Retreat Portugal - Shake Yourself Up To Happiness
Become a more patient, healthier, and kinder person to yourself and others.
That sounds like a grand promise, but hey, who doesn't know it? Insecure feelings, afraid to let go of the familiar, even if it no longer serves you? Rigid emotions that determine your actions and relationships? Do you want to be different, but do you see obstacles everywhere or are you too powerless to change anything?
Chakra balance retreat
You can't change everything in one week. But you can give a powerful impulse and attention to what is dormant in you and your energy system can help you with that! Join us to Portugal and immerse yourself in the bubble of yoga, meditation and bodywork for a full week, at the magical Quinta Do Mirante!
What would it be like if….
What would it be like to feel stable and safe within yourself, no matter the situation? To have healthy relationships, with yourself and with others, relationships that are equal and serve interests? To experience strength, instead of anger? To step over obstacles and take steps with purposeful action? And all of this in contact with your heart and what you feel, with compassion for yourself and others?
We are Westerman and Westerlaken
Sat Nam! We are Annemieke Westerman and Marija Westerlaken, yogini's at your service! 😊 Annemieke studied hatha yoga and chakra psychology, is a content creator and bag maker. Marija studied educational science, is a trainer and teacher. And of course we both followed a long and intensive Kundalini Yoga training and we work as yoga teachers. We are mother, grandmother, wife, friend, colleague, director and cleaner of our own company, we are teachers and yes, we are also ourselves. Become and polished thanks to years of hard work on the yoga mat.
On an adventure!
And heyyy dear you, we love to take you on a journey. On a journey to the best version of yourself. We lovingly shake you up, so that what no longer serves you is released, and you can gratefully leave it behind. We let you relax in depths that you did not know existed. We polish you up, so that after a week you can face the world completely cleansed, relaxed and radiant. Cleansed, refreshed, strengthened: a new version of yourself!
What are we going to do?
A day at the retreat could very well look like this:
You get up at half past five, the sun is already there, it dries the dew on the grass. You grab your mat, pillow and blanket and walk up the path to the top, where the Sadhana starts at 06.00.
We sit in a circle under the olive trees and look out over the terraces with fruit trees and vines. Far below us is the valley. There are some wisps of mist hanging between the mountain tops and the valley, the sun shines warmly through it and the mist dissolves.
We shift our attention from outside to inside and do our morning glory yoga. After the relaxation, wrapped in blankets, we meditate; our voices and mantras vibrate in a circle, the sounds and togetherness are tangible.
It is eight o'clock, the sun has warmed the terrace. Still light from the Sadhana bliss we have breakfast together in silence, at the large table under the orange trees.
After breakfast there is time for yourself. Maybe you want to take a morning walk in the wild forest behind the house. Maybe you want to take a shower, help Ellen with the preparation for dinner later, maybe you take a nap or a splash in the pool on top of the mountain. It is your time.
At ten o'clock we pick up the theme of the day. We look for a place, somewhere outside in the shade. There is a theoretical framework, there is interaction, there is an exercise, there are moments to share, there is the transfer to your life. We close the workshop with some movement, dance or breathing exercises.
Around one o'clock there is a light vegetarian snack or a salad and then... vacation! You have a few hours for yourself. Siesta, walking, swimming, reading, talking... being in silence or with others, do what you feel good about.
Four o'clock: rock & roll, yoga! Just to get rid of the afternoon's lethargy and into movement, of course in the theme of the day. Then the wrap-up of the morning and afternoon. What are your insights? What do you want to remember, take with you, apply? How? Sharing.
An early dinner, outside of course, vegetarian and Ayurvedic of course. You are spoiled with delicious smells and tastes. The food is pure and colorful. Your senses are sharpened. You smell more, you taste more, you experience more.
The evening has a soft program, with which we also conclude the theme of this day. A longer meditation, with or without mantra. A loving exercise. Perhaps a wonderful yoga nidra, after which you roll into your bed and sleep like a baby.
Living in the bubble. If only it could always be like this.
What you get:
Where, when and how much?
What do you bring with you?
Frequently Asked Questions about the journey, Kundalini Yoga and the yogic lifestyle
Do I need to buy my ticket myself? Yes, we advise you to do so as soon as possible. KLM has a flight that is under E200 when booked early. You fly to Porto.
