 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Santa Maria Del Sole is a perfect location for a week of Yoga, sun, natural beauty and relaxation. This is a peaceful, natural, almost holy place, ideally suited to developing spiritual practice. There is a lovely outdoor Yoga platform and indoor Yoga Hall. There will be two Hatha Yoga classes a day. Each individual will have the opportunity to practice at his/her own level making the week suitable for students of different abilities. Three meals are served daily (with one evening meal out at a local restaurant) and we have plenty of free time to relax, swim, read, sleep, have treatments or explore the local villages and countryside. The Property 
 Santa Maria Del Sole is a 15-hectare property situated on a small hillock in the heart of the Itria Valley in the ‘heel of Italy’s boot’. (Nearest international airport is Brindisi). The landscape is rural, largely flat and is dotted with beautiful olive trees and vineyards, divided by pretty dry-stone walls. The main building is a 16th century masseria (farmhouse) that has been elegantly restored in typical, old apulian style with many of the authentic features still in place. 
 This building is the centre of life at Santa Maria Del Sole and creates a wonderfully homely atmosphere that comes alive when people gather together at meals. The grounds contain lovely gardens, a wild forest, two fields of swaying wheat, a tiny church and many beautiful olive trees. There is plenty of space to walk and be free. 
 There is an outdoor sitting area and a small, cosy room near the back of the masseria in which to play music or write. The higher elevation of the property compared with it surrounds means that there is usually a nice breeze during warm, summer days as well as good views. Behind the property there is a beautiful swimming pool. Accommodation 
 All rooms are en suite with shower, toilet and basin. Each room is a different shape and unique is its own way. Furnishings and fabrics complement the building and create a calm and very comfortable environment. The masseria comfortably accommodates 10 students and close by there are another 5 rooms in the trulli houses. These small, white conical buildings are one of the most magical aspects of the Puglian landscape. Their roofs resemble the pieces of a chess set and have been constructed especially to remain cool in the summer whilst retaining heat in the winter. Trulli building is a traditional skill and no cement is used. Each limestone block is carefully placed! Rooms are allocated on a first come first served basis and are shared with one or two others. The Yoga Spaces 
 There is a beautiful Yoga Hall that has also been carefully renovated to provide a peaceful space for practice. It has a rounded roof with small stone arches on either side. There is also an outdoor yoga platform overlooking the rolling countryside. Activities and Excursions The area is rich in history and natural beauty. The Itria Valley is a treasure trove of ancient towns such as Martina Franca, Ostuni, Ceglie and Alberobello. It is very relaxing to wonder around the many cobbled streets, appreciating the architecture, sampling the excellent gelato (ice cream) and wondering in and out of shops hunting for souvenirs. (Olive oil, speciality pasta and ceramics are popular choices). All shops abide by the local custom of siesta and close their doors from 1 until 5.30pm. However, most stay open until around 8pm. 
 Martina Franca (10 minutes drive) is a must see for beautiful baroque architecture and atmospheric alleyways. It is a nice experience to walk around the historic centre. Ostuni (60 minutes drive) is known for its whitewashed buildings and winding lanes. A short walk can be done along the cobbled roads. The town is perched dramatically on a hilltop with wonderful views of the trulli landscape and the olive groves. Ceglie (30 minutes drive), a medieval town, which centres on a 14th century castle. 
 Alberobello (30 minutes drive) stands out for its amazingly high density of trulli houses. There are more than 1,000 here! So many white turrets makes for an extraordinary sight, UNESCO has even designated it a World Heritage Site. Puglia is often referred to as the ‘land of the two seas’ as it protrudes into both the Adriatic and the Ionian Seas. There will be time to visit the seaside during our week. The small, flat country roads make this an easy area for cycling. 10 bicycles are available for use from the property. For those who wish to be independent or to explore the area we strongly recommend renting a car at the airport. Food 
 Vegetarian meals are cooked to an excellent standard using local produce. You will also have a chance to sample some of the traditional recipes of Puglia. If you have any special dietary requirements please notify us at the time of booking and we will do our best to accommodate these. The Yoga The objective of Hatha Yoga is to transform the human body to make it a worthy vehicle for self realisation. We develop a feel for the body, releasing old habits and patterns, developing strength and confidence in our own reality. We explore Hatha Yoga in its context of the eightfold path outlined by Patanjali. 
