Wednesday, June 3, 2009

YOGA HOLIDAY IN UMBRIA


Hi to everyone,

Just wanted to let you  all know that I shall be holding a week's course of  yoga from the 12th to the 18th of July. Please read below for the details and contact me asap if you are interested.



Yoga Week in Umbria - 2009


This mini course of hatha yoga will be held between the 12th  (day of arrival – try and get here for dinner!) and 18th  (departure on this day after the morning yoga session and breakfast) of July  2009 at Casa Garuda, a beautiful villa set in the hills between Tuscany and Umbria, exactly half way between Rome and Florence. 


Casa Garuda

Casa Garuda is owned and run by Lama Brian and his partner Antonella and is used both as a countryside bed and breakfast and as a place of “Dharma” where those interested in meditation can come and practice. 

Set on a hill, this villa  has wonderful views of the surrounding countryside including lakes and a peacock farm. It has two big communal swimming pools (which serve the other four or five villas – which at that time of year are normally empty  - on the land as well) at walking distance from the house itself. There are also tennis courts and bikes are available to rent should one wish to tackle the hills. This is a great place to go on hikes from too. 

The house has been given the “seal of approval” by the worldwide Feng Shui expert Eva Wong! 


Places to visit

This  area of Italy between two of its most beautiful regions – Tuscany and Umbria offers a vast  choice  of medieval villages to visit which are set against the most beautiful geographical backdrop and where you will find  great  cafes,  restaurants and shops. Two of the   most important “Must See” towns, both a forty-five minute drive from casa Garuda, include Montepulciano: a wonderful  village littered with artisans shops and Val d'Orcia in Tuscany -  possibly one of the most beautiful places for a day trip in the world. 

The nearest town to Casa Garuda is called “Chiusi” (where you will get off the train), which is a five minute drive and which hosts an Etruscan museum, catacombs and a good pizzaria.

The local Terme (outside natural springs/thermal spas) is a only half hour drive away. You can buy a ticket which includes  a swim in the public pool (which has a waterfall), a hydro massage in another pool followed by saunas  both Turkish and “secco” at the price of 45 Euros. A cheaper version includes a afternoon in the  public pool with waterfall for 8 Euros. (follow this link for more information on this - http://www.ftbcc.it/ds/chiusi/edlui/scb/itermea.htm).
 

The Timetable

7.00 – 10.00 Yoga

10.00  - Breakfast 

1.00-   Lunch

5.00-8.00 Yoga 

8.00- Dinner

(there may be slight variations to this timetable)


Meals will be eaten outside (weather etc. permitting)!


If one wants to go on visits you could easily leave just after breakfast  and be back for 5.00 or for/after dinner. IF you should miss one of the meal times and/or yoga sessions  there will be no discount offered. 


Getting there

Plane:

The nearest airports include Pisa which has a direct train connection to Chiusi , as does Fiumicino Rome. Ciampino Rome is another option but its  bus
 connection is from Roma Termini. Firenze is even
better than Pisa with a bus connection to the train
station. Go for Florence if you can!!!!

By train: On the Napoli/Milano line, from Rome, Florence, and Pisa, get off at Chiusi/Chianciano station. leave from the station

Once at the train station contact Brian (Mobile: +39 334 319 8603 or home 075 9527286) and he will come and get you for the cost of 15 Euros per trip (four in the car max. or , as he said, five if small!) 

You can find train schedules at www.trenitalia.com


By car: From Autostrada A1 exit at Chiusi, turn right after the toll station, and follow the signs for Perugia (via Chiusi scalo). At Moiano follow the signs for "Le Coste." When you arrive at Tenuta Le Coste follow the signs for "Il Poggio". The exact address is; Localita` Le Torri, 06060 Villastrada (PG) Italy

Cost:

The cost for six hours of yoga a day (except for the last day which has the three hour morning slot only), three vegetarian meals – breakfast, lunch and dinner (wine is not included) plus accommodation  is 550 Euros a head (to be paid in EUROS!). There will be no reduction for those wanting to skip meals or yoga sessions (frequency is not obligatory! Please feel free to skip as many meals/sessions as you wish – and you may need to if you want to visit further a field.) A deposit of 150 Euros will be needed to insure a place and should be paid no later than the end of May. Maximum of nine places are available in the villa itself and places will be given out on a first come first served basis. If we should exceed the maximum number there are rooms in villas at walking distance from Casa Garuda which rent out rooms – we can organize that for you. If you should change your mind after paying the deposit it will  ONLY be refunded  if you find someone to take your place. 

The cheapest and easiest way to send your deposit would be to put the cash between  a piece of paper in an envelope and to send it RECORDED DELIVERY to my address – T.privett Via Porro Lambertenghi 19, 20159 Milano, Italy. Make sure to write your name and email address (the later so I can confirm its arrival).  You can pay via your bank directly into my account but you will have to pay the transfer fee. Let me know how you prefer to pay.


There are NO single bedrooms (there is one room with three beds and the others are twin) but all have their own bathroom.


What you will need to bring

A NON-SLIP yoga/gym mat and, IF you have one, a yoga strap. I will bring yoga straps and yoga blocks with me. Comfortable clothes will be needed for “class” and a swimming costume for the pool. 


General suggestions

In order to really “recharge” your batteries and obtain the maximum benefit of this week  I suggest (and it is only a suggestion!) that you treat this time   as an opportunity to “de-tox” – hence the vegetarian diet. Alcohol is of course allowed but you may want to refrain at least until the last evening. However you will not be hung drawn or quartered if found with a slice of prosciutto and a glass of Chianti in hand, I promise!


Brian and Antonella are dear friends who have kindly allowed me (and you) to spend this week at their home. They are not waiters, cleaners nor chamber maids. They are part of the group. Therefore everyone is expected to “muck in” including helping with laying the tables and clearing away of  plates ect. 

It’s good for your karma ;-)

Don’t worry – there’s a dishwasher. 


Please feel free to contact me with any questions at 

tess@lotuspocus.com. 


If you'd like to see pics of Casa Garuda go to their website here;

http://www.casagaruda.org/


If you'd like to check out my yoga blog it's here;

www.lpyoga.blogspot.com 

(all of it apart from a weekly comment about mediation, is in english)


Or my website;

www.lotuspocus.com 


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