Palazzo Pitti: I left with much more than I signed up for.

DECEMBER 3, 2016 SOUNDTHECITY

A good long and tight hug. I can never forget how good that feels and I can only thank Palazzo Pitti for showing me that.

Great hugs and a kiss on the cheek is the absolute norm here. It’s magical almost, how easy it is to make someone feel good. To feel loved. I may not remember the exact words from the mouths of the beauties in the house. But i do remember how each and every one of them made me feel. And thinking about it does nothing but warm my heart and put a smile to my face.

Palazzo Pitti is a holistic yoga center. It lies in a little town called Rathenow, an hour’s train ride from the famous city Berlin, Germany. The project was started by Sebastian Wagner and Amrit. And it is, no doubt, an incredible place in the making.

A great place it is. But Palazzo Pitti wouldn’t have been Palazzo Pitti without the people in it. That i can confidently say.

Imagine a place with people of character, vision, drive and a desire to change for the better. Inspirational people who know that life is much more than it’s made out to be in societies. People who want to reconnect with what they lost when they lived their lives perhaps a little too blindly in the cities. We are all searching for something. Something bigger than what money can buy.

We’re searching for a way to feel: Something new, or perhaps something we once could. We’re searching for the what and how to proceed with life. We’re searching for a place to grow both physically and spiritually. And we found it.

At 7am sharp, the gongs ring, waking you up to attend the challenging but peaceful Kundalini Yoga sessions hosted by Sebastian Wagner. We learn about our bodies, spirits and embrace the energies radiating from each other in the room. Then we head to 5 hours of work after a hearty breakfast made with love by our very own workawayers. I did have the great opportunity to work with Sebastian in his office. He is one who cares. Who wants to teach. And ultimately, i can feel the passion running through his veins.

What Palazzo Pitti gives you is perspective. Sebastian believes in each one of us and our talents. I received so many words of encouragement the week i stayed at the place, words that i needed to hear. We had a room where we’d all come together at night to read, chill, chat or have some jam sessions right next to a toasty fire place. I got to say, i really miss that. It was my favourite part about the place. The vibes in the room were absolutely genuine. On occasions, Sebastian would get us to do presentations on various topics. I had the opportunity to share my little input of what the future of Palazzo Pitti and its associated projects could be. I also had the chance to watch a heart-felt film about underground music in New York subway stations made by our very own talented New Yorker

I loved how individuals from all over the globe, be it, America, Spain, Iceland or the UK can come together and just get along and sing as one. The moments in the room are nothing but mere beauty and all i could feel was the warmth and belief that this world was made to be simple. It is still a marvellous world to live in.

Of course, all good things must come to an end. I left inspired, refreshed and ready to take on life’s challenges back home in Singapore. And i must say, i fell in deep love with Palazzo Pitti during my short time there. I’m sure we’ll all see each other again someday. I know it. Till then.