Summer Yoga Retreat
Sardinia 2026
Thursday July 09 - 16
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 on excursions into the mountains and on the boat trip up the Gulf of Orosei. Experience 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.
