Holiday itinerary
Set in picturesque and rural Portuguese Algarve, the retreat centre is a fantastic setting to relax and make the most of your uplifting yoga holiday far from the fast pace of everyday life, just 15 minutes from spectacular beaches on the southern Portuguese coast.
Every day you will enjoy 2 yoga classes that take place in the superb air-conditioned yoga studio, enjoying a delicious brunch after each morning session. All meals are included (except one meal when you eat out) and you will enjoy delicious regional and vegetarian specialities made using fresh and healthy local produce, sampling the excellent local cuisine.
During this enjoyable and energizing yoga holiday your excellent tutor Rachel, an Iyengar yoga practitioner for over 20 years will be on hand, enthusiastically helping her students through yoga, ensuring you have a fun and successful yoga holiday.
Accommodation is set in the superb large shared room sleeping up to 4 in a pretty mini-dormitory above the peaceful yoga studio. There is plenty of space to sit and read, relax and swim or just lounge and chat with others. The gardens and pool are great to soak up the warm sun and the peaceful atmosphere too.
Enjoy an excellent yoga holiday with a difference with the perfect balance of yoga, good food and enjoyable for a relaxing yoga holiday with a difference.
Suitability
- Yoga holidays are suitable for all levels from beginners seeking an introduction to the joys of Yoga through to advanced practitioners
- Minimum age 15 for the classes
- Please note that the 31 July is for people have an intermediate level or above (regular Iyengar practice of 12 months or more)
Travelling Solo?
- This yoga holiday makes a great singles holiday as it is the perfect opportunity to meet like-minded people
- You can stay in the shared dormitory room (with a maximum of 4 other students) at no extra cost or book your own private double/twin room for a single supplement by following this link: Yoga Holiday twin room
Yoga Retreat Start Days
- Yoga holidays start on set dates throughout the year
- Yoga holidays are for 7 nights/8 days
- If you wish to stay for extra nights please email to check availability for your preferred duration and we will do our best to accommodate you
- If dates appear ‘on request’ please email us and we’ll check availability for your preferred day of arrival as quickly as possible
Yoga Holiday Itinerary
The itinerary is for guidance only and is subject to change depending on the group’s needs and wishes but is typically as follows:
Day 1
- Arrival at the retreat centre where you can check into your room anytime after 2pm, take your time to explore the retreat or enjoy a swim in one of the lovely swimming pools
- Around 7pm you will join your host Rachel and fellow guests for a healthy and delicious vegetarian welcome meal, a few glasses of wine and some good company
Day 2 - 7
- At around 8.30am your yoga tutor Rachel will take you for a 2 hour yoga class, you are welcome to discuss your goals and aims for the week on the first day
- After your morning practise you will enjoy a delicious brunch at your leisure
- You can take the afternoon as free time for resting, exploring, enjoying a massage or one of the excursions
- At 5.30pm it is time for the evening practice focusing on yoga and Pranayama (breathing focus, recuperative relaxation)
- At around 7pm, you will join fellow guests for a delicious vegetarian dinner prepared by the talented cooks at the retreat, a great chance to relax and enjoy the delicious regional food whilst getting to know your fellow guests
- Please note that dinner is served every evening except Wednesday when guests can go out to sample any of the excellent local restaurants in town or on the beach
Day 8
- Check out around 9am returning feeling relaxed, restored and revived with new skills and knowledge along with new friends and inspiration to continue your yoga practice at home
Your Yoga Tutor
- With over 20 years of Iyengar yoga experience, your passionate and talented host Rachel is an excellent yoga teacher and a great believer in the life-enhancing benefits yoga gives
- Qualifying over 12 years ago with Iyengar Certification her welcoming and relaxed approach sets the perfect backdrop to unwind and meet new people
- Rachel first experienced yoga at the age of 14 when she began to attend classes
- The attention to detail and the physical posture work combined with philosophy, compassion and understanding was everything that Rachel was looking for in yoga
- Rachel qualified in 2000 and has now attained Iyengar intermediate level III which means she has been examined as having the necessary skills and knowledge to teach
- With a wealth of knowledge and experience to draw upon you her professional approach will not only inspire your yoga practice on holiday but in the future as well
What Will I Learn?
