Yoga Retreat in Italy

Santa Maria Del Sole is a perfect location for a week of Yoga, sun, natural beauty and relaxation. This is a peaceful, natural, almost holy place, ideally suited to developing spiritual practice. There is a lovely outdoor Yoga platform and indoor Yoga Hall. There will be two Hatha Yoga classes a day. Each individual will have the opportunity to practice at his/her own level making the week suitable for students of different abilities. Three meals are served daily (with one evening meal out at a local restaurant) and we have plenty of free time to relax, swim, read, sleep, have treatments or explore the local villages and countryside.

Santa Maria Del Sole is a 15-hectare property situated on a small hillock in the heart of the Itria Valley in the ‘heel of Italy’s boot’. (Nearest international airport is Brindisi). The landscape is rural, largely flat and is dotted with beautiful olive trees and vineyards, divided by pretty dry-stone walls. The main building is a 16th century masseria (farmhouse) that has been elegantly restored in typical, old apulian style with many of the authentic features still in place.

This building is the centre of life at Santa Maria Del Sole and creates a wonderfully homely atmosphere that comes alive when people gather together at meals. The grounds contain lovely gardens, a wild forest, two fields of swaying wheat, a tiny church and many beautiful olive trees. There is plenty of space to walk and be free.

There is an outdoor sitting area and a small, cosy room near the back of the masseria in which to play music or write. The higher elevation of the property compared with it surrounds means that there is usually a nice breeze during warm, summer days as well as good views. Behind the property there is a beautiful swimming pool.

YOGA: There will be a morning and an evening practice each day. The morning sessions are invigorating and cleansing for the mind and body, and the evening -- more meditative practice -- incorporates meditation, yoga nidra and relaxation.

Before breakfast, a half hour of pranayama and meditation opens the day. Morning classes are likely to be more dynamic and strengthening, clearing the nadis, allowing the free-flow of prana. Afternoon/evening sessions are likely to be shorter (on some evening we will have a gentle vinyasa focussing on hip openers and shoulder girdle release, others will be dedicated to a more structural work and/or Yin yoga and restorative, naturally flowing toward pranayama and meditation. One evening it will be free to allow excursions and dinner out.
There is a beautiful Yoga Hall that has also been carefully renovated to provide a peaceful space for practice. It has a rounded roof with small stone arches on either side. There is also an outdoor yoga platform overlooking the rolling countryside.
As well as asana, we explore chanting (mainly in Sanskrit), various meditation techniques and pranayama. With at least one evening set aside for Kirtan (singing old melodies to focus our minds and hearts) and or to share our skills and teach each other. Last retreat there was a lovely student who taught us Qigong at sunset ... an experience to be repeated! :)
You have time to be still and silent, or as active as you feel - a chance to relax, renew and restore with like minded people and fun is guaranteed at my retreats!.
This week will give students the opportunity to practice yoga in an environment which is calm and relaxing. each individual will have the opportunity to practice at his/hers own level, with modifications and safe kramas (steps) for all, making the week suitable for students of different abilities and those who may have practiced other yoga disciplines. Please note: although all level of experience is welcome, this retreat is not for absolute beginners but for those who already have some experience and are keen to improve their practice, deepen their understanding (physically, mentally, spiritually) and experience the transformative essence of yoga - bringing the benefits into their everyday lives.

Activities and Excursions
The area is rich in history and natural beauty. The Itria Valley is a treasure trove of ancient towns such as Martina Franca, Ostuni, Ceglie and Alberobello. It is very relaxing to wonder around the many cobbled streets, appreciating the architecture, sampling the excellent gelato (ice cream) and wondering in and out of shops hunting for souvenirs. (Olive oil, speciality pasta and ceramics are popular choices). All shops abide by the local custom of siesta and close their doors from 1 until 5.30pm. However, most stay open until around 8pm.

Martina Franca (10 minutes drive) is a must see for beautiful baroque architecture and atmospheric alleyways. It is a nice experience to walk around the historic centre. Ostuni (60 minutes drive) is known for its whitewashed buildings and winding lanes. A short walk can be done along the cobbled roads. The town is perched dramatically on a hilltop with wonderful views of the trulli landscape and the olive groves. Ceglie (30 minutes drive), a medieval town, which centres on a 14th century castle.

