Evolve in Italy: Tuscany Retreat

Evolve Yoga + Wellness and Paul Spector of Laughing Heart Yoga are pleased to announce a new retreat experience being offered in the spring of 2020: to beautiful Tuscany, Italy!

Where We Stay

The retreat will be held at Ebbio, an 800 year-old classic Tuscany farmhouse converted into a stylish yoga retreat. The ambience of Ebbio offers a one-of-a-kind experience: a magical place surrounded by an evergreen forest, nestled in the heart of an old volcano that was sacred to the Etruscans. Located in the breathtaking countryside of Tuscany, Italy, it is only 25 miles from Florence, eight miles from Siena, and a half-hour walk from Monteriggioni, a little medieval jewel. You will be captivated by the undulating hills swept with thriving vineyards, olive trees and enchanting evergreen forests. The amazing part of Ebbio is that it is still a working Tuscan Farm.  For more info:

Sample Daily Schedule

7:30-8:00 am Meditation
8:30-10:00 Breakfast
10:00-11:30 Yoga
12:30-1:30 Lunch
1:30-5:00 pm Excursion (San Giminiano;Sieena; Hot Springs etc.)
5:30-6:00 pm Meditation
6:30-7:30 pm Dinner

Daily Excursions

Each day offers another option for exploring one of the most remarkable areas of the world. We go the ancient cities of San Gimignano and Sienna. We hike to a Tuscan farm and winery for a scrumptious lunch and then luxuriate in natural hot springs. We explore small, unique towns each with their own unique charm.

Cost & Logistics

Attendees should plan to arrive in Florence on or before Friday, April 17th. The retreat group will meet early afternoon on Saturday, April 18th to embark on the 1.5 hour journey to Ebbio, Tuscany.
Cost of the retreat is $2,150/person. Single rooms are available for an additional $300. A $500 deposit is due for each person by October 1st. After October 15, this deposit is non-refundable. All applicants should contact Paul Spector directly via email: pauldspector@gmail.com.

About Paul Spector

The former Director of the Integrative Yoga Teacher Training, Paul, synthesizes forty years of study of yoga, meditation and other body-mind disciplines (he was certified as a senior instructor of t’ai chi, holds a Masters Degree in Dance Movement Therapy, was a body-oriented psychotherapist for many years, danced with the Caribbean Folk Dance company and others) into his own unique style of teaching yoga and mindfulness. Some of his most influential mentors include; Sylvia Bornstein, Bonnie Cohen, Ram Das, Amrit Desai,Moshe Feldenkrais, John Friend, Doug Keller, Ida Rolf, John Stirk and Rodney Yee.

About Ann Hunt

Ann is the studio director of Evolve Yoga + Wellness. Her teaching is a reflection of the many inspiring teachers she has studied with throughout the US, Central America and India during the 25 years she has been practicing yoga. She teaches yoga in an interdisciplinary style integrating several modalities including Iyengar, Kripalu, Ashtanga, Self-Awakening, Yin yoga as well as yoga on the rope wall. Her primary focus is on creating a nurturing, challenging and fun experience that honors the unique needs of each student.

Ann has established a 200 and 300 hour teacher training program in Southern Maryland in association with Nosara Yoga Institute. Ann Hunt Yoga/Evolve Yoga was established as a Registered Yoga School through the Yoga Alliance in 2007 and has recently completed it’s 6th 200 Hour Interdisciplinary Yoga Teacher Training® program.