- Iyengar yoga concentrates on postural alignment and body awareness coupled with specific sequencing of yoga postures (asanas)
- Iyengar yoga is a Hatha yoga method which works to harmonise the movement of the body and instil clarity and peace of mind
- Qualfied Iyengar yoga teachers go through rigorous training to ensure that they have the best tools available to help students of all levels of ability
- In general the class will start with a few moments of quiet to prepare for the yoga
- The practice could then focus on specific postures groups aimed at a particular area of the body such as shoulders, hips, spine etc or a theme such as twising postures, back bends or recuperative poses
- Some of the many benefits of yoga are as follows:
- Mobilise joints and strengthen muscle weakness
- Aid balance and coordination
- Increase flexibility and movement
- Improve posture and correct misalignments
- Improve circulation and imbalances
- Increase performance in sports and improve recovery time
- Increase a sense of peace of mind
- Develop self-awareness and assist with self-development
What To Bring
- Please bring comfortable clothing you can move in easily for your yoga practice
- It can be very warm in the summer months so please bring clothing that will be suitable for practicing in hot weather and warmer clothes for cooler nights
- All yoga mats and equipment are provided but you are welcome to bring your own if you prefer
Treatments / Massages
- Therapeutic massage and other treatments are available to book at the yoga retreat from visiting guest therapists and can be organised on arrival with your host
- Prices begin at 55 Euros per session and depend on treatment and duration
The Accommodation
- The accommodation where you’ll stay is a unique renovated farmhouse which was orignally 3 houses and is set in beautiful grounds with pool, fruit trees and lovely terraces on which to relax and soak up the sun
- The 3 stunning Portuguese farmhouses boast one large shared dormitory room sleeping up to 4 people
- Set in the heart of the striking Portuguese countryside the retreat boasts gardens and exceptional views, the perfect setting for your yoga holiday
- The shared room is comfortable and decorated to high standard and sleeps 4 people
- This holiday is ideal for a solo traveller as you can share with others for no single supplement but if you prefer a private room, we recommend you book the 'yoga holiday' which you can find under 'other courses at this school' link for a higher price
- Wi-fi is available in all areas of the propety
- Your hosts have dogs and cats but they are not allowed in the house
- The farmhouses offer 2 beautiful swimming pool for all guests’ use
- Accommodation is included for 7 nights / 8 days
- Check in anytime after 2pm on day 1 and check out by 9am day 8
- The yoga studio itself is bright, airy and fully-equipped with yoga mats and all the equipment needed
Meals
- The retreat has excellent cooks who prepare wonderful vegetarian brunches and evening meals as an added highlight to your holiday, ensuring you are well fuelled for your yoga sessions
- Delicious meals are prepared from fresh local produce and include Portuguese classics and regional specialities
- All brunches and dinners are included in the price except for 1 evening meals that will be taken out at extra cost (around 15 – 20 Euros each)
- If you have dietary requests/allergies these must be communicated to us at the time of booking
Free Time In The Algarve
- Plenty of time is scheduled between classes to allow for other activities, quiet time, excursions or extended sunbathing sessions or perhaps a massage treatment from one of the visiting massage therapists
- Within easy reach are historic towns & villages, spectacular scenery, excellent beaches, golfing, horse riding, tennis, sailing and walking routes
- For those who seek the surf, the famous Atlantic west coast is only 50 minutes away with some of the best surfing beaches in Europe and in the other direction, Spain is only an hour away
Enjoy yoga in this charming Portuguese sanctuary and make the most of tradition and natural beauty, inhale the fresh air and take time out for yourself on this Yoga retreat with a difference.