Ashtanga Yoga Intensive in Sicily
October 5 - 12, 2024
Get ready for this one-off opportunity to immerse yourself in a unique yoga experience with Luke Jordan in the beautiful island of Sicily! - This won’t be your average retreat experience, but instead a deep dive into yoga’s ancient spiritual teachings and culture made fresh, fun and alive to inform and inspire our lives today.
The Location
Sicilian Spirit, Petralia Soprana, Sicily
This year’s retreat will take place in the magical island of Sicily. Sicilian Spirit is a beautiful XVII century farmhouse (Masseria) nestled in the heart of Madonie Natural Park just a few miles from Gangi (winner of the most beautiful village in Italy!) and about 40km from the enchanting fishermen village of Cefalù.
It is enclosed by 25 hectares of lush private park including a secluded oak wood, a small river, and a labyrinth garden dating back to the XVIII century. The masseria has been wonderfully restored respecting her ancient feudal structure, and to this day it is still producing extra virgin olive oil, wheat, vegetables and fruits, all organically certified and used for preparing delicious vegetarian meals for its guests.
Surrounded by silence and 650 meters above sea level, you will be able to walk for hours along the secret inner paths, explore the banks of the secluded river, or simply relax by the infinity pool. We will make sure to leave some free time to explore the island's rich history and culture as well. Our daily practice will take place indoors in the stunning 130 sqm old barn.
The Accommodation
There are 14 double rooms in which beds can be separated or joined together (or booked as private), all equipped with heating and air conditioning facilities, and elegantly furnished with antique or Sicilian style furniture. Spacious bathrooms are shared between every two rooms, however if you would rather have your own private space there are also a handful of rooms with their own.
There are plenty of spaces to lounge around both indoor and outdoors. Next to the yoga room are two ancient stables furnished with cushions, rugs and comfy sofas to welcome you between practices with herbal teas, juices, fruit and snacks. The living room is the perfect spot for after dinner chats and is equipped with Wi Fi, board games, books and magazines.
For those of you looking for a little extra pampering, Ayurvedic Abhyangam treatments can be arranged upon request. Sicilian Spirit’s house therapist Elisa is an Ayurveda scholar and practitioner who spent years between Nepal and India deepening her studies. Elisa cultivates and collects wild and powerful medicinal plants which she uses in her treatments.
Three daily vegetarian meals will tantalize your taste buds and will be served in the charming restaurant overlooking a panoramic terrace of almost 400 sqm. Sicily has always been a melting pot of culture, art and traditions and also the cradle of the most authentic Mediterranean cuisine which is largely based on the use of extraordinary vegetables that grow there. From oranges to lemons, to basil, mint, capers, wild fennel, saffron, tomatoes and artichokes, everything contributes to its unique flavours. As well as herbal teas prepared with the medicinal plants from our own garden and fresh fruit juices.
You will be able to enjoy long silent walks on kilometers of hiking trails among over 700 olive trees, wheat fields, an orchard, and an oak forest. There is also the XVIII century labyrinth garden and the banks of a small river where is possible to swim.
The Practice
This super exclusive, not-at-all-crowded retreat, is a unique opportunity to deepen your practice and understanding of yoga under the guidance of Luke Jordan, one of the world’s few Certified teachers in the Pattabhi Jois lineage of Ashtanga Yoga. In this intimate setting Luke will share his subtle and nuanced understanding of this traditional practice honed over 25 years of experience. He will individually guide and support you in the exploration of new facets and depths in the yoga practice that will provide a support for your own continued exploration when the week is over.
Get ready to be inspired and entertained as he guides you through the mystical world of asanas and beyond, diving deep into the ocean of yoga's history and philosophy. Be prepared to learn small talk in Sanskrit, chant Vedic mantras and have your mind blown by the unraveling of their profound meaning.
Luke is an enchanting storyteller and his sharing is honed and informed by countless years of study, deep self-exploration, a Masters degree in Indian Religion and myriad encounters with 'gurus' and teachers in the world of spirituality. Luke is passionate about making these teachings alive and relevant – in his own, irreverent way of course, because to take it all too seriously would be to miss the point. You will discover that, even though separated by millenia, the wisdom of the ancient yogis still speaks to us today with a fresh voice offering wisdom, guidance and direction.
The real magic of this week though will be our coming together – a bunch of unique souls meeting with intention in the spirit of yoga, creating a whole greater than the sum of its parts - a transformative crucible of community. Together we will give each other mutual support in this ongoing journey of self-discovery and re-discovery, while having a grand old time along the way.
So come join the fun where you'll find equal parts enlightenment, bewilderment, and possibly a newfound ability to stretch in a way you never thought you could.
Everyone and anyone is welcome to join this week-long intensive, from complete beginners to advanced practitioners.
