Holistic Retreat in Portugal July 17–24, 2027
Traditional Mysore Practice • Chanting • Yoga Nidra • 1:1 Sessions • Silent Qi Gong
with Tanja Düttra, Torsten Metzger & Usha Rani Chittoor
Time for Practice · Time for Nature & Stillness · Time for Retreat & Connection · Time for Mindful Moments · Time for Nourishing Food · Time to Recharge
=> GERMAN VERSION
After three wonderful retreats here over the past few years, we are delighted to return to this magical place in southern Portugal in 2027 — this time together with Usha Rani Chittoor from Mysore.
This retreat is an invitation to consciously leave everyday life behind for a few days and immerse yourself in a space of stillness, mindfulness and personal growth. A space to deepen your connection with yourself, your body and your practice — in a safe and supportive environment where you can deepen your yoga practice, recharge your energy and connect with yourself on a deeper level.
Here you can find photos from our retreats over the past few years: Photos Portugal
Since then, quite a few things have changed and the place has become even more beautiful: many new trees have been planted, a winter garden has been added, and the pool area is now complete, with sun loungers, a shower and much more.
A Place to Breathe Nestled in the beautiful Sierra de Monchique, just 30–40 minutes from the beaches of the southern and western Algarve coast, lies Bodhi Bhavan — a place that invites you to slow down, unwind and simply be. Let the photos give you a glimpse of this magical setting.Bodhi Bhavan is located on Mount Picota in Monchique, Portugal, with breathtaking views across the northwestern side of the mountains and spectacular sunrises and sunsets. The retreat grounds blend harmoniously into the surrounding nature, with hiking trails starting right at the property.
Set across more than six hectares, the grounds offer plenty of space and privacy. Everyone can find their own quiet, hidden spot to rest and recharge. Natural spring water flows directly from the mountain at several points, with some springs filling open natural water tanks where you can cool off on warm days.
One of the highlights is the beautiful saltwater pool — the perfect place to relax, unwind and simply enjoy the surroundings.
The place has a unique energy that naturally supports a practice of self-discovery and stillness. It offers the perfect setting to find a deeper sense of peace and connection, meet yourself with greater clarity and reconnect with your inner strength.
For more information about the retreat centre: Bodhi Bhavan digital brochure
About the Retreat At the heart of this retreat is the traditional Ashtanga Yoga Mysore practice. During the morning Mysore sessions, Usha or Tanja will guide you individually according to your experience — whether you already have an established practice or are just beginning your journey with Ashtanga Yoga.
Complementary workshops and shared practice sessions offer a deeper understanding of the principles underlying Ashtanga as well as many other traditions.
As a harmonious counterbalance to the dynamic Ashtanga practice, we will explore Mantra Chanting, simple Pranayama practices, Silent Qi Gong, meditation and Yoga Nidra throughout the retreat.
Through the interplay of movement, breath, sound and stillness, a holistic space for experience unfolds — one that nourishes body, mind and nervous system and supports you in coming into deeper connection with yourself.
Individual 1:1 Session A special part of the retreat is an individual 1:1 session, tailored to your needs. You can choose the approach that feels most relevant to you in the moment. The session takes place in a safe and mindful space, guided by your individual needs and resources.
Torsten works with Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), an approach that can help you become more aware of habitual thought and behaviour patterns, develop new perspectives and strengthen your personal resources.
Tanja works with body-oriented and trauma-informed approaches such as Somatic Experiencing (SE), Integral Somatic Psychology (ISP) and NARM (NeuroAffective Relational Model). These approaches support nervous system regulation, deepen body awareness and encourage a mindful way of relating to challenging experiences.
In addition, soothing massages can be booked with Sita, the owner of Bodhi Bhavan.
