Upcoming Experiences
Liberate Retreat / April 17-20, 2025 / The Shanti Space, Portugal
Join Joanna Lewins and Nana Martins at Shanti Space, a stunning retreat center just 30 minutes north of Lisbon, surrounded by lush trees and nature.
This 3-day creative, playful, and transformative retreat is designed to help you reignite your creative potential and shine.
Through hands-on workshops and immersive practices, you’ll tap into curiosity, childlike wonder, and deep exploration - perhaps even stretching beyond your comfort zone - all in service of your growth, expansion, and liberation.
Our heartfelt vision is to create a space where you feel safe to fully express yourself and be seen. This retreat is an opportunity to break through stagnation, imposter syndrome, and self-doubt, allowing you to rise above fears that have been holding you back from bringing your creations to life.
Through deep exploration of your inner landscape, you’ll gain new insights into your body, develop a creatively solution-driven mindset, and cultivate positive shifts in your life, career, and relationships. This journey is about liberating your unique expression and embracing what it truly means to be YOU.
Open to all bodies from all walks of life. Together we create.
“It is a happy talent to know how to play.”
~Ralph Waldo Emerson
The Intention…
Step into a world of wonder and rediscover the magic of uninhibited joy. This immersive retreat is a sanctuary for the soul, designed to awaken your inner artist and rekindle the pure, radiant curiosity of childhood. Through movement, artistic expression and ancient sacred rituals, you will be guided into a state of flow where creativity thrives.
Release the weight of any fears and old stories as you step into a space where you are fully seen, celebrated and free.
Dance under the stars, paint with wild abandon and write your heart’s deepest poetry whilst liberating your soul, surrounded by a community of kindred spirits.
This experience is for you if you…
You are feeling stagnant in your creativity
You let imposter syndrome get in your way
Self-doubt and old stories hold you back
Your mind is running the show
You desire to reignite your spark
You want to be more creatively solutions-driven
You know you are ready to be seen more
You have creative ideas you want to bring to life
You seek more joy, play & connection
You yearn to feel more liberated in yourself
You know you are an artist at heart
You want a freaking break from it all.
“Always be on the lookout for the presence of wonder.”
The Retreat Venue
Nestled in a beautiful woodland valley, only half an hour from Lisbon and fifteen minutes from Ericeira beach, The Shanti Space is a nourishing family-run sanctuary for retreat, to rest and restore well-being whilst bathed in the loving embrace of nature. You will have the opportunity to have space in between classes and meals to rest and enjoy the nature in and around the retreat centre.
You can also pre-book additional 1:1 treatments to deepen your experience. As part of our journey together, we’ll immerse in a Temazcal, a Fire Ceremony, and a cozy Cacao Ritual, weaving ancient practices into our time as a way to pray with intention. These powerful ceremonies hold the potential for lasting transformation.
Of course, we’ll be nourished daily with incredible, wholesome meals - a hearty brunch, afternoon tea, and a delicious dinner - crafted by Chef Alyssa Fowler to support your body and spirit throughout the retreat.
The Creative Flow…
THURSDAY 17 APRIL: ARRIVAL DAY
16h Check-in
17h: Opening Circle with Heart Medicina, Intentions & Sharing
18h: Playful Movement Practice
Delicious Dinner
FRIDAY 18 APRIL: EXPLORE & RELEASE
8h30: Morning Movement & Creative Workshop Practice
Big Hearty Brunch
13h: Workshop - be surprised
16h: Temazcal & Fire Ceremony
Delicious Dinner
SATURDAY 19 APRIL: IGNITE, PLAY & PERFORM
8h30: Morning Playful Movement Practice
Big Hearty Brunch
13h: Workshop - be surprised
16h: Dance Ritual & Performance - more surprises!
Delicious Dinner
SUNDAY 20 APRIL: CLOSE & INTEGRATE
8h30: Creative Integration Workshop & Closing Circle
Big Hearty Brunch & Farewell
Included:
🛏️ 3 NIGHTS / 4 DAYS ACCOMMODATION
🥙 2 NUTRITIOUS MEALS/DAY with snacks and teas
🤸♀️ ALL WORKSHOPS & PRACTICES
🔥 TEMAZCAL CEREMONY
All sessions are optional. As always the invitation is to dive in and embrace all of them for a full and deep experience.
Not included:
Flights & Transfers (transport for you from Lisbon Airport can be arranged for an additional cost - taxis are also very affordable with Bolt & Uber)
Personal Insurance
Additional Treatments, food outside of the venue meals & other trips.
