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Kos Summer Season Starts Monday (and I’m so excited to welcome you)
There’s a particular kind of feeling that arrives on Kos right before the season begins. The light shifts. The sea starts to sparkle a little longer each evening. The island wakes up — not in a frantic, touristy way, but in that golden-hour, barefoot, breathe-deeper way that reminds me why I chose to make Kos my home. And this Monday, our summer season officially begins. As always, I’m genuinely excited to share Kos with you for another summer — because my dream has never bee
Gilly Gwilliams
1 day ago3 min read


Are You Thinking of Hosting a Retreat?
If you’re dreaming of hosting a retreat in Kos — yoga, fitness, mental health, creativity, painting, breathwork… whatever your magic is — you’re probably feeling two things at once: Excited about the transformation you want to create for your guests Slightly overwhelmed by the logistics (and the responsibility that comes with them) Because the truth is: running a retreat isn’t just about choosing a beautiful hotel and planning a gorgeous schedule. It’s about creating somethi
Gilly Gwilliams
Apr 215 min read


Eating Seasonally: A Spring Reset (From My Garden in Kos)
A personal note: the “natural luxury” I took for granted I grew up with fruit and vegetables in our garden. As a child, it felt normal — almost ordinary. Looking back, I realise it was a privilege. A kind of natural luxury that I didn’t fully appreciate in my younger days. Now, growing food again in Kos feels like coming home to something simple and true. And that’s what I want for you too — not necessarily a garden, but that feeling of being nourished in a way that’s real. S
Gilly Gwilliams
Apr 144 min read


What Orthodox Easter in Greece Reminds Us About Wellness
Last Sunday, much of the world marked Easter. This Sunday, here in Greece, Orthodox Easter arrives in its own time. I do not personally celebrate Easter in a religious sense. In truth, I do not really celebrate Christian holidays at all. My own path is different. But living in Greece, married into a Greek family, I have come to witness and share in parts of Orthodox Easter in a way that feels deeply human, grounding, and surprisingly healing. And perhaps that is where the wel
Gilly Gwilliams
Apr 73 min read


The Menopause Symptoms No One Talks About
Menopause and perimenopause are often reduced to hot flushes and mood swings. But for many women, the experience is far more complex, more confusing, and often much less openly discussed. This is a topic that comes up often in conversation with my clients. Many are already moving through perimenopause or menopause, some are beginning to notice changes, and others are simply trying to understand what may lie ahead. It is also something I relate to personally. At 38, I have exp
Gilly Gwilliams
Mar 305 min read


Why We Expanded Beyond Kos to Help More People Find the Right Retreat in Greece
When Evexia Kos first began, the vision was rooted here on our beautiful island: to create meaningful wellness experiences that help people slow down, reconnect, and feel more like themselves again. Kos will always be a huge part of our story. It is where everything started, where our values were shaped, and where we saw first-hand just how powerful the right retreat experience can be. But over time, something became clear. Many people were not just looking for a retreat on K
Gilly Gwilliams
Mar 243 min read


The Vagus Nerve, Stress, and Learning to Let Go
There has been a recent discovery in my own body that has changed the way I think about stress, pain, and what it really means to relax. For years, I have lived with tension as though it were normal. A hip pain that stayed with me for six months. A shoulder injury that has lingered for more than ten years. And underneath it all, a habit I barely questioned: holding my body tight all the time. As a Pilates instructor, I know the value of engaging the core and using our muscles
Gilly Gwilliams
Mar 174 min read


Hippocrates Wasn’t a Vibe — He Was a Method: What “Balance” Actually Means on Kos
Hippocrates Wasn’t a Vibe — He Was a Method: What “Balance” Actually Means on Kos “Balance” gets thrown around a lot in wellness. It can end up meaning everything and nothing: a candle, a smoothie, a quiet morning. But on Kos, balance has roots. It’s not a trend — it’s a method. Hippocrates (yes, that Hippocrates) wasn’t selling a vibe. He was observing patterns: what happens to the body and mind when we live out of rhythm… and what helps us return. This is why Kos is so pow
Gilly Gwilliams
Mar 113 min read


Spring into Walking: Nature, Fresh Air, and the Simple Habit That Changes Everything
Spring has a way of nudging us back to ourselves. The light shifts, the air softens, and suddenly the idea of getting outside feels less like a chore and more like a return. If you’ve been craving more energy, a clearer head, and a gentler way to feel strong again, walking is one of the most underrated wellness practices you can start today — no fancy kit, no intimidating routines, just you and the outdoors. Why walking in spring feels so good (and is so good for you) Walking
Gilly Gwilliams
Mar 34 min read


The Evexia Effect Podcast — Your Bite-Sized Escape to Greece’s Wellness World
If your weeks are anything like mine, you’re juggling work, life, family, admin, and about 47 tabs open in your brain at any one time. And yet… you still want something that brings you back to yourself. Something that feels nourishing. Something that reminds you there’s a bigger, calmer, more beautiful world outside your to-do list. That’s exactly why I created The Evexia Effect Podcast . It’s a free, easy way to dip into Greece’s wellness world — even when you’re busy. You
Gilly Gwilliams
Feb 252 min read


