YogaUnder the Tuscan Sun!

The Art of Renewal 2015:
YogaUnder the Tuscan Sun!
Imagine 8 days, 7 nights of total immersion in the idyllic hills of Tuscany. Unwind from the incessant
demands of life in the 21st century, and embark on this blissful and deeply rejuvenating
odyssey...under the Tuscan sun!
Join Mariko Hirakawa, Yoga-Ayurveda expert with over 23 years of teaching experience, and
author of the forthcoming book, The Yoga-Ayurveda Book of Anti-Aging Secrets, for an unforgettable,
transformational retreat that will leave you deeply nourished and rejuvenated on all levels.
Your home away from home in Italy is in an exquisite, secluded villa that sits atop a Tuscan hill with
breathtaking views. Located just 10 km from the charming medieval city of Lucca, our villa offers an
opportunity to truly relax while having all the cultural gems of Tuscany at our fingertips!
Book before April 1st to access your Early Bird savings of $200!
Email mariko.bhakti@gmail.com to learn more and register.
Mariko Hirakawa,
your guide on the
journey.
This Retreat is for you if:
•
If you’re longing for an infusion of inspiration in your life
•
Health and Well-being on every level are important to you.
•
If you need clarity in your life and feel the need to reconnect with
Inner Guidance.
•
Delicious Authentic &
Healthy Vegetarian Meals
Done the Tuscan Way ...
Are on a journey of self-healing, physically, mentally &
emotionally.
•
You enjoy the finer things in life – healthy gourmet food, quality
wine, the arts, and great company!
•
Explore the breathtaking beauty of
Cinque-Terre!
You know you deserve a remarkable and magical life!
Rejuvenate with yoga
every day!
Email mariko.bhakti@gmail.com to learn more and register.
The Art of Renewal Retreat 2015 with Mariko:
Yoga Under the Tuscan Sun!
July 25th ~ August 1st, 2015
Who's Teaching?
Mariko Hirakawa, E-RYT, B.A.M.S., is a versatile and experienced Yoga instructor as
well as an Ayurvedic practitioner trained in India. She comes from a background of being
a professional ballet and contemporary dancer, and is known for her originality,
precision and the fluid way in which she integrates the physicality of Yoga with its
dynamic and ever-relevant spiritual teachings.
In 2003, her experience of working with terminally ill clients prompted her to seek out
healing modalities that complemented her work in Yoga so that she can serve in a deeper
way. Proficient in Hindi and Sanskrit, she is one of the very few in the West to have
completed the rigorous 5 ½ year B.A.M.S. Degree program in a renowned Ayurvedic
University in India.
Mariko is the innovator of Ayurvedic Flow Yoga and author of the forthcoming book, The
Yoga Ayurveda Book of Anti-Aging Secrets.
Healer, yogini and a performer with a multi-cultural background, Mariko thrives in
sharing her love of Yoga and Ayurveda as a path of inner growth and fulfillment of our
highest purpose.
What's the Retreat About?
The Art of Renewal Retreat 2015 is a joyous, deep-dive immersion in all the ways we can
support and nourish ourselves to align with our “True North” - our unique path to living
our Highest Expression.
To be truly successful in life, we need fulfillment. And fulfillment is the result of
understanding oneself deeply, honestly and compassionately.
Each morning we'll use creative Fluid Vinyasa Yoga to unblock the natural Life
current through the physical and subtle bodies, exploring the sequences,
transitional movements and asanas that awaken, heal, and activate us.
After physical practice will learn to hold the high-frequency energy we've released
through the supportive energy of group meditation.
The days we are not out on excursions (and we have some fantastic adventures
planned!), we'll relax with Mariko's signature Restorative Aroma Bliss Yoga
which combines the deeply rejuvenating benefits of Restorative Yoga with the
magic of deliciously potent essential oils.
Wise people know that taking time out to relax, reset and recharge in a supportive
environment is one of the greatest investments one can make in life. Because
often, we don't realize how depleted and worn out we are until we step out of the
hectic rhythm of our day to day life!
There's something about stepping out of your ordinary surroundings and into
great beauty that renews us on every level. It heightens our receptivity to new
insights, paradigm shifts, and ideas that can lead to quantum leaps.
The Art of Renewal Retreat in Tuscany provides the perfect environment to
nourish ourselves on every level – physically, emotionally, mentally, artistically, socially, and of course, spiritually.
How do I know if this trip is right for me?
•
If you’re longing for an infusion of inspiration in your life
•
You love combining Yoga and Travel.
•
Health and Well-being on every level are important to you.
•
If you need clarity in your life and the direction you are headed in life,
work or relationships.
•
If you feel the need to recharge and reconnect with Inner Guidance.
•
Are on a journey of self-healing, physically, mentally & emotionally.
•
If you feel called to connect with the magic and beauty of Tuscany.
•
You love to indulge in the finer things in life – gorgeous healthy food,
quality wine, the arts, and great company!
