NEW YEAR, NEW YOU
remember what really matters
with the energy of 5 elements
28 December 2024 – 2 January 2025
Puglia, Italy
remember what really matters
with the energy of 5 elements
28 December 2024 – 2 January 2025
Puglia, Italy
If you are looking for a meaningful and nourishing end-of-year getaway, don’t miss this high-touch New Year retreat in the beauty of Puglia, Italy where you will have the perfect space to reflect on and release 2024 with gratitude, and start 2025 with intention and joy, feeling inspired and grounded.
Imagine six peaceful days, where you’ll let go of 2024 and welcome 2025 with intention and clarity. This is a land where time slows, and beauty reveals itself in the quiet whispers of olive trees, the fresh smell of the sea breeze, and the bold colours of sunsets.
Picture starting and finishing each day with a yoga practice, reconnecting with your body and your breath. You are listening to and hearing your body and rediscovering balance, presence, freedom from tension, and a deep sense of gratitude for the freedom of simply being.
Imagine meditating by the sea, where the rhythmic waves kiss the shore, their gentle song quieting your mind. You are enjoying being in the moment, not distracted by deadlines and to-do lists, having space for gratitude and joy.
Imagine waking up on the very first day of 2025 to the soft glow of the Italian sun rising over the Ionian Sea. You step outside, breathing in the crisp, fresh air, and feel a calm you haven’t experienced in years.
You will nourish your body with healthy meals from delicious local Italian cuisine prepared by our own private chefs. Every meal is an edible symphony composed of simple, fresh ingredients that sing of the earth and sea.
Imagine strolling along the stunning coastline, where the shimmering lagoon hosts elegant pink flamingos, their reflections dancing on the water’s surface. Picture yourself walking along tranquil forest paths, hearing the birds chirping melodiously above, and the soft rustle of leaves in the wind.
Feel the wind on your face as you cycle along the sunlit shoreline, the endless horizon stretching endlessly before you. Each turn of the pedal feels like pure freedom, as if you’re leaving behind the heaviness of the past year and gliding towards clarity and flow. You glide effortlessly, embraced by the salty breeze and the promise of ease ahead.
You will sit under the vast starlit sky full of stars, the gentle warmth of a crackling fire surrounding you. As the flames rise, you feel the weight of 2024 lifting, your worries dissolving into the endless night sky. It’s a moment of quiet, personal release, a goodbye to all that no longer serves you.
Picture yourself kneeling on fertile ground gently placing a young tree into the earth. Your hands are covered in rich soil and you feel the warming scent of it. As you press the roots into place, you are also planting hope, growth and a commitment to your fresh start. A living symbol of your intentions for the New Year ahead.
The New Year, New You retreat in Puglia is a unique container of time and space to recharge your body and mind, reconnect with what really matters, and be nurtured by nature.
It is designed according to my signature 5-step SHAPE method, where every activity, every yoga practice, and every meditation is inspired and guided by the qualities of the 5 Nature elements: Fire, Earth, Metal, Water, Wood.
This is based on Chinese metaphysics of how the elements relate and evolve, and how they impact a person. This is why each day of this retreat in Italy offers more than unforgettable stories and memories – it guides you on your inner journey back to yourself.
On this retreat, through invigorating and relaxing yoga, breathwork and meditation, walks in the forest and cycling by the sea, you will feel both rested and energised, and re-connected to nature, so you can let go of the doldrums and enjoy your life with more vigour and delight.
On this retreat, with guided practices, meditations, massages and sacred time for yourself, you’ll have dedicated time and space to rest and relax, so you’ll feel truly restored and recharged, ready to take on exciting life activities again.
While we are together, through a variety of exciting activities such as tree-planting, pottery-making and historical walks, you will amp up your life and create meaningful memories that will always have a special place in your heart.
On this retreat, delicious vegetarian brunches and dinners will be prepared for you from local products by private chefs. so that you can savour local cuisine and be sure that your dietary requirements are taken care of.
On this retreat, as you will be in the company of like-minded people, you will spend time with people who understand you and share each other’s challenges and blessings, so that you can make deep and meaningful connections.
Through special ceremonies and rituals on this retreat, you will be guided to release 2023 with gratitude, and welcome 2024 with excitement, so that you are mindful at this special time of the year and realise what really matters to you.
At a special fire ceremony on this retreat, you will have time and space to reflect on the past and let go of any negativity so that you can prepare yourself for a new start.
