Tuscany Italy Retreat 2025
Osteothai & Thai Training Retreat | Rhythm & Stillness
June 18th - 25th 2025
with Flora Bisogno (ita) and Kelly Scott (eng)
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Rhythm & Stillness THAI MASSAGE and OSTEOTHAI RETREAT “DIVING INTO THE FASCIA” (ita/eng)
This is in-residence cross cultural experience. Join us for Thai massage training in the warm loving culture of Tuscany region in Borgo San Lorenzo with other like-minded local and regional bodyworkers.
We will focus on multiple levels of touch exploring Traditional Thai Massage (Nuad), Dynamic Thai Massage and Osteothai; the personal practice of mindful movement, meditation; the spirit of welcome and community (sangha). In this fourth edition we will focus on the Fascia.
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Intention
QUIET, AWARENESS AND THE ETHICS OF KINDNESS.
There is no stillness of mind without stillness of body, there is no stillness without awareness, there is no awareness without concentration, there is no concentration without discipline and ethics.
The stillness we want to cultivate is not the absence of, but rather the presence of something. It is the fruit of the practice of being present to ourselves and to what surrounds us. Awareness is the energy that allows us to stay in touch with the present moment, and to cultivate it it is necessary to have a practice of concentration, meditation or exercise, such as that of breathing. Usually our body is here but our mind is somewhere else. The Buddha was the first to teach us to touch the present moment through breathing, which thus becomes a bridge between body and mind. We become more aware of what is happening inside and outside of us and in this way we can offer a better quality presence to ourselves and others.
Our Focus
Meditation
PEACEFUL STEPS IN THE WOODS
We are inspired by the practice of walking meditation by Thich Nath Hanh and the techniques of Shinrin Yoku (forest immersion). On these occasions, we nourish ourselves with the contact with the elements of nature and enter into resonance with the abundance that it offers us: physical, symbolic, spiritual and energetic resources. We cultivate peace at every step.
Yoga/Movement
THE PRACTICE
The practice is based on the personal integration of Hatha, Yin and Vinyasa Yoga techniques, Qi-gong, Thai Massage, meditative practices inspired by the Zen Buddhism of Thich Nhat Hanh and the monastic community he founded (Plum Village). In this synthesis you will find powerful antidotes to physical and respiratory ailments and to an agitated mind.
Thai Training
Rhythm and Stillness
FOCUSING ON THE FASCIA
The fascia constitutes the architecture of our body, it is a multilamellar structure of dense connective tissue that forms a continuum throughout the body, it performs a structural
support function that envelops and penetrates all organs, muscles and nerve fibers. (Stecco C. 2018).
The fascia is a dynamic, vascularised and innervated tissue, which forms a network of multi-directional myofascial continuity throughout the body. Thanks to the presence of hyaluronic acid there is a sliding, between the various fascial planes that allows the muscle to contract optimally. The fascia allows directional motor control, coordination, synchronization, through proprioception (Vitali A. 2018). Furthermore fascial tissue is closely linked to our emotional world. Emotions can manifest themselves through tensions and contractures in the fascia. Massage thus becomes a precious ally capable of promoting the release of these emotional tensions trapped in the connective tissue and paving the way for a profound transformation, a global well-being that unites body and mind.
RHYTHM AND QUIET IN THAI MASSAGE AND OSTEOTHAI:
THE CHANGES OF RHYTHMS
Being able to adapt and change the rhythm of your treatment to the different needs of the receiver brings greater therapeutIc effectiveness, creativity, fluidity as well as playfulness and intuition in the practice.
Meet the Team
Kelly's attraction to Thai Yoga Massage was immediate. Within a couple of months of receiving her first Thai Yoga Massage, she set off on an international journey to immerse herself in the Thai healing arts.
Her unique approach to Thai Yoga Massage infuses a variety of styles that were inspired by her studies at Costa Rica school and the Integral Touch Institute in Thailand and Indonesia. In 2012 she became national board certified as an NCBTMB approved provider. In 2014 she became registered with Thai Healing Alliance, RTT. In 2016 she found a new approach in Osteothai that bridges the two worlds of eastern and western modalities with founder/teacher, David Lutt. In 2019 she entered a master Osteothai course with David Lutt and Jorg Schurpf. Upon completion she has continued to teach the principles in her courses in the USA and abroad.
Other teachers Kelly has worked with over the years is Sunny Klaber of Costa Rica, Janice Gagnon of California, Jörg Schürp of Switzerland, Krishnatakis from Greece, Deon Dewet of California. From Chiang Mai, Ohm Rinraya at Omsala, master Pichet Bonthumme, and Pi Jem Tanachon.
