Five Senses Yoga Retreat - New Collaboration in FLORENCE, ITALY

I'm excited to announce a new collaboration with a good friend, and fellow yoga-instructor living in Florence, Italy for this summer! We'll be joining forces to offer a special 5-day event - unlike any other, which will give guests an unforgettable experience of the Renaissance City of Firenze - it's art, history, fashion, and food - along with daily yoga, meditation and unique activities for the senses.

FLORENCE, ITALY :: JULY 7-11, 2014

Early Bird Discount : Save €100 until Apr 30!

This five day retreat will concentrate on one of the senses per day. Join us in Florence, Italy for an adventure for the FIVE SENSES. We will SEE the sites of this amazing city on a walking tour through hidden and "behind-the-scenes" looks at artisan workshops, famous art works, and more. Next, we learn to FEEL our bodies more with a biking tour through the Chianti and Tuscan hillsides - sun on our shoulders, wind in our hair, and wine on our tongues. Then it's time to SMELL the scents of an aromatherapy massage at a day at the spa, next to an aromatic garden and then a visit to a Florentine perfumery where we learn to create custom essences before learning to smell the 'notes' of a wine tasting! Then we HEAR the sounds of the city from a meditative walk, a visit to a hilltop church with Gregorian chants sung by the monks at sunset, and then to a Florentine concert to end the evening. Lastly, we can't experience Italy without the TASTE of the Tuscan cuisine. Our week will end with a market tour to choose ingredients for a final cooking demo and full tasting lunch before it's "a dopo! (until next time!)

“We love what we do. And we are so thrilled to share this memorable experience with you.”  –Erin and Shari, Creators of Five Senses Yoga Retreat

Find out all the details HERE. We hope to meet you in Florence!

TRAVELER TESTIMONY :: Inspiring Spirit (Bonnie - Pennsylvania, USA)

Welcome to another edition of our series, "TRAVELER TESTIMONY" where we have the pleasure of introducing some of the amazing people that have joined us on EAT.PRAY.MOVE retreats. This month's spotlight is on an inspiring guest who has been on many retreats at all of our locations to date...but today her Q and A is focusing on her experience in Provence, France (where our next upcoming retreat will be held)!

Bonnie lives in Pennsylvania but is definitely a world citizen and always brings a great sprit to the groups. I had the pleasure of meeting Bonnie on a humanitarian trip to Cuba many years ago and from the start of EPM, she's been someone I can count on seeing every year. In her 60s, not only does she keep up with all the activities in the week, she also brings inspiration to others who've met her - with her resolve to see the world, meet other people, experience cultures, get out of her comfort-zone, and never stop exploring! Also, if you happen to be on a retreat that falls just after a breast-cancer awareness 'Race for the Cure' - you may just find that she's dyed her hair one of many shades of pink to show her support!

 Bonnie illuminating her henna hands in Morocco

What drew you to EAT.PRAY.MOVE Yoga Retreats? 

As a single, retired woman with a strong desire to travel, I realized that there weren't many options available to travel with like-minded individuals. When a mutual friend mentioned that Erin had started EPM, I jumped right on it. The first trip that was available for me was to Marrakesh and there was no way to say no to that. I enjoyed it so much that each time a new location is offered, I sign up before it gets filled up. The last 'new' location was Provence, and since I had spent no time in that area I was roaring to go. 

 Bonnie showing LOVE on a retreat in Ischia

How did your trip compare to your expectations? 

The venue and the fellow travelers always change, so no trip is ever the same. Since Provence was my 4th Retreat, I pretty much knew the mechanics of the trip, and what the general schedule would be like.  As it turned out, the details where better than I expected, although each retreat always is better than expected! 

 What did you learn on your trip? 

What was confirmed for me on that trip was that the "universe" which supplied all my fellow travelers was one that matched my interests and suited my travel style. 

  with some of the group in Tuscany

What is it like to have Erin Lewis as a guide? 

Erin is a wonderful guide! I recently came back from a retreat in India, and kept thinking that if Erin had led it, things would have been better and easier. Our guide had never stayed at any of the 4 places we used. Erin always scouts out the places before she selects them, and her standards are quite high. Erin treats all of us with patience and tolerance, a really necessary talent for a guide. She also gives us the freedom to choose whether we want to go along with the daily program or arrange our own side trips. And if we feel like sleeping in, missing a few yoga class. whatever, that's fine, too. 

 enjoying an espresso in Italy

What was your favorite part of the retreat? 

It's always difficult for me to pick out the best of anything. I'm very lucky in that there's almost nothing I don't enjoy. But if I'm forced to pick out the most exceptional event in Provence, it was going to the Thermal Spa. After an incredible massage and delicious outdoor lunch, I sat in my bathing suit near one of the many outdoor pools and enjoyed watching the ocean, conversations with my friends, and sketching.  

 Bonnie in Provence with pink hair for breast-cancer awareness!

What impacted you and stayed with you once you traveled home? 

I had always heard about the beauty of Provence, but had no idea what that really meant. After staying in a beautiful 17th century Provincial "demure" with beautiful gardens and surrounded by fields as well as forest, I learned that It is the natural beauty of the area which is so sensational. Charming villages were everywhere we drove. What is reinforced each time I travel with EPM is how grateful I am to have such a wonderful group to travel with. The experience always adds beauty and grace to my life.

Thank you, Bonnie for your words, continued support, and friendship! You're an inspiration and I hope many more guests on future retreats have the opportunity to meet you.

new GIVE-BACK retreats!

working with PROJECT SOAR just last month in Marrakesh

When I began EAT.PRAY.MOVE several years ago, it was my dream to one day be able to incorporate a humanitarian side to the company - either by including service opportunities on retreats, an annual full-service retreat, or just sharing in the profits of the retreats so we, along with our guests, could help in even a small way to groups in need. There have been many ideas on the table and plans are finally moving forward to make this more of a reality!

leading yoga class last year with Project SOAR

Since last year, I've been able to work with Peacock Pavilions, our hosts in Marrakesh, to help lead small yoga workshops for the girls of the nearby village on the days surrounding the retreats. Recently Peacock Pavilions officially announced their new non-profit company PROJECT SOAR which will continue to do work with their neighborhood village of Douar Ladaam, just on the outskirts of Marrakesh.

the girls showing their drawings of some of the animal names of yoga poses we learned

Starting with the next retreats in Marrakesh this coming September, both EAT.PRAY.MOVE and Peacock Pavilions have pledged at least 10% of profits to go directly to the efforts of PROJECT SOAR! We are also working through details to offer guests the opportunity to help with a small village beautification project during some of the free time of the retreat week! 

WHY NOT JOIN US IN SEPT FOR OUR FIRST "GIVE-BACK" RETREAT!

Spots are filling: Sept 14-20 and Sept 21-27

Be sure to check out the PROJECT SOAR website and video below where you can learn more...and even find a way to help!

PROJECT SOAR BELIEVES THAT THE WORLD WOULD BE A BETTER PLACE IF WE WERE ALL BETTER NEIGHBORS.

Project Soar uplifts underprivileged communities through art, design and movement. The Marrakesh village of Douar Ladaam in Marrakesh -- home to hundreds of families -- is our first pilot community. Cultural constraints sometimes allow girls fewer opportunities. So Project Soar empowers girls to GROW strong, smart and creative. We also bring beauty to communities through art, rehabilitation and cleanup projects, helping them THRIVE for years to come. We want us to all SOAR high together.