Are the pressures of working in the city taking over your life putting your yoga practice & wellbeing to the bottom of your to-do list?
Beat the stress and burnout with the ultimate reset for your mind - body - soul.
Join myself and Ashley Ahrens in the South of Sicily on 31st August - 7th
September 2024 for an unforgettable experience at a traditional Ragusan farmhouse - offering a breath-taking panorama of the Hyblaean countryside and the Mediterranean Sea!
You will be staying in one of 8 apartments tastefully designed in its own contemporary style, according to Sicilian tradition
Join us for 7 nights & 8 days of all inclusive yoga with two experienced London yoga teachers + locally sourced Italian cuisine.
Daily yoga, breathing + meditations, bespoke workshops & opportunities to explore the endless golden beaches, nature reserves, archeological sites and all the cultural and artistic events offered in the area -all a stone's throw away!
Join us for 7 nights & 8 days of all inclusive yoga with two experienced London yoga teachers + locally sourced Italian cuisine.
Daily yoga, breathing + meditations, bespoke workshops & opportunities to explore the endless golden beaches, nature reserves, archeological sites and all the cultural and artistic events offered in the area -all a stone's throw away!
Our home is snuggled between countryside & sea
Swim & surf in warm Mediterranean waters along rugged and sandy coastlines, explore mountaintop sandstone villages, and uncover centuries-old ruins from major settlements throughout history. Sicily is known for exceptional beaches, charming towns & amazing cuisine.
Give yourself this opportunity to slow down and embody 'La Dolce Vita' - the Italian concept of slow living and embracing simple pleasures!
Swim & surf in warm Mediterranean waters along rugged and sandy coastlines, explore mountaintop sandstone villages, and uncover centuries-old ruins from major settlements throughout history. Sicily is known for exceptional beaches, charming towns & amazing cuisine.
Give yourself this opportunity to slow down and embody 'La Dolce Vita' - the Italian concept of slow living and embracing simple pleasures!
Our home is snuggled between countryside & sea
This retreat is for you if:
You want to dedicate a full week of time to deepening your yoga practice
Maybe you need to reset and refresh from being stuck in a continuous cycle of wake - work - home - kinda sleep but not well - and REPEAT?
Do you feel like your mind is elsewhere, not fully present in your relationships, your personal life, your family life? Do you want to get back to feeling connected?
You want to getaways from city life for a minute and focus all your energy just on you
Do you want to reconnect with the natural world, hear the waves of the sea, the sounds of birds and have nothing to do except what you want to in each moment?
You want enough time to feel an authentically deep connection to being grounded and whole - ready to head back to work for the autumn.
You want to learn more about yoga under the guidance of two experienced and well respected yoga teachers from London
Ashley and I are really excited to bring you to our second joint retreat in Sicily, with a combined experience of 17 years teaching - be ready to take your practice further in an unforgettable Italian paradise!
August 31st - 7th September 2024
If you are looking for the most epic yoga holiday this summer, dedicating time to advance your yoga practice + making lasting memories & new yogi friends, all in a South Sicilian paradise - this is the retreat you’ve been dreaming of!
You’ll be immersed in luxurious surroundings with an infinity pool and easy access to fresh sea air and stunning Mediterranean beaches (a 5 minute trip away!)
We have an incredible private venue situated in a small pine grove - 8 traditional, yet modern Sicilian apartments which all have a view of both the sea and the countryside, own private entrance, equipped kitchen, private bathroom, and Wi-Fi
“The retreat was incredibly well organised and thought out! Every class was made to feel very personal to tailor to people’s needs. I have been so impressed how (they) have run this retreat. I will definitely come to another one. You made it all so perfect for all of us!”
Welcome to your ultimate yoga retreat on the mesmerising Sicilian coast
Imagine…
Waking up each morning to peaceful natural surroundings of the Italian countryside and sea - your yoga class waiting for you a few steps away!
Allow our chef to cater to you. Our brunch, dinners, practice and surroundings providing nourishment from the inside out.
Connect…
With yourself, like minded people & your teachers! Whether you decide to come on your own or with someone, you will enjoy some uplifting conversations, get to see some epic scenery, deepen your yoga practice and most importantly…. spend some time on you.
What can you expect on our Yoga Retreat to Sicily this 31st August - 7th September 2024?
You will stay on the captivating island of Sicily, one of the beauties of the Mediterranean Sea - offering an abundance of nature, history and culture.
If you’ve ever thought of discovering the wonders of Sicily, well then, all those emotions you feel for this island will transform into love at first sight on arrival. The island’s bright sun and colours will dazzle your eyes and its sounds and flavours will envelope your senses in a warm embrace
All of your nutritious and thoughtfully balanced meals are provided by our chef.
This includes a big healthy brunch and dinner. We will be serving a vegetarian menu (most of the food will be plant based, with a few exceptions), dietary requirements can be accommodated for providing we have notice.
