Blogging the stories of our family life on a yoga retreat in the magical village and valleys of Amieira, Central Portugal. Everyday we are tending this beautiful land and its stone dwellings in our journey towards self sufficiency. Moses is the Portuguese name of this place, meaning many mill stones. And, providently, is also the name of our beloved golden retriever, without whom, we'd never have found it. We love you Moses.
We're delighted to present 3 new videos shot earlier this summer by the talented Lisbon film director, Tiago Pedro de Carvalho. We asked Tiago to capture the passion of our team, to take a look behind the scenes and explain a little better why we love practicing and teaching yoga here, why we prepare such delicious and nutritious food, and why we include massage and acupuncture treatments on every retreat.
You can also find these videos on our Facebook page. Help us spread the word about Vale de Moses by sharing with those you think might really enjoy retreating with us. View our calendar of retreats and reserve your place online via our Vale de Moses retreat website.
The mountain air rouses me from sleep, tickling the tip of my nose, as I breath deep. It’s not quite dawn and in the darkness the expectant moon shines through my window before it disappears behind the swaying tree line.
I rise in the stillness, to the sound of silence. I shower swiftly and pick my way across the olive terraces to the yoga retreat below. A quick coffee, a reflective moment and I am ready for the day, which always began with practice then teaching.
Stretching, sweating, laughing and sometimes even swearing before giving in to Savasana is how I remember mornings at Vale de Moses. It is the place I called home for two years before moving to Amsterdam and where I’ll be leading yoga retreats this May, August and October.
Vale de Moses is a small old valley farm nestled in the remote and picturesque foothills of the Serra de Estrela mountain range, Central Portugal. Here you can retreat for a week on the edge of wilderness, in the beautifully restored home of the Winter family, who will enchant you.
From mud-baths and forest walks to healing hands and floating yoga spaces there are almost too many reasons to retreat to Vale de Moses. It is full of magic and might just be the very escape your soul has been searching for.
Here are 10 reasons to go on yoga retreat at Vale de Moses:
1. Healing hands
With one treatment included in every yoga retreat no-one misses out on benefiting from an incredible massage and/or acupuncture session with Vonetta or Peter.
2. The floating yoga shala
The yoga shala is perched above the vegetable patch and fragrant herb garden, providing stunning panoramic views of the surrounding forest and mountains, which burst into full bloom in May. Yoga classes are offered every morning and afternoon in this serene spot.
3. Hidden spaces & secluded spots
If you get tired relaxing by the natural plunge pools, lounging on the sun-terraces or feasting in the sunken courtyard there are plenty of secret spots to discover where you can enjoy time alone, in close proximity to nature, beneath the Portuguese sun.
4. High vibes, mountain climbing and hikes
If yoga isn’t enough and you still have energy to burn, you can take off on the multitude of hiking trails through the mountains, visit local villages for a cheeky coffee or go climbing with an experienced guide.
5. Morning walks in the woods
Let Andy lead you through the forest on one of his infamous morning walks that never fail to inspire. It is the perfect way to wake up your body for the yoga class that will follow.
6. Furry friends
The dogs at Moses are very much part of the yoga family and love cuddles.
7. The food
Vale de Moses believes in abundance and feeding guests well. You will be served nourishing, homely meals rich in pulses, grains and fresh vegetables that are intended to be gentle on the digestion.
8. The wilderness
Magic happens when you immerse yourself in nature. Research has shown that spending time outdoors can have a positive impact on your health and happiness. Here you can bath in the natural pools, the forest, the mud or just the sun.
9. Getting here won’t break the bank
Flights to Lisbon or Porto are usually inexpensive, from within the rest of Europe, if you time it booking them right. According to Skyscanner 7 weeks ahead of your trip is the best time to book affordable flights. (Direct coaches to Oleiros on Sunday afternoon where there'll pick everyone up by car. Lisbon 1.30pm Porto 4.30pm. Rede Expressos site.)
10. Lisbon
It is hard not to fall in love with Lisbon. Its sunny colours, corner cafes and arty ambience provide the perfect stop off on route to Vale de Moses. There are plenty of beautiful Airbnb properties at reasonable prices, not to mention an incredible range of hostels offering rooms for as little at €15 per night. Be sure not to miss the Pasteis de Natas in Belem!
