5 Grounding Rituals: How to Land Softly at Your Retreat

Sunset from Mount Olympus

You’ve made it. After the planes, transfers, winding roads, and the blur of excitement, you’ve arrived at your retreat. It’s natural to feel eager to get started, but the transition from everyday life to retreat life is a journey in itself—one that deserves to be honored.

Before diving into your first hike or yoga session, take a moment to land softly. Why not try some of my favorite grounding rituals, designed to help you shake off the hours of travel and fully arrive—here, in this moment, during a week dedicated entirely to yourself?

Here are five ways to reconnect with yourself, the earth beneath your feet, and the experience waiting to unfold.

1. Barefoot Connection

There’s no quicker way to connect with a new space than by simply kicking off your shoes and feeling the ground beneath you. It’s as simple as taking a few moments to fully experience and appreciate the subtle sensations of the soil, almost as if your feet are rediscovering the earth.

This direct contact, often called earthing, can help regulate your nervous system and align your body with the natural rhythms of your surroundings.

Cats aren't always included with our yoga mats!

2. Arrival Breathwork

Travel often leaves our breath shallow and our systems overstimulated. A few minutes of conscious, mindful breathing can help reset your mind and body.

Our yoga instructors will guide you through breathing exercises during daily sessions, but there are simple techniques you can try on your own. Box breathing (inhale for 4 counts, hold for 4, exhale for 4, hold for 4) or alternate nostril breathing are excellent methods to clear mental fog, soothe overstimulation, and cultivate presence.

3. Hydration & Herbal Tea

Hydration is always key—not just when you’re hiking! After flying or long car journeys, your body often needs replenishment in the form of water and minerals.

Add lemon, mint, or basil to your water, or try local herbal teas like fragrant sideritis (mountain tea) or melissohorto (lemon balm), known for their calming and cleansing properties. It’s a soothing experience that begins to root you in the flavors of the land.

One of my favourite spots to drink Mountain Tea in Zagorochoria

4. Gentle Movement

Rather than jumping straight into a high-energy yoga practice, we recommend easing in with slow, intuitive movement. At the start of a retreat, we focus on releasing the hips, spine, and shoulders—areas that typically hold tightness from sitting.

Follow the expert guidance of our instructors and remain as mindful as possible. Let your breath guide your body, reconnect movement to awareness, and savour the benefits of your practice.

Panos guiding a yoga class on our Signature Retreat

5. Nature Sit Spot

One of the simplest and most effective ways to ground yourself is to find a quiet place in nature and simply be. No phone. No agenda. Just sit and observe.

Listen to the wind, the sounds of the mountain, and the rustle of leaves. Feel the sun on your skin. Let your senses guide you into presence.

If your mind is still busy, try a simple meditation technique, such as focusing on a mantra (“let go” or “be here now”), or simply follow the rhythm of your breath as you inhale and exhale deeply.

I found a pretty good Nature Sit Spot!

These rituals don’t require anything elaborate—just your attention. They’re about slowing down enough to meet the moment with clarity and purpose.

Before you hit the hiking trails or roll out your yoga mat, give yourself permission to pause. It will make the experience all the richer and more rewarding.

A beautiful trail in Pelion covered in Plane trees