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The Portuguese Azores Islands are a magical, volcanic land, full of natural, raw beauty, a temperate climate and endless outdoor activities.
They are located in the Atlantic Ocean, about 1,000 miles off the coast of Portugal!
Our week will include opportunities for deep connection with the senses in nature. There is no better to get to know and feel a place than through locals. We partner with local guides to explore the island and aid you in your journey of self-discovery.
Discover some of the most pristine corners of the island during our hikes. Breathe and feel the breeze on your skin, smell the mineral-rich soil, step on the black sand beaches and verdant green hillsides and taste the ocean air.
You'll also have free time for your own adventure or exploration. For those real outdoor enthusiasts, flights on SATA/Azores Airlines include a free piece of checked sporting gear - so you can take a surfboard or a bike along for free! Love adrenaline? Ledge jump or rapel with a canyoning or coasteering excursion, or opt to commune with nature on horseback.
Each day will begin with optional meditation, followed by a refreshing morning yoga flow. On some days, we will offer a second yin/gentle slow flow class to help us restore. The mindfulness doesn't stop in the yoga studio. We will be offering meditations and mindful walks in nature, as well as opportunities to reflect and connect with yourself on a regular basis. Additionally we will host two specially workshops, the themes will be decided by the interests from the group. Last retreat Anne led an arm balance and inversion workshop and Jen led a sacral chakra workshop. We will close the week with a releasing ceremony on the final evening.
Anne's classes are welcoming and warm. Anne Always gives options to bring your practice to where you need that day, whether encouraging you to try something for the first time, or to really slow down and tune in. Like each day, each practice is different, and Anne offers you the space to really listen to what your body needs when you step on your mat. Jen's style is lighthearted, playful, and accessible for all levels. She's worked with students from first-timers to advanced yogis, and will modify to make sure your body feels good! She also loves to include fun Yoga Mixtapes in some of her classes, so bring your smile and your party pants.
It's a great time to get outside your comfort zone and try something new. We have experience working with all levels and ages. Whether you are just beginning your yoga journey or looking to advance your practice, we are here for you. All classes and workshops will me tailored to your needs. Remember classes and workshops are optional so feel free to just skip a day and take some free time, this is your trip!
Our home away from home will be Quinta Minuvida, a beautiful orchard lodge nestled on the slopes of the Fogo volcano. Quinta Minuvida is centrally located, only 15 minutes from the airport and about 30 minutes from most attractions. The lodge features five thoughtfully appointed suites, large outdoors pool, yoga studio, guest kitchen, fireplace living area, outdoors grills, fire-pit, observatory tower, organic vegetable garden, and one acre of orchards. We will be close to beaches, walking trails, hotsprings and bike paths, not to mention the largest fishing port in the Azores. For even more photos of Quinta Minuvida and its grounds, click here.
A highlight in our culinary experience is the Minuvida Dinner a five-course sensory food journey inspired by local cuisine using traditional ingredients with a creative twist. Includes local wine pairings and liqueur.
Jen Wyatt is a lover of all things travel, nature, exploration, and adventure. She is a seeker of new experiences, a lover of connection and community, and of course, an avid yogini and yoga teacher. She has been exploring in nature and traveling since she was a child, spent five years working for the international travel company called EF (Education First), and has spent the last six years working as an elementary teacher in Boston Public Schools. She's been practicing yoga for 10 years, and teaching it to others for two. Jen understands the importance of making time for play, adventure, and connection, and knows that YOU NEED THIS TIME to unplug, recharge, and get back to your truest most alive version of yourself.
An adventurous and playful yogi at heart, believes in the connecting power of yoga. Teaching since 2009, Anne leads with a desire to create a supportive space for her students to reconnect to themselves through being present in breath and to explore through mindful movement. She designs her sequences to be both challenging and rejuvenating. Deeply caring about the structural alignment of each pose, Anne first addresses the physicality, then layers in the subtle elements of the practice. With a degree in Biology and Psychology, Anne studied the impact of yoga on the mind and body and believes in yoga’s inherent value for holistic wellbeing. Anne recieved her 200HR from Back Bay Yoga, and her 500HR from Super Soul Farm led by Raghunath Cappo, where she spent a month living and learning at Radhanath Swami’s Govardhan Eco Village in Mumbai, India. Anne knows that often times things don't work out according to plan, but it's in the discoveries we learn along the way we get to know the beauty of ourselves and world.
Locally sourced brunch and dinner daily. Some at Quinta Minuvida and some out at nearby restaurants (one optional alcoholic beverage provided at each dinner). We will work to accommodate dietary restrictions.
Three group excursions to some of the island's best hikes, relaxing hot springs, and local towns - all guides and transportation to and from group excursions are included.
Daily yoga & meditation. Both vinyasa and restorative style yoga offered by your retreat leaders Anne and Jen. Two signature workshops.
Hikes and nature walks in some of the most pristine nature you've ever experienced!
Evening dinner excursions in neighboring towns, with time to explore new places!
Free time for optional outdoor activities for the true adventure junkies ~ canyoning, whale & dolphin watching, mountain biking, surfing, etc.
Airfare to Ponta Delgada (PDL) - We will provide you with information on which exact flights to book. Currently, they are around $500.
Some lunches. We have provided free time for a few lunches so that you can explore the Azorean restaurants and local cuisine at your leisure.
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Where would you like to go? What sort of experiences are you looking for? What activities are your favorite? I'd love to hear from you and we'll try to make it happen!
A photo from my 2016 Summer trip to Iceland!