Summer solstice

YOGA & MEDITATION RETREAT

20-25 JUNE 2023

QUINTA CARVALHAS

I WANT TO JOIN

Summer

Solstice

Harness the powerful, activating energy of the sun and the abundance of nature, as we prepare our body, mind and soul for the second half of the year.

Join us for a powerful

fun and energising

yoga and meditation retreat

celebrating the summer solstice.

Yoga in the Shala
group of people having fun by the pond
a beautiful outdoor equestrian facility at sunset
Summer is the time for going outward and the summer solstice marks the height of our expansion, celebrating life at its fullest before the slowing down and inner nurturing of autumn and winter. The very moment we celebrate the sun’s fullness is also the pivotal point when the sun’s power starts to wane.

Discover what brings joy in your life through yoga and meditation and move forward with clarity and focus.

Spend 5 nights and 6 days connecting to the fullness and fertility of the season at a peaceful retreat centre in the Portuguese countryside enjoying delicious farm-to-table food with likeminded people.

6 reasons to join

the Summer Solstice Retreat

...experience a way of meditating that is easy and accessible

...deepen your connection to your body and cultivate inner awareness

...get clear on your goals for the rest of year

...awaken your sense of playfulness through powerful workshops and activities

...find freedom to express yourself and laugh out loud

...enjoy time out in a supportive and nurturing community

The Summer Solstice Yoga and Meditation retreat is an intimate retreat with limited availability to ensure we can give you the personal attention to truly deepen your practice of both yoga asana and meditation.

Sign-up before the 20th of May to take advantage of our 15% Early Bird Discount!

Summer

Solstice

More about the program

I WANT TO JOIN

Yoga

Imagine waking up to birdsong and the peace of nature before enjoying yoga with a fun and invigoration morning vinyasa flow. The quieter stillness of the evenings will see you experience slower, more restorative practice.

The polarity of yin and yang is reflected in the solstice, where we shift from fiery action to grounding introspection.

Meditation

Working with the polarity will be the focal point of the meditation sessions. Michelle will guide you through a variety of creative ways to deepen your meditation practice, find your inner North Star, and connect to your intuition.

You will discover ways to access your soul purpose and tap into the joy which energizes you and opens you up to new possibilities.

Inspiring workshops and experiences

You will experience daily workshops and activities to work with the energy the Summer Solstice brings us. We start with an invigorating Fire and Drumming Ceremony in celebration of the solstice and all of the vibrant abundance of summer.

You will have fun and find flow in the freedom of expression of the Creative Art Workshop, using a variety of materials in a tactile exploration of the colors of summer. 

Start the journey inwards through connecting with our horse herd using touch, matching breath and energy and then settle in for a powerful meditation with horses.

Enjoy an incredible Sound Bath with Tibetan bowls and gongs to help harmonize every cell of the body.

In addition to the group activities, there will be time for you to relax by the pool, read, journal, go for a walk or pamper yourself with a relaxing massage.

Daily Program

  • Yoga with Rianne
  • Nutritious Breakfast
  • Meditation with Michelle
  • Scrumptious lunch
  • Free time
  • Afternoon workshop
  • Restorative Yoga
  • Delicious dinner

Retreat Highlights

  • 5 nights accommodation in a luxurious room
  • 3 nutritious, vegetarian farm-to-table meals per day
  • 2x Daily Yoga
  • Daily Meditation Session
  • Summer Solstice Fire Ceremony
  • Meditation session with horses
  • Group Sound Bath
  • Creative Art workshop
  • Journaling – incubating ideas and finding your path for the next cycle

Wondering if this retreat is for you? We’re happy to answer any questions you may have.

GET IN TOUCH

Michelle

Thomas

My yoga journey began in 2009 with weekly Vinyasa yoga classes at the local gym, soon followed by short courses in meditation and beginner yoga poses which expanded my practice way beyond what the gym could offer. I was in love with the ease and flow of Vinyasa yoga and how my body and mind changed and grew stronger. At the same time I began my Reiki and energy healing practice, and in 2012 obtained my Reiki Master certification.

My long-standing dream of creating a retreat centre started to become a reality when we found the perfect farm in August 2016, in the Ribatejo countryside in Portugal. From the start yoga has been one of the areas of focus for the centre, to share the incredible benefits of yoga and meditation with others. I completed my 200hr Yoga Teacher Training in 2017 in Portugal shortly after our move to Quinta Carvalhas, and began a deep-dive into meditation, looking at its many forms and how the practice has the ability to completely change lives.

My yoga classes include Vinyasa flow as well as slower Hatha asana, with a focus on body awareness and finding ways to experience joy in everyday moments. Meditation is often perceived to be difficult, mysterious or unattainable; I love to teach how it can be an easily achieved and life-changing tool available at any time.

RIANNE

VAN DE MAST

I first fell in love with the strong, meditative practice of Ashtanga yoga in Amsterdam, back in 2016. After 3 years of practice and in the middle of a world trip, I obtained her 200hr Yoga Teacher Training certification in Rishikesh, India, which gave me a yearning for sharing the practice I so deeply love. After doing additional training in Yin Yoga and Yoga Nidra my classes have become a good mix of strong Vinyasa flows, with depth and playfulness, combined with longer holds and more restorative poses.

