Billy YOGA

After 4 1/2 years, we became Italian citizens today. The process started back in Denver in 2021 in our beloved house on Magnolia which we sold to help fund our dreams of a life in Europe - away from a city that was ‘home’ housing so many different chapters of life full of moments, memories, family, and friends - so much love - into the unknown of something different and new.

I wore my Italy World Cup jersey from 1986 - my first visit to Europe. A whirlwind family vacation in less than three weeks starting in London through France and Italy to Yugoslavia and into Austria and Germany. Cafes were bustling, every city and village was full of life, history, and personality, and it seemed like everywhere my head turned sparked my imagination. The Berlin Wall wouldn’t come down for three more years, but any walls that existed inside my naïve 17 years came crashing down and - whether I knew it or not at the time - the seeds were planted and the world became a little bigger and even more beautiful and mysterious. So much to see, feel, learn, and experience.

Today was a small but very significant part of it all and more than worthy of celebration. But this part of the dream won’t truly feel complete until I see my oldest son , my sister , and my 89 year-old dad holding up their Italian passports too in front of the Italian Consulate in Chicago.

But, to think it all started as simply an idea back in Denver where my wife and I said, as we’ve said so many other times before and since, “Let’s do it!” So we did it. And today, our youngest son and I gathered all the necessary documents, walked out our front door to the Italian Consulate right here in Nice to become Italian and EU Citizens! Life is pretty crazy in that way, I guess.

There is a Buddhist meditation where we honor our ancestors by sitting quietly and visualizing all of the ones who came before us - parents, grandparents, and beyond - and express our gratitude and thank them … “I am here because of you. Thank you.”

I guess this is - as Dolores O’Riordan of The Cranberries so wistfully sang it - an “Ode To My Family” and part of that ongoing ‘meditation’.

🙏❤️

Just dropped my first YouTube Live video (seems strange saying that after all of the virtual classes we did from 2020 - 2022). But, it's here on replay ... I hope you find it useful! https://www.youtube.com/live/5LmljOqKD6U?si=edbwNDxz3hXAZ-la
Join the group (it's free) and get access to the livestreams https://billypotocnik.systeme.io/join-livestream-group . Next livestream is Wednesday 7am MT (15:00 CET)

Movement – 25-Min HIIT Workout (45s ON / 15s REST) + 5-Min Warmup — or hit this anytime for a quick reset.This 30-minute all-levels yoga + movement class blends strength, rhythm, and mindfulness. Expect a soulful mix of di...

A link that works ... Three rooms opened up ... Our Retreat to Porto in October ...

Porto Retreat 2025 Step into a world of calm, connection, and joyful transformation. Our 7-day wellness retreat near Porto is your invitation to unplug from the noise and reconnect with what matters most—you. Nestled in a breathtaking villa surrounded by lush nature, this experience blends relaxation, movement, deli...

We Made the Move to France — Now We’re Helping Others Move to Europe Start with our free Moving to Europe Cheat Sheet (France, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Greece & Croatia). We did it — and you can too. Includes our France ebook & private consultation options.

Walk the Camino 2025 – A Soulful Retreat Experience Reconnect with yourself on Spain’s ancient Camino. A powerful, guided retreat blending walking, rest, inner work, and meaningful connection.

Last Day to SAVE €100 on Walking the Camino with Traci Tooman Manni Coe Toma and Coe and me! Come Walk With Us!

Check out below!

Come Walk With Us Walking El Camino Sanabrés The Galician Route Ourense to Santiago May 17th - 25th Sign Up by Tonight and SAVE €100!!! Dear Fellow Yogis, Friends, Adventurers, and Seekers - THIS IS IT – LAST CHANCE TO SAVE €100 We’re reaching out because we know some of you want to walk the Camino with us in May—but maybe you’re dragging your feet on signing up. Here’s the truth: You don’t want to wake up tomorrow wis...

ON THE PATH: YOUR CAMINO JOURNEY Walking Into Santiago THE CONFLUENCE OF JOURNEY & DESTINATION Come Walk With Us Ourense to Santiago de Compostela May 17th - 25th 2025 Arriving: The Final Steps of the Journey The First Glimpse After days—or even weeks—of walking, the moment arrives. The Camino weaves through the final stretch, and suddenly, Santiago de Compostela appears on the horizon. For many pilgrims, the first sight of the city is overwhelming. It’s a m...

16 years with this wild one! And she would have to be to put up with me for that long. 😳 I’m not saying that her sassyness is fully justified, I mean, she’s next-level with her sassyness … but hey, I get it.🤷‍♂️

We’ve moved fast and furiously - a bit like the film. Where I would obviously be Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, duh. She would be the girl version of Vin Diesel - but significantly hotter…

Anyway …

We’ve had lots of chapters and so many adventures along the way. So thankful and crazy for this woman , our family .niko, and these years together.
I love you ❤️🙏

El Camino May 17th - 25th. Get signed up!

Find Your El Camino Inspiration in Film Martin Sheen In The Way (2010) directed by his son, Emilio Estevez

Walking the Peaceful & Scenic El Camino Sanabrés A Deeper Dive Into El Camino Sanabrés May 17th - May 25th, 2025 History, Geography, Landscape, Culture, Experience The Camino Sanabrés is one of the lesser-known routes of the Camino de Santiago, yet it’s rich in both history and beauty. By Camino standards, the Sanabrés is a "new" route at onl...

Must listen, IF ... You are a friend, family, like my wife Traci Tooman and/or have any dream, desire, thoughts of moving to France or Europe ... This is Traci on the Franceformation Podcast Your Franceformation with Allison Lounes. It is really good - interesting and informative with all kind of valuable insight and inspiration on life over here in France and making the move out of the USA.

We also wrote a step by step ebook called Your Ultimate Guide for Relocating to France ... check it out here https://a.co/d/0XuGKpB

Podcast
https://www.yourfranceformation.com/2025/01/29/episode-80-traci-tooman-on-settling-into-a-new-rhythm-remembering-your-why/

Podcast also available on Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/episode/4u8KvzXgxICHqYBsxStAee?si=ed24962dcfe84cc2

Episode 80 - Traci Tooman on Settling into a New Rhythm & Remembering Your "Why" - Welcome to Your Franceformation Episode 80 – Traci Tooman on Settling into a New Rhythm & Remembering Your “Why” by TeamFranceformation VA | Jan 29, 2025 | Podcast | 0 comments In Episode 80 of Profiles in Franceformation, Allison is joined by Traci Tooman, who relocated to France with her husband Billy and their teenaged so...

'Pilgrims on Camino' As you probably know by now, from May 17th - May 25th of this year - 2025 - we will be walking El Camino de Santiago. There are many paths that lead to the famous and final destination of Catedral Basílica de Santiago de Compostela. Our particular path will be the Camino Sanabrés along the 108 kil...