Whole
Portugal soulful Yoga & Self-Discovery Retreat
Monchique, Oct 24 - 31 2021
Reclaim all parts of your being. Rest in your innate wholeness
Dear One,
Take a week out of your busy life and pause. Turn your phone off. Turn your gaze in. Step into a world of sensing, feeling, moving, diving deeply within, singing, dancing and simply being.
The first MindRest Retreat in Portugal is here and I am so honoured to pour my heart into a week of what I love dearly.
Join a small group of kind souls for a journey through the Five Elements and beyond, weaving yoga, dance, self-inquiry, yoga nidra, sound baths and ritual.
places available from £850
See our updated Terms and Conditions
“These immersions are like a healing balm for the Heart. You go in tired, busy and heavy. You go out quiet, light and overflowing with something so sweet.”
WHAT AM I IN FOR?
7 deep, but also nourishing and light-hearted days.
The journey is designed to help us reconnect with all parts of our being, from the most physical ones - the world of form & our body, to the most subtle ones - the formless. We will be supported by yoga, somatic movement, meditation, rest and nourishment for all 5 senses - from grounding scents, through healthy food to healing sounds.
As we inquire into each element within us - Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Space, we begin to discover parts of ourselves that we may have disowned due to trauma, stress or just life. Then we have the possibility to meet what has been avoided, heal what has been wounded and remember our innate wholeness.
As all parts are welcome, we can finally rest deeply and begin afresh, living life to its fullest potential.
WHERE?
The holy mountain of Monchique in the South of Portugal. Hidden from the hustle and bustle of the usual tourist destinations on the Algarve coast, Monchique has all the natural elements present in abundance: grounding Earth and lush forests, natural Water sources, evening Fire ceremonies, clean Air and cozy morning mists, open Space and majestic views of the Atlantic coast (we are a 30-40min drive away from both the South AND the West coast). The nearest airport is Faro.
The retreat will take place in the beautiful Bodhi Bhavan, near the peak of the mountain - a place of serenity, silence and true intimacy that we will have all to ourselves. Out of many places I visited, I picked this one for its magical views, mountain walks and coziness. Our welcoming hosts Sita and Michael have created it with much love and it feels like a perfect balance between comfort and simplicity.
I’M IN. HOW Can I Book?
To reserve a spot, a non-refundable deposit of £200 is required*.
The balance of the payment is due before Aug 31. Places are limited to 14, so don’t leave it until the last moment.
Shared Twin or Double Room: £850
Single Room: £1250
*Given the fluid and uncertain situation with regards to international travel, I have offered greater flexibility around cancellations. See Terms and Conditions.
This price includes
Your stay at Bodhi Bhavan (7 nights)
Two yoga sessions daily + circles/ceremonies/sound baths
Two delicious vegan/vegetarian meals a day (8 days)
This price does NOT include
Flights and transport from the airport
Massage and other self-care services
1:1 True Friend hypnotherapy & coaching sessions (50% discount available)
Optional Enneagram exploration sessions
WHAT TO EXPECT EVERY DAY?
Each day will start with energising and soulful vinyasa yoga, meditation & self-reflection, followed by a nourishing brunch. We gather again in the late afternoon for a slow & restorative flow or a dance. Evenings will be infused with sound healing, sharing circles, cacao ceremonies and yoga nidra.
In between, there is plenty of time to chill, work, hike, drive to the beach, learn about the Enneagram of Character Fixation or get 1:1 hypnotherapy support and coaching to go deeper.
AND WHO ARE YOU?
My name is Irena Sekulska, but for most people I’m Iri. Through my platform MindRest, I teach soulful vinyasa, mindfulness, yoga nidra and and I mix all these things in wholistic sound-infused immersions on line and across studios in East London.
I support clients in a 1:1 setting as a certified True Friend therapist and self-inquiry coach. I'm also trained in trauma-informed mindfulness, sound healing, somatic experiencing and advanced Ericksonian hypnosis for healing.
Although my offering takes many different shapes, the essence is the same - I don’t really have anything to “offer”. It is my lived experience that you have all the answers within you - I’m simply a loving, empty and skilful mirror for your own self-discovery. I’m here to reflect back to you the possibility to live a free, naturally joyful and fulfilled life as your true natural Self.
“Iri’s warm and kind presence is such a blessing during this tough year. My life has changed in so many subtle and deep ways since I started working with her - not so much on the outside, but oh so much on the inside!”
FAQ
+ Can I travel to Portugal at all?
