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Evexia Kos: More Than a Name, A Journey Towards Wellbeing
There is a story behind the name Evexia Kos, and like so many things in life, it is a story of change, growth and learning to see things differently. When I first started working in fitness, I had a very different idea of what training meant, what success looked like and how I wanted to help people. Back then, I was serving in the British Army, and my approach to fitness was very much shaped by that environment. I called my business Victory Fitness. It was a name that reflect
Gilly Gwilliams
8 hours ago7 min read


A Beautiful Sight on Tigaki Beach: How Wellness Is Becoming Part of Our Mornings on Kos
There is something incredibly special about driving to work in the early hours of the morning and seeing people choosing to move, breathe and take care of themselves. Throughout this summer, as I have driven along Tigaki Beach on my way to work, I have found myself smiling at a sight that has become a regular part of my mornings. One person practising Tai Chi. Two people doing Qi Gong. A small group enjoying yoga. Someone rolling out a mat for Pilates. And, of course, the run
Gilly Gwilliams
Oct 209 min read


Greek Herbal Teas and Their Health Benefits: Discovering Nature's Goodness on Kos
From my favourite Greek mountain tea to the herbs and fruits growing around us, discover the traditional drinks that bring together Greek heritage, natural goodness and everyday wellbeing. A conversation that got me thinking Today, I had a lovely conversation with a friend here on Kos that got me thinking about something we perhaps take for granted: the wonderful variety of herbs and plants that grow in Greece and how many of them can be enjoyed as a cup of tea. My friend and
Gilly Gwilliams
Oct 1311 min read


Thank You for an Amazing Summer 💙
As another summer season begins to wind down here on Kos, I wanted to take a moment to say something very simple: Thank you. Thank you to everyone who came to a Pilates class this summer. Thank you to those who joined us on the beach in the mornings, those who came along for sunset Pilates, and those who braved the water for our aqua classes. Thank you to our regulars, our holiday visitors, our first-timers, and everyone who squeezed a little bit of movement and self-care int
Gilly Gwilliams
Oct 65 min read


Autoimmune Disease, Inflammation and Women: What My Hashimoto’s Journey Has Taught Me
There is a subject I have wanted to talk about for a while because it is one that has become a very personal part of my own health journey: autoimmune disease. I live with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, an autoimmune condition affecting the thyroid, and over time I have become increasingly interested in understanding not just the condition itself, but the bigger picture of autoimmune disease, inflammation, stress, movement, nutrition and the way we look after our bodies. Because he
Gilly Gwilliams
Sep 2910 min read


Why a Retreat Might Be the Investment in Yourself You Didn’t Know You Needed
For many years, when I thought about wellness, I thought about movement. Pilates. Walking. Strength training. Getting outside. Finding ways to feel stronger and healthier in my body. That is still very much at the heart of what I do through Evexia (Kos). But over the last few years, my understanding of wellness has grown into something much bigger. Sometimes, what we really need isn't another workout, another appointment in our already overflowing diary, or another thing to a
Gilly Gwilliams
Sep 226 min read


September on Kos: The Season Begins to Change
There is something about September on Kos that I have always loved. You can feel it in the air. It is subtle at first. The mornings feel a little different. The evenings arrive a little earlier. The heat of August begins to soften, and there is a slight change in the breeze that tells you summer is slowly starting to loosen its grip. September doesn't feel like summer is over. Not yet. It feels more like a gentle transition. And perhaps that is why I love it so much. Septembe
Gilly Gwilliams
Sep 154 min read


Weight Training, Pilates and Walking: The 3 Types of Exercise I Swear By
Why combining strength training, Pilates and walking could be one of the best things you can do for your body – especially as you get older. If you have ever trained with me, you have probably heard me talk about three things again and again: Weight training. Pilates. Walking. These are the three forms of exercise I personally swear by, and they are also the three types of movement I encourage my clients to include in their lives – whether they are women in midlife or not. Th
Gilly Gwilliams
Sep 87 min read


What Does It Mean to Have a Rich Life?
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about what it means to have a “rich life”. And I want to make something very clear from the beginning: I am not financially rich. Not even remotely. I don’t have a huge house, a designer wardrobe, a fancy car or endless disposable income. There are plenty of things I would love to have, and plenty of times I have to think carefully about where my money is going. But despite that, I genuinely believe that I have a very rich life. And the older I
Gilly Gwilliams
Sep 16 min read


Moving Through Injury: Why Doing What You Can Still Matters
There is something incredibly frustrating about being injured when movement, exercise and feeling strong are such an important part of your life. You can go from feeling capable and confident in your body to suddenly questioning what you can do, what you should avoid, and whether you will ever get back to where you were. And when you don't know how long the injury will last, that uncertainty can make staying motivated even harder. I know this feeling personally at the moment.
Gilly Gwilliams
Aug 255 min read


