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.


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The Wonderful Way of Tai Chi

The Wonderful Way of Tai Chi: A 5-day 4-night Residential Retreat of Practice and Principles with Timothy Spratt in a stunningly beautiful and tranquil location in the hills near Lucca, Northern Tuscany.
April 2025

Improve and strengthen your wellbeing through the ways of TAI CHI, the ancient Chinese tradition that combines movement with meditation and natural breathing patterns, under the expert guidance of inspirational TAI CHI and MEDITATION teacher, Timothy Spratt.

Improve and strengthen your wellbeing through the ways of TAI CHI, the ancient Chinese tradition that combines movement with meditation and natural breathing patterns, under the expert guidance of inspirational TAI CHI and MEDITATION teacher, Timothy Spratt.


WHAT IS TAI CHI?

TAI CHI is a physical movement Art of balance and energy. Its roots being in systems of self-defense, its continuity into the present era reaches us from the ancestral past of a long-ago China. As such it forms an integral part of the Taoist philosophy, then prevalent, taking its inspiration from the world of natural phenomena - of seasons and landscapes, of cycles of change, of stillness and movement - guiding us and instilling in us down-to-earth ways of everyday good-sense and wellbeing.

For us, and our Retreat, we will predominantly be looking to the 'inner' experience of our bodies and minds, developed through the physical practice. Derived from a much longer set, or Form, we will learn a short but flowing sequence of just thirteen elements; archetypes grounded in natural principles, embodying vital energy postures.

By its practice, we promote self-healing, nurture self-stability as we age, recover and cultivate a sustained wellbeing. Our retreat is suitable for complete beginners as well as those who already practice Tai Chi and wish to continue in the ways and principles of Tai Chi. These are take-home skills to deepen into our lives, to restore health -health with joy - not only to ourselves but in our wider society also.

AS THIS IS FOR YOU, THIS IS FOR US ALL.

And as time allows, Tim will also guide you in the practicalities of meditation, as well as Circle Walking, a meditative walking practice, and offer an introduction to the Chinese Way of Tea, preparing and tasting some fine examples.

Tim has been teaching TAI CHI, Chi Kung and Meditation in the UK since the mid-1990s. Based near London, he runs a private studio offering regular classes to small groups and one-to-one tuition.

He is also an experienced organiser and has led Retreat Weeks and Workshops both in the UK and Italy in recent years, drawing participants from a wide range of countries and backgrounds. In London, in addition to the on-going classes, he also leads Study Weekends and urban Mini-retreat Meditation Days during the year.

Tim began his study of Tai Chi and Chi Kung in the early 1980s, training with a direct student of the Yang family tradition at the Kensington and Chelsea College in London. He then taught these same classes himself over a period of 7 years, before setting up his own studio in 2001. Altogether, his study, training and teaching extend to over 35 years of immersive commitment. For more information on Tim, his work and his writings, you can visit his website which is https://www.timstudio.co.uk

Between tuition periods, you will be able to explore the beautiful grounds of the Villa Boccella estate with walks through the olive groves, or book a massage, Indian Head massage or session of reflexology with our in-house therapist (at an additional price).

Travel to the venue is not included but we can arrange airport transfers as well as pick up in Lucca. Travel insurance is mandatory for those who come from abroad. The retreat is open to everyone including beginners, with the teaching being given in English.

The Retreat includes:
- 4 nights accommodation at the Dependance on the Villa Boccella estate (twin-bedded en suite rooms; a limited
number of en suite single/double rooms available too)
- all tuition with our tutor, Timothy Spratt, as well as optional one-to-one sessions
- all meals and refreshments
- delicious freshly-prepared meals with locally sourced ingredients with wine or non-alcoholic drinks served at
the evening meal
- unlimited supply of teas, coffee, herbal and fruit teas, and fresh fruit
- Tourist Tax

Cost of the Retreat inclusive of all the above:-

En suite twin-bedded room €990
En suite single room €1,190


If you would like to reserve a place on this special Retreat, please email tuscanyartsandhealing@gmail.com and specify which accommodation option you would prefer and send me a deposit for €100 via bank transfer to my Wise euro account (I will send you details upon receipt of an email). Our Wise account allows us to keep the price down. For those students from the UK, you can also pay in pounds sterling (at the equivalent exchange rate). The deposit is non-refundable. It is a condition of booking that you read and understand the Terms and Conditions before you make the booking which I will send out to you. The prices are per person.

Please do get in touch in you have any questions at tuscanyartsandhealing@gmail.com. I am always happy to help!

