Romeo & Federica Innocenti will show you the best kept secrets of the Maremma along Southern Tuscany’s Mediterannean shores. Enjoy the comforts of Stefano & Chiara’s masterfully renovated villa and practice yoga daily with your instructors Michi Holley and Brandon Jones…
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ROMEO & FEDERICA INNOCENTI |
THE BEAUTIFUL WINE ESTATE |
MEET YOUR HOSTS
Villa Poggiarello is owned and operated by the Stefano & Chiara. Originally from Milan, they gave up the busy city life for the peaceful, elegant Maremma country side. Restoring this villa estate back to and even beyond its original beauty and luxury, they have graciously agreed to open their doors to host Tuscan Way culinary and wine programs. Warm, hospitable, and welcoming, Stefano & Chiara personify Italian fine living and traditional Italian hospitality.
Romeo & Federica Innocenti - your hosts (fluent in English), both natives of Tuscany, (Romeo is a sommelier in training of fine Italian wines and master chef specializing in "La Cucina Povera Toscana"), will accompany you on your journey through Tuscany's off-the-beaten-track Maremma region. |
 
MEET YOUR YOGA INSTRUCTORS – MICHI HOLLEY & BRANDON JONES
Michi Holley is an Acupuncturist, Chinese Herbal Medicine practitioner, and Ashtanga Yoga instructor. She has traveled and studied throughout the world with her primary teachers Nancy Gilgoff (the first Western woman to ever learn Ashtanga Yoga) and Danny Paradise. She has co-taught workshops with both of these exceptional teachers, and practiced yoga and acupuncture with many famous and infamous people around the world including: Sting and Trudie Styler, Madonna, Paul Simon, Edie Brickell, John McEnroe, Patty Smyth, Donna Karan, Eddie Veder, Jeff Ament, and Mike McCreedy of Pearl Jam, Chris Botti, and Dominic Miller. Michi brings to the practice of yoga the knowledge and wisdom of Chinese Medicine. She combines energy systems from the Chinese perspective with her exploration of the practice of yoga. Acupuncture and yoga both being ancient arts, Michi observes their hidden similarities and obvious differences to benefit her understanding of both. Her synthesis of these two systems is imparted seamlessly in her teaching of Ashtanga Yoga, where polarities integrate naturally, and inner purpose meets outer action. She lives in Hawaii with her husband, Brandon Jones, where they have a yoga/healing arts studio.
Brandon Jones has studied Ashtanga yoga for six years. He first learned the practice from Lucy Martorella in the "full vinyasa" tradition on the island of Maui, and has studied extensively with Nancy Gilgoff and his wife, Michi Holley. Brandon has also had the great honor of studying with Sri K. Pattabhi Jois. Brandon lives in Hawaii and is an artist by trade. While talented in many mediums, he is known mostly for his metal sculptures sold throughout the Hawaiian islands. He teaches Ashtanga yoga classes and workshops with Michi. He brings to his teaching warmth and humor combined with the gentleness of his deeply caring nature.
Michi and Brandon travel the world together teaching workshops and retreats. You can find them on the web at: molokai-wellness.com
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MICHI HOLLEY & BRANDON JONES |
MICHI |
ABOUT THE YOGA
Your days will begin with an optional sunrise meditation in order to fully greet the Tuscan sun and prepare for the day’s teachings and adventure. About an hour will be spent practicing mindfulness meditation. During this time, we will deeply connect with the state of our own being: our thoughts, feelings, energy and physical body. In addition to connecting, we will aim to observe our minds and become during our meditation, what Deepak Chopra has termed, “the silent witness” of our inner process and the workings of our mind. Much attention will focus on breathing and breath awareness in order to enhance the meditation practice.
Michi & Brandon will be teaching yoga in a very gentle manner integrating their vast experience and different perspectives. While much of their personal practice has been in Ashtanga yoga, the emphasis will be on general Hatha yoga. Oftentimes, especially in the U.S., when we speak about yoga, we usually mean physical yoga exercises or asanas. But this is only a small part of yoga. Yoga is a practical, scientific teaching, the aim of which is spiritual growth. The word yoga, as well as the word religion, means the union of the human soul with the Universal Soul, i.e., the union of human being with God. Although yoga is a product of Indian civilization and has influenced all religions of that land, it is a practical spiritual science that does not belong to any particular region or religion. We are delighted at this opportunity to practice yoga in such a powerful culture and beautiful land like Tuscany. This combination of Yoga & Tuscany will reap many positive results for you regardless of your specific spiritual beliefs or orientation. Under Michi & Brandon’s guidance, we will have the opportunity to explore and learn at our own pace. The practice will be joyful amidst the splendor of the Tuscan countryside and the stunning Villa Poggiarello estate.
Michi & Brandon explain and discuss the flow of Vinyasa and Hatha Yoga. We will start with salutations to inspire our bodies to move with our breath. Then we will do a series of standing postures that strengthen and align the body. This will be followed by a seated sequence, restorative postures, and a relaxation meditation at the end. The overall feel will be one of well-being as yoga stimulates the body’s innate healing capacity. We will breathe, move, sweat, and learn how to ease the fluctuations of the mind - by linking our breath with our body movements. The classes are designed to accommodate all levels of practice, and will each day evolve to enhance the self awareness of the participants.
Michi & Brandon teach very valuable principles of yoga, but the focus is more from the standpoint of breath control. They essentially link asana practice with pranayama, or breath control. One of Brandon’s great teachers, A.G. Mohan, says that it is not the practice of Asana that builds health or creates longevity; it is the control of the breath. He also asserts that you can go right ahead and push the body, even all the way until it breaks! But you can’t push the breath – the breath will always give you away, and you and your teacher will be able to see through your breathing whether or not you are really doing the posture properly.
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EXCURSIONS & ITINERARY:
The itinerary includes tours of the surrounding areas of Roccastrada. You will visit Montepescali, known as the balcony of the Maremma, and, because of it enviable position; Montemassi, famous for being depicted in Simone Martini's affresco showing Guidoriccio of Fogliano (shown below); Roccatederughi, a medieval town hidden amongst the rocks and is one of the most interesting in the Maremma, Montalcino (famous for its grape vineyards that produce the celebrated Brunello wine), Pienza; Montepulciano (famous for its Red wine “Vino Nobile di Montepulciano”) and Sassofortino which is reached by traveling through chestnut forests and has beautiful views overlooking the sea. Every day will commence with your personally styled yoga workshop (2 hours). Some days will include a guided sunrise meditation.
* We would like to emphasize that we are quite flexible with regard to the itinerary and the excursions. Federica & Romeo sometimes switch the days for different excursions and sometimes, based on local events and activities, new excursions (not mentioned above) can be added or even replace the normal schedule. The most important thing is to communicate your specific interests, which will be given priority if possible and in the best interest of the group.
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IMAGES OF VILLA POGGIARELLO
 
