OVERVIEW - RITUAL & RENEWAL

YOGA + CEREMONY + BREATH - This is a very special retreat and a first for EPM: an invitation to go inward during this time of year. We will focus on an itinerary of true renewal with yoga, breathwork, daily ceremony (cacao, water, fire, altar-making), and some nature and element-focused outings. Join us for this intimate week and come with an open heart.

Our week will be based around the chakras and elements which will provide a framework for this special itinerary. We will start the week with an opening sharing circle to set the space and intentions for the retreat, and end our time together with a closing circle as well to recount some of the things we will take away with us. Below is a list to give an idea of the special activities that we’ll be partaking in during this themed itinerary:

ROOT CHAKRA / EARTH ELEMENT
Morning yoga, Forest Bathing Meditation Walk, Altar-making Workshop, Olive Oil Tasting

SACRAL CHAKRA / WATER ELEMENT
Transformational Breathwork Session, Water Ceremony at Thermal Spring, Luxury Thermal Spa Day + Treatments

SOLAR PLEXUS CHAKRA / FIRE ELEMENT
Morning yoga, Cooking Class, Sacred Cacao + Fire Ceremony

HEART + UPPER CHAKRAS \ AIR + ETHER ELEMENTS
Mandala Creativity Workshop, Daytrip to Hilltop Town, Guilded Walk with Vistas, Yoga Nidra + Soundbath

**Please note that this program will be a bit unique from our usual EPM retreats. We will be creating an intimate circle of guests and holding space for real self-transformation this week. The focus of this week will be the work of ritual and ceremony and the container of a safe space for everyone to explore, breathe, and go within. Although there will be a few day trips and cultural outings, this retreat is less ‘tourist/travel’ than some of our other offerings. Please come with an open heart, mind, and spirit and in the right space to allow the work to develop throughout the week.

accommodation

Illustrious. Exclusive. Privileged. Located on a mountain ledge high above Merano with views of the Adige valley, Castel Fragsburg Relais & Chateau is a great place to stay. It offers peace and quiet, far away from bustling cities and noisy traffic, paired with fresh, clear mountain air and wonderful views. It is a hideaway for exacting standards, while the guarantee of countless hours of sunshine will make your time on the terrace even sweeter.

A Place of Inspiration.

Castel Fragsburg has been created as a place where you can experience change and strive for fulfilment. Where life and love are celebrated. The extraordinary aura of the historical building provides strength and acts as a muse so that you can focus on yourself, explore new avenues and recognise and harness your body’s energy.

On the heights of Merano, in South Tyrol, stands Castel Fragsburg, an exceptional hotel from the 17th century, majestically perched above the town. Distinguished not only by its style, but also by its unique philosophy and art de vivre, it is a true refuge surrounded by glorious, unspoiled nature. From its elevated terraces, enjoy spectacular views over the Adige Valley; or bask in the heart of its five-hectare fairy-tale garden and reconnect with the beauty of the world through a celebration of the senses. Inside its twenty suites, discover elegant interiors that combine alpine comfort and Mediterranean sensuality for optimal relaxation. This spirit is echoed in the Alchemistic Healing Spa, the first of its kind, which offers marvelous beauty treatments, as well as in the jacuzzi and the heated outdoor pool, where unforgettable moments under the sun are sure to be had. In the gourmet restaurant, the South Tyrolean chef highlights healthy regional products and invites you to savour exquisite aromas that also serve as wonderful elixirs of life.

ACTIVITIES

Not only will we take advantage of the amenities and beauty of our hotel and its sprawling grounds, but we’ll enjoy some various activities on top of our ceremony and ritual classes throughout the week. The main focus of our time together will be the exploration of an inward journey through the tools of movement, breath, and ceremony - with the backdrop of nature to guide us. We will enjoy daily yoga / meditation and various circles in theme with the elements - from a forest bathing meditation walk and breathwork, to a cacao and fire ceremony, yoga nidra and soundbath. One morning will be spent on a guided meditation walk of “Forest Bathing” (shinrin-yoku in Japanese) where we will full immerse ourselves in the healing nature of the forests surrounding the castle. And a visit to a nearby waterfall for a water ceremony is on the agenda.

