The Roots of Yoga
Join us for six nourishing days in the magical coastal town of Ericeira, Portugal, where rolling hills meet the Atlantic Ocean and time seems to slow down. Our home for the week, Casa Paço D’Ilhas, is a beautiful boutique guesthouse with charming architecture, calming gardens, and a refreshing pool — the perfect setting to arrive, unwind, and reconnect.
This retreat is an invitation to explore the deeper roots of yoga while also expressing your creativity through clay. Together we will return to the essence of practice: presence, breath, connection, discipline, curiosity, and the joy of discovering what lies beneath the surface of movement.
This retreat is an invitation to explore the deeper roots of yoga while also expressing your creativity through clay. Together we will return to the essence of practice: presence, breath, connection, discipline, curiosity, and the joy of discovering what lies beneath the surface of movement.
20 – 25 September 2026
Ericeira, Portugal
Ericeira, Portugal
Register for Roots of Yoga Retreat
Please note this is not a final booking for the retreat. You will receive further information from the hosts via email about availability and payments!
We will get back to you as soon as possible : )
What to Expect
Morning & Evening Yoga
In our afternoon sessions, we dive into the heart of yogic tradition:
- Each day begins and ends with a grounding yoga practice. Mornings will gently awaken the body, while evenings will invite rest, introspection, and integration. Classes are suitable for all levels and will offer a mix of asana, pranayama, meditation, and deep relaxation.
In our afternoon sessions, we dive into the heart of yogic tradition:
- Why do we keep returning to our mat?
- What do ancient texts like the Haṭha Yoga Pradīpikā and Patañjali’s Yoga Sūtras tell us about the path of practice?
- How can we understand yoga beyond the trends, the aesthetics, and the performative culture?
- Through discussion, reflection, and guided exploration, we will reconnect with yoga as a transformative discipline — not just a physical practice, but a way of being.
- For two afternoons, we step into the world of clay. Guided by an experienced ceramist, you will learn to create your own pieces on the potter’s wheel. At the end of the retreat, you will take home your unique creations — a tangible reminder of your time in Portugal and the journey you’ve made.
- To support your inner work, the retreat also includes:
- Pranayama sessions
- Meditation
- Crystal sound baths
- A multi-sensory experience designed to help you soften, center, and reconnect with yourself.
- A typical day at the retreat08:00 – Yoga Practice
10:00 – Breakfast
14:00 – Lunch
15:00 – Workshop
Yoga philosophy, or
Ceramics (on designated days)
18:00 – Evening Yoga / Meditation / Sound Bath
19:30 – Dinner
Evenings will vary and may include fire circles, journaling prompts, or silent reflection - LocationOur home for the week, Casa Paço D’Ilhas, is a beautiful boutique guesthouse with charming architecture, calming gardens, and a refreshing pool located just 20 minutes away from the ocean — the perfect setting to arrive, unwind, and reconnect.
The location offers multiple shared rooms and You have the option to choose between a shared bad and a single bad. - FoodDuring our retreat, you will be fully nourished with a creative, plant-based full board.
Each day you can look forward to freshly prepared vegan and vegetarian meals — from a strengthening breakfast to a light and wholesome lunch, followed by a lovingly cooked dinner in the evening.
Casa Paço D’Ilhas places great importance on whole, balanced meals that are prepared fresh every day and can be adapted to your individual needs. - Yoga & MeditationPerhaps yoga is not a shape, but an attitude.
Not a destination, but a path.
In our retreat “The Roots of Yoga” you will reconnect with the origins — and with your own personal why.
We have crafted a lovingly curated program that shifts gently from day to day. Whether you have been practicing yoga and meditation for years or are just beginning to explore the deeper layers — with us, you will practice in a way that is thoughtful, sustainable, and truly personal. - Ceramics WorkshopIn our ceramics workshop, you’ll combine creativity, mindfulness, and grounding. After a gentle start to the day with yoga and meditation, you’ll spend two afternoons exploring the meditative art of pottery. With attentive guidance, you’ll shape your own clay piece — intuitive, mindful, and connected to nature.
