A Jivamukti Yoga Retreat in Tuscany
Earth As Altar
September 23-29, 2025
6 nights, 7 days
Jump to: Yoga, The Place, The People, The Food, Accommodations & Pricing, Sample Daily Schedule, Practical Info, and Join Me!
A retreat that promises a deep immersion into yoga and other wellness practices.
Celebrate a week of calm and self-care.
Lay down your worries, doubts, and concerns on the altar of the earth.
Experience the autumn beauty of Tuscany, in the province of Siena, at a 12th-century agricultural estate.
Surround yourself with hillsides of olive trees, vineyards, and Mediterranean cypress trees, all under the legendary Tuscan sun.
Access your deepest wisdom, find clarity, elevate your mind, remember your ancient roots, recover modern ways to your best life, refine your life purpose, embody beauty and love, and experience limitless potential.
Yoga
With fierce devotion to the practice and teaching of yoga, Mary brings a grounding presence to her classes. Her teaching is rooted in the 5 tenets of Jivamukti Yoga… Ahimsa (the practice of living a non-violent and compassionate lifestyle, Bhakti (devotion), Dhyana (meditation), Nada (developing a sound mind and body through deep listening), and Shastra (studying ancient yogic teachings).
Each class blends contemporary yoga practices with ancient wisdom and aims to relate the rhythem of the seasons with the circumstances of the day. Her classes are also informed by the teachings of Chinese Medicine, as well as her studies in anatomy and physiology.
Each full day will include a 45 minute early morning meditation accompanied by chanting and light movement. After breakfast, there will be a 2.5 hour Jivamukti Yoga class. This time includes asana, journaling, asking questions and sharing insights.
Some days we will have a late afternoon class that will include health related techniques from other traditions.
The Place
The Spannocchia estate is a historic agricultural estate dating back to the 12th century, and comprises 1100 acres within the Alto Merse Reserve. It is ideally located near Siena and Florence, but removed from the press of tourists.
You will feel transported to another time and space, surrounded by a landscape that invokes dreaminess, mystery and awe.
At Spannocchia, the simple things are tended to with care, such as beautiful flower bouquets sprinkled throughout the buildings, in nooks and crannies, always adorning the dining tables, and always reminding us of the earth’s beauty.
The commitment to the earth is apparent in Spannocchia’s application of sustainable practices in their well-kept vineyards, their groves of olive trees, and their organic vegetable gardens.
Not only does this landscape of olive trees and vinyards tell a story of caring and patience, but the surrounding forest beckons the imagination back to a time of giant chestnuts, quiet monasteries and pilgrimmage roads leading to Rome.
The buildings, the lodging, the castle, and the Italian farmhouse furnishings of Spanncchia also expand your imagination, and many special spots invite quiet reflection and rest. The gardens, a library, a small chapel, reading nooks, outside patios and hiking trails are there for your enjoyment.
Photo Credit: Cathy Skinner
The People
The staff of Spannocchia are dedicated to the warmest hospitality, as only it can be in Italy.
They are a community of people of all ages working together, embodying generosity of spirit.
The clarity of vision that guides their work is an example of living as if earth is an altar. To know them is to love them.
From your first arrival, the reception staff is there to welcome you and support you throughout your stay with regular business hours.
The hospitality staff offers daily room refreshing.
The dedicated kitchen staff work with care preparing and serving the meals, using food that is grown in the Spannocchia gardens.
The Food
Traditional, authentic Italian cuisine is served at Spannocchia.
There is always a feeling of graciousness that surrounds the kitchen as they prepare our fresh, organic and plentiful meals, served with a smile.
Top it off with an incredible dining experience on the outside terrace, surrounded by cypress trees and Tuscan urns filled with herbs and flowers.
If the weather isn’t conducive to outdoor dining, we will eat inside the cantina room, maybe with the glow of the corner fireplace.
Accommodations & Pricing
To hold your spot, you must make a non-refundable $300 deposit. The price per person includes the deposit. For early bird pricing, half of tuition is due by February 15th.
Room Choices
Fattoria Single (limited rooms available)
Earlybird: $2,110.00
After February 15th: $2,310.00
Fattoria Double (limited rooms available)
Earlybird: $1920.00
After February 15th: $2,120.00
Villa Single
Earlybird: $2,210.00
After February 15th: $2,410.00
Villa Double
Earlybird: $1,980.00
After February 15th: $2,180.00
Optional Add-On
The four-hour cooking class is the most loved extra activity. Learn how to master a gourmet 4-course meal, complete with recipes. Meal to be shared at the end of class in a charming private dining area. Cost: $150.00
Payment Schedule
As soon as you know you want to join the retreat, a $300 nonrefundable deposit is due to hold your spot. Rooms will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
December 15th or before: Pay in full for an additional $100 discount off early bird pricing.
February 15th or before: Early bird pricing, half of total tuition due.
February 16th-April 1st: Regular pricing, half of total tuition due.
June 1: Full balance of tuition due.
After June 1st: Full tuition is due upon registration.
