Take a look at the excursions you get to experience on a Lakshmi Rising Yoga Teacher Training Certification Immersion Program or on one of our Culture, Cuisine, Yoga & Wine Retreats in Italy. We mix it up each time, so this is really an overview of what we enjoy and how we share the beauty of Italy through the lens of Yoga.
Space is extremely limited on all of our programs (we enjoy the intimacy of small groups), prices are low and the value is great so now is the time to invest in yourself, give the ultimate gift to a loved one, travel, see the world, and experience beautiful Italy on a mindfully curated yoga & culture training or tour to delight all of your senses.
Our daily 90-120 minute yoga practice will be an inclusive vinyasa style designed for all levels. The Lakshmi Rising perspective is a therapeutic approach that fuses movement and intention to promote circulation of lifeforce (Prana) which awakens and heals the body, mind, heart and soul. Everyone is welcome, whether you have 20 years of experience or none at all. Variations and modifications will be offered to customize your practice and enhance your understanding of Yoga.
FEATURED CULINARY & CULTURAL WELLNESS EXCURSIONS:
Mannucci Droandi Boutique Bio-Dynamic Winery: Tour with a multi-course gourmet vegetarian lunch featuring a traditional Tuscan countryside menu paired with their unique and delicious award-winning wines. Our hosts, Roberto and Maria-Grazia, are pioneers in the organic farming and SlowFood movements in Italy.
For about ten years now the estate has been working on projects aiming to perfect monitoring methods and the battle against fungi and parasitic pests to reduce the use of chemical products in eco-compatible wine-growing. Mannucci Droandi does not use any chemical fungicides, and only uses organic fertilizers.
Another reason we love Roberto and Maria Grazia is because of the work they have done cultivating old vine varieties that were once widespread in the area and are now faced with extinction. Starting with the 2000 vintage, the grapes of these vines have undergone their first micro-vinification and promise well for the future. Other interesting – but more widely tested – varieties have been reproduced in small quantities, such as the Foglia Tonda, the Barsaglina, the Pugnitello, which we will have the chance to enjoy during this special lunch.
We explore and tour the winery and cellars which are situated on the eastern slopes of the Chianti mountains overlooking the ancient fortified village of Caposelvi. All around are other villages, castles, churches, villas and cottages extending as far as the eye can see, scattered here and there on hillsides shaped by men, where vineyards and olive groves alternate with lush oak and pine woods. This area is still little-known, but of great interest. Vines are intensively grown here and the area is revealing enormous potential, particularly over the last decade, thanks to the commitment of local winegrowers who have started making really fine wines.
San Giovanni Terme Rapolano (Thermal Springs and Spa): We spend the day relaxing, bathing in warm mineral pools and enjoying authentic European spa treatments for health and wellbeing.
The mineral waters of the STR pools naturally flow from the source at a temperature of 102°F/ 39 °C. The natural elements that compose them are sulfur, which characterizes the smell, and calcium bicarbonate. The two elements, combined with the high temperature of the water, give many healing properties in addition to the feelings of relaxation and general well-being. These waters are particularly suitable for treatments of the skin, relaxing the muscles, giving greater elasticity to the tissues and purification for the airways, with a clear improvement in breathing.
We will have a group dinner in their beautiful restaurant to close the day.