday afternoon and from 10.30am to 12.30pm on Sunday. The course price is £90.00 and a 10% discount applies to Friends of Skyros. As you proceed through the booking system you will be asked for your accommodation requirements.

DJ Connell DJ Connell was born in New Zealand and has lived and worked in various countries including Australia, Japan, France and the UK. She began her writing career as a newspaper journalist and also wrote for the international non-profit field and advertising before becoming a novelist. Her first novel 'Julian Corkle is a Filthy Liar' was published in the UK by Blue Door HarperCollins and was shortlisted for the Polari First Book Prize. Optioned by Sarah Radclyffe Productions and Macgowan Films, the novel was adapted for screen by Mark Herman and Jonathan Entwistle. The feature film is currently in pre-production. DJ Connell’s second novel 'Sherry Cracker Gets Normal' was also published by Blue Door with editions published in France and German by Editions Belfond and Rowohlt Verlag, respectively. DJ Connell lives in London and is a regular contributor on BBC London 94.9. In 2014, she received a grant from Arts Council England to complete her third book 'The Absurdist'. She is currently working on the second draft of her fourth novel which is set in Camden, London. To find out more about DJ Connell visit her website, djconnell.com and blog, djconnell.wordpress.com

• Isle of Wight IOW

  FRI 20 - SUN 22 OCT 2017

  £90.00

  Book

• Wellbeing Moments

  Andry Anastasiou

Wellbeing Moments Wellbeing means being happy, healthy and fulfilled in life. Our sense of wellbeing can change moment to moment, with our emotions, thinking and physical health. It's proven that we can increase our own wellbeing over time. When we listen carefully to ourselves and others, our inner wisdom can guide us to how to enhance our wellbeing in life.  On this supportive experiential weekend workshop, we will draw on deep listening techniques from journalling, to peer coaching and neutral compassionate observation. Using these approaches, you will discover the inner spark of wellbeing wisdom that exists in you and that guides you to understand clearly how to improve your wellbeing in life.  The course weekend begins with arrival from 4pm on the Friday evening and optional dinner at 7.30pm. After dinner there is a welcoming get-together and an introduction to the course.  Courses run for two hours from 10.30am to 12.30pm on Saturday, 5pm to 7pm on Saturday afternoon and from 10.30am to 12.30pm on Sunday. The course price is £90.00 and a 10% discount applies to Friends of Skyros. As you proceed through the booking system you will be asked for your accommodation requirements.

Andry Anastasiou Andry Anastasiou is an insightful experienced, qualified coach, international  workshop facilitator and learning consultant. She has been leading personal and professional development workshops for over 20 years that have enabled her clients to experience wellbeing, change career direction, find new jobs, discover work-life balance and improve relationships. Andry has skills and knowledge in a range of coaching, mentoring, success and well-being and change techniques such as, Solutions Focused coaching dialogue, mindfulness, Qi Gong, MIT U Theory and possibility thinking.  Andry facilitates creative, supportive workshops with real passion, insight authenticity and playfulness.    What Andry’s clients say:   •     ‘The biggest  change I experienced as a result of coaching with Andry has to be my new job, with my new career.’  •     ‘Working with Andry is great because it’s like a journey of starting with someone stuck in a certain place and then by using skills and technique you enabled me to unravel it all to get to a different space. It’s all about understanding.’  Visit Andry's website here: http://thelearningmoment.org

• Isle of Wight IOW

  FRI 27 - SUN 29 OCT 2017

  £90.00

  Book

• Adventures in Comedy Writing Weekend

  Logan Murray

Adventures in Comedy Writing Weekend Comedy, like any other art, is a craft. There are tips and techniques to be learnt. Simply put, if you can understand comedy grammar then unlocking the funny ideas becomes easier. From finding your creative inspiration to learning the building blocks of humour, this workshop will help you discover your unique comic voice. Although a writing course, there would be some non-writing exercises designed to encourage the participant’s creativity. There would also be writing games with group feedback and tutor led suggestions to help you hone your comedy writing skills. By the end of the course you will know how to write comedy and will have the confidence to stand up on your own and make a group of total strangers laugh. Not only will you learn some tricks of the trade, you will also gain a greater awareness of the multitude of differing comic styles that the group manifest. These comedy skills aren’t only for the professional; they are also a fantastic way to think outside of the box, hone your communication skills and increase your confidence in everyday life. More importantly, you will laugh loads over the entire course. The course weekend begins with arrival from 4pm on the Friday evening and optional dinner at 7.30pm. After dinner there is a welcoming get-together and an introduction to the course.  Courses run for two hours from 10.30am to 12.30pm on Saturday, 5pm to 7pm on Saturday afternoon and from 10.30am to 12.30pm on Sunday. The course price is £90.00 and a 10% discount applies to Friends of Skyros. As you proceed through the booking system you will be asked for your accommodation requirements.

