Carli Ross, Chico, CA (2025)

12/03/2025

This little girl had no idea the ride she was signed up for.
I don’t think she could have imagined in her wildest dreams where this wild ride would take her… and I’m grateful to be living it. 🤍

Birthdays always feel like the perfect pause for reflection.
I walked into this year thinking, “I’m moving to Italy. I finally reached the checkpoint I’ve been working so hard for, I can finally relax.” It’s funny now to think that I actually believed that! Haha!

I hit some pretty low points… moments of feeling lost, helpless, overwhelmed by all the new challenges.
But I’ve also felt more accomplished and proud than I have in a long time.

This ended up being the year of growth I didn’t even know I signed up for!

And now… I’m stepping into this new year prepared for whatever comes, with a much bigger tool belt 💪🏼🤍

I feel so lucky to be surrounded by such amazing humans. From late night phone calls back home to early morning coffee breaks here… You all lift me up in ways you don’t even know. 🤍

Here’s to another year around the sun ☀️✨

12/01/2025

Thanksgiving dinner made with intention. 🤍 Every woman around that table holds such a special place in my heart and is a huge reason I feel so at home here in Italy. Each one of them has taken care of me in their own way… and I wanted one evening just for them. Thanksgiving dinner was the perfect opportunity.

The thing is… I’ve never made an entire Thanksgiving dinner by myself. Back home it’s a full team effort: I make the stuffing, Dad does the turkey, Mom and Grandma handle the sides, and my sister brings the pies. But this year… I figured it out. It even smelled like my great grandmas home ❤️

Trying to recreate a full Thanksgiving in a foreign country had me running to the store a million times, Googling substitutes, and cooking for five straight days. Chat gpt was keeping me on track! Haha! But honestly? I’m so proud of how it turned out. The food was pretty good… but getting to share my favorite holiday with some of my favorite humans meant everything.

Grazie, ladies, for being my support team, my home away from home, and my chosen family here. ❤️🦃✨

11/23/2025

Say Yes… 💫
This was my first year teaching high school after a long stretch working in Club Med. One day, a colleague asked if I could take her students to Japan. She had done the trip many times before and already had everything planned. I instantly said yes… without fully considering the responsibility that came with it.

As the departure date got closer, people kept asking if I was crazy, or if I even knew what I was doing. But for some reason, I didn’t feel the fear everyone else was talking about.

Our first stop was Kyoto, and from the moment we arrived, I had to rely completely on my students. The only Japanese word I knew was konnichiwa. And as we moved through those two weeks together, I’m still not sure who grew more, me or them.

That trip showed me the true impact of traveling abroad.

Fast forward a few years, and I was given the chance to teach in Italy. The same kind of growth… the confidence, the curiosity, the independence happened all over again. It made me think… why can’t this happen more often?

We learn so much more through real-world experiences than a book could ever teach us.

And that realization led me here, to Reggio Emilia, to GAST, to Vita… holding a space for the students to step into a whole new world. 🌍✨

11/18/2025

Capturing our Moments 🌿

Last weekend was our first hiking meditation day and it was perfect. We opened with a reading about mindfulness, presence, and being awake. Then moved with breath and connection before Marco guided the group onto the trail.

Because of a knee injury I stayed back. Not easy for me, but a needed reminder to slow down. While the group hiked, I found a page in my coloring book that said “It’s ok to rest”, just the reminder I needed. Sometimes the lesson shows up in a different way.

When the group returned, we reflected, wrote, drew, stretched, and ended the morning with smiles and new connections.

I am feeling excited and inspired to grow the A place for like minded humans to breathe, move, explore, and connect. This is just the beginning. 💫

🌱 Ok collettivo… che cosa vorreste fare il prossimo mese?!

11/04/2025

Una mattina per muoverci, respirare e connetterci con il corpo, la mente e la natura 🌿

Sono felice di collaborare con il mio amico Marco per una Camminata + Meditazione tra le bellissime colline di Cà del Vento, a Borzano di Albinea.
Uniamo movimento, trekking e meditazione guidata per vivere una mattina di consapevolezza all’aria aperta.

🥾 Trekking & Meditazione
🗓 Sabato 15 Novembre · Ore 9:30
📍 Ritrovo: parcheggio del bar di Borzano di Albinea
✨ Gratuito e aperto a tutti
🌿 Iscriviti → [Link in bio]

Muoviamoci insieme, troviamo la calma nel movimento e iniziamo il weekend con intenzione. 🌞

🇺🇸
A morning to move, breathe, and connect with your body, mind, and nature 🌿

I’m so excited to team up with my friend Marco for a Meditation + Hike through the beautiful hills of Cà del Vento in Borzano di Albinea.
We’ll blend gentle movement, hiking, and guided meditation for a mindful morning outdoors.

