27th June to 03rd July 2026 - Tara Nature Retreat, Tobi (Italy)

// OUR TRAINING RETREAT REGISTRATIONS FOR 2026 ARE OPEN! GET IN TOUCH TO BOOK YOUR SPOT //

A training retreat to learn, reset, and deepen your practice - at the meeting point of ancient tradition and modern science.

Meditation and conscious breathing have been practiced for thousands of years - and today, neuroscience is catching up. This 50-hour immersive training brings both worlds together. You’ll explore meditation and breath through a dual lens: the wisdom of Eastern traditions and the clarity of Western scientific research. Expect a rich blend of practice, philosophy, and physiology that will not only deepen your understanding but also transform your personal relationship to stillness, presence, and the breath.

Co-led by Alexa Mattes and Anne Eberhardt, this training is designed as a retreat in the heart of Italy. Think spacious days filled with guided practices, outdoor time, nourishing food, silence, connection to Nature, and the kind of learning that lands in both body and mind.

Whether you are a yoga teacher, a mindfulness practitioner, or simply someone longing to go deeper, this program will give you the tools to understand meditation and breath - and to share them with clarity and confidence.

Come as you are. Leave grounded, inspired, and equipped with practices that genuinely support modern life.

// KEY CONTENT

• Foundations of Meditation & Breath
  • Historical background
  • Traditional & modern approaches
  • Scope of practice & possible benefits
  • Posture, relaxation, grounding

• The inner journey
  • Meditation lineages & practices
  • Developing attention & presence
  • Focused attention vs. open-monitoring techniques
  • Still vs. moving meditation
  • Daily practice or various techniques

• Breath superpower
  • Breathing techniques (traditional & modern)
  • Ratios, breath holds & depth of practice
  • Prana, vayus & the subtle body
  • Daily practice of various techniques

• Anatomy, physiology & neuroscience
  • Anatomy & physiology of the respiratory & nervous systems
  • Breath-body-mind connections
  • Stress regulation & neuroplasticity
  • Transformative learning & how meditation changes the brain & self

• The art of guiding meditation & breath practices
  • How to teach, hold space & communicate effectively
  • Finding your teacher's voice (spoiler - no need for a fake meditation one!)
  • Language, tone, pacing
  • Guided vs. unguided
  • Designing sessions & supporting integration
  • Trauma sensitivity & safety

• Working with obstacles & challenges
  • Common difficulties & skilful responses
  • Emotional surfacing & regulation
  • Adapting instructions to meet students' needs

• Integration, ethics & embodiment
  • Living the practice & teaching from authenticity
  • Ethics & presence as a teacher
  • Self-reflection & personal growth
  • Business opportunities & sharing the practice with others

// MEET YOUR TEACHERS

// ABOUT ALEXA

Alexa is a Yoga and Meditation teacher grounded in curiosity and openness, who finds inspiration in nature, good food, and meaningful connection. A love of movement and stillness alike, she values balance - between doing and being, flow and rest, body and mind. Since 2020, she has been teaching weekly Vinyasa, Hatha, Sound & Yin classes and assisted multiple 200-hour Yoga Teacher Trainings with Bubble Yoga. She also facilitates 'Learn to Meditate' courses and hosts multiple retreats throughout the year, where she guides yoga, meditation and moments of reflection in community settings.

I first came across meditation during my university studies - a time that was both enriching and challenging. What began as a way to find calmness and regulate my nervous system soon sparked a deep curiosity about the science behind mindfulness and the mind-body connection. Through further training with 1 Giant Mind and Positive Intelligence with Diego Hangartner, I was able to deepen this exploration, and meditation became both a personal anchor and a tool to cultivate presence and clarity in my daily life. What I love most about the practice is its simplicity - that I can do it anywhere, needing nothing more than myself and a moment to close my eyes.

// ABOUT ANNE

Adventurous, open hearted and passionate, Anne is a Yoga and Meditation teacher and educator, and the founder of Bubble Yoga. A nerd for anatomy, she specialises in yoga therapeutics and a functional approach to yoga informed by her continuous study and fascination for the body's wonders. Nervous system down-regulation is her love language, leading breath and meditation programmes in companies and schools/universities, along with writing on her mindfulness Substack channel 'The Noise in My Head'. With over 1,000 hours of training and 4,500 hours of teaching under her belt, Anne is passionate about sharing her knowledge and experience with others, aiming to inspire them to believe in their own capacity to grow and know themselves, while nourishing support and connections through Community. She believes in and commits to ‘Yoga for All’.

