Embracing Joy
A workshop with Fabiana Pastorini in cooperation with ImPulsTanz - Vienna International Dance Festival

Embracing Joy
A joyful empowerment workshop with Fabiana Pastorini
Dance has long been a powerful tool for self-discovery, allowing us to connect with our bodies, spaces, others, and our inner selves. It's a journey of self-expression, where we can uncover hidden emotions and thoughts, and tap into our creative potential.
In this workshop, we will embark on a journey to redefine happiness as a state of being, rather than a destination to be achieved. From Afro-Brazilian ethnic dance to trance dance, improvisation and dance meditation a combination of movement, reflection, and awareness exercises, we'll cultivate a deeper connection with our bodies and the world around us.
By embracing dance, we transform our bodies, brains, and perspectives, leading to a healthier and more fulfilling life. We'll use the 5 Elements of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) as a framework to guide our exploration. This perspective allows us to explore our „energy body“ as main key for our physical/emotional/ and mental health.
Together we will dive into the world of dance to explore new ways of feeling, moving, and thinking, that positively impact our overall well-being and happiness.
Duration: Approximately 100 minutes daily
SHARED MOMENTS:
Sparkles
In the Sparkles, Kerstin and Fabiana come together to co-create an open and supportive space for exploration and discovery in the studio and in nature. Each day, participants’ wishes, insights, and questions are collected and woven into a dynamic, collaborative session involving everyone’s voice.
Donkeys, dogs, cats, or wildlife may offer their unique presence to inspire connection, calmness, and insight. Their intuitive responses and grounding energy can enrich the spark space, helping participants tune into the present moment.
Sparkles is not just about addressing curiosities—it is an invitation to deepen the retreat experience, integrating the wisdom and practices of both workshops into a shared joyful, creative and transformative journey.
“Creativity offers a path to happiness through self-expression, flow states, a sense of accomplishment, and emotional catharsis. Simultaneously, happiness is fertile ground for creativity to flourish, as it reduces stress, boosts problem-solving skills, and promotes social connections.” (Francois Coetzee)
Sparkles are included when you sign up for The Psoas Connection! Duration: Approximately 100 minutes daily
Embracing Joy can be booked together with Kerstin Kussmaul's The Psoas Connection
Meet your workshop leader
Fabiana studied ballet at the National Ballet School in Buenos Aires, Argentina and the Graham and Horton Technique in New York, USA. In 1991 she met Isamel Ivo, with whom she worked and remained artistically connected until his death. After a back injury she embarked on a new path - dance now took on a new role and transformed itself into a means of inner realization and a tool for dissolving energetic blockages.
Her many years of dance experience, her studies in kinesiology together with training in integrative breathing techniques, as well as the influence of Ismael and the experience with the indigenous people of her native country led to the development of her own Dance for Health technique.

- Accommodation for 7 days (6 nights)
- 3 vegetarian meals daily
- 5 movement sesssions with Fabiana (~ 100 minutes each)
- Shared moments: Sparkles (~ 100 minutes daily)
- Talks with the teacher
- Access to pool and all other amenities of Tenuta di Poggiolame
- Shuttle to and from train station Fabro-Ficulle
Total costs for 7 days (6 nights) per person: from € 990 to € 1,680 (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
A retreat in cooperation with ImPulsTanz
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.







































