Unexpected beauty, unexpected Tuscany Unexpected treasures round any corner.

Stiava is a tiny, typical village which can be reached either by motorway or driving through Via Sarzanese passing from Lucca; this road offers very charming spots, evocative views and threads pilgrims footsteps on the Francigena way that more or less followed its itinerary. This little wonder located in downhill of Versilia, Northern Tuscany, has preserved its authentic taste of small community. There was a time here where each family had their own skills and jobs: one would be the farmer, one would be the baker, there would be a tailor, a plumber and a blacksmith for sure. Things have changed. Old pals complain about the new comers because they do not mix up with the locals. They bear in mind a time in which everybody’s business was your own, when everybody helped each other and trusted other people’s words by simply shacking hands.
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Yoga and photography in Tuscany

This is a brand new experience to me and I am very excited about working with Vicki and Colomba to this workshop. Colomba has worked extensively as a portrait artist, photograping important figures in contemporary international cultural life and she is practicing yoga as well.At the beginning I thought about yoga as a way to work out, relaxing oneself,  and about photography as the practice of shooting images as an artistic exercise...I have just found out that yoga can be practiced by anyone, at any age, and photography can turn into a creative exercise of self recognition.

Tuscany's landscape can be the link between the two. We'll be staying in a wonderful XVIIth century villa on the hills around Lucca. While staying there and enjoying the charming environment, one will be able to cast the eye of the camera, not simply on art, beauties, people, food...but "dig out" his/her own personal/inner idea of Tuscany.  Restorative yoga classes, self reflection and self study followed by meditation will be the right keys to reach for a "portofolio" to be shared as memory and common representation of the experience. I am curious to see what the outcome of this exercises will be. Bloggers are invited to share info and create awarness on the programme. For further info on the programme, link to: http://www.vickivollmer.com/yogaphoto/index.html