The retreat will only take place if travelling to Portugal is safe and stress-free at the time of the retreat. This means that either 1) Portugal is back on the "green" list or 2) as vaccination rates increase in different countries, the ease of travel to Portugal improves substantially. In light of recent developments, travel conditions have eased significantly for fully vaccinated travellers and we are going ahead with the retreat as planned. However, we advise you to check the latest travel restrictions for your country of origine before booking a spot. We also require a travel insurance as a condition to participate in the retreat. For further details, please read our Terms and Conditions. https://letyourmindrest.com/terms-and-conditions
+ What is your COVID-19 policy?
Our team and venue have adjusted and will continue to update the running of the retreat to meet government guidelines, so that we can spend this time together safely. Please read our updated Terms & Conditions for further information. https://letyourmindrest.com/terms-and-conditions
+ What is the cancellation policy?
Given the uncertainty that these times represent, we have allowed for greater flexibility in our cancellation policy:
100% refund for cancellation up to 2 months before the retreat start date (minus the £200 deposit)
50% refund for cancellation up to 1 month before the retreat start date (minus the £200 deposit)
No refund for cancellation within the final month of retreat commencement date.
+ What happens if my travel gets affected by international travel bans?
Guest cancellations due to COVID-19 travel restrictions will receive a full refund minus their £200 non-refundable deposit.
+ What happens if the entire retreat gets cancelled last moment?
Should the entire retreat get cancelled due to travel restrictions, I will refund the totality of any monetary transfers you have made to me, including the non-refundable deposit.
However, I am not liable for any other expenses you may have incurred with regards to this retreat booking, including flights, COVID tests and transfers. Therefore, we require that you purchase comprehensive travel insurance to participate in this retreat.
For further details, please read our Terms and Conditions: https://letyourmindrest.com/terms-and-conditions.
+ And now the good stuff: who is this for?
Anyone who needs some quiet time to rest, reset and reconnect with their True Nature...which is anyone really.
All yogi levels are welcome, though the retreat is best suited for Beginner and Intermediate students.
+ What does the programme look like?
Each day will weave a mix of activities, from yoga through self-inquiry, to sound healing, outdoor and indoor rituals, dance - a skillfully created journey through the 5 Elements and beyond.
Day 1 - Arrival after 4.30pm, early dinner, opening circle & yoga nidra
Day 2 - Earth - safety, sustenance, belonging - ”I am here”.
Day 3 - Water - feeling, pleasure, play, connection - “I feel”.
Day 4 - Fire - Vision, purpose, right action - “I do”.
Day 5 - Air - heart connection, compassion, Love - “I love”.
Day 6 - Space - Truth - living as expression of Love - “I stay true"
Day 7 - Beyond the elements, integration & sweet celebration of life - “I see, I know, I merge”.
Day 8 - Final breakfast & check-out at 10.30am
+ Will I be the only boy?
No. So far, it looks like a good mix.
+ What is the nearest Airport?
Faro Airport. It takes 1h to get from the airport to Bodhi Bhavan, Monchique.
+ Is there airport transfer?
Transfer from the airport to the retreat is not included in the price, but our hosts can help us arrange it for you if you prefer this option. Alternatively, Uber is operational in the Algarve and you can order one at the airport.
+ Should I hire a car?
Though it is not required, hiring a car is the best option. In Portugal, everything is quite spread out - having a car will give you the flexibility to explore beautiful beaches and different walks on your own terms, but also access simple things like the grocery shop. If you would like to share a car-pool with some of the other participants, you can let us know in the sign-up questionnaire.
+ What is the weather like this time of the year?
October is generally warm in Monchique, with many sunny days as we slowly transition from summer to autumn. The second half of the month however starts seeing some rain and morning mist, which has its own mystical charm. It is a good idea to bring a jumper and a rain jacket - as the locals say, "it's 50/50 up in the mountain". Still, in our London-tainted eyes, October feels like summer. Average daily temperatures are around 21 C, while the mornings can be crisp at around 14 C.
+ Do I have to participate in all activities?
No. This time is your sacred time and how you spend it is entirely up to you. We encourage you to listen in deeply, feel into what serves you, participate as much as you wish, rest as much as you like and trust your instinct with regards to what you truly need.
+ Anything else I need to know?
I will be accompanied by my best friend Sam Pawsome - he is a 2-year old small Kind Schnauzer dog. He is a good boy, but can be anxious around unfamiliar noises and people. If you are scared of dogs, please let us know, so we can think of ways to accommodate you best. During the retreat, I will be supported by a few retreat angels who are there to help you have the best experience possible - my partner in life, tireless support and second-best friend Greg:), the hosts Sita and Michael, our local chef Markus & dear friends with many artistic and healing talents.
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