Logan Murray Logan Murray is a working comic and award winning director, author of ‘Teach Yourself Stand Up Comedy’, and script consultant for the BBC. He has recently run a series of writing workshops for the Radio Four Comedy Department. He teaches all over the World the Art and Craft of Comedy as far West as Colorado and as far East as Shanghai. Logan has taught many of the comedians, comedy actors and script writers who have appeared on TV and Radio over the past fifteen years, but is far too modest to boast about it here. There is, however, a list of past alumni on his website… His courses offer a unique opportunity to find out what a comedian’s mindset is like and explore his belief that Comedy really is a life skill!

• Isle of Wight IOW

  FRI 3 - SUN 5 NOV 2017

  £90.00

  Book

• Passionate Living Weekend

  Malcolm Stern

Passionate Living Weekend As children we marvel at the world around us, longing to be grown up and able to taste many gifts in life. Somehow as adults we have learned to shut down and avoid our pain and struggle. Unfortunately and unknowingly, we also close down our passion and joy. This workshop is designed to reawaken our appetite for the richness of life. Using a blend of psychotherapy, sensual techniques, dance, small group exercises, laughter and communication, we will explore and embrace our passionate selves. The course weekend begins with arrival from 4pm on the Friday evening and optional dinner at 7.30pm. After dinner there is a welcoming get-together and an introduction to the course.  Courses run for two hours from 10.30am to 12.30pm on Saturday, 5pm to 7pm on Saturday afternoon and from 10.30am to 12.30pm on Sunday. The course price is £90.00 and a 10% discount applies to Friends of Skyros. As you proceed through the booking system you will be asked for your accommodation requirements.

Malcolm Stern Malcolm Stern has worked as a group and individual psychotherapist for more than 20 years. He was a co-founder and is Executive Director of Alternatives at St James’s Church in London and runs groups internationally. He is the author of Falling in Love / Staying in Love (Piatkus 2004) and was co-presenter of Channel 4's relationship series 'Made for Each Other' in 2003 and 2004 and sailed on the 'Rainbow Warrior' with Greenpeace in the 1980s. Visit his website here: malcolmstern.com

• Isle of Wight IOW

  FRI 10 - SUN 12 NOV 2017

  £90.00

  Book

• Yoga with Awareness Weekend

  Ken Eyerman

Yoga with Awareness Weekend In a focused and yet playful way, experience how Ken integrates Yoga with Feldenkrais. These yoga classes and moving meditation sessions are suitable for all levels, including complete beginners and those who have injuries or are restricted in their movement. The intuitive and spontaneous hands-on approach emphasizes the benefits of using your breath and developing an awareness of your inner process. Participants will learn to use their bodies with intelligence, awareness and efficiency. The Eyerman Technique will ease you into new postures while encouraging you to explore movement in a way that is both developmental and restorative. Ken seeks to work with you, by developing core movement, and helping you tune into the constant flow of life energy essential to maintaining health and clarity of mind. Ken's yoga courses in Greece with Skyros.com are included as 'One of the 5 Best Yoga Holidays' on the Healthista website and listed as the 'Best holiday for those with injuries', describing the yoga as 'great for people who want a slower pace, including complete beginners and those who have injuries or are restricted in their movement.' The course weekend begins with arrival from 4pm on the Friday evening and optional dinner at 7.30pm. After dinner there is a welcoming get-together and an introduction to the course.  Courses run for two hours from 10.30am to 12.30pm on Saturday, 5pm to 7pm on Saturday afternoon and from 10.30am to 12.30pm on Sunday. The course price is £90.00 with a 10% Friends of Skyros discount. As you proceed through the booking system you will be asked for your accommodation requirements.

Ken Eyerman With over thirty five years experience, Ken is an American who has worked as a movement therapist, having studied dance and psychology. Previously he worked at the London Contemporary Dance School as bodyworker in residence. Ken is trained in The Feldenkrais Method, Awareness Through Movement and has a busy private practice at Natureworks/ Danceworks in London. As well as regular yoga workshops, Ken offers his Yoga with Awareness holidays internationally and returns to Skyros for his 25th season! He is the author of an inspirational book, Massage and was named as one of the Londons top three masseurs by the Evening Standard. The Ken Eyerman School of Bodywork and Movement is affiliated to the Institute of Complementary Medicine.

