Summer Yoga Retreat
Sardinia 2024
One Week: July 14-21 2024
Join Gillian on her return this year to the beautiful surroundings of the Ogliastra province of Sardinia, Italy.
Ogliastra is the stunning location of one of the world’s five blue zones, where humans are living the longest, healthiest, and happiest lives. Living to a ripe old age, inhabitants of these places on the planet teach us about the simple conditions for human flourishing.
In Ogliastra the sleepy mountains of eastern Sardinia meet the magical waters of the Mediterranean Sea. This is one of the most unspoilt and sparsely populated regions of Italy in an area renowned for spectacular coastline, artisanal and agricultural traditions and beautiful scenery perfect for trekking/driving to mountain villages.
Join Gillian at the beautiful retreat centre - Galanias - in Bari Sardo and enjoy one or two weeks to begin or deepen a practice of yoga, meditation and breath work. Experience the transformational effects of alignment-based yoga classes morning and evening in the open-air yoga shala looking out to sea.
In between classes, relax in simple but stylish accommodation in the exquisite setting of the gardens at Galanias and take time out to rest and recuperate, lazing by the beautiful pool or strolling to the beach for a swim. Delight in cuisine inspired by locally harvested produce from sea and mountains and take time to nourish yourself, rebalance and enjoy the goodness of life.
Enjoy a sense of freedom, fun and adventure in the heart warming company of the lovely community that Gillian has created around her unique teaching practice.
The beautiful yoga shala at Galanias
Yoga retreat photos by Stanislav Grapatin
Sun Salutations in the Morning
Each day on retreat begins with a sun salutation practice. This is a slow and careful class designed for all ages and abilities that builds strength and liberates the radiance that shines from within all of us given the right conditions. The practice brings muscles and bones, breath and body into alignment, freeing the mind and creating a vital flow of energy that restores health and positivity over time.
Spinal Release in the Evening
The spinal release practice combines breath work with deep relaxation in a slow and careful sequence of postures designed to release tension in the whole body. The practice brings relief to aching backs, shoulders and neck and restores the nervous system to a state of equilibrium, creating the conditions for the natural healing potential of the body to unfold. There is nothing like the state of peace and calm that arises from the spinal release practice and the cumulation of this class on a daily basis is transformational for everyone but especially those students who suffer from chronic physical or emotional tension and/or insomnia.
Accommodation & Travel
Choose from single or shared occupancy rooms for one or two weeks. The weekly cost includes seven nights, with two yoga classes each day, breakfast and dinner in the four star restaurant of Galanias Hotel. Lunch can be taken in the hotel or in the wonderful bistros by the beach.
Price per person sharing a double or twin bed room £1100.
Price per person single occupancy with double bed £1600.
Additional expenses include excursions, flights to Cagliari, airport transfers and car hire if desired.
Please note that Cagliari is the nearest airport.
For those of you used to taking a two week retreat with Gillian, you might consider hiring a car and taking a week’s road trip around the beautiful island of Sardinia before or after the retreat. You might choose to fly home from Olbia, but Gillian can advise you on an itinerary.
Alternatively, you might want to take some time to rest and relax in the beautiful surroundings of the Galanias hotel and the beach at Bari Sardo.
Programme for the Week and Daily Schedule
Airport Transfers / Sunday arrivals
Relax by the pool, enjoy lunch at the hotel
Check in 5pm
Opening Circle and Spinal Release Class 5.30pm
Monday - Wednesday Morning Sun Salutation Class 7am - 9am
Breakfast 9.30am
Monday - Wednesday Evening Spinal Release Class 5pm - 6.30pm
Dinner 7pm
Thursday Sun Salutation Class 7am - 9am
Breakfast 9.30am
12 mid-day depart Retreat Centre Optional Excursion to the blue zone village in the mountains - Villagrande (€65) - + €10 bus transfer
1pm lunch Santa Barbara (delicious traditional lunch)
After lunch coffee and stroll Villagrande
4pm depart for Retreat Centre
Spinal Release Class 5.30pm
Dinner 7pm
Friday No Yoga
Early breakfast (time to be confirmed) Optional Boat Excursion - highly recommended (€85) + €10 bus transfer
Lunch on the boat
4pm (time to be confirmed) depart for Retreat Centre
Dinner 7pm
Saturday Silent Walk to the sea to watch the sun rise at dawn 6am
Sun Salutation Class 7.30am - 9.30am
Breakfast 10am
Closing Circle and Spinal Release Class 5pm
Sunday Early Check out and Departures / Airport Transfers
“The retreat to Sardinia with Gillan was a magical experience. Gillian is a wonderful yoga teacher, down to earth, very funny, but she brings a deep spirituality to everything she does. The Sun Salutation classes in the morning were the best way to greet the day, starting with a meditation listening to the sounds of the world waking and often Gillian read a poem or a contemplation that was always inspiring and thought provoking.
Gillian’s attention to detail and her slow precise teaching means you are in very safe hands. Beginner or expert, her classes catered for every level perfectly. The evening spinal release class was also a perfect way to wind down, again slow and deep.
There was plenty of time to explore the area and enjoy all that Sardinia had to offer, the hotel was wonderful, Gillian always chooses the most exquisite locations and hotels. Don’t miss the silent walks that Gillian organises, for me the highlight of my retreat was the silent walk to the beach to swim quietly towards the sunrise, what better way to start your day. And the boat trip along the coast on our day off was spectacular.“
Jackie, 2019.
