Nested in the heart of the Madonie mountain park, a few miles from Gangi – “Most beautiful village in Italy” prize winner – and about 40km from the enchanting fishermen village of Cefalù, Sicilian Spirit hosts yoga and meditation retreats in a 17th century “Masseria”, wonderfully restored respecting her ancient feudal structure. Surrounded by the silence offered by its enclosed 25 hectares park, at 650 mts above the sea level, you will be able to walk for hours in the secret inner paths and in the hidden centuries-old oak forest, get lost in the labyrinth garden of the 18th century, explore the banks of our “private” river, meditate or practice yoga at sunrise or sunset in the terrace overlooking the mountains and the valley or just sunbathing and swimming in the infinity pool. With 14 double rooms, distributed between the main building and the garden cottages, our retreat center can host up to 28 people, who will have at disposal a large indoor yoga room of 130 sq.m., located in the old barn, three different lounge areas for every moment of the day, a special space dedicated to massages and, of course, our cozy restaurant, where enjoying three delicious vegetarian Sicilian meals a day, prepared with the very own products of the Masseria, a certified organic farm since 15 years.
ACCOMMODATION
We can accommodate 28 guests in 14 double rooms, one of which will be at free disposal for the teachers. All beds can be separated or joined together, depending on the needs. Three rooms (around 25sq.m each) with private bathroom, are located in the main building, above the Yoga room. A fourth room with private bathroom is in a cottage in the garden, with its own private patio. The other 10 double rooms, with shared bathroom – one every two rooms – are located in five cottages (around 50 sq.m each) in the garden, all with their own equipped private patio and their own kitchenette. All rooms have heating and air conditioning facilities and are elegantly furnished with antique or Sicilian style furniture.
RESTAURANT
Cozy and bright, cool in summer and warm in winter, overlooking a panoramic terrace of almost 400 sq.m., the restaurant can comfortably accommodate up to 40 guests, in pleasant tables for 8 and 12 seats. The three daily large buffet meals will be prepared in a 60 sq.m. large, professionally equipped kitchen. And occasionally the terrace will be the perfect set for your summer nights moonlit dinners.
LOUNGES
Next to the large Yoga room, two ancient stables are home to our Tea room and our Massage area. The first one (70 sq.m.), furnished with cushions, rugs and comfortable sofas, will welcome the students with herbal teas, juices, fruit and small snacks, during their breaks from exercises. The second room, more intimate (60 sq.m), is our Ayurvedic massages and treatments room. A third lounge, located above the restaurant, is our living room, perfect for a chat after dinner, equipped with Wi Fi connection, board games, books and magazines.
YOGA SPACES
The historic barn of the Masseria has been beautifully restored and transformed into a fully equipped 130 sq.m. Yoga room, with a comfortable capacity for 28 people, technical floor above the old “cotto”, heating and air conditioning systems, PA system with Ipod / Telephone connection, videoprojector. At the students’ disposal, yoga mats, blocks, belts, meditation pillows, futons and blankets. Furthermore, the 400 sq.m panoramic terrace is a perfect, alternative, set for outdoor exercise.
OUTSIDE
The 25 hectares park of our retreat center offers the possibility of long, silent walks on kilometers of hiking trails among over 700 olive trees, wheat fields, an orchard, an oak forest, a labyrinth garden of the 18th century and the banks of a small river, where is also possible to swim. And of course, from May to October, there will always be the chance to swim in our fresh water pool of 18 x 7.5 mts. adjacent to the restaurant and the cottages.
