Transform to Bliss Yoga
& Meditation Retreat
Tuscany - Italy
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21st - 26th June 2020
The Transform to Bliss
Retreat
ANDALUCIA
SPAIN
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17nd - 22nd September
2018
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THE TUSCAN TRANSFORMATIONAL YOGA RETREAT
21st - 26th June 2020
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PAUSED UNTIL 2021 - JOIN US THEN?
Almost Full!
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Join the Transform to Bliss team next June & experience the transformative yogic practice of Transformational Integral Yoga & Meditation on a 6 day replenishing Solstice retreat in beautiful Tuscany.
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Starting the weekend of the Summer Solstice AND International Yoga Day AND a New Moon, so amazing energy!
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Immerse yourself in the energy of Transformational Yoga with Joanne Merlini (Grand Master & Indian trained)
A beautiful blend of Classic Asana, Pranayama, Mantra & Meditation on this special Summer Solstice & New Moon Retreat.
Our retreat includes -
2 Transformational Integral Yoga Classes daily - Evening Meditations/Yoga Nidra/Pranayama - Chakra Balancing
This is an integral Yoga system to release physical tension, negative emotions, mental chatter
& make space for clarity, calm & increased energy.
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Your Retreat Also Includes –
Airport Transfers from Pisa
Yummy home cooked, locally sourced vegetarian meals (other than excursion days) & Unlimited Tea, Coffee & Fruit
Private Pool, relaxing gardens areas & outdoor Yoga Terrace
Forest Yoga class in a Natural Park
A Day in beautiful Lucca
Gorge or Countryside walks
Pasta making workshop
Stand Up Paddle Board Yoga in a natural river (optional with additional payment )
Situated on the outskirts of beautiful Bagni de Lucca - a spa town, so treatments possible.
& Plenty of time to relax, have fun & restore!
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Investment starts from £795 with discounts available for booking early & coming with a friend!
7 or 9 spaces available (couples dependent)
£100 non-refundable deposit reserves your space.
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Please read our T&C's before booking.
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Contact me to express your interest (2 spaces now available)
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On this retreat we'll be going deeper into Transformational Yoga & exploring ways to
connect with our dormant energy.
To allow us to be our best selves, to feel calm & present, to stop the chattering mind, release blockages in our
bodies, emotions, minds & hearts, connect with our hearts & inner guidance & to hopefully
touch that place of bliss.
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Encouraged by a beautiful setting, fuelled by yummy home-cooked varied food & supported every step of the way, this is going to be the most beautiful Transformational Yoga Retreat..
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Our Location
Our retreat is set in a beautiful Tuscan Farmhouse within 2.5 acres of Olive trees, gardens, patios.
There are 360 degree views of the surrounding Tuscan countryside & on the edge of the pretty spa town of Bagni de Lucca.
The 200 year old farmhouse is full of Tuscan rustic charm with an outside Yoga terrace providing breathtaking views!
We are within easy reach of Lucca & Florence (train options make this an easy option for a trip out).
With a private pool, grounds to wander & hammocks to laze in & soak up the Tuscan sun, this is a perfect tranquil retreat space.
Yoga will take place in an outdoor Yoga space with views of the surrounding area & a variety of spaces
will be used for our meditations & workshops –
There is also the opportunity for forest platform Yoga session in a national park & Stand Up Paddle Board Yoga in a local gorge (additional payment)
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Morning sessions will be a more dynamic practice of Transformational Yoga & take place before Breakfast.
Approx. 1.5 – 2hrs
Approx. 08:30am (subject to student preference)
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Afternoon sessions will be more calming & restorative.
We will explore Yin Yoga, Restorative, Chakra sequences, Pranayama, Mantra & Meditation.
Approx. 1.15 – 1.30hrs
Approx. 17:30 (subject to student preference)
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There will be various meditations.
Sometimes evening before bed, other times walking meditations, tratak (candle gazing), Yoga Nidra.
I may also throw in the occasional partner work, vipassana (silent space), dancing, card readings, essential oil pranayama,
pool savasana – Prepare for the unexpected!
There will be one afternoon off from Yoga to allow for an optional long excursion.
All Classes are optional.
Do as little or as much Yoga as feels right.
This is your retreat, so class times as meal times can be adapted to suit you (we will go with the majority).
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There will also be the opportunity to explore the beautiful surrounding area.
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Options Include –
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An afternoon in Lucca - a beautiful Tuscan town where we could even hire bikes to explore
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Gorge walking & natural parks
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A pasta making workshop
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Stand Up Paddle Board Yoga in a gorge (additional payment needed)
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A trip to a natural park for a forest bathing Yoga/Meditation session
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Visit a Thermal Spa for treatments
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Local Italian market
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Food –
The food is healthy, vegetarian, delicious & home cooked by Marco, Joanne's husband & the other half of 'Transform to Bliss'
Being half Italian, good food is in his genes.
His food is a highlight for many on our retreats & we are often asked for recipes.
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Read this review -
''Great food! So tasty, can Marco send a retreat recipe book?'
