Submitted by Joshua Lewis on March 26, 2015@3:15:PM

Join Yoga with Joshua and Kim McBean Yoga on a magical retreat June 6-13, to the picturesque 1800's farmstead, Il Grande Prato in the Tuscan countryside. Begin your day with yoga, sip local wine and eat the most delicious food made with love, relax by the pool or visit nearby markets, wineries and olive presses. Take a trip to romantic Florence to witness some of the world's greatest artistic treasures. Beauty everywhere! Treat yourself to a week of connecting more deeply with yourself, with nature and with a lovely group of new friends.

Imagine this.

You are relaxing on the terrace of your beautifully converted century old farmhouse room which overlooks fields of green as far as the eye can see. The sun is setting and the sky is painted in a fantastical array of radiant colour. You take a sip of wine, that is truly local, for you visited the winery down the road just this afternoon. You release a deep sigh that almost catches you off guard for it comes spontaneously and with a resonance of utter peace and ease. Youre feeling the effect of the gift that is daily yoga, meditation and the relaxed stillness that comes from a committed practice of self-care. You feel at home in your skin, content and happy. You feel a wave of deep gratitude well up to the surface as you think back of the journey that has brought you here and the decision you made to spend this week on retreat in Italy. In just a few minutes you will be joining your fellow retreaters  your old and new friends  for a feast of Tuscan delight that will nourish you well into the evening. You cant wait to taste the olive oil from the local press again, and of course, the fresh bread. Perhaps there will be an impromptu game of bocci on the calcetto after dinner, or a quiet walk around the sprawling property, or maybe still, another glass of wine as you prepare to sink into your inviting bed for a deep and restful sleep. You begin to head toward the conversation and laughter you hear from the group gathering to eat under the grape arbored courtyard, but before you do, you take one last look at the olive orchards and quaint mediaeval villages clinging to the hills in the distance. You sigh one more time, and with a smile that radiates from the inside out, you make your way to dinner.

This need not be a desire relegated to mere fantasy. Join Kim McBean and myself on a journey to the picturesque 1800s farmstead Il Grande Prato (The Great Lawn!) in the Tuscan countryside for a yoga retreat that will nourish and soothe the body, mind and spirit. This retreat is an opportunity to connect deeply with yourself in a serene and peaceful locale that is designed to support your intentions for healing.

Each day will begin in our yoga space  the farmsteads original two story barn that was converted into a gorgeous space ideal for practice  with guided meditation and gentle flowing yoga to lovingly wake the body and focus the mind. There will be plenty of time throughout the day for relaxation and personal time which may include: lounging by the outdoor pool or in a hammock with that book youve been meaning to read for ages; indulging in a massage or therapeutic treatment; exploring one of the nearby towns (Chiantishire, Valdelsa, Firenze, Pisa) known for their nurturing of some of the worlds most famed and treasured artists; visiting the Etruscan tombs and ruins; or nourishing your inner foodie and sommelier at the local markets, olive presses and wine cellars. Later in the day, we will meet again for some deeply refreshing yoga practice before a communal dinner served family style  as can only be done in Italy.

Each evening will culminate in a special candlelit class that will leave you floating off to dreamland.

We are committed to creating the retreat experience that will serve and meet your personal goals and intentions. We will be meeting individually with each participant throughout the week for mentoring and guidance to ensure your personal work is supported and encouraged.

This will be a transformational week that will create an upward spiral of calm awareness, exuberant gratitude and blissful joy in your life. We are looking forward to sharing this journey with you.

The retreat includes:

7 Nights Accommodation
Exceptionally delicious meals inspired by traditional Tuscan cuisine and accompanied by quality Chianti DOC wine
Daily meditation, all-levels accessible yoga classes and workshops
Full access to amenities: outdoor swimming pool, tennis court, basketball court, calcetto playing field
Wi-Fi
Unlimited unwinding and relaxation

Not included:

Airfare
Ground Transportation from Airport to Retreat Centre (we will help make the arrangements)
Travel Insurance
Optional Excursions
Spa Services
Gratuities
Tourism Tax ($1 Euro Per Person/Per Night  payable in cash at checkout)

Early Bird Pricing (Before March 31st, 2014; thereafter, please add $200):

SHARED Occupancy and Bathroom (3 or 4 people): $1750 CAD

DOUBLE/COUPLE Occupancy and Shared Bathroom: $1890 CAD
COUPLE Occupancy Private Bathroom: $1990 CAD

SINGLE Occupancy Shared Bathroom: $2275 CAD
SINGLE Occupancy Private Bathroom: $2475 CAD

Prices are per person and include tax.

A non-refundable deposit of $500 CAD is required to reserve your spot. The remaining balance is to be paid in full by May 1st, 2015. It is highly recommended that you invest in travel insurance for your trip to ensure peace of mind.

To reserve your spot, please email yoga (at) joshualewis (dot) com.

All payments will be made through our travel agent, Carl Henderson of Travel Professionals International. He can be reached at:

416.972.9688 or chenderson@tpi.ca

*TPI customer funds are protected in Ontario by TICO 1576226

He is also able to assist with booking your flight arrangements, including flights booked with point redemption.

*Please inquire about SPECIAL RATES for friends and family who would like to join but will not be participating in the yoga sessions  they are welcome to come along!

*We are happy to support our fellow yoga teachers who would like to join us on this retreat with a YOGA TEACHER DISCOUNT. Please inquire for the details.

*For more information about our venue  rated #1 on Trip Advisor for specialty lodging in our retreat town of Castelfiorentino, as well as a recipient of a Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence for 2014, please visit: www.grandeprato.it

Back