📍 Luz, Portugal | March 30 – April 5, 2026
You've built an entire life everyone admires - the career, the responsibilities, the family, the endless to-do list. But inside? You're running on empty. This week is your reset. A space for strong women ready to finally put it all down and be cared for.

This isn’t a packaged ‘wellness trend’—it’s a carefully held container created from lived experience. We blend nervous-system healing with wild adventure: daily practices to ground your body, soulful workshops for your mind, and blue-ocean days to awaken the spirit.
You'll arrive carrying expectations, exhaustion, maybe even disconnection. You'll leave grounded, glowing and reconnected to your spark - with a circle of sisters and nervous system tools to carry home.

Your retreat doesn’t end when we leave Portugal. You’ll also receive a 3-month post-retreat mastermind, with bi-weekly group calls to continue the practices we’ve learned, integrate your breakthroughs, and stay connected with your retreat sisters long after our week together.

This retreat is for women who are ready to step out of the noise of everyday life and into a space designed for restoration, adventure, and connection. It’s for you if you’re:
➡️ Craving real friendship and sisterhood with women who get you
➡️ Longing to reset your nervous system and finally exhale Feeling pulled toward adventure, play, and trying new things
➡️ Carrying the weight of being “the strong one” and ready to lay it down *
➡️ Traveling solo but desiring a supportive group where you’ll feel held and welcomed from day one
You don’t need to come with a friend — most women arrive solo, and leave with lifelong sisters.
This retreat was built for women who crave genuine connection. Most guests come solo — and leave with new lifelong friends. We’ll gather in circles, share meals, and stay connected through pre-retreat Zoom calls and WhatsApp so you feel supported before you even arrive.
Our week is designed for deep reset - balancing play, restoration and embodied practices that awaken joy. Come find the peace you’ve been craving. This retreat is a sanctuary for women ready to exhale, reconnect, and rediscover what it feels like to truly rest.

Gentle, restorative practices, breathwork, and trauma-informed yoga to reset your system and come home to yourself.

Surfing, kayaking, hiking and exploring - because adventure is medicine and joy belongs in your healing.

The heart of it all - genuine community, deep conversations, and sisterhood that lasts long after the retreat ends.





Perched on the cliffs of Luz, Portugal, AltaVista Lodge is our sanctuary for the week. Ocean views greet you each morning, yoga flows in an open-air shala, and meals are shared poolside under golden skies.
Between sessions you might dip into the pool, wander to the sea, or curl up on a terrace with your journal. With cozy private and shared rooms, gardens, and fire pits for evening circles, every corner invites you to rest, connect, and come alive.















2:00 pm – Land at FAO or LIS → meet your group shuttle
4:00 pm – Welcome circle + gentle grounding yoga
6:00 pm – Nourishing welcome dinner
8:00 pm – Opening fire circle + intention setting

7:30 am – Morning slow flow yoga
10:00 am – Brunch
11:30 am – 2:30 pm – Beach time + ocean swim + optional photo session
2:30 pm – Integration + journaling time
4:30 pm – Workshop
6:00 pm – Dinner
8:00 pm – sound bath

7:30 am – Energizing vinyasa + ocean breathwork
10:00 am – Brunch
11:30 am – 4:00 pm – Surf lesson & beach adventure
4:30 pm – Free time / poolside rest
6:00 pm – Dinner
8:00 pm – Sunset circle: Storytelling + reflection

7:00 am – Sunrise hike + meditation on the cliffs
10:00 am – Brunch
11:30 am – Kayaking or snorkeling adventure
2:00 pm – Downtime + swim or spa services (optional)
4:00 pm – Sound Bath
6:00 pm – Dinner
8:00 pm – Cacao ceremony

7:30 am – Morning yoga flow
10:00 am – Brunch
11:00 am – Half-day excursion: Coastal hike
3:00 pm – Downtime / integration
4:30 pm – Workshop: Releasing old stories + vision journaling
6:00 pm – Dinner ( make your own pizza)
8:00 pm – Fire circle ritual: Letting go + rebirth

7:30 am – Morning yoga + gratitude practice
10:00 am – Brunch
11:30 am – Free day to rest, shop in town, or beach picnic
3:00 pm – Personal photo session w/award winning photographer
6:00 pm – Celebration dinner (special feast)
8:00 pm – Closing sisterhood circle

7:30 am – Gentle closing yoga + hugs
8:00 am – Closing circle
9:00 am – Departures

Join us March 30 – April 5, 2026 for spring on the Algarve coast.
Think warm days for hiking and surfing, breezy evenings for yoga, and sunsets that turn every night into magic.
For over a decade Heather, built a thriving photography business that took me around the world. She planned destination weddings, captured retreats, and created unforgettable experiences. But after burnout, divorce, and rebuilding from scratch — she realized the magic was never just in the photos. It was in the experience. Now, I’ve woven together my love for travel, yoga, nervous system healing, and storytelling into this retreat — a space I once needed, and the one I’m honored to offer you now.
Arielle is a seasoned yoga teacher and co-leader of a thriving studio community. She not only guides powerful classes but also trains the next generation of teachers through Yoga Teacher Trainings (YTT). With her ability to update and sign off Continuing Training Units (CTUs), this retreat can even count toward your professional development—meaning many attendees may be able to write off the trip as a business expense. Arielle brings depth, warmth, and expertise, creating a supportive environment for both personal and professional growth.
Whether you prefer the community of a shared room or the quiet of a private space, your stay at AltaVista Lodge is designed for rest, comfort, and beauty.
Affordable monthly payment plans offered through Klarna and Affirm.