  
 
 
 
WHERE YOU WILL STAY:
Villa Poggiarello and the village of Roccastrada evoke the quintessential and exquisite spirit of beautiful Tuscany. The vineyards, the rolling hills, the near-bye seaside and the spectacular villa, provide a stunning atmosphere, rich with glorious views and warm feelings. The climate here is very temperate and there is a constant aroma of sagebrush which permeates the air of this region known as La Maremma.
The farmhouse dates back to the 1700’s, and has been carefully renovated, with full consideration of its original characteristics. On the estate, there are spacious heated apartments furnished with traditional Tuscan furniture. Each one has a kitchenette and a bathroom with shower.
There is also a swimming pool, horseback riding and mountain biking. This location is ideal to experience boating out in the Tuscan Mediterranean, since the sea-side resorts of Punta Ala and Castiglione della Pescaia are easy to reach. One can also sample and buy Villa Poggiarello's extra virgin olive oil which has been produced on the farm
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WHERE YOU WILL SLEEP
Villa Poggiarello has 10 unique apartment suites. Five of these apartments sleep between 2-3 people and the other 5 larger apartments sleep between 4-6 people. Each apartment is spacious and elegantly furnished in classic Tuscan style. Amenities include: TV, bathroom with shower and kitchenette with gas stove and refrigerator.
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“Il Leccio” (2) people, 538 square feet
Second floor, shared stairway entrance, 1 bedroom (Queen bed), 1 kitchen + dining area and 1 bathroom with a shower.
 
