Zuna Yoga Alumni in Sicily

2023 dates to be announced soon!

Yoga and Meditation Retreat

A Zuna Alumni Adventure in Italy

Ciao Ragazzi!

We’re so excited to be leading this 7 day / 7 night retreat in sensational, sun-soaked Sicily! Join your fellow Zuna Yogis for a week of deep practice, old country rustic Italy, and good times, led by Zuna Yoga founders Everett and Katherine. Enjoy the early summer days and breezy evenings, surrounded by endless views of rolling green hills and olive groves. Make time for dreaming and philosophizing, for new inspiration and fresh collaborations. 

Reunite with yogis from your own training, and meet new like-minded yogi friends from around the globe and share a tall cool glass of smarana: self remembrance. It’s the foundation of Zuna Yoga practice and tradition.This retreat will follow a less rigid format than you’ve experienced at your yoga teacher training. It will be laid back and fun, with plenty of free time to balance out our juicy practices. All yoga, meditation and yoga nidra sessions are optional. 

This yoga and meditation retreat is for Zuna Yoga teacher training graduates only.

Want to bring a Zuna-curious family member, friend or partner? Please send us your request via email.

SICILY

Sicily is the Mediterranean’s largest and most diverse island, a bastion of culture and backdrop to myth and legend. This magical island boasts stunning beaches, rugged mountains and rich cuisine and is ideal for Italy connoisseurs who have already seen the touristic hubs of Rome, Venice and Florence and want to experience an even more authentic, off the beaten track Italian experience, not yet overrun with mass market tourism.You can explore the quintessential Baroque Noto, filled with stunning architecture. The golden hour in this town is not be missed, not to mention enjoying a pistachio granita at the world-famous Caffé Sicilia. Danena is also close to the dramatic hilltop town of Ragusa, Modica (famous for its raw vegan chocolate and its dual cathedrals), Marzamemmi (a quaint seaside village with the most picturesque central piazza), Scicli (where caves carved into the cliffs overlook a fun-to-explore town) and Ortigia (an artsy seaside paradise filled with Ancient Greek ruins turned into churches and delicious restaurants).The best months for traveling in much of Italy are from April to June: Temperatures are usually comfortable, rural colors are rich, and the crowds aren’t too intense. The night temperature is around 12-14°C, while it gets up to 20-24°C during the day. There is usually not much rain in May, with plenty of glorious sunny but not too hot days.
LOCATION : DANENA SICILY
Danena Sicily is a one hour drive south from Catania airport, on the island’s east coast. It is a 15 minute drive to the closest beach, featuring crystal clear turquoise water and the softest sand, surrounded by ancient ruins and beautiful hiking. The southeastern region is rich in sites of historic and natural beauty, with rolling green hills and stacked stone fences. Sicily is a rich paradise of incredible culture, stunning sparkly beaches and some of the most delicious cuisine in all of Italy. The town is located less than an hour drive from some of the gems of Southern Sicily.
RETREAT HIGHLIGHTS
  • A stay in a rustic, restored 19th-century stone farmhouse
  • Gorgeous grounds with fresh water infinity pool
  • A beautifully restored barn for our yoga practice
  • An opportunity to explore local medieval villages, pristine beaches and luscious countryside
  • Incredible plant-based Sicilian farm-to-table meals
  • Daily yoga & meditation with Everett & Katherine
THE RETREAT CENTER

The main location is a 19th century farmhouse – La Masseria – situated in the luscious natural landscape of southeastern Sicily, surrounded by the breathtaking Mediterranean sea. The yoga studio is a beautifully restored pitch roof barn and can accommodate up to 24 people, fully equipped with all props. A fresh water infinity pool, loads of different patios and living spaces for relaxing al fresco, a massage room and a stunning sunset terrace. There are six apartments with a total of 12 bedrooms that accommodate up to 24 people. The bedrooms are all unique and charming.

Set in amongst olive groves, on a country lane away from from noise and neighbors, Danena is just 15 minutes south of the unspoiled World Heritage town of Noto, one of Italy’s most beautiful historical centers. A 15-minute drive east is the Nature Reserve of Vendicari, a heaven of wildlife and some of the island’s most beautiful and deserted golden-sand beaches.

Three delicious Italian/vegetarian meals will be served daily, prepared by a private chef with the freshest ingredients available. Before the morning yoga practice, teas, fruit and juices will be available. We can accommodate your special dietary requests such as allergies, vegan or gluten free. Indoor and outdoor dining areas can be used according to the weather.

Activities and Excursions

You can easily sink into a week of deep rest and rejuvenation here, without the need for a lot of planned activity. Relax by the magical swimming pool, luxuriate in a massage or treatment with an excellent therapist, find a quiet secluded spot with a good book. There are also plenty of activities to explore: walks through plantations of almonds, olives and watermelon fields, cycling on trails amongst the groves, and of course going to the wonderful beaches or Sicilian historical towns all around.

