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June 3rd – 10th 2012

Lyn Thomas is the founder and director of Sunshine Yoga & Health, which is based in beautiful Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.

Sunshine Yoga Holidays offer you a gentle but powerful system of yoga using breath, postures, movement, relaxation and meditation. Lyn’s energisation exercises, [...]]]> La Selva Positano

June 3rd – 10th 2012

Lyn Thomas is the founder and director of Sunshine Yoga & Health, which is based in beautiful Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.

Sunshine Yoga Holidays offer you a gentle but powerful system of yoga using breath, postures, movement, relaxation and meditation. Lyn’s energisation exercises, qigong and a touch of Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), create a wonderful variety to your overall experience. Group energy is amazing as it not only brings fun and laughter into the holiday but it brings support, new friends and company. The tours that are included in your package create a wonderful balance of connection with yourself, members of the group and your environment.

Yoga was introduced into Lyn’s life at a very young age and with her continued practice over 5 decades she offers you authenticity and knowledge unsurpassed. Her adventuress spirit instigated the yoga retreats and holidays into your yoga business. She organises and facilitates in Australia, New Zealand and now exquisite Positano, Italy.

With Lyn at the helm you are always ensured of a fantastic experience that nurtures your body, your mind, your emotions and your spirit. Lyn’s mother was also a yoga teacher which gave her exposure to an array of yoga styles and health modalities which draw her to developing her style now called Sunshine Yoga. This style is soft and gentle with breath as its core. Softness creates amazing power and energy that builds strength – on all levels of one’s being. Authenticity filters through all that she presents.

Some of Lyn’s yoga students from ‘down under’ are joining her on this epic journey; therefore you will have to be quick to book a spot, as this holiday is almost full.

Cost: $2530 Per Person

June 16th-23rd  2012

Arpita was born in India and came to the United States when she was 18 years old. She was raised in a traditional Hindu  family, where chanting, kirtan and meditation were part of her daily rituals.  Her first introduction to asana practice came from [...]]]> Gabriella’s Soul Space

June 16th-23rd  2012

Arpita was born in India and came to the United States when she was 18 years old. She was raised in a traditional Hindu  family, where chanting, kirtan and meditation were part of her daily rituals.  Her first introduction to asana practice came from her Grandfather, her Guruji.  She started her asana practice under his guidance and it became her daily ritual. In 2008 she decided to take it a step further and did her 200 hour teacher training with Purple Lotus Yoga. Arpita is a certified yoga teacher with Yoga Alliance and has had the privilege of studying under very talented international teachers such as Rod Styker, Dharma Mittra, Judith Lasater, Lesli Kamainof, Doug Keller and Pandit Rajmani Tigunait.

For Arpita, yoga is not just a form of exercise but it’s a path towards a better life. She believes that yoga helps clear clutter of daily modern life and develops an awareness to get in touch with our inner selves. Arpita’s yoga classes are designed and based on this philosophy. She provides a fun-filled environment where each participant is encouraged and empowered to learn and grow. Her classes offer an alignment-focused asana practice combined with chanting, pranayama and meditation.

Besides her regular teaching schedule at Divine Center of Yoga in Southlake, Arpita also offers private yoga classes and one on one nutrition consultation. Additionally, she regularly conducts workshops on Indian vegetarian cooking and Mantra Meditation. In 2010, she decided to combine her passion for travel and her love of yoga by organizing and leading a Yoga Retreat to Peru, one of many more to come.

Arpita has earned a BS degree in Nutrition and an MBA from Texas Woman’s University. She is currently pursuing her 500 hour yoga teacher training certification .She loves to travel and has had the privilege of visit countries in Asia, Europe as well as North and South America. In her spare time she enjoys chanting, meditating, reading, cooking and spending time with her husband and their beloved dog Simba.

Arpita feels tremendous gratitude to all her teachers for supporting her growth and is thankful to her students for giving her this opportunity to share the journey of yoga.

Finally, One famous sloka in Bhagavad-Gita says it all: “Yoga karmas kaushalam,” which means “YOGA IS RELAXATION IN ACTION AND EFFICIENCY IN THEOUTCOME.” So let’s focus on our work and not the results.

See you on the mat. Namaste!!!!!!!!!