On this retreat, we will do daily practices for you to get more clarity and confidence about your goals for 2025, smoothly and effortlessly plan them out, so that you start the New Year rested and recharged, with excitement and joy, ready to have a more fulfilling life on your terms.
You will be surprised and your expectations will be exceeded; this retreat is so much more than you could ever dream of. Relaxed, happy, and re-energised was my state of mind after the retreat.
After the retreat, my heart is open. I feel more confident on my own like I am. After soaking in a luxury I do enjoy myself much more.
My sleep and mindset improved, I became more positive, some physical complaints are gone, even the atmosphere at home is better. The fire helped to burn all the rest of the bad stuff, which I wanted to let go.
For six days and five nights, our home will be the eco-friendly boutique venue Masseria Specula. Inspired by the traditional Apulian farmhouses of the early 1800s, known as ‘Masseria’ in Italian, this family-run retreat blends history and sustainability. Dedicated to creating a relaxing experience, Masseria Specula also focuses on making a positive impact on the environment, offering a haven of comfort and purpose.
Just a short stroll from the seashore, this is the perfect sanctuary for our retreat. With space for up to 10 guests, you’ll find inviting accommodations in single, double/twin, or triple settings, designed to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere for rest and connection.
Indulge in a culinary paradise! Our healthy and nourishing vegetarian meals (brunch and dinner) are freshly prepared with lots of love and attention to details from the talented and experienced private chefs. Throughout the retreat, your dietary needs will be thoughtfully catered to, ensuring every meal is a delightful experience.
On New Year’s eve, we’ll gather for a special celebration dinner to say farewell to 2024. You’ll savor local Apulian specialties skilfully paired with fine Italian wine, creating a truly memorable experience. To welcome 2025, we’ll toast the year ahead with an additional wine tasting session, making the start of the new year even more extraordinary.
Italy, food, wine, celebration – pure indulgence and delight!
Puglia is a hidden gem that enchants every traveller who steps onto its soil. Imagine walking along the coastline with breathtaking views and sandy beaches, the sea breeze on your face, and the gentle sound of waves creating a symphony of tranquility.
This is a place where every sunset feels like a masterpiece as the sky bursts into shades of pink, orange, and gold.
Even in late December, Puglia’s magic shines. The mild weather makes it the perfect time to explore without the crowds.
You don’t have to spend a lifetime organising the vacation of a lifetime, we do it for you
Our retreat is designed to be a truly unforgettable journey, filled with plenty of time for relaxation, meaningful practices, and joyful moments! Every detail has been carefully planned to nurture your body and mind, helping you reconnect with what really matters and leave feeling refreshed and inspired.
We will do that with daily practices for physical, mental and emotional well-being, for deepening self-awareness, and thorough connecting with nature. Imagine yoga, meditation, personal development sessions and guided self-reflection. Picture forest and coastal walks, pottery making, tree planting, a fire ceremony, cycling along the seashore, flamingo watching and so much more all carefully curated to inspire and rejuvenate you for the New Year ahead.
We will practise yoga twice a day: energising yoga flow in the morning and restorative yoga flow in the evening. Classes are adjusted right on the spot to your body needs and movement experience.
Each yoga session has a specific theme depending on our program for the day which is inspired by the energy of 5 elements. This will give you a sense of integration, grounding and living each day with a thought-through intention.
Imagine a stroll along the seashore of the gentle Ionian Sea. Each step awakens your senses, the soft sand cushioning your feet, and the gentle rhythm of the waves matches your breath. Before long, you catch sight of them! The graceful pink flamingos, their beauty perfectly at home in the tranquil landscape.
On the first day of 2025, you enter the serene forest. Each step grounds and calms you and you feel nurtured by nature’s tranquility – the perfect tone to welcome the New Year.
Breathing in the fresh air from the sea, we’ll set out on a leisurely biking adventure along the coast. We will bike at a relaxed pace and admire the local architecture, street art and a port with snow white boats.
During our biking trip, we will make a stop for a calming breathing meditation in a perfect spot overlooking the serene sea, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the moment.
Guided mediation will be an integral part of our yoga sessions, helping you set intentions for the day during energising morning yoga and reflect on your experiences during restorative evening yoga. We’ll also meditate by the seashore and in the forest, to have immersive moments to reconnect with nature.
To make you feel fully recharged and restored after all the challenges, stresses and moments of 2024, you will be guided through progressive full-body relaxation. Drift off to the soothing sounds of the relaxing music during the practice and awake to the blissful sensation of feeling rejuvenated and calm.