Is the transport from Porto to Quinto Do Mirante included? No, but we have ideas about that. We could think of renting a taxi-bus together (that is cheaper than a car, which you will not use the rest of the week anyway). But of course you are free to decide.
That sounds like a grand promise, but hey, who doesn't know it? Insecure feelings, afraid to let go of the familiar, even if it no longer serves you? Rigid emotions that determine your actions and relationships? Do you want to be different, but do you see obstacles everywhere or are you too powerless to change anything?
Chakra balance retreat
You can't change everything in one week. But you can give a powerful impulse and attention to what is dormant in you and your energy system can help you with that! Join us to Portugal and immerse yourself in the bubble of yoga, meditation and bodywork for a full week, at the magical Quinta Do Mirante!
What would it be like if….
What would it be like to feel stable and safe within yourself, no matter the situation? To have healthy relationships, with yourself and with others, relationships that are equal and serve interests? To experience strength, instead of anger? To step over obstacles and take steps with purposeful action? And all of this in contact with your heart and what you feel, with compassion for yourself and others?
We are Westerman and Westerlaken
Sat Nam! We are Annemieke Westerman and Marija Westerlaken, yogini's at your service! 😊 Annemieke studied hatha yoga and chakra psychology, is a content creator and bag maker. Marija studied educational science, is a trainer and teacher. And of course we both followed a long and intensive Kundalini Yoga training and we work as yoga teachers. We are mother, grandmother, wife, friend, colleague, director and cleaner of our own company, we are teachers and yes, we are also ourselves. Become and polished thanks to years of hard work on the yoga mat.
On an adventure!
And heyyy dear you, we love to take you on a journey. On a journey to the best version of yourself. We lovingly shake you up, so that what no longer serves you is released, and you can gratefully leave it behind. We let you relax in depths that you did not know existed. We polish you up, so that after a week you can face the world completely cleansed, relaxed and radiant. Cleansed, refreshed, strengthened: a new version of yourself!
What are we going to do?
A day at the retreat could very well look like this:
You get up at half past five, the sun is already there, it dries the dew on the grass. You grab your mat, pillow and blanket and walk up the path to the top, where the Sadhana starts at 06.00.
We sit in a circle under the olive trees and look out over the terraces with fruit trees and vines. Far below us is the valley. There are some wisps of mist hanging between the mountain tops and the valley, the sun shines warmly through it and the mist dissolves.
We shift our attention from outside to inside and do our morning glory yoga. After the relaxation, wrapped in blankets, we meditate; our voices and mantras vibrate in a circle, the sounds and togetherness are tangible.
It is eight o'clock, the sun has warmed the terrace. Still light from the Sadhana bliss we have breakfast together in silence, at the large table under the orange trees.
After breakfast there is time for yourself. Maybe you want to take a morning walk in the wild forest behind the house. Maybe you want to take a shower, help Ellen with the preparation for dinner later, maybe you take a nap or a splash in the pool on top of the mountain. It is your time.
At ten o'clock we pick up the theme of the day. We look for a place, somewhere outside in the shade. There is a theoretical framework, there is interaction, there is an exercise, there are moments to share, there is the transfer to your life. We close the workshop with some movement, dance or breathing exercises.
Around one o'clock there is a light vegetarian snack or a salad and then... vacation! You have a few hours for yourself. Siesta, walking, swimming, reading, talking... being in silence or with others, do what you feel good about.
Four o'clock: rock & roll, yoga! Just to get rid of the afternoon's lethargy and into movement, of course in the theme of the day. Then the wrap-up of the morning and afternoon. What are your insights? What do you want to remember, take with you, apply? How? Sharing.
An early dinner, outside of course, vegetarian and Ayurvedic of course. You are spoiled with delicious smells and tastes. The food is pure and colorful. Your senses are sharpened. You smell more, you taste more, you experience more.
The evening has a soft program, with which we also conclude the theme of this day. A longer meditation, with or without mantra. A loving exercise. Perhaps a wonderful yoga nidra, after which you roll into your bed and sleep like a baby.
Living in the bubble. If only it could always be like this.
