Self-Compassion, Happiness, and Well-Being for Judges: Multi-Sensory Healing Experience
June 25 - 29, 2025
Judges need the support of other judges for their happiness and well-being.
Welcome to Self-Compassion, Happiness, and Well-Being for Judges: Multi-Sensory Healing Experience in Italy.
This is an exclusive invite-only event for judges and former judges from all over the world that will reach all your senses, your intellect, your emotions, and your heart.
You’ll immerse in meditation, compassion practice, and awareness practice with ample time for cultural experiences, enjoyment, and networking to develop personal and professional relationships with other judges. You’ll get the opportunity to get to know a wonderful group of people.
Italy is a celebration of LIFE. Let’s celebrate together this June, integrating mindfulness with Renaissance wisdom and Greek mythology, while learning to listen to your heart and mind every step of the way.
The goal of Self-Compassion, Happiness, and Well-Being for Judges: Multi-Sensory Healing Experience is to create an oasis for you: an oasis of beauty, an oasis of joy, of the carefree, of the profound, of lightness, and of your own freedom.
Get ready to enjoy each other’s company, reap the benefits of an authentic Italian experience, and learn to drive positive change in the judicial and legal profession.
You’ll leave with strong new friendships, a greater sense of inner calm, easier access to joy, and lasting memories of a part of Italy mostly untouched by tourists!
Judges benefit from a healing experience that is tailored specifically to judges.
A Healing Experience Through:
Connection
Compassion
Beauty
Gratitude
Fresh Food Grown in Ischia
Poetry
Greek Mythology
Meditation
Thermal Hot Springs
Walks in Nature
Hosts:
National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges
Lead With Compassion
Testimonials from 2024 Retreat in Ischia
You'll gain the mindset to enhance your happiness for decades to come.
WHAT
This unique 5-day Self-Compassion, Happiness, and Well-Being for Judges: Multi-Sensory
Healing Experience gives judicial professionals the opportunity to build genuine friendships and partnerships with current leaders in the judicial field, as well as strategize about how to overcome challenges – both personal and professional.
It’s an All-Inclusive Experience in an Italian Paradise for 5 days which includes:
Connections to other judges
Opportunity to start or deepen a meditation practice
Small town authentic Italian life for 5 days
3 healthy, farm-to-table, delicious meals a day
5-course dinners every night
Relaxation for the body and mind
Ancient Greek myths
Daily heart-opening and self-compassion
Italian poetry and introduction to Italian history and culture
WHERE
Southern Italy is paradise in the summer.
Everyone knows the famous island of Capri.
Lesser known is the next island over called Ischia. It is as beautiful, if not more so, and for the most part, tourists haven't discovered it yet.
Ischia is amazing because it combines a deep history – Homer included it as part of Odysseus’ journey in The Odyssey, W. H. Auden composed poetry about it, and it's the first place where the Ancient Greeks landed when they moved to Italy – lovely small towns, beautiful vegetation and nature, the sparkling Mediterranean sea, friendly people, and natural thermal hot springs that relax the body and mind.
It's a wonderful place to spend time in the summer, and a wonderful setting to be meeting other judges and future friends.
Finally, you’ll be in one of the few places where you can still get the authentic Italian experience.
According to CNN, Ischia is “the paradise island that offers a taste of the real Italy.”
You’ll feel rejuvenated, connected, and like you have gone on a magical adventure.
Chi trova un amico, trova un tesoro – Whoever finds a friend finds a treasure (Italian Proverb)
THEMES DAY-BY-DAY
Day 1: Arrival, Welcome Session, Dinner
Welcome lunch and introductions
Meditation session to arrive fully
Insight into Italian poetry
Five-course gourmet dinner
Day 2: Mindfulness and Joy
Visit the Archeological Museum and Lacco Ameno downtown
Discover the mythology of Ischia
Five-course gourmet dinner
Day 3: Self-Compassion, Freedom from the Inner Critic, Leadership of Self
Self-Compassion Meditation
Freedom from the Inner Critic
Stroll through La Mortella gardens
Five-course gourmet dinner
Day 4: Connecting with Compassion
Visit Aragonese Castle
Five-course gourmet dinner
Special Surprise on the rooftop terrace
Day 5: Longterm Benefits and Well-being into the Future
Last dip in the mineral hot spring pool
How to integrate these benefits into your life longterm
Closing Symposium Session: Achievements and Future Endeavours
EXPERIENCE CURATED BY:
ELIZABETH PYJOV, JD MTS
B.A. Harvard College, Romance Languages and Literatures
Certification Stanford Medical School, Neuroscience, Philosophy, Pedagogy of Compassion
J.D. Harvard Law School
MTS Harvard Divinity School, Theology Degree
New York City Bar Well-Being Committee Member
Experience working with the teams at Baker McKenzie, Carlyle Group, Columbia Medical School, Deutsche Bank, Library of Congress, the New York State Supreme Court, Novartis, Ropes & Gray LLP, & Warby Parker
WHY ELIZABETH PYJOV
Elizabeth is a lawyer, thought leader, speaker, and CEO who holds 3 Harvard degrees, speaks 5 languages, has lived in 7 countries, and studied neuroscience at Stanford Medical School.
