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Port of Call |
LAST UPDATE August 17, 2007
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| site design imagesparkle.com |
| July 14, 2007 |
Piraeus, Greece – The Battle for Body and Mind: Alternative Living at Sunshine House |
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| Sunshine House welcomes visitors looking for good health in body and mind |
In epic battles of the ancient world, the physically powerful Spartans regularly clashed with the pensive Athenians. It came down to a fight of body against mind. But in modern day Greece, there is one place that tries to bring the two together. For the past three years, Sunshine House on the island of Evia, has been a retreat for those who wish to rejuvenate the body and focus the mind. More than this, it is a space for people trying to live simply and peacefully. Over 20 Peace Boat participants went to join them for a day to explore a more natural, healthy and sustainable way of life. |
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| Kerys leads the participants in the Eastern art of Yoga |
Within the tranquil courtyard of the converted country house, the visitors learnt how a fusion of East and West healing practices are used to help harmonise body and mind. From the East comes yoga, “a tool to find a personal balance and free your mind” says Kerys Williams, who jointly runs Sunshine House with her partner Takis Oikonomou. “With a free mind, you are able to make your own choices in life” she explained. And with that, several chose to try out her introductory session to the 2,500 year old routine of controlled breathing, stretching and meditation. As well as testing physical flexibility, the movements require careful concentration. Slow, rhythmic chanting began to echo around the studio as the beginners tried to focus mentally. |
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| Takis gets everyone involved in his cookery class |
From the West comes much of the nutritional and dietary advice used to help renew the body and power the brain. Putting the theory into practice, Takis gave participants an intensive cooking class, running through five nourishing recipes from an energy packed potato salad to the refreshing Greek kind. “It’s the best food you’ll have on the voyage” he promised. Murmurs of “oishi!” (tasty!) circled the group as each eagerly dipped their fingers in for a taste. Many of the ingredients were home grown, making the most of the sultry Mediterranean climate as part of the commitment to an eco-friendly existence. |
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| Participants give something back to the land as they plant vegetables for future visitors to enjoy |
After taking food from the earth, it was time to return some life to the soil. Participants quickly took up tools to help plant the next crop of tomatoes under the beating sun. Some were even inspired to continue in Japan. “My father has his own vegetable patch” said Rie Ogino, aged 26, “now I want him to teach me the basics of home growing”. It was Takis’ grandfather that taught him his gardening know-how and he in turn was pleased to pass on his knowledge of the various herbs and vegetables that flowered around the grounds. Using home produce is not only sustainable, but also part of the belief that people can survive without the greed of big corporations, or in other words, living simply so that all can simply live. |
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| Natural skin care products were a big hit with female visitors |
Another friend of the Sunshine House community who is offering an alternative to big business consumerism is Natalie Di Giuseppe. Joining the group for the afternoon, she taught participants how to make their own skin care products, using only natural ingredients. Twenty-two per cent of popular products found in major stores contain the cancer-causing agent dioxane, she claims. That’s why her motto is: “If you can’t eat it, don’t use it”. Mixing ground oatmeal and sunflower seeds with dried camomile and thick cream, Natalie whipped up a simple facial scrub to try. “I feel twenty years younger!” joked one participant as she cleansed her face with the thick paste. |
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| Relaxed and inspired, many participants want to bring more of what they learnt into their own lives |
By the end of the visit, everyone had learnt a great deal in the short time, though this was only a taster. Sunshine House also offers lessons in traditional Thai massage and other therapies, so that more people can learn these arts and spread the practice of simple living for body and mind. In just one day however, many participants were moved by the relaxed, alternative way of living. “I used to work for a company and was always very busy” realised Yasuhito Nagia. “This has made me think about what happiness really involves”. |
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Read more about alterative living at Sunshine House on their website: www.thaimassage.gr
Why not make yourself feel better with a natural and easy dessert from Sunshine House’s own recipe?
Sunshine Sweet
Ingredients
Natural yoghurt
Chocolate
Bananas
Walnuts
Milk
Directions
Mash four or five bananas in a large bowl. Melt a large block of chocolate separately in a little milk and add to the bananas, along with the a carton of yoghurt and a few handfuls of walnuts.
©Sunshine House |
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