The Retreat

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 daily life. At this retreat immersed in nature in the mountains of southern Portugal, we will create a nurturing space where you can slow down and reconnect with your inner child’s natural creative spirit.

Together we will explore any blocks that may come up as you re-ignite your playfulness. Through guided sharing circles, creative activities, gentle yoga, breathwork, meditation and sound healing, we will embark on a journey of playfulness and healing.

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

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, listen to the whispers of your inner child, and 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 anyone ready to dive deep into their inner healing recognising that true healing comes when we face, feel and transcend our shadows, thus unburdening and setting free our vibrant inner-child.

During this retreat, you will be guided to explore and release the blocks that prevent you from experiencing true fun and connection. 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.

Meet the Facilitators

Camilla Bergman Retreat facilitator

Camilla is a highly experienced yoga teacher, retreat facilitator, and project manager with a background in playwork and education. She began her career leading art sessions for children and teens in inner-city London and later facilitated magazine design workshops for young adults and intergenerational art projects for council run facilities and schools in London.

Now based in Portugal, she co-owns Rural Escapes Portugal, a retreat and holiday centre she and her husband built as a sanctuary for healing and transformation. With over 12 years of teaching experience, Camilla specialises in Hatha and Kundalini yoga, with a focus on supporting those in recovery. She has trained extensively with renowned experts, including Nikki Myers (Y12SR – Yoga of 12-Step Recovery), Carolyn Cowan (Mastering the Addictive Personality), and Durga Leela (Yoga of Recovery), as well as Trauma-Sensitive Yoga. Her studies with master sound healer Don Conreaux further enrich her holistic approach.

In recovery since 1999, Camilla draws on her personal journey to create safe, inclusive spaces for healing. She has taught yoga in diverse settings, from Lewes Prison to Brighton University, Virgin Active, and Cascade Recovery Centre. Since 2014, she has led retreats in Tenerife and Portugal and continues to teach at Rural Escapes Portugal, Point-O Rehab Centre, and online through bu-evolution and private classes.

Blending yoga, art, and holistic healing, Camilla’s work offers a deeply transformative experience.

Jan Buis – breathwork practitioner

Jan spent much of his life searching for truth and shedding the protective masks that many wear to navigate struggle. His journey of self-discovery led him to sacred medicines, breathwork, and sound healing, which provided profound insights and lessons.

Deeply influenced by A Course in Miracles and Advaita Vedanta, Jan believes that true happiness comes from within by uncovering and releasing inner blocks. His work is rooted in this non-dual perspective, guiding others to find authentic joy through deep inner exploration.

With a background as a trained group facilitator, specialising in addiction recovery, and an experienced social worker, Jan connects with people on a heart level. As a professional musician, he incorporates sound healing and pineal-toning into his practice. He is also a Certified Breathwork Practitioner (Global Professional Breathwork Alliance), using breath as a powerful tool for transformation.

Through breathwork, sacred medicines, and sound healing, Jan helps others release what no longer serves them and step into a more fulfilled, authentic life.

Daily Schedule example

• 8-9.15am  Gentle yoga
• 9.30-10.30 Light breakfast
• 11-1.15pm Daily creative play
• 1.30-2.30pm Lunch
• 2.30-5.45pm Free time and on two days we will include activities such as breath-work and a walk in the mountains. 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  3 April, 2025.

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.

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

‘Becoming your own loving parent’

A 6-day workshop healing retreat, informed by the 12-steps, for anyone wanting to explore and understand the critical voice and learn to become your own loving parent, set in the stunning Portuguese mountains of the Serra de Monchique at Rural Escapes Portugal, an off-grid  glamping retreat centre. 

What are we offering?

The retreat focuses on learning to be kind to ourselves, self-care and taming the fierce inner critic which damages our self-esteem, discovering and exploring our true identity and purpose, and challenging the blocks and barriers to this.

Consisting of individual and group exercises and practices with facilitator input, we will use the beautiful indoor and outdoor spaces to focus on unlearning old wounds, practising self-compassion,  exploring boundaries and healthy relationships in creative, fun and transforming ways. The good news is that all unhealthy learned behaviour can be unlearned!

