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Essência:  Return to What Matters

A unique opportunity for those yearning to return to their inner essence through the healing pathways of yoga, nature, community, and reflective writing. 

Essência (Portuguese for “essence”) centers the purpose of stripping away the excess and reconnecting with what truly matters.

Wild View Retreat Center, Portugal

(click here to see Wild View

April 25th-May 2nd, 2026 

JOIN US

Essência:  Return to What Matters 

April 25th-May 2nd, 2026

A retreat for those yearning to return to their inner essence through the healing pathways of yoga, nature, community, and reflective writing. Essencia is Portuguese for essence, and centers the practices of stripping away excess, and reconnecting to what truly matters.

Wild View Retreat Center, Southern Portugal

(45 minutes from Farro airport) 

JOIN US

Reconnection

Simplicity

Essence

Work with Essence: Your Body + Portugal's Wild Magic

  • Ten essential questions to hold for the week of retreat--guiding us back to clarity and purpose
  • Resetting the nervous system with hiking, walking, and nature-bathing in the mountains of southern Portugal
  • Daily breathwork/pranayama paired with morning and evening yoga/embodiment practices to journey into self-inquiry and spacious opening of the physical and energetic body
  • Daily, optional writing and writing support for those seeking a deeper personal writing practice
  • Optional small-group work with internal inquiry
  • Healing and nourishing meals, hand-crafted and locally sourced by Imi, one of southern Portugal's HIDDEN GEMS

Returning to Essence: Transformative Practices in the Imaginal and Embodied Field

This unique, more-than-a retreat opportunity will strip away and walk ourselves into the change we seek. 

Align and Unwind: Yoga and Breathwork

with

Jamie Gilbert

Jamie’s unique background in both movement and mental health counseling bring an invitation to your own body through alignment and curiosity, deepening trust in your physical and emotional self. 

Learn more about Jamie HERE!

Ink and Asana: Somatic Doorways to Embodied Writing 

with

Kelly Burns

Kelly's unique background in Somatic Literacy creates an embodiment practice that integrates poetry, myth, and the soulful storytelling through liberatory movement and subtle stillness.

Learn more about Kelly HERE! 

Dhyana & Sankalpa

with

Jamie and Kelly

Jamie and Kelly will bring TEN ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS for us to work with on retreat, in meditation and intention, so that we might truly use Portugal's geography and spaciousness to transform.

Activities and Lodging

paradise awaits

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What is included?
(Prices are per person - Single, Double, or Triple occupancy/privacy)
Prices include:
* Lodging and 3 nutritious meals each day.
* Daily yoga practices, including satsang, meditation and mantra.
* Finnish sauna will be available 2 hours each day.

*Infinity pool, cold tub, and cold shower can be used for alternating hot/cold.
* Optional writing classes will also be offered in the afternoon with personalized craft and development instruction

*Options for one-on-one or small-group integrated, therapeutic support

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Glamping Yurt-Single Occupancy

  • Superking size bed (SINGLE OCCUPANCY
  • Set on secluded private deck overlooking the valley with stunning sunset views
  • Electric fan and sockets included
  • Fly mesh crown with sky views for hot summer months to enable air flow and retain cooler temperature
  • Transparent crown with sky views for cooler months to retain warmer air inside
  • Private wood cabin outdoor hot shower, flushing toilet, shower gel and shampoo provided
  • Three towels provided per person: one face towel, one shower towel, one pool towel
  • Sun loungers provided on deck for private use
  • Hot water bottle and heater provided if needed
$3650 | SOLD OUT!
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Glamping Yurt-Double Occupancy

  •  Two single beds 90x200cm (DOUBLE OCCUPANCY)
  • Set on secluded private deck overlooking the valley with stunning sunset views
  • Electric fan and sockets included
  • Fly mesh crown with sky views for hot summer months to enable air flow and retain cooler temperature
  • Transparent crown with sky views for cooler months to retain warmer air inside
  • Private wood cabin outdoor hot shower, flushing toilet, shower gel and shampoo provided
  • Three towels provided per person: one face towel, one shower towel, one pool towel
  • Sun loungers provided on deck for private use
  • Hot water bottle and heater provided if needed
$2250 | Book my spot! (1 bed left!)

Shepard's Hut-Single Occupancy

  • Double bed (SINGLE OCCUPANCY)  
  • Located with great views yet in a private natural setting
  • Air conditioning installed for heating or cooling as needed
  • Fully insulated
  • Wifi and electric power points
  • Hot water bottle in cooler months
  • Share of the outdoor ‘Loo with a View’ with hot shower and flushing toilet with the other hut, shower gel, shampoo and hair dryer provided
  • Three towels provided per person: one face towel, one shower towel, one pool towel

 

$3650 | Book my spot!
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Shepard's Hut-Double Occupancy

  •  Two single beds (DOUBLE OCCUPANCY) 80x200cm
  • Located with great views yet in a private natural setting
  • Air conditioning installed for heating or cooling as needed
  • Fully insulated
  • Wifi and electric power points
  • Hot water bottle in cooler months
  • Share of the outdoor ‘Loo with a View’ with hot shower and flushing toilet with the other hut, shower gel, shampoo and hair dryer provided
  • Three towels provided per person: one face towel, one shower towel, one pool towel
$2250 | Book my spot!
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Triple Ensuite Room with Hammocks (Triple Occupancy)

  • Three single beds 90x200cm 
  • Air conditioning available (rarely needed)
  • French double doors with fly screen and stunning views of the mountains
  • Underfloor heating (rarely needed)
  • Ensuite walk in shower, sink and toilet with shampoo, shower gel and hairdryer provided
  • Three towels provided per person: one face towel, one shower towel, one pool towel
  • Hammock outside each room for personal use
$2550 | Book my spot!
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Double Ensuite Room with Hammocks (Double Occupancy)

  • Two single beds 90x200cm
  • Air conditioning available (rarely needed)
  • French double doors with fly screen and stunning views of the mountains
  • Underfloor heating (rarely needed)
  • Ensuite walk-in shower, sink and toilet with shampoo, shower gel and hairdryer provided
  • Three towels provided per person: one face towel, one shower towel, one pool towel
  • Hammock outside each room for personal use
  • Hammock outside each room for personal use
$2950 | Book my spot!

Past Participant Transformations

"Whatever you do, attend one of these writing and yoga retreats. I could not have crafted a more perfect, intentional experience."

Daniela

"This was absolutely perfect--the group of people, the space, the yoga, the writing--I am so excited for future offerings."

Deborah

What's included

  • Yoga and fitness studio with 12 foot sliding window doors that can be transformed into a spectacular open plan office with wild mountain views. 
  • Large roof terrace for yoga, fitness and star gazing.
  • Quiet mediation snug and library room.
  • Infinity pool with rocks and waterfall.
  • Renewable energy 9kw solar powered electricity system.
  • 250,000 litre sustainable rainwater catchment and storage system.
  • Large open plan communal living space and fully equipped kitchen.
  • 40 minutes from Faro airport, transfer provided
  • Starlink Satellite Internet System with 40-200Mbps download and 20-55Mbps upload speeds (depending on location).
  • Log Cabin Sauna (from Arctic Finland) and cold plunge.
  • Outdoor shower for water circuit.
  • Over ten miles of beautiful, mountainous hiking trails.

NOT included

  • Your round-trip flights
  • Wednesday excursion day options (caves, ocean visit, shopping)
  • Massage and body work for an additional fee

Questions?

Want to chat?

Email Kelly and Jamie directly at: [email protected] and [email protected] to discuss any questions you might have.