The People

Paradeisos Residents

Marina Gkiasta is a certified yoga teacher & therapist, an herbalist (MNIMH) and herb grower. She studied and worked for many years in landscape archaeology (MA, PhD), and has spent most of her life in research and education (studies and work) in Greece, the UK, the Netherlands and France. She has travelled in Europe, America, Asia and Africa. 7 years ago she moved to the countryside of the island of Crete, where together with Michalis Pavlakis they build an eco-friendly house applying modern and ancient techniques of energy flow and they developed a permaculture garden with trees and wild as well as cultivated edible & medicinal plants, transforming a marginal, rocky landscape into one of high biodiversity. Having specialised in landscape evolution, Marina’s studies and research/work involved many environmental and most human sciences as man and the physical environment have co-evolved and are actually interdependent. Understanding the human as existence from a wide spectrum of human sciences, but of environmental as well, as a whole and part of a whole, is crucial to understanding the causes of imbalance and finding ways towards therapy and well-being.

Marina was introduced to phytotherapy and healthy nutrition as a child by her father, who practiced folk herbalism, and to aromatherapy when still an undergraduate in 1991. She is certified in both and continues studies and research in medical herbalism. Paradisos organic herbal garden provides plants for a variety of herbal products used in her phytotherapy and aromatherapy practise. She was trained in yoga asanas (body postures) and mind concentration already as a child and teenager and she started exploring yogic philosophy and breathing at the age of 18. She’s got the experience of various styles and schools of yoga, as well as reiki and quigong. The last 10 years, Marina practices Jnana & Raja yoga and she’s a certified teacher by the Yoga Vedanta Forest Academy. She focuses on its healing potential, especially through Hatha yoga and meditation in combination with the healing power of plants. Through private sessions and small group seminars, she treats but also educates clients and students on how the combination of yoga, healthful food, lifestyle practices, herbs and herbal formulations can support wellness and correct imbalance so as to succeed in improving our quality of life.

Michalis Pavlakis is a mechanical engineer and a musician. He supervised and completed the building of the house – base of Aurama’s activities, which is situated on a rocky terrain with amazing views of N-N/W Crete. The house is a building of relatively low-energy signature, built with natural materials, taking into account ancient understandings of spatial balance and energy flow, and paying respect to environmental sustainability as much as possible. He has worked tirelessly with Marina to turn a rocky, degraded piece of land (pasture land) into a beautiful semi-wild garden of food & medicine. He is a violin player, specializing in traditional Greek music throughout the country. Michalis practises yoga as part of remaining healthy and fit, as well as phytotherapy and aromatherapy; he loves reading and travelling as well as unique culinary experiences with wild and organic food!

The Supporting Team

The support and inspiration of family, friends, students and volunteers has been invaluable. Maria has been by our side for many years, and is now involved in the production of the Aromatherapy series of cosmetic oils and the phytotherapeutic tea series. She is a specialist on education for children with special needs and was introduced to holistic therapy many years ago. Anna studied agronomy and is involved in the garden’s preservation and care with love and consistency.

Many thanks to all!