Tuscany Arts & Healing

Tuscany Arts and Healing co-ordinate and facilitate workshops, events and courses focussing on personal growth, healing and creativity in stunning venues within the breathtaking landscapes around Tuscany.

"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step (Lao Tzu)

Take a first step with Susan Hayes's "Reclaim your Vibrant Power", online workshop, 16 November 2025, 14:00-15:30 GMT'

Reconnect with your body's wisdom and integrate mind, body and spirit, release physical tensions and emotional barriers and uncover limiting belief systems through Qigong and expressive writing in this 90-minute workshop.

Susan is a former professional dancer and choreographer and is a highly recommended Qigong and Taiji teacher as well as an integrative transpersonal psychotherapist. Cost is £17. For more info on this workshop email Susan directly on contact@susan-hayes.com or visit www.susan-hayes.com

We had a very successful 5-day Tai Chi residential retreat with Tai Chi and Meditation expert, Tim Spratt, in April 2025 in the verdant surroundings of the Villa Boccella estate in the hills outside Lucca and have already had requests to repeat the retreat so Tim and I will be working on our next joint venture very soon.

We may also include a pre-retreat day on an Introduction to the Practice and Principles of Tai Chi for those who would like to explore Tai Chi as a complete beginner. If you might be interested in this option and/or a future residential retreat please do get in touch on tuscanyartsandhealing@gmail.com

Founded in 2011, we offer a variety of different courses and workshops which have been mainly located around the beautiful, historic walled city of Lucca where we have been based. In 2019, we also ran courses and events for the first time in Florence, the capital of the Renaissance in Italy which we will continue to do.

Our courses have included a couple of introductory workshops on the Alexander Technique in Italian; 'Finding your Voice', a voice workshop with an ex-RSC actor and trainer; 'Master the Art of Running' workshops with internationally-acclaimed Level 4 Athletics Coach, Alexander Technique teacher and author of 'Master the Art of Running', Malcolm Balk; Yoga Day and Residential Retreats; and 'Corpo, Mente, Voce', a voice workshop for singers and performers in Italian using the Alexander Technique. We also initiated a Kirtan Chanting Group in Lucca a few years ago.

In 2019, we had very successful workshops on Integrative Energetic Medicine in both Lucca and Florence with Dr. Fernand Poulin, from Atlanta, Georgia, USA, who is a healing professional, and spiritual teacher.

Following the success of our Wonderful Way of Chi Kung Retreat in October 2022, we again welcomed London-based Tai Chi, Chi Kung and meditation teacher, Tim Spratt, to Italy in April 2024 with our 4-night, 5-day retreat in the principles and practice of Tai Chi where we had full house!

Regular weekly activities include Pilates at a dedicated Pilates Studio in Lucca with Simonetta Merlin who is an excellent teacher. Groups are small to allow for personal attention.

Lisa Robbins is a UK-trained homeopath and sound healer who is based in Florence but who also works remotely. She has a very useful website with an interesting monthly blog. Check her out on our links page.

Also in the pipeline for the future, highlights include a Soul Collage retreat in April 2026, a one-day Portrait Photography Workshop, a Vedic Art and Meditation Workshop, a painting workshop, 'Painting in the Tuscan hills', a Shinrin-yoku day retreat and further day and residential yoga retreats.