Embracing our inner wild with Wild and Free Retreats in Portugal
Hannah MacInnes reviews a retreat with yoga teacher Sarah Shannon in the Algarve and finds her inner wild woman, plenty to laugh about and a natural state of bliss
I’m staring up at the clear blue sky, a blanket keeping my body warm against the still brisk morning air, while I lie in Shavasana. It's time to relax after two hours of yoga with 18 other women who I’ve rapidly come to think of as friends, not least after running into the bracing Atlantic the day before en masse, whooping in the waves and looking back onto white sand stretching for miles.
It’s in this moment, and in many more moments throughout the retreat, that I feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude: ‘Wild and Free’ turned out to be everything I needed, including a lot I didn’t know I needed. As well as the most luxurious of all surroundings which lured me here, there’s a wonderful, warm, fun and light-hearted vibe on this retreat from the moment I arrive, and a feeling of liberation as we gradually tune into our inner ‘Wild and Free’.
We’re staying at the stunning haven that is Casa Fuzetta, a private house set in the ancient criss cross of streets in the fishing town of Olhao. It is madly spoiling, and everywhere exudes style and induces calm and comfort for the senses: from the sounds of the courtyard fountain, to the glow of the warm lighting throughout. It even smells lovely everywhere, thanks to the Rituals diffusers in the corridors. And, of course, a rooftop pool and cushioned sunbathing areas are a treat. Rooms are cleaned every day by a superb team of staff, and I am blessed with The Crystal Suite, the one room that has a bath – beneath a blue glass chandelier, no less - and a gorgeous chaise longue.
At the heart of our week is Wild and Free retreat founder Sarah Shannon, a brilliant teacher of Embodied Yoga, which is inspired by traditional Hatha yoga. A trained vinyasa, hatha, yin and women’s yoga teacher, Sarah is meticulously organised and ensures the retreats run with ease and fluidity. Her attention to detail is reflected in everything, from the music to the smells of incense. Palo Santo sticks – small wooden sticks - are burned and wafted around the room to give off the most delicious scent: pine, mint and lemon. They’re a sensual treat that is said to bring healing and good fortune.
“It all feels very relatable: the need to be more open to the feminine and more floaty, and to be free from the tendency to compare ourselves with others”
The day begins with half an hour of both meditation and journaling at 8am. At 8.30am there’s a quick break for tea and fruit and then two hours of yoga, either on the roof or inside when the weather isn’t good. After bountiful brunch, we are free to chill at the Casa, potter in the sleepy port of Olhao, have massages and go on boat taxis to the islands to swim in the beautiful blue ocean.
At 5pm there’s evening yoga - Yin Yoga, Yoga Nidra and Restorative Yoga mixed with group conversation or workshop. Here we learn about cyclical celtic wisdom, for example, or have a sound bath.
The twice daily yoga sessions include an element of workshopping in the morning class when we watch Sarah’s explanations and demonstrations, and I find this hugely helpful. If you’re more advanced in your yoga practice, you might want a little more challenge, but I find the two hours to be the perfect mix of flow and a chance to pause and consider poses I’ve been doing for years but have never been entirely convinced I’m getting right.
There are other contemplative moments throughout the retreat, including the morning meditation and journaling, where the group come together in the candle-lit downstairs hall. When it’s not being used for groups, the hall floor is strewn with tea lights, petals, dried flowers and neatly laid out Oracle Cards. One deck we use is called Work Your Light by Rebecca Campbell and we pick one out to discover certain elements of our future path.
Sarah teaches us about Cyclical wisdom and The Celtic Wheel, a ritual calendar passed down through the ages in Ireland that’s rooted in the rhythms of nature and encourages us to get in touch with and listen to our ‘inner wild woman’ - to be true to ourselves, to ‘beat to our own drum.’ Formerly a corporate lawyer in Dublin, Sarah has spent her thirties tuning into this inner voice and letting it guide her, from travelling the world to moving to Portugal to share her story through these retreats. It’s hard not to feel convinced by the theory when our guide is the shining and enthusiastic embodiment of all she preaches.
It all feels very relatable: the need to be more open to the feminine and more floaty, and to be free, particularly from judgement, from the tendency to compare ourselves with others or be compelled by convention to feel we should be on a certain path at a certain time. All of it really resonates with me.
Surrounded by supportive women all on their own differing paths, ranging in age from between 28 to 48 and here from all over the world, I feel emboldened and invigorated. Everyone seems committed to the experience but never at the expense of much laughter and joy - indeed that feels entirely central to the retreat.
As for meals, they are all delicious and vibrant, lavished with much love by two creative and passionate chefs who always go the extra mile. There are all the colours and cuisines you can imagine - from the granola to stacks of fluffy pancakes drizzled with maple syrup to sizzling shakshuka and mushroom pesto toasts for brunch.
Supper is Middle Eastern style spiced roasted cauliflower with labneh, zaatar, confit garlic and pomegranate molasses, and lentil, sweet potato and spinach dhal with turmeric cardamom rice, mango chutney, raita and homemade naan bread, eaten in the beautiful sun-specked courtyard of Casa Fuzetta. Having firmly intended to stay offline with phone off, for the five days, my enthusiasm takes over as I find myself compelled to send excitable messages home to family and friends about the food.
My massage with holistic yoga and Pilates teacher Fiona Loughan is another unforgettable retreat experience, a truly sensational mix of soft and deep tissue massage, with moments of profound but welcome pain as my tired muscles are kneaded and pummelled and I lie breathing in the smells of heavenly scented oils.
We end our retreat with a cacao ceremony. We’d been told to pack clothing that makes us feel like a Goddess – something floaty or special – for this ceremony. Dressed up in our ‘wild woman’ attire, and covered in glitter and sparkle, we assemble in the candlelit hall as Sarah ladles cups of ceremonial cacao into mugs from an enormous saucepan. It’s warm and spiced, thick and utterly delicious. We learn of its many healing properties and sit for some time, discussing what we have taken from the retreat. We then all go up onto the roof and dance in wild, carefree style as the sun sets over the town, Florence and the Machine’s ‘Shake it Out’ blaring from the speakers as we flail around to the music in our floaty dresses.
Back at home, I still feel renewed, refreshed, energised and raring to embrace the year. I have been drinking cacao and meditating each morning before the sun comes up, I find myself playing ‘Shake it Out’ on repeat, and I am loving the chance to stay connected to and supported and encouraged by the fun, vibrant, big-hearted group of women with whom I shared this experience.
Wild and Free Retreats currently run at Loulé.