You will spend 7 evenings & 8 days staying in one of 8 contemporary fully equipped apartments. There is a common area and infinity pool for all guest use
You will participate in 14 yoga classes - 1 each morning and evening. You’ll have the option to attend workshops and Q&A sessions with both Ashley & Cecilia, exploring some more challenging postures, breath & the nervous system and nutrition topics. These workshops are bespoke to your requests too - this is your time to discover more about yoga and your practice
As part of your retreat you’ll enjoy two bespoke group trips - we’re going to a little known local treasure, the archaeological site Cava D’ Ispica which will include locally provided traditional Sicilian dinner & a local winery tour (including wine tasting) to a vineyard focused on biodiversity. TWO group outings to look forward to!
Enjoy staying in our charming farmhouses, immersed around plant life, only a few minutes from the golden sandy beaches of Marina di Ragusa’s crystal clear blue sea and its World Heritage historical sites
Our yoga classes will include: Vinyasa, Sattva, Rocket, Mandala, Ashtanga, Yin & Yoga Nidra. The morning classes will be energising and dynamic, the evening classes will vary between relaxing, calming, grounding with some dynamic. We will have daily meditations and breath work & some discussions on yoga philosophy
The beach is only a 5 minute trip away - you can surf, swim, bask in the sunshine and enjoy the local cafes & piazzas
You will have the opportunity to deepen your yoga practice, to slow down and live LA DOLCE VITA!
Expect a group of likeminded, open, fun and adventurous yogis to share this special retreat with!
Day 1: Saturday 31st
3pm onwards: check into your apartment. Please let us know your flight arrival time so we can help arrange transfer from the Comiso or Catania airports
Tea/coffee & snacks on arrival
5:30-7pm: Opening Yoga practice to refresh and unwind from your travels
8pm: Welcome dinner - be excited to meet the group and us teachers!
Day 2 - 7: Sunday 1st - Friday 6th
8am: Tea/coffee & snacks
8:30-10am: Morning dynamic practice of Rocket, Ashtanga, Mandala, Vinyasa or Sattva + breath work & meditation
10am: Breakfast
Afternoons: optional workshops with both teachers, on yoga techniques (you choose!), mindfulness practices and nutrition OR massages (massages are extra, we can arrange with a local masseuse)
OR Group outings: Archeological site Cava D'Ispica & Wine Tour
5:30-7pm: Evening practice of either grounding Yin & Nidra (Yogic Sleep) or a slow flow
7:30pm: Dinner
Day 8: Saturday 7th
8am: Tea/Coffee & snacks.
8-9:15am: Last morning dynamic yoga + breath work & meditation
9:15am: Breakfast
11am: Check out
Please let us know your departure flight time so we can help arrange travel to your chosen airport
Workshops and group outings
We will have optional activities planned for you on some afternoons, with some afternoons all to yourself - let us know if you need any help planning! Explore Sicily!
We can spend time together as a group, heading to the beach or explore the area, or you can do your own thing!
We are going to teach workshops on postures and techniques - come with any questions you have - were here to help! This is almost like a private session!
These are optional and if you would rather do something else that's an option too.
Meet your teachers
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Cecilia Ballan - Yoga Teacher
I’m a London based yoga teacher, through teaching and practicing, I see the physical practice as a journey from outward physical expression into an exploration of your own inner landscape, emphasising breath & self-observation as tools to bring you into a space of meditation & feeling of wholeness, uniting mind, body and soul.
I come from a background in psychology and mental health, having studied psychology, working within mental health and then further studying trauma, anxiety, depression and the nervous system and how yoga can be utilised to help support those struggling, bringing a sense of greater harmony and ease.
I’ll encourage students to bring a playful & lighthearted approach to your practice, meeting you with compassion & attention to your own individual needs. I found my passion within the rebellious spirit of the rocket and have continued to dive deeply into expanding my knowledge & teaching to also specialise in mandala, nidra meditation & pranayama, facilitating deeper states of peace & heightened awareness.
www.ceciliaballan.com // Instagram: @chiwolf_
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Ashley Ahrens - Yoga Teacher
I’m a London based Senior Yoga Teacher (teaching over 10 years) with a background in sciences - I studied genetics in university and minored in psychology and anatomy. Now I am pursuing further education in nutrition in my quest to understand health and wellbeing holistically.
I am really excited for this retreat to gorgeous Sicily with Cecilia!! We've been planning this for a long time and now it's finally booked for September 2023!! Sicily is one of my most favourite places to visit, the island is incredibly beautiful, and the combination of history, delicious cuisine and natural beauty all in one place is a rare find.
I’ll be teaching you active Rocket, Sattva & Ashtanga yoga practices on the mornings that I’m teaching (along with breath work and meditation), and more gentle/relaxing yin and meditation on the evenings I will be teaching.
