SAMUDRA COMMUNITY
We are a group of like-minded individuals from different corners of the world, living on the island of Gozo. It is through community that we can learn, grow and expand deeper - as each individual can bring forward their unique personal influence and skills, which when brought together becomes a whole.
We opened Samudra in January 2023, with a vision to share the beauty and serenity of the slow living lifestyle we live on Gozo Island. Together we have over 30 years experience in retreats, holistic practices, teaching and service. Living on Gozo we are enchanted by the deep sea that surrounds the island, bringing with it much wisdom, guidance and magic to those who visit, and so we opened the doors of Samudra to provide a safe space to journey within on this ancient land.
When you come to Samudra you are invited to join our community, our tribe, our family. It is only through meeting one another in real connection that we can see a direct mirror reflecting back to us our wholeness. It is through community that we shall rise.
Samudra (समुद्र) is a Sanskrit term for ocean, literally meaning "gathering together of waters" (saṃ- meaning "together" and -udra meaning "water".
Community
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Luca | CO-FOUNDER Reiki Healing, Ceremonies, Hosting. Archetype: The Visionary/Artist
Welcome to our community. I am here as your guide and friend during your time at Samudra. My love language is creating a safe and nurturing environment, for one to rest and feel comfortable in.
My work is to bring people together in a sacred space to remember why we are here on Earth in this human form. To share ourselves together and be seen in our authentic expression, to be accepted and loved for who we are so we are no longer hiding in our shadows. We all have a unique soul purpose, and it is our birth right to live it and share it.
I have worked on many retreats around the world, and always had a dream of creating a community retreat centre myself. Samudra is this vision come to life!
The Yogic lifestyle has been a best friend to me over the past decade, healing through illness and struggle. Before moving to Gozo I spent 5 years studying and teaching the Yogic Path between India, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Portugal. This path led me to access my intuitive self, and access my psychic and healing abilities. I have learnt that we all have this potential, and so I am here as the key to open this portal for you to the other side - where you can learn the power inside of you to heal yourself.
My wish is for you to join our family and experience a safe space where you can adventure into your own heart, learn, grow and most importantly play. For you to feel nurtured, loved and accepted exactly for who you are.
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MILA | CO-FOUNDER, Head Yogi, Tarot Readings, Breathwork and Philosophy. Archetype: The Sage
Mila’s early life as an actress led her to explore the human body and its capacity through movement in theatre, where she spent 30 years as artistic director and teacher of the arts. This journey led her to realise that we are more than just a physical body, and this is how, why and when she came across and then fell in love with Yoga.
Mila is a dedicated Yogi and the elder of our tribe, serving knowledge based on ancient wisdom and experiential knowledge. Listen to one of Mila’s lectures and be taken to another dimension of reality.. her classes are guaranteed to take you on a trip!
For over 25 years Mila has been immersing herself in holistic health, self healing and eastern philosophy, and studying the vast lineages of ancient spiritual wisdom. She has studied and practiced Tai Chi, Reiki, Ashtanga Yoga, Lucid Dreaming, Tarot, Astrology, and is a qualified Vegan and Vegetarian Nutritionist.
Mila left the world of theatre to dedicate her time to spreading the light on Yoga. Holding a wealth of knowledge.
Mila wishes for everyone to discover the healing that occurs when we unite our minds with our hearts. To find the clear path where there is no hesitation but only truth.
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IRIS | Massage Therapist, Cacao Ceremonies. Archetype: The Explorer
Hi, my name is Iris.
I see myself as somebody who moved from modern western science to work and live a more holistic style, understanding the combination of both as a way to lived the life in balance.
From Spain, a lover of travel, I have spent many years of my adult life travelling around different parts of the world.
I studied Pathological Anatomy and Cytology in Spain working in various hospitals as well as research work for six years in inmuno-neuroscience laboratories.
Spending one year in Australia, I worked as a massage therapist actively learning from experienced Chinese, Japanese, Korean professionals, an absolutely wonderful learning experience! One that marked the beginning of my passion.
Since then I haven’t stopped to get deep in bodywork techniques, doing Yoga courses and different styles of massage therapies trainings like Thai Massage, Dynamic Thai Massage, Shiatsu, Wuo Tai, Craniosacral and Lomi Lomi Nui, doing a combination of the different styles with the goal to offering the best of myself in each therapy.
