This retreat will be a week-long celebration of art and the art of living, Tuscany-style! Open to all women regardless of previous art or yoga experience.
 
Come stay in a magnificent, historic villa-estate in the heart of the most magical area of Tuscany, and we will teach you to paint outdoors in the landscape and the hill-towns surrounding us. You will have a feast of subjects to spark your creativity!

Revitalize your body and soothe your soul with heart-opening yoga. Explore Medieval villages and Renaissance masterpieces, experience Gregorian chant in an ancient abbey, delight in luscious Tuscan food and wine, take part in a spirited cooking class and indulge all of your senses. Join us in this captivating land where art is a way of life-- and life is a work of art. Return with re-kindled vitality, a bundle of paintings, new insight into your heart's desire and an experience to treasure.

Hands-on Art-making
Painting can be a profound experience that engages all of our senses, our minds, and our spirits. We begin to see the world as never before, and our paintings give evidence of that new vision. Guidance will be keyed to your experience level, whether first-time beginner wishing to uncover your hidden creative side, or seasoned artist hungry for the time, space, and inspiration this retreat affords, in a setting of unrivaled beauty and fascination.
 
Artful Yoga
A one-hour yoga practice will be offered each morning, including breathwork (pranayama) and meditation in our active asana practice, sequenced to cultivate strength, balance, the conscious breath, and joy in movement. Refined alignment instruction invites your body to open safely, working with your body's innate intelligence to create greater vitality, energy-flow, and to ignite your creative spark! Our morning yoga is designed to awaken your inner-listening and intuitive guidance, connecting you to your natural state-- which is joyful, free, and creatively courageous! A perfect way to start the day of painting.
 
There will be free-time for walking/running the trails around our estate, or relaxing poolside. In addition to hands-on art-making, we will also be exploring the bounteous art-treasures of Siena, the frescoes of the Abbey of Monte Oliveto Maggiore, the Renaissance masterpieces of Pienza, and more, with knowledgeable guides illuminating the works.
 
Art of La Dolce Vita
Naturally, we will also be celebrating the art of living, following local custom.. Slow down, taste, savor, sip, and indulge. We will partake of one of the most luscious culinary traditions in the world, and learn traditional recipes in a deluxe cooking class at the villa, and explore the bountiful food markets in Montepulciano.
 
Come for joyful art-making and yoga, for beauty, for the magical landscape, for the unequalled atmosphere of Tuscany. And return with a map of your own imagination, a bundle of paintings, new insight into your heart’s desire, and an experience to treasure!
 
Space is limited at this retreat to 7 participants in order to offer the finest, personalized instruction.

What’s Included

• Daily expert instruction in painting, sketching and journaling
• Daily morning yoga
• Art and architecture history, brought to life, everywhere we go
• An expertly-guided tour of the magnificent town of Siena
• A soak in the ancient Roman spa pool of Bagno Vignoni
• A deluxe private cooking class featuring local specialties
• 7 nights accommodation i n a luxurious, historic villa-estate (see "Frequently Asked Questions" for more details regarding accommodations and transportation).
• All gourmet dinners, 3 lunches and sumptuous daily breakfasts.
  
  * Price does not include airfare.
  

"Thank you for your beautiful yoga sessions each morning and for being true to yourself. I'm inspired by you! Your encouragement to "write that down!" when I was feeling all of the magnificent energy around me in Italy made an impact on me, and when I came home I was able to identify positive and negative energy in places. And I've already taken steps to realizing my dream job." ~2011 Quester