Begin Again
Spring Yoga and Self-Discovery Retreat with Iri
Come back to the essential. Clean the slate. Refill your cup. Let your heart lead the way.
In this retreat, you will…
Return to simplicity, nature and nurture in a breath-taking setting at the top of the Monchique mountain in South West Portugal
Tend to your mind, body and soul after the long winter through yoga, meditation, self-reflection, sound, wholesome food and attuned 1:1 support
Free yourself from old beliefs that no longer serve, tend to old wounds that are ready to be seen, begin again - open, clear, unburdened and fresh.
“I would return in a heartbeat.”
Prices starting from €1,440. Enjoy a 10% Early Bird discount by Oct 1.
Emerge from the quiet winter months with renewed forces, clarity and radiance
Spring Equinox is a portal - a time of renewal, rebirth and aliveness. Nature is waking up from the dark womb of winter, bubbling with new and unknown potential. It invites us to clean the slate and begin again - fresh, no past, open to what is to come. It cultivates our courage to plant seeds and dare not to know what fruit they will bear.
Retreat from the world for a week and rekindle that Spring life force in you. Let your body move after the quiet winter, let your mind rest from endless doubts about next steps, come back to your Heart and let it quietly lead you into the next chapter of your life - grounded, trusting & ready.
About the setting
Nested near the peak of the holy Monchique Mountain, in South West Portugal, Bodhi Bhavan is a place of unspeakable beauty and powerful healing energy. Here, all the elements are in abundance - the steady support of the mountain, the purity of the medicinal mineral of water, the gentle fire of the Spring sun, the fresh forest air, the spaciousness of the open views to both the South and the West Coast Algarve.
Bodhi Bhavan has the perfect balance of coziness, style, simplicity, comfort and professionalism. It has faithfully served as our retreat home since 2020 and still, after all these years, the views never fail to take my breath away. It is an honour for me to be able to welcome you here again in 2027.
What to expect
7 deep, but also nourishing and light-hearted days.
This retreat is carefully designed as a process of renewal and rebirth. Each day will explore one of the 5 elements - Earth, Water, Fire, Air, Space. It will include open level vinyasa and silent sitting in the morning; restorative yoga, yoga nidra, sound healing, nature immersions and most importantly, downtime and rest in the afternoon.
These beautiful tools serve to remove the clutter of our minds, come back into our bodies, restore our system and hear the deeper wisdom and guidance that is already within us.
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Day 1 - Arrival, welcome dinner and opening circle
Day 2 - Element of Space | Emerging from the emptiness of Winter
Day 3 - Element of Air | Courage & opening to what’s new
Day 4 - Element of Fire | Deep desire and will
Day 5 - Element of Water | Creativity, play, connection
Day 6 - Element of Earth | Solidity, steadiness, taking shape
Day 7 - Integration
Day 8 - Breakfast and closing.
“I feel so well rested and healed in so many ways. I learnt so much and came back full of joy and love for life.”
How to book your spot
To reserve a spot, a non-refundable deposit of €400 is required*. The balance of the payment is due before Feb 1, 2027.
Shared Twin or Double Room: €1,440 per person
Single Room: €2,150
Enjoy a 10% Early Bird discount by booking before Oct 1.
This price includes
Your stay at Bodhi Bhavan (7 nights)
Two daily yoga classes + evening circles/ceremonies/sound baths
Two delicious vegan/vegetarian meals a day prepared by our gourmet chef (7 full days) + snacks + water, coffee and tea
External facilitators (voice work, vedic studies, sweat lodge depending on the retreat)
Ceremonial cacao & tea for the ceremonies
This price does NOT include
Flights and transport from the airport
Massage and other self-care services
1:1 Mentoring and therapy sessions
What past participants say
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From the quiet, mountaintop location, to the beautiful Bodhi Bhavan resort, to your powerful and kind guidance throughout the workshops, yoga, meditations and daily prompts. I would highly recommend this retreat to anyone in need of reconnecting with themselves, their body and their spirit. HIGHLY transformative. Plus, the group was amazing and I've made friends for life from this experience.”
Jen W, USA
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I had such a special time with the October 2021 crew. It was my first retreat so I didn’t know what to expect. But I knew with Iri leading it, I was in safe hands.
