9 Days Meditation and Yoga Retreat in Abruzzo, Italy

All four bedrooms have en-suite bathrooms and high quality air conditioners; one of the bedrooms has a larger en-suite Jacuzzi bathroom. You can stroll around the Villa's 50,000 meters (538,200 square feet) of private land, sitting high on a hill where abundant organic fruit and over 100 olive trees grow. This natural and peaceful environment is further enhanced by dramatic views of the Adriatic Coast, mountains, countryside and distant towns. You will be perfectly located and equipped for a relaxing stay.

Additional features

• 10 minute drive to Pescara city center with its elegant shops, cafe's and vibrant nightlife
• 10 minute drive to the beach
• Couple minutes drive to the closest charming piazza where there is a selection of cafe's and restaurants
• Excellent location! Perfectly located to explore the beauty of Abruzzo region and its many charming villages
• Free internet Wi-Fi
• Free library of around 60 DVDs for the days you just want to stay in and relax
• Free telephone calls to local landlines

Developing your toga practice living centered, empowered, and free

This program is designed for students who are excited about Yoga and interested in how they can develop a practice suited to them. It not only includes classes to help you hone your strength, flexibility, alignment and coordinated breath, but also incorporates breath work and meditative sitting (which you will come to understand as the true sources of transformation and the deeper reason for stretching and building strength).

You will also explore the power of passive, restorative (basic Yin) techniques to open the joints and relax the nervous system. Finally, evening sessions will offer you a chance to learn about Ayurveda, chanting and the foundations of Yoga through engaging films. All of these techniques fall under the umbrella of Yogaa term defined as union, which is founded on a union or sense of integrity withina regular visit to the calm center of yourself and a gradual return to the heart of your life and actions.

Day 1-2

• Your first two days are designated for settling in and exploring Pescara/Abruzzo.

Day 3

• 06.00 Breath work / meditative sitting
• 08.00 Asana (physical practice), emphasis on foundation
• 10.00 Brunch
• 15.00 Restorative yoga session
• 19.00 Dinner
• 20.00 Movie : Yoga Unveiled

Day 4

• 06.00 Breath work / meditative sitting
• 08.00 Asana (physical practice), emphasis on breath linking
• 10.00 Brunch
• 15.00 Restorative yoga session
• 19.00 Dinner
• 20.00 Ayurveda intro

Day 5

• 06.00 Breath work / meditative sitting
• 08.00 Asana (physical practice), emphasis on forward bending
• 10.00 Brunch
• 15.00 Restorative yoga session
• 19.00 Dinner
• 20.00 Movie : Awake: The Life of Yogananda

Day 6

• 06.00 Breath work / meditative sitting
• 08.00 Asana (physical practice), emphasis on back bending
• 10.00 Brunch
• 15.00 Restorative yoga session
• 19.00 Dinner
• 20.00 Ayurveda of food and therapeutic approaches

Day 7

• 06.00 Breath work / meditative sitting
• 08.00 Asana (physical practice), emphasis on balance/inversions
• 10.00 Brunch
• 15.00 Restorative yoga session
• 19.00 Dinner
• 20.00 Satsang and choice of chanting, discussion of Gita or Yoga Sutras

Day 8

• Explore Pescara and Abruzzo or simply relax in the Villa(tours can be arranged to show you around and included in the price).

Day 9

09:00 Check out

Restorative yoga times can also be viewed as optional free time, although the techniques applied will be like a yin-style, passive experience that encourages the body to open and relax. We will listen to gentle music enjoy this time to relax and feel into the bodys opening.

Evening activities

Films chosen to give the participant a solid idea of the lineage of Yoga, its major figures and how it moved and was adapted westward.

Ayurveda lectures give the participant an idea of Yogas sister science a 4000 + year-old system that is highly effective yet still only vaguely understood in the West. The slides used during the Ayurveda lecture will be made available to students after the course on requestthey are open access on the Internet through slideshare.

Chanting / kirtan

Countless articles are coming out on the benefits of this practice. I will lead call and response to some very common chants and we will then listen to some Kirtan tracks and participate in them. The repetition of the Sanskrit words is healing for the mindmany participants report feeling freedom and relief and a sense of lightness after this practice.

Satsang

Defined as a spiritual discourse or sacred gathering. We will get together and reflect on what we have learned. Beginning with a few chants, I will start a discussion based on some basic prompt/questions. What have we learned? The premise for this discussion will be the shared heartwhen we come and sit together our hearts will be together in the room and the words spoken by all will be of shared experience. From this perspective, the participants will be encouraged to listen as if/because all that is shared is of potential benefit in terms of widening their own perspective of the experiences they have had and how they will take them into their daily lives after leaving.

