Contact Jenny today to discuss your tailored experience and bespoke tour.
Transform how you feel and restore your equilibrium, finding
harmony and repose, within this beautiful garden sanctuary, on the Port Hills
of Christchurch.
A learning experience with Jenny, for those seeking renewal
and physical health, with a unique tool kit of techniques that will empower and
create confidence in all areas of your life, whilst enabling you to recharge
and revitalize, at your will.
"My background and experience, including overcoming personal tragedies and intense health challenges, has been invaluable for my work and the solutions I offer. I have a deep understanding of personalities, stress, the mind, body and emotion connection, alongside an awareness of the challenges and realities of your daily world.”
(1.5 - 2 hours)
A personalised session with Jenny, set within the Villa, to stimulate fresh perspectives and provide solutions, according to your specific needs and concerns.
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(3.5 - 4.0 hours)
Jenny's Garden Experience has now become part of client consultations. Following the private session and light refreshments, a mini tour offers you time in this beautiful, light atmospheric setting, radiating the uplifting, healing and restorative power of nature as you reflect on the insights, tools and techniques given – to carry forward into your everyday life.
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“I worked hard to stay at the top in the entertainment industry, but the constant pressure often took its toll. I tried so many things to manage it, but nothing truly clicked - until I found Jenny. Her techniques, her passion, and her unique approach completely transformed the way I navigate challenges. I’m endlessly grateful for the strength and clarity she’s brought into my life.”Jason Gunn
I’ve worked with Jenny in a professional and now personal level for many years. She has enabled me to overcome many personal challenges through Autogenic Techniques and providing new perspectives. Her ongoing support is enabling me to take on things I didn’t think possible and grow into a stronger person.”
Kirsty Coombe
“ I have worked with Jenny Oakley for the past 18 years. Her ability to guide me to an inner platform of emotional certainty has had a profound effect on family, relationships and work. I was introduced to Jenny by my then partner (now wife) when I was addressing challenges over my four young children following a difficult separation. Immediately I found the inner focus to deal with external turbulence. Over the intervening years her vision and guidance has assisted me build a successful professional career that has seen me travel the world, take a senior national position in research management in Australia, and continue to expand my managerial skills and responsibilities. Today much of this involves international travel, keynoting conferences, workshops and formal presentations. As our children grew and embarked on their own adult and professional careers, we have recommended Jenny to them where she has been able to provide a listening post and positive individual direction to match their skills and interests. Her ability to quickly read across one’s current situation, define the core challenges, and then find the themes and focus to go forward is quite remarkable. For ongoing maintenance, my wife and I both have quarterly sessions with Jenny. We use these times to maintain perspective, focus, productivity, health and happiness in our personal and professional lives. When the opportunity arises, we regularly recommend Jenny for an outside perspective and navigator’s hand to chart a forward path”Professor, Lincoln University - Christchurch
The effects of stress and tension on the nervous system in upsetting fundamental balances and functions are well proven and accepted in medical science.
Science has shown that by using the mind-body link in certain ways, we can learn how to regulate the autonomic nervous system and thereby control our experience and reactions to stress and everyday demands. Autogenic Training has evolved from this field of research since the 1930’s and was also applied in high performance training and as a basis for super learning programmes in Europe.
Following my training in both this system and biofeedback procedures whilst in the UK, I integrated them into my practice to deliver a complete practical tool kit for clients. The techniques and understandings, enable you to operate in the calmness of the Alpha brain-wave zone. This enhances concentration, memory, clarity of thinking, creativity, judgement and confidence. Hence a physiological state of balance, relaxation and order is maintained in the nervous and muscular systems, removing the side effects of anxiety and tension. This prevents the over-domination of the sympathetic - adrenalin branch, which otherwise causes accumulative effects of tiredness, jadedness, circulatory, digestive and blood pressure issues.
More can be achieved with less intense effort; your stamina and energy increase; you remain centred and at ease whilst facing challenges or uncertainty. These capabilities are critically needed to manifest your potential and talents.
“After 24 years, I'm thrilled to finally unveil and share the splendour of my garden – a labour of dedication and love. I look forward to hosting you during a tour of Villa Toscana’s unique features, taking delight in its surprises, whilst relaxing within a beautifully uplifting atmosphere”
Step into a world of elegance and artistry with our Premium
Garden Tour– the ultimate way to experience Villa Toscana. This fully
immersive, bespoke journey is personally hosted by Jenny Oakley, the creator of
this extraordinary property.