End of February Already… and We’re More Than Ready for Summer
Somehow, we’ve reached the end of February. The days are still chilly, the skies still moody, and it feels like everyone is collectively over winter. And honestly? Same. Here at Evexia, we’re already seeing that familiar shift: enquiries and bookings are starting to come in for our summer Pilates classes. It’s that time of year when people begin craving lightness again — longer days, warmer evenings, and a reason to get outside and move. Why summer movement just hits differe
Gilly Gwilliams
Feb 173 min read


Angelman Syndrome Awareness Day (15 February): A Different Kind of Wellness Post
On Evexia Kos, I usually write about movement, nourishment, and the everyday choices that help us feel more balanced. This week, I want to share something different. 15 February is Angelman Syndrome Awareness Day — a day to raise understanding, compassion, and support for individuals and families living with Angelman syndrome. What is Angelman syndrome? Angelman syndrome is a rare genetic condition that primarily affects the nervous system. It can impact: Development and lea
Gilly Gwilliams
Feb 113 min read


Choosing Movement When Others Choose Excuses
I’ve always known I’m different from most of my family. Not in a dramatic, “black sheep” way — just in the way I’ve moved through life. As a child, I was that kid: always outside, always active, always laughing. You could never keep me in. I loved the water. I loved getting dirty. I loved climbing, exploring, taking risks, getting out of breath — because it was fun. It felt like freedom. As I got older, that love for movement never left me… but it deepened. It stopped being
Gilly Gwilliams
Feb 43 min read


Eight Years in Kos: The Place That Healed Me
Earlier this week someone asked me a question I get asked a lot as a foreigner living here: “How long have you lived on Kos?” It’s such a simple question, isn’t it? The kind you can answer in a sentence. But when I replied, it stopped me in my tracks. Because 2026 will mark my 8th year on Kos . And when I really let that sink in, I realised something that still feels unbelievable: in all that time, my life has changed so completely that it’s hard to recognise the person who f
Gilly Gwilliams
Jan 273 min read


Kos: The Birthplace of Hippocratic Wellness (And What It Really Means Today)
When people hear “Hippocrates”, they often think of hospitals, doctors, or the Hippocratic Oath. But on Kos, Hippocrates isn’t just a historical figure—he’s part of the island’s identity. Kos is widely recognised as the home of Hippocrates, the physician often called the “father of modern medicine”. Yet what’s most fascinating (and most relevant to your wellbeing today) isn’t a single oath or quote—it’s the approach to health that began here: one that looks at the whole pers
Gilly Gwilliams
Jan 213 min read


Back to Movement: Why It Feels So Good (and Why Breaks Are Healthy Too)
If you’ve come back to class recently and thought, “Oh wow… I needed this,” you’re not alone. I took a little break from structured exercise. Not because anything was “wrong”, not because I’d failed, and definitely not because I’d stopped believing in movement. I just needed a pause. And here’s the thing I want you to hear clearly: it is always OK to take a break. Life has seasons. Bodies have seasons. Motivation has seasons. Sometimes rest is exactly what keeps us well. But
Gilly Gwilliams
Jan 133 min read


Pilates in Kos: The Varieties, the Benefits, and Why Props Can Be a Game-Changer
Pilates has a bit of a reputation problem. Some people think it’s only stretching. Others assume it’s too gentle to make a difference. And plenty of us have tried a class years ago and thought, “Not for me.” But Pilates is wonderfully varied — and when it’s taught well, it can be one of the most effective ways to build strength, improve posture, support your joints, and feel more at home in your body. This week, I wanted to share a simple guide to the different types of Pila
Gilly Gwilliams
Jan 54 min read


Happy New Year — Here’s to 2026 Wellness Intentions (Not Resolutions)
Happy New Year from all of us at Evexia (Kos) . Wherever you’re reading this from, I hope you’re stepping into 2026 feeling supported, hopeful, and gently ready for what’s next. If you’re anything like me, the word resolution can feel heavy. All-or-nothing. Perfect-or-fail. So this year, I’m inviting you to try something different: wellness intentions . Why intentions feel different (and work better) Intentions aren’t about punishing yourself into change. They’re about choos
Gilly Gwilliams
Jan 24 min read


2025: The Year My World Got Bigger (Because I Chose to Serve)
If you’ve been part of Evexia this year — a Beach Pilates sunrise, a winter walk, a class that challenged you, a message you sent when you needed a little encouragement — thank you. Truly. I’ve already shared how proud I am of everyone who showed up for themselves in 2025. But this final post of the year is a little more personal. Because when I look back, my biggest achievement isn’t a number, a milestone, or a “business win”. It’s this: I built a life where my whole world r
Gilly Gwilliams
Dec 26, 20254 min read


A Christmas Thank You (and a Quiet Celebration of You)
The week before Christmas always makes me reflect — not on what we didn’t get done, but on what we did . The sessions we showed up for. The mornings we moved our bodies even when motivation was low. The moments we chose care over chaos. And honestly? I’m so proud of you. I also want to take a moment to say a huge thank you. To my PT clients — thank you for your trust, your effort, and your commitment (especially on the days you didn’t feel like it, but you came anyway). To m
Gilly Gwilliams
Dec 16, 20252 min read
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