“La Scaletta” (2) people, 700 square feet
Ground floor, shared stairway entrance, 1 bedroom (Queen bed), 1 kitchen + dining area and 1 bathroom with a shower
 
“Casa Fonte” (2+1) people, 452 square feet
Ground floor, private garden entrance, 1 bedroom (Queen bed), fold out couch (single bed), 1 kitchen + dining area, private furnished outdoor space and 1 bathroom with a shower.
“Gli Allori” (2+1) people, 516 square feet
Ground floor, shared outdoor stairs entrance, 1 bedroom (Queen bed), fold out couch (single bed) in living area, 1 kitchen + living area and 1 bathroom with a shower.
 
“La Meridiana” (2+1) people, 538 square feet
Ground floor, shared outdoor stair entrance, 1 bedroom (Queen bed), fold out couch (single bed) in living area, 1 kitchen + living area and 1 bathroom with a shower.
 
“Il Girasoli” (4) people, 753 square feet
Ground floor, shared outdoor stair entrance, 1 bedroom (Queen bed), 1 bedroom bunkbeds, 1 kitchen + living area and 1 bathroom with a shower.
 
“Il Pino” (4) people, 807 square feet
Second floor, shared stair entrance, 1 bedroom (Queen bed), 1 bedroom with double bed (2 single beds can be put together), 1 kitchen + living area with fireplace and 1 bathroom with a shower.
“Gli Olivi” (4) people, 980 square feet
Second floor, shared outdoor stair entrance, 1 bedroom (Queen bed), 1 bedroom with double bed (2 single beds can be put together), 1 kitchen + living area with fireplace and 1 bathroom with a shower.
“Il Balchetto” (4+2) people, 1141 square feet
Ground floor, private outdoor stair entrance, private storage room, 1 bedroom (Queen bed), 1 bedroom with double bed (2 single beds can be put together), 1 kitchen + large living area with fold-out couch (double bed), fireplace and 1 bathroom with a shower.
 
“Il Volticine” (5+1) people, 958 square feet
Ground floor, private garden entrance, private storage room, 1 bedroom (Queen bed) with an extra single bed, 1 bedroom with double bed (2 single beds can be put together), 1 kitchen + large living & eating area with fold-out couch (single bed), fireplace, private furnished outdoor space and 1 bathroom with a shower.
COOKING COURSE AND WINE TASTING
Romeo Innocenti, son of Carlo Innocenti who operates the Casa Innocenti program, teaches the cooking class. Romeo is well-known in the area for his cuisine – especially certain Maremma sea-food dishes. He is an experienced cook and very entertaining. The guests can learn genuine Southern Tuscan dishes and the secrets passed down from grandmothers and grandfathers. All classes are hands-on and include local wine. The cooking course teaches the traditional Tuscan “Cucina Povera” (country cooking of the peasants). The course is taught in a large rustic kitchen and dinner is served in the classic Tuscan-styled dining room. Wine tasting takes place in the famous wine towns of Montalcino (famous for Brunello) and Montepulciano (famous for the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano)
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EXCURSIONS & ITINERARY:
The itinerary includes tours of the surrounding areas of Roccastrada. You will visit Montepescali, known as the balcony of the Maremma, and, because of it enviable position; Montemassi, famous for being depicted in Simone Martini's affresco showing Guidoriccio of Fogliano (shown below); Roccatederughi, a medieval town hidden amongst the rocks and is one of the most interesting in the Maremma, and Sassofortino which is reached by traveling through chestnut forests and has beautiful views overlooking the sea. Every day will commence with your personally styled yoga workshop (2 hours). Some days will include a guided sunrise meditation.
* We would like to emphasize that we are quite flexible with regard to the itinerary and the excursions. Federica & Romeo sometimes switch the days for different excursions and sometimes, based on local events and activities, new excursions (not mentioned above) can be added or even replace the normal schedule. The most important thing is to communicate your specific interests, which will be given priority if possible and in the best interest of the group.
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