From the moment we arrived, we were in this kind of safe bubble. We were invited to leave our predetermined beliefs & judgements as we entered the space - just listening and caring. I felt part of something really special with 9 complete strangers that became close friends.
And the gravity that pulled us all together was Iri. She doesn’t pretend to have all the answers/be perfect and that makes the experience so much more real and authentic. 10/10 would recommend and will return.iption text goes here.”
Andy B, UK
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…a magical place, great food, amazing people and such a gentle and transformative guidance from Iri. I have no words to express my gratitude.
This was exactly what my soul needed. I think it’s an amazing retreat, whether you are called to do deep inner work or not. Everyone took whatever they needed from this week. I felt seen, accepted and loved just as I was.
Joy, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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It is very special and unique. It is Iri who makes this more than what you expect.”
Anonymous
About the facilitator
I’m Iri. I‘m a clinical hypnotherapist, a trauma-informed mindfulness and yoga teacher, a researcher and, I can say now, a farmer. For the last couple of years, I have been living at the foot of the Monchique mountain, renovating an old farm. I now call this place my home and I feel deeply privileged to welcome you here.
I teach regular classes in our local yoga studio Dawn Collective Shala in Aljezur and I work therapeutically 1:1 with people through my online platform Sessions with Iri. It is my passion to help people heal, unburden themselves from what no longer serves and step into who they were always meant to be.
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In a previous chapter of my life, I mostly worked with my mind as an economic researcher in a hedge fund in London. Around my 30s, the corporate life started feeling painfully meaningless and the career person I had become could no longer pretend to be real. I left my corporate career (or it left me) and went on to discover who I really was and what I came here to do, beyond the societal, cultural and family conditioning.
Before you ask me, I haven’t found that yet, but I also don’t look for it anymore. In the process, I fell in love with different practices, skills and teachings that I joyfully share in my retreats. Most of all, I had to unlearn (and I continue to unlearn) what I thought I knew. I had to let go (and I continue to let go) of who I thought I was. As the years go by, I have less and less to say or teach.
Although uncomfortable, that relieves me of having to be a “somebody” or “knowing something”. I see that it brings the same relief to those around me. That’s all I have to offer in these retreats - a momentary relief of roles and masks we unconsciously wear. And yet, it seems that this relief is all that’s needed for healing and authenticity to arise naturally.
“Iri was perfection. The way she managed everything and gently but firmly guided us into deeper inquiry was absolutely beautiful.”
FAQ
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Anyone who needs some quiet time to rest, reset and reconnect with their essence.
Anyone who is experiencing a period of transition and needs some support through this passage.
All yogi levels are welcome, though the retreat is best suited for intermediate students.
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Most likely not. There are usually at least a couple of men at my retreats and we’ve had times where half of the group was men.
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No. This time is your sacred time and how you spend it is entirely up to you. I 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.
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Faro Airport. It takes 1h to get from the airport to Bodhi Bhavan, Monchique.
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Though it is not required, hiring a car is the best option. In Portugal, everything is 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.
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Transfer from the airport to the retreat is not included in the price, but I can arrange it for you if you prefer this option. Alternatively, Uber is operational in the Algarve and you can order one at the airport.
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A mix of warm and light clothes + a swim suit if you are feeling brave
A rain jacket
Mountain shoes or trainers
Warm socks or slippers for the house
A torch light if you don’t want to use your phone
A water bottle
Some cash if you are planning on having massages, participating in some of the other activities or purchasing ceremonial cacao
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The second part of March can be quite unpredictable in South Portugal. The weather is generally mild and warm during the day (low 20s), yet the temperatures can drop quite low over night (low 10s). Some years see summer-like temperatures and full on beach weather. Other years see mists and spring showers. Basically, watch the forecast closer to the date and prepare a mix of clothes.
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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.
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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.
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During the retreat, I will be supported by a few retreat angels who are there to help you have the best experience possible - the hosts Sita and Michael, our local chef Amy, our massage therapists, dear friends from the area with many artistic talents.
My best friend is a small dog called Sam - he may come to visit me sometimes, so let us know if you are scared of dogs and we will adjust.