Come spend a rejuvenating week with Gabby Yates on the enchanting Italian island of Ischia, practicing yoga morning and evening, while watching the sun rise and set over the Mediterranean sea from the Villa of Casa Lora.
Yoga
Your twice-a-day yoga practice will be a challenging and deep exploration of alignment and awareness to imbue life with more clarity and ease. The evening restorative practice will be like a sweet balm for your spirit, encouraging you to surrender to the beauty of the island and rhythm of the sea. You can expect postures appropriate for your level of yoga. Please bring a yoga mat, block and strap. Blankets will be provided.
Meals
All meals will be vegetarian and they will be lovingly prepared by Marco Ambon and eaten on the terrace overlooking the sea. Inspired by his parent’s Neapolitan kitchen, Marco blends the ancient culinary traditions of southern Italy with the freshness of California cuisine. A light breakfast will be served before morning yoga practice that will be an offering of granola, fruit, yogurt, toast, nut butters tea/coffee, and juice.
Brunch will be the biggest meal of the day and, depending on what is ripe in the local garden; you might dine on stuffed squash blossoms with ricotta and zucchini, penne pasta with cherry tomatoes and roasted eggplant or a frittata with artichokes. After evening practice, dinner on the terrace might offer pasta or soup and salad that could include roasted vegetables or mozzarella. Gluten free options will be available. Snacks and fruit will be available all day. One evening will be free for guests to eat in town.
Accommodation
Casa Lora is an enchanting antique country villa turned B&B, situated on the coveted western side of the island perched high above the sea. It exudes rustic Mediterranean charm with family antiques and heirlooms in each room. The villa has been in the same family for generations and this warmth and care is palpable as you walk around the gardens. Four of the rooms boast a spectacular view of the sea and ancient volcano. The other rooms open onto the garden and all you have to do is walk out of your door to take in the sea. All rooms have a private bathroom.
During the day explore the exploding beauty of the beach or garden terraced thermal baths (hot springs) that the island is famous for, many just a 15 minute walk from Casa Lora. Or, spend your day at Casa Lora swimming in the pool overlooking the sea, reading on a hammock among the olive trees, or having a sauna in the natural volcanic rock sauna.
Location & Travel
Casa Lora is located on the western side of the Island near Forio. Ischia is a short ferry (90 min) or hydrofoil (45 min) ride from Naples to the port of Ishcia Porto (most frequent stops) or Forio (closer to Casa Lora). Nearest major airports include Capodochino (NAP Naples) and Leonardo di Vinci (ROM, Fumichino, Rome,). Once you register and reserve your place you will receive more travel details.
Daily Schedule
(depending on what time the sun is rising and setting)
7:30 am – Light Breakfast
8:30 am – Morning Yoga Practice
12:00 am – Brunch
6:00 pm – Restorative Evening Yoga Practice
7:30 pm – Dinner
*fruit and light snacks will be available throughout the day
Pricing & Room Choices
Jasmine Double – $1,595
Pepe Double – $1,595
Bamboo – $1, 800
India – $1, 800
Solandra Suite Double – $1, 895
Lavander Double – $1,695
Glicine Suite – Triple $1,195/Double $2,000
Garibaldi Suite – Triple $1,195/Double $1, 895
Limone – Triple $995/Double $1, 595
Melograno Double – $1,595
Camping available – Inquire at Backtothebody@gmail.com
* Pricing includes:
-Casa Lora accommodation (8 days/7 nights)
-Yoga twice a day
-All vegetarian meals
-Use of the villa, pool, gardens and sauna
-Transportation to and from the port of Forio
-Price does not include flights or transfers to the island
-Payment plans are available
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Gabby Yates
Gabby began practicing yoga in 1993 and teaching yoga in 2000 after being encouraged by her teacher to sub for her and then formally completing a teacher training. By the time this retreat takes place she will be a 500 hour Yoga Alliance certified Yoga Instructor having completed her 300 hours with Noah Maze. She holds a master’s degree in Conflict Transformation and previous to moving to San Francisco and becoming a mother she worked in the post-conflict field in Kosovo and Afghanistan as a dialogue consultant, partnering with UNHCR and facilitating conflict resolution workshops that integrated yoga as a healing tool. She often spent her R&R time on the island of Ischia soaking in the healing thermal waters and the sea with her husband, Marco Ambron.
Before their daughter Camilla was born they hosted the first annual yoga retreat at Casa Lora which was a great success and they are delighted to continue this tradition. Gabby teaches at both the Yoga Garden and the Yoga Tree in San Francisco. Â She is known for her warm and precise teaching style and for bringing global consciousness to her classes.
Marco Ambron
Chef
Marco is a San Francisco transplant from Naples, Italy. Previous to his daughter Camilla’s birth, he worked as a personal chef in San Francisco. Once Camilla joined the family, he decided to return to his former life as an attorney and now practices immigration law. His culinary talents continue to delight his family.
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