We are passionate about changing the world, one person at a time! Helping people understand their potential, overcome difficulties and create a more peaceful life and world.
We aspire to create a sanctuary where retreat leaders of all kinds can have an affordable centre to be able to bring their groups for a peaceful retreat in Sardinia, Italy.
With your support we will create an Eco-Retreat Center in a quiet area of Sardinia, Italy.
Help us create a sanctuary that doesn't cost the Earth!
What is Crowdfunding?
Crowdfunding is a new way for people to raise money, awareness and support for great ideas; a method of raising money through the collective effort of friends, family, customers, and individual investors. People can make a small donation or a larger contribution...there is no contribution that is too small or too large...you can just give whatever you feel is appropriate for you!
What's our project
So now we are asking for your support to achieve one of our dreams, which will also be a project that we hope can benefit all of you, to anyone who wants a place to escape to, to relax and get away from the constant pressures of our modern world. We are looking to create a place where you can relax and unwind, that doesn't cost the earth and isn't at the cost of the Earth either. We know that most of you want a place you can go to unwind that doesn't conflict with your ideals of minimising your impact on the environment.
We believe, as Gandhi famously said, that to change the world, we have to change as individuals. Through the practices of yoga and meditation personal transformation can take place in a gentle way, and we naturally become calmer and more accepting of ourselves and the world around us, allowing us to be more open-minded and less judgemental of ourselves and others.
I have gone through dramatic, profound changes through the practice and that's why I love to share my own experiences with others, I believe that these practices can help us to live more intelligently, healthily and happily.
What is Phase One?
Phase one is to create an environmentally low impact, Self Catering Retreat Centre. Guests and Retreats leaders will be housed in 6 wooden cabins or yurts, with each cabin housing 2 single beds. A separate Kitchen cabin for group use with basic facilities for cooking and eating together. A cabin for showers, with water heated by solar water heater. And finally a couple of environmentally sound, water saving composting toilets.
Phase One also includes the project to redesign and refurbish the pool to create an area for swimming and an area with specialist aquatic plants, waterfall and fish to clean the water naturally without the need for chemicals. And along with that, create an area around the pool for chilling and reading.
What is Phase Two?
We have a very large barn which in the future, we would like to convert into a more permanent, all weather, all year retreat centre, with and indoor Shala, ensuite rooms and proper facilities for people with disabilities. If our goal is surpassed and we raise far more funds that we expect, all proceeds will be held, and ring-fenced, for Phase Two..but that's for a later date..back to Phase One!
What have we done so far?
We haven't been sat around waiting for things to happen, we really want this all to work..so we've made a start!
We have bought the land (3 hectares) of tranquil, unspoilt Sardinian paradise!
We have created an outdoor Zen space for classes, with enough space for about 10-12 people on yoga mats.
We already have a concrete pool...it just needs a bit of TLC and conversion to a natural, chemical free pool!
We've started groundworks, and landscaping of the land with a view to the future...
Here is a little amateur video of the Zen Outdoor Shala that we have created, just to show the kind of atmosphere we are trying to create:
(I know, I know...it's very amateur, what can I say, I am a yoga teacher not a movie director!!)
Why would people want to use this centre?
I already get plenty of emails each year from teachers from all over the world looking for a bespoke retreat centre for their annual getaway. The current retreat situation on Sardinia is that you can either stay at a hotel, which may or may not have an area such as a terrace or patio you can use for classes, but almost certainly won't be set up specifically or exclusively for your group to use whenever they want, or you might find a Yoga/Meditation centre that has no accommodation and therefore you have to organise accommodation at a local B&B or hotel and then travel to the practice space separately. This tends to be a little inconvenient and often pretty costly!
We want to offer an affordable, tranquil, eco-friendly space for retreat-goers and organisers to enjoy. Sardinia is easy to get to, there are 3 airports on the island. This area of Sardinia is spectacular, we benefit from being surrounded by amazing beaches, stunning mountains, natural pools, waterfalls, amazing canyons and totally unspolit mediterranean countryside. The air here has recently been surveyed as one of the cleanest and most unpolluted air in Europe. Locally on offer from various operators you can arrange extra-curricular activities and excursions, a selection of what is on offer: Climbing, Hiking, Cycling, Kayaking, Surfing, Kite Surfing, Paddle Boarding, Boat excursions, Cave excursions, Vineyard visits, etc...
Here is just a little sample of some of the spectacular scenery of the local area from a couple of local tourism associations:
For retreat leaders/Organisers
We want to create a place you can hire exclusively, you will be the only group here, so there are no conflicts about what time you can do your classes, the space is bespoke and created specifically with a view to be used by groups who want a quiet, reflective space with a tranquil energy...you're not going to hear the other guests, kids and adults, screaming and splashing in the pool...this will be your space! And it won't just be for Yoga and Meditation Retreats, we foresee many other positive influence groups using the site, for example:
Holistic healing, Art Therapy, Music Therapy, Eco Therapy, Nature Therapy, Colour Therapy, etc..
