Back to the Roots: Azorean Elements Retreat — Breath, Herbs & Ocean Magic
11 to 18 July (7 days)
In the middle of Atlantic ocean, away from civilization and tourism. Only you and nature.
This little village, Faial da Terra, itself is an incredible, unique place, quiet and peaceful, located in a valley, at the very end (East) of the Sao Miguel island. Perfect place for a retreat, taking a genuine rest from everyday’s life, slow down, restructure you concepts of life, heal what needs to be healed and transformed so you can grow and spread your wings.
This is a place to reconnect with nature, also your own true Self, to feel the healing energies of plants and the elements so present and powerful here.
We believe and have experienced that this island materializes thoughts and that wishes come true, so be careful what you wish for …;) Maybe it is the water element, maybe the old Atlantis… who knows. Maybe you will discover what are those magical forces present here in those lush forests.
The village is surrounded by mountains and many trekking trails. Everyday we will move to keep the energy going. We will go to the waterfall to take rejuvenating bath and meditate. We will follow other breathtaking trails with stunning views on the ocean. On the third day we make a trip to natural hot springs with healing waters and feel the warmth or Mother’s Ears womb.
Small group 8-12 participants
MEDITATION
Every morning will go to the ocean (5 minutes from the house) to meditate. In this stunning shore you will be only in wild nature, with the ocean, mountains, plants, and rocks.
Meditation will be guided by me and will help you to release stress of everyday life. The purpose of this meditation is harmonizing, balancing and calming the mind. You will experience deep relaxation of body and mind. You will feel grounded and connected to the earth and all the elements, so powerful in the Azores (Water, Earth, Wind and Fire…)
PSYCHOLOGY
In our psychology lectures and practices you will learn how to handle destructive emotions and communicate in non/violent way (NVC). We will also reconnect with our wild nature, that is in harmony with natural world and set it free in safe environment.
We will also have exercises on how to deal with anxiety, stay more relaxed, let go of control and enjoy life more.
In motivation and behavioral psychology classes you will learn how to develop and sustain healthy habits and nurture yourself by letting go of this self destructive or self sabotage ways.
SHAMANISM
We’re happy to share with you our knowledge of shamanic cleansing rituals and sacred healing practices. You will learn about aromatherapeutic, healing and protective properties of some native plants. We will ask your power animal to show itself and pass a message to you. We will make magical, protective pouches and amulets with herbs and do cleansing herbal baths at the ocean.
Trekking and hot springs
We will do trekking to the beautiful waterfall Salto do Prego, walk through a jungle like, subtropical azorean forest (but without dangerous animals). Here is the most endemic part of the island with beautiful mountains covered by forests. We will take a rejuvenating bath and meditate with the sound of the waterfall.
We will also take cleansing baths in hot springs, where you can really get in touch with the energy of Earth, Fire within Her heart, and recharge your spirit. These hot springs have healing properties not only for skin and bones but psyche as well.
REBIRTHING (holotropic breathing) – integration and healing through breath
Breathing techniques releasing blocking emotions, healing traumas and opening up to higher states of consciousness. Specific breathing has been practiced by yogis for many centuries as a natural “high”, purification and way to enlightenment.
During the session we can have visions from collective unconsciousness that resonate with us and see what needs to be healed in ourselves. By changing the scripts that rule our life we heal as well the global unconsciousness of humanity.
After the session you will feel more one with the whole existence. In this way you can open up to full experience of the beauty and peace of Azorean lush nature.
ART THERAPY
We will work with natural materials, symbols, and sensory experiences to access deeper emotional layers, allowing what is held inside to gently emerge. This process is not about creating something “beautiful,” but about creating something honest — something alive.
These sessions are a space to release, to ground, and to remember. A space where the body, the emotions, and the subconscious can speak freely. A space where art becomes ritual, and ritual becomes a path back to the self — and back to the roots.
ADDITIONAL SERVICES
RITUAL TATTOO
In our Chibaya Tattoo Studio.
You may feel called to carry something with you — a symbol, a mark, a memory. Perhaps you have always felt the desire to get a tattoo, but never found the right moment or meaning.
