It has been 12 years now since Yogaion was born, and the first Transformational Wellness Retreat took place. Twelve years of immense pleasure & depth. Twelve years of meeting the most wonderful people from all over the world as we (re-)embraced for a week on this journey together.
For those of you who have never been, or would like to re-experience, let me take you through a week of our Transformational Travel experience this spring. We base the retreat on six fundamental principles.
Yin & Yang Yoga with Cata
Yoga with Cata is an experience in itself. The practices she offers will guide you to explore your inner world. Meditation, (Yin & functional vinyasa) Yoga, Breathwork & Sound Journeys.
The morning class is a return to the self. You will move through resistance, create contraction, and feel the release in expression as you engage in dialogue with your body and mind. The evening Yin Yoga classes will ease the mind, bring the body into balance, and soothe the soul. All her classes are cumulative, building thematically from one day to the next to intentionally take students through a transformational travel journey.
"Even within stilness we can observe the movement. The constant flow of life. The slower Yin practices are like meditating in your own temple." ~ Cata
Surf
During the retreat, there is the option of adding 3 or 4 days of surfing to your yoga retreat experience. Immersing yourself into the connection with the ocean. Exploring this magical coast and the pristine beaches it has to offer. Many days have I wandered there in solitude, riding waves, being humbled by the magnificence of it all. As surfing is really an outward expression of your yoga & meditation practice. It is a moment where everything falls silent and the mind becomes one with the body & soul. All the surf lessons are given by the first sustainable surf school in Portugal. The owner a fellow Yogi & friend Ricardo and his team aim not only to teach you how to surf, but they also want to share with you their connection with nature and especially with the ocean.
"Riding a wave is for many, a highly spiritual experience which presents itself as an outward expression of their yoga & meditation practices. A moment where everything falls silent and the mind becomes one with the body & soul.""
For many surfing is something they do not wish to explore. The beauty of this retreat is that there then is a choice to instead experience a wellness connection, a nourishment to reemerge and to connect to the subtle layers of body, mind, and spirit. We apply this through:
Massage treatments - each treatment, mostly given by Ivana or one of her amazing colleagues, will be a personalized full-body Holistic bodywork complemented with the use of self-crafted herbal oils, salves and essential oils. Each person receives a nurturing and supportive space where they can fully let go and unwind.
Mindfulness - during this session that Liz our mindfulness teacher offers, you will focus on being intensely aware of what you're sensing and feeling in the moment, without interpretation or judgment. Mindfulness meditation asks us to suspend judgment and unleash our natural curiosity about the workings of the mind, approaching our experience with warmth. Thus creating resilience and overall well-being.
Cooking immersion - Ana & Xana will take you on not only a journey of flavours & preparation. But also on how food affects us, what the seasons tell us and how the energy of food can be used as a tool to heal & nourish.
Nourishment at its Core
Ana and Xana are the culinary heart of creating a genuine transformational travel experience, crafting meals that nurture the body, mind, and spirit. Their kitchen is driven by an intuitive approach, drawing wisdom from natural practices and the earth itself. Their recipes are influenced by the Mediterranean and Macrobiotic diets, alongside principles of Herbalism, Fermentation, Zero Waste, and Natural Farming. For them, food is more than sustenance—it's a form of energy that heals and nurtures, facilitating a holistic expansion beyond the physical. Their goal is to help others achieve greater internal balance while delighting the palate with flavors that elevate the spirit. All meals are crafted to be conscious of sugar and can be adapted for gluten and dairy-free preferences. Using only the highest quality, organic ingredients, Ana and Xana ensure everything is locally sourced and seasonally appropriate, aligning with nature's rhythm.
Women-led team
No foundation is more important during your Transformational Travel experience than the team that is behind it. As these are the people that are holding the space for you. So that you can be completely safe to cocoon during this retreat, to release emotions & to emerge whole. I am so grateful to have found these amazing beautiful women along the journey & to not only call them colleagues but also dear friends. My gratitute to Liz for holding the space, Cata for her wisdom, Ana & Xana for their nourishment, Ivana for her magical hands & Sara for being there when someone wants to deepen their retreat experience and add on an Aura & Soul reading.
Transformational travel & nature
These 5 foundations together with the retreat being nestled in the magical Costa Vicentina coast right in the center of the natural park. And the incredible force of nature that the springtime in this area on the west coast of the Algarve, Portugal offers. Which causes an explosion of wildflowers to immerse due to the mild weather & oceanic climate. Makes this retreat a true place to detangle old narratives, soak in the natural beauty of our surroundings, and reemerge more awake and present.
As always with love,
Shaini
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