How Atalis began
It all started with a game of padel.
Salamandra had gone to play at Amor Bairo with her son, Juan Carlos. Looking around, she noticed that the place was a lot like Crea, only designed with more care. The thought stayed with her, along with a question that wouldn’t go away: why can’t we have something like this at Damanhur?
Then the ideas came, one after another. A friend told her on the phone how much better she’d felt since taking up Pilates. A visit to the Art Lab on Crea’s ground floor turned into a daydream. She pictured a fitness area, rooms for karate, yoga and meditation, and a place where people could meet. Maybe even a sauna.
Crea already had Crea Salute, Nepa, Cavalluccio Marino, Fisio Crea, Selfica and Musica delle Piante. What it lacked was a place to look after body and mind together, and to do it as a community. Only one question was left: where do you start?
And then synchronicity stepped in. Talking to Daina, Salamandra found out that Savio had long been nursing a dream almost identical to hers. When they first met and told each other about it, they were both moved. That’s how Atalis was born.
Why we’re called Atalis
Atalis is the Italian form of Athalys, a name built from two roots.
Atha
From athanor, the alchemists’ furnace: the place where transformation happens, the deep change that starts from within.
Lys
The fleur-de-lys, the lily: blossoming, beauty and spiritual growth.
Put together, they describe what we hope happens to everyone who comes here: a change on the inside that leads to blossoming. Thanks to Nereide for dreaming it up with us.
Why we exist
We want to help people feel better and more alive, with classes and sacred spaces where they can train their bodies, renew themselves inside and build a community together.
Our bigger dream is to help grow a worldwide movement of people who live consciously and look after body, mind and spirit as a whole.
Five values guide us: health (physical, emotional and spiritual), balance in life, harmony, passion and transformation.
We’re Damanhurians, and our motto is ‘my body is a temple’. But in the rush of daily life, between work and everything else, it’s easy to forget. Body, mind and spirit need attention, care and presence, and they’re one and the same.
The team
Salamandra Araucaria
It all started with her, and she’s the one who holds the project together.
Savio
Savio is a karate champion with world, European and Italian titles. He trained under Falco, who always combined athletic work with mental and spiritual work. With degrees in sports science and psychology, he now teaches at the University of Turin. He coached the Italian national karate team at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
Paul
Paul holds an MBA and a degree in mechanical engineering, and has led public, private and non-profit organisations. For fifteen years he ran his own wellness and coaching business. He has qualified for and raced in three Ironman World Championships.
Where we’re heading
Atalis grows with the people who take part. The first step is the one we’re taking now: bringing in classes and programmes, and seeing how many people come.
The next step is a proper space at Crea. We picture proper flooring and rooms for yoga, karate, Pilates, dance and workshops, with cardio equipment, a few strength machines and changing rooms with showers. And an infrared sauna.
We’re building it for the long run: for our bodies, and for everyone’s wellbeing.
Your first class is on us
Tell us which class you’re curious about and we’ll send you a free trial pass, with no commitment.
Follow us for news from the centre, the timetable and what’s coming up.
Where to find us
Damanhur Crea
Via Baldissero, 21
10080 Vidracco (TO), Italy
We’re a few minutes from Castellamonte and Ivrea, with parking right in front of the building.
Write to us
For questions about classes, free trials or events, just drop us a line. We usually reply within a day.
Email: info@atalis.org
Phone: +39 333 767 7976