15-20 September 2025 Cara Creek Eco Lodge, Portugal
Imagine this, you wake up in the morning and from your bed you hear the birds singing. You take a step outside onto your private balcony, you are surrounded by trees, you hear the flowing water of the closeby river.Yoga, meditation, healthy food and mindful art workshops in which you will create your own unique jewelry in a like-minded community. Plenty of time to relax & recharge, to chill out in a hammock, to jump into the refreshing river or float on one of the Stand Up Paddle (SUP) boards.
This retreat is more than just another holiday, it’s an opportunity for you to finally make some time for yourself, slow down and get out of your busy life for a week. Here you will learn what it means to actually be present, tune into your intuition and reflect what shifts you need to make to live a more happy and fulfilling life.
Because what you really need right now is to get out of your normal environment and spend a week in nature and surround yourself with people who are just like you. So you can have deep and meaningful conversations and tune into your highest potential.
Join us if you want to create a more mindful, balanced & joyful life.
DAY 1
2 PM Arrival
5 PM Welcome Circle + Restaurative Yoga
7 PM Dinner
DAY 2
8 AM Meditation, Pranayama, Yoga (focus: cultivating the breath)
10 AM Breakfast
12 PM Mindset Workshop 1: the power of now
3 PM Afternoon Snack
4 PM Mindful Art Workshop 1 & Silent Meditation
7 PM Dinner
DAY 3
8 AM Meditation, Pranayama, Yoga (focus: twists)
10 AM Breakfast
12 PM free time, or optional add on: massage
3 PM Afternoon Snack
4 PM Mindful Art Workshop 2 & Yin Yoga
7 PM Dinner
DAY 4
8 AM Meditation, Pranayama, Yoga (focus backbends: open your heart) followed by in ICE BATH
10 AM Breakfast
12 PM Mindset Workshop 2: healthy routines
3 PM Afternoon Snack
4 PM Art Workshop 3 & Loving Kindness Meditation
7 PM Dinner
DAY 5
8 AM Meditation, Pranayama, Yoga (focus inversions: turn your world upside down)
10 AM Breakfast
12 PM free time, or optional add on: massage
3 PM Afternoon Snack
4 PM Ecstatic Dance & Holistic Body Painting
7 PM Dinner
DAY 6
8 AM Meditation, Pranayama, Yoga (focus: ashtanga primary series)
10 AM Breakfast
12 PM Check out
In 2024 I left my safe job in an international development agency to dedicate my full focus to sharing my passions with the world: Yoga & Art, more specific: jewelry making. I started practicing yoga 6 years ago, during a time where I was feeling very lost and did not know what I wanted in my life.
Back then I was about to finish my International Business degree and I already knew one thing: I did not want to work in a normal 9 to 5 job like everybody else around me. I knew I wanted to start my own business but I had absolutely no idea what it could be about. That’s why I continued studying and did my Masters in Bioeconomy, then I moved to Chile and ended up working in an international development agency. I know it sounds cool, but for me personally I did not see the value in the work I was doing. And do you know what was the hardest part about this? Getting up on monday mornings having a week of work ahead, that seemed meaningless to me, and only living from one weekend to the other. My negative thoughts were getting louder and louder..
At the same time I finally found out what my true passion is and what I wanted to dedicate my business to: sharing my passion for yoga and art with the world and helping people to create a more happy and purposeful life. I was never a dancer or a gymnast. In school sport was actually always one of my worst subjects. When I started yoga I was suddently feeling much more calmer and confident in my body and very soon created consistent routines that actually transformed me and my life from the inside out. 4 Years ago I did my first teacher training in which I learned a lot about the physical practice but also Yogic Philosophy. This was an absolute game changer in helping me to create a mindset for a truly fulfilling and happy life.
Making art and creating with my hands has accompanied me all my life. It helps me to fully concentrate and get into a deeply meditative flow. I truly believe that the process of creating something with your hands has true meditative power to turn of your negative thoughts and completely focus on one task. It also teaches you a lot about yourself. For example how you approach challenges and make decisions. Today, I am so grateful to have found my life’s calling.
I am so proud, that I did not settle for less than my dream of being a business owner, helping others to create a more balanced and fulfilling life. That’s why I am leading national and international yoga retreats in which I teach you everything I learned on my transformative journey. Sometimes it is really important to take a step back and get out of our day to day routine to listen to your heart. My retreats help you to make the deep internal shifts that that you need to sustainably transform towards a more peaceful and meaningful life.
