Walking, Yoga, and Discovery in Tuscany
Dates:
April 30-May 6, 2010
Price:
Double, $2,100; Single, $2,400
Program Coordinators:
Lucia Reardon, Coordinator
Melora Gregory, Yoga Instructor
Address:
314 Blanchard Road, Cumberland, ME 04021
Telephone:
207-829-4626
Fax:
207-829-4626
E-mail:
luciareardon@hotmail.com
Preferred method of contact:
email and telephone
More information:
Brochure (PDF / 470k)
Application & Detailed Information (Word document / 9.6MB)
Description:
La Tenuta di Spannocchia sits on a hilltop in the middle of 1200 wooded acres, surrounded by the medieval remains of the Monestero di Santa Lucia, the fortress of Castiglione che Dio Sol Sa, the Etruscan and Roman ruins of the Via Massetana and the medieval bridge, Ponte della Pia. Spannocchia, a sustainable agricultural estate, will be the backdrop for our yoga classes and walks. This unique farming estate offers a comfortable pace to enjoy a week of wonderful walking, sight seeing, and yoga while appreciating a real sense of history spanning the ancient Etruscan and roman eras through the medieval, Renaissance periods and beyond. Our goal is NOT to “do” Tuscany, but to visit and discover some of the much less known treasures of this area, of which there are many.
The yoga classes will take place on the estate in the Sala d”Accoglienza which is a large, airy building with a vaulted veiling and large mural depicting the history of Spannocchia. This building is located near the Villa, our rustic elegant accommodations for the duration of the trip. The classes will be adjusted according to the level and needs of the participants. Classes will be modified to meet the challenges of each individual while creating challenging poses for those who wish expand their personal yoga practice. We are requesting each person bring a yoga sticky mat, available online or department stores for approximately $15 to $30 dollars. Please note that many couples who have attended this trip in the past, have never tried a yoga class. Often they are intrigued and participate in the yoga classes, but sometimes they have chosen to enjoy the grounds of Spannocchia or to find an alcove in the Villa in which to curl up and read a book. ALL choices are encouraged!
Most days will include a 3 to 6 mile walk usually leaving from the Estate or returning to the Estate on foot. Lucia has spent countless hours roaming hunting trails over the hills and through the valleys of the stunning land around La Tenuta di Spannocchia. She has created itineraries that include wooded trails dotted with a stunning amount of wild flowers, open fields of poppies, and cypress lined roads with views of hill towns and Romanesque country churches. It is rare to encounter other hikers on many of these trails. We are truly off the beaten track. We will enjoy a picnic lunch along our daily adventure, and return to the Castle in the afternoon for a daily 2 hour yoga class, with the remainder of the day being spent in the way that best suits each individual's desire on the vast Spannocchia grounds. We try not to be rigid for it is not the Italian way, so participation in a spontaneous wine tasting or becoming spectators of a local musical festival is always possible! The day will end with local wine and dinner of organic locally grown food served family style.
Coordinator Biography(ies):
Lucia Reardon has over a twenty year history with Spannocchia and is a member of the non profit organization, the Spannocchia Foundation As a young adult, Lucia participated in the Etruscan excavation sponsored by the Etruscan Foundation, becoming one of the first interns to work on the Spannocchia estate. She spent 3 years living at the castle, in Siena, and completing a year of studies at the University of Bologna. After returning to the States, Lucia completed an undergraduate degree in Italian and Psychology, going on to get a Masters in Communication Sciences and Disorders. While pursuing her graduate degree and working as a Speech Language Pathologist, she lead hikes in Tuscany and taught Italian privately and at the Penobscot School in Rockland, Maine. Her local knowledge and love of the area is infectious and her fluency in Italian and friendship with the owners of the estate will ensure that your stay will be a memorable and comfortable one.
Melora Gregory walked, no floated, out of her first yoga class in 1992 and knew this was her life's passion. She began teaching the next year at the Portland Yoga Studio in Portland, Maine, and has been very active in teaching in many studios, health and fitness spas, as well as private lessons to individuals all around southern Maine. Melora studies regularly with master yoga teachers of international renown, such as Patricia Walden, John Friend, Judith Lasater, Tias Little, Todd Norian, as well as nationally known masters like Gabriel Halpern, Doug Keller, Arthur Kilmurray, and Desiree Rumbaugh. Melora's classes include precise alignment detail for optimum freedom in the pose, extensive knowledge of therapeutic poses to relieve aches and pains, and soothing breathing awareness techniques in restorative poses to help rejuvenate and develop inner peace. She has concentrated her study in BKS Iyengar style of yoga, but also has incorporated Anasura method, Ashtanga practice, and Anatomy studies in the last 5 years. Melora is an enthusiastic traveler, having visited over 30 countries, and was a US Peace Corps Volunteer in Tanzania, East Africa. Current and Former students of Melora’s have made comments such as “Melora’s patience and sense of humor are exceeded only be her infectious enthusiasm for yoga” and “Through Melora’s inspired teaching, I am feeling an increase in strength, greater flexibility, and even more important, a deepening sense of center.”
“Every memory is a highlight. This has been one of the best trips I have taken.”
“A pleasure to meet all of you and learn of your mission
to keep sustainability in the forefront of your running of the estate.”
“This place is beautiful and the people here are so friendly, which is the best part.”