Our Yoga Retreats
in Portugal For 2025 Practices
Join us (Senior Yoga Teachers Sue & Peter) at our yoga retreat center in Central Portugal, regardless of your level of experience, to discover a practice that promotes calm and peace as well as improved health and wellness. The various branches of well-established Yogic practices are incorporated into our practice approach. These age-old and contemporary teachings that are still very much in vogue today gain a deep and profound dimension from evolutionary yoga. Our teachings have all lasted the test of time, but it has taken many years of training to bring them all together and make them available to everyone so that we can help others. Attend one of the numerous Yoga Weeks that we offer.
Vinyasa influenced style of posture practice
Vinyasa, a Sanskrit term, translates to "sequence" in English, referring to a series of movements or postures that include twists, balances, backbends, forward bends, and inversions. These sequences are designed to release tension in both the body and mind. During our retreat week, we will carefully select sequences of postures to enhance relaxation and support restfulness. We begin our practice with a specialized fascia & joint release sequence, aimed at opening the various fascial meridian lines in the body, before transitioning into choreographed sequences designed to promote flow and harmony.
Our yoga retreat sequences are crafted to build strength, endurance, and flexibility in a gentle and non-forceful manner. We encourage and assist participants to explore the edge of their sensory experience within their physical body, using the breath as a guide. This approach allows practitioners to perceive their bodies as a cohesive, moving unit, rather than isolating each posture. The philosophy of Evolutionary Yoga emphasizes the uniqueness of each individual’s body and mind, recognizing that what is beneficial for one person may not be for another, and cultivating a yoga practice that honors these differences.
Somatic Yoga
Somatic yoga is a style of yoga that combines traditional yoga techniques with the ideas and methods of somatic education. "Somatic" is derived from the Greek word "soma," which means "body." With an emphasis on awareness, movement, and interior sensations, somatics highlights the body's internal experience.
Key elements of somatic yoga include the following:
- Mind-Body Connection - Somatic yoga places a strong emphasis on the mind-body connection. It helps practitioners to develop a greater awareness of their emotional and physical moods, listen to their bodies, and pay attention to sensations.
- Awareness and Movement - Somatic yoga places an emphasis on soft, flowing movements that foster internal awareness rather than rigorously following external postural alignment. With this method, practitioners can investigate their range of motion and learn how their bodies react to movement.
- Release of stress - The goal of somatic yoga is frequently to relieve the body's stored emotional and physical stress. People can find relief from persistent stress, discomfort, or tension by using breathing techniques and mild exercises.
- Personal Exploration - Somatic yoga promotes self-discovery and personal investigation. In order to promote a sense of strength and autonomy in their practice, practitioners are encouraged to alter poses and movements to fit their own needs.
- Healing and Integration - Somatic yoga promotes healing on a variety of levels, including psychological, emotional, and physical, which is why many people find it helpful. The method can be especially helpful for people who are struggling with stress, trauma, or body image concerns.
- Mindfulness - Mindfulness practices are frequently incorporated into somatic yoga, which encourages practitioners to be totally present and involved in their breath and movements. This feature encourages rest and a closer relationship with oneself.
Somatic yoga provides a comprehensive approach to wellbeing by encouraging a better comprehension of the body and its sensations as well as a stronger sense of balance and tranquility in daily life. Many people find it to be a suitable practice because it is accessible to people of all ages and fitness levels.
Yin Yoga is a peaceful and gentle form of yoga that emphasizes long-held poses and passive stretches. It is intended to target and stretch the body's connective tissues, including the joints and ligaments, tendons, and fascia. The following are some essential elements of yin yoga:
Fundamentals of Yin Yoga
The first is Long Holds: Postures are usually maintained for three to ten minutes or more. Deeper connective tissue stretching is made possible by the extended time spent in the pose.
- Passive Practice: Yin Yoga encourages practitioners to relax into the poses, in contrast to more dynamic forms of yoga that actively engage muscles. This encourages the nervous system to become calmer.
- Targeting Connective Tissues: Yin Yoga aims to improve the health and flexibility of connective tissues, which may contribute to increased flexibility and joint mobility.
-Mindfulness and Meditation: Yin Yoga's calm tempo and contemplative style offer a chance for mindfulness and meditation, urging practitioners to focus inside and establish a connection with their body and breath.
- Yin and Yang: The practice is based on the Chinese philosophical notion of Yin and Yang, where Yang stands for activity, dynamism, and the masculine, and Yin for attributes like quiet, receptivity, and the feminine. The goal of Yin Yoga is to harmonize these energies.
