Root & Rise
Wellbeing Retreat
12 - 16th of November in Melides, Portugal
Let's make it a summer you'll always remember.
ignite
After the transformation and beauty of our past retreats, we’re bringing you the Root & Rise Retreat. Nestled in the peaceful autumn landscapes of Alentejo, this retreat offers space to soften, slow down, and come back to yourself.
If life has felt heavy, too fast, disconnected, or like there must be more to it, this is your invitation to rest, pause, and listen. To return to yourself in a way that feels honest, lasting, and real.
Over five precious days, you’ll be guided through meditation, movement, somatic and psychology-based practices, breathwork, journaling, and stillness.
You’ll leave not just feeling recharged, but with tools you can bring into your daily life. Root & Rise is about grounding into presence and teach you practices to help you navigate stress, reconnect with clarity, and live with more intention, confidence and truth.
Come as you are. Leave feeling clear, rooted, peaceful and connected with yourself.
Our group was magical: vulnerable sensitive people who created an open and safe space for everyone to be who they are and allow any emotions.
The place itself is magnificent and the food was delicious.
I was looking for a healing experience where I could process emotions, and this retreat allowed me to do that. It was a very special retreat that gave me so much. Thank you!
Why you will love this retreat
This is the kind of space your body and mind have been asking for. Not just because you need it, but because it feels so good to be here.What makes this retreat special is how it meets you where you are. Whether you’re going through a life transition, feeling stuck or overwhelmed, or simply want time to reset, this experience holds space for all of it and offers various wellbeing tools to guide your journey.There is no pressure to fix anything. You are not broken. This is about resting, grounding, having fun, feeling peace, and remembering who you are and what truly matters.You’ll leave with memories and a recharged heart. But you’ll also leave with insights and practices to support your everyday life.Don’t just take our word for it - scroll through the testimonials and feel the energy for yourself.
Who will guide your
Wellbeing Retreat?
Leonor, Psychology Wellbeing Guide
Those who’ve journeyed with Leonor, the founder of myalfazema, know her as someone deeply devoted to inner work, emotional clarity, and soulful transformation.
She holds a degree in Psychology from the University of Amsterdam, one of Europe’s top-ranked institutions, with a specialization in Social Psychology and expertise in emotion, motivation, and behavioral change. Her path has taken her through over 50 countries and six universities, learning from diverse fields, teachers, cultures, and ancient traditions. She has always explored what helps us live our human experience with more presence and truth.
Ines,
Breathwork, Somatics & Mindfulness teacher
Inês is a somatic and breathwork practitioner, working in the field of trauma and embodiment for many years. She has been learning and deepening her practice all over the world, is now based in Thailand, and is bringing it to Portugal once again this year. Everyone loved her sessions and her presence last year, so we’ve invited her to return.
Her approach supports nervous system regulation, emotional expression, and embodied integration through the breath.
Please note that this retreat is not a substitute for medical or psychological advice, evaluation, or treatment. Each participant is responsible for ensuring that they are fit and adequately prepared to participate in the retreat.
Food is a highlight
Chef Sofia
In our kitchen, everything begins with a deep respect for nature. We follow the seasons, cook with simplicity, and believe that food should nourish more than the body. It should care for the planet and support the people and land around us.
We choose vegetarian cooking because it invites creativity. There is endless inspiration in flavor, texture, and color when you work closely with plants.
Where?
Monte das Casolas, Melides, Portugal
We visited many venues before finding the one that felt just right. We chose this place for its peaceful setting in Alentejo, just over an hour from Lisbon and only 30 minutes from some of Portugal’s most beautiful beaches. Praia da Galé is my personal favorite. Monte das Casolas is more than a venue. It’s a quiet sanctuary where you can reconnect with nature, slow down, and live with more purpose.
Root & Rise is about coming back to yourself. Feeling grounded in the here and now, and from there, stepping into something new with clarity and strength. This is the place for that. A space where you can feel inspired and in tune with what really matters to you.
