The Retreat

Reconnect with your inner child and discover the needs that often go unmet in the busyness of daily life. When was the last time you allowed yourself to play and truly have fun? It’s so easy to lose sight of joy as we get caught up in our endless to-do lists and the demands of life.

At this retreat set in a stunning location, we will create a nurturing space where you can slow down, explore your shadows, and rediscover your playful spirit. Through guided sharing circles, creative activities, gentle yoga, breathwork, meditation and sound healing, we’ll embark on a journey of playfulness and healing.

Absolutely no art experience is necessary just a willingness to be open and allow the process to flow through. Creativity is a natural and Divine given form of expression open to everyone regardless of ability!

There will be plenty of opportunity to relax, hang out in a hammock, swim in the pool, read a book, journal and immerse yourself in nature.

This is your time to prioritise yourself, to listen to the whispers of your inner child, and to bring more balance, creativity, and joy into your life. Let’s come together to heal, grow, and play.

Who is this retreat for?

This retreat is designed for those who are ready to dive deep into their inner healing and recognise that true playfulness and joy come facing and transforming their shadows to unburden the inner-child. It’s a space for individuals who understand that in order to unlock a more fulfilling and vibrant life, both within themselves and in their relationships, they must first confront the aspects of themselves that hold them back.

During this retreat, you will be guided to explore and release the blocks that prevent you from experiencing true fun and connection. By embracing the more challenging parts of yourself, your spirit will become unburdened, allowing for greater self-love and authenticity. This transforming process will not only enhance your personal well-being but will also positively impact how you relate to others—whether in love partnerships, family, friends or within your broader community.

Daily Schedule

• 8-9.15am  Gentle yoga
• 9.30-10.30 Light breakfast
• 11-1pm Daily activities this will include – playful activities such as process painting and writing, sound healing with João, Breathe Feel Heal with Pixie and a silent guided walk in the mountains with Camilla.
• 1.30-2.30pm Lunch
• 2.30-6pm Free time (you will be encouraged to use this time reflectively. Sketching and writing tasks may be given)
• 6-7pm Dinner
• 7.30-9pm Sharing circle focusing on a topic followed by a restorative grounding practice.

The price is 800€ for shared accommodation or 900€ for single. We require a 100€ deposit to hold your place. The deposit is non refundable. The full amount needs to be paid by  15 September 2024.

There are options to stay at Rural Escapes Portugal for longer after the retreat has ended, please feel free to enquire about this.

For enquiries and bookings please email Camilla directly at info@ruralescapesportugal.com or send a WhatsApp message directly to Camilla +447786527686.

Meet the Facilitators

Camilla Bergman will be leading this retreat, she is a dedicated yoga instructor and retreat facilitator with 12 years of teaching experience, specialising in Hatha and Kundalini yoga with a particular focus on supporting those in recovery. Drawing on extensive certified training with renowned experts like Nikki Myers (founder of Y12SR – Yoga of 12-Step Recovery), Carolyn Cowan (Mastering the Addictive Personality), and Durga Leela (Yoga of Recovery), Camilla brings a deep well of knowledge and experience to her practice. She is also trained in Trauma-Sensitive Yoga, ensuring a safe and supportive environment for all her students. Furthermore, her studies with master sound healer Don Conreaux have enhanced her holistic approach to wellness.

In recovery since 1999, Camilla draws on her personal journey and over a decade of teaching experience, including teaching prisoners at Lewes Prison and those in recovery. Camilla began teaching yoga in Brighton at venues including Brighton University, Virgin Active and Cascade Recovery Centre and has led retreats in Tenerife and Portugal since 2014. She continues to teach both in person and online for bu-evolution  , offering a blend of yoga, recovery, and holistic healing.

Camilla now lives in Portugal, where she and her husband have built and created Rural Escapes Portugal, a retreat and holiday centre offering a sanctuary for healing and transformation.

João Rafael, a certified holistic therapist from Portugal, his mission is to spread love, peace, and light to all he encounters. His spiritual journey began in his childhood, when his mother introduced him to the world of energy and healing. At the age of twelve, João discovered Reiki, which sparked a deep and lifelong passion for holistic healing.

João embarked on a six-month pilgrimage through South America, where he encountered the ancient practice of Crystalline Sound healing. This modality initially came to him as a whisper during meditation, has become his calling.

Today, João integrates the wisdom gained from his travels, continuous study, and meditation into his therapeutic practices. Specialising in Crystalline Sound healing, which he offers to individuals and groups within the Algarve.

For enquiries and bookings please email Camilla directly at info@ruralescapesportugal.com or send a WhatsApp message directly to Camilla +447786527686.