Our teacher, Gaëlle Van Branteghem (@gaelle_ceramica), will support you throughout the process, helping you learn essential techniques while deepening your creative intuition.
Register for Roots of Yoga Retreat
Please note this is not a final booking for the retreat. You will receive further information from the hosts via email about availability and payments!
We will get back to you as soon as possible : )
Register for Roots of Yoga Retreat
Please note this is not a final booking for the retreat. You will receive further information from the hosts via email about availability and payments!
We will get back to you as soon as possible : )
We are also offering payment plans and karma yogi(ni) spots - so please reach out to us if money is an issue!
Your hosts
- @carolina_slowyourmindCarolina KassapovaCarolina is a 200-hour certified Vinyasa Yoga teacher with a passion for Alchemy Crystal Sound Bowls. She is also a certified crystal bowl sound practitioner. In addition to Vinyasa, Carolina teaches Ashtanga and Yin Yoga. By integrating sound and meditation, she helps guide brain waves to lower frequencies, allowing for a deeper meditative state. The combination of yoga asanas and a soothing sound bath helps participants move out of their minds and into a more embodied, present state of being.
- @viktimkaViktoria TimkanicovaViki has been teaching yoga and meditation in Cologne and other places in Europe since 2019. She completed her basic Vinyasa training in Rishikesh, followed by many other advanced training courses such as Yin Yoga and Creative Sequencing. Viki's focus is on creative and dynamic flows balanced with grounding meditation and breathing techniques. No matter how fiery and intense the asanas are, working from and with the physical level is only the first step to revealing everything that lies beneath. Viki often uses approaches from Yin Yoga, which she always incorporates into the Yang practice.
past retreats
Cara Creek Lodge connecting back to the 5 Elements
At Cara Creek Lodge, our yoga retreat is a transformative experience deeply rooted in the philosophy of the Five Elements—Earth, Water, Fire, Air, and Ether. Nestled in the heart of nature, participants connect with Earth through grounding yoga practices on the forested land, restoring balance and stability. Water flows through meditation and breathwork by the river, promoting emotional healing and fluidity. Fire is ignited through dynamic asanas, stoking inner strength and transformation. Air guides pranayama practices, fostering mental clarity and openness. Finally, Ether invites moments of stillness and reflection, connecting participants to the vastness of spirit and self-awareness. Each element becomes a pathway to deeper connection, inner harmony, and renewal.
Shanti Space in Ericeira
At Shanti Space in Ericeira, our yoga retreat offers a serene escape, blending holistic wellness with the coastal beauty of Portugal. Set against the backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean, the retreat harmonizes body, mind, and spirit through a balanced flow of yoga practices. Morning sessions awaken the body with energizing vinyasa, while gentle evening practices soothe and restore, creating space for deep relaxation. Surrounded by lush gardens and ocean views, participants experience peace and rejuvenation, with time for meditation, mindful walks, and reflection. Shanti Space is a sanctuary for those seeking to reconnect with themselves, nature, and the healing power of yoga.
2022 in the north of Portugal
In 2022, our yoga retreat in the north of Portugal offers a peaceful sanctuary for those seeking to reset and reconnect with themselves in a stunning natural setting. Surrounded by the rolling hills and tranquil rivers of the region, participants immerse themselves in daily yoga practices designed to balance body and mind. The retreat blends invigorating morning vinyasa flows with restorative evening sessions, offering a holistic approach to wellness. Meditation and breathwork are woven into the experience, enhancing mental clarity and emotional well-being. Set amidst the beauty of Portugal’s northern landscapes, this retreat provides a perfect opportunity for personal growth, inner peace, and rejuvenation.
Contact me
I am happy to answer any questions, doubts, comments, or more!
I'll get back to you as soon as possible : )