Everything that’s included:
- 4 nights, all-inclusive, in Monte da Orada, a soul spiritual retreat center
- Sauna & Bio Pool & beautiful trekkings – and a sky full of stars!
- 3 daily ayurvedic plant-based meals by Orada Cookbook
- Daily Yoga Asana Classes
- Breathwork Session
- Intuitive Journaling Session
- Yoga equipment (mats, straps, blocks, bolsters, blankets etc)
- Yoga Nidra
- Guided Meditation
- 2 Talks | Wabi-Sabi, Psychology, Yoga & Fun
- 20€ of your registration fee will be donated to an institution that promotes wellbeing.
- And everything else that will flow into this experience…!
The investment
Curated with love, this retreat is an investment that goes beyond just joining. It's an investment in your health, happiness, and future.
Want to see more of the rooms? Just reach out!
You can book directly with us via bank transfer (just reach out using the form below)
or use online payment by clicking the button.
Shared Room
You'll be staying in a shared room with bathroom inside the room which you will share with one more person.
899€ 849€
PER PERSON
Private Group Room with Bathroom
Coming with someone? This room is perfect for 2 guests - often shared by couples, close friends, or even mother–daughter pairs. A private space with your own bathroom and either double or single beds.
799€
PER PERSON
Private Single Room with Bathroom
Your own quiet space with a private bathroom.
1149€
PER PERSON
Not sure which room is best for your needs or vibe? Reach out to Leonor, we’ll help you choose what fits your heart (and your budget) best.
Looking for a place to rest, reconnect and grow? This is it!
Simply provide your details below to get more info, secure your spot, or get a gift voucher. Leo will guide you every step of the way.
Please check if you got a confirmation email that your message was sent. If not, please contact us directly at leonor@myalfazema.com.
Looking forward to talking to you!
Some more testimonials
The story behind this retreat
Root & Rise is a journey back to yourself. It begins by grounding. Coming home to the present moment, to your body, to the earth beneath your feet. It is about slowing down, remembering what matters, and creating space for what is real.
To root is to feel safe, stable, and connected. Rooting means honoring where you come from, listening to your body, being in the present, embracing life fully, and trusting your own pace.
And then, from that place of groundedness, you rise. Not by climbing or striving, but by softening and being authentic. By letting your energy move freely. By remembering that expansion does not come from force, but from flow.
Rising is about stepping into life with clarity, with presence, and with inner power. It is about reconnecting with your intuition, your creativity, and your truth. It is about allowing those parts of you to take up space within your existence. It is about realizing the meaning of your life.
This journey is not about escaping the world, but deepening your presence in it. It is about remembering that true spirituality has roots. That being connected to something greater also means being deeply connected to the earth, to others, and to your own heart.
At Root & Rise, we hold space for all of this. Through the land, the food, the rituals, and the shared experience, you are supported every step of the way. Monte das Casolas, our retreat home, nourishes this process. It is a place where nature is still wild, meals are made with intention, and life moves in rhythm with the seasons.
And just like lavender, the plant that in Portuguese we call alfazema and the root of our name, you are invited to root deeply, open fully, and carry your scent, your presence, wherever you go.
Wild. Grounded. Open to the sun. And deeply alive.
A day at the myalfazema Wellbeing Retreat
Each day is designed to be restorative, intentional, and gently transformative. Filled with practices and moments that have become favourites among our past guests.
With Claudia, you will explore the grounding and expansive teachings of Yoga. With Leonor, you will be guided through reflections that weave together Psychology and the wisdom of Wabi-Sabi. With Ines, you'll explore the power of breathwork.
The experience unfolds in community, but always with plenty of space just for you. You are welcome to join as much or as little as you like. Whether you need time alone to walk in nature, read, journal, rest, or simply do nothing at all, this retreat fully supports that. The rhythm is soft and spacious, allowing you to follow your own pace, listen inward, and reconnect on your terms.
Above all, this retreat is about presence, connection, and learning from one another. Creating a shared space where transformation happens naturally, without pressure.
FAQs
Please let us know if you do not find what you are looking for.