Daily complimentary yoga and movement practice are included, and healing treatments from local therapists are available at an additional cost. There will be time for slowing down and silent reflection where you can immerse yourself in nature, swim in the pool or chill in a hammock; as well as make connections with yourself and others. This will be a healing environment where we can gently challenge ourselves and others through creative fun, play, movement and discussion.

Who is this for?

This retreat is informed by the 12-steps and is open to anyone, including 12-steppers, who wish to explore and deepen their self understanding.  We will discover new tools to help navigate our own inner and outer world, be it from substances, people or worn-out patterns of behaviour, moving towards emotional intelligence .

Please note this is a sober/clean retreat and therefore no alcohol or drugs are permitted on this retreat.

Pricing and how to book

We are offering an early-bird price of 700€ if booked and the deposit of 100€ is paid before 14th February 2026. From 15th February 2026 the price is 820€, and requires a 100€ deposit to hold your place. The deposit is non refundable. You can opt to pay in blocks of 200€ – just let Camilla know when booking. The full amount needs to be paid by 1 April 2026.

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

Meet the facilitators

Alex is an experienced group facilitator. She has been in a number of 12-step programmes for many years, is trained in Non-Violent Communication (NVC) and Re-evaluation Counselling, and has regularly run sessions and workshops in individual and group development for 25 years. Responsive, flexible and creative, Alex’s work is both grounding and inspiring. Previous participants describe Alex’s work as ‘literally changed my life’, ‘so inspiring – she is amazing to work with’, ‘made me feel safe and welcome even though I was scared to do (this)!’ and ‘I’d recommend Alex to anyone’.

Camilla  teaches hatha and Kundalini yoga, with a particular interest in teaching yoga for people in recovery. She has trained with Nikki Myers founder of Y12sr (yoga 12 step recovery) and Carolyn Cowan (Mastering the Addictive Personality), Durga Leela (YOR – Yoga of Recovery) and trained in Trauma Sensitive Yoga, all of which she draws on when teaching. She has also trained with master sound healer, Don Conreaux. She lives in Portugal, where she and her husband built a retreat and holiday centre Rural Escapes Portugal. Camilla has been in recovery since 1999, her main fellowships are AA and Al-Anon. 

Let’s create a Phoenix moment!

Rebirth 2025 is a deep dive into your personal healing journey.

Ashley offers individually crafted practices that will give you insight, perspective, healing and an opportunity to re-imagine the next phase within the game of your life.

Increase your connection to the rhythm of nature. A heartbeat completely in time, in-tune and Divinely orientated towards personal and collective evolution. A return to balance and harmony. Whispers can be heard either by effort or by grace. Tune in to hear it.

Gift yourself 6 days of deep immersion as you submerge yourself in nature and reconnect with her natural flow in this stunning off-grid retreat centre in its own private mountain valley.

There will be plenty of time to relax and explore the landscape, to be still and alone in nature or together with the group. Time to read, time to rest, swing in the hammock, swim in the pool. From a place of stillness and relaxation insights spring forth and natural flow is restored.

THE YOGA

Two sessions per day – one to uplift and activate and one to integrate and contemplate

Integrated Kundalini Yoga practices can induce over time altered states of consciousness and higher states.. As a practice that brings balance to the nervous and glandular system, it is a powerful tool to increase one’s sense of vitality and ability to heal. Learning to work with the energy of the kundalini is learning how to restore the natural power of your whole mind-body system. Sessions are suitable for all.

Morning sessions will focus on dynamic practice and transformation, working with the body in specific and healing ways using a powerful combination of posture, pranayama (breath), music, mantra and meditation to bring into balance the hormonal system, mood and emotions. Strengthen the entire body and nervous system. Create inner vitality. Cultivate the ability to completely relax. All of which foster expanded states of consciousness, awareness and healing.

Early evening sessions will focus on rejuvenation and relaxation, using meditation, yoga nidra and sound baths. Guided meditation practices with the rejuvenating practice of Yoga Nidra enable a state of deepest relaxation and conscious awareness to be realised, supporting the body and mind to fully reboot and recharge. 

