Yoga and Nature Connection Retreat, Quinta da Pomba, Portugal
Dates: July 5th-11th 2026
Relax and Rebalance yoga retreats offer a peaceful, calming week of yoga, optional Tai Chi and deep nature connection in a beautiful, tucked away part of Portugal, held within the foothills of the magical Serra de Estrella (the Star Mountains). With quartz-studded soil. pure waters flowing through the valley, rich birdsong and endless forest trails to explore from your doorstep, we offer you a tranquil haven to step out of your busy life and rest into the healing balm of living close to nature and nourishing yourself with daily yoga and delicious, wholesome food. Meet like-minded people and take as much time for yourself as you need – it’s your retreat to do as you feel.
The retreat is held at my home, Quinta da Pomba (Dove Farm), a beautiful eleven hectare piece of forest, gardens and pasture in a peaceful valley in the remote mountains of central Portugal. We are mostly off-grid and try to live as sustainably with nature as possible through natural buildings, forest regeneration, creation of a food forest and organic gardening. We are surrounded by an amazing community of like-minded folk, also living close to the land on their own projects. This land and way of life is the perfect antidote to our busy, fast-paced world, where we can so easily lose connection to nature and our bodies and each other. Here you can slow down and remember to breathe deep, smell the flowers and enjoy the simplicity of each moment, living simply and close to nature. Relaxing, healing and rebalancing are inevitable when we live like this.
Our practice space for the week is a stunning hand-built straw bale and cob Roundhouse with reciprocal roof, which offers the perfect environment to support our week of unwinding. We will start each day with a check-in and morning ‘wake-up’ yoga class with optional meditation beforehand, to stretch out and awaken muscles. Each evening we will have a sharing circle then release any tension that’s ready to leave us with delicious restorative yoga classes and guided relaxations. The sharing circle is a daily opportunity to voice what is arising within you and be witnessed in this. If this feels like an ‘edge’ for you, don’t worry, speaking is encouraged but certainly not compulsory and, perhaps by the end of the week, you might surprise yourself by opening up to this opportunity and finding it to be a much-loved part of the week! I will weave into our week a supportive blend of ancient yoga philosophy and practices such as pranayama (breathing techniques) and kriyas (cleansing techniques) to leave you feeling fully revitalised and renewed. I am also here for you during the week to support you with developing a home practice if you wish, to inspire you to continue the self-nourishment back home.
Delicious, nutritious meals will be cooked by our passionate retreat chef and enjoyed al-fresco in our quirky outdoor kitchen area. You will enjoy three lovingly cooked meals a day to feed your body and soul and support your week of coming back to balance.
Optional Tai Chi classes will be offered during the week for those who are interested, taught by my partner, Trevor, an experienced and wonderful Tai Chi and Chi Gong teacher. In between the yoga, Tai Chi and meals, your time is free to do as you feel – chat with other guests, sleep, swing in a hammock, read… We can help you organise trips out and about to local ancient sites such as Medieval walled towns, villages and neolithic monuments, or you can enjoy exploring the endless forest trails from our doorstep, some of which will take you to neolithic dolmen sites. You can also pop into our local town to enjoy a much-loved Portuguese tradition, coffee and a pastel de nata, or take a swim at the river beach. We have a lake and a small dipping pool on-site to cool down in as well. Massages will be available on-site through the week with exceptional practitioners.
Daily schedule
| 7:30-8am | Meditation (Unguided, but I can run a meditation workshop early in the week if requested) |
| 8-10am | Morning Check-in and ‘Wake-up’ Yoga |
| 10-11am | Breakfast (Self-service) |
| 11am-2:30pm | Free Time (Optional Tai Chi and possible other activities offered such as guided walks, trips out etc, depending on the group’s wishes) |
| 2:30-3:30pm | Lunch |
| 3:30-5pm | Free Time (Optional Tai Chi and possible other activities offered such as guided walks, trips out etc, depending on the group’s wishes) |
| 5-7pm | Restorative Yoga and Sharing Circle |
| 7:30-8:30pm | Dinner |
| 8:30pm onwards | Free Time (Optional activities such as creative writing, live music or chai and chat offered, depending on the group’s wishes) |
My intention is that we will explore and enjoy living communally for this week, and to support this there will be an element of being involved in washing-up and keeping communal spaces tidy and clean. These tasks will not be onerous, and I hope will contribute to a feeling of group cohesion and connection through the week as we enjoy caring for each other and the space that is holding us.
Please note that this is not a high-end luxury retreat! We live simply and close to nature here. The toilets are dry compost loos (i.e. no flush), the shower is wood-fired and the heating in the accommodation is all through wood burners, although it’s highly unlikely you’ll need any heating in July. The benefits of living close to nature and getting back to basics are huge, especially in these turbulent times. And, don’t worry, if basic living feels like an ‘edge’ for you, you will be looked after very well and we will do our utmost to make you comfortable, well-fed, warm and meet your needs.