We also will take an evening for some time in the nearby town of Merano “where the Mediterranean meets the Alps”. A modern mix of culture, history, Mediterranean flair and Alpine charm gives the city in the heart of South Tyrol a levity typical within that region. Guests and locals alike can sense the joie de vivre that’s all part of the flair.

Then we will round out the week with spa treatments at the on-site Healing Spa where the resident Alchemistic Spa uses the power and energies of nature to pamper and have an effect on the body, mind and soul in equal measure. We’ll also get to have a private lesson from this modern alchemist, an expert in natural healing, incense and holistic nutrition who combines the healing knowledge of her ancestors in a ‘biophilia expedition’ where we’ll learn about and use the plant-based concoctions.

CUISINE

Healthful, vegetarian food is part of the retreat experience, including breakfast and dinner daily, as well as selected lunches. We've carefully chosen delicious and fresh meals from renowned restaurants and chefs which will give guests an expansive experience of the cuisine. Our dinners will include a few multi-course tasting menus at the hotel’s restaurant, emphasizing honest, healthy, and delicious Italian food, as well as various meals out in town and on our day trips. We’ll experience a visit to a winery for a tasting, a farm tour with samples of the local specialties, and learn about the nourishment that is foraged from the forests. We’ll end the week with a farewell dinner at the hotel’s Michelin-starred restaurant with a tasting menu and wine pairing.

*In the yogic tradition, meals on our retreats are vegetarian. When the company was founded, we wanted to create consistency and integrity within our yogic lineage as well as finding the most consistent way in each location to leave a light footprint. We know not all our guests are vegetarian, but we ask that they be open and understanding of the principles that guide this choice for just the few days that we are together. That said, breakfast is an open menu with all diets being represented, so there are usually options of meat / fish. Plus, a couple of the provided meals at sea-based locations will have an option for seafood, and of course guests can choose whatever they prefer from menus when we are on our own for a few meals during the week. Special allergies can be addressed and noted.

WELLNESS + CEREMONY

Daily practices will be offered in a way to relax, stimulate, and help guests grow in the mindfulness nature of the trip. Classes are open to all levels, beginner to practiced, and can range from gentle, restorative, and vinyasa flow. Plus meditations such as yoga nidra, guided meditation, and walking meditation will be offered. Style and class levels will be determined and moulded to fit participating students' needs, and with a small intimate retreat class size, students will be able to get personalized attention and comfortability to deeply explore their practice. Our yoga and meditation classes during our time together will take place at beautiful setting in the castle, while some of our ceremony spaces will vary between the garden, forest, outdoor fire circle, and terraces.

Our sessions of movement, yoga, breath, and ceremonies will be led and shared by our two facilitors: Special Guest Collaborator, Michele Anne Barocchi, and EPM Founder, Erin Lewis - both who are based in central Italy not far from our retreat location.

MICHELE ANNE BAROCCHI
Michèle Anne Barocchi MPH PhD (Scientist, MAPS Italia - President, Transformational Breath® Facilitator, MAPS MDMA-AT trainee, Teacher and Founder of Inbodhi Yoga, E-RYT500, Certified Vedic Chant Teacher) defines her experience as a long journey that, through different disciplines and techniques, has led her to work with the human body and its capacity for self-healing. The journey began with a PhD in Infectious Diseases and Immunology at the University of California, Berkeley. The lifestyle of a medical resident can be very stressful, and Michèle found relief in the regular practice of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga at a small studio in San Francisco. She soon realized that she had found a simple yet powerful tool for connection.

In August 2015, Michèle personally experienced the importance of the teachings she had learned, especially the power of breath. Involved in a nearly fatal car accident, she used breath to stay conscious and survive until help arrived. The accident resulted in the amputation of her left leg and confined her to bed for 8 months, giving her the opportunity to explore non-physical forms of connection and healing. A year after the accident, she encountered Transformational Breath®, a technique that deeply supported her journey towards reclaiming her personal power and helped her let go of a toxic relationship and any remnants of victimhood. Once again, breath saved her life.

