Welcome to myalfazema!
myalfazema was born from Leo’s dream of creating an authentic space that feels both rooted and expansive, a meeting point between East and West, science and spirituality. A space where each person is invited to retreat, to question, and ultimately to flourish in their own way. The intention is simple: to guide people inward, not to withdraw from the world, but to return to it more conscious, more aligned, and ready to contribute meaningfully to society.
What works for one person may not work for another. Well-being is a deeply personal journey, and each of us experiences it differently. Naturally, everyone will embark on their own myalfazema journey in a way that feels truly authentic to them.
Hey, I am Leo! This is a bit of my story...
I was born and raised in Lisbon, Portugal but since I was a teenager, there was a powerful voice inside me who kept telling me to go travel, see the world, to put myself in new and challenging environments where there were no cues as to how to behave or who to be. I was 16 when I adventured myself for the first time and went to Australia for three months.
Today, I am lucky enough to have traveled to more than 50 countries, mostly as a backpacker - either by myself, with friends, or with people I met on the road. These experiences shaped my personality and opened my eyes to new realities, different cultures, and beliefs. I realized how big the world is and began to understand how my mind had been conditioned by preconceived ideas and the "shoulds" and "musts" of life.
As I encountered different ways of thinking and living, I became increasingly fascinated by the inner worlds of the people I met and by my own. That fascination slowly evolved into something deeper: a profound curiosity about the human mind and human suffering. Coupled with the fact that I met my depression when I was very young, I found myself obsessed: “Why do some people develop psychological disorders while others don’t? Why do I have this, and my friends don’t?” I had to know.
Before turning to psychology, I read lots of spiritual books. They fascinated me, but I struggled to fully believe the teachings within because I didn’t understand where those insights were coming from. It was as if I needed proof. So, when I created myalfazema, I knew psychology had to be a part of it. I wanted to bring more than inspiration. I also wanted to offer something useful, and supported (to a degree) by science.
That’s why, at 26, I decided to pack my bags, change my life, move to a new country and return to university. It felt like one of those decisions where you don’t have the full map, people think you’re a bit crazy, but you just can’t stop.
Those three and a half intense years shaped far more than my academic life. They shaped me. I went in without expectations, but I didn’t anticipate how much would be demanded of me.
My psychology degree was heavily focused on scientific research. It was challenging, and even though I am not the biggest fan of it, research methodology gave me one of the most valuable tools I have today: the ability to think critically, to question, and to explore—an ability I neither realized I lacked nor understood just how important it is in all dimensions of life.
Somewhere along the way, I decided to add a minor in political science to the journey. This was key for me as a citizen of the world, but also for the work I do—especially because myalfazema gathers people from all over the world. It expanded my ability to incorporate the broader perspective. Psychology focuses on the individual, but the human experience cannot be separated from historical context, culture, or our ancestors.
Before this shift in my life, I studied a BSc in Economics and an MSc in Communications in three different countries and worked for more than four years in various industries. All these experiences provided me with valuable skills that I use every day to create and manage myalfazema. However, throughout this time, I always felt a bit lost. I was pursuing a career and living a life that was not my own, ignoring my heart while damaging my body with bad habits. After being lost for so long, I started searching for ways to live a better life. It took me a long time to realize that the answer was inside me. It was not until I made peace with myself and let go of my constant need for control that things started to get better.
All this investment in my personal growth has given me the strength I needed to completely transform my life for the better and to take my passion for well-being and mental health to the next level. I still cannot believe that what once felt like a dream is now my life. I feel deeply blessed for the opportunity to guide others in their own journey.
I am not a finished product. We are all works in progress. And so, I keep journeying the dance of life. Learning, falling, rising, changing. What an adventure! Will you join me?
The impact so far
It has been an epic journey, rooted in the belief that we create a better world by taking care of ourselves. As we feel more aligned and happy in life, we naturally use our talents to service and flourish. And together, we become the change we want to see in the world.
Since 2020
300+ people
3,500€+ donated
20+ retreats
A UNIQUE RETREATING EXPERIENCE
What makes us special?
Our retreats have already transformed the lives of over 200 people – and this is just the beginning. We don’t believe in magic potions for happiness because they simply don’t exist, but we have witnessed firsthand how our retreats create real transformation.
At myalfazema, every wellbeing retreat is an eye-opening experience, hosted by trusted experts. Over the years, we’ve refined our retreats to ensure the highest quality, tailoring them to the needs of each person. We deliver excellence not only in accommodation and cuisine but also in content that brings true practical value – knowledge you can implement long after the retreat ends.
We absolutely love holding space. Every detail is curated with care and love. We take great pride in ensuring everyone feels at home and valued, creating an intimate environment through a united group, while still catering to each participant’s individual needs. And, of course, we always bring a sense of fun.
Moreover, there’s a higher vision behind everything we do. When you live calmly and confidently, embracing who you are, it creates a better world for everyone. Our retreats are designed to help you do just that.
