Flow Retreat
Yoga & Mindful Watercolour
9-11 April 2027
Flow Retreats: Mindfulnes & Mindful Watercolour at the ancient Monastery of Fonte Avellana Italy
A weekend to rediscover your natural rhythm through body, colour, and silence.
Nestled in the green hills between Umbria and Marche, surrounded by the quiet of an ancient monastery, awaits a deeply regenerating experience.
Three days to slow down, breathe, and be guided by the flow of colour and mindful movement.
Each morning begins gently with mindfulness practices led by Gaia, helping the body awaken with presence and lightness.
Then, with Irene, watercolour becomes meditation, a silent dialogue between breath, water, and pigment, where every brushstroke is an act of listening.
The days unfold slowly, filled with moments of stillness and simple and wholesome meals.
❋ Natural Rhythm
We alternate guided moments, free exploration, and spaces of silence, allowing the experience to flow naturally and authentically, following each person’s own rhythm.
❋ Inner Listening
Every moment is designed to invite you to slow down, breathe, and reconnect with yourself, in an environment that welcomes without judgement and gives space to silence and awareness.
❋ Mindful Guidance
Irene and Irene will accompany you with sensitivity and care, creating a safe space where you can feel welcomed and free to express yourself.
❋ Authentic Connection
Sharing is part of the journey. Through the group, you’ll discover new perspectives and inspiration in an atmosphere of listening and mutual presence.
The retreat is open to everyone, whether you are new to yoga and watercolour or already have experience in either practice.
All materials needed for the watercolour sessions will be provided during the retreat. For the mindfulness practice, please bring your own mat.
Arrival: Friday, 9 April 3:00 p.m
Departure: Sunday, 11 April after Lunch
The retreat takes place in a small group (during watercolour classes up to 14 participants), to ensure an intimate and authentic experience.
Between mindfulness and watercolour, you’ll enjoy over 15 hours of guided sessions,
Accommodation with full board:
€70 per night in a single room
€65 per night in a double room
Accommodation bookings should be made directly with the monastery guesthouse: foresteria@fonteavellana.it
Retreat contribution:
Course fee:
€297 – Early Bird rate until 11 January 2027
€347 – For bookings made after 11 January 2027
The fee includes:
More than 15 hours of guided practice.
Recordings of all guided mindfulness sessions.
Each participant will receive a block of 100% cotton handmade watercolour paper, produced by a paper mill in Chimbote, Peru, which supports several humanitarian projects.
All the materials needed for the watercolour activities during the retreat.
For information and registration:
What people experience here
FEDERICA S.
The retreat was simply perfect. There are no other words that could describe the experience better.
Irene and Samira were attentive, welcoming and highly professional, and they created a peaceful atmosphere from the very beginning. The organisation was impeccable: nothing too much and nothing too little — every detail was exactly where it needed to be.
The location was wonderful — surrounded by greenery, peaceful, with a slow and natural rhythm that perfectly matched the spirit of the retreat. The accommodation was also excellent, comfortable and in harmony with the surrounding environment.
The group turned out to be a beautiful surprise: lovely people, naturally in tune with one another, with spontaneous friendships and meaningful exchanges developing along the way. We didn’t just learn new techniques; new collaborations began, thoughts were shared, and there were moments of personal growth through the conversations during our free time and over meals.
A complete, nourishing experience, organised with great care. A retreat that truly leaves something behind and has set many new things in motion.
Gaia Gottipavero- Mindfulness
Gaia is not only certified in the MBLC and CBLC programmes of the Mindfulness Association Ltd (UK) – she also teaches these programmes to teachers.
She trains and supervises mindfulness and compassion instructors, supporting those who wish to bring these practices into the world with integrity and depth.
She is the Director of Inner Sight, the first Italian franchise of the Mindfulness Association, which she founded with the belief that mindfulness is an act of responsibility, not a technique for self-optimisation.
With over ten years of experience, she collaborates with public institutions and organisations, including UPI and the Regional Legislative Assembly, bringing contemplative practice into settings where it is most needed and least expected.
Her vision: teaching mindfulness is an act of commitment, not merely a skill to be acquired.
Irene Stella – Mindful Watercolour
I am an artist and educator, and through my mindful watercolour approach, I bring together the delicacy of watercolour with the awareness of the present moment. I love guiding people to slow down, observe, and find harmony between gesture, breath, and colour.
For me, painting is an experience of inner listening, a silent dialogue with what unfolds within and around us. I am not seeking a result, but the flow of the creative process, the beauty of imperfection, and the freedom to express oneself without judgement.
Every brushstroke becomes a breath, every shade an invitation to be guided by water and colour. Through this practice, I wish to create spaces where each person can rediscover calm, presence, and connection with their creative voice.
During the Flow Retreat, my teaching is an invitation to be inspired by nature, to find balance, and to reconnect with your authentic expression through water and colour.