Villa Shakti Crete

Yoga ~ Art ~ Nature

Dance, Yoga & Ayurveda Retreats with world renowned teachers at…

Villa Shakti is a beautiful sanctuary of art and yoga in the vibrant Mediterranean nature on the Greek island of Crete. 

Sea & Sunshine  ~   Rejuvenation & Inspiration  ~  Artistic Reflection & Healthy Living!

Colleena Shakti invites you home!

Shakti Summer School
2024 Retreats

INDIAN FUSION BELLYDANCE RETREAT

with Colleena Shakti

4 Day Choreography Immersion

August 4-8, 2024

Move Like Water… Explore a Creative Choreography in the intricate world of Indian Fusion Dance.   Drawing inspiration from Indian aesthetics, poetry and Indian Fusion Formation Level 1 vocabulary this retreat is for all levels of dancers interested in exploring and co creating beauty…

INDIAN FUSION FORMATION  ~ LEVEL 2

An Accredited Training Program with Colleena Shakti

August 8-13, 2024

For dancers who have passed the IFF Level 1 exam have the chance to take their dance to the next level!  Dive deeper into techniques, methodologies and theory in the subtle world of Indian Fusion Dance.  (Level 2 students can join both Indian Fusion retreats for a significant discount!) 

 

ODISSI CLASSICAL DANCE SUMMER TRAINING

With Colleena Shakti

Shaushthava: Shastriya Nritya & Nava Rasa

Aug 14-21, 2024

Dive into the rich world of Indian dance and yoga with Colleena’s unique and holistic approach to Odissi dance.  Enjoy immersing in dance, art and yoga with like-minded artists in an inspiring natural landscape of the island of Crete! 

ZOE JAKES

Dance Residency for Advanced Professional Dancers  

Act Creation, Dance Coaching & Advanced Dance Training      

July 24 – Aug 1, 2024

8 day residency includes: advanced dance technique classes, act creation &  1 to 1 coaching with Zoe and Live performance collaboration!

APPLY NOW!

EARTH, SAND & SEA

Dance Residency with Miriam Peretz

A 6 day dance intensive focused on ‘Nava Dance format’ created by Miriam Peretz, score work, improvisation & site specific installation.  

July 11-17, 2024

APPLY NOW!

SEE & BE SEEN

Dance Residency with Irina Akulenko

A 6 day fusion dance intensive with Irina Akulenko focused on exploring the creative process & guiding perception…

**POSTPONED TO 2025**

AccommodationS

Villa Shakti Double Share Room

The rooms at Villa Shakti includes bath towel set, Greek beach towel, bedding and blankets, table fan, WIFI, access to apartment kitchen, spacious living room and dining area, cable TV.  Places are limited, don’t wait to apply!  The house is strictly vegetarian.

*2 Persons per Room

*Shared Bathroom

Village Apartments: Double shared or Dorm Style

These traditional restored apartments are a beautiful 10 minute walk from Villa Shakti on peaceful a country road. The apartments are in a rustic traditional village with a plentiful organic garden, traditional orthodox church, goats, a fresh spring fountain and many flowers!

*Our Village Apartments include one Dorm Style Apartment (sleeps 4) and one 2 Bedroom Apartment (sleeps 4) 

*Shared Bathroom

Find your own Local Accommodation

If you are looking for a bit more privacy, you will find many other villas and apartments nearby our village of Aikirgiannis (Topolia).  We suggest you look at Airbnb, VRBO or booking.com for the Topolia area and no farther than Kissamos so travel time to classes are not an issue.  You can use our FB event page to post if you are looking for others to share a villa with you. It is highly recommended to have your own rental car for this option and book your own accommodation well in advance!

*Recommended areas to search accommodations:  Topolia (closest village), Kalathenes, Drapanias Beach, Kaloudiana, Nopigia, Kissamos.

Food

Our in-house catering team are mainly local Greek women (and a passionate Italian) who love cooking!  We enjoy offering a healthy Vegetarian take on local Cretan recipes. Cretan and Greek cuisine is full of roasted vegetables, rices dishes, cucumber salads and of course, a decadent selection of homemade local cheeses! Occasionally we change up the menu by preparing mild Ayurvedic Indian food or Italian pasta, etc. All meals are served buffet style – all you can eat! Special dietary needs such as vegan, gluten free, and allergies can be catered to with prior notice.

*Our villa is strictly Vegetarian in celebration of life!  We do offer local goat, sheep and cow cheese and a range of farm to table dairy products.

TYPICAL MENU:

Breakfast: Coffee/tea, fruit, toast and spreads, yogurt, granola, porridge, smoothie.

Lunch:  Main dish,  2 salads, bakery breads, spreads, vegetable side dishes, local olive oil/olives, ice teas infusions.

Dinner:  Main dish, salads, bakery breads, spreads, bean dish, vegetable side dishes, local olive oil / olives, and desert!

SAMPLE DAILY SCHEDULE

9-10: Yoga, Pranayama & Meditation
10-11: Breakfast
11-2: Dance Classes
2-3: Lunch
3-6: Rest & Relax
6-7:30: Theory Class or Day Trip to local beaches

*Schedule typically alternates between full dance days and half dance / half beach trip days!

Villa Shakti Crete is near epic beaches like Balos!

Transportation

ARRIVAL / DEPARTURE

Guests will want to arrive at the closest airport: Chania (CHQ).  Airport it is a 1 hour drive to the villa.  Heraklion is 3-4 hours drive. *Students MUST arrive in time for an orientation meeting on Sunday evening.

