Ashtanga Yoga & Tuscan Slow Living Retreat in Medieval Lajatico

The retreat takes place in Lajatico, a small medieval hilltop village in the heart of Tuscany, about 40 minutes from Pisa. You stay in a 12th-century building that has been carefully renovated into independent apartments, blending ancient stone walls with modern comforts like air conditioning and well-equipped kitchens. The 'yoga shala' is not a purpose-built studio but a private chapel, its walls covered with frescoes painted some 200 years ago—a space that genuinely changes the feeling of a morning practice.

Alice starts each day with a 90-minute Ashtanga Vinyasa class in the chapel. She teaches in a gradual, accessible way, placing real emphasis on breath and alignment, so beginners can build confidence without feeling left behind. Several guests, including one reviewer who came as a total beginner, noted that they were able to do a proper shoulder stand by the end of the week—it's that kind of teaching. Optional add-ons include pranayama (breathing) sessions, Yin Yoga, and trips to the thermal spa at Casciana Terme, where you can book mud treatments or massages.

Afternoons are largely unstructured. You might walk the ancient trails into the countryside, take a short drive to Volterra, or simply do nothing at all. The village is tiny and walkable, with a few family-run trattorias that serve honest, local food. On two of the four days, a lunch is included at a local trattoria—a sit-down, communal meal with dishes like ribollita or pappa al pomodoro. Dinners are on your own, which gives you the freedom to discover Lajatico's own restaurant scene or try somewhere the village recommends.

What makes this retreat stand out is the combination of place and person. Practicing in a frescoed chapel in a medieval village is not something you can replicate in a hotel studio, and Alice's teaching—rooted in years spent in Mysore and enriched by her background as a biologist and nutritionist—keeps the practice grounded and practical. It's a small, intimate retreat (up to 10 people), so you never feel like part of a crowd.

What's included

- 3 nights accommodation in a historic Tuscan apartment - Daily Italian breakfast - 2 farm-to-table Tuscan lunches at local trattorias - Daily 90-minute Ashtanga yoga classes in a frescoed chapel - Welcome drink - Free wifi and parking - Luggage storage - Herbal teas and water during tea breaks - Use of yoga mats and props

What's not included

- Flights and airport transfers - Travel insurance and visa fees - Dinners (except where noted) - Option al Yin Yoga and Pranayama classes - Spa treatments and thermal bath visits - Additional activities not listed in the itinerary - Train station transfers