Sheila Ilz van Hofen + Soft Serves
Reserve your place →Autumn in Piemonte is a sensory experience—think cool mornings, golden vineyards, the crisp air filled with the scent of earth and harvest and the colors of the season wrapping the land.
Just as a harvest reflects the work and care put into the land, our personal growth reflects the effort and consistency we invest in practice. The quality of the harvest depends not only on the seeds planted but also on the patience and nourishment given along the way.
Our founder and Advanced Certified Jivamukti Yoga teacher Sheila teams up with Carolin and Lea from Soft Serves to co-create a week focused on abundance, exceptional food and the simple enjoyment of life.
Expect an intelligent and creative sequencing, in-depth explanations for intermediate/advanced asanas and lots of playtime on the mat. The afternoons are dedicated to either slower-paced practices like Yin Yoga or offering asana labs and playful workshops to deepen into specific asana groups, using props and including partner work. On every second evening, we gather for philosophy talks, chanting or Yoga Nidra, enjoying our togetherness.
The team from Soft Serves will craft vibrant, nourishing meals that highlight the region's seasonal bounty—think rich pastas, local produce and bold flavors. Piemonte is known for its Barolo and Barbaresco wines, hazelnuts from the Langhe, and delicate white truffles.
The highlight of our time together is visit of anearby market to explore and learn about the region’s finest products. Lea and Carolin will introduce you to fresh, seasonal ingredients, explaining the flavors and stories behind each product. We’ll shop together, then cook a meal at the villa together as a group, putting our new knowledge to use. The experience also includes tips around an artistic presentation of food.
When you’re not practicing or eating, enjoy the late summer sun on the lavish terraces of the villa, take walks around the hilly countryside, read by the fire in one of the living rooms or take a massage with our experienced bodywork therapists.
Villa Pravernara, nestled in the rolling hills of Piemonte, is a blend of history and modern simplicity. The room’s walls are adorned with beautiful old paintings, offering a glimpse into the past, while the minimal, contemporary interior creates a calm and spacious environment. You can choose between single, double or triple rooms.
The large communal spaces—both indoors and outdoors—are designed to foster connection, making it easy to gather with fellow retreat participants or find moments of solitude. The indoor and outdoor yoga shalas provide the perfect settings for practice, with natural light streaming in during the day and the sounds of nature accompanying you throughout your practice.
Harvesting isn’t just about gathering—it’s about creating space to embrace what is ready to be received.
We cater for your dietary requirements, please mention any allergies or sensitivities upon booking.
Soft Serves is a Berlin-based culinary studio founded by Lea Schelling and Carolin Foelster. Both are advocates of simplicity, drawn to finesse and thoughtful craftsmanship. They equally pull inspiration from traditional regional cuisine as well as from traveling and immersing themselves in new worlds of flavor. They see their surroundings as a constant source of inspiration, weaving experiences, memories, and encounters into artistic dishes.
Sheila is an Advanced Certified Jivamukti Yoga teacher and founder of Villa Pravernara. Sheila always teaches from what she experiences in her own daily practice. For her, the physical asana practice is a gateway to explore the depths of having a human experience. On the mat we can meet our fears, look them in the eye without running away. She strongly believes the practices of yoga to be a transformative tool to cultivate awareness and compassion towards ourselves, others and our planet.
Expect a dynamic and invigorating practice, intelligent sequencing paired with a carefully selected soundtrack, combined with chanting, pranayama and meditation. In Sheila's classes, a steady rhythm prevails as she guides students through breath, movement, and their interconnectedness.
Continuing to be a dedicated student herself, Sheila passionately studies and practices all facets of yoga.
Schedule might vary slightly and is subject to change.
Arrival day: Check-in from 16.00.
Departure day: Usually no yoga class;' 9.00 breakfast; Check out until 11.00
We’ll let you know again what’s good to bring a few days before your retreat.