In an airy Pilates studio high on a hill above the rolling Barbera d'Asti vineyards of south Piedmont, our teacher, Sophie Lyske, showed me how to do a "plank stretch", a simple but challenging exercise that strengthens the transversus abdominals, the "flat-stomach muscles", the body's internal corset. "Keep the pelvic floor connected and don't arch the back," she told me. "Think bottom down, shoulders open, breathe!" Read the full article here
By Lesley Gillilan
Published: 3:54PM BST 08 Apr 2010
http://www.telegraph.co.uk
Health and wellness holidays: Pilates and pasta - telegraph.co.uk
June 2009 Gyrotonic® Tower at The Poppy Farmhouse
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If a fully equipped Balance Body Pilates studio, a professionally equipped kitchen hosting Culinary Experiences sessions with our Italian chef and luxury accommodation all set in the most amazing vineyard covered hilltop location was not enough, we are now pleased to announce the purchase of a Gyrotonic® Tower.
With the increasing number of certified Gyrotonic® instructors and more studios offering both Pilates and Gyrotonic® this is an ideal opportunity for us to offer the very best experience to our guests.
Photo; Robyn with certified Gyrotonic instructor Michele Dorsey from Wyoming USA
May 2008
Pilates and themed Special Interest weeks and workshops
The Pilates studio at Ca
scina Papaveri has completely re equipped with new Balanced Body Pilates equipment and is now rated as the best equipped Pilates vacation studio worldwide. As a direct result, Cascina Papaveri is pleased to announce that a growing number of leading Pilates instructors and educators have expressed a desire to visit this year and teach guests in this unique setting. Many are multi talented, creating the opportunity to offer special activities and workshops in addition to daily Pilates sessions.
June.
Pilates and Pole - lates with Trisha and Calisha Hatfield Graves.
Monday June 9th Solo Travelers women only week.
Monday June 16th
Trisha Hatfield Graves studio owner from Washington state with her daughter Calisha will introduce guests to Pole-lates in addition to Classic Pilates see http://www.pilatesatplay.com/ Pole dancing is very popular and coupled with Pilates, this programme provides both fun and real benefits.
Monday June 30th
Walk-ilates with Ellie Herman Pilates & Walking in the Italian Countryside.
We are delighted to welcome Ellie Herman To Cascina Papaveri for her first European retreat. Ellie is an internationally internationally recognized Pilates instructor, author and inventor who has been teaching Pilates for over twenty years. Ellie has written eight books to date; Pilates for Dummies, Pilates Workbook on the Ball , Pilates Props Workbook, and her professional series, Ellie Herman's Pilates met, Pilates Reformer, Pilates Springboard, Pilates Cadillac, and Pilates Wunda Chair. Ellie also designed the Pilates Springboard, a space-saving version of the wall unit/ Cadillac. Formerly a professional dancer and gymnast, Ellie has a Master of Science in Traditional Chinese Medicine and is a licensed acupuncturist. She owns a studio in Brooklyn where she offers teacher training, rehabilitation classes, and private sessions. Visit Ellie's website at http://www.ellie.net/index.htm
Ellie has developed the Walk-ilates method; a system combining Pilates based exercise and props to teach proper gait and alignment to maximize the walking experience. Her Walk-ilates book will be out in 2008.
Walk-ilates sessions begin with special releases and stretches using the foam roller, followed by Pilates Mat and standing exercises using the magic circle. On this special retreat, the class culminates in walking through the amazing vineyard covered countryside, where proper gait and optimal alignment are stressed. Everyone will receive personal corrections to address any anomalies gait patterns.
MBT shoes are a great addition to this class, but are not required. If you are interested in purchasing a pair of MBT shoes, please contact Ellie directly at http://www.ellie.net/index.htm with your shoe size and preferred style. Ellie will conduct Walk-ilates most morning sessions and Pilates equipment sessions after lunch.
Demand for this week from both professional Pilates instructors and keen walkers will be high and we are offering this week at our usual rate of Euro 1950 per person, on a twin share basis.
July :
Maximum mobility through Pilates: Strength and flexibility at any age with Rebekah Rotstein.
Monday July 14th
Monday July 21st Solo Travelers week.
