The Santa Maria del Sole is located in Puglia, the heel of Italy, in the countryside of Martina Franca, Cisternino and Ostuni. The place is a masseria, typical puglian farmhouse, completely dedicated to yoga practice and meditation.
Their farmhouse, Santa Maria del Dole (St. Mary of The Sun) is nestled on a hillside with a panorama view of the Itria Valley. It is on 15 hectares of land, full of hundred year old oak trees, olive trees, fruit trees, lavender, rose gardens, pure air and sunshine.
The nearest airports are Brindisi Airport (45 minutes) and Bari Airport (1h30min.). There are several airlines fly to those airports.
There is transport service by the venue with an extra cost of up to 70 Euros (per car/ up to 4 persons). There are bigger vehicles, if enough people arrive at the same time and the cost would be less) which can be shared with others if arriving around the same time.
If you would like to share the transport with others to cut the cost, let me know.
Please enquire for more details on this.
On 18th, we will begin with a short orientation meeting, followed by a gentle stretch / restorative / pranayama class just before dinner time.
So if you can arrive by mid to late afternoon, that'd be ideal.
There are some flights from UK that arrive around 2:30pm. See if you can get on one of those. However, flight times vary and that may be difficult, then that'd be fine.
Once booked your flight, please make sure you inform me your details.
If booked by 31st July 2010, there will be a discount of £50.
Yoga mats, bolsters, blankets, yoga straps are available for you to use - if you wish to use your own, please bring them.
A range of massage treatments are available at reasonable rates not included in the cost.
A non-refundable £250 deposit will secure your space.
The payment will be accepted either by cheque/cash or bank transfer.
To book, please contact Aki (email: aki2002@gmail.com or call: +44(0)7966 204 842) for a booking form and more details you will require.
The remainder will be paid in 2 stages.
£250 is due by 31st August 2010.
The remaining €250 (Euros) will be paid in cash on the first day of the retreat upon arrival.
Many yoga teachers run yoga holidays under the flag of "yoga retreat".
Following my teacher's footsteps, I run yoga retreats, not holidays.
It means that we see the time away as a conscious 'retreating' away from busy-ness of life to dive into yoga, have some moments of quietness to properly rest and reflect, cultivating mindfulness, giving yourself a chance to see what's really going on in your life and start making clear choices rather than being carried away by the momentum of unconscious, habitual thinking patterns and being lost in the conditioning that are no longer serving your true values.
A cocktail of asana (physical movement), pranayama (breathing exercise), meditation and restorative practices will give you the strength and mindfulness you need to explore an inner journey.
We will keep part of each day in silence to give ourselves space to be quiet and restful and have more contemplative time.
On 18th, I suggest you take the flight from UK that arrives at Brandisi or Bari in early-mid afternoon.
So there will be more chance of sharing the transfer with others, and you will have time to relax once arrived at the venue before our orientation meeting / gentle first session before dinner.
On Sun 24th, we will finish the retreat with a morning practice followed by lunch.
So ideal time for travelling would be in mid-late afternoon.
I have listed some flights from UK to Brindisi / Bari below. These are just examples, so you can, of course, take flights that are not listed here.
There are several airlines who fly to those airports.
Brindisi is about 45 min, Bari is about 90 min from Santa Maria del Sole.
The cost of the transport organized by Santa Maria is 70 Euros for a car that carries 4/5 people and 100 Euros for a mini bus that carries 6/8 people.
So the more people arrive near enough time (some may have to wait a bit), the cheaper it gets per person.
If you are planning to make a holiday before or after the retreat in the area, it may be a good idea that you hire a car at the airport.
Please do let me know when you booked your flights.
So I can have your transport organised.
Please note: the first weekend (April 30th - May 3rd) retreat is fully booked.
The 2nd weekend (June 25th - 28th) is still open for booking.
2 weekends of Asana, Pranayama and Meditation are coming up.
In usual yoga classes, they can hardly be practiced altogether due to limited times or lack of supportive atmosphere.
When we are away on a retreat, we can experience them all.
It's an absolutely beautiful venue. Have a look at the website.
All the bedrooms offer high standard and are decorated in great style.
There will be a larger lovely new yurt with good wooden floor and wood burning stove in their garden to practice in as well as a beautiful room inside the house.
Also, 2 comfortable sitting rooms with large sofas and a fire place to read, relax and chat with each other.
The cost will include Yoga & Pranayama sessions (1 session on Fri eve / 3 sessions on Sat & Sun / 2 sessions on Mon), 3 meals a day and accommodation.
There could be 2 single room options with extra cost. This is subject to availability and depending on the final number of attendance. Please express your interest at the time of booking your place.
£150 deposit (non-refundable) will secure your place.
The remainder due by 10th April for the April/May weekend and 4th June for the June weekend.
Please contact for any further enquiry.
Bookings have already started to come in. The last weekend retreat had a waiting list. So book soon rather than leaving it till later.
It means that we see the time away as a conscious 'retreating' away from busy-ness of life to dive into yoga, have some moments of quietness to properly rest and reflect, cultivating mindfulness, giving yourself a chance to see what's really going on in your life and start making clear choices rather than carried away by the momentum of habitual thinking pattern and being lost in the conditioning that are no longer serving your true values.
A cocktail of asana (physical movement), pranayama (breathing exercise), meditation practices will give you the strength and relaxation you need and take you through an inner journey.
You will also have time to take short or long walks to explore the beautiful scenery of East Sussex surrounding the Tilton House.
Even just a weekend away, you will leave refreshed, energised and rested.
If you have never retreated before, it will be a great taster for you.