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Michele Wilburn
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The gymnasium in Greece for Energyia Holistic Fitness Activity Holiday Retreats is 'out and about' - back to nature, on the Greek island of Zante - a unique chance for personal development of mind body and spirit - in the true sentiments of the Ancient Greeks. |
In ancient Greece physical well-being and mental well-being went hand in hand, with the need for a strong, healthy body to house a strong balanced mind. Energyia holistic fitness holidays with Michele Wilburn in Greece this summer reflect this holistic fitness concept - developing a strong flexible body to house a strong mind and free Spirit.
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In ancient Greece athletics were an everyday part of all areas of life, including religion, education, the arts, society and politics. Physical practises were woven into the very heart of society. This was unique in world history. Ancient Greece was the birthplace of this conviction, and its practice died with it. Ancient Greek society was very competitive, with a passion for sports. The Olympic games, although the most prestigious, were just one of many athletic competitions.
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A well-educated person in ancient Greece was instructed in all areas. An athletic victory was considered a credit to the athlete's physical and moral virtues. Physical training was valued for its role in the development of such qualities as stamina and patience. The philosophy was motivated by the fact that the success of democracy depended on the moral character of the people; a goal that commanded a holistic training of mind, body, and spirit.
Religion was also closely linked to athletics, with athletic competitions in those days being religious in character. All athletic festivals honoured a patron god, believed to bestow on the athletes the physical prowess that enabled them to perform. This spiritual dimension to exercise and athletic performance has been entirely lost by the masses.
The word "gymnasium" became one and the same with the word 'school'.
The word "academy" was the name of an Athenian gymnasium where the
philosophical school of Plato was situated.
A 'palaistra' was another athletic facility, which was
an 'members-only' club, with a focus on combat sports such as wrestling;
some of which also contained lecture halls.
In addition to education and religion, athletics had strong ties to the
arts with poets promoting the athletic ideal with their odes. Ancient Greeks understood that music created a link
between the spiritual and physical.
All of these elements and ideals were embodied in the Olympic games which
were religious, social, and intellectual. Famous orations were delivered
to the crowds at Olympia.
The
Greeks combined medicines, surgery and dietetics (regulating the whole
life-style) in their treatment of ailments. Surgical skills were developed on the battlefield, whereas training for
the army and athletic competition (e.g. the Olympics) created specialists
who focused on exercise, bathing, massage and regulation of food and
drink.
Ancient Greek Holistic
Exercise
Mind Body & Spirit
Pilates Connections
Energyia Kinetics™
Michele Wilburn London UK Tel(0044)(0)(207)2841918 email: michele@energyia.com
Socrates concluded that a 'good life' is a life devoted to the pursuit of excellence - physical, intellectual and ethical.
Are you developing your potentials to the full? In ancient Greece athletics and exercise were an integral part of everyday life - including religion, education, the arts, society and politics.
| :: Strong body in a healthy Mind |
 No other civilization held fitness in such high regard as ancient Greece where the ideal of physical perfection was embodied in society. Physical and mental well-being went hand in hand with a strong, healthy body housing a strong balanced mind. |
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Influenced mainly by the early Greeks, he emphasized their balance and coordination of body and mind. The roots of his exercise system came from his study of yoga, Zen meditation and ancient Greek and Roman fitness regimes. Joseph Pilates clearly advocated that one of the major results of his exercise system 'Contrology' was in gaining the mastery of your mind over the complete control of your body.
Whether travelling alone or with a group of friends to enjoy an Energyia holistic fitness holiday retreat™, you'll find the island of Zakynthos provides a haven for transformation, inspiration and relaxation.
Energyia Holistic fitness Holiday Retreats™ provide a unique holiday retreat. You have time and inspiration to pause and reflect - pamper, strengthen and revitalize your body, mind and spirit in a variety of beautiful location bases. Retreat in the pure sense of the word, to treat yourself to some well-deserved time. Lap up the mystical moods of the Ionion sea, the charming countryside of Zakynthos, the wonderful spirit of the local people, and a wealth of activities designed to enhance your well-being, revitalize your energy with Energyia fitness holidays.
Treatment consisted of a prescription of diet, exercise and limited medicines.
Over centuries, the spirit of athleticism began to falter with the decline of the moral values of the athletic ideals, and monetary prizes became common, leading to the rise of the professional athlete. The bond between religion and the athletic ideal was broken.
CONTACT MICHELE WILBURNEmail michele@energyia.comUK telephone (0044) (0) 207 2841918 |
Energyia Holistic
Fitness Activity Holiday Retreats in Greece, with leading fitness
professional, author, presenter, and producer, Michele Wilburn, on the
glorious island of Zakynthos,(Zante) will take place during the summer in the Greek Islands. 
Founding medical practitioners, including Herodicus, Hippocrates, and
Galen, influenced the growth of fitness throughout ancient Greece.
Gymnastics and music were considered the most important classroom topic;
"exercise for the body and music for the soul " Spartans of Northern Greece valued fitness even more than the
Athenians, primarily for military purposes, which made it imperative to
maintain high fitness levels.
The actual exercise system presented by
Joseph Pilates was
not known as Pilates, but as 'Contrology'.
A healthy mind in a healthy body, the ancient Greeks believed, was
linked 
Hippocrates
of Kos (c450-370 BCE), the ‘father of medicine’ whose school produced over
60 medical texts (the Hippocratic Corpus), claimed that the four humours
must be balanced, with a person’s environment and lifestyle being
responsible for imbalances. 
The basis of Greek medicine was the body’s natural ability to heal itself
(pepsis), so diet and exercise were more important than taking medicines. 