On our last evening together we will celebrate the closing of the retreat with a Cacao Ceremony. Cacao is known as one of the foods of the Gods, it is a powerful but soft feminine plant medicine. The spirit of which brings a subtle opening of the heart to welcome more love in and release fears that may be blocking us from thriving and living a life full of joy and bliss.

For accommodation and location information visit ruralescapesportugal.com

Overview

• Airport transfers to and from Faro airport to the retreat (flights not included)
• 5 nights accommodation
• All food and snacks while on retreat
• Twice daily Yoga
• Day out at the beach
• Manifestation Meditations & Rituals
• Swimming pool on site
• Dawn walk through the forest to a secret swimming lake
• Guided journaling / mindful creativity sessions
• Cacao Ceremony
• Plenty of free time to Play / Explore / Relax
• Optional massage healing treatments

Price

Please note these prices are in euros.

Shared accommodation is €1050 (Special Early-Bird price before May 1st €950)
Single accommodation is €1350 (Special Early-Bird price before May 1st €1250)
Instalment payment plan is possible please contact Ashley for details

About Ashley

We are delighted to welcome Ashley Jones again to Rural Escapes Portugal, bringing her wealth of experience as a Kundalini yoga teacher, teacher trainer, and life coach. Based in London, she teaches at renowned studios such as TriYoga and Yoga Home London, while also co-teaching 200-hour teacher training courses and retreats in Portugal, Morocco and Italy. With a deep passion for self-inquiry and transformation, her teaching integrates powerful Kundalini techniques, mindfulness, and spiritual wisdom to help students access their true potential.

Her journey into yoga was sparked by a profound realization that true happiness comes from within. This led her to explore various disciplines, including A Course in Miracles, Tantra, Kabbalah, and the works of Marianne Williamson and Eckhart Tolle. Through her classes, she creates a space for deep inner connection, guiding students to move beyond self-imposed limitations and embrace a more authentic, empowered life. Whether you’re a seasoned practitioner or new to Kundalini yoga, her sessions will inspire, uplift, and support you on your journey of self-discovery.

Join Kundalini Yoga teacher trainer Ashley on this 6-day immersion in nature in a private mountain valley – the invitation is to connect deeply to the energy of Gaia and fully surrender to her rhythm.

Tap into the alchemical tools of transformation that are inherent in Integrated Kundalini Yoga practices, combined with journaling, ceremony and tranquility you will cultivate a deeply satisfying connection to the wild nature within as well as without.

We will dial down our screen time for a complete digital detox as we go offline, giving our overloaded nervous systems time to heal and experience the joy that comes from simply being in the present moment.

THE YOGA

Integrated Kundalini brings into sharp focus awareness of the self that is deeper than whatever the mind narrates.  What better way to bring in that awareness through the deep nourishing connection to self and other that is lived in real time, in person and with Gaia.

The morning sessions will focus on dynamic practice and transformation, working with the body in specific and healing ways using a powerful combination of posture, pranayama (breath), music, mantra and meditation to bring into balance the hormonal system, mood and emotions. Strengthen the entire body and nervous system. Create inner vitality. Cultivate the ability to completely relax. All of which foster expanded states of consciousness, awareness and healing.

The evening sessions will focus on rejuvenation and relaxation, using meditation, yoga nidra and gong baths. Ashley will guide you through meditation practices including the rejuvenating practice of Yoga Nidra enabling a state of deepest relaxation and conscious awareness to be realised, supporting the body and mind to fully reboot and recharge.

Ashley will offer a sacred Cacao Ceremony. Cacao is known as one of the foods of the Gods, it is a powerful but soft feminine plant medicine. The spirit of which brings a subtle opening of the heart to welcome more love in and release fears that may be blocking us from thriving and living a life full of joy and bliss.