I’ll be teaching a nutrition workshop on this retreat - I am very excited to bring my new education to my yoga retreats now!
I love to chat about philosophy and the deeper parts of yoga - ask me anything while we’re together!! I’m a huge anatomy nerd too and love to talk about alignment and how to advance both your physical and spiritual practice.
Find me at: www.ashleyahrensyoga.com // Instagram: @ashleyahrens.yoga
Pricing
EARLY BIRD
£1725 Early Bird / £1825 Regular
we have a limited number...
We have a limited amount of Early Bird (EB) prices available, prices are per person based on double occupancy - book in now and save £100!
(EB expire January 14th 2024 - first come first served!)
Apartment with private bathroom - (double or twin beds)
Shared Twin Bedroom: You may come along with a friend or we will pair you up with another fabulous yogi!
Split your payment over a few months.
Example for £1725 EB shared room: £300 deposit + £178.13 per month over 8 months
To reserve your space we require a non refundable deposit of £300.
Note: All apartments have their own bathroom and kitchenette, they are fully functioning apartments. Some are studio and some are two bedroom (upstairs and downstairs) which have their own private entrances and terraces
Single occupancy prices are starting from £3000 and are very limited.
FAQs
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7 energising morning practices: Sattva, Rocket & Mandala
7 evening practices to unwind: First evening is a slow flow to unwind from your travels, followed by yin & yoga sleep (nidra) on subsequent nights
1 workshop covering anything yoga related - come with Qs - this is like a private session!!
Group trip to a local site
Group trip to a local winery, including guided tour + 4 glasses of wine and fresh bruschetta
Optional other group activities: beach, hiking, exploring the local town (as decided by the group majority)
7 nights accommodation in a private apartment with its own bathroom kitchenette & terrace
Towels & linens
All meals, tea/coffee at the Villas - brunch and dinner (alcoholic drinks are not included)
Use of the yoga shala when it’s not being used by the group
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Travel to Sicily - there are direct flights from Gatwick (3 hours 10mins , from around £95 return) - and a 1.5 hour ride from the airport (we will coordinate who can share the taxi together) - it’s super easy to get here!
Extra food, drinks and/or entertainment whilst out of the retreat centre - the retreat centre also has drinks for purchase at the centre (wine etc)
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Absolutely! You don't have to come with someone to have fun on a retreat! You may even prefer it because it gives you the opportunity to really get to know the other guests & us hosts and also have precious alone time. Our rooms are either double or twin beds so if you are coming alone we will pair you up with someone we'd think you'd get on with in a twin room (so far everyone has left with new yogi friends!!) If you are worried about sharing a room with someone, you can request single occupancy - please ask about rates and availability. For travel, usually most people end up on the same recommended flight so you’ll most likely meet each other before you arrive! About half our guests come with friends/partners and the other half come individually, you won’t be the only one don’t worry!
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Not at all. This is your time to do whatever it is your heart desires!! If that means skipping yoga and going for a walk, do that! Workshops and group outings are of course optional as well, and many guests do prefer to skip them to do their own thing, there’s no right or wrong here - we provide a schedule and you choose what you want to do - it’s your retreat.
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Yes but please ask as we have to double check with the retreat centre chef! When you book with us we ask you to fill out a registration form providing anything we need to know about, including dietary preferences/needs.
Our menu is 100% vegetarian, mostly plant based (for example, there will be some cheese and eggs at some meals and both dairy & plant milk). Our menu is created by a Sicilian chef so expect authentic local Italian cuisine, the best cuisine in the world!
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No. We are not providing any alcohol, but if you want to enjoy some - please feel free to bring, or you can buy some at the shops, which are a short walk from the villas. All villas have well equipped kitchens to store any extras you require. Some people will be drinking, some won’t, it’s a personal choice so please enjoy whatever you preference is!
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If we have to cancel or reschedule due to any Covid related lockdowns or anything else out of our control, you will have the option for a full refund (deposit included) or to transfer your booking to the new date (travel not included)
Full payment is required 60 days in advance of the retreat (June 30th 2024).
If you cannot attend due to self isolation or for any other reason with short notice (outlined in our contract), we cannot refund and therefore we advise you purchase travel insurance which covers cancellations due to self isolations etc. Please remember to take out comprehensive insurance to cover any unexpected circumstances. Should you need to cancel your space you are responsible for filling it in order to receive a refund, minus your deposit. Upon receiving the deposit you are automatically agreeing to the booking and cancellation terms of the retreat.
Please let us know if you have any questions and we are happy to answer!
Join us this upcoming September for an incredible retreat week dedicated to YOU.
This retreat sold out very quickly last year so please query soon to reserve your space and have first access to early bird prices!
The booking link takes you to an email - please email me at: cecilia@ceciliaballan.com to let me know that you’d like to book, or to clarify any questions you may have - and we can go from there!