EVERYONE NEEDS A REST SOMETIMES. ESPECIALLY IF YOU’RE SUPER BUSY.
Slowing down…breathing….relaxing…all this might seem counterproductive when you have so much to do, but in fact this is exactly what you need to reconnect to your centre, refocus on your goals, your personal needs, dreams and desires, and find the inspiration and motivation to strive for them with clarity and intention.
Introducing the You Go | Do Yoga ‘Reconnect’ retreat for busy people: not designed to detach you from your regular life, not to ‘detox’ or to ‘switch off’ but instead to help you to reconnect to what feels good! Think of it as an annual ‘spring clean’ for your mind, tidying your thoughts, leaving your head uncluttered and re-energised with renewed clarity and focus.
WHO IS THIS RETREAT FOR?
As with all You Go | Do Yoga retreats, you do not have to be a yogi to benefit from this retreat. Designed for busy people, the retreat is open to anyone who cannot seem to find the time to dedicate to themselves. Maybe you’re feeling sluggish, or uninspired, overworked, stressed or unclear about your goals or what is important to you.
Maybe you just need a break, in the sun, with some yoga by the pool.
If you already practice yoga, prepare to go deeper into it, using the practice to enhance your life ‘off the mat’ and set new goals and intentions for moving forwards.
WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT?
This 5-day retreat will provide the space for you to return to your motivated, happy and inspired self, while slowing down to appreciate the good things in life; fresh air, nature, wine & healthy, home-cooked Italian food. Set in a beautiful private villa on a vineyard in Sicily with views over the coast and over the Aeolian Islands.
The villa is set on a vineyard in a national park in the North of Sicily, and boasts a swimming pool overlooking the coast, and plenty of space to read, nap or take long walks. We’ll explore the practices of Hatha, Yin and Vinyasa Yoga, as well as introducing you to mindfulness practices in order to help you to reconnect your inner desires and needs, revive and restore the body and mind. You’re invited to join us for workshops which will help you to take what you learn from these practices and apply them to a busy life back home.
Mornings will start with short mindfulness sessions followed by a Hatha or Vinyasa practice (depending on the group desires). After a delicious breakfast the rest of the morning is yours to spend as you wish. Lounge by the pool with a book, catch up on emails, write in your journal or take a walk in the stunning national park. After lunch, you’ll spend some afternoons in workshops in which you’ll explore the practice of yoga a little deeper; from the ‘off the mat’ lessons to more practical, alignment-based sessions. You’ll learn easy stress-management techniques, how to face your fears, work with others and identify and set achievable goals. Other days we might spend the day at the beach, or take part in a traditional Italian cooking class, or sunset wine tasting.
Each evening we’ll come together again for a gentle, relaxing yoga practice, followed by a traditional fresh, home-cooked Italian dinner. The evening is yours to spend it how you please.
Everything is optional, allowing you to listen to what you need, and create your own experience. There is no strict, regimented routine other than the coming together for yoga sessions and meals. We simply want you to enjoy your time in whatever way you chose in this beautiful, peaceful environment.
HOW IS THIS RETREAT DIFFERENT?
You Go | Do Yoga is about applying yoga to your everyday life. It is not about bending yourself into a pretzel, burning incense or chanting in Sanskrit (well, not all the time 😉). I worked a corporate job in London for 7 years before embarking on my yoga career. I know what it’s like to not feel like you have the time to look after yourself, both in body and in mind, and so this retreat is for normal people, with busy lives, commitments and struggles who are looking to have fun! We’ll be delving into the appreciation of the good in life; through the practice of yoga and other activities not usually associated with yoga; like good food & wine!
What really makes it different is that there are no restrictions or judgements about what you should be eating, drinking or how you should be spending your days. Don’t feel like practising one day? That’s OK, take a break. Want a glass of wine? Help yourself. Not vegetarian? No problem, meat options are available.
Beginners have nothing to fear, and even if you’re sceptical about yoga, we can help you explore it as an option, in a relaxed, natural and non-judgemental environment.
There will be plenty of free time for you to enjoy doing your own thing (alone or with your friends or partner if you bring them along, or even with your new retreat buddies), explore the surrounding national park, sunbathe, read, or even work if you have to (after all, we’ve already established that you are busy!).
If you would like to to bring your partner along, that’s great! We know it can be tricky to find a time when you can get away with your partner, friends or family members, so why not combine the two? We even have an option if they just want to come for the sun and don’t want to join the yoga classes or workshops (email me for more details).