Neda Spring Yoga Retreat ~Stories & Symbols of the Krishna Lila~

On 23-26April, we traveled with Anastasia Biliri to Evia for one of the most beautiful and powerful retreats we’ve experienced in recent years.

Through yoga practices, music, and storytelling, we immersed ourselves in the myths and symbolism of Krishna’s childhood and youth in Vrindavan:  from his birth in the prison of Mathura and his brave crossing of the Yamunā River, to his childhood with his friends, his deep connection to the village, his endless pranks, the demons who attack him in vain, the dances with the Gopis, Radha’s love, and his heroic return to Mathura. The stories mirror our own patterns: the fears that imprison us, our courageous transitions, the habits that keep us from joy and tenderness, but also our deep capacity to love, to trust, to play, to give, and to return to something brighter. 

Krishna’s energy is subtle, almost silent, yet deeply penetrating. It does not come with heavy discipline. It comes with laughter, music, play, care, intimacy, and love. And yet, through this simplicity, something very deep shifts, softens, remembers…

Vrindavan is a place in our hearts. And when we dwell there, life is filled with lightness and deep connection, because the closeness to all that is uplifting and sacred is profound! So, with Krishna’s spirit sweeping us away, for a few days we created our own Vrindavan in Evia: a community filled with laughter, song, practice, hugs, silence, care, and inquiry. A place where stories didn’t just stay in our minds, but spread throughout the inner and outer spaces...