Every day we observe silence for the first yoga class and continue to keep quiet as we dine.  At 9:30AM, you may use words.  Forming our own rituals of silence will be the key to this six day disruption of old patterns.  Your mind is filled with chatter.  Each morning we turn up the quiet.  After morning yoga we have free time to explore the grounds and feel at home. 

After dinner, we will reconvene for a deep dive into balance so your circadian cycle starts to adjust.  There are yoga mats at the villa.  If you know you like your own mat, please bring it.  I placed the manduka travel mat on top of mats provided by the last retreat center I visited.  This worked nicely because I got cushion and the grip I like from the Manduka.

I don't have a great travel belly.  Sometimes, my stomach feels left behind.  This series will wring out the back with strong twists and improve ablution through gentle twists and long holds.  One of my teachers used to call this a detox class.

How decadent to do a 35 minute savasana?  Yes, you heard me.  This slow sequence starts with long holds on pigeon, butterfly pose and splits...yipes.   We finish with a mellow visualization and hypnotherapy session.  You will be floating on the Tuscan Tree TOPS!

The travel journal will give you great memories after we get home.  The writing and yoga exercises make the richness of your observational skills flow.  Different poses will go with different journal prompts.  Write on!

When is the last time you stretched for 90 minutes.  I haven't taught that class in 5 years.  This a treat worth the whole trip...except of course for the yummy pasta.  We'll melt the barnacles of disappointment off you muscles.  You'll flow like silk in the wind.

We will move outside and find inspiration to sketch one another, the natural landscape or anything that soothes our inner artist.  You might find a tree that makes you think of tree pose or a flower that makes you want to do butterfly pose.  You are your own sculpture.  You know how I love to challenge you...can you draw with your toes?  Can you sketch with your non-dominant hand?

I have loved taking cooking classes at Sur La Table.  Now we get to eat fresh Italian food and learn how to make everything we love eating.  There is wine...if you enjoy cooking and eating, this will be your lovely night done right.  

We have time to meander through the town.  The wine tasting will delight your palate and educate you on this science of wine making.

For many this is a spiritual center reminds you of the Saint responsible for founding the Fransciscan order.    Dr. Wayne Dyre brought students here to see the cathedral and walk the streets.  This Saint is responsible for pairing popular Winter Solstace songs with religious words to create many Christmas Carols that we use today. This is a historical, sacred location and we will walk through as spiritual pilgrams no matter what your denomination or religious orientation.  Even if you just want to soak up the history, this is a trip to the divine.

You may not know how Italy smells, tastes or sounds until we remove your reliance on your sight.  How does it feel to really be in your body?  What does it feel like to be grounded in Italy?  Let's discover in this exquisite workshop to make you balance in your hearing, touch and smelling.  You'll be rewarded with a yummy lunch after class!

I love to pile salad on top of pizza and collapse two dishes into a lovely treat.  This culinary event allows us to go from dough to salse to cheese with the rustic flair of a true Paisano.  Mangia!  We are in EATly...get that joke.  Italy sounds like EAT!  

I love meditation with mala beads.  Even if you just want to wear these around your wrist when you're finished with the project, the meditative endeavor allows you to contemplate moments of time as you string these beads.  You select a color pink, light blue, black or green and we make you a strand that you'll treasure among the memories of Tuscany.  I bring the supplies and you string the beads while we relax and contemplate our journey.