The Facilitators
Joanna Lewins
Joanna is a passionate creative visionary with a rebellious heart, dedicated to crafting transformational experiences through music, dance and art. She believes deeply in the power of movement, music and authentic self-expression to inspire change and LOVE to dance with others.
She will be guiding movement practices, rituals to release, reclaim and empower alongside workshops that invite curiosity, courage and body exploration as a way to listen, feel, express and embody.
Guest Facilitator ~Nana Martins
Nana is a Conscious Communication & Relational Coach guiding curious men and women to cultivate healthier relationships with themselves and with others. Her mentorship offers a unique blend of tools from her extensive background in communications, drawing lessons from experts such as Esther Perel and Brené Brown, as well as from her self-development explorations and conscious practices such as guided meditation and body movement.
At LIBERATE, she will be offering immersive, creative workshops that remind us of the power of play, childlike awe and creating without fear.
Chef ~ Alyssa Fowler
Alyssa Fowler is a seasoned chef with a passion for nourishing both body and soul. With experience as a sous and head chef in high-volume Parisian restaurants, she has led kitchens serving hundreds daily and orchestrated large-scale food events like Taste of Paris and We Love Green. Now the head chef of an organic, nutrition-focused café in Ericeira, she blends culinary artistry with mindful, wholesome ingredients.
At LIBERATE, she will be crafting vibrant, nourishing meals that support deep play, creativity, and joyful connection.
Rates - price per person
We desire to make this retreat as financially accessible as possible.
If finances are an issue please reach out to me to discuss.
Choose from the following options:
DORM ROOM 8 BEDS AVAILABLE
Spacious Dorm Bed with Shared Bathroom
- €444 Early Bird / Friend rate
- €555 Full Price
TWINS ROOM 4 BEDS AVAILABLE
Twin Room with Shared Bathroom - 2 rooms
- €666 Early Bird / Friend rate
- €777 Full Price
*Can also be made into a private double room for extra cost
PRIVATE SUITES
King Suite with Shared Bathroom 2 AVAILABLE
- €777 Early Bird / Friend rate
- €888 Full Price
*If you are a couple you can share a suite for a discounted price - on request
King Suite with own Ensuite Bathroom 3 AVAILABLE
€888 Early Bird / Friend rate
€999 Full Price
*If you are a couple you can share a suite for a discounted price - on request
PRIVATE COTTAGE
2 spacious king rooms (can be made into twins), snug area with fireplace, kitchenette & bathroom. Great if you’re with a group of friends!
- €2222 for the cottage split between 2, 3 or 4 guests, up to you.
- €2000 Early Bird offer - just 500/person with 4 of you.
CAMPERVAN
- €333 Early Bird / Friend rate
- €444 Full Price
EARLY BIRD OFFER UNTIL 14th March!
Full balance due by early April
Please don’t let finances be a block… I would love you to feel abundant and free!
Payment plans are available.
How to register?
Feel the call > Say YES BABYYYY > Complete the form (everything is here for you)
• Pay your non-refundable deposit of €444
• The full payment is due on 3rd of April, 2025
Don’t think. Thinking is the enemy of creativity.
Active Listening through Art and Sound Retreat / 25-27 August 2023 / Portugal
A weekend experience to expand your capacity to communicate consciously, playfully create art, and bask in the beauty of summer in a serene river space.
Co-created by Nana Martins and Luka James
Have you ever spoken to someone who made you feel like you were the only person in the world at that moment? Who seemed truly engaged and interested in every word that came out of your mouth? How did that make you feel? Important? Understood?
This is the power of Active Listening.
In this playful and joyful experience, Nana and Luka will use art & music to guide curious humans to understand what it feels like to listen to each other, to ourselves, and to the world around us - with presence, curiosity, and detachment from the ego.
We will be using paint, paper, our bodies, and our voice. Things will get messy in the most childlike way possible!
Your inner child will be welcomed here with a big hug. Your curiosity and creativity will be invited to come out to play. Participants will leave feeling present, with tools they can take into their own creative personal development.
Are you ready to create? 🤸♀️
Here you will find more details that will describe what our day will look like.
This experience is for you if you want to…
► Transform the way you communicate
► Learn how to listen to make others feel heard and understood
► Reconnect with your inner child through play, art and music
► Improve how you listen yo yourself, others, and the world around you
► Empower your musical curiosity
► Sync our collective voices to create something magical
► Feel safe in a playful container
► Escape to nature!