Accommodation options include four caravans, a geodesic dome, three bell-tents, a campervan, a large tent and the option to bring your own tent. The bell tents and dome can easily be shared, if you choose to come with a friend, but the caravans and campervan could only be shared by a couple or close friends! The weather in July should be warm and sunny, but we do live in the mountains so evenings are usually refreshingly cool and weather can be unpredictable, with rain and wind always possible. More detailed information can be provided about what clothes to bring on booking.
Costs:
Prices for the week range from €525-€890 (depending on your accommodation choice – please get in touch for a full price breakdown, by accommodation choice). If this price range is difficult for you then let’s chat, as there are possible options of paying less and contributing your help during the week (for example taking on more of the washing-up and other daily chores, staying on a bit either end to help set-up/close-down etc). I don’t want financial issues to stop anyone who feels drawn to be there from coming, so don’t be shy).
Pretty much all our profits go back into the project, to continually invest in the land and improve our guests’ experience. What motivates us is putting our energy towards opportunities that allow us all to heal and grow together, remembering the immense beings we are and making our future together on this beautiful planet a positive one.
Please get in touch with any queries, doubts, wonderings, plus more info (e.g. regarding accommodation options, prices by accommodation and travel logistics) and to book on – email me at beckymay283@gmail.com. A deposit will secure your place.
Testimonials from Past Attendees:
“The yoga retreat’ was the best gift that I could possibly have treated myself to! I arrived feeling quite worn out, and I left feeling restored and inspired, with a yoga practice that has been much strengthened and deeply nourished on a soul level.
There was a gorgeous flowing structure to the week, with daily yoga sessions focusing on different chakras and themes. Supported by early morning meditations in the roundhouse, and a delightful range of embodiment practices including wild swimming, contact improvisation, and tai chi, my body felt fully alive!
I loved how we had plenty of free time to follow our inspirations, with impromptu walks, painting, and herbal medicine sessions popping up spontaneously. A beautiful, easeful closeness grew through the group from our sharing circles and yin practices. Combined with the incredible food, the magical quality of the land and wildflowers, and the love and skill with which Becky and team held this retreat, this was a truly healing and revivifying experience.”
– Amy, Scotland
“The week flowed effortlessly, the spaces were held so beautifully by Becky’s impeccable ability to tune into our group and her own intuitive pulses to what was needed in each session. Becky created a stunning journey. I connected to spaces within me that I wouldn’t have been able to do so on my own. Trusting more in myself, my body’s wisdom and my connection to all of life itself. Closer to my authentic self.”
– Amy, Portugal
“This was such a healing and growing experience for me. I would 100% recommend.”
– Tish, Portugal
“The whole week was a treat from start to finish. Becky is an outstanding yoga teacher and the week gave me time to explore areas of practice that I don’t normally have time for and utterly relished. I’ve been practising yoga for nearly 40 years, and Becky brings a rare combination of physical and spiritual practice that is tailored to the groups needs.
Yoga was only one part of the week. It felt like a privilege to stay on the land. Becky (and her partner) are amazing hosts, nourishing you with the best food, space and opportunity to explore other activities, meet new people or relax as you need. The simplicity and wonderful location all contributed to a feeling of restoring both body and soul. Thank you Becky!”
– Nicky, UK
“The yoga retreat at Quinta da Pomba was probably one of the most transformative weeks I have had. I am incredibly thankful to Becky, the other incredible guests and the land, and Trev!. I’m also thankful to myself for booking it!! It was such beautiful week of real connection with other wonderful people and also with myself. It was incredibly beneficial to me and so much deeper, more healing and holistic than I expected from a yoga retreat. Physically being on the land, surrounded by incredible nature, starry skies, away from any ‘hustle and bustle’ felt so supportive during the week and was a huge part of how healing the week was. It’s truly such a magical place and I’m beyond grateful for all my time there. The food was also amazing, Dicle cooked us the most delicious vegetarian/ vegan food and it was so clearly cooked with love and passion, it felt utterly nourishing to eat such special healthy, home cooked food outdoors as the sunset.
Becky was incredibly thoughtful, sensitive and generous and as always the classes were perfect to really help me ‘involute’ and ‘peel back the layers’. Becky is so gifted and has such wisdom, it’s a privilege to practise with her and soak up some of the magic from her and the land. I have previously struggled to have a consistent practice and motivate myself when outside of classes, since the Coming Home retreat I have felt much more confident in listening to my body and I have got on my mat almost every day since, something about it feels lighter and easier.
I can’t wait to return!”
– Lauren, Netherlands
“Here are some words that come to mind when I think of the week – respect, community, love, healing, nature, ancestors, gifted, sharing, peace, learning, kindness, space, meaningful, openness – I could go on and on!!”
– Cate, UK
“I had an absolutely amazing time at the retreat with Becky. It turns out it was precisely what I needed. I can’t wait for the next one.”
– Dina, Portugal
frond yoga with Rebecca May 