🥾 Trekking & Meditation Class
🗓 Saturday, November 15 · 9:30 AM
📍 Meeting point: parking lot of the bar in Borzano di Albinea
✨ Free and open to all abilities
🌿 Sign up → [Link in bio]

Let’s move together, find stillness in motion, and start the weekend with intention. 🌞

10/21/2025

🌏Living abroad update… it has been one of the best and hardest things I’ve ever done.

Here in Italy, I’ve made amazing connections, built friendships that feel like family, and started to truly feel at home.

But the truth is… I still miss my people every single day. I think about my family and friends back home all the time. Wishing they could see what I see, share these moments, laugh with me over a glass of wine, or get lost in a new city right beside me.

Some days I just want something to be easy. The language, the paperwork, the constant figuring it out! But slowly, some things have gotten easier… Eating out alone, taking weekend trips solo, exploring new cities without a plan, even taking selfies by myself. 😅

It’s far from picture perfect, but I can say that I’ve come a long way in these past 10 months… And growth: real, messy, and honest feels pretty good. 🤍

09/16/2025

Living in Italy this year, most days feel like an adventure way outside my comfort zone. From experiencing a new culture and language I’m still learning, to working in a job I love…familiar in many ways, yet still pushing me to grow in new ones.

Every once in a while, there are moments when I pause and think… “this is my life right now.” A reminder to slow down, to be present, and to truly savor the small pieces that bring so much joy.

Grateful for this chapter 🤍

09/10/2025

Community is everything…

Little did I know 6 years ago when I first met .onlus that they would become such a huge part of my life. I can’t express the support I’ve felt in making this move and in feeling right at home here in Italy.

Last weekend we spent time together in the Apennines… hiking, sharing meals, playing games and simply enjoying each other’s company.

My heart is full. ⛰️🤍

09/05/2025

✨ Yoga & Pilates Fusion is back!
I’m so excited to team up with .onlus again this fall for another round of Yoga & Pilates for Beginners – in English 🌿

This fusion flow blends breath, balance, strength, and stretch — perfect for all levels and a great way to complement your weekly movement routine.

📍 A-GYM – Via Canalina 38, Reggio Emilia
🗓️ Fridays | 19:30–20:30 | 19/9–19/12
💬 Taught entirely in English

And if you’re already joining the Pre-Ski class on Wednesdays, we’re offering a special package deal to join both! ⛷️🧘🏼‍♀️

📩 To register or learn more: gast@gastreggioemilia.it

💫 Let’s move into fall with strength and intention

🇮🇹 Torna Yoga & Pilates Fusion!
Sono felicissima di collaborare di nuovo con .onlus questo autunno per un altro ciclo di Yoga & Pilates per Principianti – in Inglese 🌿

Un flow che unisce respiro, equilibrio, forza e allungamento — perfetto per tutti i livelli e un’ottima aggiunta alla tua routine settimanale di movimento.

📍 A-GYM – Via Canalina 38, Reggio Emilia
🗓️ Venerdì | 19:30–20:30 | dal 19/9 al 19/12
💬 Lezione interamente in inglese

E se stai già partecipando al corso Pre-Ski del mercoledì, è disponibile un pacchetto speciale per frequentare entrambi! ⛷️🧘🏼‍♀️

📩 Per info e iscrizioni: gast@gastreggioemilia.it

Iniziamo l’autunno con forza e intenzione 💪🏼

08/20/2025

✨ A one day retreat. Time in nature. Deep connection. Space to ask myself the hard questions. 🌱

The theme of this one day retreat was devotion to self. Surrounded by the stillness of nature, I gave myself permission to pause and ask “what if…” What if I chose the answer for myself? What if I put myself first?

As I sat with these questions, I listened to women share their own what ifs and in each story, I felt the power of truth and the reminder that being true to yourself is where real connection begins. In the beauty of the outdoors, and in that space I found pieces of myself reflected in every woman’s story.

Thank you, , for creating such a powerful container and inviting me to simply receive. What a gift.

🌱What if you gave yourself permission today to choose you?

Carli Ross

12/03/2025

12/01/2025

11/23/2025

11/18/2025

11/04/2025

10/21/2025

09/16/2025

09/10/2025

09/05/2025

08/20/2025

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