► Connect with a bunch of beautiful humans
► Rest.
The Venue
Serra Vida, a place of presence, sits on truly a magical forest with a river running through (we’ve been told fairies hang out here) and where ancient ruins carry beautiful happy stories. 🧚♀️🌿
Shona, Daniel & Leon, our venue hosts, are firm believers of creative expression being an ideal self-reflection tool. They offer a platform that allows you to discover and express your inner world by playing with the diverse tools offered by the Arts. Be it visual or performance art, music, singing or writing. Retreating in nature is a wondrous experience in itself, by adding the element and experience of immersive art, they intend to inspire and invite our community into an otherworldly experience.
A place where the eyes of our inner child are opened to see beyond the mind’s perspective and experience life as a playground, where presence is the key.
Dates
Check-in Friday August 25, 2023 after 15h
Check-out Sunday August 27 at 12h
Or just come for the one-day experience on Saturday, August 26th!
The Facilitators
Nana Martins
Nana guides curious men and women to cultivate healthier relationships with themselves and with others. Her mentorship offers a unique blend of tools from her extensive background in communications, drawing lessons from experts such as Esther Perel and Brené Brown, as well as from her self-development explorations and conscious practices such as guided meditation and body movement.
She is here to support others in speaking up about their needs, boundaries, shame, and vulnerabilities so that they feel more confident, assertive, light and grounded when they speak.
Luka James
Luka believes collective creativity and shared learning support community building around the world. He is a musician, award-winning human rights documentarian, vocal improv facilitator, and the co-founder of Fresh Air Collective, an organization that designs experiential learning trips in nature. With song, dance, and story, he plants the seeds of spontaneous expansion wherever he journeys.
His music holds experience from years of hosting of MusiCollage, a New York-based group singing workshop and from studying Circle Singing under Bobby Mcferrin.
Rates - price per person
Includes deluxe accommodation with private bath, kitchen & patio and a full-day program with a nourishing lunch included
FRIDAY - SUNDAY (price for 2 nights)
Shared Studio for 4 people - €170 WAITING LIST
Shared Studio for 3 people - €190 BOOKED
Shared Studio for 2 people - €230 BOOKED
SATURDAY NIGHT ONLY (price for 1 night)
Shared Studio for 4 people - €125 BOOKED
Shared Studio for 2 people - €155 BOOKED
River Cottage for 2 people w/ double bed - €195 BOOKED
River Mill House for 4 people w/ 2 double beds - €135 STILL AVAILABLE!
Accommodation is limited to 16 guests.
Just want to come for the day retreat on Saturday?
88 € with a nourishing lunch included
*accommodation not included*
Terms
The price includes :
• The practices mentioned in the program and all the materials necessary for the different practices during the day
• Deluxe accommodation according to the option chosen
• Access to Serra Vida facilities and land, including the refreshing saltwater swimming pool, a beautiful yoga shala, and the enchanted river running through the property.
• One nourishing lunch prepared with mostly local ingredients
• One optional dinner as an add-on (prices to be confirmed)
The price does not include:
• Travel to and from Serra Vida
• Other meals. Bring your own ingredients to cook together in community!
• Travel, cancellation and RC insurance
• Individual healing treatments (optional)
• Transport to and from bus station / Serra Vida
How to register?
• Complete the registration form via the link at the bottom of the page
• Full payment at sign up via Mbway or Paypal
Mbway: +351 963 100 891
Paypal: marinepo21@gmail.com
• The last day to register to pay the total is 4th of August, 2023
• In the event of cancellation of the participant for personal reason: Non-refundable. Total balance due by August 4th, 2023.
• In the event of cancellation by the participant due to force majeure: Total balance transferred to a future retreat.
Transportation
Car: It takes about 2h45 drive from Lisbon center.
Bus: Between 2h45 and 4h30 from Sete Rios.
The options are car pooling between participants or bus. There are multiple bus options from Sete Rios (Lisbon) to either Portagem, Castelo de Vide or Portalegre. From the bus stop, it takes between 10 min - 25 min by taxi.
Whether you're offering a ride, needing a ride, or riding by bus, please put your information in ride-share sheet.
Retreat: Conscious Communication for Authentic Relations
Communication is the roots and the soil of human interaction. It defines the quality of all our relations, including the ones we have our own selves.
