Back to Herself - Fall Edition (Oct. 1-4)
4 Days Away to Reconnect with Yourself
A gentle, restorative four-day retreat specifically designed for women who need a real break from the to-dos, who crave time and space to rest, breathe, and hear themselves again - with no pressure to perform, and absolutely zero expectation.
Do you feel like you give to everyone, all the time, but barely have any time left to take care of yourself ?
If what you truly crave is to be held instead of holding everything together, and to reconnect with the woman you are beneath the constant demands, read on :)
You don’t need more advice, or another thing to optimize, you need an invitation to just be, without anything to plan.
Back to Herself is a restorative wellness retreat for women who want to feel like themselves again, not just a mom / partner / manager of everything, for women who want to breathe without being needed.
Over four slow days in the countryside, you’ll be guided into rest and reflection through:
Grounding, accessible yoga practices & nervous system regulation (open to all levels).
Guided writing & reflection practices to untangle your thoughts instead of carrying them silently.
A ceramics workshop with Cecile Mestelan.
Structured alone time (no expectations, no performance).
Spacious time for rest, silence, and integration.
A small, intimate group of women like you.
A calm, supportive environment. No fixing, no pushing, no “be better” energy.
✦ Everything is designed to help you slow down enough to hear yourself again.
I am rooted, but I flow. Virginia Woolf
〰️
I am rooted, but I flow. Virginia Woolf 〰️
WHAT YOU’LL EXPERIENCE
✦ In Your Body
A calmer nervous system
Less tension, less bracing, less overwhelm
A felt sense of safety and rest
✦ In Your Mind
Mental clarity instead of constant noise
Space to sort through what you’re feeling - honestly
Relief from carrying everything alone
✦ In Yourself
A reconnection to who you are beneath the roles
A sense of grounding and self-trust
The quiet confidence of having chosen yourself
📅 Thursday October 1st to Sunday October 4th
📍 Grandola, Portugal — 90min south of Lisbon
A peaceful venue in the heart of Alentejo countryside for a long weekend of movement, nature, nourishment & rejuvenation.
I’m here if you have any questions!
An invitation to reconnect with yourself
〰️
An invitation to reconnect with yourself 〰️
YOUR HOST
Bonjour! I’m Pauline, and I will be your host on this fabulous retreat. I am a certified Yoga & Meditation instructor with over 500 hours of training - and I’m also a mom to two amazing kids, whom I love deeply and sometimes also need a break from ;)
My work is rooted in supporting the unique needs of women through major life transitions using yoga, meditation, writing, community, and retreat experiences for holistic wellbeing.
After a first professional career in retail tech between New York and Los Angeles, I moved to Lisbon with my family in 2023 and changed everything in pursuit of a slower, more soulful and more aligned lifestyle.
Since then, I’ve been teaching group, private and corporate yoga classes weekly in Lisbon, and I’ve led a dozen wellness retreats in Portugal, for international groups of all backgrounds.
From tech to wellness, from the US to Portugal, from disconnected to embodied. Voilà!
“I had the privilege of attending Pauline’s “back to herself” retreat and it was wonderful; exactly what I needed. The location was beautiful and serene while still having many necessary and nice amenities. The group size was perfect to allow for some alone time but not feeling lonely.
And the yoga was perfectly balanced and the sequence of the sessions seemed incredibly intentional. The food was also fantastic.
It really was the perfect weekend- I just wish we had one more day 🤗”
LOCATION
Located just 90 minutes south of Lisbon (125 km), between Grândola and Comporta, the Monte das Casolas tranquil estate is set in an oak forest surrounded by rolling hills, unspoiled beaches and landscapes that shift from lush green in winter to golden hues in summer, offering a serene haven for relaxation, creativity, and connection with nature.
Whether seeking inspiration, stillness,or hands-on artistic expression, guests can unwind in this tranquil setting, far from the rush of city life, and reconnect with themselves through nature and creativity.
On the grounds, enjoy an oval pool inspired by nature, an open-air yoga shala, and shaded spots under ancient olive trees. Created for rest and reconnection, it’s a place to slow down and enjoy the essentials in an exceptional natural setting.
ACCOMODATION
3 casolas or small houses are available for our group for this retreat; whitewashed houses, designed with simplicity and sustainability in mind, offering modern comfort and blending seamlessly into the landscape.