Our team is here to help you.
Payment plan:
- Your spot will be confirmed after payment of a 200€ deposit
- The remaining amount is to be settled until one month after the deposit has been paid
- We can adjust the payment plan according to your needs. If needed, we can divide the payment into 3 or more installments. Please contact us so we can discuss your options
Payment options
- Bank transfer
- Online payment - Stripe
- Mbway (Portuguese)
Rest assured, transportation won't stand in the way of your dream holiday retreat in Portugal. Last years, all guests arrived from all over the world. Orada is one of Portugal's most renowned retreat centers, with visitors coming year-round to experience this beautiful haven. this beautiful haven.
- Before the retreat begins, we’ll create a WhatsApp group for all participants to coordinate logistics and share rides. Guests have found this incredibly helpful, especially for arranging shared Ubers.
- If you're coming by car, there's a private parking area where you can leave your vehicle.
Additional transport information:
- From Lisbon (2.5 hours), you can take a FlixBus to Zambujeira do Mar, which takes about 2.5 hours. Prices range from €4 to €15, depending on the time and day. Zambujeira do Mar is a lovely coastal town, so this option gives you the chance to see a gem of the Portuguese coast. From there, you can take a 15-minute taxi to Orada Retreat Center.
- From Faro (1.5 hours), the easiest way is to take a cab, Uber, or Bolt directly to Orada. Another option is to take a train to Santa Clara-Sabóia and then a taxi to the center. If you choose this, we recommend pre-booking your taxi with us at least 3 days in advance.
From both Lisbon and Faro airports, we can organize airport transfers for you. The price will depend on the number of participants requesting this option. However, in the past two years, all guests preferred using public transportation and sharing Ubers, as it was more convenient.
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Please be aware that transportation is not included in the retreat package. While we strive to offer accurate and current information, public transportation details such as schedules and prices are subject to change by transport providers. Thank you for your understanding!
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What's your next step?
The first thing to do is to secure your spot in this epic summer retreat before it's all booked up. Don't miss out like many guests who no longer could secure a spot in our last retreat! Once you've secured your spot, go ahead and book your flight or other transportation. Let's embark on this journey together 🙂
20th August: Room Check-in from 15:30. The retreat is set to begin at 5.30 pm.
24h August: The retreat wraps up by noon leaving you with a heart full of memories and a soul ready to flourish.
No worries! We’ll be sending out a questionnaire to learn more about you and your preferences so that we can provide you with alternatives. Our chefs are highly skilled and can adapt the meals.
However, if you have any major or life-threatening allergies, please let us know before signing up so we can confirm that we can accommodate them.
This is one of the most frequently asked questions we receive, and the answer is: 'Absolutely, yes!'
You are more than welcome to join us if you have never stepped on a yoga mat before, have never done a yoga class, have only just begun your practice, or even if you have been practicing for years and want to deepen your knowledge. Filipa's classes are adapted to all levels.
Yes!
We’ll share with you some contacts of recommended therapists so you can add a massage to your retreat experience.
Note: Massages are not included in the myalfazema pack.
Please check our T&C to know all the details about the cancellation policy. By enrolling in a myalfazema retreat, you are automatically agreeing to the terms and conditions.
https://myalfazema.com/terms/
Another reason we host retreats at Monte da Orada is its location, nestled in the woods but only 15 min from the beach, where we enjoy warm, sunny days while the nights remain refreshingly cool. As an eco-retreat center, Monte da Orada does not have air conditioning, but being surrounded by trees naturally keeps temperatures comfortable during the day. Last two years, while the days were pleasantly warm, the nights cooled down beautifully.
The first thing to do is to secure your spot in this epic summer retreat before it's all booked up. Don't miss out like many guests who no longer could secure a spot in our last retreat! Once you've secured your spot, go ahead and book your flight or other transportation. Let's embark on this journey together 🙂
A retreat is not - and will never be - a magic potion for happiness. This one however, promises to be an eye-opening step in your wellbeing journey of growth towards a PEACEFUL life.