Me-time is essential for your well-being and restoring your energy balance. Each day of the retreat includes a dedicated time for you to chill, read a book, journal, go for a walk, or simply admire the beautiful skies. These are priceless moments to reconnect with the most important person in your life – yourself!
Our venue places sustainability at its core, using minimal plastic and sourcing from local suppliers made from natural and regenerative materials, and running on solar power. With a mission to reforest 15 hectares of land, they are committed to making a positive environmental impact – and so will we!
During the retreat, you’ll plant a tree as a symbol of growth and to root your intentions for the year ahead. This act not only embodies your personal journey but also contributes to offsetting carbon emissions and supporting the environment.
Why not indulge in additional relaxation during your free time? Choose from a variety of different options for massages to treat your body – and enjoy. Taking care of your body is taking care of the house of your soul.
At the retreat, we’ll embrace the magic of the New Year with sessions inspired by ancient traditions and tools of insight: runes, I Ching etc. These practices invite you to tap into your intuition, reflect on your path, and uncover guidance for the year ahead.
You will be guided through the magic ritual and meditation to benefit from the cleansing energy of the fire. Experience the magic of letting go and take a conscious decision to release anything and everything that does not serve you – and open your heart to the new.
The sessions are aimed to guide you on the step-by-step journey to release the year of 2024 and enter into the year of 2025 fully relaxed, recharged, and at peace. We will meditate and practise mindfulness during our yoga practice or in the nature.
A special ceremony will be held around midnight, where we will tune into the magical moment crossing the border between the two calendar years. To make an end to 2024 is to make a beginning of 2025, a perfect time to change for the better. The welcome 2025 meditation in the forest the next day will set you off for the new cycle in your new life.
I invite you to visit the local centre of ceramics, Grottaglie, a southern Italian town that still has the largest ceramic production district in Europe today. We will explore the clay manufacturing process, up to its firing and decoration.
Then you will roll up your sleeves and, under the expert guidance of our guide, you will learn to shape clay on the wheel to transform it into your work of art.
Manduria is an Apulian town, surrounded by olive groves and vineyards overlooking the sea. It is a place of historical interest, as it was one of the main centres of the Messapic civilisation, traces of which can still be admired today in the Archaeological Park. We will wander around the narrow streets of its historic centre and visit its monuments and suggestive views.
At the end of our cultural visit to the historical town Manduria, we will enjoy the wine tasting session of the local Primitivo di Manduria DOC. Prepare your taste buds to notice the notes of plum and spice, with rustic hints of earth and tamed fruit flavours.
This Retreat is a time to step away from the usual holiday routine, create space for yourself, and enter 2025 with clarity, energy, and renewed purpose.
Every day starts with setting an intention, followed by an energetic yoga class to awaken your body and mind. After that, a healthy brunch awaits you to nourish your body and fuel your day. Then we embark on a unique adventure guided by the element of the day: from walking along the coast, biking by the sea, to a pottery workshop, historic city tour, and wine tasting. Returning to the accommodation, you’ll have time for some relaxation and precious me-time. We finish the day with a restorative yoga session, followed by a beautiful and nourishing dinner.
Plus, each day will be filled with personal development practices, magical rituals and ceremonies, and lots of surprises!
Initiation with letting go and setting your intention.
After the transfer to the accommodation, we will have an opening information session and get acquainted. The first evening yoga session teaches you to scan your body and prepare for mindful practice. Meditation follows, helping you set an intention for the retreat, guided by your future self. During the powerful fire ceremony, you’ll burn away what no longer serves you, clearing space for new beginnings.
Your inner journey: Begin reconnecting with yourself by setting a clear intention, releasing unnecessary baggage, and creating space for transformation.
Grounding and understanding where you are.
Morning yoga helps you align hands and feet for stability, while the evening practice grounds you in your body. A meditation session focuses on balancing your root chakra, reconnecting you to your foundation. Reflect on 2024 in a personal development session, followed by a pottery workshop in Grottaglie, where you create something tangible to symbolise grounding.
Your inner journey: Feel rooted and stable, understanding where you are now, and building a solid foundation for the path ahead.
Getting clarity about where you want to go.
Learn how to tailor your yoga practice to your body in the morning and explore how it reacts after a day of activity during the evening session. A scenic bike ride along the coast provides a moment for meditation, where you release past hurts and find balance. Continue reflecting on 2024 during a personal development session, gaining clarity about where you want to go.