• Isle of Wight IOW

  FRI 17 - SUN 19 NOV 2017

  £90.00

  Book

• Cuban Salsa

  John Harris

Cuban Salsa In this course you will master the basics of Cuban Rueda Salsa - the Cuban social dance. Students can expect to cover the basic steps and turns of Cuban style which transfer to Columbian, LA and Cross Body styles. The course is designed for beginners but refreshers and the more experienced are still welcome to join this fun and invigorating course.  The course weekend begins with arrival from 4pm on the Friday evening and optional dinner at 7.30pm. After dinner there is a welcoming get-together and an introduction to the course.  Courses run for two hours from 10.30am to 12.30pm on Saturday, 5pm to 7pm on Saturday afternoon and from 10.30am to 12.30pm on Sunday. The course price is £90.00 and a 10% discount applies to Friends of Skyros. As you proceed through the booking system you will be asked for your accommodation requirements.

John Harris John Harris teaches Cuban Salsa and Argentine Tango and is also a Yoga instructor and Life Coach. He has led over 15 Skyros Holidays to Cuba and has taught Yoga and Life Coaching in a variety of settings worldwide. He first began working for Skyros in 1999, is originally from New Zealand and currently resides in the UK with his wife Zoe and son Felix.

• Isle of Wight IOW

  SUN 24 - WED 27 DEC 2017

  £425.00

  Book

• Christmas Celebration 2017

  Michael Eales

  Christmas Celebration 2017

  Susie Self

Christmas Celebration 2017 A four-day celebration with courses, coastline walking, parties, games, fabulous food and the company of inspirational leaders and soon-to-be new friends. Christmas at The Grange this year is hosted by Susie Self and Michael Eales, both of whom bring a wealth of skills, experience and fun to the event.  Courses and activities will be based around what everyone would like to do. Feel free to join in as much or as little as you want.  This is the time of year we talk about Peace and Joy and the challenge to all of us is how to live a happy and peaceful life in a world that is becoming faster moving, more stressful and more fearful. This is the perfect opportunity to explore and experience both. Michael Eales will be offering Living In The Now, Finding Our Joy. This will be a mix of mindful living, looking at how you can live in the present moment more of the time, and finding our path of happiness. The aim is to be at your best more of the time, and to find a strategy to bring that more into your life. Michael will also offer Mindfulness Meditation and Laughter Yoga. Michael creates a very safe and encouraging group space. Susie Self will lead Joyful Choir, singing in a happy upbeat group. This is a great activity for freeing your voice, connecting with others and filling you with wellbeing. No previous singing experience is needed. She will also offer a Open Mic activity, so bring a song, sheet music, a poem or a story. Susie will also offer Mandala Painting, a great way to relax and release your creativity. During the session you will be bathed in Susie's sensuous Subtle Sound Immersions.  Susie makes painting fun, easy and rewarding. No painting experience is needed and all materials are included. Together, these great hosts will lay the foundations for a Christmas you will truly enjoy!

Michael Eales Michael Eales, psychologist, writer, and leadership coach for 30 years, is one of the leading figures in Humanistic Psychology. He is co-author of The Personal Management Handbook,Implausible Professions and The Coaching Cube and is a management consultant with major organizations. He was part of the staff team of the Human Potential Research Project at Surrey University and has trained many practitioners in the field. He has written for film and television. He co-wrote and acted in the film Inertia (Dir. Anna Campion), which opened at the London Raindance Film Festival, and Bipolar‚ which premiered in 2006 at the Edinburgh Film Festival. He is currently working with Anna Campion on a film adaptation of a novel. In 2013 he published Sketches of Skyros, a collection of poems illustrated by paintings of the late Manos Faltaits, and Dreams Like Enigmatic Paintings, a translation of the work of Henri Michaux.

Christmas Celebration 2017 A four-day celebration with courses, coastline walking, parties, games, fabulous food and the company of inspirational leaders and soon-to-be new friends. Christmas at The Grange this year is hosted by Susie Self and Michael Eales, both of whom bring a wealth of skills, experience and fun to the event.  Courses and activities will be based around what everyone would like to do. Feel free to join in as much or as little as you want.  This is the time of year we talk about Peace and Joy and the challenge to all of us is how to live a happy and peaceful life in a world that is becoming faster moving, more stressful and more fearful. This is the perfect opportunity to explore and experience both. Michael Eales will be offering Living In The Now, Finding Our Joy. This will be a mix of mindful living, looking at how you can live in the present moment more of the time, and finding our path of happiness. The aim is to be at your best more of the time, and to find a strategy to bring that more into your life. Michael will also offer Mindfulness Meditation and Laughter Yoga. Michael creates a very safe and encouraging group space. Susie Self will lead Joyful Choir, singing in a happy upbeat group. This is a great activity for freeing your voice, connecting with others and filling you with wellbeing. No previous singing experience is needed. She will also offer a Open Mic activity, so bring a song, sheet music, a poem or a story. Susie will also offer Mandala Painting, a great way to relax and release your creativity. During the session you will be bathed in Susie's sensuous Subtle Sound Immersions.  Susie makes painting fun, easy and rewarding. No painting experience is needed and all materials are included. Together, these great hosts will lay the foundations for a Christmas you will truly enjoy!