Most visitors on Crete rent a car to enjoy exploring the wild nature and beaches. This is what we always recommend to guests since there are many secret beaches and isolated trails to discover on the Western side of the island within an hours drive.

TRANSPORTATION FOR ON-SITE GUESTS:

The cost of transportation  is now included in your tuition. Villa Shakti is in a rural location, so please be aware buses are not an option and taxis will need to be booked in advance.

Scheduled Shuttle Transportation Includes:

(Times are fixed, no exceptions.)

ARRIVAL DAY:

  • Chania Airport Pick up: (See each event for times)
  • Chania Port Pick up: (See each event for times)

DEPARTURE DAY:

  • Chania Port Drop off: (See each event for times)
  • Chania Airport Drop off: (See each event for times)

TRANSPORT DURING SUMMER SCHOOL:

Day trips planned to suit each event, please see your chosen event page for details

TRANSPORTATION TERMS OF USE FOR ON-SITE GUESTS:

Please meet our driver at the scheduled times, the driver can not wait for late passengers.  If your flight arrives or departs at another time than the scheduled shuttle pick up/drop of times,  you can easily get a local taxi to/from Airport to Chania Port to enjoy some time there and then meet at the scheduled time and location to catch your ride to Villa Shakti.

CAR RENTAL FOR OFF-SITE GUESTS:

If you wish to have your own car, we recommend booking online. Prices are approximately €25-45 per day / per vehicle.  Non EU licensed drivers will need and International Driving License to drive in Greece.

OTHER TRANSPORT OPTIONS:

  • Taxi booked directly from Airport to Villa Shakti: Approx. €100
  • Local Taxis to Kissamos or Local beaches: Local rates apply.  Please book directly.
Tania, Dubai
Tania, Dubai
Indian Fusion Bellydance Retreat
Read More
I have received so many benefits in my body for the training with Colleena, as I can see graceful movements coming out even during my daily life. Most importantly is the opening to a new approach in dance: more conscious, more embodiment, more connection with my inside. The experience in Villa Shakti Crete gave the confirmation that a healthy life style + passion for what we do is the perfect combination to feel good and in balance.
Natalia, USA
Natalia, USA
Odissi Classical Dance Summer Training
Read More
Shakti Summer School Greece has nourished my heart, body and soul. The school is the perfect place to unwind and fully immerse into practice. The people who come to this school are committed, joyful practitioners on the path of art. I felt inspired by each and everyone of Colleena's students. Colleena is premier teacher who embodies the depth of the Indian tradition through her dedication to her sadhanas, which she shares with generosity, insight and rigor. She is a caring, attentive, dedicated and sincere teacher who I feel blessed to have crossed on my own path. The setting itself is an absolutely beautiful landscape looking out to the rolling hills of olives just 15 minutes from some of the most beautiful beaches on earth. And the meals are A-M-A-Z-I-N-G..
Lena, Sweden
Lena, SwedenBellydance Retreat
Read More
Hospitality is felt all throughout Villa Shakti where guests are treated like family. Colleena and Matthew care deeply about the wellbeing of each guest. It's an oasis of spirituality, dance, cats, incense, olive trees, nourishment, healing and delicious food. I'm so grateful to have experienced this magical corner of the world, where I was allowed to get away from every day life and come back more inspired and calm.
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Application Process

Programs fills up on a first come, first serve basis

Fill in Application completely – Partially filled out applications will not be considered. You should receive an email within a few days that we have received your application. Please make sure to list your first and second choice of accommodation options.

You will receive an email with a reply to your application within  a week.  Either: “ACCEPTED” to program, or “WAITLISTED” for this program. We are filling the program on a first come first serve basis, so please don’t wait to apply!

(PAYMENT DUE IN 1 WEEK FROM ACCEPTANCE)

If accepted to join the program, along with your acceptance letter you will receive an Invoice based on the accommodation option you chose in your application.  If your first choice is full, we will try our best to provide your second choice of accommodation.  In order to keep your place in the program you will have 1 week / 7 days to pay your invoice in full or you will forfeit your confirmed place and be put on the waitlist.

If “waitlisted”,  don’t worry there are always people who adjust their plans last minute and often spaces will open up. We will email you with news as soon as we can.

~ Pack your bags for Greece!!!

Upon completion of your payment you are fully registered for Shakti Summer School at Villa Shakti Crete!!!!  You will receive an informational email with a PDF about how to prepare for the program and for Shakti Summer School ~ Greece. Another email will be sent to participants before the program starts with more information about arrival and updates.

Cancellation Policy

The Shakti School of Dance /Shakti Summer School official cancellation and refund policy is in place to guarantee the fair allocation of slots in the program to students who have been accepted and are ready to commit.

Your registration payment to SSD/SSS is not refundable, returnable or transferable to a future workshop or to another person. No exceptions. Even in the case of medical or family emergencies, etc.  Because there is an application and selection process, students can not ‘sell their spot’ in the program to another person.

Please register with full awareness of the agreement you are entering into. Payment (via Paypal), as well as this ‘Mandatory Waiver Form’ must be completed upon acceptance in the given time period to guarantee enrollment in the Intensive sessions.

Health/Safety: Student agrees to inform SSD/SSS Administration of any health conditions or important medications they are taking. Student assumes full responsibility for her/his safety and all risks of participating in this training and while enrolled at SSD/SSS. We hold no responsibility for any such illness or injury that a student sustains while enrolled in the program.

Students who cancel will not be eligible for refunds as per our official cancellation policy.  *By completing your payment, you have agreed to our refund terms and conditions already.

We look forward to welcoming you to Villa Shakti Crete!

For questions not already answered on this website, please contact us