Your inner journey: Cultivate focus and clarity by letting go of emotional burdens and solidifying your vision for the future.
Embracing the fluidity and choosing your path.
Morning yoga explores fluid transitions and wave-like movement, while the evening practice deepens your connection to breath and posture. Walk along the seashore to meet flamingos, embracing the serenity of nature. End the year with a celebratory dinner with local food and wine, followed by a midnight farewell ceremony to release 2024.
Your inner journey: Learn to move through life’s transitions with grace, celebrating transformation and embracing change with ease.
Growth to the next step of your journey.
Morning yoga integrates all previous elements, helping you grow and progress. A forest meditation sets the tone for 2025, visualising healing and personal evolution. Reflect on 2025’s goals in a personal development session. Plant a tree as a symbol of growth, followed by a meditative forest walk and a guided town tour with wine tasting.
Your inner journey: Embody growth and evolution, creating a tangible connection to your intentions for the future while celebrating your potential.
Coming back to centre and integrating the cycle of inner work.
Begin the final day with yoga to unify all lessons from the retreat. A reflective meditation in Savasana brings closure, followed by a group session to revisit your journey’s intentions. Share insights and ‘aha moments’ over a relaxed breakfast before departure.
Your inner journey: Leave the retreat centered and empowered, carrying home the tools and clarity to maintain your personal growth and newfound balance in daily life.
When was the last time you truly paused?
Not just to rest, but to reflect – to sit with yourself, your life, and everything you’ve been carrying. To ask the big questions: Am I happy? Am I fulfilled? Am I living in alignment with what truly matters to me?
You can’t solve these questions by staying in the same cycle. The New Year, New You Retreat is a container of time and space, designed for you to pause, reflect, and finally have the conversation with yourself that you’ve been putting off.
You’ll leave with real tools you can use every day to stay present, manage stress, and create the kind of life you want. By the end of these six days, you’ll feel you can step into 2025 with confidence, purpose, and a life aligned with your true self.
You might be wondering if now is the right time, if it’s worth the investment, or if it will truly deliver the results you’re looking for. These thoughts are completely normal, and they show how much you care about making the right choice for yourself. But here’s the thing: often, the biggest breakthroughs come when we step outside our comfort zones and say yes to opportunities that align with our deeper needs. This retreat creates the time and space to reset, recharge, and step into the life you’ve been longing for. Let me address some of the concerns that might be holding you back, so you can feel confident about taking this important step.
I understand that committing to the retreat is an investment. But when was the last time you invested in yourself?
Let’s do the cost-benefit analysis.
With this retreat, you’re investing in a healthier version of yourself. This retreat is not an indulgence, it’s a commitment to your well-being. Imagine returning home with reduced stress and a clearer sense of purpose – all of which ripple into your work, family, and relationships. The cost of not addressing burnout, dissatisfaction, or stagnation is far greater.
By showing up for yourself, you gain the energy and clarity to show up better for everything else in your life. And let’s face it, if not now, when?
Timing concerns
The truth is, there’s never a ‘perfect’ time. But 1 January is a unique opportunity – a natural reset point when you’re already reflecting on what’s next. Delaying until next year means spending another 12 months in the same cycle, waiting for clarity or change to appear on its own. This retreat accelerates that transformation now. Spots are limited, and the time to take action for a brighter, more intentional year is today.
This retreat isn’t just a vacation or one-size-fits-all solution. It’s designed using the proven SHAPE method, involving yoga, meditation, and activities aligned with the ancient wisdom of the 5 Nature elements. Don’t just take my word for it: past participants share how they’ve left feeling recharged, focused, and inspired, carrying the results into their daily lives.
It’s natural to worry about feeling out of place, but this retreat is built on inclusivity and connection. Participants come from all different cultures and lifestyles, and everyone is welcomed with warmth and respect. You’re never pressured to share more than you’re comfortable with, and the retreat program is flexible, allowing you to engage in a way that feels good to you. Past participants often leave with new friends!
Celebrating the New Year with family or at a festive party feels comforting and familiar. But what if this year, you chose to celebrate in a way that truly nourishes you? Instead of noisy parties or the usual routine, imagine stepping into a serene space that allows you to reflect, recharge, and align with what really matters to you.
At this retreat, you’ll celebrate in a way that feels deeply meaningful: a midnight meditation to welcome 2025 with intention, to planting a tree as a symbol of your fresh start, and sharing laughter and joy over a special dinner with like-minded people.
