Journey to the Heart Yoga Retreat in Portugal
2024 date tbc
Join Margherita for this retreat in stunning unspoilt West coast of Portugal. Cocoon is situated on the breathtaking Atlantic coast, near the charming fishing village of Zambujiera del Mar in the Alentejo region. Long stretches of coastline and white washed villages …
retreat highlights
This special experience in Portugal is dedicated to your journey of personal transformation:
Enchanting retreat location near a wonderful beach, perfect for hiking, swimming, sunbathing and surfing. Wild running peacocks.
Rasa Yoga Practice with Margherita (life affirming philosophy, asana, mantra, pranayama, embodied flow, meditation yoga nidra)
All meals are included and incredibly delicious, organic, farm-to-table. Pizza oven night.
Hammocks for daydreaming
- Peacocks to keep you company
- Strong coffee soft sheets
NATURE AND ADVENTURE — Hop of one of our bicycles to explore the area. Help us collect eggs from our crazy chickens. Skinny dip in our pristine freshwater lake, or simply daydream in our oversized hammocks… We’re just 10 minutes drive from the beach. Praia de Malhao is one of our favs – a fabulous untouched beach, perfect for surfing, swimming, or sunbathing. There’s also world-class hiking, on the famed Costa Vicentina trail.
unique retreat location
Cocoon is a 275 acre coastal farm and retreat, offering inspiration and community. A magical setting, where between the oversized hammocks and the freshwater lake, you’ll start to lose track of time. It is located in coastal Alentejo, an unspoilt region where much of the coastline is protected by a natural reserve. The nearest town is the charming Vila Nova de Milfontes.
The Vicentine Coast Natural Park runs about 100 km down the coast. The preserved nature has a strong and wild character here, creating landscapes of breathtaking majesty. The coast is ideal for swimming, surfing and hiking along the gorgeous sandstone bluffs.
Do not confuse with Cocoon Portugal Eco Lodges, this is a total different experience.
the yoga
This yoga retreat is lead by Margherita Dal Pra, the founder of YogaM. Margherita is a very experienced yoga and meditation teacher with 19 years of teaching experience. Her classes are a synthesis of form and flow — bio-mechanical principles of alignment & creative vinyasa — along with heart-centered themes and the lineage and depth of knowledge of Tantric Hatha Y9ga, combined with the energetics and the elements of Ayurveda wisdom. Read more about her background here.
This yoga retreat is open to all ages and levels of fitness and experience. Every session will have attention to detail (alignment), awareness of breath (pranayama), openness to grace (attitude) and intelligent sequencing (vinyasa krama). The morning yoga classes will be more upbeat and energizing, and the afternoon classes more relaxed.
All sessions will be adapted to the group and modifications of the poses will be offered to cater for all participants and to ensure that everyone is receiving the benefits of the practice and individual attention.
food philosophy & accommodation
We believe that a nourishing meal and a delicious feast don’t need to be exclusive of one another.
The food is local, with most of the produce coming from either the property or a nearby farm. From a sustainability standpoint, Cocoon choose not to serve red meat. They serve eggs from their own chickens, locals cheeses, and occasionally wild-caught Atlantic fish.
A typical breakfast includes eggs, local fruit, Greek yogurt, homemade granola, local honey, homemade jam, slow-rise bread. Lunch is often a bowl; a base of ancient grains like farro, topped with avocado, roasted veggies, nori, or mixed greens. For dinner, expect Indian and Japanese curries, Mediterranean stews, legumes, rice, salad and dessert.
Cocoon also has an outdoor, wood-fired Pizza oven!
Once you confirm your booking, we’ll work with you in terms of meal plan, dietary restrictions, and timing. We’re comfortable with accommodating dietary restrictions such as gluten free and vegan.
Accommodation: Comfortable, clean and elegant rooms open onto an outdoor courtyard. Each room has two or three beds, that can be situated apart as a twin or triple or close together as a double. All rooms have en-suite bathrooms apart from three with shared bathrooms. There is plenty of indoor and outdoor space to chill, read a book or sit and chat.
the schedule
Wednesday
2pm – 4pm Check in
5pm – 6.30pm Welcome circle and grounding practice to land
7pm Dinner
Thursday – Sunday
8am – 10am Deep morning practice
10am -11am Breakfast
11am – 2pm Playing, surfing, adventures, nature, beach, having fun
2pm – 3pm Light lunch
3pm – 5pm Afternoon nap, chill out by the lake, swimming,
enjoying nature
5pm – 6.30pm Evening practice
7pm – 9pm Dinner
10pm Sleeping, stargazing, slowing down
Midway half day off yoga to allow time for yourself
Monday
9am – 10am Breakfast
10am Check out
*Please note that the schedule might change, but stays like this in its core.
we travel
not to escape
life
but
for life
not to escape us
what is included
Two classes per day with Margherita, including meditation, movement, mantra chanting, various types of yoga and breathwork
Three farm-to-table vegetarian meals per day (breakfast, light lunch, dinner)
A pizza night at the epic outdoor, wood-fired oven
Spring water, coffee and local herbal teas available all day
Yoga mats, blocks, bolsters and blankets (all luxury manduka… )
Bicycles to explore the surroundings
And many surprises and gifts
6 days and 5 nights stay in the stunning and charming retreat farm house Cocoon in Portugal, with cozy bedrooms, beautiful communal spaces, gardens, freshwater lake, large property surroundings with goats, sheep, chickens and peacocks.
Vegan and gluten free meals available upon request.
Not included:
Journey to and from the location, car rental, special drinks and snacks that are not on our menu, rentals for surfing and other sports activities outside of Cocoon
travel to Cocoon
Cocoon is located in the coastal Alentejo region. Also known as The Costa Vicentina, much of the Southwest coast of Portugal is protected by a natural reserve. The nearest town is the charming Vila Nova de Milfontes. From Lisbon, it is a two hours drive south and from Faro, it is slightly closer.
The fabulous beach Praiado Cavaleiro, with it’s sandy beach, is 12 minutes drive.
Some people like to rent a car to come to Cocoon, since it is also nice to discover the area, the beaches, etc. You can team up with 3 or 4 people when renting a car to save on rental and petrol costs.
If you arrive by bus, take the Rede Express Bus from Lisbon and we will pick you up near Cocoon Bus Station. But we recommend to team up with cars.
do not confuse with Cocoon Portugal Eco Lodges
…. booked my place and headed to Italy not knowing where I was going or anyone who would be joining me. It was a truly magical week and the best selfish thing I have ever done, and Margherita has since become a true friend and a deeply inspiring teacher. She taught me the ways of Rasa Yoga and I have never looked back.
Margherita is an open, inquisitive and fun teacher who is always learning, and as her student you embark upon new journeys alongside her. This makes for very intimate classes and it is almost impossible not to make a new friend under her instruction. She lives in North London and runs wonderful day retreats at her home, where her sometime-yogi and running-crazy partner Chris has been known to cook some superb vegan and gluten-free lunches. In fact it is worth it for them alone.
Her summer retreats are magical and always include insanely delicious healthy food. I have been twice and left with truly wonderful new friends and a wealth of knowledge and recipe ideas. ~ Xochi London
retreat investment
Single Room with Terrace £1335
Single Room £ 1252 *
Double room with terrace £1025
Double Room £985
Triple Room £820
*shared Showers and Bathrooms
Prices are per Person.
If paying from overseas we prefer bank transfer on our Wise Account
Please connect with us, if finances keep you from joining our retreats.
Send us a message and we find a solution together.