Rebekah Rotstein from New York. Rebekah, founder of Incorporating Movement. See http://www.incorporatingmovement.com/ The basis of her practice is educating people on proper mechanics of the body, helping those with special conditions and previous injuries as well as healthy individuals to move correctly in order to minimize or prevent pain and to maximize strength and mobility. Rebekah is a contributing writer on Osteoporosis and Pilates at http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/id/ART02834
August:
Pilates, Yoga and Art sessions with Laura Weston
Monday August 4th
Monday August 11th
Monday August 18th Solo travelers week.
Laura Weston, Pilates, plus Yoga and art classes. Laura combined teaching art, Pilates, yoga and aqua fitness in Florida before moving to Japan to work and train with famous yogis. Laura is currently a resident instructor in Dubai see instructors at http://www.yoga.ae/ In laura's words; Everyone is a creator; being an artist in his/her own way. Imagine enjoying a week of exploration and expression. Uniting our minds, bodies and spirits together often provides balance to our entire being and way of living. Learn to be still and quite as well as fluid and graceful. Vivid and Bold, while calm and soothing. Internalizing all of these aspects and more gives us peace and happiness; that which we all love to feel.
Special interest in September, October and November is dominated by food, wine and horse racing.
September
Second and third weeks
Asti hosts the famous "Douja d'Or", national wine festival and the Asti palio ( horse race) older than Sienna for more information see http://www.terredasti.it/italy-piemont/manifestazioni-asti.htm for more information see the events page.
October and November
Southern Piemonte becomes the gourmet capital of Italy, if not the world. The reason costs up to Euro 7,000 ( USD 11,000 UK£ 5,500) a kilo!! The white truffle (tartufo bianco) found in only three small areas of the world with southern Piemonte truffles being the best quality. Guests visit truffle fairs and hunt for these elusive fungi with dogs and fifth generation truffle hunters. With the wine harvest (vendemmia) finished local villages celebrate the harvest with wine and food festivals. It is a truly unique gastronomic experience.
November 17th to 24th
Pilates for Tango with Valentin
Cascina Papaveri is pleased to welcome back Valentin from California (who brought her studio group to visit last year) for a week of high octane Pilates and Tango, flavoured with some truffle of course. Valentin is a great Pilates instructor and one of Balanced Bodies top demonstrators. visit her website at http://www.pilatesbodybyvalentin.com/ Whilst Pilates is her love and living, Tango is her passion. Each year she visits Buenos Aires in February to indulge this passion.
Pilates is one of the best physical body control methods of exercise one can do, to improve posture AND tango dancing. It can also alleviate back problems and other physical injuries related to the feet, knees, hips and shoulders. The posture that is taught in Pilates is ideal for tango and for life.
If you have never done Pilates before, this will be a fun and unique introduction to a rewarding form of exercise.
Valentin will also step up the momentum with Pilates for the Tango Dancer
Learn how to improve your boleos, calesitas, ganchos, giros, molinetes, ochos, and more in this week-long intensive workshop. Using the Balanced Body Reformers/Towers and Combo Chairs, one can improve their posture, ability to disassociate upper from lower torso, hip extension and rotation. Foot, knee, hip and shoulder alignment will be addressed and correct placement will be practiced.
This will really fire up those November nights!!
November 24th
Thanksgiving Week
Following on from last year this is a great way to end our season. Gino will blend traditional thanksgiving with a little Italian twist, and ideal venue for ex pat Americans living in Europe to celebrate.
The Pilates studio at Ca
scina Papaveri has completely re equipped with new Balanced Body Pilates equipment and is now rated as the best equipped Pilates vacation studio worldwide. As a direct result, Cascina Papaveri is pleased to announce that a growing number of leading Pilates instructors and educators have expressed a desire to visit this year and teach guests in this unique setting. Many are multi talented, creating the opportunity to offer special activities and workshops in addition to daily Pilates sessions. June.
Pilates and Pole - lates with Trisha and Calisha Hatfield Graves.
Monday June 9th Solo Travelers women only week.
