The
Practice
Portugal,
Spring,
2027
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D'Alijo Retreat
- 50HRS
Portugal, 24 April - May 1, 2027
DETAILS COMING SOON
NURTURE. NOURISH. YOUR LIFE.
We live in a culture of urgency.
Constant input. Constant performance. Constant reaction.
Eventually our nervous systems forgets how to down‑regulate.
The body tightens.
The mind races.
Energy scatters.
This retreat is about restoring balance.
We will slow everything down so you can:
Regulate your system again.
Feel your body again. Move Qi deliberately again. Sit without having to escape
Our time will simple.
We emphasises practice over theory.
Less talking.
More doing.
Less analysis.
More depth.
Our time will be easy.
And powerful.
LOCATION
D'Alijo Retreats, Northern Portugal
D’Alijo Yoga Retreat Centre has a beautiful, fully equipped yoga studio overlooking the gardens and valley, a luxurious but cozy dining room, a beautiful pool, a large pond and much more.
The estate is remote, surrounded by nature. it has a couple of great hiking trails, which can lead you to rivers and waterfalls and natural pools. the closest town, cabeceiras de basto, is about 12 minutes by car. guimarães, a unesco listed beautiful city is just 25 minutes away. porto and braga are within one hour as well as an other Unesco sites.
D'Alijo Retreat Center
2026 Attendees
"The Practice" — 50hr Curriculum
At some point, doing more stops working. This immersion isn’t about more. It’s about depth.
We will practice Yin & Yang movement (Yin & Yang Gong), deep breathing training and meditation are not just tricks. They are practical tools designed to regulate the body, circulate qi, and steady our minds.
This program emphasises direct experience over theory.
We will practice more - talk less.
Long Practice Core Training
Slow, Long QiGong Practices — Build and circulate energy through structured standing forms.
Long Yin Yoga/Myo & Acu Yin— Release deep tension patterns in fascia and joints.
Deep Breathing Deep Dive — Regulate the nervous system through extended exhales, coherent breathing, and breath retention methods.
Long Meditations — Develop equanimity and internal stability.
Understanding comes through repetition of the framework of the Three Treasures:
精 Jing — Physical Vitality Your structure. Your reserves. Yin Yoga for deep fascial release Rest, recovery, and rhythm Sustainability, not intensity.
氣 Qi — Energy & Emotional Flow Your circulation. Your responsiveness. Functional Qigong Deep breathing to strengthen the lungs Applied energy awareness Feel where energy moves — and where it stagnates — and how to restore flow.
神 Shen — Mental & Spiritual Clarity Your awareness. Your steadiness. Seated meditation
Attention training Regulation through stillness Clarity replaces reactivity. Presence replaces effort.
(Optional) Chinese Herbal Consultations As a clinical Chinese herbal practitioner, I will offer optional one-to-one consultations around the immersion (before or after). If appropriate, you may receive a personalised first round of herbal formula to support your constitution and current patterns. This is entirely optional — but available for those who want deeper individual support.
WHO IS THIS FOR?
This program is meant for anybody who has been practicing yoga for at least one year and has done yin yoga before.
This event can be a 50hr module in our Blackmat Yogi 600hr TT program (Meditate Part 2 - Recognized by Yoga Alliance), or it can be a yogic indulgence (you have the option to miss the morning lectures if you don't want a certificate), a simple time to practice spent with good people, Portuguese vibes and good food.
Accreditation
Receive a full 50hrs of
YA Accreditation either as part of our 300hr program, or as a part of your continuing education credits.
PROGRAM PREREQUISITE
This program is not entry-level. It requires a fundamental understanding of yin yoga, tcm channel concepts and the theory of exercise. These are all offered in our 200hr yin yoga & variable anatomy program. In addition, it is recommended that you have taken my Qigong Foundations Program.
This event can be a 50hr module in my Blackmat Yogi 500hr TT program, or it can be a yogic indulgence (you have the option to miss the morning lectures if you don't want a certificate), a simple time to practice spent with good people, Portuguese vibes and good food.
If in doubt, please contact us by filling out the contact form at the bottom of this page.
WHAT YOU GET
Full access to course materials, including:
• ONE YEAR ACCESS: to all course material
• LEARN: 6 lectures on the theory & practice of yáng shēng.
• PRACTICE: 6 soothing Yin & 6 Qi Gong group practices.
• STUDY: A manual & all presentation slides.
HOW TO GET THERE
There are no public transport options directly to the retreat centre. However, if you are not travelling by plane you can take a metro, bus or shuttle from porto city centre to porto airport and then join a shared transfer.
The nearest airport is PORTUGAL PORTO AIRPORT. Transavia, EasyJet, Tap, Vueling, KLM & Ryan air, all fly there.
Transfer time to the D’Alijo centre is 60 minutes by car from Porto airport. Transfers to and from the D’Alijo centre are not included in the prices. We can arrange shared airport transfers to and from Porto airport at about € 110 per car one way, maximum three persons. For bigger groups we can organise a bus.
A few weeks before the retreat we will ask you for your travel details and if you want to share travel to the centre. We will group you together so you can share costs. alternatively you can find cheap car rental options.
DAILY SCHEDULE
24 April - Arrival Day
Check in from 15:00
18:00 Course & Venue Introduction
19:30 Dinner
25 -30 April
7:30 - 8:00 Meditation
8:00 - 9:30 Breakfast
9:30 - 12:30 Lecture, Practicum & Meditation
12:30 - 16:30 Lunch & Free Time
16:30 - 19:00 Practicum, Asana & Meditation
19:00 Dinner
May 1 - Departure Day
9:00 Closing Yin Yoga Practice
10:00 Breakfast & Check-Out
CHECK IN & CHECK OUT
- On arrival day you can check in from 15:00 on.
- Note that there is no food or lunch in the centre yet.
- Check out is after breakfast on the last day.
PRICES
- Include: Six and half days of yoga, meditation, food and friendship.
- Exclude: Flight tickets and transfer from/to retreat centre (but we can help with that).
VIEW FROM THE SHALA
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