All casolas are identical in size and layout, with 3 bedrooms in each. You’ll be sharing the common areas of your casola with 2 other participants, and you have your own private room and bathroom.
BEDROOMS
Each room has a double bed and a private bathroom, and for this retreat, unless you are coming as a couple, you will not be sharing your room with anyone else. Enjoy restful nights of sleep with no disruption!
Beds, mattresses and linens are of the highest quality to ensure the most rejuvenating nights and the windows in every room are framing the surrounding nature. The bathrooms are complete with a shower, sink, and toilet.
WHO THIS IS FOR
This retreat is for you if:
You feel emotionally depleted or constantly “on”
You miss yourself, but can’t name what’s missing
You crave rest more than answers
You feel guilty needing time away
You want reflection without pressure to share
WHO THIS IS NOT FOR
This retreat may not be right for you if:
You want a packed schedule or high-energy experience
You’re seeking intense emotional processing
You want someone to tell you what to do with your life
You’re looking for quick, dramatic transformation
You’re not open to slowness and quiet
FOOD
Great food is a pillar of a successful retreat! Be assured that you will eat well, and enough, during your stay :)
All meals are homemade and prepared on-site daily by a private chef. Ingredients are seasonal, sourced locally, and organic for the most part. The cuisine is vegetarian, fresh and delicious and meals are shared by the group.
The menu is the same for everyone but we can of course accommodate specific dietary restrictions - please inform us ahead of time of any allergies or intolerances.
YOGA
No need to be flexible or to balance on your head; if you can breathe, then you can practice yoga. This is not just a saying, it’s my deepest belief and I welcome students of all levels and backgrounds in my classes and retreats.
I teach Hatha Yoga heavily influenced by Iyengar: an alignment-based practice, infused with mindfulness meditation techniques.
At the retreat, the yoga practices are energizing in the morning and restorative in the evening, and more importantly they are accessible to everybody and every body.
Whether you’re new to yoga or a regular student, we adjust and modify the practice accordingly. You’re not here to perform, but to feel, sensations in your body; to notice your breath; to embrace spaciousness.
When I say everybody and every body is welcome, I truly mean that: this retreat is open to women of all ages, all sizes, all fitness conditions, to pregnant women, to new moms, to whoever needs to get back to herself.
FULL SCHEDULE
Day 1 (Thursday):
3pm - Arrival & check-in. Rooms will be available at 3pm, you’re welcome to relax by the pool if you arrive earlier.
5pm - Introductions, opening circle and setting a few intentions to begin.
5.45-7pm - Yin-Yang yoga: a gentle movement and relaxation practice to fully arrive and anchor ourselves in the present moment.
7.30pm - Family-style dinner, getting to know each other while sharing a hearty meal.
Day 2 (Friday):
Light breakfast: fresh fruits, nuts, herbal teas, coffee, tea.
8.30-10.30am - Hatha Yoga, a 2-hour grounding practice on the theme of Root & Rebound. Accessible to all levels.
11am - Nourishing, healthy and delicious Brunch.
12-2pm - Free time: read, rest, relax, swim, explore, you do you :)
2-4pm: C A R E M I C S, a 2-hour handbuilding workshop by Cécile Mestelan. A conscious return to self, through clay.
4.30-6pm - Journaling workshop: exploring the act of writing as a mindfulness tool.
6-7.15pm - Restorative yoga, a relaxing practice where we hold poses for several minutes, allowing for deep stretch & release, on the theme of the Air element.
7.30pm - Delicious family-style dinner & bonfire chats.
Day 3 (Saturday):
Light breakfast: fresh fruits, nuts, herbal teas, coffee, tea.
8.30-10am - Dynamic morning Yoga flow practice to energize, stretch and strengthen, on the theme of Transitions.
10.15am - Morning swim in the pool.
11am - Nourishing, healthy and delicious Brunch.
12-5.30pm - Quiet time: read, rest, relax, explore, you do you :)
6-7.15pm - Yoga Nidra (or the Yoga of sleep) with Tibetan bowls, a lying-down practice for total relaxation.
7.30pm - Family-style dinner & stargazing.
Day 4 (Sunday):
Light breakfast: fresh fruits, nuts, herbal teas, coffee, tea.
