In March, I found myself deep in the heart of the Amazon rainforest in Peru, volunteering alongside a group of 14 amazing people. The group was mostly women, and one day, we gathered for a women’s circle I hosted. Together, we spent the day creating, dreaming, and immersing ourselves in the present moment. We made candle holders from coconuts and harvested clay from the each to make bowls for the kitchen.
One of the activities we shared was a group manifestation. I invited everyone to help me visualize my dream: a sanctuary where people could come to heal, grow, and learn. I wrote down every idea they shared. We envisioned a raw piece of land surrounded by lush nature, adorned with a vibrant garden, fragrant herbs, and grapevines. We dreamed cats and dogs roaming freely, hammocks swaying under the trees, and a space where people could come to practice their skills, collaborate, and leave their unique mark on the land.
Fast forward a few months, I was back in Prague, leading a tour through the city. One of the men in my group struck up a conversation, curious about my other pursuits. I shared my work as a yoga teacher, pre-and postnatal fitness instructor, breathwork facilitator, and retreat host. He insisted I meet his friend in Portugal, someone with a similar vision.
He connected me with a woman named Mariana Santos. From the moment we spoke, it was clear we needed to meet. We decided to collaborate, and by October, I was boarding a flight to Portugal to meet her for the first time. When I stepped onto the land of her ancestors, the breathtaking Animame Algarve, I was overwhelmed with emotion. It was as if my dreams from Peru had come to life. The land mirrored what I had envisioned months earlier, surrounded by those inspiring women in the rainforest.
In Portugal, I had the privilege of hosting a retreat with Mariana, who's energy and passion for life is contagious. We spent the week connecting deeply with eight incredible souls as we stepped away from the everyday and embraced the wild. The experience was nothing short of transformational. What began as a distant dream has now become a reality, one even greater than I had imagined. Animame Algarve feels like home, I was welcomed so warmly by Mariana and her open heart. We now have the opportunity to build something beautiful, meaningful, and enduring together.
Photo's by @LiaValero
This dream has also expanded to include three other amazing women who share our vision. Together, the five of us are coming together to host another retreat in March. Our intention is to create a space where people can come together in community to heal, transform, and reconnect. We want to offer an experience that helps people step back to a time before we became so distracted by technology and consumed by fear, a time when connection to nature, to others, and to ourselves was paramount.
Animame Algarve is a sanctuary for souls who dream of a different life. It is a place where people can reconnect with what truly matters: community, creativity, and the beauty of simply being. This journey has taught me the power of dreaming, especially when those dreams are shared. Life becomes more vibrant, rewarding, and profound when we dream and create together.
A significant part of why I have been able to bring this dream to life is my own healing journey. My work on myself, releasing energetic blocks, working through trauma and using tools like plant medicine, body work, and breathwork have been transformative. Starting my days with connecting with my breath and journaling keeps me connected to myself and has shown me what is possible. These practices have brought me to higher levels of awareness, teaching me that I choose my reality and can create the life I desire. I have learned that I can feel good and live without fear. My breathwork practice has taught me to love and trust myself, to recognize that it’s not only okay but essential to put myself first. What some might call 'selfish' is, in truth, the act of choosing what’s best for me a choice that ultimately benefits everyone around me. When I take care of myself and live in alignment with my truth, my light shines brighter, allowing me to guide others out of their own darkness.
If you are interested in exploring healing through modalities like breathwork or bodywork, or would like to join one of our retreats I would love to hear from you. Together, we can take steps toward creating the life you dream of. Here is a reminder to dream and don't be afraid to ask for help along the way, together we can make the extraordinary possible.
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