For accommodation and location information email info@ruralescapesportugal.com

WHAT’S INCLUDED

• Airport transfers to and from Faro airport to the mountain retreat 
• 5 nights accommodation
• All food and snacks Deliciously Nourishing & Lovingly Prepared
• Twice daily – Kundalini Yoga / Meditation / Yoga Nidra / Gong Bath/Ceremony
• Manifestation Rituals
• Swimming Pool
• Dawn walk through the forest to a secret lake where you can take a dip
• Guided journaling / mindful creativity sessions
• Cacao Ceremony
• Plenty of free time to play, explore, relax or swim
• Fun, friendliness, connection 

To Book

Shared accommodation is £620/730€ early-bird price before April 1st £690/815€ thereafter

Single accommodation is £720/845€ (early-bird price before April 1st £790/930€  thereafter

Do you desire to (re)connect with your higher self? Are you looking for a safe, small group setting to experience a healing retreat of personal growth with sacred medicines? Are you struggling with some patterns of behavior in your life and want to learn ways to change those patterns? Do you want to find your purpose and step into a better way of living?  Then this 4-day retreat is sure to answer that call. Honoring sacred medicines, we’ll have ceremony, workshops and integration to guide you in your healing journey of growth, awakening and transformation.

Using sacred plant medicines (Psilocybin, Mapacho, Sananga, Cacao, and Rapé), you’ll experience a safe, legal (all medicines are decriminalised in Portugal), healing retreat guided by an experienced facilitator, former Paramedic and initiated Curandera (healer). We only use medicines that are grown/infused with intention for ceremony.

This offering includes:

•  A 1-hr  1:1 pre-session video call in order to help you deepen into the work and better prepare for the transformational experience.
• Psilocybin ceremony (one healing journey dose)
• Other Amazonian sacred medicines used in ceremonies (Sananga, Mapacho, Cacao, Rapé)
• Sound Bath
• Workshops (various topics that compliment the work of healing, integration and ceremony)
• Integration
• Body Movement
• 1:1 post-retreat integration session
• Double occupancy accommodations (private accommodations available for added cost)
• All catered meals during retreat
• Access to facilitators at all times throughout the retreat

Arrival & Departure times

Friday, we’ll begin the work, in the early afternoon, so that everyone has time to arrive and settle in. Opening circle will be at 15:30.  The next days will be balanced between nourishing the Spirit, soul, and body.  You’ll connect with your Spirit through sacred ceremony, reflection time and integration; with your soul through workshops, relaxation time and integration; with your body through movement, plant based foods, and meditation, all while connecting with nature in this serene, off-grid retreat center nestled in the mountains of Monchique. When we finish the retreat on Monday afternoon (13h), you’ll have insights and tools to take with you to continue your healing journey. I also offer a 1:1 post-retreat integration session (included) so that you’re able to touch base in the weeks to come. You are not alone in this journey & I’m honored to be a part of your transformation.

Conscious Contribution

Conscious Contribution (prices) allows you to choose how much you’d like to contribute to participate in this program. Feel into your financial situation, the value for the offerings and choose which price point you’d like to have. It’s an energy exchange and we want to make this transformational retreat available to as many as possible. No matter which contribution tier you choose, you’ll receive equal treatment. It’s part of our commitment to helping the world heal and making sacred ceremony available to more people.

777€ – 829€ (Sliding scale) If you prefer to pay in Euros, please choose the BANK TRANSFER option at checkout

More about Kasham

I’ve been an Intuitive since childhood. I began healing work at the young age of 18, with therapeutic massage. I’ve lived in the US, Haiti, South Korea and Portugal, sharing my gifts there as well as multiple other countries for short term trips.

In 2013, I completed the Advance Angel Tarot Card Reader course from HayHouse Publications. I am able to reach into the depths, using my strong intuition, to create a safe space for personal transformation.

In Mexico, a Mayan Elder and the only crystal reader in their tribe, performed a recognition ceremony for me as a Healer and Reader in December 2020. In Peru, I was initiated as a Curandera (Healer),  and was given permission to serve medicine as a sacred form of healing.

It’s my honor to do this work, to help you identify your road blocks, heal, raise your vibration, transform and live your best life now!

To find out more about me visit my website

To register and book

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