She soon completed professional training as a Transformational Breath® facilitator and studied healing techniques from Amazonian tribes, such as the Paqo Andino - Despacho rituals - from the sacred mountain traditions of Peru. Her mission as a facilitator of these practices is to support others in learning the necessary means for healing, thus making each individual independent in their transformation journey.

Currently, Michèle is collaborating on the creation of MAPS Italia, an organization dedicated to raising awareness about psychedelic medicine, research, and therapy in Italy. This initiative has the potential to significantly contribute to the advancement of psychedelic science and its therapeutic applications in the country. It is essential to support and collaborate with initiatives like MAPS Italia to promote dialogue, research, and education on psychedelic substances and their potential benefits for mental health and well-being. What matters is not what happens to you, but what you do with that experience.

ERIN LEWIS

Eat Pray Move founder, has practiced yoga since 1998 and has trained in various disciplines from Ashtanga, the Rocket series, core power yoga, as well as the Strala method, and also incorporates practices from the yin, restorative, and yoga nidra styles as well. Having taught in studios in Florida, New York City, and Florence, Italy, Erin has also led thousands of guests around the world for over 13 years on EPM yoga retreats. She continues to evolve in her personal practice which naturally makes its way through her teaching. She loves sharing not only the asana (movement) limb of yoga with others, but also the many other facets which lead to life-changing shifts in our daily habits. Throughout the years she has deepened her study with ongoing education and certifications and finds there to be truth in what Sri K Pattabhi Jois famously stated: "Practice, and all is coming." She’s been blessed throughout her yoga practice to be surrounded by beautiful teachers who grow with their students, adjust lovingly, and practice what they teach...and continues to strive to be such a facilitator of yoga herself.

* Participation in classes and activities is optional throughout the retreat. All levels welcome!

DETAILS / PRICING

• 5 days / 4 nights (Oct 19-23, 2025)

• Inclusive Retreat Price = $3295USD (shared Junior Suite*, +various supplements for upgraded room choices and single occupancy rooms. All viewable on sign up page)

• Deposit to hold space = $1500

• Max # Guests = 14

* Guests traveling alone can choose the shared room and we match up based on guest profile. Rooms are spacious with separate beds and private bathrooms.
** 50% of final balance due 120 days before retreat start date, and remaining 50% due 60 days before retreat start date.
Read full cancellation policy in our Terms & Conditions.

INCLUDED*:

• Luxury Hotel Accommodation (spacious bedrooms each with private bathrooms, linens)

• Transportation to/from day trip

• Multiple yoga & meditation sessions

• Transformation Breath sessions

• Water ceremony

• Altar-making session

• Yoga Nidra Meditation

• Fire Ceremony

• Use of hotel amenities (spa, pool, gardens, trails)

• Welcome Reception

• Time in the historic town of Merano

• Spa Treatment

• Forest Bathing Meditation Walk

• Biophilia Experience with Modern Alchemist

• Daily breakfast

• Selected Lunch / Dinners

• Michelin Starred Farewell Dinner

• Taxes

* airfare not included
**activities may change based on weather or unforeseen circumstances

TRAVEL:

Airports = Innsbruck (INN) and Verona (VRN), approx. 90 minutes from Castel Fragsburg by car 
Bolzano (BZO), approx. 30-40 minutes from Castel Fragsburg by car

Closest Train Stations: Merano Train Station (approx. 30-40 minutes from Castel Fragsburg by taxi) and Bolzano Train Station(approx. 30-40 minutes from Castel Fragsburg by taxi)
You can get to Merano and Bolzano comfortably and conveniently by train from all neighboring airports

SUGGESTED PACKING:

Besides the basic packing and travel needs, here are a few things to think about bringing with you.

• Comfortable outdoor walking shoes

• Swimsuit (pool, spa)

• Weather-proof layers

• Yoga clothes

• Plug adaptors / converters