two beds available
6 Nights, 7 Days of Accommodation in a shared room (Valued at $1850)
Daily Yoga & Workshops (Valued at $450)
Daily Brunch, Dinner & 24/7 Coffee/Tea (Valued at $650)
Excursions to the Beach to Surf, Kayak and Snorkel (Valued at $1200)
Personal Photo Shoot (Valued at $600)
Airport Transfer Included (Valued at $100)
3 Month Mastermind Included (Valued at $999)

SOLD OUT
6 Nights, 7 Days of Accommodation in a shared room (Valued at $1850)
Daily Yoga & Workshops (Valued at $450)
Daily Brunch, Dinner & 24/7 Coffee/Tea (Valued at $650)
Excursions to the Beach to Surf, Kayak and Snorkel (Valued at $1200)
Personal Photo Shoot (Valued at $600)
Airport Transfer Included (Valued at $100)
3 Month Mastermind Included (Valued at $999)
One Room Left

6 Nights, 7 Days of Accommodation with private en suite bathroom & private terrace (Valued at $2100)
Daily Yoga & Workshops (Valued at $300)
Daily Brunch, Dinner & 24/7 Coffee/Tea (Valued at $650)
Excursions to the Beach to Surf, Kayak and Snorkel (Valued at $1200)
Personal Photo Shoot (Valued at $300)
Airport Transfer Included (Valued at $100)
3 Month Mastermind Included (Valued at $999)
Kenzie

Inspiring, connected, and aligned are the three words that come to mind when I think of this retreat. Heather showed up as such a present, supportive, and authentic leader. One of the most memorable experiences for me was the timeline drop-in. I remember getting emotional and feeling this deep sense of knowing — that I was exactly where I was meant to be. For the first time, I felt like I was not only on track to create the future I desired, but also deeply in love with the journey unfolding in front of me.
Dee

The retreat was truly life-changing for me. The biggest shift I experienced was finally releasing all doubt about whether this was the right path for me. I decided to go all in — no more plan B, no more questioning. Looking back now, a year and a half later, I can say without hesitation that committing fully was the best decision I could have made. This retreat gave me the clarity, confidence, and courage to trust myself and my journey.
Kristy

Every part of the retreat was memorable — from the fun activities to the photo shoots — but what stood out most was the sense of sisterhood. Being surrounded by women on a similar journey made me feel deeply connected and aligned. I walked away not just with clarity about my path, but with friendships and memories that continue to inspire me long after the retreat ended.
Your all-inclusive retreat experience includes luxurious accommodations, daily yoga, brunch, dinner and 24/7 coffee and tea each day. As well as guided excursions to the beach to surf, kayak and snorkel, personal photo shoot, connection and creativity workshops, and airport transfers on the first and last day of the retreat to and from the retreat center and FAO airport.
Not at all! Our session will be a good fit for all levels, from complete beginners to experienced practitioners. We will offer modifications for every pose, ensuring everyone feels comfortable and supported on their mat.
Fly into Faro (FAO) or Lisbon (LIS). We coordinate optional group shuttles to the lodge on arrival day and back on departure. After you book, you’ll receive the transfer schedule and sign-up link. Prefer to arrive on your own? Totally fine—private transfer or train + taxi also work.
Yes. We run optional group transfers from Faro (FAO) and Lisbon (LIS) on the retreat arrival and departure days. Once you’re confirmed, we’ll send the exact pickup windows, pricing, and sign-up form. If your flight times don’t align, we’ll share easy alternatives (private shuttle, train + taxi).
Coming solo is actually perfect! About 70% of our attendees arrive on their own, specifically seeking to form new connections. We design our activities to foster natural bonding, and our community-style meals and sharing circles help solo travelers quickly feel part of our retreat family.
We serve locally-sourced, primarily plant-based meals that celebrate local cuisine while accommodating modern nutritional approaches.
Days generally begin with optional tarot card pull + morning yoga, followed by brunch and either a group excursion or free time. Afternoons include workshops, personal time, and sunset yoga, while evenings feature dinner and gentle community activities like sharing circles or stargazing. We balance structure with freedom to create your ideal experience.
Pack light, breathable clothing, swimwear, a light jacket for evenings, yoga attire, biodegradable sunscreen and bug repellent, a reusable water bottle, and any personal items you need. We provide yoga mats, towels, and natural toiletries to minimize what you need to bring.
Limited WiFi is available in common areas, but we encourage a digital detox during your stay. Many guests find that disconnecting from technology deepens their retreat experience and enhances the human connections formed.
We highly recommend buying travel insurance. This will protect your investment if you need to cancel your trip last minute due to injury, illness or an unexpected event. You can also add "Cancel for any reason" to your travel insurance plan as well for a slightly additional cost. We recommend IMG Global for Travel Insurance. Due to the nature of the retreat and the costs incurred, we are not able to offer refunds directly.
We create a private online community for each retreat group where you can stay connected long after returning home. Many past participants have organized reunions, visited each other across the globe, and even returned to future retreats together. The bonds formed at our retreats truly become part of your extended family.
Most of our retreats and circles draw women in midlife — typically ages 40 to 70. We’ve also had women in their 30s and women well into their 70s. The common thread isn’t age — it’s the desire for peace, connection, and community. Many women come solo, and leave with new friendships that last well beyond our time together.
It’s time to say yes to yourself. This retreat is intentionally intimate. Spaces are limited and the early-bird rate won't last. If you're body feels the pull, trust it - your future self will thank you.