June 23rd – 30th 2012

Join Alchemy Tours to Tuscany Italy! Get inspired about your life while exploring the rich Italian culture by biking, hiking and walking tours supported by twice daily yoga. Jointly led by Vinyasa Flow Yoga teacher Silvia Mordini and International Travel Guide Jacob Young, [...]]]> Gabriella’s Soul Space 

June 23rd – 30th 2012

Join Alchemy Tours to Tuscany Italy! Get inspired about your life while exploring the rich Italian culture by biking, hiking and walking tours supported by twice daily yoga. Jointly led by Vinyasa Flow Yoga teacher Silvia Mordini and International Travel Guide Jacob Young, this spiritual and cultural gem is found in the heart of the Tuscan food and wine country, traveling to many famous art cities from there. Stay at a 16th century classic Tuscan farmhouse converted into a stylish yoga retreat, Gabriella’s Borgo which is located in Tignano, a recently renovated medieval village, close to Casole d’Elsa and Volterra, in the Tuscan countryside. Come experience a retreat like no other! See more on line at alchemytours.com

Silvia’s Story
My Father Enrico was an adventurer, my Mother’s parents were serious spiritual seekers. I grew up traveling all over the world with my brother and parents from the time I was an infant. I guess the fact that I love to show other people the beauty of the world shouldn’t surprise anyone since I was born in Ecuador, South America and my Father is from Northern Italy near Modena, English was my third language. One could say being a citizen of the world is in my blood. And I learned from my Father, this spirit of Don Quixote, Man of La Mancha, to dream the impossible. I saw with my own eyes, touched and tasted new flavors, experienced new landscapes and as a result I learned about myself. Every time I traveled somewhere I came back different, I was changed and knew that anything was possible.

I want to inspire in you what my family inspired in me: To see with the eyes of my heart by transforming the ecology of mind that happens naturally when you change the routine pattern of daily life. And to not apologize for being different and wanting to learn more about how big the universe is. You see, I am not fearless, I haven’t climbed Mount Everest or even Mount Rainer or cycled 100 miles in one day (my co-guide Jacob has though!) but I am willing to try anything. I practice yoga every day to go on an internal adventure, to meet new people and push the boundaries of learning others ideas. Yoga stokes my Rebel Spirit.

It’s funny (not haha, but funny weird) how yoga revealed itself to me. Yoga has been my faithful companion since a car ran me over more than a decade ago. My doctor prescribed yoga as part of my recovery routine, and my body and spirit began to transform. From my first class, I dedicated myself to live more fully. My loving Anusara-inspired Vinyasa Flow teaching style is influenced by more than 10 years of Hatha yoga study and I am gratefully committed to my three primary teachers: Shiva Rea, John Friend, and my students.

My teaching style is upbeat and fun, serious and informative, supportive and authentic. I use my own intuition and demonstrations along with people’s questions and past experiences to deepen the learning process. My teaching intention is that while connected to their breath, students might feel each pose with an open heart and a quiet mind. Yoga then becomes a means to explore oneself more deeply in order to better face life’s challenges and open to the endless possibilities that exist for all of us.

Less interesting but somewhat important: While in the corporate world, I worked as the HR Director for both Inc 500 and Fortune 500 companies, specializing in Training & Development. This parlayed well into opening my own Yoga studio in 2002 and teaching full-time. With over 7,500 hours of yoga teaching experience, I bring inspiration, enthusiasm and playfulness through creative, flowing sequencing and a delightful combination of yoga philosophy and healthy physical alignment all supported by inspiring music. My life has a soundtrack, my yoga does too.

Just like music nurtures my spirit I want to support you to be more curious about your life. One things for sure, going on a trip together will stoke the fire of creativity inside you, you will regain trust like what the Alchemist says “the universe is on your side” and you will learn to embrace uncertainty. You will become part of our tribe of Alchemy Adventure Seekers, or at the very least, you won’t be afraid to try new stuff.

RESERVATIONS:
$500 deposit to hold your spot. Book now at www.alchemytours.com

INVESTMENT: SAVE $300!!!
$1,999 early bird by January 15, 2012
$2,300 regular
*Single supplement available.

INCLUDED IN THE TRIP PRICE:
-7 days and 6 nights accommodations
-Breakfast, lunch and dinner
-Airport transfers
-All day trips and walking tours
-Private wine tours and tastings
-Traditional Tuscan cooking class
-Soaking in the healing crystal waters of the Rapolano hot springs
-Visits to the art cities of Italy
-Two Daily Yoga Classes and Evening Group Activities
-Trip to the Mediterranean for an amazing beach day
-A quality bicycle and an experienced cycling guide with knowledge of the greatest rides in the region
-Entrance fees to all group events and activities
-All transportation during the trip
-Comprehensive trip literature
-All gratuities for special events, lodging and restaurants

Gabriella’s Borgo, Tuscany

Janet MacLeod embraces the eight limbs of yoga in her teaching of asana and pranayama. Yoga is based on theprinciple of ahimsa (non harming) and Janet uses this as a way to bring students to their full potential without incurring injury. She acknowledges the Iyengar family [...]]]> July 21-28, 2012   

