AliVEnEss
Retreat
6-10 October 2025
The Shanti Space, Portugal
a gathering to explore:
What wants to be alive?
Pause. Close your eyes. Breathe in.
Feel the spaciousness expanding within you.
Softening on the exhale. Softening into presence—into simply being.
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Now, imagine yourself in the shade of pine trees and giant oaks. The air around you is alive with the crisp scent of eucalyptus, mingling with the salty whisper of the ocean breeze. Barefoot, the earth meets you warmly, the sun kisses your shoulders as you move with ease—exploring not just this place, but life itself.
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This is where you will arrive. An old Quinta, nestled in the heart of a national park.
A place where nature unfolds in its raw beauty. And you, just as much a part of this landscape, breathe, soften, and settle into this sanctuary.
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This is more than a retreat.
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It’s a return—
to yourself,
to the rhythm of nature,
to the vibrant beauty of being.
Being human comes with its beautiful messiness: the highs, the lows, and everything in between. This journey is about honoring all of you - the vibrant, the tired, the joyful, the overwhelmed.​
What stirs deep within you, right now?
Your body is speaking to you - are you ready to listen?
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Can you hear the restless hum of life under your skin, the rhythm of your own heartbeat?
Do you feel the waves of your breath, the energy dancing through your hands and feet?
This retreat is all about tuning into your body's wisdom.
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Through a deep somatic approach and embodiment practices,
we will gently guide you to:
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Discover the unique spark of aliveness within you.
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Reconnect to yourself, even amidst the chaos of life's flow.
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Build a lasting relationship with your body, your heart, and your inner Knowing.
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What if you could awaken the vitality
that has always been within you?
You crave to live your life to the fullest, yet...
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You're exhausted from holding it all together and keeping your true self hidden.
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You long to be yourself and wish for deeper and easeful connections, whilst being in the sometimes stormy waters of life.
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You sense something powerful within you, but feel like something holds you back to embrace your immense potential.
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You numb or hide or consume your way out of your fiery feelings again and again - scared of what is being discovered.
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You feel like you're just going through the motions, disconnected from life itself, your body and emotions.
BUT Numbness keeps you from becoming.
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And while avoiding what's moving inside of you..., you miss your becoming.
Don't miss your own evolution because you're too afraid to surrender to your journey.
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That's what we encourage you to do in this retreat and we will be doing it right there with you:
Lets stop abandoning ourselves - and stay with our aliveness.
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Because Lets face it:
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What scares you more than feeling it all, is missing it all, right?
Don't miss out on life.
What if you feel it ALL and still survive?​
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What if there is true VIBRANCY to be found?
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What if your BODY already holds the answers?
There is this restless hum buzzing inside of you. Do you hear it?
You weren’t born disconnected. As a child, you felt fully. You followed your gut, moved with joy, and trusted your own imagination. Until...
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You were tamed by shame.
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You learned to silence your desires.
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You hid your emotions to keep others comfortable.
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You shrunk yourself to fit expectations.
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And now, there is this constant thunder rolling beneath your skin—thunder made of joy and pain, and rage and longing and love too deep and tender for this world. It simmers like hot water, threatening to boil over.
But what if your emotions, your intuition, your imagination, and your courage were the very keys to your FREEDOM?
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Aliveness isn’t something to control, but something to truly embrace.
Feeling it and surrendering to life is what makes us the most alive.
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It is a return to the wild.
It is one long remembering.
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PROGRAM OVERVIEW
OCTOBER 2025
​Each day will focus on one element, guiding you deeper into your body’s intelligence and the rhythms of nature. Through movement, touch, breath, and ritual, we cultivate a sense of aliveness—one that is expansive and free.
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Surrounded by lush nature, we will start each day in the art of mauna (silence) and end under the stars - having a bonfire and marshmallows or singing mantras.
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Look forward to:
- Somatic Movement ​
- Nourishing Yoga (dynamic Flows and calming Yin Yoga classes)
- Contact dance
- embodiment work
- nervous system practices to also integrate in your daily life
- authentic relating practices
- rituals honoring the elements
- cacao ceremony
- authentic Kirtan experience
- guided nature explorations
- sunsets on the beach
- deep sharing circles, creating a space of trust and connection
- day trips to the beach and the beautiful coastal town of Ericeira
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Life is serious enough—let’s loosen up.
Think of the freedom of not taking yourself too seriously.
Oh, we feel our shoulders already drop a little writing this.
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So what better ways to embark on all these practices in playful and fun ways?
You’ll leave this journey with tools to bring more ease, vitality, and lightness into your daily life
—because life flows easier when we take of the pressure. ​​​
SOMATIC JOURNEY
through the elements
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We will flow like nature itself, connecting you to the
elements that remind us of our own rhythm:
Day 1: ARRIVE INTO YOUR NEW HOME
Welcome to your new home for the next 6 days! Exlplore the ancient forest spotting wild deer and butterflies until we meet for our beautiful opening ceremony around the bonfire.