The Beauty of Kos: Wellness Is So Much More Than Pilates
Move, explore, swim, discover and slow down on the beautiful island of Kos When you think about wellness in Kos, you might immediately picture Pilates on the beach, Aqua Fitness in the Aegean or Sunset Pilates with the sun disappearing over Tigaki Beach. And yes — we absolutely love all of those things! At Evexia, our Pilates, Aqua Fitness, Sunset Pilates and Personal Training sessions are at the heart of what we do. There is something pretty special about moving your body wi
Gilly Gwilliams
Aug 185 min read


Evexia-Kos Is the Mother Ship of Retreats in Greece – And We’ve Just Got Bigger!
From wellness retreats in Greece to flights, accommodation, holidays and unforgettable travel experiences around the world — Retreats in Greece can now help you plan your entire trip. If you didn't know, Evexia-Kos is the mother ship of Retreats in Greece. Yes, that's right! We birthed this amazing venture last year, with a simple but very important mission: to help people discover Greece as a wellness destination and connect them with incredible retreats, hosts, venues and e
Gilly Gwilliams
Aug 116 min read


August Survival Guide – The Kos Edition ☀️🍉
If you've spent even one August on Kos, you'll know that surviving the month isn't about being the fittest, the most organised or the most productive. It's about adapting. After eight summers on this beautiful island, I've realised there are a few unwritten rules that everyone who lives here eventually learns. If you're new to Kos, consider this your unofficial survival guide! 1. Freeze your water bottle overnight. Trust me on this one. Fill up your water bottle before bed an
Gilly Gwilliams
Aug 43 min read


If I Help Just One Person Today…
There is a phrase I say all the time: "If I help at least one person today, then I'm happy. I feel like I'm fulfilling my purpose." It's something I've believed for years, and it is one of the reasons I became a fitness and Pilates instructor in the first place. My goal has never been to create elite athletes or chase numbers. It has always been about helping people feel better than they did when they walked through the door. Yet, despite helping people every single day, I st
Gilly Gwilliams
Jul 284 min read


Finding My Inner Child Again: How Snorkelling Helped Me Fall in Love with Life Once More
There are moments in life that quietly change everything. Not through dramatic events or life-changing decisions, but through something beautifully simple. For me, that moment came with a snorkel. If you've read my previous blog about burnout, you'll know that the past few months have been challenging. Running two wellness businesses, supporting retreat hosts, teaching Pilates, creating content, planning retreats... it all adds up. Even when you love what you do, burnout has
Gilly Gwilliams
Jul 214 min read


Explore Kos Like Never Before: Our New Hiking, Walking & Climbing Partnership with Helios Tours
If you've followed Evexia Kos for a while, you'll know that we absolutely love getting outdoors. For us, wellness has never just been about Pilates. It's about moving your body, breathing fresh air, discovering incredible places and reconnecting with nature. There's something incredibly special about standing on a mountain overlooking the Aegean Sea or following an ancient trail that has been walked for centuries. Hiking has always been one of our favourite ways to experience
Gilly Gwilliams
Jul 143 min read


Burnout Doesn't Care That You Work in Wellness
Or the uncomfortable truth about helping everyone else while forgetting yourself. I have a confession to make. I run not one, but two wellness businesses. I spend my days talking to people about health, movement, rest, healing, stress management and creating lives that feel more balanced. And yet... I am exhausted. Not the kind of tired that disappears after one good night's sleep. The kind of tired that sits in your bones. The kind where you wake up already thinking about ev
Gilly Gwilliams
Jul 75 min read


Why November Might Be the Perfect Time to Escape to Kalymnos
When people think of the Greek islands, they often picture the height of summer—crowded beaches, bustling tavernas and busy ferry ports. But there is something truly special about visiting the islands once the summer season has gently faded away. This November, I'd love to invite you to join me for our Evexia Pilates & Wellness Weekend Retreat in Kalymnos—a chance to slow down, reset and experience one of Greece's most beautiful islands in a completely different light. A Week
Gilly Gwilliams
Jun 303 min read


From a Small Group of Expats to Being Featured by XpatAthens: A Moment of Gratitude
Recently, I had the honour of being featured by XpatAthens in their Wellness Hub article: "Retreats in Greece: Your Gateway to Transformation & Lifelong Well-Being" You can read the feature here: XpatAthens Feature – Retreats in Greece: Your Gateway to Transformation & Lifelong Well-Being When I first saw the article published, I felt incredibly grateful. Not because of the recognition itself, but because it reminded me just how far this journey has come. What many people don
Gilly Gwilliams
Jun 232 min read


Summer is in Full Swing on Kos: Embracing Wellness, Sunshine and Island Life
As summer reaches its peak on the beautiful Greek island of Kos, there is a special energy in the air. The days are long, the sea is warm, and life naturally slows down to a pace that encourages us to reconnect with ourselves and the world around us. At Evexia Wellness, we believe that summer is about more than holidays and sunshine. It is an opportunity to reset, recharge, and embrace a healthier, more balanced way of living. Surrounded by the natural beauty of Kos, wellness
Gilly Gwilliams
Jun 163 min read
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