Prioritising Stillness

As executive coach and leadership facilitator, I pose this question to my clients. At the beginning of an executive or group coaching day, the responses often set the stage for a self-explorative journey. In today’s fast-paced and ever-changing world, finding stillness and safeguarding alone time has become increasingly difficult to prioritise. Yet, it remains an essential foundation for cultivating self-awareness (‘who am I?’) and unlocking creative potential.

Casa Hygge, situated in the beauty of Montferrat’s vineyards, Piedmont, Italy, offers precisely this: a private setting where executives and professionals can step away from business and enter a space designed for self-reflection. Over the course of three days, participants are moving through a carefully designed programme that blends reflection, physical engagement, and creative exploration – guided by an accredited executive coach. 

I. Preparation: Contracting Scope and Priorities

Booking three months in advance reserves the annual planner of Casa Hygge and of the Executive Coach Susann Naomi Israel. The entire property, including its standalone 1-bedroom house accommodation, will be exclusively blocked for the three-day programme.

A preparatory session with the client, four to six weeks in advance, is held to addressing logistical arrangements such as pick-up, arrival and departure details. Furthermore, this conversation defines key themes, expectations, and, if desired, a pre-assessment based on Everything DiSC^® or 360-feedback GELM^®.

II. Arrival: Your Space for Reflection

Arrival at Casa Hygge marks the beginning of the programme. The transition from business routine into this nature-embedded space is intentional and symbolic. Walking reflections through the property’s natural lands and initial exercises help participants distancing from external distractions and ground themselves in the present moment. 

Basic meals, prepared on the property or enjoyed in nearby Acqui Terme, support the process of creating purpose-free time for the mind and the soul. 

III. Stillness: Gateway to Insight

Stillness is not passive – it is active and intentional. Alone time offers executives and professionals an opportunity to pause, disconnect, and access deeper layers of self-awareness. Through guided reflection, clients often uncover perspectives that remain hidden admits daily demands.

At Casa Hygge, moments of stillness are deliberately woven into the schedule. These pauses act as gateways to clarity, creativity, and emotional resilience. In a world driven by constant action, this stillness becomes a source of new ideas and inspirations.

IV. Mindfulness: Role of the Body

Physical activity plays an integral role at Casa Hygge. Walking reflections, a private yoga session, or leisurely strolls through the vineyard hills of Montferrat create a balance between mental engagement and physical presence. Movement is not merely exercise; it becomes a medium for mindfulness and clarity.

Participants often find that physical engagement allows them to process emotions, organise thoughts, and arrive at new insights seamlessly.

V. Reflection: Creative Exploration

Creativity is not reserved for artists – it is an essential skill for problem-solving, innovation, and leadership. Workshops at Casa Hygge invite participants to step out of their analytical minds and into a space of creative exploration.

Creativity-based exercises foster reflection, offering new ways to explore own challenges, relationships, and opportunities. They provide participants with tangible takeaways – insights that can be revisited long after the programme concludes.

VI. Closing: Integration and Departure

As the three-day programme ends, the focus shifts to integration. Final reflections and exchanging insights create a sense of closure. A follow-up debrief session, scheduled approximately two weeks after departure, supports clients in translating their Casa Hygge experience into actionable strategies for their professional and personal lives.

The journey does not end here – it evolves.

VII. Extension: Integration and Sustainability

For clients who wish to extend their experience, Casa Hygge is available for exclusive rentals for personal or family retreats, allowing participants to return and deepen their connection to this reflective space. What is more, tailored executive coaching back in the client’s professional setting provides ongoing support, helping clients integrate and sustain their leadership and aspirations with clarity and purpose.