ITALY YOGA RETREAT

SEPTEMBER 7-14, 2013

Discover Italy and deepen your yoga practice on this seven day retreat. Practice yoga in the morning and evening and then choose how you want to spend your day. Opt to explore the Tuscany countryside by bike, visit the medieval cities of Florence, Pisa and Lucca or simply relax in the comfort of our 17th century restored villa. Tuscany will inspire your yoga practice, encourage you to slow down and reconnect with yourself.‘  Spark your soul’ with this all level yoga retreat.

RETREAT PACKAGE INCLUDES 
• 7 nights luxury accommodation at Villa Benvenuti, Tuscany
• Daily morning and afternoon yoga classes 
• Optional meditation and yoga workshops
• 3 vegetarian meals per a day
• Detox juice at breakfast, unlimited herbal teas, water, coffee, fruit and wine at dinner.
• Informal guided tour of Lucca
• Guided hike to hill top village with picnic lunch
• Celebratory last night dinner at a local restaurant
• Use of yoga mats, blankets, blocks and bolsters
• Use of swimming pool and all acilities within grounds of villa
• Roundtrip transportation from Lucca bus or train station

LOCATION
Villa Benventui is located in northern Tuscany about 15 minutes from the medieval city of Lucca. It’s about 30 minutes from Pisa and 1.5 hrs from Florence. Villa Benvenuti is a fully restored 17th century villa and is part of a 28 hectare private estate, completely surrounded by forests and natural woodlands. The villa itself sits high on a hillside overlooking a panorama of olive groves and fruit trees. The villa sleeps a maximum of 14 people in twin bedded accommodation.

YOGA
Morning classes will include a short meditation and a Vinyasa Flow class. Afternoon/evening yoga classes will focus upon reflection and may include yoga nidra, restorative yoga and guided meditation. Chanting and pranayama (breathwork) will be included each day. Optional workshops throughout the week may include: Alignment, backbends, inversions, partner yoga, acro yoga, kundalini yoga, energy workshops, writing and yoga and pranayama. The exact yoga schedule will be determined a month prior to the retreat and is dependant upon participants’ interest and experience.

MEALS
Wine, olive oil, herbs, vegetables and fruit are all produced in abundance on the estate and provide the essential ingredients for the delicious fresh, vegetarian meals. A wonderful local cook will prepare dishes typical of the region using fresh pickings either from the organic garden or from local producers. Juices and cleansing herbal teas are all home-made using made using fresh herbs and fruit from the garden.  

SCHEDULE
Every day will include yoga and meditation prior to breakfast and a late afternoon/evening yoga practice followed by dinner.  We have deliberately chosen not to plan every day – it’s your retreat and we want you to create your own perfect retreat experience. You will have four 'free days'.  Optional yoga workshops will be offered on these days. We will offer guided excursions on three days that focus on exposing you to the Italian culture and landscapes. These excursions are included in the retreat package but are optional.

THE SOULSPARK TEAM
Alexandra Pallut, founding director of SoulSpark Journeys, will be your host, guide and one of your yoga instructors for the week. Depending upon retreat numbers, Alli Brook will also join the SoulSpark team.