Rückenglück & Olivenernte
A holistic back health training workshop with Michaela Kratky (AT) and Kerstin Kussmaul (AT, IT) & harvesting your own olive oil
Rückenglück & Olivenernte
Umbria’s gentle autumn sun, the scent of ripe olives in the air, and you right in the midst of it all—surrounded by unspoiled nature, far removed from the distractions of everyday life.
The "Rückenglück & Olivenernte" retreat with Michaela Kratky—taking place in this format for the first time in 2027—offers a week that is far more than just a workout in an idyllic setting. It is a truly special, sensory shared experience amidst the golden Italian autumn.
Harvesting olives in harmony with yourself
You are not merely a guest; you get hands-on. Together, we head out to the olive groves, where you participate in the harvest in whatever way suits you best, witnessing firsthand how sun-ripened fruit transforms into fresh olive oil. And, of course, you get to taste the oil. Straight from the press to the spoon—the flavor of your own rewarding manual labor, a memory you will cherish forever. And a small bottle of olive oil to take home!
Holistic training for a healthy, strong, and flexible back
Through targeted sessions, we strengthen, mobilize, and nourish your body—without any pressure. Together, we focus on areas often neglected in daily life: the lumbar spine, the neck and shoulder region, and everything that benefits your back. Michaela guides you through exercises that you can easily continue practicing at home.
Freedom of movement as a new way of living
Kerstin helps you to quickly get back into the flow of movement using her extensive Myoreflex Therapy knowledge, various somatic methods and her PhD in fascia research. Her work complements the "Rückenglück" training.
In group lessons, touch and gentle movement reflect and modify individual movement habits. A deeper understanding of one's own body develops and regulates the nervous system.
This work supports you in moving with more freedom, ease and awareness long beyond the retreat.
Traditional harvesting, shared meals, relaxation, strengthening your back, letting go of worries, and being fully present in the here and now—this retreat combines movement, culinary delights, and rejuvenation into a week that will leave a beneficial, lasting impression throughout the winter ahead.
Come as you are - very simple and suitable for everyone. Your outlook on life deserves an upgrade.
Meet your workshop leaders
Michaela is one of the most experienced back training experts in the German-speaking world, shares her holistic method for success in hybrid (studio & live streamed) training courses, individual personal training sessions, lectures and company training sessions.
Keywords Michaela:
Meditation morning routine // city person with a love of nature // coffee always works // ImPulsTanz enthusiast // mother of 2 school children // loves dealing with people // career aspirations as a child: “Something to do with movement” // needs time for herself // night owl by nature // one-at-a-time instead of multitasking // loves to immerse herself in good books
Training & activities: www.rueckenglueck.at/ueber-uns/
Michaela's personal story: www.rueckenglueck.at/michaelas-story/
Kerstin works with Embodied Myoreflex Practice to help people recover pain-free, sustainable movement. A movement researcher, bodyworker, teacher and mentor, she is also a published scientific author whose work spans queer-feminist ecosomatic theory, embodied cognition and practice-based research. She calls her field myofascial ecologies: the study of the fascial body as a living, relational system shaped by movement, contact and environment, grounded in her doctoral research on myofascia in movement at the University of Auckland.
Kerstin leads the Vienna School for Embodied Myoreflex Practice and its 600-hour Embodied Myoreflex Practitioner training, which she developed and teaches with Dr med Kurt Mosetter (Zentrum für Interdisziplinäre Therapien, Konstanz) and ImPulsTanz Vienna International Dance Festival, now in its second cycle, currently preparing the third cycle to start 2027.
- Accommodation for 7 days (6 nights)
- 3 freshly prepared vegetarian meals daily. Vegan, gluten-free, and lactose-free options available upon request
- 10 movement sessions (7 with Michaela and 3 with Kerstin)
- Harvesting olives together
- 1 small bottle of olive oil to take home
- Personal interaction with your workshop leaders
- Small group: maximum of 16 participants
- Guided excursions in the surrounding area to a waterfall and a historic town
- Shuttle to and from train station Fabro-Ficulle
- Free, all-day access to the saltwater pool, outdoor areas, and hiking trails at Tenuta di Poggiolame
- Pasta cooking class with the Artis Umbria chef
- Pizza night with homemade pizza from our own wood-fired oven
- Fresh vegetables from our own organic garden and other farm-fresh products
- Free tea, and fruit all day long
- Our own water filtered with apple cider vinegar, UV light, and vortex technology
- Hot water from our own solar system
- Hands-on farm life: horses, donkeys, cats, chickens, and two friendly dogs
- Each room is one-of-a-kind: individually decorated in a historic setting
- 2 mountain bikes for free use
Total costs for 7 days (6 nights) per person: from € 1,272 to € 2,040 (single or double room, private or shared bathroom).