Payment Methods
Venmo: @Mary-Brown-576
Zelle: Skyline National Bank, Floyd VA
Personal check: Yoga with Mary Brown LLC
Snail mail address:
Mary Brown
8487 Autumn Drive NE
Copper Hill, VA 24079
Cancellations and Refund Policy
$300 deposit, non-refundable.
No refunds for tuition after June 15th
Included in Tuition
Transportation from Florence SMN train station to Spannocchia on arrival day.
Transportation from Spannocchia to Florence SMN train station on departure day.
Transportation to and from Siena for a full-day field trip.
Transportation to and from Siena for a 1/2 day trip.
All yoga classes
Lodging for 6 nights
3 meals per day
Wine included with dinner
Daily apertivo hour on the terrace preceding dinner
Olive oil tasting
Guided tour of the Spannochia grounds to learn about its history.
Siena Full Day Trip w/scheduled activities.
Guided two-hour tour of Siena with a knowledgeable guide. (If the weather doesn’t cooperate, this will not happen.)
Leisurely lunch at a local restaurant
Ticket to Siena Cathedral, including a guided tour of the Gates of Heaven. (This pass is good for three days and can be utilized again on our half-day trip.)
Siena 1/2 Day trip, an afternoon to explore Siena on your own.
A time to go back to places you may have noted on our full-day trip but to enjoy at your own pace. This will not be a guided tour. It’s a few short hours on your own in a medieval magical city; you will want to research places to see and things to do so you can be informed and make the best use of your time. We will have time to discuss options ahead of time.
Not included
Airfare
Transportation for side trips is part of your own planning. Reception can help arrange a taxi service.
Extra wine or goods purchased from Spannocchia gift shop
Transportation expenses should you be late in meeting the group and miss the group transportation from Florence to Spannocchia. (More info on that in Practical Information)
Guided tour of Siena on 1/2 day trip
Cooking class (cost to add: $150.00)
Sample Daily Schedule
6:30-7:15 early morning meditation
7:00 light snack and coffee
8:00-9:30 breakfast
10:00-12:30 asana
1:00-2:30 lunch
2:30-5:30 free time
5:30-7:00 Yoga and other health-related practices
7:00 apertivo on terrace
7:30 dinner
* On field days to Siena and days w/ extra activities, the schedule will vary.
Subject to minor changes
All yoga and activities are optional.
Practical Information
Florence meet up time on arrival day : 12:30 pm September 23 SMN train station
Florence return time on departure day : 11:00 am September 29 SMN train station
Where to meet at Florence SMN train station:
In the station, as you stand in the main arrival/departure hall and face the train platforms, the platforms are numbered 1 through 19 starting on the left. 1 & 2 and 17, 18, 19 are set back. Restrooms are on the far left, near platform 1. To the far right, at the opposite end, is a pharmacy (farmacia) which will be marked with a green cross. I will be waiting for you with a sign that says “Yoga” at the Farmacia.
Late arrivals
If you miss the pick-up in Florence due to travel delays, this is the quickest and most affordable way to get to Spannochia. At Santa Maria Novella train station, purchase a train ticket at the kiosk or window from Florence to Siena. Trains to Siena run frequently and it is a1.5 hour trip. When you arrive at the Siena train station, there will be a taxi stand in front of the station. Arrange a taxi, and tell the driver that you need to go to “Tenuta di Spannoccia”. (Spannocchia, 167, 53012 Chiusdino SI, Italy) This trip will cost around 60 euro. Let us know, via WhattsApp, your status and we will await you at Spannoccia.
Document Security
Very important to have photos or hard copy print outs of your important papers such as passport, drivers license, credit cards you may be bringing. It will save a lot of trouble in case of loss or theft.
Covid Protocol
Please test a day before you get on the plane. Please bring to Spannocchia 2 Covid test kits. We will all test upon arrival at Spannocchia and again 3 days into retreat.
You should have WhatsApp on your phone, with my number in your WhatsApp contact list. I will send my Italian phone number once I arrive in Italy. You will need internet connection to send messages. Familiarize with WhatsApp here: https://www.whatsapp.com/
Things to Bring
Yoga Mat
I suggest having a travel yoga mat. These are lighter and easier to stow in luggage than a regulat yoga mat. Google “travel yoga mat” and you will have choices. Spannocchia has 2-3 extra but dont ’t depend on that. There will be plenty of blankets and yoga blocks for our use.
Bathing suit, Spannocchia has a swimming pool.
Comfortable walking shoes.
Raincoat and/or umbrella.
Journal and pen.
Portable charger for phone
Helpful for long days of sightseeing and mapping. Search “portable power chargers” on Amazon and many appear.
Power Adaptors
You will certainly need European power adapters. They allow your American cords to plug into a European outlet. Get several. Just search for “US to EU adapters” at Amazon.
Euros
It can also be handy to have Euros before you land in Italy. The money exchanges in the airport are overpriced and should be avoided. Some US banks can get euros for you.
Re-usable shopping bag
Many businesses do not offer plastic or paper shopping bags.
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