Lisa’s Gryphon welcomes back Jenny McClendon for a “Fitness and Fun Retreat” in 2023! Reserve your spot today and don’t miss out!
Jenny’s workshop in 2022 was such a sell-out hit that we HAD to invite her back! If you missed the opportunity to join us, you have another chance. Read on to see what Jenny and I will be offering this next time and then, don’t wait to reserve your spot.
Jenny in Italy
October 25-Nov 3, 2023 (departing Nov 4, 2023). Join Jenny in beautiful Tuscany for 10 days and nights of health-inspiring activities, excursions, and wholesome, nutritious meals.
This is a new wellness retreat experience in the very heart of the Val d’Orcia area of beautiful Tuscany, Italy. A retreat is a way to completely disconnect from the chaos and mayhem of everyday life…and we are very pleased to offer this opportunity to you this year. This will be a 10-day adventure of healthful activities, nourishment for body and mind, and fun instruction, along with some visits to the surrounding sites that are designed to regenerate your sense of well-being and joie de vivre.
From the visual panorama of rolling valley vineyards and clay hills of the Crete Senesi to the ancient thermal mineral baths of San Filippo, you will be in the ideal setting to regenerate, restore and rejuvenate your body, mind and spirit.
And best of all, your retreat will be led by Jenny McClendon, a licensed Physical Therapist with over 20 years’ experience in Outpatient Orthopedics and 30 years teaching. The creator of Jenny Fit Start, a booming YouTube channel for active seniors with many different and fun videos that have amassed over 10 million views collectively, Jenny has been recognized by both Glamour magazine and Oprah Winfrey Magazine as the best You Tube Fitness Workout Video for 2021!
Being a physical therapist and movement coach, with a passion for active seniors, Jenny is a powerhouse of knowledge, experience and inspiration. This workshop will get you moving in a gentle, but effective manner, based on your level of ability. You will share days with like-minded women who want to be physically fit and healthy, while eating a balanced and locally-sourced diet in our area well-known for its healthy, fresh food.
This retreat is designed to inspire you and revitalize you. What a gift to give yourself, or someone you love!
During your 10-day retreat in our UNESCO World Heritage Site villa, if you are an early riser, you’ll be able to participate in dynamic morning stretches with Jenny or possibly a meander up the lane flanked by some of the farm’s olive trees. After a buffet breakfast, Jenny will lead the group in 1-2 hours of classes which can include low impact aerobics, senior boot camp, boxing, line dancing, yoga, meditation, and more. (SPOILER ALERT! Halloween will be happening while you are here, so you can imagine that your line-dancing skills and other party activities will be in full swing. Be prepared to get your groove on with your newest dance moves!) But now back to our daily routine…
After a nutritious lunch prepared with fresh, local produce, we often explore the beautiful sights, surroundings and villages. We may wander some of the charming shops or artists’ studios or tour a local abbey. There will be opportunities to taste and savor the cheeses and sausages prepared in our local cheese factory and macelleria (butcher).
One day we will have a personal tour of the owner’s private cantina in our walled village along with a brief history (in English!).
We make several local excursions to villages, sites and towns throughout the 10 days. We will definitely visit one of our local hot springs here where you can luxuriate in the warm mineral waters. There are also optional indoor/outdoor thermal spas/swimming pools.When we return, the fun continues…Jenny will offer pre-dinner interactive seminars to include topics such as Low Back Pain, Osteoporosis, Posture, Core Strength, Gait and Balance, Pelvic Floor Strengthening, and Common Exercise Do’s and Don’t’s.
After a delicious dinner, there will be time for fellowship and relaxation. Optional therapeutic massages will be available on several of our evenings, should you wish to indulge yourself even more. Our massage therapist (also a physical therapist) received rave reviews, so of course, he’ll be back to address your specific areas of concern.
After a fun-filled and informative day, you’ll head to your room for a great night’s sleep.
Each of the rooms in our villa are en suite (private baths) and outfitted in charming fashion. Spacious enough to accommodate 2 or even more people, you will feel like you have found your own “home away from home.” But you can also opt for a private room or share a complete apartment with your bestie. It’s up to you. (Please note: The number of SINGLE ROOMS is, in fact, limited. Most are double accommodations for 2 people. Like to spread out a bit? Select one of 2 complete apartments available, which are comprised of 2 separate bedrooms, sharing one bath, a kitchen and living rooms with fireplace. You can select an apartment on the pull-down menu on Jenny’s registration page.)
***A note about activity level: Bring your best walking shoes…we do a lot of that. And some of it is on natural dirt (read: possibly uneven) paths or uphill. Of course, we are not running marathons here, because, well…it’s Italy! Just plan on walking in comfortable shoes. You may also want to bring a pair of flip flops or water socks for our trip to the natural hot springs.
Included in your retreat are:
- 10 nights accommodations (double or single occupancy, based on your registration choice)
- 36 breakfasts, lunches and dinners
- Wine with meals
- Instructor’s fees
- All ground transportation to/from Peretola Airport in Florence on designated arrival/departure days (departure on the 11th morning: Nov 4th, 2023)
- All transportation for day trips plus entrance fees to scheduled sites
Click here to see samples of accommodations. For double occupancy, the rooms are re-configured with 2 beds.
Not included:
- Airfare and travel insurance (Please note: Travel Insurance is required)
- 4 meals that we eat out
- Optional spa services offered: Massage, Spa/Terme Swimming
- Gratuities to our support staff and drivers (information regarding this will come in your registration packet)
- Additional wine, alcohol or food you may wish to have in your room
Click here to register. Want to double the fun? Bring your “bestie!”
Click here to go to Jenny’s Fit Start website.
Click here to see a video from last year’s retreat.