Journey To BLISS 2025
YOGA RETREAT ITALY
SPACE IS LIMITED!
Salento, Italy
Yoga in Salento
Matt Giordano
Rejuvenate and Immerse yourself in the Yoga Practice
April 12-19 2025
Journey to Bliss is a carefully crafted immersion providing you with a path to unwind, untangle and release mental, physical and emotional patterns that cause stress, fatigue and burn out. This experience is designed to bring you back to the core state of being, Ananda (Bliss). As the yoga tradition teaches, we all have a powerful source of energy within us that gets muted by the business of our day to day agenda. During this retreat you will learn the tools to get reconnected to the Bliss within you, and you will learn how to maintain it through specific practices that can be utilized when needed.
Together we will practice the trifecta of yoga practice: Asana, meditation, and breathwork. You will receive careful instruction for all three practices in order to provide you with the utmost proficiency and efficacy.
I had the most beautiful week making life long friends, enhancing my yoga practice beyond belief and developing some daily practices that I continue to uphold 2 years later.
Matt retreats are a complete journey inwards, there is humour, tears and sweat all in abundance! Matt is a wonderful human and his generosity of spirit is boundless and I can’t wait to go on retreat with him again.
Andreana Bateman @andreana.kyriacou
THE EXPERIENCE
Rejuvenate your mind, body and soul with a powerful immersion into the heart of yoga. This 1 week retreat style immersion provides you with space to relax, replenish and release, while you dive fully into your yoga practice. The experience is designed to support you in your development on and off the yoga mat. Journey To Bliss is an all levels appropriate adventure that will advance your physical practice, and provide you with tools and practices for breathwork and meditation. This immersion helps you get away from it all so you can focus entirely on you. This is the perfect way to show yourself the love you deserve.
The Physical Practice: Each practice will be full of techniques to advance your body awareness, strengthen your muscles, and increase your functional range of motion. Journey to Bliss is a thorough exploration of the body, educating you on all areas including your spine, core, back, shoulders, hips, lower legs, arms, wrists, and neck. You will gain access to a wider range of postures including Hip Openers, Forward Folds, Side Bends, Heart Openers, Arm Balances, Inversions, and Shoulder Openers. If you are looking to fully transform your asana practice, this is the event for you!
Meditation: Simple yet highly effective meditation practices will be provided to cleanse the mind, increase focus and attention, and reset/release unwanted thought patterns. Meditation tools are accessible for everyone regardless of your prior experience or not. Like the physical practice, you will receive step-by-step guidance to build confidence and proficiency.
Breathwork: There is no better practice to help manage energy levels, reduce stress, increase vitality, and bridge the gap between mind and body than breathwork. Together we will practice foundational breathing skills that are appropriate for everyone. You will learn to modulate your nervous system from calm to awake and back to calm again. You will learn which breathwork practices are appropriate for you based on your desired energy state.
RETREAT SCHEDULE
Day 1
- Fly into Brindisi or Bari Italy
- Take Taxi from Airport to Retreat Center
- Arrival Time to Yoga in Salento TBD
- Check-in begins after 3p
- 6:30p Welcome Gathering
- 7:30pm Dinner
- Settle in and sleep.
Day 2
- Wake Up, Sunrise, Optional coffee/tea
- 8:00-10a Practice Foundations & Travel Tension Release
- 10am Brunch
- 11a Shower/Personal time
- 12p Welcome Circle & Ice Breaker Name Game
- 5:30-7p Hip Opening Practice with Intro to Breathwork
- 7:30pm Dinner
- After Dinner: Optional Eco Sauna Session
Day 3
Monday
- Wake Up, Sunrise, Optional coffee/tea etc.
- 8:30-10a All Levels Practice including Arm Balance fundamentals
- 10am Brunch
- 11am SPA Day
- Day Time: Pool Time, Optional Excursions, Massages, Beach, Free Time, etc.
