Train Your Brain. Restore Your Body. Reignite Your Teaching.
A 10-day retreat for teachers and movers in beautiful Tuscany: July 10 - 19, 2026
A rejuvenating, small-group workshop designed just for dance teachers to focus on your own health, movement, and longevity. No previous anatomy or applied neuro training is necessary and it doesn’t matter what your current fitness level is – but passion and desire to improve your own physical health is essential.
Why This Retreat?
Dance teachers give so much to others — but rarely take time for themselves.
This immersive retreat blends applied neurology with restorative movement practices to help you:
Release tension and long-held pain patterns
Improve energy and recovery
Expand balance and mobility at any age
Build resilience against stress and fatigue
Return to teaching renewed and inspired
What Makes This Retreat Different
This week isn’t about collecting more teaching tips for your students — it’s about you.
Your body. Your brain. Your movement.
You’ll learn how to assess and train the higher systems — vision, balance, proprioception — and discover how they shape mobility, energy, and resilience. When you experience neuro tools personally, you’ll not only feel the difference in your own body — you’ll also carry that understanding back to your students in a natural, powerful way.
At prior retreats I brought one of my adult children with me and we had a blast! There were a few teachers who also shared their trip with a family member and with that in mind I am going to open up spots to your non-dance partner or family member to attend. They can be fully involved if they choose. If they have a brain and want to move better this retreat is for them! If you want to take advantage of this simply pay the deposit for double occupancy for each of you and let me know you want to room together. Sharing adventures is always more fun!
Why Tuscany?
Believe it or not, the body thrives on change. When you put yourself in a new environment your nervous system perks up! It’s one reason why people like to travel so much – they say they feel so alive and awake – and that makes sense from a physical and physiological perspective.
It’s not that you can’t make changes during your normal schedule and life – it’s just harder. Teachers have a bad habit of putting their students’ well-being before their own. They are caretakers and parents and compassionate men and women.
I’m calling this adventure a retreat because I want you to retreat from your normal life and take time for yourself. Imagine having free time and making a choice about how you want to use it – visit a village? Be poolside to rest and swim? Decide to take a nap?
There are plenty of times we will be a community – during classes and meals and I suspect many of the excursions off of the hamlet. It is your choice. And it will feel good.
Why Tuscany? Well…. you won’t find a more beautiful area in the world that is relatively easy to get to, has an amazing culture, history, beauty, shopping, nature… and heart ❤️
What to Expect
Format: A 10-day immersive experience (July 10-19, 2026) featuring daily neuro-based movement labs, restorative movement practices, small-group discussions, and one-on-one sessions with Deborah
Focus areas: Breathing, vision, balance, mobility, and stress resilience
The vibe: Supportive, inspiring, and rejuvenating — with plenty of space for reflection and self-care
Beyond the studio: Time built in for exploring the local area, enjoying the scenery, and connecting outside of class
All-inclusive: Your stay, meals, workshops, and local experiences are all included — so you can fully relax and focus on yourself
Be the First to Know
Adding your name below simply means you’ll be the first to hear when registration opens and full details (pricing, excursions, travel tips) are ready. There’s no commitment — just a way to stay connected and reserve early access to this special experience.
We’ll be staying at an ancient (16th Century) hamlet that has been renovated and turned into an agriturismo. It’s set on top of a hill where you can look upon the Apennine and Apuan Alps, and surrounded by the green mountains of Lunigiana.
Being surrounded by nature will help stressors melt away. When not in a class with Deborah you can lounge by the swimming pool, read a book, or meander along ancient foot paths on foot, by mountain bike or horseback.
Each double room has an ensuite bath. The rooms/baths are simple and functional. European baths designed in the 16th century will not compare to the large and spacious baths often found in new homes. You won’t be spending much time in your room with so much to explore and learning adventures to be had!
For those who attended the Tuscany Retreat will attest to how amazing Italian food is! Gluten intolerant? Vegetarian? No problem! Indulge in healthy, inspiring, vegetarian and non vegetarian dishes, incorporating a wide selection of locally sourced fresh organic ingredients, providing a culinary experience that will nourish and satisfy. We’ll enjoy complimentary wine with dinner and be treated to typical dishes of the Lunigiana region.
Angus & Tania are our trip coordinators who take care of accommodations, travel and adventures while in Italy. They are the best and I can’t imagine using anyone else!
Angus Stephens is cofounder and head chef of Chirriposa Retreats. A world traveller, he has worked for many years as head chef in yoga and surf retreats worldwide. After leaving more conventional posts in London, Edinburgh and around Europe, Angus worked for 2 years in the Fiji Islands at Namotu Island Resort. He moved to Costa Rica in 2004 and worked for years at the acclaimed ‘Tierra de Milagros’ Retreat (listed in Yoga Journal’s top 100 retreats in the world). Originally from the UK he has a University BA Degree in ‘European Languages and Business’. He worked for 10 years as a ‘Tour Director’ guiding large groups of American and Canadian students around major European cities. His interests range from sports such as rugby, football, skiing and surfing to music, (including playing guitar), gastronomy and nature.
Tania Cappelluti is co founder and manager of Chirriposa Retreats. From Berlin, Germany, Tania spent the best part of the last decade running ‘Playkula’, a vibrant artist booking and management agency, representing DJs and Producers worldwide . Tania has been heavily involved for many years in the music scene, working as an International Senior Product Manager for Sony Music Entertainment, Artist Coordinator for the ‘MTV Europe Awards’, Program Director for Berlin’s ‘Loveparade’, Tour Manager for the successful ‘Tabaluga Musical’ and Music Consultant for brands like O2, Hugo Boss and Strenesse. Tania also has strong ties to the yoga and surf community. First arriving in Costa Rica in 2001, she quickly found her way down to the Osa Peninsula and at the gates of a “funky little hippie hangout” (Lonely Planet) known as ‘Tierra De Milagros,’, where she assisted in the kitchen and managed the housekeeping for several years. Tania practiced yoga and surfing and was immediately hooked to both.