8am - Morning Meditation and Pranayama (breathing exercises) to fully integrate the learnings of our wellness weekend.
9am - Closing circle, reflecting on the benefits of the 4 days spent together.
10am - Room checkout, you are welcome to enjoy the venue until 12pm.
10am - Nourishing, healthy and delicious Brunch.
12pm - Departure of participants. Transportation to Lisbon airport or city center can be arranged for a fee.
Step away from daily life and back into your own energy
〰️
Step away from daily life and back into your own energy 〰️
How incredible would it feel to step out of your daily whirlwind and finally reconnect with a clearer, lighter, more energized version of yourself? On this retreat, through intentional pauses, grounding practices, and deeply restorative moments, you’ll be guided back to a place of inner spaciousness - where your mind quiets, your body unwinds, and your spirit begins to rise again.
Here, you’re not carrying anyone else’s needs. You’re not rushing, juggling, or stretching yourself thin. Instead, you’ll receive gentle guidance and nurturing experiences that help you release the noise and return to your center, so you can move forward feeling refreshed, renewed, and wholly yourself.
This is your chance to step away from the pace of everyday life, and step back into your own energy!
WHAT’S INCLUDED
4 days / 3 nights in a premium eco-lodge in nature
Your own private bedroom (with a queen-size bed) & private bathroom
Local, vegetarian, nourishing and delicious meals
5 yoga classes, accessible to all levels, no previous experience required. Each class includes meditation & breathing exercises.
A writing workshop and an introduction to Morning Pages
A 2-hour ceramics workshop with Cecile Mestelan
A thoughtful gift-bag
Fireside conversations, wellness talks, community and plenty of time to unplug and do you!
Supported, but never crowded. Held, but never pushed.
“Lovely, grounded, thoughtful and filled with care.
Always a joy to take classes with Pauline, who was instrumental during my pregnancy journey and beyond - her classes are a great way to build a community of women on the same path.
And her retreats are so well-organized and special 🌟”
C A R E M I C S — A conscious return to self, through clay
A 2-hour handbuilding workshop by Cécile Mestelan
CAREMICS is more than a ceramics workshop. It is an experience of self-care and creative expression through clay.
In a welcoming environment, participants are invited to explore the fundamentals of handbuilding while reflecting on emotions, memories, and personal intentions. Through contact with clay, they learn to shape, transform, and care for matter, developing a space of presence, listening, and connection.
Each participant creates a unique piece that may represent a thought, a challenge, a wish, or a personal transformation. At the end of the session, they may choose to return the piece to the earth in a symbolic gesture of release or take it to firing, transforming it into a lasting memory of the experience.
No experience is required, only curiosity and open hands and mind.
The workshop unfolds in several moments:
A shared field of words
At the opening of the session, each participant is invited to offer a word, something meaningful, sensitive, personal. These words are gathered into a collective pool. Each person then draws one at random: their companion word for the workshop. A quiet echo to hold alongside their own intentions as they work.A grounding meditation
Before touching clay with intention, we begin with a short eyes-closed meditation. Hands meet earth. Participants are invited to feel the resistance, the welcome, the texture. How the clay responds under their hands. Whether it dries, gives way, holds. A moment of pure sensory presence before creation begins.Writing and releasing intentions
Participants write their intentions on paper. They will be burned alongside of their pieces, in a ritual of release and transformation.Creating with and for others and for oneself
Each participant creates a unique piece shaped by their own intentions but they may also choose to make something for another participant, for someone outside the retreat entirely, or simply for themselves. A gesture of care that begins within, and ripples outward as far as they wish.Closing ritual
At the end of the session, each participant chooses: to return their piece to the earth in a symbolic gesture of release, or to take it to firing, transforming it into a lasting memory of the experience.
What participants take away
-A grounded, sensory experience of presence.
-A handbuilt piece, shaped by their own hands and intentions.
-A moment of genuine slowness in a world that rarely offers it.
About Cécile
Cécile Mestelan is a ceramic artist and founder of c e c i l e . m and caremics.
Her practice is rooted in the belief that working with clay is one of the most direct paths back to presence, to the body, to sensation, to what matters.
Trained in visual art in ECAL, Lausanne, Cécile works between Lisbon and Guéthary creating objects that carry meaning and time. Caremics was born from the desire to share that experience, not just as a craft, but as a form of care, to the self, to others, to matter and to places.
