June '11 Tuscany Retreat :: summary

Wow! Just said 'arrivederci' yesterday to all the wonderful guests at the June retreat in Tuscany. It was an amazing time with a great group of people. However fabulous a place may be, the dynamic of a group is one of the most important pieces of a retreat - and we couldn't have asked for a better one! Friendships were made, plenty of laughs shared, growth made in the yoga studio, and lots of delicious food was enjoyed.

We started the week out with an amazing dinner on the terrace overlooking the picturesque hills. Most of us were commenting that everyone knows that stereotypical Tuscan landscape in your mind...but it's still a bit surprising to see that it is actually exactly like that.

We'd missed the fields of red poppies in bloom just by a couple weeks, but were greeted by plenty of lavender and the bursts of yellow sunflowers beginning to bloom. One field we found was so abundant that we decided to do some group shots in the flowers.

Amazing dish by amazing dish was provided throughout the week by Amanda (villa owner / interior decorator / Tuscan cook extraordinaire) and each meal was met by mmmmm's and ahhhhh's around the table. I think by the last day we were all glad to have practiced daily yoga as well as walked as much as we had in order to enjoy all the dishes provided.

Thanks to Julian, Amanda's husband and who usually runs the art retreats at this location, we were entertained with lots of interesting anecdotes about the region, sites, and chauffeured around for the day trips...including stops in Arezzo, Chiusi, Florence, and the beautiful tiny hilltop town of Panicale. I think one of the favorite times of relaxation came during a trip to a thermal spa where we all lounged by the thermal pools and took in some of the warm rays.

Here's a video from the experience:

Overall it was an amazing week, and I feel so blessed to have been a part of it. Today I'm writing from Florence and am heading tomorrow to Ischia to work out some details for the October retreat there...then it's back to the villa next week for the second Tuscan retreat this summer! Can't wait to meet the next group!

A Week in Florence

Well if you keep up with EAT.PRAY.MOVE you may have noticed a little bit of a drop in online chatter this week as my time on the computer (twitter, facebook, blogs) has been more sporatic... but only because I'm in ITALY preparing for the Tuscany retreat which starts this Sunday.

I took off last Friday and luckily got some sleep on the plane (as the seat next to me was empty!), and woke up just as we were flying over France and then into Italy over the Mediterranean coast.

It's been a lovely time in Florence this week - seeing friends, running errands, going to the yoga studio, and just being back on the old cobblestone streets that I consider a second home. It always takes me a few days to get over the jet-lag but the rich espresso here definitely helps me out!

Besides all the regular sites, there tends to be festivals and special events going on all the time here. This week happened to be fashion week, so the shop windows are in full regalia and the people watching is at its finest. 

All the plans are in place for the upcoming retreats, and being in Florence has made me even more excited for them as well as the day-trip during the week back to the city. It's such a lovely place close to my heart that I can't wait to share it with guests.

Besides getting ready with logistics, I've also been getting ready just to meet everyone. Plus we had 2 MORE LAST MINUTE SIGN-UPS! So now both Tuscany retreats are full, and the groups are going to be great!

If you've been thinking of joining us on a retreat - don't miss out. There's 1 more spot in Marrakesh in Septempber as well as spots in ISCHIA in October. Stay tuned on our Facebook page for pics-of-the-day during my month in Italy (including preparations in Ischia in two weeks)

Pose Series #10 :: Parivrtta Trikonasana

Parivrtta Trikonasana :: Revolved Triangle 

Feet grounding and spaced.

One foot forward, one foot back.

Heels pressing.

 Toes light.

 Legs fully engaged.

 Hips squared to front.

 Pelvis floor engaged (mula bandha).

 Navel pulled in and up (uddiyana bandha).

 Torso lengthened, strong, and twisting.

 Arms extended and reaching.

 Bottom hand pressing and grounding on outside of front foot.

 Top fingers reaching skyward.

 Top of head reaching out.

 Neck lengthening.

 Gaze (dristhi) upwards.

 B R E A T H E (ujjayi breath).

 smile.

balancing act :: paddleboard yoga

instructor demoing

A couple days ago I had the opportunity to try my hand (and feet, and core, and entire body) at paddleboard yoga! This new craze is definitely catching fire in coastal towns (or any town for that matter with a bit of water). 

As stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) has been steadily growing as a sport in the past few years, some yogis have been getting in on the action. A friend in town who owns the Bikram studio recently started taking groups out in an inlet area of the island and invited a group of us to try it out! 

I'd never been on a paddleboard, although I've surfed and felt that the balance issue was similar. So first things first, we headed out from Lighthouse Park to an area around the floating boats...

 ...tied our boards up to a line between some buoys so we wouldn't float away or bump into each other. Then took a deep breath and began... 

A few sun salutations started us off, and a lot of concentration and precise intention of movements was needed to maintain balance during the flow. It was really amazing being out in the quiet of the water, so close to this beautiful setting while doing the class. Yes, there was some splashing, some falling in, some laughing, but those times where we could be still, stay concentrated, reconnect with the breath, allowed for some pretty amazing moments.

friends trying headstands

 Then of course, there was some free-style time where we pushed the limits of balance and tried out some inversions and arm-balances.

attempting flying pigeon

I loved how being on a moving board allowed for a deeper awareness of every small part of your body. During a few arm balances, my fingers and breath were the main things keeping me upright. I actually made it through without falling in, but it took a lot of core work. The next morning I woke up with the sorest quads I can remember in a long time - plus a deep soreness in my midsection core. All those little muscles were working to keep me on the board and what work they did.

The class was amazingly fun and I can't wait to go again after I'm back in town from Italy next month. If you have an opportunity to go to a paddleboard yoga class, definitely try it out! (and bring a towel!)

Marrakesh Retreat - ENCORE!

We've had such a great response to the retreat in Marrakesh, Morocco that we've just listed more dates! This is the EAT.PRAY.MOVE kick-off announcement for 2012 retreats.

MARRAKESH YOGA RETREAT

MARCH 4-10, 2012

7-DAY INCLUSIVE

As I write this there is just one spot left for the Marrakesh retreat in September, and interest is still pouring in. It's not too early to mark your calendars.

Plus there's a $200 EARLY SIGN-UP DISCOUNT.

Still the same amazing location at Peacock Pavilions boutique hotel, tasty Moroccan cuisine, exotic day trips, camel rides, henna parties, daily yoga classes, and more!

So spice up your spring and SIGN-UP TODAY!