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This is Marco, a fellow Yogi, great cook, driver, photographer & all round cheerleader of our retreat!
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When possible Marco will use fresh, local produce & meals will be healthy & varied.
We offer a vegetarian retreat (although you are free to choose whatever feels right for you when eating out of our retreat).
All diets & any allergies will be catered for (Joanne is Gluten intolerant, so most meals will be GF).
Expect themes such as an Italian evening or an Indian night and Goodness bowls, always balanced.
Self-service breakfast, a served lunch & a yummy well earned evening dinner will be served to fit around our classes as well as energy balls to energise you through the day (Spirulina & Cacao based!)
Fruit, Tea & Coffee will always be available to help yourself.
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One evening dinner will be eaten out (not included) – usually on an excursion day & we may enjoy a lunch out of the retreat also.
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Location –
The farm house retreat is in a beautiful location on the hilltops near Bagni de Lucca.
More than anything, Bagni de Lucca is known for its thermal baths & springs.
The waters of these springs have been used since ancient times for treating various illnesses & are known for their healing properties.
Our beautiful farm house retreat boasts 360 degree views of the surrounding area & is situated
within an hour of Pisa airport.
We would suggest you arrive on the 21st by 4pm for an evening welcome & grounding class. with departure on the 26th after lunch so we can enjoy an early morning class before we depart.
I appreciate flights may dictate this, so this is just a guideline.
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Style of Yoga -
On our retreat we will be exploring & going deeper with Transformational Integral Yoga.
A 3 level technique that encourages a release of stuck energy within the body, mind & emotions, invites us to access our dormant energy & then allows us to connect with our best selves, hopefully touching that feeling of bliss!
It integrates the mind, body & spirit with the use of Classical Asana's & Hatha Yoga, Pranayama, Meditation & Mantra.
Joanne first connected with this style in Athens after exploring Hatha Yoga & Kundalini Yoga . Having made a connection with both, but feeling like they needn't be separate disciplines, Joanne found this beautiful style that melts Hatha, Kundalini, Raja & Prana Yoga together & recognised this was what was missing from her practice.
Going on to further training in Tamil Nadu, India, Joanne met her teacher Sri Swami Vidyanand who guided her in first Master training & then Grand Master to bring this beautiful practice back to Europe & onto her 'Transform To Bliss' Retreats.
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What's Included? -
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2 Long Yoga or Meditation Classes Daily with stunning views (Mon-Thurs) & 1 class/day Sun & Fri
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An early morning Sun Salutation Sunrise Session (optional)
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Chakra Balancing Class​
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An evening Yoga Nidra (conscious relaxation)
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Introduction & Departure get together/ celebration
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Yummy home cooked meals (vegetarian)
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Tea, Coffee & Fruit available all day
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Exclusive & Stunning location
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Private Swimming Pool & plenty of places for relaxation & down time
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Wi-fi
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Towels & bedding
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Fun, positivity, memories & always lots of love!
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Optional -
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Airport transits can be arranged (2 time options so may require waiting dependent on flight schedules)
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Optional excursions to explore the area (see options above)
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What's not included -
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Flights
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Travel & Health Insurance
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Any visa's required
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The Room Options, The Investment & How Do I Book? -
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There are various room options in our wonderful retreat space -
(This includes accomodation, all yoga & meditations, breakfast, lunch & dinner - except excursions days, snacks,
unlimited tea & coffee,)
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​Investments each -
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Room 1 : £825 - Shared Twin Room - FULL
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Room 2 : £895 - Shared Double Room (Couples room) - FULL
OR
£1250 - Double Room (Private) - FULL
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Room 3 : £895 - Shared Twin En-suite - FULL
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Room 4 : £895 - Shared Twin En-suite (1 Double & 1 Single Bed)
OR
£1250 - Double Room En-suite (Private)
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Discount..
-£30 Discount if you come with a friend/partner/yoga buddy.
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£100 non-refundable deposit secures your space.
Payment by bacs transfer.
£100 Deposit by Bank Transfer to -
Joanne Merlini
Sort Code - 40 40 22
Account Number - 11417290
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Payment can be made in 3 following instalments
Please talk to me is this is difficult - I am flexible!
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This is purposefully a small retreat to allow us to really connect & go deeper in our practice & together.
There will be a maximum of 7 or 9 (couples dependent)
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Need more convincing to treat yourself?
Read some of what the 2018 Retreaters said at the end of our Andalucian Sept 18 Retreat -
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'So much more than a Yoga Retreat. Everything was so carefully thought out from
adventure to meditation - A joy!'
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'100+ - A beautiful retreat, very relaxing. Leaving feeling refreshed.
Great new friends made & enjoyed many new experiences.
Thank you - life changing in fact'
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To see more of last years Andalucian retreat, pop over to the 'Past Retreats' page​
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Would you like to join this beautiful week of 'You time'?
Contact me to reserve your space or with any questions -
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+44(0)7855 277159
Facebook - joannemerliniyoga - Instagram - transformtoblissyoga​​
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Much love & Namaste
Jo x