wild roots

‘A transformative experience igniting playfulness & connection’

19th - 25th Aug 2024

PORTUGAL

Book your spot

Do you ever feel like your life has become too serious and there’s no time for fun or meeting new people?

We did! Which is why we’ve created this experience.

This is not your standard retreat. Prepare yourself for a naked dive into awakening your inner child through movement, creative expression, bodywork & being part of a community WHILST soaking in the Portuguese sun.

This is an opportunity to go back to your roots with self sufficient living and deepening the connection you have with yourself, community & the land.

WHATS INCLUDED:

6 nights accommodation in the beautiful eco sanctuary of Zee Barn
Delicious & nutritious macrobiotic meals - using organic ingredients from Zee Barn & local organic farms
All workshops, classes & equipment - Acroyoga, dance, sound baths, conscious bodywork, art, nature walks & more
Beach time & lots of free time to rest and rejuvenate
Transport to and from the beach on beach days
Unlimited teas, coffee & water
Meeting like-minded people to share this incredible experience with & making life long friends
The warm, fuzzy, full feeling you will leave with!

WHATS NOT INCLUDED:

Flights & airport transfers
Travel insurance

This space is intertwined with nature and beautiful, yet basic living. It has everything you need, yet boasts simplicity. It’s an invitation to leave behind the distractions of modern life and materialism and to fully immerse yourself in the purity of the present moment.
We offer a variety of cosy sleeping options, each crafted with intentionality and a deep respect for the environment. Whether you choose the warmth of our dorm room with its snug individual bunks, the charming intimacy of our rustic 'tiny hut' or the secluded comfort of our 'Geodesic Dome', perfect for couples or small groups, every option beckons you to connect with the earth and with each other.
Here at Zeebarn we find not scarcity, but abundance – in community, in connection and in the profound joy of living in harmony with the world around us.
OTHER AMENITIES:
* There is a spacious yoga shala where most of our sessions will take place.
* An outdoor kitchenette to make teas & beverages
* Communal showers & compost toilets
* Communal eating area
Melania will be cooking delicious Macrobiotic foods for us.
What is Macrobiotics? It is focused on nutrient-dense, seasonal foods harvested locally. This diet and lifestyle also focuses on balancing life, restorative exercise, and the elimination of any chemicals or artificial ingredients in both food and personal health products.
We will be fed from the organic vegetable garden and food forest within the grounds, tended to with much hard work and love by Peppi & Melania (owners of ZeeBarn retreat centre), and other local organic farms.
Our mornings will always begin with meditation and movement. We will be experimenting with different ways of waking up, using various styles of yoga, dance and silent walks in nature.
Creating the perfect combination of connection, focus and play, there will be progressional Acroyoga workshops. We will work together in pairs and groups combing yogic and acrobatic moves. This beautiful practice helps to form trust and confidence whilst igniting our inner child.
Tapping into conscious bodywork and touch we will become more in tune with our bodies needs through Thai yoga sessions. This is a beautiful way to connect with others, bringing healing and relaxation.
Clearing any stagnant energy and judgment, we will be having a Cacao Ceremony and dancing under the stars, giving our bodies and minds permission to freely move however they desire.
We make all classes as safe as possible and can adapt to all levels and abilities. No prior experience needed!
Using sound to heal and align, we will embark on a sound journey. Embracing the vibrations of crystal sound bowls and other instruments, this experience will help clear stagnant energy, bringing flow and restoration. This has been known to help boost creativity and alleviate stress, bringing alignment to your body and mind.
Tapping into our creative side, we will be rewiring our beliefs around what being a ‘good’ artist is through painting, drawing and writing. We are all artists, and we all have the ability to create, it just depends who it is we’re electing as the judge of our creations and why we are creating. To expand our abilities and tap into this space, we will experiment with different styles and exercises to find our own unique way of expressing and hopefully begin to see and feel the importance and beauty of creating for ourselves.

WHAT TO EXPECT

schedule

Arrival: between 2-5pm. You will then have an introduction to the land & space, followed by dinner and an Opening Ceremony to settle in and get to know everyone.