Gabriella’s Borgo, Tuscany

Janet MacLeod embraces the eight limbs of yoga in her teaching of asana and pranayama. Yoga is based on theprinciple of ahimsa (non harming) and Janet uses this as a way to bring students to their full potential without incurring injury. She acknowledges the Iyengar family as the guiding light in her practice (35 years) and teaching (close to 30 years). Janet taught her first yoga retreat at Harbin Hot Springs in Northern California in the early 80′s. Since then she has conducted many popular retreats in beautiful and exotic places around the world. This is her first retreat in Italy. Janet has the capacity to teach yoga to groups with vastly differing levels of students so that they all feel challenged; this is particularly important in the retreat setting where groups tend to be more mixed.Janet has devoted her life to the practice, study and teaching of yoga for 30 years. Although she is very serious about the subject her classes are infused with joy helping students to experience the positive state of mind associated with this practice.

We must have a minimum of 10 participants before Dec. 15, 2011. Space is limited. Reserve your place for this dream Italy Yoga Retreat soon Includes: yoga and meditation sessions, accommodations, all meals except two, day excursion to Siena or Hot Springs, transportation from and to Florence Airport. (Airfare and gratuities to retreat staff are not included).

Please visit www.jmacleodyoga.com to download a registration form. $400 deposit will hold your place until April 30, 2012, when the balance is due. Please make checks payable to Janet MacLeod. Please mail registration and check to: Jennifer Weinert, PO Box 59, Papaikou, Hawaii, 96781. Or you may pay by credit card online at  www.jmacleodyoga.com. If you pay online, please send your registration to Jennifer.

THE RETREAT Our location is beautiful Tuscany, Italy. Gabriella’s Borgo is a recently renovated medieval village, close to Casole d’Elsa and Volterra, in the Tuscan countryside. The wonderful host, Gabriella, will charm and welcome us at arrival as if seeing an old friend again. We will be staying together in Gabriellaʼs gorgeous villa with comfortable rooms, each with a private bath. The yoga practice space is perfect. Please bring your mat and strap. Meals will be mostly vegetarian, made with love and the famous Tuscan flair. There is a swimming pool and a reading room with wireless internet.

RETREAT SCHEDULE

July 21- morning arrival to Florence; July 28- late morning departure from retreat site A.M. yoga class 2 hours – more active P.M. yoga class 1.5 hours – restorative, including pranayama

(Wednesday no yoga classes- excursion to either Hot Springs or the medieval city of Siena)

Daily morning meditation taught by Jennifer Weinert

 Cost: $2350 double occupancy, paid by Feb. 15, 2012
$2450 double occupancy, paid
after Feb. 15, 2012
$2650 single occupancy, paid by Feb. 15, 2012
$2750
single occupancy, paid after Feb. 15, 2012

October 6th – 13th 2012

Journey of Discovery: Tuscan Yoga and Meditation retreat.
Let go into the magic of the present moment through compassionate yoga and mindful meditation set in the historic and natural beauty of Italy.

Home to the mysterious Etruscan civilization, Tuscany [...]]]> Gabriella’s Soul Space

October 6th – 13th 2012

Journey of Discovery: Tuscan Yoga and Meditation retreat.
Let go into the magic of the present moment through compassionate yoga and mindful meditation set in the historic and natural beauty of Italy.

Home to the mysterious Etruscan civilization, Tuscany offers a long history of sophisticated culture, art and cuisine. As we sample the delectable wine and food of Italy and feast our eyes on the sensual landscape, we will awaken your senses through yoga, meditation and directed breath.
Halli Bourne and Marisa Wolfe will guide the discovery of your True Self through lightheartedness, introspection and physical ease.

The retreat location, Gabriella’s Borgo, dates back to the 16th century and faces the Berignone Forest said to have inspired Dante’s Divine Comedy. Gabriella’s Borgo is located in the charming medieval village of Tignano, near to other medieval villages, Casa d’Elsa and Volterra. Excursions will include visits to these towns as well as to hot springs and the beach. Discover the splendor of Italy and of your inner self!