Main Teacher: Helen Blum
What to expect from this retreat
During this retreat I will teach you the tools that helped me to create a more happy and fulfilling life. But don’t worry, you will have plenty of time to reset and recharge your body and mind from your busy life. The remote retreat location is just what you needed to unwind.
In Addition to the yoga, meditation and breathwork practices we have I will teach you the mindset that will really make a difference in your personal development and on your way to happiness. We will also have 3 mindful art workshops in which you will create your own unique jewelry. But not only that, in this workshop you will also learn a lot about yourself and the way you approach challenges, the way you take decisions.
And don’t worry what is also reallly important: you have a lot of free time to actually tune in with yourself. You can go for beautiful walks, hang out and nap in a hammock, chill on a SUP, relax at the infinity pool or book yourself a massage (add on).
The vegetarian or vegan food that is served is mainly grown in the own vegetable garden and you can really taste the love that goes into it.
This retreat is for you if..
You are already doing yoga, trying to walk 10 000 steps a day, or other forms of self care. But still you find it really hard to switch off the never ending negative thoughts in your head.
Your job is constantly demand more and more and more of your time. You want to be good at what you are doing but it’s actually draining. You don’t have much time for yourself left. It is getting to a point where you might not even like your job anymore even though you used to love it and you just feel like quitting.
If you used to have creative hobbies and enjoyed your evenings painting or crafting but you just don’t manage to find time and energy for them. Instead you are lying on the couch watching one reel after the other. You know it’s not a good habit but you find it really hard to change it..
If you are going through a challenging time. Maybe you lost an important person in your life, may it be a relationship or the loss of someone close. You feel heavy and the grief seems like it’s never ending.
If you are stuck in a version of yourself that you don’t even want to be anymore. Maybe you are constantly stressed, can’t sleep at night and wake up feeling really heavy and tired.
It is time to say goodbye to this old version of yourself. It is time to reconnect with the person who has clarity about the next steps. The person who knows how to stop their racing thoughts. The person who is aware when to end cycles and start new projects. The person who uses their fear as fuel to follow their hearts instead of being stuck in negative thoughts. The person who knows that it’s time to act so they can reignite their inner passion and wake up every morning feeling energized and excited for the day ahead!
Where?
Cara Creek Eco Lodge - A sustainable retreat center, with its own vegetable garden in a beautiful valley where two rivers meet. A paradise for nature lovers with a private river beach and nearby waterfall, sauna, hot tub and much more to explore! There are stunning hiking trails/forests and an endless number of ways to enjoy the surrounding nature. The weather in this area of Portugal is a perfect mix of warm days and cool nights. The accomodations in our yoga retreat are private glamping tents.
What’s included?
The retreat fee covers 5 nights accommodations, all the meals (breakfast, afternoon snack and dinner), all daily classes, workshops, SUPs, excursions.
What’s not included?
Massages you can schedule at additional cost. Transfer to and from the Airport (We are happy to arrange them if you send us your flight details. Visa fees and travel insurance is also your responsibility.
What is the nearest airport?
You can either fly to Lisbon or Porto.
What’s the level of yoga?
The classes are designed for all levels. I always like to give easy, medium, and hard variations so that every student finds a challenge but can still follow class.
How can I confirm my booking?
Your booking will be confirmed by paying a non-refundable deposit of 550€, the remaining balance is to be settled within 30 days before retreat start.
How much is the retreat?
Prices are between 1350€-1550€ Early Bird and depend on your accommodation.
Accomodation & Prices
Choose between five unique private accommodations in a secluded retreat location in the beautiful mountains of Portugal. Additional pictures and details about the accommodations can be found here. Price includes the above mentioned services. Let us know in case you want to share accommodation with your partner.
Penta Pod
These pentagonal structures have a small window and a roll-up door so you can admire the view from your bed or relax on the large private terrace.EARRLY BIRD 1350€
Normal price 1599€
Cabana
Uniquely shaped pods with breathtaking views over the valley.
EARLY BIRD 1400€
Normal price 1650€
Tetra Pod
Inspired by the simplest 3D shape in nature - the tetrahedron. The walls reach up to a height of 6 meters and have a large window with a magnificent view.EARLY BIRD 1450€
Normal price: 1750€
Tri Pod
Named after their triangular shape with a small terrace in front of the door with breathtaking view of the pool and the treetops.EARLY BIRD 1450€
Normal price: 1750€
The Granite Room
The Granite Room is part of the original ruin, which has been renovated to retain its rustic charm. It is cozy and warm in winter and refreshingly cool in summer.
EARLY BIRD 1550€
Normal price: 1850€
More testimonials.