Sacred text option

If people are keen on philosophy, the Bhagavad Gita (Stephen Mitchell translation most recommended) will be an option to read beforehand and discuss. A pivotal poem within the most venerated Indian text the Mahabarata, the Gita is an easy read and quite powerful/illuminating. Every time you run through it, you see something completely new. Its suggestive and poetic style is a worthwhile experience and discussions of it can only increase its benefits. The Yoga Sutras are profound concepts that enhance the practice of Yoga by suggesting in very precise ways one can approach life to achieve more advanced stages of freedom from its catches and stresses. Most of which originate in ones thinking and framing of informationthe activity of the mind.

The Abruzzo region is renowned for its Montepulciano DAbruzzo wine; the Abruzzo Adriatic coastline with its long stretch of beaches along the Abruzzo coast; wonderful fresh Abruzzo cuisine, shopping and elegant caffes in the most popular Abruzzo destination of Pescara; some of the most beautiful Abruzzo medieval villages in all of Italy rivaling those in Tuscany; Europes largest natural reserve park - the Abruzzo mountain ranges and of course the warm friendly people of Abruzzo. As Abruzzo is not yet discovered by mass tourists visiting Italy, prices are reasonable and dining out in Abruzzo means that you are always guaranteed fresh wonderful authentic Abruzzo food at lower prices and a much warmer welcome and hospitality - which makes the region of Abruzzo a truly special place and Pescara the ideal base to explore its beauty and charm.

Distances

• Mountains (where you can ski in winter and enjoy nature in the summer), 40 km
• Pescara airport - 15 minute drive
• Pescara train station and main bus station - 10 minute drive
• Rome - 2 hour drive or bus ride

You will dine in a spacious living area overlooking the Adriatic Coast and countryside, or you can choose to dine "al-fresco" on the large terrace while you enjoy the stunning panorama. Two buffets will be servedbrunch and dinnerat 11 a.m. and 7 p.m., featuring a healthy range of cuisine that is also representative of the tastes Italy is famous for! Early morning tea and coffee will be available from 7.00 -8.00 a.m. Please inform of any dietary restrictions upon registration so that we can ensure you variety and enjoyable, healthy meals.

The sources of the Pescara river make for an ideal picnic spot, and feature two nature trails; its karst springs form a lake where it is possible to snorkel or scuba-dive. The Tirino river, rather, is the ideal location to canoe or mountain-bike along its shores, an 18.6-mile long network of trails.

The territory is the ideal place for birdwatching, trekking and photography, in discovery of the animal kingdom, particularly the wolf and the chamois.

The area of Roccamaiore (Valle dell'Orta) is one of the major climbing sites in Italy. It is also possible to reach - by walking or cycling - the Grotta dei Piccioni, the Cisterna Cascade and the Grotta Scura, which is the beginning of a 1.247-feet cavity.

The Angri Valley offers several opportunities, from free climbing to trekking, even horseback riding. The Natural Reserve of Voltigno and the Angri valley offer possibilities for gliding, thanks to the presence of valley breezes and mountain winds. It is also possible to fish in a small, high-altitude lake.

The Caramaico Terme allows visitors to pursue wellness while vacationing in a typical medieval village. Try the massages and beauty treatments, primarily utilizing thermal waters and muds.

The coastline offers both relaxation and summer sport activity: swimming, spinning, water bike, beach volleyball, beach golf, windsurfing, and watercraft rentals. Not only, but many of the province's beaches have received recognitions for their maintenance, quality, and accessibility.

• 1 daily meditation / breath work session a day
• 2 fresh and organic vegetarian meals each day
• 2 yoga classes a day
• 8 nights accommodation in an award-winning villa.
• Tours to meet your requirement

• Flight ticket

Arrival by airplane

Pescara is only a short flight away from London, Paris, Berlin, Frankfurt, Rome, Milan and other key European cities. You will land at Pescara Airport (PSR) and a within a short 15 minute drive from the airport you will arrive at villa. For a list of flights to Pescara Airport please visit http://www.abruzzoairport.com/.

Arrival by bus

There are also very convenient and comfortable direct buses from Rome Fiumicino Airport with Pronto Bus. It takes around 2 or 2 and half hours to reach Pescara. You may visit their website here to book your tickets www.prontobusitalia.it

Driving to Pescara

• Should you wish to hire your own car and drive to Pescara, you can take the very efficient Motorway, or Austostrada.