Monday June 16th
Trisha Hatfield Graves studio owner from Washington state with her daughter Calisha will introduce guests to Pole-lates in addition to Classic Pilates see http://www.pilatesatplay.com/ Pole dancing is very popular and coupled with Pilates, this programme provides both fun and real benefits.
Monday June 30th
Walk-ilates with Ellie Herman Pilates & Walking in the Italian Countryside.
We are delighted to welcome Ellie Herman To Cascina Papaveri for her first European retreat. Ellie is an internationally internationally recognized Pilates instructor, author and inventor who has been teaching Pilates for over twenty years. Ellie has written eight books to date; Pilates for Dummies, Pilates Workbook on the Ball , Pilates Props Workbook, and her professional series, Ellie Herman's Pilates met, Pilates Reformer, Pilates Springboard, Pilates Cadillac, and Pilates Wunda Chair. Ellie also designed the Pilates Springboard, a space-saving version of the wall unit/ Cadillac. Formerly a professional dancer and gymnast, Ellie has a Master of Science in Traditional Chinese Medicine and is a licensed acupuncturist. She owns a studio in Brooklyn where she offers teacher training, rehabilitation classes, and private sessions. Visit Ellie's website at http://www.ellie.net/index.htm Ellie has developed the Walk-ilates method; a system combining Pilates based exercise and props to teach proper gait and alignment to maximize the walking experience. Her Walk-ilates book will be out in 2008.
Walk-ilates sessions begin with special releases and stretches using the foam roller, followed by Pilates Mat and standing exercises using the magic circle. On this special retreat, the class culminates in walking through the amazing vineyard covered countryside, where proper gait and optimal alignment are stressed. Everyone will receive personal corrections to address any anomalies gait patterns.
MBT shoes are a great addition to this class, but are not required. If you are interested in purchasing a pair of MBT shoes, please contact Ellie directly at http://www.ellie.net/index.htm with your shoe size and preferred style. Ellie will conduct Walk-ilates most morning sessions and Pilates equipment sessions after lunch.
Demand for this week from both professional Pilates instructors and keen walkers will be high and we are offering this week at our usual rate of Euro 1950 per person, on a twin share basis.
July :
Maximum mobility through Pilates: Strength and flexibility at any age with Rebekah Rotstein.
Monday July 14th
Monday July 21st Solo Travelers week.
Rebekah Rotstein from New York. Rebekah, founder of Incorporating Movement. See http://www.incorporatingmovement.com/ The basis of her practice is educating people on proper mechanics of the body, helping those with special conditions and previous injuries as well as healthy individuals to move correctly in order to minimize or prevent pain and to maximize strength and mobility. Rebekah is a contributing writer on Osteoporosis and Pilates at http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/id/ART02834 August:
Pilates, Yoga and Art sessions with Laura Weston
Monday August 4th
Monday August 11th
Monday August 18th Solo travelers week.
Laura Weston, Pilates, plus Yoga and art classes. Laura combined teaching art, Pilates, yoga and aqua fitness in Florida before moving to Japan to work and train with famous yogis. Laura is currently a resident instructor in Dubai see instructors at http://www.yoga.ae/ In laura's words; Everyone is a creator; being an artist in his/her own way. Imagine enjoying a week of exploration and expression. Uniting our minds, bodies and spirits together often provides balance to our entire being and way of living. Learn to be still and quite as well as fluid and graceful. Vivid and Bold, while calm and soothing. Internalizing all of these aspects and more gives us peace and happiness; that which we all love to feel.
Special interest in September, October and November is dominated by food, wine and horse racing.
September
Second and third weeks
Asti hosts the famous "Douja d'Or", national wine festival and the Asti palio ( horse race) older than Sienna for more information see http://www.terredasti.it/italy-piemont/manifestazioni-asti.htm for more information see the events page.
October and November
Southern Piemonte becomes the gourmet capital of Italy, if not the world. The reason costs up to Euro 7,000 ( USD 11,000 UK£ 5,500) a kilo!! The white truffle (tartufo bianco) found in only three small areas of the world with southern Piemonte truffles being the best quality. Guests visit truffle fairs and hunt for these elusive fungi with dogs and fifth generation truffle hunters. With the wine harvest (vendemmia) finished local villages celebrate the harvest with wine and food festivals. It is a truly unique gastronomic experience.
