A 5-day retreat to rediscover the nourishing power of simply being yourself in nature and in silence. Experience slowing down, profound nature connection and deep silence. It is in silence and nature that we can remember who we are, the infinite vastness of our soul in the present moment.
How is the experience?
In this 5-day retreat, set in the stunning Peneda-Gerês National Park, Portugal we will dive deeply into the nourishing power of silence and nature connection.
Every day will start indoors with a meditation where we will gradually welcome silence into our being. Using embodied mindfulness techniques we will start by anchoring meditation in the body and integrating silence in a way that is supportive. Every day will be a deepening of this practice. We will explore going beyond what it means to be in silence, beyond the absence of words. Every day we will go into nature for long periods of time where different nature connection practices including Forest Bathing will be offered to support the deepening of the experience of inner silence, amplifying the experience of tuning into the sounds of nature.
Forest Bathing is inspired in a Japanese practice known as Shinrin-Yoku. Translated literally, Shinrin-Yoku means taking in the forest with your senses. A practice that started in Japan in the 80s to support human health and well-being.
Every day there will be space for solo time, journaling and simply being with yourself in whatever way feels good to you.
Every evening there will be a Conscious Resting meditation and a sharing circle to support the integration of the experiences of the day. The retreat will take place in a secluded village surrounded by wonderful trails, rivers and waterfalls. This village has only little over 30 inhabitants and their traditional ways of life, being closely connected with living with the land, will also offer support for the slowing down of our rhythm and welcoming silence.
All meals during the retreat will be prepared under the principle of clean eating and all organic and locally sourced. All meals are vegetarian and prepared to meet all the dietary requirements of participants. Our in-house health coach will prepare meals that support the experience of embodying silence.
The venue for this retreat is a wonderful traditional Portuguese stone dwelling that offers a variety of accommodation options.
What are people saying?
I was blessed to participate, together with my partner, in a Restorative Nature Week in 2019. Geeta is an extremely focused, inspired woman who incarnates the gentle yet mighty strength of the Earth itself. At all times she made me feel welcome and motivated by her presence, gentle and clear guidance into the exercises and experiences she facilitated. Undoubtably fullfilling an innate vocation for a much needed task of our times: guiding people into a deep perception and intimacy with Nature.
Vasco Croft, Portugal
I participated in the 7 day retreat with Geeta at the end of 2019 and i came back totally regenerated. We were in a beautiful location in the north of Portugal with very few inhabitants where all we could hear was the natural sounds of the environment around us. We went on walks in very beautiful trails where the water, the trees and the cows were our only companions. The group of 7 women was also very special and we developed great friendships. We did not know each other from before and to this date we remain in contact. I learnt how to listen to nature, to listen to the silence and to listen to my body. The retreat is very well thought out. The yoga and cooking classes were also important as was the compassionate listening and learning to take care of each other. Being in silence and disconnected from technology throughout the week was fundamental to my general state of wellbeing. When I returned home my daughter mentioned that my skin was looking great and that I looked 20 years younger.
Inês Mello, Portugal
Who is the host?
Geeta Stilwell is an ANFT Certified Forest Therapy Guide, Mentor and Trainer based in Portugal. She is the founder of the company Renature where she creates and facilitates restorative programs that promote wellbeing and health through Forest Bathing, Nature Connection Practices, Clean eating and Self-care. She works all over the world with various populations that range from the general public, corporate teams, schools, families, mental health populations and individuals recovering from situations of excess stress and burn out.
Her passion is to bring human beings back to nature and support the reconnection to the restorative potency of the natural world, especially through the healing potency of nature sounds and silence. Based on her own recovery journey, she creates a safe space for the nature connection and self-care journey to unfold. Over the past 20 years she has dedicated a great part of her time and resources to her own development and self-care journey and this life experience is the foundation for her work.
She is trained in Forest Therapy, Embodied Mindfulness and Conscious Resting and in the field of Healthcare as a Pharmacist. She is trained in Council and Active Meditation Techniques and is currently training to be a Life Coach. She holds a Masters in Business Management and is fluent in Portuguese, English, Spanish and French.
Price
Depends on the accommodation:
Single room with ensuite bathroom - 950€
Single room with shared bathroom - 875€
Double room with ensuite bathroom - 825€
Double room with shared bathroom - 775€
Prices include all activities in the retreat and necessary materials, accommodation for 5 nights, meals every day of the retreat that include dinner on the day of arrival, breakfast, lunch and dinner every day of the retreat and breakfast and lunch on the day of departure.
Group size: 1 to up to 12 people
Dates
Please contact the host for exact dates.
Intrusions
Thai retreat is set in a quiet village in the north of Portugal that has little over 30 inhabitants. There is an occasional car and the sound of the animals in the pastures.
Contact Host
Terms and Conditions: Please note that by submitting this form you agree:
In the event of a cancellation, the customer will be notified by Mello Stilwell Lda/Host as soon as it is possible. After the cancellation you will receive alternative dates for participation or a total refund of all monies paid to date.
In case of the cancellation of reservation done by customer the total refund will be made minus the QPI service charge and the money transfer/processing fees.
Mello Stilwell Lda reserves the right to cancel or modify experiences and/or events in the following situations:
Unfavourable climate conditions that render the activity non doable;
The minimum safety conditions are not complied with
Other conditions that render the activity non doable (fires, strong winds, fallen trees, etc.)
Force Majeure: In the case of circumstances beyond normal control, such as war, civil or political unrest, actions and orders from the authorities, strikes, catastrophes, epidemics and/or pandemics or other severe damages or highly unexpected factors, Mello Stilwell Lda may cancel the experiences and/or events, and the amounts received to date will not be refunded.
In case of cancellation of reservations by the customer, the total refund of monies will depend on the following conditions:
3 Hour Experiences - Total refund when the cancellation is made 72 hours prior to the date of the activity.
1 Day Events - Total refund when the cancellation is made 7 days prior to the date of the activity.
2 Day and 5 Day events - Total refund when cancellation is made 2 weeks before the date of the activity.