Some FAQs, anecdotes and stories behind our recent Retreat in the Amalfi Coast, Italy
Hey you! It’s been a while since I stopped by to write some thoughts down and share them with my readers. I am so happy to be here reflecting on the “comeback” after the Positano Yoga Retreat Vol. 4 (Sept 24–30, 2026)—leaving a trace of a life well lived.
The question I’m asked most often by friends and attendees tends to be: Why Italy? And why Positano?
In response, my initial answer would be: Why not? But if I elaborate beyond the easy answer, the core of this vision traces back from my own dreams and desires. It is something personal that carries meaning for me. What surprises me is that even when participants don’t arrive with that exact same vision, they connect with the message that holds it all together.
Why Italy?
If you have ever visited Italy, you likely know it offers the ideal contrast between fantasy and reality—a place where polarities coexist in a kind of chaotic harmony (and if you haven’t been yet, perhaps you’ll join us on the next retreat!). Every authentic interaction feels anecdotal, from the melodic accents to the poetry served on every plate. It turns surreal at times, yet it swiftly grounds back into the body. It is a place where the senses come fully back online—and after all, so much begins with the physical.
Of course, the physical isn’t everything; we are far more than that. These days, the popular phrase (often taken out of context) is that “yoga is not about the poses”—and it isn’t. However, we cannot neglect the importance of tending to the body behind that shield. Our bodies are the vehicle we were given to experience this life; when the vehicle is cared for, it operates optimally when called upon. We cannot realistically aim for depth if the most evident layer isn’t first grounded in space. The Positano Yoga Retreat will pull you right into the present moment and turn several dials at once.
Why Positano?
My connection to this place started long ago. As a teenager, I used to collect fashion magazines purely for the imagery. I vividly remember seeing these iconic photos of the Amalfi Coast and tearing out those specific pages, dreaming of maybe visiting one day. Back then, I never imagined or believed it would actually be possible to build something meaningful here—something that was not only personal, but brought value to those taking part, something you could carry with you far beyond “a nice trip to Italy”.
Positano is one of the most iconic vertical towns along the Amalfi Coast. It is vibrant, energetic, and brimming with life, art, and Mediterranean charm.
While the bustling main streets in town draw crowds from all over the world, the place where this retreat takes place (La Selva) offers a truly authentic experience from a completely different view. By stepping up and away into our suspended oasis in the hills, you begin to immerse yourself in nature step by step and get to experience the best of both worlds: the vibrant beauty of Positano below, and a peaceful, breathtaking Mediterranean paradise above—where the first to greet you as you step in will be a vast view surrounded by centuries old olive trees, the dogs, the flowers that pull your attention as you walk up, and the owners of this living oasis. You have arrived to the ideal environment to slow down, to simplify, an experience where you will see that not much is needed to feel complete. The real luxury of this retreat happens in front of your eyes, outside all walls and doors. As John once said, this place just bites deep.
“Positano bites deep. It is a dream place that isn’t quite real when you are there and becomes beckoningly real after you have gone”
– John Steinbeck
What Exactly is the Positano Retreat?
This event is a living vision that fosters togetherness, new discoveries, and an expansive view of life. While yoga is an integral component, the retreat becomes the playground where yoga naturally migrates into everything we do.
What makes it so special—as shared by our wonderful guests—is the combination of elements: our home at La Selva (a true “Heaven on Earth”), the nourishing food, daily yoga practices, hikes along the hills, and the moments of contemplation. It’s about remembering how long it actually takes to reach town for a Granita when powered only by your own two legs, enjoying slow mornings with a view, watching the sunset and reclaiming the value of your time without an agenda. The retreat offers an embrace of nature as what it actually is: our ultimate home, making it far easier to gradually return to ourselves. Remembering that all the beauty you see around, you already are.
“We are not in nature, we don’t go to nature. We are nature.”
-Monica Gagliano
This experience is specially designed for adventurous souls—those who love stepping off the beaten path, immersing themselves in nature, and embracing a slower, more intentional way of living.
This retreat isn’t something you decide to go to change who you are or “improve” you. It is an invitation to remember, to maybe see yourself reflected in the moment—embracing both the light and the dark sides that make you whole. It’s about finding the courage to honour your heart’s longings, acknowledging how far you’ve come, embracing meaningful conversations under the stars, and falling asleep in a silence that feels full of life. It’s about waking up at La Selva, holding in your hands the autonomy of your choices as a new day begins, and carrying those subtle sparks back home with you.
Guiding and accompanying this retreat is always a gift. Every edition is unique; each one touches me differently even when many elements remain the same—much like the practice itself. In my own reflective moments, I sometimes ask myself: Should I keep doing this? But every time I return, I am reminded that as long as there are adventurous souls willing to take that steep walk up the hill, we will always sit and take in the view together from the top.
If you joined us this time—or during a previous retreat in Positano—and felt moved or unveiled something meaningful within yourself, please share your story with your loved ones, tell them to come! Word of mouth is the most powerful way to nurture small, heartfelt projects and keep them visible.
Thank you to La Selva and thank you to Italy for making the invisible undeniably visible time and time again. Thank you to everyone who has been part of this living vision, and to those who are about to be.
May this inner fire burn steady, so we can continue making the impossible possible.
Are you ready to invest 7 days in Italy with us next time at Retreat?
We reunite for the Positano Yoga Retreat every two years, sun-kissed by the golden light of the late summer, under a full moon (end of September to beginning of October).
Make it Happen.
with love
María Herminia
Practice with me from La Selva! I recorded this class for my Sunday Of Grace students and is now open for everybody. Namaste.
Photo Credits to Valeria Vargas, my iPhone and Rosabell Dos Santos.
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