06/24/2025
🌍✨ Valerie has been exploring Italy with wonderful groups over the past few weeks, and we’re excited to welcome her back soon!
Here’s a peek into Week 3 of her journey—filled with beauty, connection, and inspiration. 🇮🇹
Stay tuned as she returns with stories, energy, and new insights to share on the mat!
From Valerie:
"Week three in Italy took us to the east coast of Sicily in the orange groves at the feet of Mt Etna (one week after she erupted) and to Isola Bella. Our host,Guendalina Uteri, welcomed us into her farmhouse, owned by her family for over 400 years. Her uncle (the Barone) Franco Platania gave us a tour of his private castle, Castello degli Schiari, just down the road. You may remember it as Al Pacino's hideout at the end of The Godfather III? You can see the balcony where Al Pacino, the Barone, and Robert De Niro stand during the shooting of the film and the chair out front (spoiler alert . . . where Michael Corleone dies) still sits there today. The barone, now in his 80's, certainly has the joy of life!
We also managed to practice what the Italians refer to as "Dolche far niente" or the "Art of Being Idle," and if you know me, you know that may be my most challenging practice of all."
