nothing stands alone…
this autumn’s retreat theme ´The Body and The Weave
24 - 26 Oct 2025
Lately I’ve been captivated by new study and readings, in particular The Wakeful Body by Willa Blythe Baker. It reminds me that we are always learning, growing, evolving. Her work emphasises somatic mindfulness as a path to embodiment, and it has inspired me to shape the theme of this retreat.
Our autumn gathering is rooted in the understanding that nothing exists alone. Body, breath, and nature, we are all part of one living weave. Through stillness, movement, chanting, and contemplative weaving, we will open space for sensing, feeling, and remembering ourselves in relation to all that surrounds and holds us. Returning to a felt sense of presence, integration, and belonging.
Zen master Thích Nhất Hạnh reminds us: “nothing stands alone, everything inter-is.” His teaching on Interbeing invites us to dissolve the illusion of separateness, and to experience practice as a way of inter-being with ourselves, with others, with the world. Can we inter-be with sound? To dissolve into hearing?
Over three days we will slow down, inquire, and tune in. An opportunity to clear stagnation, to be inspired, to let presence guide us, and to be held in loving community.
Practices include yoga, meditation, qigong, chanting with harmonium, and a tactile weaving workshop.
“Andre, your guidance was both powerful and gentle, and I’m deeply grateful for the way you gave everything so that we could simply receive. You have my full admiration. Celebrating my birthday with you and the borboletas coloridas felt like a true blessing”
— Daphne Fruhmann
The Retreat Experience Includes
- Daily rhythm of three extended practices, silence and reflective afternoons for nature, massage treatments, reiki and rest and rejuvenation.
- Yoga & meditation, qigong, sacred sound & chanting, and a poetic tactile workshop.
- Tending to our body, mind, spirit and recalibrating our nervous system.
- Joining a supportive community and enjoying delicious healthy meals, time for reflection, and evenings of deep relaxation, sacred sound, mantra, song, and sunset.
GUEST FACILITATORS
Nuno Dâmaso — Qigong & Energetic Awareness
QiGong teacher and TCM practitioner with many years of experience in East-Asian movement systems. Nuno will guide gentle yet powerful morning sessions focused on cultivating internal energy, rooted presence, and fluidity of movement through Qigong. These practices awaken vital energy, harmonize the nervous system, and prepare the body–mind for deeper connection.
Janis Dellarte — Textile Rituals & Collective Weaving
Textile artist and researcher of traditional weaving techniques on the verge of extinction.
Janis brings to this retreat a large wooden circular loom - a physical and symbolic tool for weaving in community. Her contemplative workshop is a tactile, poetic journey through textures, colors, and ancestral gestures. By weaving together, we honour the hands of those who came before and step into the slow, analog, communal rhythm she calls “textile time” - a space for active meditation, storytelling, and remembrance.
LOCATION
Monte da Orada, Alentejo, Portugal
Nestled in a quiet valley close to beautiful surf beaches, Monte da Orada is a magical ecological haven, dedicated to organic farming and conscious nutrition. It offers the perfect environment for yoga and contemplation in nature, with panoramic views of the stunning Portuguese countryside. It is so special that this is our eight year at this magnificent venue.
ACCOMODATION & FACILITIES
Monte da Orada offers a variety of comfortable accommodation, from private en-suite rooms to unique spaces closer to nature, such as treehouses, teepees, or bungalows. The retreat centre also features a bio-pool, yoga. meditation temples, a rooftop terrace and a sacred amphitheater.
SAMPLE DAILY SCHEDULE
8:00am - Qigong practice, breath-awareness & meditation
9:00am - Breakfast
12:00am - Deep, slow, full-sensory Vinyasa flow (all levels)
1.30pm - Lunch
Free time - Relax, take a walk, receive treatments, enjoy the sauna, or simply contemplate, absorb, process or simply rest
5:30pm - Experiential workshops
7:30pm - Dinner
8:30pm - Sunset/Chanting mantras
Andreina, if you feel like going through it all again and organising another retreat :) please do let me know. (And do bring your amazing mother!) - you did a brilliant job. Very best wishes to you all, and happy yoga-ing.
Beverley x
INVESTMENT
€512 - €712
This includes:
Tuition
Accommodation
Three organic vegetarian meals daily
Please note: The price does not include flights, airport transfers, treatments, kayaking, cycling, or transport to the beach.
PAYMENT INFORMATION
To book your space a €200 deposit is required - Please note, deposits are non-refundable unless you find someone to replace you on the retreat to take your spot.
Full payment is required by Sept 1st, 2025. For bookings after this date, full payment is required at the time of reservation.
GETTING THERE AND TIMING
Monte da Orada is located 1.5 hours from Faro Airport and 2.5 hours from Lisbon. Consider sharing taxis or rental cars with fellow participants to make travel more convenient and eco-friendlier.
CHECK IN: 3pm Friday 24th Oct
CHECK OUT: 1.30pm Sunday 26th Oct
I just wanted to say thank you for YOUR lovely words – that is so kind of you to say that. I found it invaluable, and both you and Jana have given me much more confidence to actually start thinking of myself as a potential teacher rather than just a student.
— Love Helen xx