I love to cultivate a relationship between the functionality of physical exercises and the effects of the practice on other aspects of our life. My purpose is to translate experiences felt on the yoga mat into tools for daily life, to help you deal with stress and discomfort. Prepare to walk out of my classes feeling lighter, calmer and with a deeper sense of self awareness.

a woman meditating

More about the

VENUE

The peaceful, tranquil Quinta Carvalhas is located in the heart of the Ribatejo region on 42ha with forests of big trees, extensive gardens, plenty of horses and luxury accommodation in converted old barns. We will practice in the goregous Yoga Shala, or on the wooden deck by the lake, whilst listening to birdsong. The tranquil meditation garden will be the perfect backdrop for a walking meditation. At this time of year the pool and gardens beckon, with options of country walks, and swimming in the farm pond.

About the

Food

A big part of Quinta Carvalhas is the food we grow, prepare and serve to our guests. In fact, the food we serve is one of the biggest reasons our guests want to stay on the farm and not go home – there is genuine delight and surprise that vegetarian food can be so incredibly tasty. This is a huge win for us; we strive to create the tastiest food with the best possible ingredients to leave you feeling nourished and nurtured.

The

FAQs

No, even if you have never done any yoga or meditation we would love to welcome you on this retreat. We will start from the basics and offer plenty of variations for most advanced students.

You will stay at peaceful farm in the Portuguese countryside. Enjoy quiet, peaceful nights in comfortable beds with luxury linen. We offer the options of shared rooms (maximum 2 guests) or a private room with ensuite bathroom.

You can find more information about our accommodation here.

The “greenest” way to get to the Green Farm from the Airport or Lisbon area is by public transport. The train station of Mato de Miranda is less than 5 minutes’ drive from the Quinta and we are happy to provide a complimentary pick-up.
Alternatively, we offer free parking at the Quinta, or we can help you to book a private transfer from Lisbon airport.

There will be lots of fresh, healthy vegetarian goodness waiting for you during this retreat. Before morning yoga, we will have fruit, coffee and tea available. After practice, a full buffet breakfast awaits, with fresh bread rolls, homemade muesli, loads of fresh fruit and juices. Water, tea and coffee are available throughout the day. For lunch we serve a soup or starter, and a main course… and make sure you save space for dessert! To keep you going throughout the day, there will be an afternoon snack. The last meal of the day, dinner will see you enjoying a scrumptious three course dinner. Full belly, full life, is our motto.

The Ribatejo is known for its hot dry summers. Temperature usually ranges between 27ºC and 32ºC degrees during the day, the nights and morning on the other hand are usually fresh with 14ºC to 16ºC.

Bring any item of clothing that sparks joy! Bright colors and glitters welcome 😊
Also, your favorite yoga outfit(s), comfortable clothes for meditation, of course a bathing suit, shoes you can easily take put on and take off, as well as closed footwear for the horse activity. We recommend brining are reusable water bottle, sunscreen and a hat.

We provide all yoga / meditation equipment, as well as a personal journal / notebook for you to keep. You will find bath and pool towels in the rooms, as well as shower gel and shampoo. Of course, you are welcome to bring your own, if you prefer.

We can imagine you want to enjoy the magic of Quinta Carvalhas a bit longer. You can book pre- and post-retreat nights, contact us for more details and prices. Subject to availability.

Our guests say

KIND WORDS

Doing classes with Rianne is at the same time relaxing and reinvigorating 😊 you feel welcome and safe. An experience I would recommend for your mind, body and soul.
Joana Moreira
Michelle's meditation sessions were a transformational and very rewarding experience, thanks to respect, love and dignity with which she guided the whole session. It was a spiritually enriching experience, which gave me the right tools to deal with day-to-day challenges. All this at an incredible location, where I felt simply at home.
Dora Maltez
I love Rianne's yoga classes. They are so peaceful and energetic at the same time. She respects each one's time and body and that's very important. In addition to her wonderful classes I think she is a very generous and beautiful soul and exudes a very beautiful energy. The yoga room at Quinta das Carvalhas is the most beautiful place I've ever done yoga. I recommend it to everyone.
Carla Cosme
My experience in Yoga classes at Quinta Carvalhas is absolutely fantastic. The space is magical and Rianne manages to create something very special, making each class unique.
Luzia

From €1017 €1229,95

Price valid until 20 of May.

Includes

  • 5 nights accommodation in a luxurious room
  • 3 nutritious, vegetarian farm-to-table meals per day
  • 2x Daily Yoga
  • Daily Meditation Session
  • Summer Solstice Fire Ceremony
  • Meditation session with horses
  • Group Sound Bath
  • Creative art workshop
  • Journaling – incubating ideas and finding your path for the next cycle
I WANT TO JOIN

@quintacarvalhas

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Quinta Carvalhas - The Green Farm, is a Luxury Farm Stay & Retreat Venue in Portugal. A holistic well-being haven that offers unique experiences for Body, Mind and Soul. Yoga, Reiki, Horse Therapy, Massage, Vegetarian Food.

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