November 17th to 24th
Pilates for Tango with Valentin
Cascina Papaveri is pleased to welcome back Valentin from California (who brought her studio group to visit last year) for a week of high octane Pilates and Tango, flavoured with some truffle of course. Valentin is a great Pilates instructor and one of Balanced Bodies top demonstrators. visit her website at http://www.pilatesbodybyvalentin.com/ Whilst Pilates is her love and living, Tango is her passion. Each year she visits Buenos Aires in February to indulge this passion. Pilates is one of the best physical body control methods of exercise one can do, to improve posture AND tango dancing. It can also alleviate back problems and other physical injuries related to the feet, knees, hips and shoulders. The posture that is taught in Pilates is ideal for tango and for life.
If you have never done Pilates before, this will be a fun and unique introduction to a rewarding form of exercise.
Valentin will also step up the momentum with Pilates for the Tango Dancer
Learn how to improve your boleos, calesitas, ganchos, giros, molinetes, ochos, and more in this week-long intensive workshop. Using the Balanced Body Reformers/Towers and Combo Chairs, one can improve their posture, ability to disassociate upper from lower torso, hip extension and rotation. Foot, knee, hip and shoulder alignment will be addressed and correct placement will be practiced.
This will really fire up those November nights!!
November 24th
Thanksgiving Week
Following on from last year this is a great way to end our season. Gino will blend traditional thanksgiving with a little Italian twist, and ideal venue for ex pat Americans living in Europe to celebrate.
Cascina Papaveri has been featured in the following media
Grazia magazine
‘foodie hols and exercise breaks don’t usually go together’.
Jan 2007
Cascina Papaveri featureds in Independent on Sunday and rated as one of the best romantic hotels in Piedmont, Italy.
June 4th 2006
Property of the month - The Times
Eat heartily, exercise healthily
24th August 2006
King of the hill - Scotland on Sunday
As a getaway for recharging your batteries, nowhere could better this charming spot. Next time, we can’t wait to go truffle hunting.
12th March 2006
Spa offer of the month - Harpers & Queen
This is the ultimate body holiday: a break in Piemonte, one of the prettiest areas in Northern Italy, with healthy and delicious menu and daily lessons in Pilates and Italian cookery.
April 2006
One of the 8 top Italian cooking schools featured in - The UK Sunday Times.
Of note, the standard prices quoted for Cascina Papaveri were the second lowest out of the 8 even though they also included full Pilates tuition conducted by top international instructors.
For information on our rates please refer to rates page.
‘foodie hols and exercise breaks don’t usually go together’.
Jan 2007
Observer Food Monthly
Featured residence in ‘the truffle is out there’.
19th November 2006
Daily Telegraph - Ultra Magazine
Cascina Papaveri featured new boutique resort.
11th November 2006
Featured on www.luxuryculture.com
Luxury traveler > Europe > Italy > Country Retreat Appetizing Accomodations. One of 5 listed luxury 'hotels' worldwide offering cooking classes, as well as the only listed country retreat in Italy Present.
Major feature articles - Psychologies
UK womens magazine; 4 page feature by Rufus Purdy
September/ October issue 2006
Major feature article - Pilates Style
US magazine; 5 page feature by Amy -Leibrock.
September/October issue 2006
Cascina Papaveri featureds in Independent on Sunday and rated as one of the best romantic hotels in Piedmont, Italy.
June 4th 2006
Property of the month - The Times
Eat heartily, exercise healthily
24th August 2006
King of the hill - Scotland on Sunday
As a getaway for recharging your batteries, nowhere could better this charming spot. Next time, we can’t wait to go truffle hunting.
12th March 2006
Spa offer of the month - Harpers & Queen
This is the ultimate body holiday: a break in Piemonte, one of the prettiest areas in Northern Italy, with healthy and delicious menu and daily lessons in Pilates and Italian cookery.
April 2006
One of the 8 top Italian cooking schools featured in - The UK Sunday Times.
Of note, the standard prices quoted for Cascina Papaveri were the second lowest out of the 8 even though they also included full Pilates tuition conducted by top international instructors.
For information on our rates please refer to rates page.