FAQ
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No. This retreat is accessible to all levels, and I truly mean that.
A lot of people discover yoga during a retreat, and it’s actually the best introduction to it, in my opinion !
I always adapt the classes to whoever is in the room, offer modifications and help you adjust as needed depending on your unique body.
The movement is gentle and optional. Resting is always welcome.
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No. Sharing is never required, always optional.
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No. This retreat focuses on rest, slow movement, reflection, and nervous system regulation - not deep processing.
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That feeling is common - and welcome here. Many women arrive with guilt and leave with clarity and compassion for themselves.
Only when we tend to ourselves can we lovingly tend to others.
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Oh yes ! I love to eat as well ! The first time I went on a retreat I had packed snacks and chocolate in my bag, but I never got to open them…
Food and nourishment are essential to our wellbeing, so rest assured you won’t leave the table feeling hungry, and everything will be yummy !
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Comfortable clothing for the yoga practices, walking shoes for the hike, sunscreen, a hat, a bathing suit, any prescription drugs or medication you’re taking, and an open heart ;)
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Yes, of course ! Sharing is caring and sharing a retreat with a loved one only enhances the experience.
Please inform me if you’re coming with someone so we can accommodate the rooming accordingly.
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Unfortunately at this time, I’m not in a capacity to offer payment options.
The deposit must be paid in advance to reserve your spot and the remainder is due 2 months before the start date.
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No, travel expenses to the venue are not included. If you need transportation from and to Lisbon airport or city center, I can arrange it for you for a fee (around 50€/trip).
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We will practice yoga, which is a spiritual practice, and we do sing OM in the beginning of my classes, but I have a very accessible and “open to all” approach to yoga.
My classes and retreats are inclusive and grounding, not dogmatic or devotional.
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You don’t have to deserve rest. You’re allowed to need it.
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Most women describe feeling steadier, clearer, and more present - not euphoric, but grounded.
Previous participants have reported feeling the effects of a retreat last for several months until after it ended :)
✨ Price: 950 €/person - includes 3 nights in a private room, all meals and all activities listed in the program.
🐣 Early-bird pricing: 850 €/person if paid in full before August 15th.
🤍 Limited to 9 participants only.
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
❎ Your airfare for the journey, covering the round trip from your home to Grandola.
❎ Taxis or transportation in Portugal. I can help you arrange it for a fee, please contact me about it directly.
❎ Additional expenses not covered include massages or other extra activities not listed in the schedule.
❎ Personal, medical, or trip cancellation insurance is not included in the package. I recommend getting travel insurance for your trip.
TERMS & CONDITIONS AND CANCELLATION POLICY
A deposit of 30% secures your place and is non-refundable. The remaining balance is due 6 weeks before the retreat begins.
If you cancel more than 6 weeks before arrival, you receive a full refund minus the deposit.
If you cancel within 6 weeks, no refund can be offered, as your place and accommodation will have been confirmed with our partners.
You are welcome to transfer your place to another person at no cost.
We strongly recommend travel insurance to cover cancellations, medical needs, and personal belongings.
Please ensure you are physically able to participate in yoga classes, and let us know of any injuries or health conditions before the retreat. Voilà Yoga cannot be held responsible for injuries, loss of personal items, or travel disruptions.
In case of cancellation by Voilà Yoga, you will receive a full refund or a credit toward a future retreat, at your choice.
These terms are governed by Portuguese law.
ASK ME ALL YOUR QUESTIONS!
About the retreat, the location, the rooms, the program or anything else: I’m here to help!
When was the last time you did something just for yourself ?
〰️
When was the last time you did something just for yourself ? 〰️
TESTIMONIALS
“I’ve been looking for a class with such quality and gentleness for a long time, I love this format. Pauline is gentle, gives space to Pranayama and presence, which is very rare these days in many classes that only focus on asanas. I’ve signed up for all her upcoming classes and I’m delighted!”
“Pauline has a gentle, grounded and calming approach to her classes, she has a way of creating an environment of non judgement that allows you to fully focus on your body’s needs. One on one or in a group setting, Pauline enables a space for healing and for self care. Highly recommend!”
OTHER QUESTIONS
Still have questions for me ? Please send them my way by filling out the form below and I’ll reply within 24 hours.
