Thank You for an Amazing Summer đź’™
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 into their busy lives.
And thank you for making another summer of movement, connection and wellness so special.
Another summer, another reminder of why we do this
There is something very special about taking a Pilates class outdoors.
Perhaps it is the sound of the sea, the warmth of the sun, the feeling of the sand beneath your feet or simply being surrounded by other people who have made the decision to show up for themselves.
This summer has given us plenty of those moments.
Although, I have to admit, the weather has been a little strange this year!
There have been days when the wind has had other ideas and we have had to cancel classes because it simply wasn't safe or enjoyable enough to be outside.
I know cancellations can be frustrating, and I genuinely apologise to anyone who missed a class because of the weather.
But, as we all know here in Greece, the weather does what the weather wants!
Hopefully next year will bring us a little more of the calm, predictable summer weather we know and love.
But perhaps that is also part of living here. We learn to adapt, go with the flow and accept that sometimes things are simply outside of our control.
You should be proud of yourself
One of the things I love most about teaching these classes isn't actually the Pilates itself.
It is watching people make the decision to do something for themselves.
Because let's be honest, it is very easy to find reasons not to.
We're too busy.
We're too tired.
We have work.
We have the children.
We have appointments.
We're travelling.
We don't have time.
We'll start next week.
And yet, you turned up.
You made the time.
You moved your body.
You breathed.
You strengthened yourself.
You stretched.
You laughed.
You connected with other people.
And you gave yourself something that so many of us are guilty of putting at the bottom of the list:
time for you.
That is something to be proud of.
So wherever you are in the world now, I hope you're still showing up for yourself.
It doesn't have to be Pilates.
It might be walking.
Swimming.
Strength training.
Yoga.
Dancing.
Running.
Stretching.
Or simply taking 20 minutes to step away from everything and breathe.
Whatever it is, keep doing it.
Your body deserves your attention, not just when something hurts, but because it carries you through your entire life.
The summer classes may be ending, but movement doesn't
Our sunset Pilates and aqua classes have now come to an end for another season, but we aren't quite finished with the beach yet!
We will continue with some morning beach Pilates classes until the end of October, weather permitting.
So if you're still on Kos and want to squeeze in a few more outdoor sessions before we head fully into winter, come and join us.
As the temperatures cool and the seasons change, we'll gradually transition into our winter timetable.
That means taking our classes indoors, where it is just a little warmer and more sheltered, while still giving you the same amazing opportunity to move, strengthen and look after yourself.
If you're on Kos, you can join us in Tigaki and Kos Town for our winter classes.
The location may change, but the philosophy doesn't:
Move your body. Look after yourself. Make time for you.
And then there is everything that came after Pilates...
Something I often think about is how naturally everything has evolved.
Evexia began with a simple love of movement, health and wellbeing.
Pilates.
Fitness.
Personal training.
Walking.
Hiking.
Classes by the sea.
And then came retreats.
And from those retreats came Retreats in Greece.
What started as a love of bringing people together for wellness experiences in Greece has grown into something much bigger.
Today, Retreats in Greece isn't just about retreats.
Although, I have to say, I can highly recommend all of the retreats we work with!
We carefully select our retreat hosts and experiences because we genuinely want to connect people with the right experience for them.
But we also recognised that sometimes people don't want a retreat.
Sometimes you simply want to escape somewhere warmer for the winter.
Perhaps you want a Greek island getaway.
A wellness break.
A hotel.
Flights.
Transfers.
Activities.
Or help putting the whole trip together.
And that is where the next part of our journey has taken us.
From Pilates → to retreats → to travel
Through Retreats in Greece, we now offer travel services worldwide, alongside our specialist knowledge of Greece.
So while it may seem like a step away from Pilates, fitness and wellness, to me it actually makes perfect sense.
It is all connected.
It is about helping people feel better.
Sometimes that means coming to a Pilates class.
Sometimes it means taking a retreat.
Sometimes it means stepping away from everyday life and travelling somewhere completely different.
And sometimes, it simply means giving yourself permission to do something that makes you happy.
So, thank you
Thank you for being part of the Evexia community.
Thank you for trusting me with your health, your movement and your time.
Thank you for turning up, even when you didn't feel like it.
Thank you for laughing with me, sweating with me, occasionally complaining with me when the wind was blowing sideways, and for making these classes what they are.
I genuinely appreciate every single one of you.
And I hope that wherever you are now, you continue to show up for yourself.
Because looking after yourself isn't selfish.
It's necessary.
And perhaps that is the biggest lesson I want to carry with us from another summer on Kos.
Keep moving. Keep exploring. Keep making time for yourself. And keep saying yes to the things that make you feel alive.
Here's to another summer of memories — and to whatever the next season brings. 💙
With love,
Gilly x
Looking ahead
If you're staying on Kos, keep an eye out for our winter Pilates timetable and come and join us in Tigaki or Kos Town.
And if you're already dreaming about your next escape, you can explore Retreats in Greece, where wellness, retreats and travel come together — whether you're looking for a retreat in Greece or simply need help planning your next trip.
Your next adventure might be closer than you think.
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