Re-Wilding Shakti

A Journey of Water, Dreaming & Embodied Remembering

Re-Wilding Shakti is a nature-based Yoga Tantra retreat held in the deep mountains of Serra da Estrela, where rivers, springs, forest and ancient stone shape both the outer land and the inner landscape.

Gathering around the Full Moon, and held within the solar threshold of the Summer Solstice, this retreat welcomes a mixed range of ages and abilities into an immersive exploration of Shakti, Soma, water, dreaming, voice, breath and embodied presence.

Life force is invited to move organically, restoring fluidity, sensitivity and connection through relationship with season, land, moon and living waters.

The Land · Lapa dos Dinheiros & the Waters of Kantara

We gather in Lapa dos Dinheiros, a remote mountain village within Serra da Estrela National Park, a region renowned for its pristine, mineral-rich waters and unspoilt natural beauty.

Rivers flow through granite and forest. Natural pools gather light. Springs rise clear and cold from the earth. The land carries a quiet, ancient presence that naturally supports restoration, reflection and renewal.

At the heart of our time here is the River Temple of Kantara — a sacred waterscape where water, stone, fire and silence meet.

Mythology · Shakti, Soma & the Lunar–Solar Waters

This retreat is held within the Tantric and yogic understanding of Shakti and Soma as living forces experienced through body, water, land, breath, sound and dreaming.

In Yoga Tantra, Shakti is the creative intelligence animating all of life — flowing through rivers and weather, sensation and instinct, breath and voice. She is vitality, intuition, responsiveness and embodied intelligence.

Soma is the nourishing lunar essence associated with rest, dreaming, healing and renewal. In Vedic and Tantric traditions, Soma is linked with:

• the Moon and lunar cycles
• sacred waters and rivers
• subtle perception and imaginal awareness
• integration and deep nourishment

Held between Solstice sun and Full Moon, this retreat honours the dynamic balance of solar and lunar forces — cultivation and receptivity, movement and rest.

The Full Moon · Soma in Its Fullness

The Full Moon (Pūrṇimā) is a time when Soma is naturally abundant. Lunar light heightens sensitivity, reflection and inner perception, supporting dreaming, insight and integration.

This lunar phase has long been honoured through water rituals, mantra, healing ceremonies and devotional practices aligned with the moon’s reflective, nourishing qualities.

Full Moon Ceremony · Blue Lotus & Mugwort

River Temple of Kantara

On the night of the Full Moon, we gather at the River Temple of Kantara for a ceremonial evening held beside flowing water under moonlight.

Blue Lotus and Mugwort are honoured together as plant allies of Soma, dreaming and inner vision.

• Blue Lotus supports heart-opening, calm presence, subtle perception and devotional awareness
• Mugwort supports dreaming, intuition, liminal awareness and lunar sensitivity

Introduced with care, these plants support a gentle opening into dreamtime awareness, imaginal perception and embodied insight. Water, moon, sound and silence work together to support reflection, release and renewal.

Yogic & Somatic Foundations

The retreat weaves Yoga Tantra, trauma-aware somatic movement, breath, sound, ritual and nature immersion, supporting a return to the body’s innate intelligence.

Movement, Breath & Energy Practices

• Mudrā, movement and prāṇāyāma offered in a gentle prāṇa-flow style
• Meditative slow vinyāsa — accessible and adaptable, guided by breath and sensation
• Practices aligned with the Summer Solstice, local landscape and Ayurvedic seasonal balance
• Emphasis on circulation of prāṇa, nervous-system regulation and embodied awareness

Movement arises from listening rather than effort, allowing energy to flow naturally through the body.

Yogic Nature Connection & Elemental Rituals

Yoga is practised not only on the mat, but in direct relationship with the elements.

Practices include:

• Sūrya Arghya — solar offering practices honouring sun, light and life force
• Agnihotra — simple fire rituals connecting fire, breath, offering and renewal
• Elemental awareness practices linking earth, water, fire, air and space
• Mantra singing in the wild landscape to activate voice, cultivate meditative awareness and honour nature

These rituals root yogic practice in land, season and living ecology.

Practices We Share

• Somatic unwinding and floor-based nervous-system regulation
• Listening beyond words: interoception, rest and subtle awareness
• Voice, mantra and vocal yoga
• Yoga Nidra and dreamtime practices
• Cold-water immersion and crystal-water bathing
• Integration circles for reflection and grounding

Excursions, Riverland & Nature Immersion

Each day includes time immersed in the surrounding Riverland — a forested waterscape of rivers, pools, trees and stone.

This land supports:

• water and forest bathing
• dreaming and visioning in nature
• sensory awareness and deep listening

Excursions include:

• daily visits to riverlands and healing water pools
• regular time at the River Temple of Kantara
• river beach at Lapa dos Dinheiros
• Loriga Waterfalls
• guided hike to Cornos do Diabo

Where We Stay · The Mountain Quinta

Accommodation is in a beautiful mountain quinta (farmhouse) set on private land in Lapa dos Dinheiros.

• natural spring-fed swimming pool
• pure, mineral-rich spring water
• quiet, spacious surroundings
• comfortable communal spaces

Nourishment · Food as Medicine

All meals are prepared using organic, locally produced ingredients, lovingly cooked by Ella and Carlos.

Food is seasonal, grounding and nourishing. Fresh fruit, herbal teas and water are available throughout the day.

Sample Daily Rhythm

Morning
8:00 – fruit and herbal teas
9:00–10:30 – movement, breath, mudrā, mantra or Yoga Nidra
11:00 – brunch

Afternoon
13:00–16:00 – nature immersion, river bathing, excursions or rest

Evening
17:00–18:30 – evening practice, ritual or ceremony
19:00 – dinner

Travel Information

Nearest airport: Porto Airport (OPO)
Bus to Seia or Viseu, followed by taxi to Lapa dos Dinheiros
Taxi transfers can be arranged in advance

A Shared Holding

This retreat is co-held by Alexa Garside and Sangita Lakhanpal, weaving Yoga Tantra, somatic wisdom, voice, ritual, dreaming and nature immersion within a grounded and attentive field.

Investment

Prices include accommodation, food and drinks, daily yoga and ceremonies, and all excursions listed above.

• £1,250 — bell-tent glamping
• £1,380 — shared room in the house
• £1,650–£1,750 — single-occupancy room

What’s Not Included

• Flights to and from Portugal
• Airport transfers and local transport to the retreat centre
• Travel insurance
• Personal expenses

(We are happy to support with travel advice and help coordinate shared taxis from Seia or Viseu if needed.)