Il Borghino Retreat Centre in Lucca, Tuscany
Literally meaning “small village”, Il Borghino offers a secluded setting in a hill top position with magnificent views overlooking forests, vineyards, olive groves and mountains in the distance. Located just 10 km from the charming medieval city of Lucca, Il Borghino offers an opportunity to truly relax and unwind in a unique location whilst experiencing the best that Tuscany has to offer.
The retreat centre has been designed to maintain the original character of the village while still being both comfortable and modern. Meticulously restored with energy efficiency and a concern for the environment in mind, it has been completely restored using natural materials such as wood, marble and terracotta. With 11 bedrooms and 10 bathrooms, our centre can accommodate both small and larger groups.
Il Borghino retreat centre is ideally located 15 minutes from Lucca, 35 minutes from Pisa, 1.5 hrs from Florence and 1.5 hrs from the breathtaking Cinque Terre region, making it the perfect base to explore Tuscany and Liguria.
Accommodation: Il Borghino comprises three separate houses and can accommodate up to 16 retreat participants plus two teachers. There are five twin bedrooms with private bathrooms, two twin bedrooms sharing one bathroom, two double rooms with private bathroom and two single rooms with private bathrooms. The rooms are large, simple and furnished tastefully in local Tuscan style, each with fabulous views from every window. There are fly screens on all windows and electric fans in every room. As the building is old, the walls are very thick which means the villa stays cool in the summer months.
Each house is fully self-contained and offers every facility to meet the needs and privacy of both yoga teachers and retreat guests. Tea and coffee making facilities are also available in each house for use by retreat guests outside meal times.
The large communal area, “L’Olivo “, is the hub of the retreat centre – a place for retreat guests to gather during the day, enjoy meals together, share experiences and of course, practice daily yoga.
There is a wood-fried pizza oven which we make use of during the retreat, and a gorgeous outdoor terrace with panoramic views for al fresco dining. Drinking water comes directly from a spring. There is also salt-water swimming pool with Jacuzzi that retreat guests can relax in whilst soaking up the views and a Turkish Sauna to help cleanse and detoxify during the week.
Yoga & Meditation Facilities: There are several indoor and outdoor spaces for practicing yoga – each with a unique atmosphere of peace and tranquillity for centering the mind and body. The indoor yoga room is located downstairs in the communal area with glass windows looking into the swimming pool. Constructed with wooden flooring, the yoga room can accommodate up to 16 participants plus 2 teacher(s) and is fully equipped with yoga mats, blankets, bolsters, belts and blocks. There are also several grassed terraces with views overlooking the hills and olive groves which can be used in the warmer months for sunrise & sunset sessions, where one can fully savour the serenity of the Tuscan countryside.
Meals: Our retreat menu is vegetarian and we have a wonderful local cook who prepares deliciously fresh dishes based on what is in season and the region’s specialities. As we are in Tuscany, we do indulge in local cheeses, pasta, breads, wines and other delights, so although our menu is not a strict cleanse, we do offer plenty of healthy choices with nuts, seeds, legumes, plenty of vegetables and salads, rice, amaranth, quinoa, buckwheat, fresh fruit and yogurt. We source our food from local producers and wherever possible, we use organic grains, fruit and vegetables. We also make our own fresh fruit and vegetable juices and cleansing herbal teas using fresh herbs from the garden. Organic wine, olive oil and honey is produced in the surrounding agricultural area near Il Borghino and is served during our retreats. Upon request, we can cater for gluten free and other special dietary requirements.
Optional in-house Massage + Healing Art Therapies: Massages and holistic treatments are available in-house during your retreat with our team of experienced therapists. We offer Body Massage, Reflexology, Reiki and Energy Healing – all of which will help participants relax, unwind, release tensions and improve well-being. Treatments can be booked upon arrival
See more events in this venue
Come experience a new authentic expression of who you are in a place where love and compassion grow. Retreats are powerful and nurturing opportunities that foster community and can help your individual practice blossom.
Join Jennifer Degen + Indy Ewald for this incredible week of grounding and deepening your yoga practice, relaxing your mind and recharging your spirit. Enjoy twice daily yoga with emphasis on deep relaxation, restorative yoga, Yin and different mindfulness meditation practices.
When you taste your first green energizer juice from our Tuscan kitchen and our deliciously prepared fresh produce ... you will feel closer to the earth and its bounty.
When you experience Indy's magical mindfulness shoulder sequence ...you will feel lighter.
When you take your first yoga and mindfulness retreat with Jayalila...you will experience transformational change and will want to return year after year.
Contact Information
: Siobhan Hughes
Jennifer Degan
I was given my meditation name 15 years ago by my meditation teacher Joni Zweig (Cirasmita). Jayalila Retreats was first born in 2011 with 11 women traveling to San Pancho, Mexico. The women inspired me to continue creating unique experiences, to explore beautiful places, and engage with different village communities.
Yogis/friends who chose to adventure with us help to inspire future retreats. In essence our students are our teachers.
We have learned that bringing together people who are inspired to take risks, meet new people, travel internationally, and like to do yoga and meditate tend to be primed to have an amazing retreat experience.
Being passionate about the mind/body connection and how it assists us in staying grounded in what is most precious to us, Yoga and Mindfulness Meditation Practice lead us to find clarity, calm, happiness and insight that other forms of personal exploration don't offer.
Retreats build community and connection for all who participate.
My favorite times of the day are always the morning quiet, or when walking or running in nature at the end of the day.
Coordinating retreats to Mexico, Costa Rica, Guatemala and Italy brings joy and creativity into my life work. See more photos and other events by this presenter
Indy Ewald
Her approach is to offer a yoga practice that is real and relevant to every day life.
She offers group, private, custom and corporate yoga and mindfulness training.
Indy’s training over the years is an eclectic mix of Hatha yoga styles, including a 200 hour teacher certification from Yoga Vermont, and from her experience of teaching thousands of classes.
A student of Shinzen Young and Basic Mindfulness, she incorporates meditation into all of her classes.
Indy collaborates with Jayalila Retreats, to lead yoga & mindfulness training on yoga retreats to unique and awe-inspiring locations.
She is also co-creatot of Acu-Yoga with Kerri Jenni, L.Ac, combining the principles of Chinese Medicine with yoga to enhance both healing modalities.
Indy has been teaching yoga in the Waterbury,VT area since 1999.
She is also a certified Work Site Health Promotion Specialist and has helped to design and implement stretching programs at Keurig Green Mountain and Hubbardton Forge.
She has also lead yoga and mindfulness classes in the corporate arena, high school, middle school, and other local groups. See more photos and other events by this presenter
-
Jennifer Degan
Coordinating retreats to Mexico, Costa Rica, Guatemala and Italy brings joy and creativity into my life work. -
Indy Ewald
Indy is the founder of IndyYoga and IndyYoga studio in Duxbury, VT. She is a student of yoga for over... Other events by this presenter