The Venue & Accommodations:
Your home away from home in Italy is in an exquisite, secluded villa in an area
known as Il Borghino in Tuscany. It sits atop a Tuscan hill with a 180 degree
breathtaking views verlooking forests, vineyards, olive groves and mountains in
the distance. It's truly one of the most beautiful places in the world!
Located just 10 km from the charming medieval city of Lucca, our villa offers
an opportunity to truly relax while having all the cultural gems of Tuscany at our
fingertips. In addition, we are just 1.5 hrs from the breathtaking Cinque
Terre region, making it the perfect base to explore this part of Italy.
The retreat centre has been designed to maintain the original character of the
village while still being both comfortable and modern. Our villa is composed of
three separate houses, each room furnished tastefully in local Tuscan style,
each with fabulous views from every window.
The large communal area, "L'Olivo", is the hub of the retreat centre – a place
for everyone to gather during the day, enjoy meals together, share experiences
and of course, practice daily yoga. It is equipped with:
•
a wood-fired pizza oven which we make use of during the retreat
•
a gorgeous outdoor terrace with panoramic views for al fresco dining
•
a salt-water swimming pool with Jacuzzi that you can relax in while
soaking up the views and
•
a Turkish Sauna to help cleanse and detoxify during the week
What more could you ask for???
And Ah the Food!
Our retreat menu is vegetarian & we have a wonderful local cook who will
prepare deliciously fresh dishes based on what is in season and the region’s
specialities. As we'll be in Tuscany, we can indulge in an amazing array of local cheeses, pasta, breads, wines + other
delights at our disposal. There will be plenty of healthy choices to choose from - nuts, seeds, legumes, a variety of
garden fresh vegetables, salads, rice, amaranth, quinoa, buckwheat, and fresh fruit.
If you have specific dietary restrictions, just let us know in advance.
The food is sourced from local producers, using organic grains, fruit & vegetables wherever possible. They also make
their own fresh fruit/ vegetable juices and cleansing herbal teas using fresh herbs from the garden. Organic wine, olive
oil and honey is produced in the surrounding agricultural area near Il Borghino served during our retreats. You are
truly in for a taste of La Dolce Vita!
Getting to the Retreat:
Il Borghino retreat centre is ideally located just 30 minutes from Pisa Airport (Galileo Galilei), and 1.5 hrs from
Florence. All airports are connected via the Italian railway system. Lucca train station is the closest station to Il
Borghino. More details about how best to get to the retreat center will be emailed to you upon registering or email for
more information.
What's included in the Retreat?
A Room with a Gorgeous View & Authentic Healthy Tuscan Cuisine:
•
7 nights’ accommodation at the beautiful villa + all linen + towels.
•
3 delicious vegetarian meals per day, except for one day mid-week
when we will go out on an excursion.
•
Unlimited fruit, water and herbal teas throughout the day.
•
Tea & coffee making facilities are available in each house.
•
Local wine at dinner (limited to 1/2 bottle per person, per night)
•
Use of the WIFI (available in the common room only)
•
Last night celebratory dinner with Prosecco and Pizza using the wood-
What's not included:
•
Airfares & travel
insurance
•
Meals out during
excursions mentioned
above
•
Massages and in-house
treatments
•
Other optional
excursions
•
Airport Transfers
•
other travel related
expense
fired pizza oven at Il Borghino.
Amenities to Pamper:
•
Use of the salt water swimming pool, Jacuzzi and all facilities
within the grounds of the villa
•
Use of the Turkish Sauna (limited to 3 consecutive hours per day)
Excursions to Nourish Your Soul:
•
An Afternoon at an Italian Thermal Bath (Spa entry included, ground transportation not included)
•
Day trip to Cinque Terre ! (Inludes ground transportation and entry into the national park. Lunch not
included.)
•
A Tuscan wine tasting excursion! (Wine only. Food is additional.)
Let's Go!
REGISTRATION DETAILS
This retreat is meant to be an intimate experience, so spaces are extremely limited. Accommodations will be
assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. Register early to secure the best accommodation type for you!
*Early Bird Special applies to all bookings made before April 1st, 2015.
There are a vairiety of of single and shared rooms available:
Twin with shared bathroom (2 rooms/4 spaces)
$2197 / $1997 *Early Bird Special!
Twin with private bath (5 rooms/10 spaces)
$2397/ $2197 *Early Bird Special!
Double with private bath (1 room/ 2 spaces)
$2597/ $2397 *Early Bird Special!
Single with private bath (2 rooms/ 2 spaces)
$2997/ $2797 *Early Bird Special!
Payment: A non-refundable deposit of $500 will hold your spot and lock in the savings. Balance is due in full by May 1st,
2015. To register, and for inquiries, please email mariko.bhakti @gmail.com
Cancellation Policy: A cancellation fee of 20% applies to bookings cancelled up to three months in advance (last day April
25th). A 50% fee applies to bookings cancelled up to 2 months in advance (last day May 25 th). No refunds will be issued for
cancellations within two months from the departure date.