An average day will include:

8/8.30am Start
3 movement classes/workshops
3 meals per day, snacks, tea & coffee
Beach time or Sound Bath
Evening camp fire
Free time

Meet the Team

-Mind, Movement & Creativity Coach, Massage Therapist & Ski Trainer -
Madeleine has always had a passion for moving her body, from being an artistic competitive gymnast, ballet and contemporary dancer, to a competitive runner and hurdler, ski trainer, yoga and acroyoga teacher. Embracing all forms of movement, Madeleine has dedicated much of her life to exploring different ways of moving and has found immense happiness in sharing this with others.
Leaving England when she was 18 years old, she has travelled all over the world exploring cultures, practices, rituals and observing how us humans adapt to this fast changing world. Realising the huge amount of people that suffer from stress, depression, and the effect this has on our health, she began to study and learn all about the body and mind and how to cultivate balance and happiness to rediscover our true selves. This lead to numerous courses in massage, mindset and stress management, holistic health care, and gut health. Along her journey, she also noticed that for many, adulthood has become so serious and we have forgetten how important it is to play and freely create without judgment. Madeleine strongly believes that creativity is one of our biggest forms of self expression and healing. Through acroyoga, dancing, painting, drawing, writing and playing music, she hopes to bring healing and joy.
Wanting to help people expand their creativity and to find more playfulness within themselves and surroundings, is what lead her to start ‘Roots Within Retreats.’

-Health management & Stress prevention specialist, Conscious touch & bodywork Facilitator -
Anna grew up in Germany but has spent most of her adult life country hopping. She is very passionate about travelling and genuine human connection as a way to rediscover our true selves.
With a Masters degree in health management, specialising in stress prevention, Anna’s journey has taken her down many different avenues completing various teacher trainings in yoga, relaxation techniques, Thai massage, and authentic relating. From teaching yoga all around the world, Anna began to learn and focus on conscious touch and bodywork.
Leading with kindness and empathy to honour the individuals unique journey, she has a strong belief in the importance of creating safe, welcoming, spaces where people can explore their inner selves, share their stories and build connections without judgement.
Anna is commited to cultivating a world where individuals feel seen, heard and valued for who they truly are.

Peppi is a visionary from the island of Malta. He is an experienced & certified ecological designer holding a Masters of Science in Ecological Architecture and a certified permaculturist, alternative farmer, teacher, consultant, and also the founder of the Permaculture Research Foundation for Malta. He has taught a number of courses over many years and spoken at high level circles including the Common Wealth Foundation.
Peppi started out working on permaculture projects at the young age of 21 while he was travelling in Australia. Destiny has put him on this path after a robbery incident that stripped him of everything he possessed including his passport and travel money.
He found refuge on a permaculture farm in the hills of Northern New South Wales where he traded his skills and volunteered on an eco center. He fell in love with the subject and philosophy of permaculture.
Peppi connected deeply with the mindset of permaculture and became passionate with the positive and integrative attitude that it promotes. He made it his mission to share this with as many people as possible and co-create projects to show case its potential.
Amongst his activities you can find Peppi planting the forest, saving seeds, growing food, teaching, playing music, consulting others on their projects, sometimes surfing, and reaching out to others who form part of the Zee Community.

Melania is originally from Tuscany, Italy but she has a nomadic soul. When she was only two years old, her parents took her to India and thanks to her unconventional family she has traveled extensively since a young age. She grew up exposed to oriental culture, Indian traditions, a Macrobiotic diet and philosophy.
In 2008 she left Italy, moved by an inner call to go for deeper Spiritual growth. Melania has been involved in various permaculture projects all over the world, where she discovered an inner joy and power in connecting with mother earth.
She loves to take care of the gardens and the kitchen at Zee Barn, where she cooks creative, colorful Macrobiotic vegan dishes made with their vegetables, fruits and flowers.
Melania loves to decorate her dishes with colorful edible flowers, as a form of art and meditation.
She loves to dry flowers and medicinal plants from the land and to find creative ways to turn them into pretty and practical homemade remedies, teas, oils, soaps, lotions and more.
Melania is also a committed yoga practitioner and teaches yoga at Zee Barn. Her desire to learn and teach yoga took her to study in India and all over the world with seniors renomated teachers.