And if you’re still not convinced. Watch this video.
Join me at Vale De Moses for Wild & Whole, 1-7th May, 7-13 August, 2-8 October or Get on your mat with Kat, 8-14th May, 14-20 August, 9-15 October.
Online Reservations showing live availability for each of my retreats. Prices start from €740 for couples or friends sharing a private room, 790€ for a place in the old stone cottages, or 890€ for a private bedroom, Soulpad or Tipi as single occupancy.
A pleasant little surprise this week to find The Guardian ran it's first little feature on Vale de Moses. We had no idea. It was only when a guest booked on last weekend and said they had seen us in the travel section of the paper, that we were first alerted.
So now we're officially at "As featured in The Guardian" status. :) We hope the first of many main stream press features to come. You can see all our published articles and reviews so far here on our site.
Other big news is our launch of "Ashtango" this Autumn. Featuring daily classes of Ashtanga Yoga and evening classes of Argentine Tango, we combine the two disciplines and are playfully calling it ‘Ashtango’. Retreat dates: October 12 – 19 & October 19 – 26
Tashidawa teaches daily Ashtanga yoga classes and Carla Somer leads afternoon Tango technique classes and evening dance events. Combining the skills of dance and the mindful meditation of yoga, this retreat will explore alignment, balance, acceptance, grace and power.
Argentine Tango is an improvisational dance in which the connection between the dance partners is the most important factor. The dance technique begins with learning simple steps and then exploring these steps with varied expressive, playful, intense, passionate moods.
Memorising the dance steps is not necessary & you don’t need any prior dance experience to be involved. What is important is the open minded & responsive contact between the dancers. No yoga experience is necessary either, however, a good level of fitness is recommended as the classes can be rigorous.
This retreat is not to be missed, book early to ensure your place… Retreat price from 550€ includes:
7 nights accommodation, all Ayurveda meals and full facilities
5 morning Ashtanga classes with Tashi Dawa
4 afternoon and 3 evening Tango classes with Carla
Massage and Acupuncture treatments with Vonetta Winter from 50€ per hour
It would be so very remiss of me, seeing as we are on the topic of Guardian features, not to also mention how incredibly proud we are of our friends Hannah and Charlie, from an olive farm over the hills from us in Oleiros. These guys who have been instrumental in bringing the Bilderberg group into the global public eye over the last 4 years. Check out Charlie's hilarious satirical Guardian blog entries from this year's not-so-secret-anymore conference in Watford.
While here in the forests of Portugal we are far away in distance from the rest of civilisation, you guys have helped us feel so very much more connected. You are our heroes. Look what you did!! Feet up next year then?
Thanks for tuning in.
Hope you are having a wonderful summer wherever you are.
April has just flown by. One of the most exciting we've had here in Portugal so far. Started so cold and wet. Now people are bathing daily in the rivers that run through the land in the heat of the afternoon sun. Should be ready for planting out the veggies this week. Finally.
Plus we've had guests from all over the world pop by for some rest in our home in the forest. What a joy to have been able to take care of them all. They've bought such light, kindness and gratitude to our little family. As well as some amazing photos from their wanderings through the valleys and forests. (Thanks Zoe Barling for all your iPhone shots on today's post.) It's a real treat to look at our place through someone else's eyes.
I've been enjoying creating some new dishes with the herbs and salads from the kitchen garden and the first produce from our neighbours farm too. Grelhos are the new green shoots from the coming year's cabbages, broccolies and turnip tops. Steamed with some tamari sauce, a little lime juice and a sprinkling of pepper and freshly cut herbs. Delish! Especially when they're picked in the morning and served for lunch. Pranamictastic. :)
Plan is to carve out some time this month to blog some recipes and share a few tales and reflections of our life on a yoga retreat. But for now I'll leave you with some photos and a We Love Moses TV walk around the farmhouse courtyard and new yoga shala.
Enjoy and may you feel the sap rising inside of you this Spring.
