August 31 – September 7, 2024
Gentle Yoga in Tuscany with Rudy & Joyce Peirce
A rejuvenating sensory adventure! Immerse yourself in the sights and flavors of Tuscany while also enjoying a vacation retreat with gentle yoga classes to keep you balanced and refreshed.
You will enjoy a magical week of loving, stress-free living with peaceful lessons twice a day surrounded by fabulous Tuscan landscapes. What awaits you? Pure fun, kind hospitality, laugh out loud, amazing food and well-organized adventures. a villa in the heart of Tuscany will be the setting for lessons with Joyce in which you will learn the extraordinary MELT® method so as to give yourself hands-free body work, including treatments for hands and feet!
During the retreat you will be able to relax by the pool, relax with a good book or take a dip, fully enjoy the present moment where you can simply be, breathe clean air with a walk alone or choose to be with others . Otherwise if you like to always be on the move, we have many optional excursions you can choose from.
Enjoy the benefits of daily yoga, breathing practice and meditation guided by Rudy, the creator of Dynamic Gentle Yoga. You’ll find that traveling is more restorative when you add a little compassionate self-care. Joyce will teach you how to treat your hands and feet with small soft MELT® balls that will be provided to you throughout the week. Your hands and feet will be so happy! Your body will be happy! You will be happy!
Location
Our unique retreat home for the week will be Villa Tramonte – which boasts comfortable lodging in fully restored 18th century estate, an outdoor pool, and delicious meals of farm-to-table vegetarian Tuscan cuisine — complete with local olive oil and wine.
Typical Daily Program
Each day with begin with smooth, soothing Dynamic Gentle Breath Practice Chair Yoga with Rudy followed by energy giving juices and freshly prepared breakfast. During the day and evening we will enjoy a deep, authentic immersion into Italian culture, from Lucca’s spectacular art & architecture, to the rolling hills of Tuscany & the Mediterranean sea-side charm of Cinque Terre, to volcanic hot springs; fabulous wines and gastronomia (“the art of good eating”) throughout.
On-site or nearby options include relaxing “under the Tuscan sun,” soaking up the tranquility, floating in the sparkling pool, taking a guided or solo nature walk on the estate, or a walk down the road to a local small winery and olive oil producer for wine-tasting and tour, or enjoying our own special hands-on cooking class with Yoga in Italy’s own chef to participate in preparing our lunch and a special dessert! Your week of self-care also includes at least two MELT classes, introducing the MELT Hand and Foot Treatments of this revolutionary method that simulates hands-on therapeutic techniques.
WHO IS THE RETREAT FOR?
This retreat is for all those who love yoga, who have a spirit of openness and adventure, who want to regenerate while having fun.
ABOUT RUDY PEIRCE
Rudy Peirce has practiced yoga and meditation since he was in college. He became a Kripalu yoga teacher in 1983 and since then he has tried to help people approaching yoga (especially those who think they aren’t able to do so!). He will offer classes of Dynamic Gentle Yoga (for all levels of yoga).
ABOUT JOYCE SCHROEDER PEIRCE
Joyce Schroeder Peirce is a Kripalu yoga teacher and she met her husband Rudy Pierce at the Kripalu Centre for Yoga. Today she works for the Gentle Yogis website together with his husband and she teaches online the MELT methods.
The MELT method
The MELT Method, created by Sue Hitzmann, is a gentle self-care method. Using specific equipment and techniques, the MELT Method can help you and your body to decrease stress, improve flexibility and release tension. Improve your wellness with this method, which will surely help you to reconnect with your mind and body and have more energy and strength during the day!
WHAT’S INCLUDED?
- 7 nights accommodation (including linen and towels)
- 3 vegetarian meals each day + wine at dinner (except for two lunches out)
- Daily yoga lead by Rudy and Joyce
- A Lucca guided tour
- A day trip at Cinque Terre
- Access to the pool and yoga facilities
- Transfers to and from Lucca train or bus station to the retreat centre at the start and finish of the retreat. There will be one scheduled pick up and drop off only. Any transfers outside of this are not included.
- Use of the WIFI
- Laundry facilities for use by guests
What’s Not Included?
- Airfares (Suggested Airport Pisa)
- Travel insurance (which is strongly recommended)
- Two meals out (one lunch and one dinner)
- Other travel related expenses outside of the retreat
- Additional in-house treatments eg facials and massage
- Other optional excursions or activities not included in the retreat
* Transfers outside the scheduled pick-up or drop-off can be arranged for an additional fee
RETREAT PRICING
Your retreat investment includes almost everything and is from $3269 (USD) depending on the accommodation type you choose (single, twin or double) – all inclusive. Upon registration, you will be given all travel information, packing list and a full itinerary.
Cancellation Policy
Initial deposit is non-refundable.
INCLUDED EXCURSIONS + ACTIVITIES
YOGA Classes
Morning yoga daily except on the day we go to Cinque Terre and the last morning. Discover ease of movement and plumb the depths of meditation and relaxation through Dynamic Gentle Breath Practice Chair Yoga with Rudy.
MELT classes
MELT is a fascinating self-care method that reduces chronic stiffness and pain, decreases inflammation, and more. It’s a perfect companion to yoga practice. With Joyce as your instructor, you will learn MELT Hand and Foot Treatments using the MELT soft therapy balls (provided for your use during the retreat).
CINQUE TERRE Mediterranean seaside charm
An excursion to one of Italia’s Mediterranean treasures, Cinque Terre, where we will take a day trip to explore the picturesque cliff-side villages or simply chill in a
seaside cove for the day. (Includes ground transportation with a driver + entry into the national park. Lunch not included).
LUCCA tour with the fabulous Federico
Coming from a noble Lucchese family. Federico’s family have strong roots in the area and he is passionate about its history, culture, art, food and wine. The tour in Lucca takes in the ancient walls of Lucca pointing out places of interest through the medieval streets.
TRANSPORT OPTIONS
GETTING TO AND FROM THE RETREAT CENTRE
The nearest airport to Lucca is Pisa international Airport “Galileo Galileo” – 18 Miles from Lucca
Florence International Airport “Amerigo Vespucci” is 50 Miles from Lucca
If you are flying into Rome, Fiumicino Airport is 162 miles from Lucca.
Regular trains and buses run from both Pisa and Florence airports to Lucca and are very reasonably priced. Trains also run regularly from Rome airport but the trip is much longer and takes around 4.5 hours.
Check-in and Check-out
Check-in at the retreat center is strictly 4:15pm on the day of arrival.
When booking your flights, we recommend you plan your arrival time in Lucca for around 15:45, to coincide with the group transfer to the retreat centre at 16:15 There will be one scheduled pick-up only. Please email your arrival details to laura@yogainitaly.com as soon as they are available. If you are unable to make the pick-up, we can arrange for a taxi to bring you to the retreat center.
Check-out from the retreat center is strictly 09:00am on the last day. Please plan your departure flights accordingly.