The aim of our programs is to lead a life of inner connection, responsibility and freedom - and to drop the unnecessary stories that we have written about ourselves. Through our time together you have access to tools that support you to reawaken your truth and let go of what doesn't serve you anymore. 

During our yoga retreat week together you will experience the supporting structure of community: we share a house, eat meals together, laugh, dance, play and share stories and songs around the campfire. It is so much more than just a yoga and surf retreat!

Eduardo Terzidis

yoga teacher & guide, ocean excursions

Eduardo guides most of our yoga retreats at Olho Branco, close to Aljezur, Portugal (June - September) and will be your main yoga teacher. He will offer meditation sessions in the morning and hatha yoga and somatic movement, yin yoga and take you on our ocean adventures.

Eduardo is a yogi, surfer, Permaculture designer and sustainability freak. He has started playing with the waves since he was a kid and surfing has shaped the person he is today. 

During this journey, the practice of Yoga has always been a central point. Moreover, Eduardo believes that sustainability starts from our own selves and it is only when we learn to be gentle and loving with ourselves that we can become such with what surrounds us. This and other principles are what he bases the method “Nature Yoga”. Eduardo is a Permaculture designer and he likes to integrate Permaculture principles in the practice of Yoga and viceversa. 

Jana Toepfer

founder of Ocean & Yoga

yoga and somatic movement teacher & transformative body work

Jana guides some of our Ocean & Yoga Retreats (in 2022 only the yoga retreat in October) as your main yoga teacher, and - if she is not guiding the full retreat - she supports Edu as a guest teacher on all yoga retreats in June, July, August and September 2022 for some wisdom-filled, dynamic and fun yoga and somatic movement workshops and to offer individual Transformative Bodywork (more information here).

In her retreats, Jana shares her passion for life.

For a life well lived, in full expression, honesty and integrity. 

She has been teaching yoga since 2010 (completed her yoga teacher trainings in Anusara Yoga) and has continued her studies in Meditation, Body Mind Centering, Contact Improvisation, Feldenkrais and Transformative Bodywork. In her sessions you will experience a whole lot of movement!

Walking the Red Path for several years now, learning from the indigenous ways of the Lakota Nation, she prays with the Vision Quest and Sun Dance. She integrates what she is learning on this road with a lot of love into her yoga & movement sessions.

Olga Sadowski

plant-based cooking & conscious eating, wisdom keeper & activist

Olga creates our plant-based meals made with purpose and love.  

Olga has been dedicated to plant-based cooking and mindful eating practices for several years, has worked and curated healthy and creative meals as a chef in upscale yoga retreat centers and is always creating new and nourishing inspiration for yogis and people who are curious about a healthy lifestyle. She will guide us through mindful eating rituals and share her wisdom on conscious & delicious cooking and inspire our understanding of our belonging to nature by eating. 

"Modern habits disconnect us from this communion with the land and its cycles. But without them, recognizing our own role in the orchestra of life is impossible. I believe food carries a key to the reconnection with nature.

In the process of death the human body refuses the intake of solid foods first, later all foods in general. If you think about it, every time we feed our body we are actually saying yes to our aliveness. It is an act of love for life. Understanding this simple formula opens the door to a world beyond meals itself. Reconnecting you with your gut intelligence and the source of all life. The rituals of cooking and eating become regular practices of mindfulness, connecting you with the reminiscence of who you are and what you are here for. Alongside you are naturally developing your capacity of compassion, a feeling of self responsibility and the will to act politically."

Fernando Neves

organic farm owner, host & chef

All Ocean & Yoga Retreats are hosted by the family of Eva and Fernando, the owners of the beautiful farm Olho Branco. They have two daughters and two cuddly dogs and some chicken and they focus on a simple and healthy lifestyle as close to nature as possible.

Fernando will make sure that you have everything that you need during your time with us. He is the man in the garden and he co-creates with Olga our delicious homemade, local and organic meals with the freshly harvested veggies from the garden. 

He is also a passionate surfer and tree-planter and will share his wisdom & home with you: a piece of paradise between mountain, ocean and sky.

our Ocean & Yoga retreat in Portugal, Algarve includes 

- 6 nights on an authentic, organic farm in double or single room (farmhouse, ensuite/or shared bathroom) or cabin (double or triple shared) or tent (bring your own or rent equipment from us)

- daily morning meditation & pranayama

- daily morning yoga & somatic movement sessions

- 1-2x afternoon restorative/yin yoga sessions

- guided meditations in beautiful nature

- ocean excursion with the chance to try all kinds of floating devices (hand planes, body boards and surf boards)

- 1x soundjourney

- guidance & support in your practice & process by the teachers

- daily homemade plant-based, local meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

- camp fires & sunset picnic (depending on conditions)

- spontaneous extra workshops based on interest of the group

optional:

- additional surfing lessons with local surf school

- transformative body work & massages

WATCH VIDEO - PREVIEW OCEAN & YOGA RETREAT