Sacred Expression Retreat
Stop overthinking your life. Come back to yourself.
A 5-day immersive experience to feel, express, and reconnect with what you truly want
Portugal, 6th to 10th May, 2026
You’ve done everything right…
so why does something still feel off?
This is not a retreat to escape your life.
This is a space to come back to yourself, and get honest about what you truly want.
If you’ve been feeling disconnected, overwhelmed, or unsure about your next step…
maybe this is your moment to pause and listen.
Sacred Expression
Sacred Expression
This retreat is for the woman who is tired of holding everything in.
The one who thinks a lot, processes a lot… but doesn’t always feel or express what’s really inside.
You might be used to being composed, in control, “put together”.
But underneath, there are emotions, desires, truths…
that don’t always have space to be fully lived.
This is not just a retreat to slow down.
This is a space to move, feel, and express what’s been stuck inside you.
Maybe lately, you’ve been feeling…
– a little disconnected from yourself
– stuck in your head, overthinking everything
– unsure about what you really want
– like your life looks good… but doesn’t fully feel right
You keep going. You show up. You do what you’re supposed to do.
But inside, there’s a quiet voice asking:
“Is this it?”
At some point, more thinking doesn’t help.
More podcasts, more journaling, more “figuring it out”…
it just keeps you in the same loop.
What’s missing isn’t more understanding.
It’s space to feel, express, and reconnect with what’s true for you.
This is where the work truly begins…
Through breathwork, movement, voice, and creative expression… you’ll be guided into experiences where you can:
– release emotions you’ve been holding in
– reconnect with your body and its natural intelligence
– express yourself freely — through movement, sound, and creativity
– access your intuition in a way that feels real and embodied
There may be tears, laughter. discomfort, honesty, softness, and joy…
You won’t be sitting and thinking about your life.
You’ll be in it! Feeling it, moving through it, expressing it.
This is deep women’s work. Raw, real, and also playful.
A space where all parts of you are welcome, not just the calm, composed ones.
And in that expression… something begins to shift.
You start to hear yourself more clearly.
Feel yourself more honestly.
And trust what’s true for you.
I created this retreat for you.
Not the version of you who has it all together, but the one who feels a little lost, a little tired, and ready for something deeper.
A space where you don’t have to perform, fix yourself, or become someone else.
Just… come back to who you already are.
Retreat Highlights
What You’ll Experience — and How It Will Change You
Yoga & Meditation
Gentle practices to bring you out of your mind and back into your body — where calm, clarity, and presence naturally arise.
Breathwork
A space to release emotions you’ve been holding in, dive into the subconscious and reconnect with more clarity and aliveness.
Sacred Circles & Community
Honest conversations and shared moments where you feel truly seen, held, and not alone in what you’re experiencing.
HeartHealing® Hypnotherapy
A guided journey to heal your inner child, release limiting beliefs, and restore deep self-worth and confidence.
Embodiment & Creative Expression
Movement, dance, and expression to help you access the parts you don’t usually let out - your truth, your voice, your creativity.
Nature & Cycles Connection
Reawaken your bond with nature, attune with the seasons, the elements, and lunar cycles in a special way.
You won’t leave as a “new person”.
You’ll leave feeling more like yourself.
clearer about what you actually want
more connected to your body and emotions
able to express yourself more honestly
calmer, grounded, happier and less stuck in your head
Not because you fixed everything.
But because you finally gave yourself the space to listen.
🎥 Watch what this experience felt like for past participants:
“I didn’t expect it to affect me this deeply…”
What participants are actually saying?
“I left as a glowing goddess in sisterhood with my heart full of love and I am deeply grateful for all the offerings and tools from these amazing women, Mariana and Melissa, supporting me/us on my/our journey. If you are seeking more than just a break if you're yearning for reconnection, female energy and creativity as well as pure joy and sisterhood this retreat is the doorway.”
— Barbara, Switzerland“I have never experienced so much love from anyone and it was so beautiful to have that community support. I think it healed some part of me that needed this type of love and support. I wish this experience was not just a retreat energy, but the energy that's in the world. It would be so lovely if we humans interact with each other with much more love, compassion and kindness. I believe we can now spread this around us ✨❤️”
— Lucie, Czech Republic “I'm feeling incredibly grateful. When I arrived I felt very heartbroken and dysregulated and in chaos and I'm leaving more regulated, still heartbroken but heart open, trusting and totally reminded of my power which is so incredible… So, tears of joy, you called it. It's not tears of grief or sadness, it's actual tears of joy, and that's all I could hope for. Absolute magic, magic, magic, magic. Women are magic, you are all magic.”
- Erin, Scotland
Our Magical Space
We’ll gather at a beautiful retreat space nestled between the surf beaches of Ericeira and the mystical energy of Sintra.
The land itself is an invitation to reconnect with nature— and through her, with yourself. As we attune to the rhythms of the earth, we soften the edges of modern life and return to a state of inner harmony and presence.
The land doesn’t just hold you — it changes you.
Thoughtfully chosen for this deep immersion, The Shanti Space offers the ideal setting for rest, reflection, and transformation. And the best part? It’s just 30 minutes from Lisbon Airport — because a little convenience never hurts!