A Possible Daily Schedule Subject to change
6:45 am · Chanting & Mysore Practice
10:30 am · Vegetarian Brunch12:00–6:00 pm · Time for yourself — walks, trips to the sea, relaxing by the saltwater pool, 1:1 sessions and massages
5:30 / 6:00–7:00 pm · Workshops — Yoga Nidra, Philosophy, Asana, Meditation Techniques & more
7:15 pm · Dinner
9:30 pm · Evening Meditation
This Retreat Is for You If You
- want to deepen or rediscover your Ashtanga Mysore practice
- would like to explore Meditation, Chanting, Qi Gong and Yoga Nidra as enriching complements to your practice
- want to support your nervous system and cultivate a greater sense of inner calm
- are interested in personal growth and body-oriented self-exploration
- would appreciate individual 1:1 guidance
- want to bring body, mind, psyche, soul and heart together within a supportive community
We look forward to sharing this special place with you and creating a space where traditional practice, nature, personal growth and genuine connection come together in a natural and meaningful way.
Retreat Fee
€1,350 per person · large twin room
€1,250 per person · small twin room
Early Bird until September 30, 2026
€1,250 per person · large twin room
€1,150 per person · small twin room
=> Download: Registration Yoga Retreat Portugal 2027
What’s Included in the Price
* 7 nights’ accommodation in a shared twin room
* Full vegetarian board — generous brunch in the morning & dinner
* Fresh fruits, water, tea & coffee throughout the day
* Full yoga programme — Mysore, Chanting, Yoga Nidra, Silent Qi Gong, Pranayama
Meditation)
* One individual 1:1 session — NLP Coaching or body-oriented trauma therapy
What’s Not Included:
* Travel to and from Portugal
* Rental car — we are happy to help organize shared rides so that participants can share a rental cart.
The nearest airport is Faro, approximately 45 minutes away. Lisbon and Seville are both approximately 3 hours away.
Tanja has been teaching Ashtanga Yoga since 2003. In 2004, she travelled to Mysore for the first time to study with Sharath Jois, Saraswati Jois and Pattabhi Jois — the beginning of a 20-year journey. Sharath Jois remained her teacher until his passing in 2024 and authorized her to teach Ashtanga Yoga in its traditional form.
In 2007, she founded Ashtanga Yoga Mitte in Cologne and established a Mysore Morning programme in 2010. Individual guidance within the Mysore practice has always been an important part of her teaching. She believes that being seen and supported as an individual can be deeply nourishing and healing.
Ashtanga Yoga has been an integral part of Tanja’s spiritual journey, always accompanied by meditation, chanting and Eastern philosophy.
In 2010, she discovered Somatic Experiencing (SE) and experienced the same fascination she had found in yoga — the beginning of another journey. For her, body-oriented trauma work is a natural complement to Ashtanga Yoga, offering a different perspective and new ways of working with personal experiences.
In 2020, she qualified as a Heilpraktikerin für Psychotherapie and has since worked in individual sessions with Somatic Experiencing (SE), Integral Somatic Psychology (ISP), NARM and Somatosensory Psychodynamics (SSP).
More information about Tanja’s therapeutic work can be found here.
Torsten has been teaching Tai Chi, Qi Gong and meditation since 2017. After many years of training, he received his teaching certification from his teacher Ralf Müller (ZBK). He also regularly leads deep relaxation and Yoga Nidra sessions.
His interest in spirituality, martial arts and energy work began in his youth. Since 2013, he has been part of the Ashtanga Yoga Mitte team, co-leading workshops, yoga retreats and trips to India with Tanja and enriching them with his experience.
Since 2026, Torsten has also been working as an NLP Master Coach, offering individual coaching sessions and supporting people in developing new perspectives and greater awareness.
More information about Torsten and his work can be found on his website.
Usha comes from Andhra Pradesh, India, and grew up in a traditional Hindu priest family. Since 2007, she has lived and practised in Mysore, dedicating herself deeply to the traditional practice of Ashtanga Yoga. She initially studied with Shri K. Pattabhi Jois and continued her journey under the guidance of his grandson, Shri R. Sharath Jois, whom she assisted in teaching in Mysore for many years. As an authorized Ashtanga teacher, Usha combines many years of dedicated practice with a deep connection to the Vedic tradition and Vedic Chanting.
For Usha, yoga is a holistic path that reaches far beyond the physical practice. Devotion, regular practice, awareness and a connection to tradition form the foundation of her yoga journey — an experience she brings to her teaching with warmth, clarity and dedication.
More information about Usha can be found here.