Upon receipt of a deposit of 400 euro, the retreat is bindingly reserved. Please take note of our cancellation policy.
Number of participants: max. 16
our rooms
Scaleni
28m² fits 2 people
Scaleni is part of the historic building and sits on the upper floor facing north and east. It features an open fire place and an open beam ceiling. Two beds (a single bed and a 140cm futon bed) furnish the room. Scaleni is directly connected to Axis, of which the guests will have to pass through Scaleni to get to the shared bathroom.
our rooms
Axis
18m² fits 2 people
Axis is a cute little double room (two single beds) facing east on the upper floor. It features open beams with terracotta tiles. It is connected to the front room (Scaleni), through which one will walk through to get to the hallway and to the bathroom, which is shared with Scaleni.
our rooms
Mana double
16m² fits 2 people
Mana double room looks out towards the pool. It is part of the Mana apartment which is a bit away from the other rooms. It shares a bathroom with Mana single.
our rooms
Psoas
16m² fits 2 people
The Psoas is a double room located on the upper floor of the original building with a historic open beamed ceiling. The windows face south and west. Psoas has a double bed (160 cm) and shares a bathroom with Alba and Vitus
our rooms
Alba
18m² fits 2 people
Alba is a double room on the upper floor of the original building with open beam ceilings and faces east and south. Its doublebed (160 cm wide) features a canopy. It shares a bathroom with Psoas and Vitus
our rooms
Gracilis
18m² fits 2 people
Gracilis is a double room and looks out the west side towards Montegabbione. It contains a double bed (160 cm wide). It shares a wheelchair accessible bathroom with Soleus, with whom it makes up an apartment
our rooms
Amiata
30m² fits 2 people
Amiata is a double room apartment with a gallery. Upstairs: double-bed (160 cm) & bathroom. Downstairs there are two single beds and a kitchenette. Private west terrace with a lovely view of our olive orchards and Monte Amiata.
our rooms
Iris
30m² fits 2 people
Iris is a double room apartment with a gallery. Upstairs: double-bed (160 cm) & bathroom. Downstairs there is a single bed and a kitchenette. Private west terrace with a lovely view of our olive orchards and Montegabbione
our rooms
Atlas
35m² fits 2 people
Atlas is a double room and located on the upper floor of the main building with windows and balcony doors facing north and south. It has a private terrace of 30 m2 with a view from Monte Peglia to Monte Cetona. It also has a huge double bed (180x200) made of solid cherry wood.
our rooms
Mana single
14m² fits one person
Mana single is a single room looking towards the pool. It features its own terrace looking directly onto an olive grove and is part of the Mana apartment which is a bit away from the other rooms. It shares a bathroom with Mana double.
our rooms
Vitus
15m² fits one person
Vitus is a single, east-facing room on the upper floor of the historic building featuring original beams. The bed is 140 cm wide. Vitus has its own terrace and entrance (outdoor staircase). It shares a bathroom with Psoas and Alba.
our rooms
Soleus
22m² fits one person
Soleus is a single room and sits at the south west corner of the terrace, with its own furniture on the main terrace. It contains a medium size bed (140 cm wide) and a kitchenette. It shares a bathroom with Gracilis, with whom it makes up an apartment.
our rooms
Psoas (as single room)
16m² fits one person
The Psoas is a double room located on the upper floor of the original building with a historic open beamed ceiling. The windows face south and west. Psoas has a double bed (160 cm) and shares a bathroom with Alba and Vitus.
our rooms
Alba (as single room)
18m² fits one person
Alba is a double room on the upper floor of the original building with open beam ceilings and faces east and south. Its doublebed (160 cm wide) features a canopy. It shares a bathroom with Psoas and Vitus.
our rooms
Gracilis (as single room)
18m² fits one person
Gracilis is a double room and looks out the west side towards Montegabbione. It contains a double bed (160 cm wide). It shares a wheelchair accessible bathroom with Soleus, with whom it makes up an apartment.
our rooms
Piriformis
12m² fits one person
Piriformis is a single room with its own bathroom. Piriformis has a north-facing private terrace, which is pleasantly cool in summer. Piriformis is close to the kitchen and is therefore best suited to guests who like to get up early or who don't mind kitchen noise.
our rooms
Iris (as single room)
30m² fits one person
Iris is a double room apartment with a gallery. Upstairs: double-bed (160 cm) & bathroom. Downstairs there is a single bed and a kitchenette. Private west terrace with a lovely view of our olive orchards and Montegabbione.
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