What you get:
- Insight into the qualities and shadow sides of your energy system (the chakras)
- Insight into the influence of this energy system on your thoughts, emotions and actions
- Balance your chakras through yoga and meditation
- Personal sets, tailored to your imbalance
- Physical fitness, mental and emotional relaxation
- Interaction, fun, time for yourself, rest & complete care
- A magical environment, a well-facilitated house
- Three vegetarian meals a day (lunch is small)
- Free time to do what you like (reading, swimming, walking)
- Meditative walks on the Quinta and the primeval forest led by guide and owner Michel
- Personal conversations with Annemieke or Marija if you want
- Massage (extra – not included in the all-in price of the retreat)
- Photo shoot afterwards, when you are wonderfully tanned, relaxed and radiant!
Where, when and how much?
- Quita Do Mirante, R. Visc. José de Paiva 1437, 4550-206 Castelo de Paiva, Portugal
- https://www.quintadomirante.com/
- October 1-8, 2023
- Early bird until August 20: 995
- Price after August 20 1,200
- Place for 12 participants
What do you bring with you?
- Yoga mat, meditation cushion (if you like to sit on one), blanket
- Comfortable clothing (does not necessarily have to be yoga clothing)
- And of course…check the weather forecast before you pack
- Open and closed shoes
- Water bottle
- Notebook, pen
- Your personal care products
- Towels, bed linen, soap and shampoo are provided! It is advised to bring your own bath towel or hammam towel.
Frequently Asked Questions about the journey, Kundalini Yoga and the yogic lifestyle
Do I need to buy my ticket myself? Yes, we advise you to do so as soon as possible. KLM has a flight that is under E200 when booked early. You fly to Porto.
Is the transport from Porto to Quinto Do Mirante included? No, but we have ideas about that. We could think of renting a taxi-bus together (that is cheaper than a car, which you will not use the rest of the week anyway). But of course you are free to decide.
- What is Kundalini Yoga? Kundalini Yoga is the yoga of consciousness. The name Kundalini refers to the consciousness that is present in everyone. The awakening of the Kundalini (the energy at the base of the spine) creates an energy flow that stimulates this consciousness. The unconscious becomes conscious and through the practice of Kundalini Yoga, the true potential of the practitioner is awakened. To achieve this, Kundalini Yoga uses repetitive physical exercises. We combine movement, breathing, meditation and mantra and use these techniques thematically.
- Is Kundalini Yoga dangerous? No. There are many wild stories about the dangers of the kundalini energy that is released during yoga. However, this energy is already present in everyone, but the extent to which it is present varies. By doing exercises under the guidance of an expert Kundalini Yoga teacher, the energy is activated in a gentle and gradual way and can contribute greatly to discovering and using your true potential.
- Can anyone do Kundalini Yoga? Absolutely. We don't do complicated flexible poses. Everyone can participate at their own level.
- What is seva? Seva, or 'selfless service' is important in yoga. The idea is: everything you give, you get back tenfold. Seva is as much as 'corvee' and fits in with the retreat. Everyone gets a small task, such as washing and cutting vegetables, setting the table, serving food or washing dishes. In the yogic belief 'you cleanse your karma through seva'. We do it mainly to create collective resilience and positive energy.
- What is Sadhana? Sadhana is the early morning ritual and the cornerstone of Kundalini yoga. It is a personal spiritual practice with yoga & meditation and essential in this form of yoga. Doing Sadhana together can be magical, it ignites the inner light and you walk on clouds the rest of the day (if only because you got up a bit early). In this retreat we have chosen to do a shortened Sadhana (one and a half hours); we therefore start later. I can imagine that many people find this pleasant.
- Why do we eat light? During this short retreat we will follow a yogic lifestyle as much as possible, without being too strict and dogmatic. So no midnight Sadhanas, silent days or fasting, to name a few. The goal of this lifestyle is to enlighten the mind and soul as much as possible. We achieve this by feeding the body well, but not unnecessarily burdening it with digestion. Heavy food also gets in the way of yoga. We eat soberly and as much as possible pure & unprocessed, do not use coffee, soft drinks, sugar, alcohol and animal products. We will cook for you: a hearty breakfast (warm); a light lunch and an evening meal. In between there is plenty of fruit. If you have a problem with your blood sugar or something and you need something extra now and then, let us know!