Life Awareness
Breath, Body & Mind Retreat
In a magical hidden valley in South Portugal.
September 6-11, 2026
Oct 1-6, 2026
A Time to
Reset, Reconnect
and Recreate Your Life
Nature, yoga, pranayama, meditation, QiGong—free from screens and everyday distractions.
Go deeper into these practices to restore the body, sharpen the mind, reconnect with yourself, and reignite your joy for life. Surrounded by a supportive community of like-minded people, we’ll create space for both inner work and connection with nature.
Throughout the week, you’ll be guided by Yogalap founder Michaël Bijker and Thomas Mathias, creating the ideal environment for deep practice, learning, growth, and genuine connection.
Breathwork, QiGong, yoga, and mind-training
Sharpen your mind, awaken the power of your heart, and bring clear insight back into your life.
…What You’ll Experience…
A journey inward to clear what no longer serves you, reconnect with what truly matters, and create your life from a place of greater clarity, presence, and inner strength.
Reset your mind. Clear the noise. Slow down enough to hear yourself again. Everything changes when your thoughts change.
Reconnect with the greater LIFE we are all part of. Reconnect with your heart calling. Reconnect with your source of power within.
Recreate your life from that grounded place, to manifest abundance, vibrant health, aligned wealth, and nourishing relationships.
Guided breathwork and pranayama sessions
Guided breathwork and pranayama sessions each day to explore the breath and ancient techniques
Yoga and Qigong
Yoga and Qigong to awaken the body and energy system through embodied movement
Meditation & Mind-Training
Training the mind to tap into higher states of awareness to manifest a harmonious life.
Group sessions and sharing circles
Group sessions and sharing circles where we learn from each other and grow as a community
Refinement of techniques,
Refinement of techniques, personal reflections, and Q&A in real life
Time in nature:
Time in nature, embracing simplicity and stillness by stepping away from daily distractions
Workshops:
Workshops including sound healing, life reflection sessions, yoga philosophy, tea ceremonies, and more
Cultivating inner power, harmony, and inspiration:
Cultivating inner power, harmony, and inspiration to carry with you long after the retreat ends
Nourishing plant-based food
Nourishing plant-based food cooked with love by our wonderful chef Mukta
Who Is This Retreat For
This retreat is for anyone ready to step out of the noise and reconnect with what truly matters.
For 6 days, we’ll train the body, sharpen the mind, open the heart, and explore what it means to consciously create the life we want to live.
A time to recharge, reconnect, and leave with fresh energy, clarity, and inspiration for the life ahead.
The Venue
A perfect place for deep rest & renewal
Tucked away in a cozy villa with a lush garden in the South Western Algarve, this retreat sanctuary offers the perfect blend of nature, peace, and spaciousness.
Just a 15-minute drive from the unspoiled, breathtaking beaches of the Algarve, it’s a place where the ocean, forests, and quiet hillsides all meet.
What's included?
A complete package for mind, body and spirit
• 14 sessions (daily workshops, yoga, breathwork, QiGong, mind training sessions)
• 3 delicious & nourishing meals per day
• The Life Awareness Workbook
• Michaël Bijker's online "7-Day Essentials Course"
Simple Comfort Surrounded by Nature
You’ll be staying in a cozy villa surrounded by nature and forest. The villa has space for up to 8 people to sleep. Males and females will be separate. The garden has plenty of spaces both indoor and outdoor to relax, reflect, or enjoy time alone, and we are next to a forest with plenty of walking routes. Private options are very limited and available upon request. There is also the option to rent your own Airbnb nearby.
Nourishing Food Made With Love
During the retreat you’ll be cared for with delicious, nurturing meals prepared by our wonderful chef, Mukta. The food will be plant-based, mostly gluten-free, and created with fresh, vibrant ingredients that support both energy and ease.
Each meal is designed to help you feel light, grounded, and deeply nourished—so your practice can unfold with clarity, strength, and comfort. From comforting warm dishes to fresh, colorful plates, every bite is meant to support your body, calm your mind, and make you feel at home.
The Schedule
On the first day, we arrive and settle in together as a group—setting intentions, getting to know each other, and opening the space for the immersion.
The days that follow are held within a supportive and steady rhythm. We rise early together and move through a daily schedule of practices, including yoga, pranayama, QiGong, meditation, and journaling.
There is time for rest, reflection, nature, and integration—time to connect with each other as a community, as well as time to be in silence and stillness.
07:00 - 7:30 Silent Meditation (Optional)
07:30 - 9:30 Yoga, breathwork, Mind training
09:30 - 11:00 Breakfast, break
11:00 - 13:00 Workshops & Group Practices
13:00 - 17:00 Lunch & Break (Time for rest, nature walks, or a massages with one of the on-site therapists)
17:00 - 18:30 Sunset session
18:30 - 20:00 Dinner
20:00 - 20:30 Light evening practice, finishing the day
Dates & Prices 2026
6 - 11 September
1 - 6 October
༄ Shared Room €1250
༄ Private Room: €1950
Only one available for a single person. If you want a private room as a couple or as friends, you can simply book two shared rooms and let us know.