Rooted in ancient tribal traditions, tattooing has long been a form of expressing both individuality and belonging. In this context, it becomes part of your journey — a way to honour what you have felt, discovered, and transformed.
Each piece is created intuitively, inspired by your personal experience, the elements, and the symbols that emerged during the workshop. More than a tattoo, it becomes a lasting connection to your path — a quiet reminder of your return to the roots.
INDIVIDUAL PSYCHOLOGICAL CONSULTATIONS
For people experiencing temporary difficulties, who have existential crisis, or who feel the need of changing something in their life (their behaviour, way of thinking or the situation). They are also intended for those to whom self-realization, self development and being more conscious are important aspects of life.
I will help you see the situation more clearly and facilitate to find solutions in order to live a more fulfilling and satisfying life. It is also possible to continue psychotherapy in online form after the workshop.
Typical Daily Schedule:
8:30am – Cleansing, super healthy glass of fresh, local and organic fruit cocktail
9:00am – Morning exercise and meditation at the ocean
10:30am – Showers and healthy breakfast
12:00am – Sharing circle and group therapy
2:00pm – Delicious vegetarian lunch
3:00pm – Free Time – swimming in the ocean, sun bathing, snorkeling with Atlantic fish, trekking.
5:30pm – Workshop (one of the following: holotropic breathing, art therapy, herbal bath cleansing, shamanic journey, amulets making, classes on shamanic healing and medicinal plants)
8:00pm – Healthy dinner
9:00pm – Fire ceremony (one of the following: circle chants, trance dance, diviantions, tarot reading)
PRICES
Staying at Quinta Maravista, in the house – 1200 Euros.
Staying in your own tent in our garden – 550 Euros.
Staying at neighborhood’s accomodations – 450 Euros.
Only workshop (food and accomodation on you own) – 280 Euros.
EARLY BIRD PRICES (until 20.04)
Staying at Quinta Maravista, in the house – 1000 Euros.
Staying in your own tent in our garden – 450 Euros.
Staying at neighborhood’s accomodations – 350 Euros.
Only workshop (food and accomodation on you own) – 230 Euros.
Your facilitators
EWA HOLT
I am a psychologist and psychotherapist, mindfulness practitioner and teacher. I have been giving workshops on meditation, psychology, self-development and organizing retreats for 28 years. Learned meditation in India from different teachers and schools during many and long-term stays. I have also studied shamanic ways of healing from indigenous tribes in Mexico and in Amazon Brazil. In my believes we need to integrate western psychotherapy with spiritual practices of native tribes in order to really heal our souls (transpersonal psychology). And what heals is reconnection with nature and each other.
WERONIKA FRONCZAK (Nika)
Art Therapy Facilitator.
I studied Fine Arts at the University of Porto, where I first learned to listen through creation — to translate what cannot be spoken into form, colour, and movement. I later deepened this path through psychology at the University of the Azores, exploring the emotional and symbolic layers of the human experience.
My work is rooted in the meeting point between art, psyche, and nature. I see creativity as something ancient — a ritual, a remembering — a way of returning to what is raw, intuitive, and true within us.
Accommodation
Magical, rustic stone house, over 100 years old with an ocean view, 5 min for Atlantic. Is has a specific atmosphere but it is a country house not for people who are used to 5 stars hotels. We have cats, and a dog that we save from the street, so it is a place for people who like animals and nature. Incredible surroundings, lush nature, ocean nearby, mountains with breathtaking trails.
There are 4 rooms with double beds or for two persons so it is the best if you come with a friend or a partner.
Common bathroom, kitchen, ocean view terrace and a garden (compost toilet in the garden).
What is included
- Workshops
- Herbs
- Accommodation (in the house or in the tent)
- Vegetarian meals
- Guided trekking tours (to the waterfall and mountains with stunning views)
- Art therapy materials
- Possibility of translation to polish and portuguese language
What is not included:
- Flight to Azores
- Transportation from the airport and back to our village
- Transportation and entrance to hot springs
- Individual or couple consultations with psychologist (60 Euros per hour)
- Tattoo
