There are seasons in life when we keep pushing through.We carry the weight of responsibilities, the endless lists, the constant demands. We show up for others, for work, for family, often with little left over for ourselves. On the surface we keep going, but underneath something quieter lingers. A heaviness. A tiredness. A knowing that this way of living is not sustainable.

And yet we keep moving. Until the body begins to whisper - or shout. Exhaustion creeps in. Sleep is restless. Shoulders grow tense. The mind never seems to switch off. What begins as an emotional burden soon finds its way into the body. Stress and overwhelm become aches, fatigue, even illness.

So often we wait until we reach breaking point before we listen. But what if there was another way?

What if you chose to stop carrying so much?
What if you gave yourself the space to release what no longer belongs to you?
What if you allowed yourself to remember who you are when you put yourself first again?

The Power of Release

Release is a word that carries both softness and strength. To release is to let go, to lighten, to exhale. It is also an act of courage. Because letting go means acknowledging what is no longer serving you - the beliefs, habits, responsibilities, or expectations that you have been holding for too long.

When we release, we create space. Space to breathe. Space to feel. Space for something new to arrive. It is a shedding of old layers, the ones that have weighed heavy on your shoulders, and a gentle remembering of who you are beneath them all.

In a world that praises busyness, achievement, and resilience, release can feel like a radical act. But it is also the most natural. Like the tide that comes and goes, like the breath that flows in and out, life is not meant to be about holding on.

Release is part of our nature. And when we allow it, we return to ourselves.

Why Release Feels So Difficult

Many of us find it hard to let go. We hold onto roles, to identities, to the need to be everything for everyone. We grip tightly because it feels safe. Familiar. Predictable.

But over time, this holding on becomes heavy. It disconnects us from our bodies, from our emotions, from our truth. It creates a version of ourselves that feels distant from the person we once were - or the person we long to be.

If you have ever felt like you have lost touch with yourself, this is why. You have been holding too much, for too long.

And yet, the moment you choose to release, something shifts. The mind quiets. The body softens. You remember that it is possible to live differently.

Creating Space for You

Release cannot happen when we are surrounded by the same noise and responsibilities that keep us bound. It asks for space. Space away from the usual demands. Space to breathe, reflect, and reconnect. Space to remember what it feels like to just be.

This is why retreat matters. Not as an escape, but as a return. A return to your body, to your breath, to yourself.

When you step away, you create the conditions for release. You allow yourself to feel what has been stored, to gently let it go, and to create space for something new. And in that space, you remember what truly matters.

The Retreat Experience:

Imagine waking to the sound of waves on the shore. The soft glow of sunlight spilling into your room. Your day beginning not with demands or rushing, but with breath. With stillness. With space.

This is what awaits you on The Release Retreat.

From 2 – 7 August 2026, on the Greet island of Crete, you are invited to spend six days by the sea, with us, in a boutique beachfront hotel, close to the world-renowned pink sands of Elafonissi's pink beach. Here, you will find a rhythm that feels slower, softer, more natural.

Each day will weave together practices designed to help you let go: meditation to quiet the mind, breathwork to release stored tension, movement to soften the body, and somatic practices to reconnect you with your inner strength. You will be nourished with fresh, wholesome meals. You will have space to rest, to journal, to wander the shoreline. You will share in guided workshops that invite reflection and clarity.

There is no pressure. No expectation. Simply an invitation to release what you no longer need and to make space for what you do.

Why Now Matters

For teachers and those whose lives are bound by the rhythm of school holidays, these dates could not be better placed. A retreat in August is more than just a break - it is a chance to step away at the very moment you need it most. To refill your own cup before stepping into a new season.

But no matter your role, this is a time when many of us feel the weight of what we have been carrying. Midway through the year, the pace of life can feel relentless. This is why now matters. Choosing this retreat is choosing not to wait until you are burnt out, overwhelmed, or unwell. It is choosing to support yourself before you reach that point.

What You Will Leave With

The Release is not about a temporary pause. It is about a turning point.

You will leave not just rested, but lighter. Not just restored, but reconnected.
You will leave with tools you can carry into daily life - simple, powerful practices that allow you to return to this feeling of release whenever you need it.
You will leave with clarity, with grounded energy, and with a sense of possibility.

Most of all, you will leave with the knowing that you can choose yourself. That release is not a one-time act, but a way of living that brings you closer to who you are.

A Gentle Invitation

You already know what it feels like to carry too much. You know the cost it takes on your mind, your body, and your spirit.

This retreat is your chance to choose differently. To release what no longer belongs to you. To remember who you are beneath the layers. To step into a season of lightness, clarity, and strength.

Six days in Crete may be the turning point you have been waiting for.
Perhaps the one you have been yearning for without even realising it.

There are just 8 rooms available. Early Bird places are available until 22.9.25, secured with a £250* deposit.

The Release Retreat is waiting for you. The question is, are you ready to let go?

 More details can be found here.

Align Lifestyle Retreats