- 5:30-7:00p Practice “Balance and Bliss”
- 7:30pm Dinner
- 8:30-9:30p Group Q&A and Discussion
Day 4
- Wake Up, Sunrise, Optional coffee/tea
- 7a Optional Meditation with Rebecca Doring
- 8:00-10a Heart Opening Practice
- 10am Brunch
- 12p Handstand Foundations Instructional by the pool (optional, casual, playful, safe)
- 5:30-7:15p Neck Release, Forward Folds, Guided Stress Release Meditation
- 7pm Dinner
Day 5
- Sunrise Wake Up. Optional coffee/tea
- 7a Optional Meditation with Rebecca Doring
- 8:00-9:30am “Shoulders Revelation” Practice
- 10a Brunch
- 11a Good day for a longer excursion
- 6:30p Light Practice/stretch Pre-dinner Group Meditation
- 7:30pm Dinner
- Early Sleep or Optional Game Night, live Music Sing Along
Day 6
- Wake up, enjoy your morning routine
- 7a Optional Meditation withe Rebecca Doring
- 8:30-10am Practice: Spinal Awakening “Twists”
- 10am Brunch
- 11a SPA Day, Great Day to Relax and Recover
- 5:30-7p Practice: Journey to Bliss Masterclass
- 7pm Dinner
- 8:30p Group Meditation
Day 7
- Wake Up, Enjoy your morning routine
- 7am Optional Meditation with Rebecca Doring
- 8:30- 10:30 am Practice: Advancing Through Technique
- 10:30am Brunch
- 11:30am Last Day for optional excursions or local activities
- 5-6:30p Yogis Choice Workshop
- 7:00p Closing Circle, Goodbyes, hugs, photos, tears, smiles and everything in between
- Dinner
Day 8
- Wake Up, Enjoy your morning routine
- 9:30am Breakfast
- Goodbyes, hugs, photos, tears, smiles and everything in between
- 11am Check-out
- Departure
NOTES
- All Classes: all levels appropriate, modifications and variations will be provided based on your practice
Schedule Subject to Change
- The schedule is subject to change based on the group’s needs.
Optional Attendance
- All classes are optional though to get the full benefits of the immersion you will want to attend all.
The Perks
- All levels yoga for everyone
- Easy to follow, guided breath work and meditation session.
- Meaningful conversations with great people
- Incredible home cooked Ayurvedic and Italian inspired meals
- Easy short drive to the beach
- Amazing Pool area
- Relaxation spots: hammocks and lounges
- World class yoga practices
- Community building and life long friendships
- Optional Excursions
- Local, magnificent cities near by
What is Included
- All Yoga Practices/Workshops
- 8 Days/7 Night Accommodations
- All Scheduled Q&A, and Discussions
- All Meditations and Breathwork Sessions
- Available All Day: Fruit, Coffee, Tea
- Daily Brunch
- Daily Dinner
- Pool and Lounge Area
- 2 Spa Days: Sauna, Hot Tub, Turkish Bath
Optional Add On’s
- Private Yoga: $100/30 min Session (subject to availability)
- Local Excursions and Adventures
- Local Beaches
- Beautiful Historical Cities
- Ayurvedic Treatments
- Massage On site
- Stunning Cities like Lecce
- Additional Spa Days
Accomidations
ROOM OPTIONS
VERY LIMITED ROOMING AVAILABLE • EARLY BIRD ENDS Dec. 15th
PRIVATE ROOM PRIVATE BATH
Enjoy the luxury or having your own room & bathroom. If privacy is high on your priority list be sure to grab this option right away as there are 1 Room LEFT!
3 Month Payment Plan
Regular: $1067/Month
Early Bird: $1100/month
Pay in Full
Regular: $3400
Early Bird: $3300
PRIVATE ROOM SHARED BATH
Enjoy the luxury of your own bed in a private room. Each Room includes a shared bathroom with one other room. ONLY 1 ROOM LEFT!
3 Month Payment Plan
Regular: $1067/Month
Early Bird: $967/month
Pay in Full
Regular: $3200
Early Bird: $2900
PRIVATE ROOM FOR TWO
Enjoy the luxury of your own room for two people with a private bathroom. This is appropriate for couples or two people that are ok with sharing a bed 1 ROOM LEFT!
3 Month Payment Plan
Regular: $1667/Month
Early Bird: $1500/month
Pay in Full
Regular: $5100
Early Bird: $4500
SINGLE BED, SHARED ROOM, PRIVATE BATHROOM
Single bed in a double room, you will be assigned a roomate unless you have a friend signing up that you would like to room with. If you have a roomate signing up separately email Theyogimatt at Gmail.com to notify us of your roomate so we can put you together. This room has its own bathroom. To sign up for 2 people under one payment please Sign up for “Private room for 2.” 2 ROOMS (OR 4 SINGLE BEDS) LEFT!
3 Month Payment Plan
Regular: $834/Month
Early Bird: $750/month
Pay in Full
Regular: $2500
Early Bird: $2250
SINGLE BED, SHARED ROOM, SHARED BATHROOM
Single Bed in a shared room with a shared bathroom (2 rooms per bathroom). You will be assigned a yogi as your roommate or if you have a friend who is signing up you can contact theyogimatt at gmail.com after signing up and we will get you in the same room. 2 ROOMS (OR 4 SINGLE BEDS) LEFT!
