Wild and Free Retreats
Algarve, Portugal
Sacred feminine soul nourishing yoga retreats for connection and joy in wild nature
These transformational, free-spirited retreats, at a nature haven in the Algarve, enable you to get away from the constraints of everyday life and re-connect with yourself and other women, honouring the sacred feminine. Created and run by the vivacious Sarah Shannon, an ex-lawyer turned yoga and meditation teacher, these nourishing retreats include yoga, meditation, workshops, journaling and swimming in the bracing Atlantic, as well as bountiful vegetarian cuisine, cacao ceremonies, sound healing, kirtan, cyclical wisdom circles and dancing.
our Reviewer Hannah MacInnes says:
‘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’
Queen of Retreats says:
‘The vibe is laid-back, light-hearted, fun and friendly, but also seamlessly organised, sincere and serious in allowing guests to embrace their ‘inner wild’ and tune into feminine wisdom. Racing into the waves with fellow retreaters will leave you feeling … well, wild and free!’
Experiences
Your daily schedule on group retreats will include yoga, meditation, sound healing and kirtan, along with quiet time for reflection and journaling.
Your retreat host Sarah Shannon is a qualified yoga teacher. Morning practice is hatha and vinyasa yoga for up to two hours in a class suitable for all levels, where you’ll learn to develop your technique. Evening sessions last an hour and feature yin and restorative yoga, as well as yoga nidra.
Take a hike – routes range from 2km easy ambles to 13km more challenging walks or tackle a mountain. Go wild swimming, kayaking and paddle-boarding, hire a bike or explore the beaches a short ride or drive away.
At a cacao ceremony Sarah creates a delicate, fun and joyous occasion, where you’ll learn about cacao’s healing benefits, alongside sound healing, creativity and yoga nidra. A kirtan (devotional mantra singing) will help clear tension and connect you with your inner joy.
Learn cyclical wisdom - the tool that helps us connect with our inner wild woman - around subjects ranging from menstrual cycle awareness and female archetypes to moon phases and the Celtic Wheel.
Spaces
Set in 800 hectares of wild and rugged nature, Loulé is a venue just 35 minutes’ drive from Faro airport, with superb views of the surrounding mountains, meadows and lakes.
There is a terrace for sunrises and sunsets, and time in between, as well as a Mediterranean garden with a century-old fresh water spring where you can cool off to the sound of gentle waterfalls.
Yoga practice takes place in a large indoor space, and you can relax by or swim in the heated saltwater pool. The beaches of the Algarve are a 30-minute drive away.
There are eight different hiking trails, ranging from easy to moderate, taking in the area around the Penna Rocha mountains and up to twin lakes for freshwater swimming. You can also hike up to a mountain for 360 panoramic views of the Algarve.
Renovated and styled twin, double and deluxe rooms have soothing décor, with en-suite bathrooms, air conditioning, high-speed wifi, toiletries and warm blanket for cooler months.
Sustenance
You can expect organic vegetarian food prepared by local chefs, who use produce from the garden and farm. All allergies can be catered for if you let the retreat know of them before your visit.
A large breakfast includes fruit, fresh juice, coffees and teas, granola, yoghurt and eggs, while lunch is a light soup or salad. Each evening you’ll have a three-course meal.
The retreat serves herbal infusions that are self-produced, biologically certified - some are harvested at the time of serving. There are also various types of tea, served alone or with herbs.
Snacks include scones, pancakes, toast, traditional cookery and other delicacies. The farm even produces its own jams, honey, figs and fig cheese for you to try.
In your room, you’ll find fresh spring drinking water from your tap, and a personal tea and coffee making station.