Alberobello (30 minutes drive) stands out for its amazingly high density of trulli houses. There are more than 1,000 here! So many white turrets makes for an extraordinary sight, UNESCO has even designated it a World Heritage Site. Puglia is often referred to as the ‘land of the two seas’ as it protrudes into both the Adriatic and the Ionian Seas. There will be time to visit the seaside during our week. The small, flat country roads make this an easy area for cycling. 10 bicycles are available for use from the property. For those who wish to be independent or to explore the area we strongly recommend renting a car at the airport.

Food: Vegetarian meals are cooked to an excellent standard using local produce. You will also have a chance to sample some of the traditional recipes of Puglia.
If you have any special dietary requirements please notify us at the time of booking and we will do our best to accommodate these.

TREATMENTS: There is a massage room where a range of massage treatments are offered at very reasonable rates. Advance notice of interest is preferable and sessions should be booked at the beginning of the week.

All rooms are en suite with shower, toilet and basin. Each room is a different shape and unique is its own way. Furnishings and fabrics complement the building and create a calm and very comfortable environment. The masseria comfortably accommodates 10 students and close by there are another 5 rooms in the trulli houses. These small, white conical buildings are one of the most magical aspects of the Puglian landscape. Their roofs resemble the pieces of a chess set and have been constructed especially to remain cool in the summer whilst retaining heat in the winter. Trulli building is a traditional skill and no cement is used. Each limestone block is carefully placed!
Rooms are allocated on a first come first served basis and are shared with one or two others.

GETTING THERE: Transportation and Transfers
Santa Maria Del Sole is 40 minutes from Brindisi International Airport and one hour from Bari International airport.

If you would rather travel from London (Heathrow) it is also possible to fly to Brindisi and Bari on Alitalia. Also Lufthansa have flights everyday from Heathrow to Bari, and it allows to book early, at early September 09 the fares were as low as £160 for the Bank Holiday week!

It is also possible to fly direct from London (Stansted) to Brindisi on RyanAir (FR).

The staff at Santa Maria Del Sole are able to pick you up from your arrival point.

For those who would like to make a holiday out of this trip I suggest you rent a car at airport arrive a couple of days earlier and visit the surrounding areas ... let me know if you wish to do so and I will be able to help you with some suggestions! ... if you travel via Rome why not visit this beautiful city!

Please notify us when you book your flight of your arrival time. A good website where you can get good deals for flights is www.bravofly.co.uk check it out!

In order for you to save money on transfer and being able to share with others we suggest one shuttle pick up at Bari at around 15.00 and one in Brindisi at around 15.00 (Lufthansa arrive in Bari at around 14.30 and Alitalia in Brindisi same time) If you rent a car and you wish to share part of the cost with others please let us know.

What to bring: Light loose clothing for yoga, some warm clothes for the morning and evening, and waterproof jacket, swimming costume and towel for the swimming pool and sea, walking shoes. All yoga props are provided but as the yoga mat is a personal thing I suggest you bring your own one.

For further information and booking please email Margherita at shantiyoga[atsign]gmail[dot]com. For more information about the property see http://www.santamariadelsole.it/.

"Dear Margherita, everything has been a total joy. Thank you so much for your amazing work and enriching support. Love Puglia too!! Namaste Charlie x"

"Margherita, grazie cara mia ... you have given us a week of love, practice, space, nurturing and laughter and have learned so much from you and our incredible group of yogis and all Salvatore, Giulia, Marco and the beautiful ladies at SM del Sole ... till next time"

"To dearest Margherita, it is as if the universe has presented us a great big gift box with a beautiful bow on top. As we opened it, out of the box came not just one but many delights!

we have received every single day of the week so much joy wrapped in different colours, shapes and sounds. It has truly been a box full of miracles that you, Margherita, presented not only to me, but I could say to each everyone of us. Thanks to you we can all return wherever we came from, so much richer in every field of our spiritual walk.

After all this is what this is all about; our journey back to the light that we are. With love and light. Helena x"