  • April 2025
  • From €990 per person
  • 12 places
  • April 2025

Call: +39 345 3140844
Email: tuscanyartsandhealing@gmail.com

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Location

Villa Boccella is an immaculately restored 17c Tuscan estate with extensive grounds set amongst the rolling hills of N Tuscany. It is very well situated only 10km from the historic, walled city of Lucca and an hour's drive from Pisa with its international airport.

Our Retreat takes place in the Dependance of the Villa and we will be using the adjacent, light and airy Studio for our Chi Kung sessions. The acccommodation is top quality throughout and all bedrooms are spacious, tastefully furnished and en suite. There will be ample opportunity to explore the fine landscaped gardens with rare specimens of trees and shrubs and views over the surrounding countryside. It is a truly magical place.

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Booking & Information

For bookings and further information, please contact: Jane Parkinson, Co-ordinator and Facilitator
Email: tuscanyartsandhealing@gmail.com

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Yoga Day Retreat

Revitalise your energy with our Yoga Retreat Day in a stunningly beautiful and tranquil location near Lucca in Northern Tuscany
10 March 2024

We are delighted to be able to host this restorative and relaxing Yoga Retreat Day with highly-recommended yoga instructor Joann Connington at the incomparable Villa Boccella near Lucca in Northern Tuscany.

We are delighted to be able to host this restorative and relaxing Yoga Retreat Day with highly-recommended yoga instructor Joann Connington at the incomparable Villa Boccella near Lucca in Northern Tuscany.


Take a day out for yourself and enjoy all the benefits of personalised yoga instruction with an inspirational teacher in a stunning location, easily accessible by car and public transport from Lucca. We are limiting our retreat day to a maximum of 8 students to allow for maximum social distancing.

Our Yoga Retreat Day, which will be conducted in English, will offer a gentle flow of postures (asanas) with consistent attention to the breath. The Workshop is suitable for all levels.

The emphasis in the morning will be on more dynamic postures that provide a strong foundation for the day. In the afternoon, we will focus on restful and restorative poses that will relax the body and still the mind.

Joann has taught for over 30 years in Aspen in Colorado and has led Yoga Retreats in Mexico, the United States and Italy. She offers instruction influenced by the teachings of BKS Iyengar as well as many other Hatha Yoga instructors over decades of study. She now lives in Lucca where she has built up a strong following amongst her students both in classes and on retreats here.

The Yoga will take place in the airy and light-filled Studio with its underfloor heating at Villa Boccella, near Lucca. Lunch and all refreshments will be served in the adjacent Dependance with its lovely dining room, log fire and attractive conservatory.

The cost for the day is €75, inclusive of yoga instruction, mats and yoga props, and freshly-prepared vegetarian lunch and all refreshments.

All mats and props will have been sanitised before the retreat day but please bring your own mat or a towel to place on top of the mat as well as your own blanket.

€25 deposit will secure your place payable either in cash for local students or via Tuscany Arts and Healing's Paypal account. Please email me for details of how to pay. We are offering refundable deposits in case of illness due to the current situation. The balance is to be paid in cash on the day or via our Paypal account prior to the course.

We take the health and safety of our yoga students and venue very seriously and have been planning measures to safeguard your health and wellbeing whilst on our retreat day and to ensure that you will be able to relax knowing that we are following COVID-19 guidelines. Please email tuscanyartsandhealing@gmail.com for details of the measures we have put in place for our retreat day at Villa Boccella.


  • 10am - 5pm
  • From €75 per person
  • 8 places
  • Spring 2024. Date to be confirmed.

Call: +39 345 3140844
Email: tuscanyartsandhealing@gmail.com

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Location

.


Villa Boccella is an immaculately restored 17c Tuscan estate with extensive grounds set amongst the rolling hills of N Tuscany. It is very well situated only 10km from the historic, walled city of Lucca and an hour's drive from Pisa with its international airport.

Our Retreat takes place in the Dependance of the Villa and we will be using the adjacent. light and airy Studio with its underfloor heating for our yoga sessions. There will be ample opportunity to explore the fine landscaped gardens with rare specimens of trees and shrubs and views over the surrounding countryside. It is a truly magical place.

Course image
Booking & Information

For bookings and further information, please contact: Jane Parkinson, Co-ordinator and Facilitator
Email: tuscanyartsandhealing@gmail.com

Contact us

call: +39 345 3140844
email: tuscanyartsandhealing@gmail.com

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Call: +39 345 3140844 -or- +44 (0)77 02 712986
Email: tuscanyartsandhealing@gmail.com