What to Expect
A Journey of Peace and Awareness
This retreat is meticulously designed to nurture peace, awareness, and stability in both body and mind. Over the course of a week, you'll be immersed in yoga, meditation, pranayama, yoga Nidra, and restorative sessions. With only 26 participants, you'll receive personalized guidance, ensuring your experience is both intimate and supportive.
Tools for Life Beyond the Retreat
More than just a retreat, this experience offers lasting tools to navigate life with greater ease and joy. Central to the teachings is self-compassion—learning to understand and calm your nervous system, whether it’s in fight, flight, freeze mode, or at rest. By cultivating kindness towards yourself, you can return to a state of connection and safety, fostering healing, growth, and a renewed love for life.
Nature as a Healing Companion
Set in the breathtaking D’Alijo Centre, you'll find yourself surrounded by natural beauty, with hiking trails that lead to rivers, waterfalls, and natural pools. The retreat naturally integrates the calming effects of nature, enhancing your overall experience. Mornings begin with meditation, as you greet the day with the serene energy of dawn, followed by mindful yoga practices that are tailored to all levels, encouraging each participant to move at their own pace.
Daily Practices for Deep Relaxation
Afternoons offer time for relaxation or exploration, while evenings are dedicated to deep relaxation and restoration practices. Here, in this tranquil environment, you'll open to the mystery of the present moment, concluding each day with a delicious dinner and dessert.
More About This Retreat
Open to All Levels
This retreat is open to all levels but is not suitable for complete beginners. Participants should be comfortable with level 1 and level 1-2 classes on ekhartyoga.com. If you’re new to yoga, it’s recommended to complete Esther’s Yoga for Beginners Course on Ekhartyoga.com and practice some level 1 and level 1-2 classes to prepare.
Daily Schedule
08:00 - 09:00: Meditation and Pranayama
09:00 - 11:00: Breakfast and break (in silence)
11:00 - 13:00: Yoga practice
13:00 - 17:00: Lunch and free time
17:00 - 19:00: Talks, Awareness practices, Yin and/or Restorative yoga leading into Yoga Nidra
19:00 - 20:00: Dinner and free time
20:15: Optional extra meditation or restorative yoga
Note: Mornings are spent in silence until the yoga practice at 11:00 to allow for deeper restoration of body and mind.
Arrival & Departure
Arrival: Wednesday, September 17th. Check-in begins at 15:00, followed by a grounding yoga practice in the evening.
Departure: Wednesday, September 24th, after a short morning practice and breakfast.
Pricing Per Person
The cost includes seven nights of accommodation, vegetarian meals served three times daily, and the complete yoga, meditation, and awareness program.
Shared/twin accommodation with en-suite facilities: €1549 pps (Fully Booked)
Single with shared bathroom facilities: €1750 (Fully Booked)
Single with en-suite facilities: €1885(Fully Booked)
Single luxury cabin: €2050 (Fully Booked)
To secure your spot, a non-refundable deposit of €350 is required.
We Are Proud Tree Sisters
By booking an in-person training with us, you are actively contributing to the global tree-planting efforts led by Tree Sisters. For every individual attending our retreats and trainings, we make a donation on your behalf.
About Esther Ekhart
Esther, the founder of EkhartYoga.com, is a down to earth well-loved spiritual teacher and a renowned global authority on yoga, meditation, and mindfulness. Esther has a reputation for providing exceptional guidance both online and offline and has captivated countless students over 25 years. Esther's teachings incorporate diverse influences, making her online classes, “live” workshops, and trainings a fusion of wisdom. Her practice has evolved from dynamic styles like Hatha and Vinyasa flow to include slower practices such as Yin Yoga and Meditation & Mindfulness. Continually expanding her knowledge, she remains open-minded and integrates new insights into her work all the time.
More Information
How To Get There
D’Alijo Retreat Centre is located approximately 70 minutes by car from Porto Airport, the closest airport. While there are no direct public transport options to the centre, we offer several convenient travel choices:
Group Transfers
The retreat centre offers a transfer service to and from Porto Airport. The cost for transfers varies between €40-€130 per person each way. If you're part of a group transfer, the cost typically ranges from €40-€60 one way. For a private transfer (such as if you arrive later in the day), the cost is €130 per car (up to 3 people).
Taxi Services
Alternatively, you can organise your taxi via services like Bolt or Uber, which may sometimes be cheaper if you're travelling alone. However, group transfers organised by the retreat centre are usually more economical.
Car Rentals
For those who prefer driving, affordable car rental options are available through platforms like RentalCars.com or airlines like Transavia and RyanAir.
Please ensure you travel with valid travel insurance for a smooth journey.
About D’Alijo Retreat Center
D’Alijo Retreat Center in North Portugal is an exclusive retreat centre located in the village of Cabeceiras de Basto in the province of Minho, with its beautiful city of Porto. Porto offers an international airport just one hour away from our retreat centre. The area is well known for its Vinho Verde vineyards, olive fields and beautiful national parks. Their studio and accommodations are cohesively blended with nature and are sure to awaken the mind, body and spirit.
D'Alijo has a vast knowledge of hospitality and is capable of tailoring your needs as you desire. D’Alijo’s intention is to nurture its guests by providing a space to learn, develop and grow, coupled with outstanding client communication and customer service.
Since they do have mild winters and can heat all buildings, bookings are accepted year around. D’Alijo boasts an inspiring studio space, along with stylish accommodations, and a gorgeous terrace surrounded restaurant set amongst vibrant lush gardens. Those who come to this centre will feel empowered to reconnect with nature, in a truly spectacular location.