The following is important travel information and questions that you may have about the retreat.
Where is this retreat held?
The retreat is in Tuscany at Le Pianore, an organic wine and olive oil producing agriturismo and villa surrounded hill towns and untouched natural rural Tuscan beauty. See more images at Le Pianore Gallery here.
Pick up is in Siena on October 15, 2023 at 3pm in front of the Hotel NH on Piazza la Lizzie which is on Via Tozzi – click here to see google maps of this area- (This hotel is a 10 minute walk from Piazza de Campo, the central plaza in Sienna). We will be holding a sign saying “Patricia”. From here we will travel 45 minutes to Le Pianore, a retreat center and organic vineyard and olive producing farm outside of Siena. For a link to Le Pianore click here. Departure from Le Pianore is on October 21,2023 at 9:00am arriving at the Siena bus station at 10AM.
Flights:
Flights into Rome, Florence and Pisa are most convenient and trains run regularly to Sienna.
THE PICK UP AND DROP OFF IS ONLY AT THE HOTEL NH . PICK UP AT 3PM Sunday October 15,2023. DROP OFF 10AM Saturday October 21,2023 AT THE HOTEL NH EXCELSIOR.
Coming a day early and/or staying in Florence or Siena for a day after the retreat is also a good option if your flight does not meet the pick up or drop off times. It is not possible to come early or stay beyond the retreat at the retreat center. Florence and Siena are easily accessible from any airport with a wide range of accommodations to fit any budget and are culturally rich cities to savor. A reliable site to find accommodations if you are spending additional time in Italy (well worth doing) is airbnb/italy or booking.com for Italy
IMPORTANT TRAVEL INFORMATION:
Choose a flight schedule so that if your arrival is the day the retreat begins, you allow at least 1 hour to clear customs and to collect your bags plus transport time to Siena for pick up at 3PM so that the group can leave on time for Le Pianore. For departure choose a flight which allows 2 hours at the airport before departure, plus travel time from Siena bus station to the airport remembering that drop off in Siena is at 10AM.
There is also train service from Rome and Pisa. The Italian rail system website is www.trenitalia.com.
Documents Needed:
A Valid Passport.
Who is this retreat for?
All who are
– open to personal transformation with teachers who have 38 years experience
– seeking immersion in the practices of yoga, breathwork and meditation
– committed to expand beyond personal limitation by opening to their fullest potential
La Pianore is an experience of living in a classic Italian villa surrounded by nature
and the opportunity to enjoy the sensual delights of gourmet Italian cooking.
How many participants do you expect?
There will be a maximum of 18 guests in single, double and triple rooms. Most rooms have private ensuite bathrooms.
Is the retreat suitable for beginners?
This retreat is suitable for anyone, regardless of age, physical ability or prior experience in yoga, meditation and breathwork. The teaching is primarily guiding each participant back to their own intuitive knowing.
Will you find a roommate for me if I come by myself?
Yes. Each spacious room has two twin beds or a queen size for couples.
What style of yoga is taught?
We have studied with many teachers in a variety of styles over the years – we offfer a fluid practice emphasizing inner listening and exploration, including Iyengar and the Viniyoga of Desikachar, fluid yogic movements of Continuum, as well as Vipassana meditation, non-dual teachings and breathwork. The teaching is a synthesis of all that we have studied for 40 years and what has evolved during years of practice. Go here for more about this.
What are the retreats like?
The Yoga Retreats are an opportunity for one to relax and rest in the natural presence/awareness that we are. We feel this is the essence of yoga, meditation, breathwork and retreat in general. The schedule, teaching and environment allow one to let go of the demands and details of daily life and to reconnect with and reveal their own deeper knowing. Yoga postures, breath awareness, breathwork, restorative postures, meditation, silence, and free time in the natural world generally assist in this letting go. As we let go of tension and the busy mind, a deeper knowing that is always present, reveals itself. There is ample opportunity for people to ask questions during the sessions or in private interviews between sessions.
Is massage available?
Yes. This is not included in the retreat fee and will be scheduled between sessions.
Are there any silent periods during the retreat and if so why?
Each evening silence will be observed from after the evening meditation until after brunch the following morning. Anyone may choose to have as much “alone time” as they would like to extend the periods of silence. Most people today have busy lives and spend very little time in silence. Silence is restful, being the mirror of our natural state.
Do we need to bring yoga mats or blankets?
No. Le Pianore supplies all that is necessary.
Are the any additional taxes we need to pay?
No. All taxes are included in the price.
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