Nature, Beauty & Belonging
Where the Hills Hold You...
A nurturing Pilates & yoga retreat in the Tuscan countryside. Movement, laughter and deep rest
Imagine waking to soft Tuscan light, rolling hills stretching out before you, birdsong in the air and nowhere you need to rush to.
This 6-night, 7 Day Pilates & Yoga Retreat at Hotel Borgo Tignano is an invitation to slow down, nourish your body and mind, and immerse yourself in the beauty, culture and ease of the Italian countryside.
Set within a lovingly restored 16th-century borgo, surrounded by the forests and hills of the Berignone Nature Reserve, this retreat offers the perfect balance of movement, rest, connection and gentle adventure.
Whether you are craving deep rest, a reconnection to your body, or simply time away from the demands of everyday life, this experience is designed to leave you feeling grounded, energised and quietly joyful.
The Location: Borgo Tignano, Tuscany
Hidden away at the end of a small private road, Hotel Borgo Tignano feels like a true sanctuary. The borgo sits high among rolling hills, olive groves and woodland, offering expansive views across the Tuscan landscape. Time seems to soften here.
The accommodation is full of character and charm, furnished in traditional Tuscan style, blending rustic beauty with comfort. Between practices you can relax by the large outdoor swimming pool, soak up the sun on the panoramic terrace, or wander quietly through the surrounding countryside.
Meals are served in the venue’s vegetarian restaurant, where fresh, nourishing food is enjoyed alongside breathtaking views – a place to linger, savour and truly unwind.
Daily Yoga & Pilates Classes:
Movement will be at the heart of our days together, offered in a way that feels supportive, accessible and nourishing, rather than demanding. Practices are designed to help you wake up the body with ease, unwind the nervous system, and leave you feeling both energised and deeply rested.
Most mornings will include one or two Pilates and/or yoga classes, depending on the size of the group and the rhythm of the day. Morning sessions will be gentle yet enlivening, focusing on mindful movement, mobility, strength, posture and body awareness — the perfect way to awaken the body and prepare you for the day ahead.
In the early evening, usually before dinner, we will gather again for a slower, more restorative-style practice. These sessions will invite you to soften and slow down through a blend of yin yoga, deep stretching, meditation, mindfulness and Yoga Nidra, supporting rest, recovery and deep relaxation. Evening practices are designed to help you unwind, settle the mind and transition into a restful night’s sleep.
Classes will be suitable for a range of abilities, with options and modifications always offered so you can work at your own pace and honour how your body feels each day.
*The daily schedule may vary on excursion days (such as trips to Pisa or Florence), as well as on arrival and departure days, to allow space for travel and exploration.
The Studio / Shala:
Our practices will take place in the beautiful Sala Panoramica, a light-filled studio that feels both grounding and expansive.
Set quietly on its own hill and surrounded by nature, the studio offers a sense of peace from the moment you arrive. Spacious indoor and outdoor areas invite you to move, breathe and rest while enjoying fantastic views of the surrounding Tuscan countryside.
Inside, wooden floors, mighty wooden beams and natural stone create a warm, cosy ambience that is instantly calming. Large windows flood the space with natural light and offer uninterrupted views of the hills and forests beyond, giving the feeling of practising at one with nature.
Imagine stepping into this stunning, airy space created exclusively for our movement and reconnection, The studio feels airy and unconfined, allowing plenty of room for both Pilates and yoga practices.
Quiet, peaceful and elevated above the borgo, this is a truly special space to move, stretch, breathe and reconnect — a studio that supports both energising morning practices and slower, more restorative moments.
Built in 2020, the Sala Panoramica combines modern comfort with natural materials, including air conditioning for warmer days, and is supported by two nearby toilets for convenience.
Meet Your Teacher
All classes on this retreat will be taught by Emma Churchill, a highly experienced yoga and Pilates teacher with over 15 years of teaching experience.
Emma brings a warm, grounded and intuitive approach to her teaching, shaped by many years of training, practice and working with a wide variety of bodies and abilities. She has invested extensively in her professional development, continually undertaking courses and trainings to ensure her classes remain interesting, varied, effective and enjoyable.
Her background includes training in a wide range of movement and yoga styles, including Hatha, Vinyasa, Yin, Restorative, Somatic-based practices, meditation and mindfulness, alongside Mat Pilates training with both Future Fit and Pulse Pilates. This breadth of experience allows Emma to draw from multiple disciplines, blending strength, mobility, flexibility and deep rest in a way that feels balanced and accessible.
Rather than teaching a fixed style or rigid sequence, Emma’s focus is always on who is in the room. She teaches responsively, adapting practices to meet the needs, energy and experience of the group, offering options and variations so each person can move in a way that feels supportive and empowering.
Expect classes that are thoughtfully structured yet fluid, grounding yet uplifting — sessions that encourage curiosity, self-awareness and enjoyment, leaving you feeling cared for, capable and at ease in your body.
Your retreat experience at Borgo Tignano includes full board vegetarian meals — breakfast, lunch and dinner* — thoughtfully prepared to nourish your body and complement your Pilates and yoga practice.
Meals are enjoyed at Ristorante Tignano, a place where food, nature and wellbeing come together. Set against a backdrop of rolling hills, olive groves and spelt fields, the restaurant offers panoramic views, unforgettable sunsets and, as night falls, a star-filled sky. Dining here is not just about eating, but about slowing down and truly savouring the moment.
The cuisine is rooted in a holistic philosophy of hospitality, using fresh, regional and organic ingredients wherever possible. You’ll taste the landscape in every bite — from certified organic extra-virgin olive oil pressed from the estate’s own olives, to freshly baked bread made from ancient flours, enjoyed warm and fragrant alongside your meals.
Expect delicious Mediterranean vegetarian dishes lovingly prepared by experienced chefs: crisp seasonal salads, comforting pasta specialities, creative vegetable dishes and beautifully balanced flavours that are both deeply satisfying and health-supportive. Homemade cakes and cookies add a touch of indulgence, without losing the sense of nourishment.
Meals can be enjoyed indoors or on the restaurant’s large panoramic terrace, which can be covered or open depending on the weather — the perfect setting for long, relaxed lunches, shared dinners, and evenings filled with conversation and laughter. The bar also offers excellent aperitifs, local wines, barista coffee, teas and other drinks for those moments you’d like to linger a little longer.
*On days when we enjoy an optional day trip to Pisa or Florence, lunch will not be included, allowing you the freedom to explore local cafés and restaurants while out and about.
Lovingly prepared food to nourish your body, and a breathtaking landscape to nourish your soul — this is dining at Borgo Tignano.