3 Month Payment Plan
Regular: $767/Month
Early Bird: $650/month
Pay in Full
Regular: $2300
Early Bird: $1950
TRIPLE ROOMS – PRIVATE BATHROOM PER ROOM
Share a room with two other yogis that will be assigned to you, or find two friends to join you. Each room has its own bathroom. If you plan to room with two people you know, first sign up then email theyogimatt at gmail.com and we will put you all in the same room.
4 Rooms Left (12 Single beds total)!
Payment Plans Per Person
Regular: $934/Month
Early Bird: $584/month
Pay in Full
Regular: $1900
Early Bird: $1750
Information
Amenities
Free WiFi
Ayurvedic Treatments
Pool
Check-in & Checkout
Spa Days and Massages
Cancellation Policy
Please take precautions leading up to the trip, if you cannot attend for any reason including due to covid you will be responsible for the full payment of your spot unless you find a replacement as mentioned above.
Plan Your trip
Transportation Information
Information
AIRPORT
There are 2 nearby airports, Brindisi and Bari. Brindisi Is closest to the retreat center (40 min) and Bari is approximately 2 Hour drive. The City of Lecce has a train station that is just about 20 minutes from the retreat center.
IMPORTANT: PLEASE WAIT FOR CONFIRMATION before booking flights. You will receive the go ahead email when it is time to book your flight. It is always recommended to book with travel insurance.
TAXI & TRAIN SERVICE
You will be notified of affordable taxi options closer to the retreat date. The Retreat center will provide details on this. There is also a train to Lecce which is 25 minutes from the Retreat Center.
TOWNS NEAR BY
The closest towns to the retreat center are 5 minutes or less by car. You can look up the two called Sternatia and Zollino (10 minutes by foot)
Vaccination & Quarantine
Passport
International Flight
Hotels
There are hotels in Brindisi and Bari as well should you want to enjoy a night in either of these cities before or after. Bari is a popular cost line town with many nice restaurants.
Cash?
Retal Car
Reviews
Testimonials
Everything about this adventure was stupendous! to list a few highlights; bonfire and dinner on the beach ; a picturesque sunrise over the water every morning; yoga and meditation led by a warm and welcoming yogi teacher who manages to guide me to places I haven’t been before; perfect weather for any activity ; a naturalist every morning who knows exactly where to find the abundant wildlife right on the property, delectable meals , gracious hosts and I could go on and on. I am truly grateful to have shared this experience with Matt and a group of beautiful like minded yogis. Cannot wait to return!!!
I am not sure I can even put into words how AMAZING this Retreat was. If you have been on the fence about doing a retreat as I have been for the past few years, this retreat is a MUST. It was a life changing experience. Matt was an incredibly caring, inspirational, and giving host. Doing this was completely out of my comfort zone, but I left with so much growth and my heart is so full. I met new like-minded people, deepened existing friendships, truly advanced my yoga practice through Matt’s creative workshops, and grew personally through self reflection and facing fears. Adding to the Immersion Retreat was being present with the Retreat group at the community dining table, eating outstanding local foods, getting to know each other better, and reflecting on our retreat experience. This was a once in a lifetime adventure…
The iguana lodge as a retreat center is the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen. The yoga deck(s) are stunning, the pool, the plants and flowers, monkeys all over the place. The staff was incredibly welcoming and happy and helpful, they spoke good English so it was easy to communicate. The food was amazing; I felt spoiled from start to finish. Can’t say enough good things about the whole experience; I’d go back year after year.
Matt’s vast knowledge and passion for anatomy and understanding the body’s ability and potentiality to flex, bend, strengthen and align under its optimal efficiency is really felt in his classes. He brings and holds a beautiful and spiritual space and presence for his students and his passion and reverence for being a teacher is greatly felt. His care and dedication to teaching from a very pure and anatomically inclined space encourages his students to tune inward and become more conscious, aware and curious with their own anatomy and approach to various asanas. Through being encouraged to examine what I was feeling and what did I want to feel, I gently felt old physical patterns that weren’t serving me anymore unwind and melt away. Leaving me with so much more freedom in my mind and body space. His classes will challenge, inspire and grow you and his fun and humble spirit at the helm, will provide for an all encompassing yogic adventure. I give this retreat a 10! It’s one not to be forgotten and it might just become a yearly tradition in your life like I hope for it to be in mine.
REady for a nourishing adventure?
Looking forward to seeing you in Salento, Italy
Thanks for treating yourself to the practice of yoga.
Need Something Else?
Send Matt an email below with your questions!