Susie Self Susie Self ARCM MPhil Cantab is an International singer/composer. She has composed 4 symphonies 3 operas and 6 albums. She has just won a STEAM scholarship to read for a PhD in composition at Birmingham University. Susie has sung solo in the West End and for the opera houses of Lyon, Luxembourg, Salzburg, Strasbourg, Antwerp and The Royal Opera, Covent Garden.

• Isle of Wight IOW

  SAT 30 - TUE 2 JAN 2018

  £425.00

  Book

• Welcoming The New Year

  Kate Daniels

  Welcoming The New Year

  Alison Goldie

Welcoming The New Year New Year at The Grange 2017-2018! This will be a four-day celebration with partying, singing, dancing, games, delicious food, coastline walking and the company of inspirational leaders and soon-to-be new friends. Alison Goldie and Kate Daniels will run workshops and facilitate games and group activities that will have you bonding in humour and creative play. Alison is a very experienced theatre-maker, comedy improvisation teacher and coach who has run courses for Skyros Holistic Holidays for 20 years, and The Grange for 12 years - she has a reputation for creating wonderful events. As well as improvisation and party games, she will offer a coaching session to support your plans for the year ahead. Jazz singer and psychotherapist, Kate Daniels, is well-known at Skyros and The Grange for helping people to Walk Tall, Feel Fabulous and Find their Voice.  Expect to have some fun as you learn to release your Inner Diva or Divo! Sing wonderful songs in three and four-part harmony whether or not you call yourself a singer, and step into the New year with panache. Together, Alison and Kate regularly hosted The Skyros-at-The-Map Café afternoon cabarets which brought great music and performance to North London. These expert hostesses will work in tandem and individually to bring you what might just be your best New Year celebration ever. NB: Bring some stout shoes for the beach, and a fabulous outfit for our New Year’s Eve party.

Kate Daniels Singer and songwriter, Kate was also for many years the director of Systemic Psychotherapy training at the Tavistock Centre in London, Kate continues to teach there and in addition has run courses and directed in Skyros for 14 years. Pursuing a creative life is her passion. She studied in Birmingham with playwright David Edgar, has acted and written for theatre and radio and this year she will be launching her third CD as a jazz singer. A recent performance of hers at the Vortex in London was hailed by The Guardian jazz critic as “A classy concert of song-cherishing internationalism”.

Welcoming The New Year New Year at The Grange 2017-2018! This will be a four-day celebration with partying, singing, dancing, games, delicious food, coastline walking and the company of inspirational leaders and soon-to-be new friends. Alison Goldie and Kate Daniels will run workshops and facilitate games and group activities that will have you bonding in humour and creative play. Alison is a very experienced theatre-maker, comedy improvisation teacher and coach who has run courses for Skyros Holistic Holidays for 20 years, and The Grange for 12 years - she has a reputation for creating wonderful events. As well as improvisation and party games, she will offer a coaching session to support your plans for the year ahead. Jazz singer and psychotherapist, Kate Daniels, is well-known at Skyros and The Grange for helping people to Walk Tall, Feel Fabulous and Find their Voice.  Expect to have some fun as you learn to release your Inner Diva or Divo! Sing wonderful songs in three and four-part harmony whether or not you call yourself a singer, and step into the New year with panache. Together, Alison and Kate regularly hosted The Skyros-at-The-Map Café afternoon cabarets which brought great music and performance to North London. These expert hostesses will work in tandem and individually to bring you what might just be your best New Year celebration ever. NB: Bring some stout shoes for the beach, and a fabulous outfit for our New Year’s Eve party.

Alison Goldie Alison Goldie is an actor, theatre director, writer and teacher. After graduating from Hull University with a degree in drama she performed in many rooms above pubs, did solo stand-up comedy, played all the female characters in Newman and Baddiel in Pieces (BBC2), then became a travel reporter on The Travel Show (BBC2). She toured the world with the award-winning The Weird Sisters Theatre Company and received huge acclaim for her solo show, Lady in Bed. She has directed plays for Vienna’s English Theatre, and in London’s West End, as well as many fringe and community shows. Alison’s book ‘The Improv Book: Improvisation for Theatre, Comedy, Education and Life’ was published in 2015 by Oberon Books and has received unanimously positive reviews. Alison is also a trained and practising life coach. See Alison's website here: www.alisongoldie.com and www.alisongoldiecoach.com.