I think we've covered most of the information you might need, but if you have any questions we'll be happy to respond to them as soon as we can! So send us a message, ask away....
What are the funds for?
So what do we need the money for?
The cabin structures
The composting toilets
The kitchen equipment
The beds and furniture
The showers, water tank, water heater and grey water filter
Installations of water, solar water heater and electrical supplies
The swimming pool refurbishment and consultant fees for redesign
Create a parking area for guests
So why should you back this project?
Maybe you are a friend, family member or somebody who has been on retreat with me or who knows us personally or professionally and you want to support us in our project... Maybe you like to go on retreat and love the sound of what we're doing and would like to visit us in the future... Maybe you're a retreat leader, retreat organiser or you're already teaching and would like to use the retreat centre for your activities in the future...and you'd like to "pay it forward"... Maybe you are a generous philanthropist... Maybe you're just awesome!
Whatever your reasons, we'd like to offer something in return:
If you're a family member or a personal friend...you get to stay in our new centre at exceptional "mates rates" whenever there are no retreats going on! If you're not, as well as your chosen reward, you'll also get a voucher from us for a whopping 25% discount on your first booking, whether as a guest on one of our retreats or as a retreat leader.
But what happens if we don't reach our target?...
You're kidding right, with you backing us and sharing it with everyone you know, it's never gonna happen! But if by some cruel twist of fate it all falls through, all your money will still go towards making this retreat centre come into fruition, it will be saved and ring-fenced until such time as the centre is built...
So there's nothing to lose and lots of Kudos and gratitude from us to gain!!
Contribute now by pressing the big pink "Back it!" button at the top of this page or by selecting one of the Perks.
Alternatively, you can visit our website to see other ways that you can contribute.
What else can you do to help?
Share the project, follow it, spread the word...and then share it again!! Ask friends, family and colleagues to take a look, talk to them about it over over a cup of tea, a Prosecco, on your blog, your website, on all your social networks (Facebook, Twitter etc), any occasion you get.
The more people who see it, the more likely we are to succeed, and we can't do it without you!
Maybe you would also consider donating a bit of your time and energy organising a litte fundraising event with your family, friends, neighbours... it doesn't have to be complicated or expensive, and it can be lots of fun too!
We are sure you can come up with lots of ideas, but here are some ideas we found on the net:
Bake sale | Coffee morning
Board game tournament | Video Game Tournament
Host a Home sales Party – Tupperware/Avon etc
50/50 Raffle | Dare Reverse Raffle
Quiz Night | Film Night | Cards night
Sponsored event – Bike ride, walk, silence…
Karaoke evening | Philanthropic Pub Crawl
Activity or Skills Workshop - share your skills or hobbies with others in a mini workshop
Become an Ambassador
We are looking for enthusiastic, community-minded individuals who are inspired about creating a better world, about creating a more peaceful harmonious future for ourselves and future generations. There is no requirement to be a yoga instructor or to be a blogger either. Just someone who likes to spread the word and has a willingness to spend some of their time talking to people online and in person. Find out more about becoming an ambassador.
About the Project Owners
We are Alex & Billy, UK expats who moved to Sardinia in 2010. We moved here to gain a slower, quieter and more sustainable way of life that what we were used to in the UK, to live in a warmer climate and to experience a new culture amongst the welcoming Sardinia people.
Billy has more than 20 years experience and qualifications in many types of holistic therapies, including aromatherapy, indian head massage, thermal auricular treatment and he is also a Reiki Master. He is a founding member and Treasurer of Yoga in Sardinia, a non-profit Association, based in Sardinia, aimed at promoting the benefits of Yoga, Meditation and Holistic health.
I have been practising yoga & meditation for over 15 years and started teaching in 2009. I am also a founding member & President of Yoga in Sardinia. I have been hosting Hatha Yoga & Mindfulness retreats in collaboration with local hotels for the last 3 years and now is the time I would really like to get to work creating my own center! I am told by guests that I have a calming energy and a relaxing voice, that I am open, honest and generous with a wicked sense of humour...but I'll let you be the judge of that! I have also launched Stress Management for a Modern World, an online mindfulness based stress management course. I am a vegan, with a strong affinity to the practice of Ahimsa; the yogic non harming philosophy and I blog (intermittently and irregularly!), about my vegan food journey on Sweet Ahimsa. I also write about life in Sardinia and try to promote the island through my pictures on Instagram and by blogging. I have a featured guide on Stay.com and another on Susan Van Allen. I have also been a featured contributor at Om Times Magazine.
We have a presence on most of the Social Media Platforms, so check them out and see what we get up to!