I became a massage therapist because I believe that treating the physical body is a way to help people to bring their own healing to the non-physical body.
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BEATRICE | Yin Yoga, Yoga Nidra, Energy Healing. Archetype: The Caregiver
« Breathe, smile and enjoy the ride »
Originally from Brussels (Belgium), and after many years in Paris and Hong Kong, Beatrice landed in 2020 on the beautiful island of Gozo, a place that she now calls home.
During her years in Hong Kong, where she worked for a cinema tech company, she started her healing and spiritual journey. First with yoga, which soon became a daily practice when she realised the amazing benefits for the body, mind and soul. After a few years of having to deal with extreme stressful events in both personal and professional aspects of her life, she developed her interest in complementary natural holistic therapies such as energy healing, breath work, sound therapy…
In Hong Kong and also in Bali, which holds a special place in her heart and her healing journey, her path crossed healers, shamans, alchemists who taught her about their philosophy and practices and helped her develop her own natural healing abilities.
She currently holds a Level 3 Reiki certificate (Usui Reiki), a Therapeutic Support Certificate and is also a certified Yin Yoga, Yoga Nidra and Meditation teacher (YACEP Yoga Alliance).
Beatrice’s healing sessions are a mix of different techniques, integrating breath, meditation, chakra work... Each session is unique and different, depending of the energy of the person and the present moment. She loves how they can help people feel better and deal with their physical, mental and emotional challenges in their every day life.
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KEVIN | Sound Healing, Ceremonies, Community Time. Archetype: The Magician
From the Maltese Islands, Kevin and has lived on the island of Gozo for decades. Through his struggle and addictions, Kevin was given the Shamanic path as a way towards the light. He spent many years healing and training in the South American jungles.
Hosting and running plant medicine circles and offering sound therapy for over a decade, Kevin brings a unique perspective to the retreats. Providing the space for you to enter into your darkness, where you are seen and held exactly as you are.
Whether its through the sound of his flute, the beat of his drum or the space he creates for relating and connection.. Kevin will open you up to go beyond all perceptions and concepts, back to the space of limitless potential.
Have a conversation with Kevin and you’ll find yourself in a thought provoking soul enquiry. Kevin brings another realm to the retreats, a wild and enticing space to be in. His sole purpose is to serve and he is here for your deepest soul evolution.
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SANKARA | Sound Healing, Dance, Somatic Healing. Archetype: The Jester
She is a question maker, a seeker, a finder, a doubt destroyer, a creator of possibilities... Her passion is to dig very deep in the mind and flesh... into the unknown, into what anybody can see, dive under the waters of our emotional body and find the iceberg to fully understand the bigger and whole picture. Touch is her love language, She guesses it was a gift she was born with, but something she discovered after a lot of suffering... When her own awakening and healing journey started the gift of healing through touch came with it. She started learning with the Mayan tribe in Guatemala and Mexico, exploring different cultures and modalities, then she came back to Europe and continued researching and practicing other somatic techniques. Realizing that it doesn't matter which technique you use, there's no better or worse no right or wrong... There's only the connection through Mind and Body, what is going to lead your transformation. Now her purpose is to prevent disease, support realignment and hold others in their awakening and healing journey.
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PAUL | Bookings, Finances, Transfers, Pick-Up's, Handyman. Archetype: The Hero
Paul started his professional career as an actor and stand-up comedian. Realising he could not act (and was not that funny), he quickly moved into arts and entertainment management and was a director, producer, project manager, consultant, mentor and trainer, working with and for over 500 artists in 30 countries during his 40 year career. Although Paul is the oldest member of the Samudra team he very much feels part of its very special family!
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NIKOS | Head Chef, Food Guru Archetype: The Everyman
Originally from Greece, Niko has spent the past 16 years owning and running restaurants on the island of Crete. His last restaurant “Gusto” made it to the top of trip advisor restaurants in the south-east town of Makry Gialos in Crete. Niko left his life in restaurants behind in late 2024, to begin the slow lived life here on Gozo Island. Niko is our head chef at Samudra, providing us with the most delicious dishes like his most-loved falafels! Niko loves to experiment with flavours from all over the world and is happy to be sharing his love of food with us all.