7 Day Yoga and Hiking Stress Relief Retreat with Forest Bathing on Elba
Yoga and Hiking Retreat in Italy
Shinrin Yoku is a nature-based method for a healthier lifestyle that comes from Japan. The term Shinrin Yoku means something like “forest bathing” in Japanese, although you don't bathe in a forest stream, but rather immerse yourself in the forest. Even on a walk through the forest, where all you can hear is the chirping of birds or the rushing of a stream, it's not too difficult to switch off. Forest bathing reduces stress, strengthens the immune system, improves our sleep and our ability to concentrate, helps reduce high blood pressure and sugar levels, destroys potential cancer cells, and produces the heart-protecting hormone DHEA. Scientists have found that two days in the forest increases the production of natural killer cells in the blood by 50%. Terpenes are primarily responsible for the positive effects of forest bathing - molecules that are secreted by trees and to which our immune system reacts immediately by strengthening our defenses. Trees teach us to see us with our hearts and listen to our hearts!
The language of instruction will be English and/or German.
Meet the instructors
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Highlights
- 12 yoga units
- 6 Shinrin Yoku hikes
- Breakfast and dinner
- Fruits and water
- 6 nights accommodation
Yoga styles
Accommodation
Facilities
- Yoga shala
- Free Wi-Fi
Villa Shanti has a marvelous garden with palm trees, lemon trees, orange trees, and satsuma trees. We are planning to install a jacuzzi soon (the project will be completed by April 2018) and have hammocks in our garden that invite you to relax. Since we are located close to the mountains, it's never unbearably hot. Pleasant temperatures and mild winds make up the climatic conditions in Marciana.
There are three apartments with separate entrances that are each furnished with a small kitchen with a microwave, kettle, toaster, and fridge. Each apartment is additionally equipped with a small living room with a TV.
Apartment Pomonte (max. 4 persons) is roughly 40 square meters big and consists of a kitchen, a bathroom, a living room that sleeps two, and a double room that can be accessed via a staircase.
Apartment Scirocco (max. 6 persons) is roughly 60 square meters big and consists of a double room with a small terrace and bathroom, a living room with a kitchen, and another bed. A second double room can be accessed via a staircase.
Apartment Mistral (max. 8 persons) is roughly 90 square meters big and consists of three double bedrooms, two bathrooms, a living room with a big kitchen that sleeps two people, a big terrace, and a separate entrance.
All three apartments come with a terrace, access to the garden, a separate barbecue spot, and hammocks to relax in the garden.
There are two yoga shalas indoors and outdoors. The style of the Villa Shanti is Asian while the garden and the terraces have a Mediterranean flair. There is a garden where the organizer grow fruits and vegetables.
Program
Shinrin Yoku includes a series of exercises whose aim is to relax in and with nature, to slow down, and to temporarily detach yourself from daily stressors.
Various studies have shown that this can increase physical and mental well-being. The positive effects of ShinrinYoku include:
- Stress reduction by stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system (nerve of calm)
- Promoting attention and the ability to concentrate
- Stimulating effect on the immune system thanks to the aromatic substances contained in the forest air
- Cleansing effect on the respiratory tract by breathing in healthy forest air in combination with special breathing exercises
The hikes
You start the hikes early in the morning and let your minds wander. Directly behind the house, there is a large nature reserve with wild mouflons (mountain goats) and wild boars (they are shy during the day). The hikes are suitable for all levels, provided you have good footwear; hiking boots with a shaft over the ankle are recommended. The paths are rocky. You will hug lots and lots of trees. No joke. Many turpentines, which are healing, are found in the bark of the tree. Through conscious breathing, you can increase the absorption of turpentine and deepen the state of relaxation through targeted exercises, e.g. active breathing and meditation or wind breathing. You will hike to rocks that have taken on incredible shapes like a horse's head or a crocodile due to the wind. It is a beautiful path to the heights of the island, you will look at the sea and not only take a deep breath but also strengthen your equilibrium and balance with targeted exercises and strengthen your soul and spirit. You hike and walk barefoot at a snail's pace, you want to feel everything the forest gives you. You sense, taste, touch, smell, and see. You explore nature with all your senses. The forest in the area around Marciana is unique, it is a true place of power, a slope, a mountain (Monte Cabane) that exudes incredible strength and energy. The forest belongs to the Archipelago Toscana, a nature reserve famous all over the world. Nevertheless, you are completely alone in this wonderful nature. Unfortunately, fewer and fewer people are doing the Grande Traversata, the three-day crossing of the island's nature reserve. Good for you! You have the forest alone and enjoy bathing.
Approximate schedule. We respond to the group's wishes.
- 08.00 - 08.30 Light breakfast (juices, smoothies)
- 08.30 - 11.30 Hiking through nature, Shinrin Yoku with all your senses
- 12.00 - 13.00 YinYoga (stretching)
- 13.00 - 17.30 p.m. free time
- 17.30 - 19.00 Yoga & Meditation
- 20.00 Dinner
Included excursions
- Hiking trips in nature
Instructors
Christel Vollmer
Christel studied yoga on two continents. First, she trained Power yoga under Bryan Kest in Santa Monica, California, the guru to stars like Madonna and Sting. In an Ashram in India, she graduated in Therapeutic yoga with Guru Saji. Added to this was another degree in Yin yoga and Reiki, she has created her style from this colorful yoga world with many great inspirations, a truly multi-dynamic experience but it always adapts to the group. She likes to teach in nature, on beautiful beaches, on magical rocks, or in the yoga shala of her Villa Shanti in her home in Marciana in Elba.
Retreat location
Villa Shanti is located between Marciana Marina and Maricana Alta on the coastal road called Costarella. It's only 3 km to the sea and 1,5 km to Monte Cabane, the cable railway atop the highest mountain of the island.
Directly behind the villa, you can find a natural reserve with Fonte Napoleone, a spring with crystal-clear mountain water of amazing, continuously controlled quality.
Elba is home to the most beautiful beaches in all of Italy, both rocky beaches and sandy beaches. We will take our yoga practice to the beach and enjoy the clear water, more beautiful than in the Caribbean, mild temperatures that allow for swimming until November, and romantic as well as secluded beaches.
Surrounding the villa, mountain sheep and hogs roam free and you can marvel at fields of orchids in the month May.
This Yoga Retreat is vegetarian-friendly
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Food
The dinner is Italian-rich with a starter, main course, and dessert. There is an outdoor kitchen with a pizza and bread oven, grill, etc. The food will be cooked and all sit outside together with a wonderful view of the sea.
You will be served vegetarian and, if desired, vegan food. But if you would like to enjoy fresh fish from the island and a glass of wine then all options are open.
The following meals are included:
- Breakfast
- Dinner
- Drinks
The following drinks are included:
- Water
- Tea
The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:
- Vegetarian
- Yogic
What's included
- 12 yoga units
- 6 Shinrin Yoku hikes
- breakfast and dinner
- fruits and water
- 6 nights accommodation
What's not included
- Flights
- Airport transfer
- Transfer to Villa Shanti
- Alcoholic drinks
- Massages
- Reiki
How to get there
Recommended Airports
Pisa International Airport (Galileo Galilei Airport)
100 km
Transfer not provided
Cancellation Policy
- A reservation requires a deposit of 50% of the total price.
- The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
- The rest of the payment should be paid on arrival.
For this organizer you can guarantee your booking through BookYogaRetreats.com. All major credit cards supported.