Join me for a weeklong yoga and culture retreat in a medieval villa nestled in the heart of Tuscany, Italy. Journey back in time to a place that boasts a thousand years of history in it's walls, inspiring us to break away from the bustle of daily life and re-establish daily connections with ourselves, nature and community. Here, we will practice the art of pausing, letting go, and rediscovering the sweetness of life, aka, "La Dolce Vita". We will also have the opportunity to explore all the beauty of the Tuscan countryside. This retreat will be truly transformative; a reset for the mind and the body........ nothing short of magical.

For 7 nights and 8 days, we will be staying in a restored medieval compound estate nestled in the rolling hills of the Tuscan countryside located in the middle of Pienza, Montepulciano, and Montalcino overlooking the Monte Amiata, Val d'Orcia and Crete Senese. While we will have uninterrupted views of grape vines, olive groves, truffle and grain fields, we are less than an hour's drive from Siena, an hour and a half from Florence and two hours outside of Rome. The estate has a rich and long history spanning back a thousand years, back to the Romans and Etruscans. When the current owners took over this historic place, they made it their goal to bring the estate back to its former glory in a sustainable way. You can expect beautiful rooms, each unique in style with cozy beds, soft linens, and chic French country decor. We will have the entire place to ourselves, which includes two yoga shalas with props, an outdoor swimming pool, a courtyard, piazza and plenty of lounging areas to relax. There is also a chapel, a wine cellar, indoor and outdoor dining areas, an orangery and a gorgeous historic park which surrounds the property. Full of tranquility and some rustic charm, this retreat space radiates beauty and authenticity. A perfect place to step away from the demands of daily life and reconnect with what brings you joy.

We will start our mornings with an inspiring and invigorating yoga class, followed by a delicious and decadent buffet style breakfast. We will have the day to either explore some of the neighboring villages and towns, go on hike, a bike ride (we have the famous Eroica routes just outside the gate) or horse ride, visit local thermal baths, or simply relax by the pool. After a light lunch and some down time, we will reconvene for an early evening gentle yoga class followed by a delicious three course gourmet dinner. Together, we will embark on a guided tour of Siena where we will enjoy lunch, sightseeing and shopping. If we have time that day, we may visit another local village or two. We will also take a cooking class together, experience local wine tasting, and on the last evening we will have a very special farewell dinner under the stars with a fun surprise. You will return home feeling refreshed and inspired.

Today is all about arriving, taking it all in and unravelling from your travels. Once you check in and settle into you beautiful rooms, we will come together for our first yoga class where I will guide you through a soothing and ground hip focused practice that will alleviate all the achy and tired muscles from the long day of travel. Then we will do a welcome circle followed by a delicious dinner and then off to bed for a good nights sleep.

Today is all about connecting and plugging into the present moment.

We will begin the day with a long and deep yoga class focused on the first two chakras (root and sacral chakra). The theme will be all about feeling grounded and supported as well as tapping into our inner joy, passion and feelings of connection.

Then we will gather for a delicious breakfast before enjoying a free day. The options are endless. You can simply enjoy relaxing by the pool or finding a quiet are to read, take a nap or enjoy the beautiful landscape. You can rent a bike (regular or electric) and take either a guided tour or venture out on your own. You can take a guided horseback ride, go on a hike, get a massage (we can arrange for a massage therapist to come to the property), visit a local town (you will need to rent a car to get around), take a painting class or visit the thermal baths located near the area. After a light lunch and some down time, we will reconvene for an evening yin class where will dig deep into our hips and shoulders, leaving us feeling completely blissed out. We will end the evening with a delicious dinner, good conversation and off to dreamland.

Today we will get go on a group excursion to beautiful city of Siena, Italy. But first, we will have a fun, uplifting and strong practice that will get us in the mood to tap into our adventurous spirit. Then, after a light breakfast we will take two group shuttles to Siena, known as the "city of soul", famous for its Piazza del Campo. The beautiful burnt Sienna color of the brick in this area is very unique, and it remains one of the best preserved examples of medieval gothic architecture in the world. After a short guided tour, we will have time to explore on our own, have lunch (not included), and do some shopping, before we head back. Depending on how much time we have, we may be able to visit another local town before heading back to our retreat estate for the night. Once we return, we will do a sweet restorative practice to quiet the mind and restore the body before having a beautiful dinner, recount the day and then bedtime.

There are so many wonderful things about Tuscany, especially the region we are in. One is the delicious wine. Today, we will have the opportunity to taste the wine that is made right on the property by the owner (please know this experience is optional and there will be non-alcoholic beverages available).

We will start our morning with a long heart opening practice before sitting down and enjoying our breakfast together. You will then have the day to explore the countryside or goof on an adventure of your own. We will reconvene for a light lunch before we get together for an short afternoon yoga practice, possibly a workshop style to help you dig a bit deeper into the shoulder and upper back (we all need this), before we get together and learn not only about the local wines but about the history of the property and area. This will truly be a fun experience.

Afterwords, we will enjoy our three course dinner, good conversation and bed.

One of the most joyful things about Italy is the food. Today, we will learn how to make the local Tuscan pasta among other traditional dishes and afterwards, enjoy the fruits of our labor. But first, we will get together and do a long practice in the morning, themed around pushing beyond your comfort zone (do not worry, I will be there to guide you, encourage you and of course respect your boundaries). This class will be fun and all about supporting each other and camaraderie. Then, after a nice breakfast we will have the day to do as we wish (I am thinking perhaps take a group bike ride before we fill up on our pasta!). We will have a light lunch, down time and then another practice with pranayama (Breathwork and mediation), before we get together for this fun cooking experience.

Today is another free day, however, depending on how many of us decide to rent. car (I will be), I was hoping we could go out to dinner together at one of the local towns. If we plan ahead, this will be my treat (alcohol will not be included). If you prefer to stay at the villa, they will prepare dinner for you.

But first, yoga. As we start to win down from our weeklong Tuscany retreat, this mornings practice will be a bit more introspective and meditative. As we move, we will tap into the deeper more subtle layers or our being, helping us fell all the benefits yoga has to offer. Then breakfast together, followed by free time, a light lunch, then depending on what we head out to either Pienza or Montepulciano for an early evening stroll and dinner together. (again, we would need enough rental cars to make this happen)

On our full last day, we will begin with a well balanced practice incorporating many of the things we have focused on during the week. Then we will have a closing circle, giving us an opportunity to share anything about our experience and what we want to take with us on our journey back home. After breakfast, you will have the day t do any last minute explorations or simply just enjoy relaxing in the beautiful Tuscan countryside. We will have a light lunch, followed by a delicious evening yin class focused on the chakras. Then we will get together for a very special farewell dinner hosted by the owners of the estate which they lovingly call "Notte Italiana", where we will enjoy delicious Italian food, drinks and a special surprise.

On this bittersweet day, those of us who are still around will get together for our final morning practice which will prepare our bodies for our long journeys back home, before having breakfast together, saying out goodbyes (or see you laters), and heading off.