Yet the quality of our communication is something that we rarely put our attention or efforts on: anything that we do on a daily basis can easily become an unconscious habit. In fact, we might be completely oblivious of our communication patterns - simply because we have never considered questioning them (or where they came from) - we actually identify with them, as if they were something we were born with.
Bringing awareness to how we communicate can be deeply transformative and healing of the constellation of all our relations, including the one with our own selves.
The more conscious we are about the way in which we communicate, the more authentic we can become - the healthier and deeper the relations we can create.
This weekend is an invitation to look inside with honesty and explore what is there. An invitation to challenge our ways, melting with compassion, letting ourselves breathe deeply.
By watering this soil, by letting the light come in and illuminate it - we can let ourselves be nurtured in return with a more connected sense of love and belonging.
Join us in dreamy Monte Da Orada for a weekend in an enchanted natural landscape that'll leave you feeling closer and more connected to your heart.
SCHEDULE
NOVEMBER 26 | FRIDAY - ARRIVAL
15:00 Check-in
18:00 Opening Practice - Gentle Yoga & Meditation
20:00 Dinner
NOVEMBER 27 | SATURDAY
08:30 Yoga & Meditation
10:00 Breakfast
11:30 Conscious Communication
13:30 Lunch & Quiet Time
16:00 Unblocking Communication Channels with Lehua Perrone
17:30 Tea Time & Rest
18:30 Guided Journaling
20:00 Dinner
21:00 Group Circle
NOVEMBER 28 | SUNDAY
08:30 Yoga & Meditation - The 4 Paths of Yoga
10:00 Breakfast
11:30 How to Speak your Truth and Communicate your Boundaries with Nana Martins
13:00 Closing Session
13:30 Lunch
15:00 Hugs & Love
FOR A MEANINGFUL EXPERIENCE
We invite you to come with an open heart, ready to dive deep into your being - leaving expectations and judgments at home.
We suggest you make a journal of your journey - to lock your emotions, thoughts, dreams, insights - whatever may come.
We encourage you to make the most out of the stunning landscape that will host our retreat, allowing yourself to be lulled by the sounds and the rhythm of nature.
We strongly encourage a digital detox during the whole weekend to allow your experience to be as immersive as possible. We also encourage participants to keep the conversation between each other centered around the topics of the retreat in order to maintain the depth of the work going between sessions.
We'll have someone responsible for taking photos & videos that we will share with you at the end.
YOUR GUIDES
Nana Martins - Conscious Communication & Relational Coach
Nana Martins is a Conscious Communication & Relational Coach who guides curious people to cultivate healthier relationships with themselves and with others. Her mentorship offers a unique blend of tools from her extensive background in communications, drawing lessons from experts such as Esther Perel and Brené Brown, as well as from her personal experiences and conscious practices such as guided meditation and journaling.
She is here to support others in speaking up about their needs, boundaries, shame, and vulnerabilities so that they feel more confident, assertive, joyful, and grounded.
Sara Montes - Retreat Leader & Yoga Teacher
Sara is a dedicated student of Yogic Traditions and Ancient Ritual Practices. Most part of her life was given to travels, practices and studies on the quest of Human Condition and Mind Liberation. She has in the curriculum several courses and reclusions on Meditation, as well as workshops, immersions and more than 700hours of trainings on the many lineages of Yoga Sciences by Yoga Alliance International. Her approach is science based and focused in a practical and functional way of living.
Sara was previous advisor for the Minister of Tourism in East Timor, and helped develop UNWTO Plan Against Poverty to the country.
In the past years has been invited to conduct lectures, conferences and classes in multiple events and festivals.
Sara is the Founder of Gaya Immersions, a company focused on empowering individuals, companies and communities through Wellbeing Projects.
Lehua Perrone - Holistic Health Coach
Lehua is a half-italian, half-hawaiian certified holistic health coach and awareness facilitator.
She is a passionate advocate for re-defining health as the intersection of physical, emotional, mental, spiritual well-being. She accompanies people through the conscious exploration of their own being - raising awareness on the mind-body connection - and inviting them to create a new, more connected relation with their own health and happiness.
Her purpose is to empower people to attune to themselves and their intuition, helping them understand the impact that lifestyle and nutrition choices have on their overall well-being, as well as the importance of consciously taking care of their emotional and mental well-being.
She offers a progressive form of support that combines different therapeutic tools and approaches (from nutrition, to modern psychotherapy, to mediation..) and is passionate about creating experiences for people to taste the power of living in alignment with themselves and their intuition.