DAY 2:
GROUND WITH EARTH
Learn how to ground your whole being, feeling stable and rooting in the present moment, with yoga, deep nervous system regulation and nourishing authentic relating exercises. Experience the steady, nurturing support of community and the earth.
DAY 4:
IGNITE YOUR FIRE
DAY 5:
CONNECT THROUGH AIR
Ignite your passion through dynamic movement and bonfire rituals. Explore the fire that fuels your vision, your boundaries, and your desires. Fire will teach us that passion must be tended, not tamed. We will learn to balance the flames, find clarity, strength and momentum.
Breathe in lightness. Feel expansion, freedom, and joy.
Air teaches us how to connect with our spirit. When we surrender to its rhythm, we find space, perspective, and ease. Expand with breathwork, body communication exercises, and a fun exploration of yourself.
DAY 3:
FLOW WITH WATER
Flow with what moves inside of you as you rediscover clarity and emotional release with somatic dance & vagus nerve activation. Bath and cleanse in the beautiful ocean of Portugal.
DAY 6:
INTEGRATION
Bring it all together. You’ll anchor these experiences, ensuring your aliveness becomes a part of who you are—not just what you feel.
IMAGINE IF...
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​You could increase the capacity to feel everything without fear.
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You trusted your BODY'S wisdom instead of ignoring or numbing it.
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You allow yourself the time just goofing around.
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You allowed yourself to rest—and felt more alive because of it.
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You experienced JOY and PLEASURE beyond what you thought was possible?
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Your connection to your emotions has elevated your relationships to a whole new level.
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This is your invitation to step out of the cages of
expectations and reclaim your wild, vibrant, untamed self.
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Are you ready to unlock your aliveness?
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WHAT WILL YOU TAKE HOME?
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A deeper understanding of yourself and what makes you thrive.
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Your playful, bold and untamed self!
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Practical daily tools for body and mind to keep your connection to life’s flow.
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How to align with the energies of nature - because you are nature!
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COURAGE to venture beyond your comfort zone and through life's adventures.
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A deeper understanding of how to use your feelings as guides, not enemies.
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How you reveal your most AUTHENTIC self to others without fear.
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Presence & sensory awareness within you.
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Moments of joy, stillness, and discovery that stay with you long after you leave.
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You can survive life without aliveness , but you can’t truly live. AND WHAT IS sexier THAN FEELING ALIVE?!
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Let’s shift together from routine survival to deep, vibrant living.
This is for You
if you’re longing for more connection, depth, and lightness in your life, this retreat is calling for YOU.
It’s not about changing who you are—it’s about remembering who you’ve always been.
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Meet your facilitators
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That's us: Kim & Lenka! We met last spring and instantly felt a connection - one of deep resonance, ease and joy, guided by a shared vision.
It felt natural to co-create something that reflects both of us, something rooted in connection & aliveness.
Together, we weave a space that is both supportive and liberating. Holding retreats for years on our own and now joining forces, we bring our experience and passion to create something even more powerful.
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Because magic happens when we step into the right connections- and we are proof of that!
Meet Kim​​
At this retreat, Kim guides you on a somatic journey to yourself—helping you shift old patterns, release stored tension, and restore ease in your body. Using Somatic Experiencing®, yoga therapy, Gestalt, Polyvagal theory, and mindfulness, she creates a gentle yet powerful space to reconnect with yourself.
Fascinated by the wisdom of the body, she blends embodied movement, yoga, nervous system regulation, and trauma healing into her work - bridging Eastern traditions with modern life, inviting you to explore the full spectrum of your emotions and sensations.
Her work is deeply personal. Having navigated burnout and loss, she knows that healing is a full body experience. Working with her is an invitation to meet yourself on all levels—physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.
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Meet Lenka​​
Lenka stands for deep connection to the body, authentic self-expression, and holistic well-being. She believes in integrating mind, body, and heart to live life fully.
As an Embodiment Coach, Conscious Dance Facilitator, and Ayurvedic Practitioner, she helps people reconnect with their bodies, emotions, and inner wisdom in a practical way, while navigating stress and feeling stuck.
Through conscious dance and 1:1 counseling, her work cultivates presence, confidence, and trust in the body’s wisdom. Lenka offers a safe, nurturing space for inner balance, transformation,
and empowerment.
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and our chef Louis!​
Louis’ love language is creating unique food compositions that bring people together. As our chef during the retreat, he will nourish us with fresh, local ingredients and soul-warming dishes that celebrate the diverse flavors of the Earth.
Louis weaves stories into his meals, turning every dish into an experience of connection and inspiration.
Look forward to food that not only fuels the body but also nurtures the soul.
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LOCATION
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We honestly couldn't be more excited about hosting our retreat in this well known retreat space.
Tucked away in a serene woodland valley, The Shanti Space is a family-run retreat center where nature nurtures well-being.
Surrounded by fruit trees, ancient oaks, vineyards, and flowing streams, it offers a peaceful haven for rest and renewal. Just 30 minutes from Lisbon and 15 minutes from Ericeira beach, it’s a place where you might even cross paths with deer and wild boar while reconnecting with yourself.