Street Market in Chiang Mai winter 2024.
Flo Thai Massage Mindful Touch, Italy
After graduating in Philosophy and a PH.D in Cultural Anthropology, Flora fell in love with
Yoga, Thai Massage and Osteothai, in which she found a path of transformation and
compassion for herself and others.
She is a senior member of the Italian Traditional Thai Yoga Massage Federation, Master in Osteothai (2019) at the Lulyani School of Thai Massage & Osteothai.
Since 2012 she has studied and practiced in Europe with the teachers of the Sunshine
Network, in Thailand with master Pichet Bonthumme and Pi Jem Tanachon. She regularly assists her main teachers and mentors David Luj, Jörg Schürp, Krishnatakis, Till Heeg.
She holds courses and workshops in Europe and Thailand at The Sunshine Massage School (Chiang Mai).
She creates a pleasant and fun atmosphere while teaching with precision, dedication and heart.
Flora is a lover of nature and animals, passionate about cultural difference and the richness
that every encounter with it can bring.
You will be guided by two teachers, Flora (Italy) and Kelly (USA), both Master Osteothai (France) with ten years of experience in teaching Thai Massage, Yoga and meditation. You will appreciate their different geographical origins and cultural specificities, their attentive, efficient and fun way of transmitting and sharing.
Carolina Barberis-
Culinary artist, Carolina will be our chef for the retreat. She has a creative style in preparing vegetarian locally sourced meals.
She has studied Osteothai and Thai Massage with both teachers David Lutt and Jorge Schurpf as well as provided assistants in Flora Bisogno courses in Thailand and Italy. This will be her 4th year returning to assist with meals and the training.
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Thailand 2024 during Flora's Osteothai course at the Sunshine Massage School, Chiang Mai.
Together we have grown so much, playing, laughing and working together. We look forward to sharing with you and invite you to join us, the Sangha in Europe.
Reserve your Spot
PAYMENT
$1650
$500 deposit (non-refundable)
to reserve your space and will apply to your total investment
Registration and full payment are due by March 31st, 2025
Pay in Full or incremental payments are accepted
For additional information please direct your questions to Kelly@iluvmassage.net
PROGRAM INCLUDES
7 Nights / 8 Days
3 locally sourced meals during the training
1 closing dinner in Florence
Daily yoga & movement
Shuttle to and from the train station
Morning rise mediation & Chanting
Guided tour through Florence
30 CE’s/ NCBTMB approved Thai Yoga Training Course Content
Kelly Scott - OsteoThai Training
PROGRAM INCLUDES
Dormitory Occupancy
Olive Oil tasting
Wine tasting tour
Non-smoking throughout
Open air living spaces
Towels and all linens provided
Date: June 18-25, 2025
18th - 23rd Osteothai training
23rd-25th Touring Florence
Location: Polcanto – Borgo San Lorenzo (FI)
Duration: 7 N/8 days
Time: from 6:00 pm on the 18th - 2:00 pm the 25th.
Where
Tenuta Ferracci (Borgo San Lorenzo)In the beautiful Tuscan hills, in the middle of the woods and in a quiet atmosphere. The main house is a typical Tuscan farmhouse, surrounded by an immense chestnut forest, far from the noise and lights of the city. The outdoor space is abundant and generous.
HOW TO ARRIVE TO THE LOCATION:
Your destination is Firenze Santa Maria Novella, main station from where you need to take a Regional Train to the final destination Station of VAGLIA (usually platform 17 or 18) from where we will pick you up to get to the venue. This regional train runs every 45 minutes and takes 45 min.
By car follow the signs for Tenuta Ferracci (Polcanto)
By plane:
Florence, Bologna or Pisa airports.
All these 3 airports have connection (a Shuttle or a bus) to their respective main Station, from which you can take a train to FLORENCE Santa Maria Novella (as mentioned).
From Bologna Marconi Airport: take the "Marconi express" (20 min) inside the airport to get to Bologna Centrale and from there Train to Florence (45 min).
From Pisa Airport: take the "Pisa Mover" to get to Pisa Centrale (20 min) and from there to Florence (90 min).
From Florence Airport: take the "Tranvia" (on your left when you exit from the airport) to get to Firenze Centrale (30 min).
To buy the train ticket from PISA or BOLOGNA to Florence, and from Florence to final destination "VAGLIA" check this link or better if you download their respective app:
https://www.trenitalia.com/en.html
https://www.italotreno.com/en/booking-train-ticket (this one not for the destination to Vaglia)