  • Everything you need for a wonderfully revitalizing and stress free week
  • Group transit from and to the airport
  • Peaceful, bright accommodation
  • Daily sumptuous breakfast, lunch and dinner every day
  • Unlimited tea, coffee and water
  • Two daily yoga sessions with Everett & Katherine
  • All yoga equipment including mats, blocks, straps and bolsters.
  • Wifi is available in all the bedrooms
  • Massages (EUR 65 per hour)
  • Additional wine by the bottle
  • Laundry
  • Travel insurance
  • International & domestic travel
  • Local SIM card
  • Optional day trips
  • Meals during excursions
  • Private yoga sessions
  • Additional day trips and excursions

Each morning will begin with the juicy Zuna Yoga practice you know and love. This is an intense 2 hr 45 min hatha vinyasa session, with a long savasana followed by pranayama, meditation, mantra or yoga nidra. Following our practice, we will have a sumptuous breakfast on the terrace. Silence is optional at breakfast.

The afternoon is free for you to take a walk in the green countryside, read a book, nap, indulge in a massage or schedule a private session with Everett. **Activities may incur additional charges.**

At 5:30pm the group will reconvene for our evening yoga practice, which will be either a slow flow, restorative, or an educational asana workshop. The evening yoga schedule will be determined shortly prior to the retreat start date. Evening yoga classes will be held on the outdoor yoga platform or in the indoor yoga studio.

Dinner will be served al fresco in the late evening. Followed by time to unwind, swap stories, play some games or read a good book.

Lights out is encouraged by 10:00pm.

  • 6:00am – 8:45am Sunrise practice
  • 8:45am – 9:45am Breakfast (silence is optional)
  • 9:45am – 12:00pm Free time
  • 12:00pm -1:00pm Lunch
  • 1:00pm – 5:30pm Excellent time to explore the beach or village
  • 5:30pm – 7:00pm Sunset asana / meditation / yoga nidra
  • 7pm Dinner
  • * Schedule subject to change.
All accommodation is double share (twin beds), with limited availability for single occupancy.

• Double room, shared bathroom: USD$1350 • Double room, ensuite bathroom: USD$1550 • Single supplement for one of the above rooms: $400, very limited availability

Payment – A $750 deposit is required to hold your spot. The balance payment is due by March 28, 2022. Please see our terms and conditions.

Danena is about an hour drive from Catania Fontanarossa (CTA) airport. There are a huge range of direct flights from most European cities, just take a look on Skyscanner.Sicily has quite a few airports. The main one is Catania Fontanarossa CTA airport. Unless you are arriving earlier and traveling before the retreat, it is best to fly into Catania airport, as that’s the closest one to the retreat center. It is best to book a flight arriving no later than 1pm on May 28th. We will be providing group transfer that will depart from the airport at 2pm latest.Please note that check in will be available from 3PM on May 28th. The latest departure time on June 4th is 10am. Those arriving after 2pm on May 28th and departing before 10am on June 4th will be responsible for their own transportation to/from Danena (private transport is available, please email us for more details).

For those who wish to be independent or to explore the area you could choose to hire a car at the airport. You can also coordinate in advance with your fellow yogis and share a car hire. Car rental is recommended at this venue, as there are many beautiful beaches and walks within a 15 minute drive of the retreat center.

If you are not renting a car, you can join the minibus transfer from the airport, which will be arranged to bring you directly to the retreat center. The estimated departure time is 2pm and we suggest that if you are on an earlier flight that you wait there. You will be advised of the exact meeting point nearer the time.

If you are not renting a car, you can join the minibus transfer from the airport, which will be arranged to bring you directly to the retreat center. The estimated departure time is 2pm and we suggest that if you are on an earlier flight that you wait there. You will be advised of the exact meeting point nearer the time.

Alternatively, there is a bus from Catania airport to Rosolini (10 mins from Danena). The bus departs only twice a day and it costs about 12-14 euros.

  • 1:30pm Arrive in Sicily (Catania Fontanarossa airport)
  • 2:00pm Depart Catania Fontanarossa airport to Danena
  • 3:30pm Arrive in Danena
  • 3:45pm Check-in to rooms
  • 5:00pm Opening Circle
  • 5:30pm Yoga (60 minutes)
  • 7:00pm Dinner

 

  • 8:00am Breakfast
  • 9:00am Load the minibus/taxis
  • 10:00am Depart for Catania Fontanarossa airport
  • 11:15am Arrive at Catania Fontanarossa airport

Create an Account

Log in