Sweetness of Being
Puglia, 07-13 September 2024
Dolce far niente
The ‘sweetness of doing nothing’, the Italian ‘dolce far niente’ is the guiding theme of this week long retreat. An invitation to slow down and savour life in all it has to offer. Slow wake ups (not before the sun has come up), long yoga practices, deliciously abundant brunches savoured in the shade of the pergola, gentle strolls in the countryside, refreshing swims in the pool and the Mediterranean Sea, magical evenings with sound baths, yoga Nidra and restorative practices.
This retreat is all about enjoying and appreciating the gift that is being alive and especially alive in a woman’s body. The practices will be honouring the female physiology, anatomy and energetics taking you through a journey to connect to your innate feminine wisdom and inner power. If you want to feel the power of sisterhood, while softening and simply being, this retreat is for you.
Nestled amongst olive and almond groves
The retreat centre that will host us, YogApulia, is set in 2.5 acres of grounds in a valley filled with olive and almond groves in Puglia, the heel of Italy.
Accommodation consists of six twin bedrooms and one double bedroom all with private ensuite bathrooms. All rooms are renovated to a high standard using locally sourced materials to create a luxurious yet simple and understated feel. A large outdoor courtyard provides the main communal eating space, and several outdoor terraces offer a place to relax in the sun or the shade.
Situated at the heart of the complex, the swimming pool acts like a colourful meeting point – with the blue water combining with the green olive trees and the red soil.
YogApulia is a boutique retreat centre exclusively for yoga and meditation practice. The accommodation has been built around old trulli.
A trullo (plural, trulli) is a unique architectural building, made out of rough stone quarried locally and built in an overlapping way without using any mortar but just simple know how and tools. The structure is composed of walls up to one metre wide, above which a conic roof rises, covered with “chiancarelle” – large narrow stone slabs positioned in a circular fashion.
This type of construction keeps the interior cool during the summer and warm in the winter.
Nutritious and delicious food
The food served will be varied, unprocessed and nourishing to promote energy and wellbeing. It will be predominantly plant based with some vegetarian options and local, seasonal and organic wherever possible.
Two delicious plant based meals, brunch and dinner, will be served daily. I know some of you are thinking: “will that be enough?” Some of the previous participants had the same doubt and they were super happy with the abundant choice, portions and quality of the food - believe me you will end up eating more than you would have liked!
Refreshments will also available throughout the day and include tea, coffee, water, fruit and the occasional cake.
Your teacher and retreat leader: Veronica Santini
Veronica Santini (RYT 500) has been teaching yoga internationally for about a decade. She is certified in Vinyasa yoga and Yin yoga and is specialised in Yoga for Female Health, Menopause Yoga and Pelvic Floor Yoga.
Her teaching style has been infused by amazing teachers (such as Janet Stone, Tiffany Cruishank, Shiva Rea, Leslie Howard and Petra Coveney) to whom she is very grateful.
Veronica firmly believes that each student needs to feel empowered to practice in a way that feels authentic and good to them. She is the guide for you to find your own ways to approach yoga. Her style, thoughtful and precise, always aims to be non-prescriptive, so that you can make each and every practice your own inner journey.
Your investment
Your investment: 1550 euros ( 1450 euros - early bird* )
Given the intimacy of this location (max 12 participants), all rooms are on a sharing basis. One room has a double bed which can be shared by close friends or same-sex couple. If this isn’t an option, first choice for the single occupancy will be given in order of booking.
*lock your early bird price and book by 1 March 2024
Book your spot with a 500 euro non-refundable deposit by clicking on the button below*. The remainder of the payment will be requested by bank transfer.
Payment plans are available on request.
Questions? Email us at talesofherretreats@gmail.com
Please note that by paying the deposit you automatically agree to the Terms and Conditions.
What’s included
Six nights in shared ensuite room
All meals - morning fruit and biscuits (before practice), abundant brunch, midday refreshments and dinner, coffee and tea throughout the day
Daily yoga, meditation, breath work and somatic movement practices (morning and evening) with Veronica
Soundbath
Yoga for female health workshop
Special practices depending on the group (aromatherapy yoga, yoga Nidra, partner yoga…etc)
Beach day (with guarantee of transport there and back - if you haven’t rented a car)
Walk to Cisternino and back with visit of the old town centre
Use of yoga mats, bolster and blocks
What’s not included
Travel costs (flight) and airports transfer / car hire*
Extras such as massages
Travel insurance
Bank fees/currency exchange
*A taxi from the airport can be arranged for you at an extra cost. Brindisi (30min) and Bari (40min) are the closest airports. Once we have the list of participants and their arrival times, we will try and group them in taxis to make it more cost effective.
Check out last year’s retreat in the video below
A typical retreat day
Slow silent morning
8am - 10am : vinyasa yoga practice
10am - 11am : plant-based brunch
11am - 5pm : free time / beach / walk in nature / town visit / pool / workshop one day
5pm - 6.30pm : evening yoga practice (yin yoga/nidra/ restorative)
6.30pm - 7.30pm : plant-based dinner
