Yogicarts

AWAKENING LOVE WARRIORS

Teaching in a natural retreat environment is truly the optimum setting to transmit the original purpose of the yogic and ancient movement arts, which is to awaken the innate loving energy that transforms and heals each of us from within, and also together our energy becomes most powerful and therapeutic. At Locanda Del Gallo Retreat in Umbria, Italy, outside of Perugia, situated on a mountain that is charged as a power spot on earth, and the location also affords a stunning, if not mesmerizing panoramic 360 degree view of sweeping valleys, dense sporadic forests, and layers of mist strewn mountain ranges into the horizon. There is special relationship that transpires when a group of people spends several days together in such a place as this. Co-teaching this annual highlight with the intuitive and masterful Dr. Elena Voyce, based out of London, yet also the perfect host, being the native pure Italian woman and gracious master that she is (www.teachyoga.com) alternating a complimentary schedule of a morning power flow practice and an afternoon technical core exploration; generally completing the day with partner Thai Massage Therapy, which always awakens the appetite for the evening organic feast and regional juice and wine cellar delights. After all, Umbria is not only the new Tuscany, but also a fine producer of some of the best wines and dishes on earth.

BUILDING UNITY THROUGH COMMUNITY

Making the short trek up the flower scented cliff-side trail from the glass walled expansive wood floored studio at the top of the cliff, adjacent to the retreat grounds, is for some reason my favorite part of the day there. Perhaps it’s the quietude and the view of the opposite side of the valley, where ancient homes rest in the energy that is at once tangible, grounding and all together uplifting. After a few timeless minutes of that we emerge at the open property around the 12th century villa and back side open air lounge area built upon old bricks and situated around the hearth of the bustling modern kitchen, where all of the magic happens, which is either created by Jimmy, the resident Sri Lankan super chummy master chef, or Mama Paola herself, co-owner, with her enchanting life partner, Erish, who maintain the gardens and grounds. Here we congregate for a belini; our traditional concoction of regional proseco (champagne) + local apricot juice, before migrating to the majestic simplicity of the old cottage come dining hall; complete with fine linen table clothes, which match the blossoming fragrant flowers that are signature of this area, that cover the two long wooden tables that seats ten of us each at a stretch. The water and wine crystal that occupy much of the surface area, in a certain light, appear to be an ensemble of glass bell orchestra instrumentation. It is not uncommon for our groups to make a trip to the nearby Tuscany Prada outlets, and return to dude up in our finest bargains from the factory, and share taste tests of the finest fines from the cellar and talk of the magical moments we experienced in the practice, at the built-in hamam (sauna), and around the pure saline pool and surrounding privacy of the mountain. This is the true yogic meaning of the term Satsang; to be in the company of greatness.