༄ Commuter Option 850€
(Sleeping off-site, includes all meals and full participation in the program)
How to Register
Register
To register, send us an email using the button below and let us know which retreat dates you’d like to join.
Reserve your spot
Reserve your spot with a €400 down payment using the link below. Once we receive your payment, your spot is confirmed, and you’ll receive all the info you need to prepare.
Remaining balance
The remaining balance is due one month before the immersion begins.
Meet Your Teachers
Michaël Bijker
On the retreat Michaël will be guiding a beautiful variety of sessions to awaken your full potential.
Michaël is the founder and director of the Life Awareness Project (yogalap). With more than 140,000 students across 190+ countries, he has helped thousands of people improve their mental and physical well-being — supporting individuals of all genders, backgrounds, and walks of life to feel stronger, calmer, and more connected.
He is one of the world’s leading Pranayama and Breathwork teachers. A certified 800hr (Yoga Alliance 500 E-RYT) teacher with a Yoga Therapy Certification from Paramanand Institute of Yoga Sciences & Research, Indore, where he studied under the loving and wise guidance of Dr. Omanand-Guruji. He has been teaching Breathwork, Meditation, QiGong, and Yoga since 2009.
Thomas Mathias
Thomas has been part of the yogalap team since 2023. He has developed the Meditation Instructor Course, and co-creates the retreats alongside Michaël. He himself is deeply passionate about yoga, meditation and eastern philosophy, and makes almost yearly visits to India to visit his teachers.. During the retreat, he will share dynamic vinyasa yoga classes, deep meditation experiences, and explorations and discussions of ancient yogic philosophies.
Mukta Devi
Mukta is our wonderful chef—and a yogini herself. Throughout the retreat, she’ll prepare delicious, nourishing vegetarian meals made with fresh, wholesome ingredients and plenty of love. Food that not only tastes amazing, but supports your energy, practice, and wellbeing throughout the week.
Zoran Jambrešić
Zoran Jambrešić, a shiatsu therapist, self-healing guide, and artist from Croatia, supports people in reconnecting with their body, awareness, and inner sense of peace. During the retreat, he will assist Michael and Thomas and offer individual shiatsu treatments. Shiatsu is an internationally recognized Japanese bodywork method based on Traditional Chinese Medicine, using conscious touch and gentle pressure tailored to each person’s unique needs to support natural self-regulation, release tension, calm the nervous system, and restore balance.
Requisites
While these immersions are nourishing and restorative, with amazing food and plenty of comfort, they are much more than a relaxing retreat. They are dedicated spaces to optimise the body and mind, reconnect with our true nature, and create meaningful inner growth through yogic practice, self-reflection, and deeper inner work.
To support the depth and flow of the experience, we kindly ask that participants meet the following prerequisites:
To get the most out of the retreat, we highly recommend coming well prepared. Before attending, we ask that you complete at least one Life Awareness course or training, such as the 7-Day Essentials Course, Breath Is Life, or the Meditation/Breathwork Instructor Course.
To help you prepare, you’ll receive free access to the Life Awareness Essentials Course.
You are already familiar with pranayama, breathwork, meditation, yoga, and/or qigong
You feel comfortable with early mornings, silence, and focused daily routines
You are open to group work, personal reflection, and inner transformation
You agree to abstain from alcohol and other intoxicants during the immersion and in the lead-up to it
You are physically and mentally able to participate in a full daily schedule that includes breathwork, movement, and stillness
Getting to us
The immersions take place in a peaceful, hidden valley near Aljezur, in the South-Western Algarve of Portugal—surrounded by rolling hills, ocean air, and wild beauty.
Closest airport:
– Faro Airport (FAO) – about 1.5 to 2 hours by car
– Lisbon Airport is also possible – around 3.5 to 4 hours by car
How to get here:
– By car: The easiest and most flexible way—especially if you plan to explore the area before or after the retreat
– By shared shuttle or taxi: Get a direct taxi from Faro airport for around 95€ (We’ll help connect participants who want to share rides)
– By bus: There are buses from Faro and Lisbon to Aljezur, though they’re less frequent. Let us know if you need help with this option
– Arrive by late afternoon on Day 1 (we’ll send exact timing)
– The immersion ends around midday on the last day
Once your place is confirmed, we’ll send you the exact address and everything you need to prepare.
If you’re traveling from abroad, we recommend giving yourself a little buffer time of 1 or 2 days in the country—to acclimatize in Portugal and arrive relaxed and rested for the program.
Cancellation
We understand that life can be unpredictable. If something comes up and you’re no longer able to join, here’s how cancellations are handled:
The down payment is non-refundable, but can be transferred to another course or retreat
If you cancel more than 30 days before the start of the immersion, any additional payments made (beyond the down payment) will be refunded
If you cancel less than 30 days before the immersion, we’re unable to offer a refund, as preparations and bookings will already be in place
If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out. We’re here to help.
Any changes to bookings (such as transferring your spot to another date or person) will include a €40 administration fee
Get in Touch
We would love to have you join us on this retreat. If you have any questions or need more information, please don’t hesitate to reach out. You can email us at info@yogalap.com or fill in the form below, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