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Join us-
Aliveness is not a destination; it’s your birthright.
Step into a space where nature, body, and heart come alive in harmony.
Let’s create a resilient connection to your inner vibrancy — one you can trust, nurture, and live every day.
PRICING & ACCOMODATION OPTIONS
Secure your spot on this magical retreat by selecting the accommodation
and price option that suits you best:
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DORMITORY (shared bathroom) : €990 [Early Flow price until April 30th]
​€1.100 [Late Flow from May 1st]
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TWIN/ DOUBLE ROOM (shared bathroom): €1.190 [Early Flow price until April 30th]
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€1.300 [Late Flow from May 1st]
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PRIVATE ROOM ENSUITE: €1.490
​ [Early Flow price until April 30th] - € 1.600 [Late Flow from May 1st]​
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*Prices incl. taxes
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What is included?
Everything is included - 6 day retreat experience, 5 nights accommodation, 3 nourishing meals per day by our private chef, all workshops & classes, excursions and transfers during day trips, surprise goodie bag, pre and post support from us and a thoughtfully curated experience. No hidden fees.
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A non-refundable deposit of €150 is required to secure your place. You can choose between two payment options within the registration:
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Pay in full now – the total price includes the €150 deposit.
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Flexible payment plan – pay €150 now and split the remaining balance into three installments.
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By paying the deposit you are confirming that you have read our Retreat Terms and Conditions.
​Your Investment in Yourself – Transparent & Flexible
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We know that this is an investment that isn’t always easy to make. That’s why we want to be completely transparent about our pricing—so you know exactly what’s included, with no hidden costs waiting for you.
While the retreat schedule is the same for all participants, pricing varies by room type and occupancy. Spaces and room types are limited and offered on a first-come, first-served basis.​​​​​​​​​​
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Course Fee: € 378,15 (including all workshops & classes)
Meals: € 193,28 (including all 14 meals, water / tea throughout the day & the costs for our private chef)
Accomodation varies from € 289,72 (Dorm bed), to € 467,64 (Double Room), to €757 (Private Room ensuite)
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This retreat is more than a financial decision—it’s an investment in yourself. A once-in-a-lifetime experience designed to support you beyond the retreat itself.
To make it accessible, we offer flexible payment plans (during registration) so you can choose what works for you.
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​What's not included:​
Flights, transfer before and after the retreat, insurances, your own spending on our trips
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FAQs
Which airport should I fly to?
We recommend flying directly to Lisbon Airport (LIS).
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German vacation - Tag der deutschen Einheit
This only applies to participants from Germany, but October 3rd is a holiday in Germany. Why are we telling you this? Because it gives you the perfect opportunity to arrive the weekend before and explore Portugal—making your time here even more worthwhile!
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How many people will I share the dorm room with?
You will share your dorm room with a maximum of 7 people.
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Do I have a private bathroom?
There are several shared bathrooms in the house. However, some rooms have a private bathroom—you can check this in the room selection when booking.
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What is the cancellation policy?
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Full refund for cancellations up to 110 days before the retreat.
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Unfortunately, after this period, we cannot offer a refund as we have fixed rental costs.
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However, if you want to transfer your spot to another person, you are free to do so until September 29, 2025.
Are there payment plans?
If you require a different payment plan or rate adjustments, please reach out—we're happy to explore options with you.
Before registering, please read our terms & conditions carefully.
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Where is The Shanti Space?
Our retreat location is a beautiful, green oasis in the mountains, just 30 minutes from Lisbon and 15 minutes from the charming surf town of Ericeira.
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How do I get to The Shanti Space?
The easiest way is to come by Uber transfer (Duration: only 30 minutes). In the weeks leading to our gathering, we will create a group with all participants and help you with all necessary travel details you need. ​
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Can I share the shuttle or form a carpool?
Yes! You can share the shuttle with other participants. After booking, you’ll receive a link to our WhatsApp group, where you can connect and coordinate with others.
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Can I arrive earlier?
Yes, you can arrive earlier, but not stay at The Shanti Space, as another retreat is taking place beforehand. However, there are beautiful accommodations in Ericeira.
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When is check-in? What if I arrive earlier?
Check-in is on Monday, October 6, from 4 PM.
If you arrive earlier, you can explore Ericeira or relax in The Shanti Space garden and enjoy the peaceful surroundings.
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Who can join the retreat?
Anyone (we welcome all genders, backgrounds, identities!) who feels the call is warmly invited to be part of this retreat.
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What food will be provided?
We’ll be nourished by our private chef and friend Louis, offering the most delicious, local, and lovingly prepared vegetarian meals.
Let us know about any allergies or intolerances in the booking process.
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When is check-out?
Check-out from the rooms is on Saturday, October 11, at 11 AM.
However, this only applies to the rooms—our closing ceremony will take place afterwards and we will end the retreat around 2 PM.