 There will be two Yoga classes and one meditation session daily. Before breakfast, a half hour of pranayama and meditation opens the day. Morning classes are likely to be more dynamic and strengthening, clearing the nadis, allowing the free-flow of prana. Afternoon/evening sessions are likely to be shorter, naturally flowing toward pranayama and meditation. As well as Hatha Yoga, we explore Karma Yoga, Raja Yoga, Jnana Yoga and Bhakti Yoga – with at least one evening set aside for Kirtan (singing old melodies to focus our minds and hearts). The Teacher Together with his wife Laura, Finlay Hinde runs The Yoga Hall in St Albans, England. He is a very experienced and devoted teacher who has studied and taught for many years worldwide. His approach to Yoga is based on individual study, as well as with his teacher Faustomaria (Innergy Yoga), the Sivananda Vedanta Forest Academy and Georg Feurestein. He is able to give individual attention to students making the retreat suitable for all levels. Transportation and Transfers Santa Maria Del Sole is 40 minutes from Brindisi International Airport. It is possible to fly direct from London (Stansted) to Brindisi on Ryan Air (FR). The flight times are as follows: Saturday 30th August - FR4976 Departs London (Stansted) at 17:15 and arrives into Brindisi at 21:05. Saturday 6th September - FR4977 Departs Brindisi at 21:30 and arrives into London (Stansted) at 23:35. If you would rather travel from London (Heathrow) it is also possible to fly via Rome to Brindisi on Alitalia or British Airways. Bari International Airport is also just 1 hour from Santa Maria Del Sole. The staff at Santa Maria Del Sole are able to pick you up from your arrival point. Please call Lou on 07899 076418 for more information and advice on your travel plans. Massage and Treatments  There will be a range of deeply therapeutic massages available. What is included Airport pick-ups (from Brindisi only) meals (except on one evening when we go out to a restaurant) all Yoga classes Yoga mats, blankets, belts and cushions linens and bath towels What is not included Flights to Italy massage and other treatments excursions What to bring Light loose clothing for Yoga Swimming costume and towel the swimming pool and the sea. Walking shoes Prices 750Euro each for 3 sharing. 850Euro each for 2 sharing. 1380Euro for single accommodation. For less than £10.00 co2balance will offset 0.73 tonnes of CO2 arising from this short-haul flight through UK-based forestry, Energy Efficency in Kenya or the EUA and CER schemes. Booking To confirm booking please contact us. If we have a place available we will ask you to remit a deposit of 260Euro. The remainder of the cost of the holiday is due on the 16th of August. Refunds for cancellations are at our discretion and cannot be made if a cancellation is made less than 5 weeks before the holiday. For further information contact Finlay on +44 (0)7958 927946 or by email For more information about Santa Maria De Sole see the website www.santamariadelsole.it/ Pictures and testemonials Summer Hatha Yoga Retreat at In Sabina, Italy, August 2007 with Laura and Finlay. "Thank you so very much for a beautiful week's retreat. I enjoyed all aspects from the programme; teaching, accommodation, food and other students. I've made some wonderful new friends and furthered my practice!" D.R. "... a big thank you for a professional, thoughtful and inspirational retreat, J and I thoroughly enjoyed it and we learned a lot." A.H. "... thank you for last week. I had a wonderful time and wish I was still there. ...many many thanks for a fantastic experience." J.B. 
 Pictures and testemonials from August 2006. "Thank you for a wonderful week of Yoga; you taught with true devotion, inspiration and humour and I especially appreciated your integral approach." C.N. "Thank you both for a wonderful week in Italy. It far surpassed my expectations in every respect and was just what I needed to re-charge the old batteries." S.RG. 
 Om Shanti Shanti Shanti Om |