Portugal
Set in the Portuguese countryside, just 40 minutes south of Lisbon, this luxury retreat will take place at Casas na Ferraria, a century-old heritage organic farm surrounded by 130 hectares of protected natural reserve land and recognized as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
Daily yoga & meditation
Nourishing food for body & mind
Be one with nature, the essence
Framed by the Arrábida mountain range and close enough to the coast to catch the ocean in the air, this is an invitation to slow down, soften your senses, and reconnect with nature as a reflection of the Self.
Each day includes morning and evening movement and stillness practices with Susan in the sanctuary’s well-equipped yoga shala. At sunrise, expect an energizing yet revitalizing mat practice; at sunset, restorative sessions will support deep rest for body and mind.
To further nourish the mind and spirit, there will be sharing on yogic philosophy and food awareness, along with optional nighttime pranayama sessions, possibly under the stars if conditions allow.
There will also be a guided nature walk through the reserve and, on one morning, a dolphin-spotting excursion together.
Whether your intention is to deepen your yoga practice, unwind in nature, or shift your relationship with food in a more conscious way, this nature-oriented retreat offers a meaningful and transformative pause from everyday life.
Susan has long been fascinated by both food and yoga. For more than twenty years, she has explored many approaches to discerning eating, and since 2012 she has also included regular fasting, both intermittent and extended, in her health practice.
She believes that what we eat matters deeply, and that fasting is equally important, especially for supporting the body’s self-healing capacity. Her personal guide is simple: she pays attention to how she feels. When she feels energized, clear-headed, and free from pain or blemishes, she knows she is on the right path.
Because change is constant, what works now may not work forever. That is why ongoing refinement matters, and why a strong connection to body and mind is essential before any meaningful adjustment can happen. Yoga plays a central role in that process. At Manasa Yoga, it is taught as a practice of elevating awareness of self, others, and the environment, helping us observe what is happening within us so we can make necessary changes, even when they are challenging.
This 5-day retreat is designed around nourishment. Each day includes morning and evening sessions, plus a few moonlit guided pranayama sessions, all focused on supporting body, mind, and spirit.
Movement practices will energize and restore, and meals will follow each session. Breathwork will help nourish the mind, while wisdom teachings on yogic science and food awareness will support the spirit.
Susan will share insights from yoga philosophy, including essential teachings from the Sadhana Pada, the second chapter of the Yoga Sutras. She will also offer practical guidance on food awareness and how to better care for the one body each of us has, with the aim of reducing pain and suffering and helping you feel your best.
Three times a day, you can look forward to fresh, local, in-season meals prepared by a private chef: brunch, a light afternoon snack, and dinner. On the final night, dinner may be held at a local restaurant, to be confirmed.
Casas na Ferraria is a distinctive retreat setting where eucalyptus-scented air, pine trees, and cork oaks create the feeling of being far from the city, even though Lisbon is only a short distance away. The owner, an architect, has renovated the traditional Portuguese farm buildings while preserving their beautiful proportions and original character.
Guests will stay in tastefully decorated ensuite rooms, available as private accommodation or shared with a friend. If you are coming alone, you will be paired with another participant. The property is designed for year-round comfort, with cooling in summer and floor heating for winter. For late September into early October, the weather is expected to be ideal. Natural, environmentally friendly materials such as clay and reclaimed wood were used throughout, and all rooms have ensuite bathrooms.
For those who would like to extend their time in Portugal after the retreat, Faro is a recommended option.
If you join the Faro extension, you may fly into Lisbon and return from Faro. Support can also be provided with train transfers, hotels, and related arrangements.
Faro, the relaxed capital of Portugal’s Algarve, blends history, nature, and daily life with ease. Inside the old city walls, cobbled streets lead to sunlit squares, Moorish architecture, and a cathedral overlooking terracotta rooftops. Beyond the city, the Ria Formosa lagoon opens into islands, salt marshes, and beaches, creating a haven for birdlife, boat trips, and peaceful coastal time. With warm light, easygoing cafés, and an authentic local rhythm, Faro invites you to slow down and stay awhile.
two persons to a room
Early bird rate is applicable when you sign up with a non-refundable deposit of 600 euro by 15 March 2026
A non-refundable deposit of 800 euro is required to book your spot after 15 March 2026
Ensuite bathroom
Casual chic Interiors
you get the whole room to yourself
Early bird rate is applicable when you sign up with a non-refundable deposit of 800 euro by 15 March 2026
A non-refundable deposit of 1000 euro is required to book your spot after 15 March 2026
Ensuite bathroom
Casual chic Interiors
Please make payment in Euro.
You can transfer via WISE in Euro to:
SUSAN KEE
IBAN: BE
Or if you need additional bank transfer details, let me know and I will give them to you.
Retreat deposit and fees are to be paid in euro
Booking is confirmed upon receipt of a NON-REFUNDABLE deposit
Balance payments are due AUG 1st, 2026
If for some reason you are not able to attend the retreat, you can get someone to come in your stead.
Susan Kee Thulin has studied with Guru Manoj Kaimal of Manasa Yoga, a leading yoga school in Malaysia, since mid-2002. After beginning as a student, she completed her teacher training in 2007 at her guru’s urging, and the 200-Hour Teacher Training deepened her commitment to yogic philosophy. She went on to complete the Manasa 500 Hour Teacher Training in 2010 and has supported the teacher training programs as a mentor since 2011.
As a resident teacher at Manasa since 2009, Susan is devoted to showing how breath and movement can be practical tools for empowerment and positive change. She believes yoga is therapy and contributed to therapeutic classes at Manasa from March 2011 until late 2015. From 2019 until March 2020, she also helped lead restorative yoga for cancer patients at SOL KL.
In January 2020, Susan taught yoga philosophy at the All Yoga Teacher Training in Koh Phangan, Thailand. Later that month, she co-hosted her first yoga and fasting retreat, sharing fasting, food wisdom, restorative practices, and breath practices. She has organized Manasa Yoga’s annual yoga retreats since 2007, and after leading her first Elevate Consciousness retreat in the Maldives in June 2024, she made it an annual offering. Following Paros in September 2025, the 2026 destination returns to the Portuguese countryside, centered on coming back to our essence.
Designed for guests who enjoy a comfortable social setting without compromising privacy, this room category offers a practical and welcoming stay. Each shared room includes two single beds, a private ensuite bathroom, and a terrace, creating a balanced space for rest and quiet moments outdoors.
Ideal for friends, retreat participants, or solo travelers open to sharing, these rooms provide the essentials for a relaxed wellness experience. The private ensuite adds convenience, while the terrace offers a pleasant spot to unwind, read, or enjoy fresh air between sessions.
With a simple, functional layout and thoughtful amenities, the shared room options support a restful atmosphere throughout your stay. Whether you are joining a retreat or looking for an affordable accommodation choice, this room type combines comfort, privacy, and a sense of ease.
Susan Kee Thulin
Mon, Sep 28 – Sat, Oct 3