And if family is your priority, think about how showing up rested, recharged, and centered can positively impact your relationships. This retreat is an investment in yourself that ripples out to everyone you love, helping you reconnect with them in a more meaningful way.
Six days to unwind from your daily life, being in contact with nature and sharing experience with international people, and being spoiled from time to time. Organisation was excellent. The number one benefit from coming to the retreat was being in contact with nature and releasing control as Irina had everything well organised.
I had a smooth transition into 2024, feeling refreshed, satisfied with my homework and handwork, and with my meditation and inner work done in this yoga retreat. Most happy to have met wonderful friends here to whom I thank for this unique experience!
I highly recommend Irina’s yoga courses. She corrects you and shows you how to do the poses in a good way. You see an improvement in your flexibility and your posture.
You don’t need to put life on hold to rediscover what truly matters – you just need this retreat
Hi, I’m Irina Oshchepkova! I am a certified yoga teacher with over 1000 hours of teaching experience and 12+ years in the corporate world.
I know firsthand how overwhelming it can feel to balance work, family, and the desire for personal growth. Yoga helped me do that and now, I’m here to share those tools and rituals with you.
I blend my corporate background with my yoga expertise to design nurturing and practical retreats that help you manage stress and reconnect with yourself. You’ll leave with renewed clarity you’ve been craving about what really matters to you, and actionable tools to integrate into your daily life.
My retreats combine transformational practices with the extraordinary nature of destinations like Puglia, Italy. Why Italy? It’s where my love for travel began. Italy was the first country I ever visited abroad, and I was fortunate enough to live and study here for a few months. Now, I’m excited to share the beauty, culture, and magic of Italy with you, creating an experience that will inspire and nourish you.
I cannot wait to share with you the most gorgeous experiences for this magical holiday season!
The biggest benefit from coming to the retreat was disconnecting from everything else happening in the world and focusing on 'here and now'.
My goal was to step back a bit from my routine, from my everyday life. I found peace here, I found good energy and I found a group of people who were very nice. It was nice to reconnect with nature, to reconnect with our own bodies during yoga sessions in the morning and in the evening, meditations in amazing places.
I am so happy, relaxed and energised after the retreat. It totally reconnected me with myself and gave me so much inspiration for my upcoming projects, it was very impactful.
You can let go of emotional and mental baggage in a supportive, transformative environment
The payment is non-refundable but can be fully transferred to another person. The necessary and appropriate travel insurance is needed.
All the payments are made by credit card or by direct bank transfer. Please contact me at [email protected] for details on bank transfer, invoicing and possible payment plans.
Please check my advice on the best flight options here.
This is your chance to enjoy a thought-through high-end retreat in a beautiful setting. Puglia will wrap you in beauty, cosiness, and delight.
It’s time for nourishment and healing, a chance to be surrounded by natural splendor, to explore, and to replenish your energy. A gift of meaningful time for your body, mind, and soul.
Don’t let another year pass by in the same routines. Together, let’s embark on this transformative journey to pause, reflect, and step into 2025 with renewed clarity and inspiration.
You can return home recharged, with tools to live a more balanced and fulfilling life
The weather in Puglia at this time is spring-like most of the time. At night the lowest temperature is 5-10 C degrees, while during the day it is 10-15 C degrees.
Book a flight to Brindisi, Italy, or to Bari, Italy. Generally, the flights to Bari are more convenient. From Bari to Brindisi, you can take a train, it will take you approximately one hour.
If neither Brindisi, no Bari flight destinations fit, book a flight to Rome, Naples or nearby. From there, take a train or rent a car – this is based on the experience of the previous guests.
The common transfer for all the guests will be from Brindisi city or from Brindisi airport. Send me your flight details and I will arrange group transportation to our accommodation at the common time for all.
If the common pick-up place and time does not suit you, please arrange your own transport to Masseria Specula: Strada Comunale 59, Contrada Specchiarica, Manduria (TA), 74024, Italy. The car ride from Brindisi airport will take about 1 hour.
Our opening session is at 16:00 on 28 December 2024.
All levels are welcome, from zero to advanced! Each class is adapted to the needs of participants.
Make sure to bring comfortable clothes for yoga, outdoors and indoors. Comfortable shoes for walking and biking are highly recommended. I will send you a detailed list when you book your experience.
Personally, I am staying longer to enjoy the Italian dolce far niente and check out the sales 🙂 I recommend that you stay a few days more to explore the region and enjoy your holiday.
Watch the information session about your retreat benefits and FAQs here.