Think: forest walks, starry skies, nourishing meals by the incredible chef Tim Wilkening, hammock time, and deep peace. Everything here is designed to support your inner journey — and gently invite you into presence.
A place where you can breathe, slow down, and feel held — without needing to do anything.
Accommodation
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8-bedroom Dorm - €880
A budget-friendly option that allows you to dive deeper into the community experience and connect more profoundly with your friends.
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Twin Room Ensuite - €1280 (per person)
You will share a room with another woman. If a friend/sister also registers, you can room together. Here, you have a bit more privacy and tranquillity.
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Private Room Ensuite - €1880
You want to enjoy the comfort of having your own room to retreat to after workshops and events. Then this option is perfect for you.
This is an investment in yourself — not just a few days away, but a moment to reconnect with who you are and where you’re going.
Who This Retreat Is For?
This retreat is for you if:
You feel disconnected from yourself and don’t fully know what you want
You’re tired of overthinking and want to feel more grounded and clear
You’ve been holding things in and want a safe space to express yourself
You know something in your life needs to shift… but you don’t know how
You want depth, but also lightness, joy, and real human connection
You don’t need to be “spiritual” or have experience.
Just a quiet willingness to show up as you are.
Meet Your Facilitators
This retreat is lovingly guided by Mariana Lourenço and Melissa Ratti — two space holders with complementary gifts and shared devotion to embodied transformation. Together, they create a safe, soulful, and empowering container where you’ll feel both deeply held and gently invited into your fullest expression. You’ll also be supported by a small team behind the scenes, ensuring every detail flows with care, presence, and intention.
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Space holder, yoga & tantra teacher, and the heart behind Sacred Expression.
Mariana has guided and collaborated on retreats across the globe, bringing years of experience in yoga, tantra, embodiment, and transformational practices. As the creative force behind this retreat, she pours her heart and soul into every detail — curating a space that’s not only safe and sacred, but deeply nourishing, joyful, and alive. Expect grounded presence, playful energy, and the kind of hosting that makes you feel instantly at home.
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Melissa helps wonderful humans boost their mental, physical and emotional wellbeing by releasing and healing negative emotional memories, programming in new positive thoughts and beliefs, and learning how to tap into their unique energy to flow better through life.
Through bodywork to open energy channels plus cutting-edge trauma-informed hypnotherapy combining science and spirituality, she is able to facilitate a deep sense of peace, wellness and empowerment in both body and mind.
Having co-hosted retreats in Asia, Australasia, North Africa and Europe, her perspective-shifting energy will have you looking at life in a completely different (and uplifting!) way.
Sacred Expression #1
Photos of the first edition of our transformative retreat last year
Booking & Pricing
All-inclusive (4 nights / 5 days): nourishing meals, beautiful accommodation & all retreat practices included.
Choose from a variety of room options — cozy dorms, twin rooms, private suites, or bell tents for a more raw and magical nature experience. 🌙✨
A non-refundable deposit of $400 is required to secure your spot.
We are keeping this group intimate (max 14 women).
Currently, only a few spots remain.
If you feel a pull, we invite you to reach out.
Retreat Terms & Conditions available here.
Want more details?
Download the brochure and book a free discovery call to connect with us, ask your questions, and feel into the space.
SPONSORSHIP
We are honoured to offer a limited number of reduced-cost scholarship places to individuals from marginalised communities, including Black and Women of Colour, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, and those from challenging socio-economic backgrounds.
Providing low-cost scholarship opportunities is one way we aim to make our events more accessible to those who may otherwise face barriers to participation.
FAQs
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This retreat is designed with women in mind, but we warmly welcome gender-nonconforming beings. If you identify as non-binary, gender fluid, or somewhere else on the spectrum and feel called to this work, you are wholeheartedly welcome here. We use inclusive language throughout our time together.
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Absolutely! If you’re attending with a friend or a partner (yes to girlfriends doing the inner work together!), we even offer a special discount. Shared beds are also possible in some rooms — just let us know your preferences in advance.
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Yes! All activities, accommodations, and nourishing vegetarian meals (prepared by our incredible private chef Tim Wilkening) are included. That also covers the cacao ceremony, all materials you’ll need, and a few sweet surprises — because we love a little magic. ✨
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While we lovingly recommend joining all practices — as this journey is carefully curated to support your expansion — this is your space. You’re always encouraged to listen to your body and rest when needed. Nothing is mandatory, and you are sovereign here.
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All payments are handled through our secure booking platform, WeTravel. You can choose the option that works best for you:
– Pay in full
– Secure your spot with a $400 non-refundable deposit
– Select a payment plan that works with your flowWe also offer a 10% early bird discount for the first 8 sign-ups using the code EARLY8.
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All payments are non-refundable. If you cancel or decide not to attend, no refund will be issued. That said, you’re welcome to gift your spot to another woman if needed — just let us know.
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You’re in the perfect place. Whether this is your first step or a deeper dive into your spiritual path, this retreat will meet you exactly where you are. Expect a safe, heart-held space for healing, connection, joy, and transformation, and even making new friends!
