Learning To Let Go

Retreat with Sasha Gabbe to Portugal this October for some late sunshine, delicious food, good company and an easeful transition into autumn, with Chia Retreats.

She will hold space this autumn for a retreat that offers a fusion of grounding Qi-gong exercises, to energise in the morning; which then transition into an energetic exploration of Hatha Flow Yoga. We will work both the subtle ‘energy’ body cultivating balance of ‘Qi’ and the physical body through this fusion of Daoist and Indian yoga practices.

Following our journey through the physical body we will have created the ease and space required for quiet contemplation and the stillness of meditation. We will draw a close to the morning sessions with meditation and simple breathwork techniques to allow you to slow down to a deeply rewarding Savasana.

The evening practice will be a combination of deeply nourishing Restorative and nurturing Yin yoga. The Yin practice will explore the theme of autumns transition, through the meridian theory – relating to Lung and Large intestines, upper body Qi and learning to let go.

During the course of the retreat you shall have the opportunity to explore what might be holding you back in your life and how you could enable yourself to fulfil your full potential.

Yoga helped heal my broken heart.

Now I love to share the practice that continues to improve my life so much, through my teaching.

In my early life I began exploring movement of the body through the creative expressions of ballet, contemporary dance and acting. I was also drawn to the visual arts and was an all-round creative spirit. It was in my early twenties whilst at Art College (in the late 90’s) that I went to my first yoga class; I was hooked by the sensations of stretching and the relaxation it bought. I regularly attended yoga classes after this…

However it was not until my early thirties that I delved much deeper into Yoga, after the end of a long term relationship. I discovered that the practice helped me feel more grounded, uplifted and energised at a time when I was finding life difficult.

Intrigued to know more I gravitated to India, as part of a six month trip away. During my time in India I undertook my first Hatha Yoga teacher training course; it was a transformative experience. Of course it’s a cliche but I ‘found myself’ and had to face up to some self truths. Despite wanting to leave time after time, I didn’t and it put me on the path to becoming the person and the teacher I am today.

A year later I completed a second Ashtanga and Hatha training, then met Norman Blair, who introduced me to Yin yoga and went on to become my mentor. I completed my training in both Yin yoga and Restorative yoga. I love the deeply nourishing practice of Yin yoga but I also need the dynamism, strength and grace of an Ashtanga practice. Sometimes what I need most is a bolster and some deeply relaxing Restorative Yoga. We all need balance in our lives!

I try to be non-prescriptive in my approach to my practice and this carries through into my teaching also.

RETREAT INCLUDES

-Daily meditation
-A grounding Qi-gong, energising Hatha Flow and meditation in the mornings followed by nourishing Restorative and nurturing Yin yoga in the afternoons
-Space to relax, read, write, rest and swim
-Delicious vegetarian meals freshly prepared by our in house chef for brunch and dinner
-Pre yoga tea, fruit and snacks, drinks available anytime
-Time in nature
-Private use of indoor and outdoor swimming pool, tennis court and lake in the private grounds
-Comfortable en-suite accommodation in a beautiful refurbished manor house
-Return transfers to/from Porto airport (1 hour drive). Group transfers leave at midday on 21 October.
-Check in 16:00 on 17 October and check out 11:00 on 21 October

DOES NOT INCLUDE

-Flights to Porto, Portugal. Recommended arrival flights with Ryanair arriving 11:50 or Tap 14:00 and departure should be after 14:00. This retreat requires a minimum number of people for it to go ahead, so please do not book flights until instructed to.
-Travel insurance- please organise your own personal travel insurance. NB – It is a condition of this trip that each person has personal travel insurance.
-Optional visits: Visit to local village, surf beach or hike

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