Yin Yoga Advantages
- Improved Flexibility: Yin Yoga can gradually increase flexibility by focusing on body tight spots.
- tension Reduction: The gradual practice promotes relaxation and can aid in lowering anxiety and tension.
- Better Joint Health: Yin Yoga helps to increase joint circulation, which may reduce pain and increase range of motion.
- Emotional Release: The practice's meditative component helps promote mental health and emotional release.
A stronger mind-body connection can be fostered by practicing Yin Yoga, which can increase awareness of the breath and bodily sensations.
Normal Classes for Yin Yoga
A typical Yin Yoga class could consist of a number of sitting or lying positions, body-supporting props like blankets or bolsters, and quiet intervals to promote profound relaxation. With an emphasis on mindfulness and breathing, the ambiance is frequently soothing.
Mindfulness Meditation Practices
By paying attention to our body, mind, and the ideas, feelings, and sensations that are constantly going through our consciousness, mindfulness meditation enables us to relax and focus on the present now. You will have the chance to discover the practice's methodology as well as how to cultivate a helpful attitude that will help you become a little more kind to yourself. After mastering the approach and mindset, we may proceed to study practical exercises that can be utilized to assist us regain harmony and balance in our daily life when necessary.
Qigong 5 elements – Organ Health and Longevity Practices
"Yao Shi Gong," another name for Muscle Tendon Changing Qigong, is a traditional Chinese practice that emphasizes the development and improvement of both physical and energetic health. It highlights the relationship between the body's muscles, tendons, and internal energy (Qi), and is frequently linked to martial arts and traditional wellness practices.
Essential Elements of Qigong for Muscle Tendon Change
The origins of this type of Qigong come from an Indian Monk called Da Mo can be found in ancient Chinese medicine and martial arts, namely in the teachings of several schools, which include elements of Taoist and Shaolin practices. In the past, it was thought to be a means of enhancing internal energy, strength, and flexibility.
- Physical Benefits: The practice usually consists of dynamic stretching and soft, flowing motions that can assist to improve muscle resilience, strength, and flexibility. It assists general physical health, strengthen muscle-tendon connections, and improve posture.
- Cultivation of Energy: Tendon Muscle Changing Qigong highlights how Qi flows across the body. In order to activate and circulate energy, practitioners frequently learn to link their breath with movements. Better energy, less stress, and a sense of inner balance can result from this.
- Breath Work: Syncing breath with movement is a key element of Qigong practice. Deep, organic breathing techniques are typically used in the activities, which are thought to promote energy flow and relaxation.
- Meditative Aspects: Muscle Tendon Changing Qigong has meditative components in addition to its energetic and physical components, which support emotional stability and mental clarity. As practitioners move and engage with their bodies, they frequently enter a meditative state.
- Suitability: This practice may be modified for varying fitness levels and is accessible to a broad spectrum of people, from novices to seasoned practitioners. It is used to improve general well-being, relieve stress, and promote healing.
People can develop a better understanding of their bodies, enhance their physical well-being, and foster emotional and mental balance by learning Muscle Tendon Changing Qigong.
This
week, you'll have the opportunity to engage in postures and forms designed to
open your body and prepare it for more advanced posture sequences. The Qi Gong
style we teach is dynamic, directly targeting the physical, emotional, and energy
bodies to promote organ health and eliminate blockages or stagnation. Known as
the 5 Elements practice, it incorporates profound sequences inspired by
natural movements.
Sue
and Peter have extensive training in therapeutic practices aimed at enhancing
the health of the liver, kidneys, lungs, spleen, and heart. These
energy-enhancing practices are incredibly dynamic, teaching us how to
experience and direct energy movement using the mind and body—a fundamental
principle of this practice. By mastering these techniques, you can support and
stabilize your body and mind in everyday life, enabling you to live more
peacefully and happily.
Shamanic Retreat Practice (We do not use any plant based medicine)
Shamanism is the foundational practice of all spiritual practices today, dating back some 100,000 thousand years and leaving an undying impression on human consciousness that is still all around us. You can find many different approaches to shamanism but the ones in our training are totally safe and do not rely on plant medicine for us to connect to Mother Earth and Father Sky to become closer to our spiritual essence. This method of practice teaches trust and innocence as well as self love and empowerment.