She has experience working with judges of the New York Supreme Court and through the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (NCJFCJ).
Her professional experience spans being a funds attorney at Sidley Austin, policy work at the United Nations, conducting legal investigations for the New York Attorney General's Office, marketing for Italy's top television stations RAI in Rome, and working as a literary translator for Italian Nobel prize-winning author Dario Fo.
Elizabeth combines what she learned about ritual and meaning at Harvard Divinity School, her literature degree from Harvard College, the rigor of Harvard Law School, and her time studying with the Dalai Lama to think outside the box and address modern challenges at work.
She currently runs 3 organizations: Lead with Compassion, Happiness Sangha, and Self-Compassion for Lawyers.
Elizabeth Pyjov's clients include Bessemer Ventures, Columbia Law School, the New York State Bar Association, Perkins Coie, and Weil Gotshal.
“We envision a place and time where very high achieving professionals can relax, enjoy, connect, and learn.”
HEALING AND CHANGING PATTERNS
The judicial profession is highly stressful.
Leaders carry a lot of responsibility for their organization and its employees.
What judges often lack is self-compassion and positive leadership of self habits for themselves.
During the retreat, we will rewire those patterns together.
In a new environment, it is easier to release our patterns.
When trying new foods, experiencing beauty with the senses, and connecting to the warmth and friendliness of others – we gather energy and heal.
Wine has been produced in Ischia for almost 3000 years. It was introduced by the Ancient Greeks in the 8th century BC, and Ischia is still famous all over the world for its wines.
“I spent years living in Italy, and the food in Ischia is the most delicious Italian food I’ve ever had.”
L’amore si misura in piatti cucinati – Love is measured in cooked dishes (Italian Proverb)
Local Experience
The owner of the villa where we will be staying owns an organic fruit and vegetable farm, and the food we'll be eating is sourced from there.
All the food for the duration of your stay is included. We will eat fresh fruits, vegetables, pasta, and salads as well as meat, seafood, and fish, with vegan and vegetarian options available.
Special dietary restrictions such as gluten-free, allergies, and sensitivities are happily accommodated.
A lot of the food we will be eating is grown in the garden at the villa.
LOCATION
The retreat will take place at the beautiful Italian villa we will be staying at. Pools of healing mineral hot springs are at your disposal on the property, as well as saunas, Turkish baths, and spas. You’ll enjoy the gorgeous views of the island from the rooftop terraces.
You can lounge in the jacuzzi on the terrace, swim in the pool, enjoy an Aperol Spritz in the courtyard, and have traditional Italian multi-course meals in the dining room while building the future of what the judicial profession will become.
There will be excursions around the island on days 2, 3, and 4.
WHAT’S UNIQUE
Curated attendee list of judges across the United States and the world
To encourage active dialogue and true connection among participants, registration will be limited to 30 attendees
Authentic, non-tourist Italian experience: like living in a warm Italian family, with amazing people around the table
Daily meditation will help you feel alive, connected, and relaxed
This retreat will help you achieve new levels of compassion, which will help you face professional challenges with new strength
You’ll come away with new friendships, and you'll learn something new about yourself, your happiness, your well-being, Greek mythology, and Italian culture
ITINERARY
Arrive on the island of Ischia on a one-hour boat ride from Naples
Aperol spritz or mineral water to refresh you
Welcome lunch
Soak in the jacuzzi on the rooftop, enjoying the view of Mount Epomeo
Italian poetry to welcome you to this experience
Mindfulness and Arriving Fully meditation practice
Introduction to the history and mythology of the island
Learn some key Italian words
5-course dinner with wine
Night soak in the thermal hot springs for relaxation – the spa is open for you to use 24/7
All activities are optional
DAY 1
Morning soak in the thermal pools
Morning yoga practice on the roof
Buffet breakfast on the terrace in front of the villa with omelettes, fresh fruit, homemade jams, and breads baked that morning
Morning cappuccino
Morning mindfulness practice
Symposium on understanding well-being in the judicial profession
Introduction to understanding love in Italian poetry
Stroll through the lovely town of Lacco Ameno
Visit to Villa Arbusto Archeological Museum
Lunch at the best pizzeria on the island
Trip to the beautiful San Montano beach
Visit to the famous Negombo Park
Return to the villa, free time
Ancient Greek myths introduction
5-course dinner with wine
Evening self-compassion meditation practice
DAY 2
Morning soak in the thermal pools
Morning yoga practice on the roof
Buffet breakfast on the terrace with omelettes, fresh fruit, homemade jams, and breads baked that morning
Morning cappuccino
Morning meditation practice
Visit the beautiful gardens Giardini La Mortella gardens
Lunch in a restaurant on the beach
Free time back at the villa to siesta or sunbathe on the rooftop, soak in the thermal waters, or sip a limoncello on the terrace
Italian poetry series and Ancient Greek myths immersion
Discussion of how judges can be self-compassionate and achieve excellence
Evening compassion practice
5-course dinner with wine
Option to explore a local town at night
DAY 3
Morning soak in the thermal pools
Morning yoga practice on the roof
Buffet breakfast with omelettes, fresh fruit, homemade jams and breads baked that morning
Morning cappuccino
Morning meditation practice
Centering practice with joy meditation
Practical tools to increase happiness and well-being year-round, even upon returning home.
