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The serene hills of Monchique, Portugal, played host to our yoga, pranayama/breathwork and meditation retreat that brought together a committed group of individuals seeking holistic well-being: Yoga and Breathwork Retreat in Monchique Algarve.
This short but straightforward blog post captures the essence of the retreat, highlighting the serene setting, the dedicated participants, and the profound impact of yoga and breathwork on their physical and mental states.
Nestled amidst the lush landscapes of Monchique, the retreat took place in a tranquil retreat center surrounded by nature.
Bodhi Bhavan was found randomly by Sita and Michael, two love caring spiritual people who were seeking a place of tranquility and calmness to continue practicing their rituals and develop their journey to inner peace. The beautiful old style Portuguese house, Bodhi Bhavan, develops on 6 hectares of land splitted in terraces dating back to the traditional agriculture style of the premise. Around the land there are a lot of different trees living and providing different types of fruits: Oranges, Pears, Figues, apples and apricots. Lately Sita and Michael are working together with Sandra and Michael from food forest design to transform the living plants on the land into a proper connected underground world helping one another to strengthen. On the land there are lots of hidden spaces where to find quietness, stillness to meditate and inquire within. The idyllic setting provided a perfect backdrop for self-reflection and rejuvenation, offering participants a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Led by Giulia, experienced yoga and breathwork instructor with 500 hours from the Paramanand institute of yoga science and research in Indore , the yoga retreat in the Algarve, Mindful heart retreat, features daily yoga sessions that range from gentle flows to challenging poses with QiGong movements to complete body and mind stability training before the end of the day: Hatha, vinyasa and restorative are the focus during the yoga retreat in Monchique. Daily there are also Pranayama techniques and meditation practices which enhance concentration and ground feeling. At Bodhi Bhavan, during the Yoga retreat week, Pranayama and Meditation are practiced four times a day. The aim is to initiate a process of routine in dealing harmoniously with your thoughts and feelings.
The yoga practices not only enhanced flexibility and strength but also fostered a sense of unity and shared energy among the group. If you have already attended a Yoga retreat or meditation retreats, you might have noticed that you start bonding with the group after the first session together and not right away. Remember, Give yourself time to arrive and to unlock the energie of the location first, then focus on connecting with other souls at the Yoga retreat.
Among the beautiful nature of the Monchique valley at Bodhi Bhavan, breathwork workshops played a central role in the yoga retreat, guiding participants through various techniques aimed at deepening their connection to breath and promoting relaxation. The box breathing, the 4-7-8 breath, the nostry and the belly breathing to name a few, were central to our daily yoga retreat program.The dedicated nature of the group allowed for a detailed exploration of breathwork, leading to moments of inner stillness and heightened self-awareness. Remember, Breathwork is the practice of using our breathing system fully. Learn how to breathe with the belly and avoid breathing with your chest. If you would like to take on Breathwork practice, check out my one to one sessions here
The retreat’s success was not only in the practice but also in the strong sense of community that developed among the participants. During the yoga retreat at Bodhi Bhavan, shared meals, group discussions, cold immersion challenges and collaborative activities fostered a supportive environment where individuals could share their journeys and inspire one another. And this is the foundation of Yogataio, providing a communication channel where to share and learn how to communicate your emotions and feelings.
The participants’ motivation and dedication were palpable throughout the retreat. Early morning cold immersion and yoga sessions and late-evening breathwork and meditation circles were met with unwavering commitment, showcasing the group’s collective determination to embrace every moment of the week.
As the days unfolded, the positive impact of the retreat on the participants’ well-being became evident: Increased mindfulness, Reduced stress levels, and a Heightened sense of inner peace. Moreover, the group learned how to share with no shame and fear. The combination of yoga, pranayama, meditation and nature therapy proved to be a powerful catalyst for positive change, leaving a lasting imprint on the minds and bodies of the retreat attendees. Of course the effect of a Yoga retreat in the Algarve does not continue with no commitment from your side. To boost this commitment, Yogataio offers, included to the price, an “After retreat program” tailored to each participants to develop strengths and consinstency. To know more about that, book a free consultation
If you would like to discover more how we integrate Pranayama, Asana and meditation with Nature Therapy, look no further to our Method.