The shamanic practices on this week will include drum meditation or what we call journeying. The drum is known as the horse and we ride its rhythmic beat into a profound and thought provoking non ordinary state of consciousness. We will learn to journey to find our personal spirit guides and interpret their messages to find the medicine they can bring into our lives. We will also explore the healing modalities of the medicine wheel and understand where and how this simple yet insightful map of our consciousness can be integrated into our lives so we can make many beneficial changes.
Gong Healing
Peter will be working with planetary gongs, Earth,Mercury, Mars, Chiron and Venus on this week to bath you into a place of ultimate bliss.
Benefits of a gong bath
Using the vibrations and noises made by big gongs set to the frequencies of many planetary bodies, planetary gong baths are a type of sound therapy. There are numerous possible advantages to this practice:
- Deep Relaxation: The gongs' resonant sounds can encourage deep relaxation, which lowers tension and anxiety. The vibrations induce a meditative state that enables individuals to release everyday anxieties.
- Enhanced Meditation: Participants can focus their minds and achieve a deeper state of consciousness by listening to the gongs' tones, which can more easily induce a meditative state than silence.
- Emotional remove: Participants may be able to process and let go of unresolved emotions or past traumas by using the powerful vibrations to help remove emotional blocks.
- Deep Relaxation: The gongs' resonant sounds can encourage deep relaxation, which lowers tension and anxiety. The vibrations induce a meditative state that enables individuals to release everyday anxieties.
- Enhanced Meditation: Participants can focus their minds and achieve a deeper state of consciousness by listening to the gongs' tones, which can more easily induce a meditative state than silence.
- Emotional remove: Participants may be able to process and let go of unresolved emotions or past traumas by using the powerful vibrations to help remove emotional blocks.
- Improved Sleep: After taking a gong bath, many people report better sleep patterns because the relaxation lasts after the session, putting participants in a more tranquil condition that promotes rest.
- Energetic Balance: The planetary component entails adjusting to the unique vibrational characteristics of celestial bodies, which help balance their own energy fields and affect certain facets of their lives. The parasympathetic nervous system, which supports relaxation and digestion and can support the body's natural healing processes, is stimulated by the vibrations, which can help with physical recovery.
- Energetic Balance: The planetary component entails adjusting to the unique vibrational characteristics of celestial bodies, which help balance their own energy fields and affect certain facets of their lives. The parasympathetic nervous system, which supports relaxation and digestion and can support the body's natural healing processes, is stimulated by the vibrations, which can help with physical recovery.
-Heightened Awareness: A gong bath may cause participants to feel more aware and in a state of expanded consciousness.
- Improved Focus and Creativity: Gong baths are good for personal growth and artistic pursuits because they promote relaxation and help people focus and be more creative.
Reviews 
Google June 2023
This retreat is a must. Pete and Sue have been building a sacred place, a magical haven, stress free, hassle free. You will feel at home. Most importantly, wherever you are in your yoga / qigong / spiritual journey, you will be able to revisit your foundation, remember what brought you on this path, and train with Pete and Sue to how move forward and even expand your journey. And it is a lot of fun too! There is a mix of yoga, qigong, meditation, that has been carefully created by Pete and Sue to make us embark on quite a unique journey.
Food was excellent, there is a very pleasant swimming pool, i slept like a baby, we had access to a fantastic massage therapist.
It was a fantastic retreat, and I highly recommend it. Thanks to it, I have gained clarity, wisdom and optimism.
Thank you Sue and Peter
Rooms: Super cute rooms
Food was excellent, there is a very pleasant swimming pool, i slept like a baby, we had access to a fantastic massage therapist.
It was a fantastic retreat, and I highly recommend it. Thanks to it, I have gained clarity, wisdom and optimism.
Thank you Sue and Peter
Rooms: Super cute rooms
Charlotte
TripAdvisor June 2023
From beginning to end, my experience at Sue & Peter home was wonderful.
The retreat is nestled high in the mountains, with the most beautiful views. The food was great & really added to the chilled atmosphere. The different sessions given by both Sue & Peter are phenomenal, their wealth of knowledge is just amazing.
This retreat is an absolute must in the busy world we live in, to boost our energy & revive our minds.
Already pencilled in for next year!
The retreat is nestled high in the mountains, with the most beautiful views. The food was great & really added to the chilled atmosphere. The different sessions given by both Sue & Peter are phenomenal, their wealth of knowledge is just amazing.
This retreat is an absolute must in the busy world we live in, to boost our energy & revive our minds.
Already pencilled in for next year!
Sharon