I often say that I teach meditation for the real world. With that I do not mean that I do not acknowledge the path of self-awakening that comes with meditation, but more so that my approach of teaching this incredible practice is very much anchored in the realities of the world you and I live in. I believe meditation is the greatest tool to get to know yourself better, to engage with your own feelings & perceptions, to support you when dealing with stress or fatigue, to bring a pause to your life & so much more. When it comes to breathing, I think it is the most underrated superpower we all have, and I never stop being amazed by how much shift we can create for ourselves and others by simply taping into it consciously for a few moments...

// WHO IS THIS TRAINING FOR?

This training is open to everyone - teachers or not. It is especially valuable for:

• Yoga & Pilates teachers wanting to add meditation and further breathing techniques into their teaching
• Therapists & bodyworkers looking to enrich their sessions with mindfulness elements
• Anyone curious to get deeper into their own practice and wanting to gain new tools to practice on their own

PRE-REQUISITES

• Open-mindedness & curiosity to navigate new knowledge & experiences, receive feedback, and show up with self-enquiry & empathy to others
• Please inform us of any physical or mental condition that could restrict your practice*
• English proficiency - the whole training week & materials will be in English
• We recommend incorporating a regular meditation and/or breathing practice into your days prior to the training, but this is not a mandatory requirement. You can use Anne's free guided meditations or use the Open app if you need some guidance.

* Please note that this training is not recommended for individuals with serious psychological or mental health concerns. If you are unsure or have a history of mental health conditions, we suggest consulting with a qualified healthcare professional before enrolling in our programme. Get in touch prior to registration in case of high blood pressure condition or pregnancy.

// ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS & PRICING

The room decoration is simple and soothing with touches of artwork from Bali and India. All rooms have a unique style and shared bathroom.

• Double room: CHF 2,650.-
• Single room: CHF 2,950.-

BONUS: book before end of December 2025 and attend one of our 'Learn to Meditate' course for free (value CHF180).

Price includes:

• Full training course incl. high quality manual
• 6-nights accommodation in your room of choice (shared bathroom)
• Full board of delicious vegetarian meals each day
• Use of equipment (yoga mats, bolsters, meditation pillows...)
• Bed linen & towels
• Tourist tax

Not included:

• Transportation to & from Tara Nature in Todi, Italy (see below for practical info)
• Insurance

Full payment of the training fee is required to secure your spot.
Payment plans can be arranged on request.
Registrations for trainings & workshops are final.
No costs will be reimbursed if the course is terminated prematurely or partially unattended. We recommend a cancellation insurance in case of cancellation or non-completion of the programme.

// TESTIMONIALS

The yoga teacher training and advanced training courses offered by Bubble Yoga are simply fantastic - so inspiring and designed with so much passion and dedication by Ane! The other trainers involved are also excellent. You learn and train in a pleasant atmosphere in small groups, so that everyone can benefit as much as possible. Highly recommended! (Laragh W. - Aug. 2025)

[...] I love Alexa's classes - she is such a great, calming and motivating yoga teacher, that gives great advice and thats why it is always a lot of fun to do yoga with her. Last week I did the meditation course for beginner with Alexa and it was such an amazing experience as I really could discover my passion for meditating. She answered all of the participants questions really comprehensive and clearly could excite everybody in the course to implement mediation in our daily routines. Can really recommend this yoga studio and especially Alexa's classes!! (Nele N. - Feb. 2023)

Anne is a fantastic teacher, you can sense that she loves teaching and supporting people in their growth. She has a deep knowledge of what she teaches and by using different learning techniques she makes sure everyone in the group is learning and progressing. The training has the right balance between practice, lecture, teaching and recharging time. The special touches she adds (change in plan to reflect what the participants need, gift bag, choice of great location, opening and closing circles etc.) makes the whole experience unique! (Elisa B. - Dec. 2024)