As you wander through the garden’s enchanting pathways, Jenny will share the
captivating stories behind its design, sculptures, and botanical treasures.
Pause at artfully placed seats to soak in breathtaking vistas, complemented by
moments of reflection and refreshment.
Your experience culminates in the ‘Villa’s Signature High Tea’, inspired
by the rich culinary traditions of Italy. Alongside a selection of refreshing teas,
coffees and cold beverages, the menu features classic sweet and savoury
delights, such as: cannoli, caprese cake, panna cotta, orange and almond cake, tiramisu, arancini, crostini, grissini, seasonal fruits and hand crafted
chocolates – all carefully
prepared and presented in the manner of their regional origins. This delicious
array is enjoyed in one of the garden’s picturesque, sheltered locations.
During this time, you are invited to peruse botanical, historical,
and inspirational narratives of the property, along with Jenny’s captivating
picture books – visual chronicles of the seasonal beauty and evolving landscape
of Villa Toscana, all held in the Central Otago Stone Cottage Library.
A spectacular illustrated map, which details the history and story of Villa
Toscana, is included in the tour package, as a keepsake of your visit.
Duration: Approximately 4 hours,
with flexibility for a shorter timeframe if required.
Pressed for time but still want a taste of Villa Toscana’s
magic? Our Garden Discovery Tour offers a curated glimpse into alluring parts
of this magnificent property. Jenny recounts fascinating insights about the
design and inspiration behind its evolution, transformation and botanical
compositions.
Light refreshments are offered at the conclusion of this
tour. If time allows, you will be able to browse Villa Toscana’s comprehensive
resource collection.
Duration: 2.5 hours
Encounter Villa Toscana through the ‘lens of art’ on this
Sculpture Tour - created for those with a particular passion for artistic
expression, and showcasing over 70 exceptional artworks and sculptures by
renowned local and international artists.
Outstanding works span a vast array of materials including:
corten steel, copper, cast bronze, stone, marble, and timber; with a range of
styles from: dynamic kinetic installations and masterful water features, to an extraordinary collection of graceful
Roman and Greek Classical Gods and Goddesses, hand‑carved from Carrara marble.
As you are guided through the garden, Jenny will explain the
background behind the collection. She shares how pieces were discovered,
selected, and often commissioned, as well as the reasoning behind their
placement, to create their unique impact within the garden’s remarkable
setting.
Light refreshments are served at the conclusion, where there
will be time to peruse Jenny’s picture books, that tell the visual story of
Villa Toscana - including details of the art collection.
A stunning illustrated map, detailing the art
works and sculptures is included as a keepsake of your visit..
Duration: Approximately 2.5 hours
Experience Villa Toscana in an entirely new dimension. As
dusk falls, the gardens transform into a magical wonderland - of soft
illumination and serene beauty. The Night Lights Ambience Tour invites you to
wander through glowing pathways and admire the property’s architecture - bathed
in evening light.
Your evening concludes with luscious Italian
desserts, served in one of the Villa’s delightful garden locations under the
stars – the perfect finale to an unforgettable night.
Duration: Approximately 2.0 hours
Jenny has curated a selection of stationery from her garden photographs, as a perfect memento of your visit. There is opportunity to browse and purchase from this collection at the end of your tour, in the characterful Central Otago rustic barn.
“I welcome you as my guests – manuhiri, in the spirit of respect, kindness and hospitality – manaakitanga. I ask for your commitment to follow The Tiaki Promise – to protect and care for this wonderful environment, to respect my privacy, plantings and wildlife, keeping to pathways and refraining from photographs and picking.
Come with an open heart and mind. Enjoy, absorb and feel the beauty naturally – with your eyes and senses.”
Grazie Molte
Villa Toscana is a hillside garden and has a network of pathways and steps with uneven surfaces. A moderate level of fitness and sound mobility is recommended. The tours can be adapted to suit participants and their requirements. Jenny can advise you on offerings.
Part of Jenny’s ethos is to encourage visitors to ‘switch off’ from modern technology. She believes that not having the distraction of cell phones or cameras, enables you to engage completely with the site and to ‘let go’, so you can maximise your experience, to leave recharged and refreshed. Therefore, no photographs of the garden are permitted to be taken.
A range of photos showcasing the best aspects of the gardens, taken by Jenny over the years, are included in the excellent maps provided as part of the tour. They are also available in the Villa’s cards and stationery, to become a vibrant memory of your visit.