I was able to reconnect with my inner self through nature and art, play like a child again and feel my heart rewarded. Michael holds the group in a safe container of trust and love. I recommend this retreat if you want to reconnect with yourself and value what is important for you. You will have a mindful and silent experience in a magical location. Learning new art techniques with Anne was beyond my expectations.
Maria
Michael is a committed person, dedicated to taking care of all the details of the process and ensuring that each and every one of his participants is accompanied through their experience. The place is truly a gift in itself where the architecture, the landscape and the people who work at the Masseria make the experience unforgettable. Everything converges to achieve that peace and disconnection necessary for an inward journey on retreat.
Patricia
Outstanding! I will carry the learning from this event with me for a long time. The location and the food were an integral part of the joy of the week, and Michael and Anne created a series of experiences that brought the artist in me alive, and I believe we are all artists who can make marks and curiously explore a variety of materials. The people who chose to come to this week in Sicily created a warm and exciting energy where we all shared and grew and learned together. Michael’s invitations to explore and be curious allowed us to engage independently or in partners as well as a group. The learning this week was deep and meaningful. I have started to develop a better way of being in our world at a time when I needed this change of perspective.
Stauna
I had an absolutely wonderful week. The retreat was engaging, informative and very well organized. Both Michael and Irini taught me more than I ever expected. They were experts at making everyone comfortable and bringing the group together. The retreat activities encouraged meaningful reflection and provided a path towards personal growth. The retreat location was stunning and the accommodations were quaint and comfortable. The food was fresh, delicious and served with heart. I would highly recommend this experience to anyone who is looking for community in meditation.
Paulina
The retreat was extremely well organized and interesting. Both Michael Anderson and Irini Rockwell were superb leading the retreat. The participants made a lovely team. The location could not have been chosen better – San Giovanni Sgadari is a beautiful and idyllic place in the middle of Sicily surrounded by gorgeous landscape. If the rest of Sicily was extremely hot, this place was nothing else than pleasant. The pool gave the possibility of refreshing daily swim. The food was delicious and varied. Can warmly recommend to everyone who is looking for and exceptional experience!
Irena
I had a great time. Beautiful location. Meeting wonderful people. Program was educational. And it was very well organized with thoughtfulness.
Nem
The retreat was superb in all terms: organisation, content covered, location/venue, food, activities, people. I loved it. Highly recommended.
Carolina
It was a great time. Good program. Beautiful setting. Great food.
Teresa
This retreat gave me exactly what I needed and totally met my expectations and even more. These were unforgettable moments and encounters. Masseria San Giovanni Sgadari was the perfect location for this retreat. The beauty and comfort of its places, as well as its staff, did everything to make our stay incredible! Not to mention all the delicious meals! Thanks Michael! Thank you to all the staff members at Masseria San Giovanni Sgadari!! See you next year!
Anne
If you looked at this strong offer and said to yourself, “I’m not an artist,” or, “I can’t do art,” then this is for you. It’s not about being an artist. It’s about being. And connecting. And exploring. I am not an artist, but I made marks on the paper as I moved through the experiences in the program. I am not a writer, but I wrote in response to the journal prompts. And I am not one who meditates, but I followed the guided meditations. I found that I was actually all of these things, and could do them in my own best way. Not only was I able to connect more deeply with my own being throughout the program, but the meaning that came from witnessing my response to the meditations, the journaling, my art, and others’ art was powerful. I was moved to grow more and take in the world around me with less judgment and more joy. This is a gift you give to yourself that sends a rippling effect through those in your life now and in the future.“
Stauna, Art of Being Online participant
I really enjoyed this workshop. Michael has a long and rich path. He knows a lot but is very modest. He knows how to adapt himself to each person. I think the way he introduced the workshop allows everybody a way to express themselves through the material. We had a very large choice of material we could use. I particularly enjoyed the day we worked on the four elements. I found the texts he chose to read very complementary and offered a wealth of information. Thank you so much for this beautiful experience.”
Nathalie, Vienna Workshop Participant
One could feel that Michael made a lot of effort and thought very much about small details. The course was a great enrichment for me, I would recommend it immediately! It was very well structured in terms of content, very well organised and easy to understand. There was a very good balance between theory, practice, discussion and exchange among participants. There were always good snacks, a nice mood and the day of silence was very enriching.”
Kathrin, MBSR Course Participant, Vienna
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