Our values
What we believe and pursue in our wellbeing journey
HAPPINESS
Embracing our nature and flow of life
Embrace who we truly are
Embrace our fears, our personality and uniqueness
Embrace whatever life has in the cards for us
Embrace light and shadow as part of who we are
CONNECTION
Connecting our body, mind and soul
Connect with our nature & roots
Connect with our purpose
Connect with society
Connect with our emotions
Live by feeling and trust that things have a way of sorting themselves out
FREEDOM
Following a path of
authenticity
Be free from prejudice and standards
Be free from external actors or circumstances
Embrace the freedom to journey inward, giving ourselves the space to do the work
Our Manifesto
Wellbeing is a journey of growth.
Step by step, we embrace who we truly are. Our fears, our passions, our uniqueness.
It is a path made of challenges. Through light and shadow, we find our way as we go. We go with the flow.
By connecting our mind, body and soul, we feel free to find meaning in our lives and give a part of us to the world.
We find happiness, not only at the end of the journey but in every step of the way.
Our Mission
Our Brand Image
myalfazema isn’t defined by a single image or symbol- it’s a fluid, ever-evolving concept shaped by individual perspectives and personal journeys. Our logo consists of many different icons, each with its own special meaning, yet they all share one common element: a single dot. This dot represents the heart - the place where every journey begins.
Our elements
Every aspect of our brand is meticulously thought out, each aspect is intertwined with our wellbeing journey.
In our aesthetic vision, we focus on connecting purple with the colors symbolising each of the five elements of nature.According to spiritual and philosophical traditions, everything in nature is composed of the 5 elements. They serve as guides for understanding the complexities of the Universe and our place within it, providing insights into both the tangible and intangible aspects of existence.
This body is made of five fundamental elements – earth, water, fire, air, and space. The quality of your life essentially depends on how wonderful these five elements are within you.” - Sadhguru
WELLBEING
sowaka
NATURE
prithvi
WATER
jal
FIRE
agni
AIR
vayu
SPACE
akasha
Contributing to a better world
Our impact goes beyond our retreaters.
Scientific research (e.g., Park et al., 2017) suggests that kindness and generosity uplift us as human beings, making us feel happier and more connected. When you take care of yourself, you have more energy and capacity to care for others.
This idea is at the heart of our mission. By fostering wellbeing within our community, we help people find peace within themselves—allowing them to make a positive impact in the world.
But we want to go further. We aim to reach those beyond our immediate community who could also benefit from greater wellbeing, empowering them to create change in their own lives.
That’s why we are donating €20 from each myalfazema retreat registration to an organization that promotes wellbeing.
At this moment, our contributions are helping two siblings - a 10-year-old diagnosed with autism and their 16-year-old sibling - access clinical psychological support.
Our partners
We’ve collaborated with over 20 people, tailoring each retreat’s concept, location, and flow to bring together the right partners.
Our partner yoga teachers are trusted experts but they are not “masters with special powers”. They are people like us who are on their own conscious journey of self-awareness and discovery. We partner with them because we want to hear, and be inspired by their life stories, experiences, moments of light and moments of shadow, and learn what they have learnt on the path that led them so far.
They flexible in their approach and trust the myalfazema journey and intention. They are authentic people who personify true references of wellbeing to create a unique and holistic yoga experience. Our partners have the skills to help you move forward on your own journey.
An unforgettable vegetarian gastronomic experience with an exclusive Chef
Our aim is to offer not only a wellbeing food experience to you, but also a real taste of vegetarian and local food that empowers you in your journey. In each myalfazema retreat, you will have an exclusive chef who will cook delicious and balanced meals prepared local and seasonal ingredients.
Our Chefs are experienced in serving conscious nutritious and delicious vegetarian or vegan meals, while also offering workshops on how to cook a variety of different dishes.
A myalfazema retreat can be located anywhere as long as it is in a place where we feel close to nature, either in the countryside or by the ocean. The accommodation provides a space to learn, develop and grow by creating an environment where you can catalyse your energies to let go and feel empowered to awaken your mind, body and spirit.
There are spaces suited for the practice of yoga, and beautiful walking trails.. The staff is welcoming and will make you feel at home.
Why we’re called myalfazema
The name myalfazema came to us so naturally. It just felt right. We know it’s not the easiest one to pronounce. But that’s because it’s meant to be felt. Like the journey, each person connects with it in their own way.
myalfazema rises from the combination of two words:
• my: representing the deeply personal journey everyone of us experiences.
• alfazema: the Portuguese word for lavender, a plant that has long symbolised beauty, relaxation, and healing.
Lavender grows wild, deeply rooted in the earth, thriving under the sun and the wind. Its scent is enduring, calming yet awakening the senses, just like the experience we live here. And the color purple, rich with mystery and transformation, has always felt like home to Leo.myalfazema is about returning to our roots, reconnecting with ourselves and others, embracing authenticity, and feeling truly alive