THE RETREAT 

Gabriella’s Borgo is a recently renovated medieval village, close to Casole d’Elsa and Volterra, in the Tuscan countryside. The wonderful host, Gabriella, will charm and welcome you at arrival as if seeing an old friend again. You will have the pleasure of meeting other friendly faces such as her mother, or nonna, amongst other people.
After this warm welcoming, you look around and you will start to realize where your journey has brought you to. As Gabriella leads you up the balcony, you peer over the terrace, and feel you could be in a postcard. You jolt back into reality, suddenly realizing you are falling behind, and make your way to the others, to where you will be staying.
You first pass through a lovely kitchen, and while you look around, you catch bits of Gabriella’s talking about the “genius loci” of the place and about how all the bedrooms and buildings were recently renovated, by her, no less! The renovation took place between 2004 and 2006 and the Borgo came back to life with mostly recycled materials. The colors of the rooms, from blue to green to yellow, create a space-time atmosphere related to nature and its seasons.
The actual Borgo used to be a rural residence dating back to the 16th century. It is the probable birth place, in the 4th century, of Saint Attinia, a venerated saint from the Volterra area. Amongst its illustrious guests in the 1800’s, during the time the Borgo was a summer retreat from the ‘Scolopi‘ fathers, was Pope Pius the ninth.This Borgo is overall a place to enjoy with your heart, sourrounded by a soft landscape and a peculiar light which brings back forgotten emotions of interior freedom. It’s also a place, where one can experience a genuine Tuscany, with its tradition and land culture.
In the local tradition, one says that the Berignone Forest, facing the Borgo, is the one that inspired Dante Alighieri to write about the “Selva Oscura” where his Divine Comedy story starts.
The gardens of the Borgo, with paths lined with aromatic herbs, juniper hedges, myrtle and evergreens, reproduce a Mediterranean  environment. The characteristic ‘Osteria’, which used to be the old olive press, is the ideal place for a romantic candlelight dinner overlooking the amazing countryside, or a light lunch on the panoramic terrace. Specialized courses, such as music, art & pottery are held throughout the year, please inquire for fuller details.

About Marisa

Marisa Wolfe is an E-RYT Kripalu Yoga Teacher and owner of Yoga del Sol Studio in Central New Mexico, where she offers bodywork as a licensed massage therapist and certified Thai Yoga Massage Practitioner, as well as yoga and meditation classes. Marisa’s teaching weaves compassion and playfulness to welcome personal exploration, mind/body flexibility and directed awareness. She brings innovation, wisdom and creativity to her classes in which you will notice that she is a great believer in the healing power of relaxation. Marisa also enjoys gardening, cooking, reading and new adventures. yogadelsolstudio.blogspot.com

About Halli

Halli Bourne is a Kripalu Yoga Teacher and owner of True Self Wellness in Northern New Mexico where she offers spiritual coaching, yoga and meditation instruction and craniosacral therapy. She brings curiosity and experiential knowledge to her classes, exploring the relationship between intentional movement and tranquil stillness. Halli teaches artfulness in precision, refinement and focused attention for stability in postures and in life. She is also a writer, vocalist and artist. www.trueselfwellness.com

Halli an Marisa’s Blog Spot: yoga-in-tuscany.com

Cost:    Double Room: $2495 Per Person

             Single Room: $2995 Per Person

October 6th – 16th, 2012

Lynne took her first yoga class while in college, at the  YMCA in Oshkosh, Wisconsin in 1975. Her first instructor and mentor, Trudy Davis, encouraged her to teach when she moved to Alaska in 1977.
She [...]]]> La Selva Positano

October 6th – 16th, 2012

Lynne took her first yoga class while in college, at the  YMCA in Oshkosh, Wisconsin in 1975. Her first instructor and mentor, Trudy Davis, encouraged her to teach when she moved to Alaska in 1977.
She enrolled in the Iyengar Yoga Institute of San Francisco’s Teacher Training Program the summer of 1980. Encouraged by Donald Moyer, she attended her first yoga Intensive at the Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute in Pune, India in 1981. She was certified to teach yoga by BKS Iyengar in 1984. Subsequent trips to Pune followed in 1988 and 1997.  Lynne relinquished formal certification in 2000. Lynne founded the Inner Dance Yoga Studio in 1982 in Anchorage, Alaska and oversaw  its growth and development into a thriving center with 20 plus instructors over the next 26 years . She  started the Inner Dance Teacher Training program in 1999 which  trained over 100 yoga teachers in the 8 years of her  oversight of the program. Lynne sold the Inner Dance Yoga Studio in
2008.   She now travels the country and the world teaching yoga wherever she is invited. Lynne  draws inspiration from yoga on and off the mat,  from tradition and intuition. She honors her  teachers of  the Iyengar  tradition, Judith Lasater, Donald Moyer,  and  Fr. Joe Pereira .   Self-Realizaion Fellowship, Paramahansa Yogananda’s organization, to which she was first exposed in 1978 is another continuing source of upliftment.
Yogananda says,
“The true purpose of life is to realize one’s Self as wisdom and bliss”.
Patanjali’s yoga sutra book II, sutra 41 (Light on Yoga Sutras, BKS Iyengar
translation) states, ” When the body is cleansed, the mind purified and the
senses controlled, joyful awareness needed to realize the inner Self, also
comes.”  My mission statement is to help myself and others to awaken joyful
awareness through the practices of yoga;   asanas that cleanse the body,
pranayama that calms the mind, concentration that controls the senses, and
meditation for realizing the Inner Self.