Visit to the local winery and lunch at the winery
Visit to the Castello Arogonese (Castle Arogonese) built 500 BC, a former abbey of Basilian monks with Eastern Orthodox art
Free time back at the villa
Optional time to go shopping in the town Lacco Ameno
Italian poetry series
5-course dinner with wine and special desserts
Night of live music at the villa to celebrate our last evening together
DAY 4
Morning soak in the thermal pools
Morning yoga practice on the roof
Buffet breakfast with omelettes, fresh fruit, homemade jams, and breads baked that morning
Morning cappuccino
Closing session: reflecting and closing the circle
Soaking in thermal hot springs at the villa one more time
Arrivederci!
Boat to Naples (or, if you like, it’s an easy boat ride to Capri, Positano, or Amalfi)
Transfer to airport or train station in Naples
DAY 5
Value
5-day retreat - $1,380
Building your own community of judges who are not immediate colleagues - $1,000
Italian poetry immersion series - $450
Ancient Greek myths psychologically explained - $450
Restorative yoga on the roof, walking meditation, and mindful movement daily - $450
Therapeutic compassion exercises - $450
Gaining a deep understanding of self-compassion - $450
Excursions around the island organized by Elizabeth Pyjov - $1,000
Short and enjoyable daily Italian lessons with Elizabeth Pyjov - $100
Pick up from the airport and drop off at the airport - $100
Boat from Naples to Ischia two ways - $100
Transportation all over the island during your stay - $150
Room - $850
Breakfast, lunch, and five-course dinner each day - $1,200
Book of Italian poetry from 50 different poets, handpicked by Elizabeth Pyjov - $70
Not thinking about anything and not planning - $500
Pleasant surprises and extras - $250
Lifelong friendships with other judges - Priceless
Returning home with greater well-being - Priceless
Joy, energy, and inspiration for months to come - Priceless
Total: $8,950
The event fee is $3,950*
Significant other registration: If you want to bring a significant other to share a room with, the fee for them is $2,750. They are invited to participate in all meals and excursions. There will be special sessions for them at the summit.
*The registration is further discounted for NCJFCJ members, the co-sponsoring organization. You can apply for membership here. All judges/former judges are qualified for membership.
INCLUDED
All activities of 5-day retreat
Farm-to-table meals and traditional multi-course dinners
5 nights with a private room and a private bathroom in a beautiful hotel villa
Delicious local wines
Excursions around the island
Pick up from the airport and drop off at the airport
Boat from Naples to Ischia two ways
Transportation all over the island during your stay
Everything is planned for you and everything is included
All activities are optional and you get to make your schedule each day
This Team Will Welcome You
CURRICULUM
The curriculum has four parts:
1) Self-compassion, awareness and joy practice.
2) Compassionate connection to others.
3) A unit on the best of Italian poetry throughout history and the philosophy behind Italian poetry.
4) Healing effects of Ancient Greek mythology and how myths transform our subconscious.
YOUR CONTRIBUTION
$3,950 for the entire experience.
$3,750 if you are an NCJFCJ member.
$2,750 for a significant other you share a room with.
Everything in the Value section above is included from the time we pick you up at the airport to the time you leave Ischia. There will be a 5-course dinner each day, lunch out in local restaurants, a sumptuous breakfast buffet, wine at dinner, Aperol Spritz upon arrival, leadership training, and the opportunity to meet the best judges and leaders in the industry.
See below for registration links.
DETAILS
Dates: June 25 - 29, 2025
Place: Ischia in Italy
Significant others: Wecome to attend at a reduced fee.
Flights: Fly into the airport in Naples, Italy. There is a direct flight New York - Naples, for example. You can also fly into Rome and take a 1-hour train ride to Naples. You will be picked up at the airport or a train station.
Main Facilitator: Elizabeth Pyjov, JD MTS
HOW TO REGISTER
“Those who spend so much time thinking about others need to connect and take care of themselves.”
