Come home to yourself at
The Sanctuary
A trauma-informed coaching retreat where deep healing
meets good food while eco-sustainably connecting with nature
26-30th September 2024
Cara Creek Eco Lodge, Portugal
Working in a high-paced working culture in a society that prioritises productivity and professional results over wellbeing can be a challenging cycle to climb out of.
The layers of stress and worry cloud the ability to connect with your life's purpose and fill your body with stress hormones causing risk of all sorts of illness.
What if there was a way to come home to yourself?
Join us at The Sanctuary:
+ Connect with what you truly desire in life
+ Reset your nervous system
+ Learn how to maintain this groundedness in your daily routine
+ Discover a new way of listening to your intuition and navigating your fears
+ Anchor yourself in goals that fulfil your life's purpose
Meet Your Coach
I have been there; burnt out, unfulfilled and filled with self-doubt about what direction I should take with my reconstructive surgery career. It took me collapsing while operating on a complex surgery to find out that I had an auto-immune disease. I did not even notice the severe symptoms since I was used to feeling exhausted and anxious.
It took me may years of searching for the right methods that actually work and also to do my own necessary healing!
I look forward to co-designing a safe space for your healing while also challenging you towards your growth. Bringing highly effective trauma-informed resources to aid you in your transformation together with a powerful community of like-minded souls.
What's Included?
☼ Trauma-informed coaching retreat program of 5 days
☼ Accommodation for 4 Nights in Portugal
☼ Daily bodywork & nervous system regulation practices
☼ Garden-to-table meals made by our private chef
☼ Natural swimming pool, clay mud bath on private river beach with waterfall, stand up paddle boards and more
☼ Access to sauna and hot tub evenings
☼ Drumming circle with acoustic evenings around the fire-pit
☼ Cacao Ceremony, Sacred Rituals and Circles
☼ Gift bag with Power Selves Goodies
☼ Optional availability to book: massage, reiki, reflexology, craniosacral therapy and sound healing during free time
☼ Transfer from Coimbra B train station to Cara Creek
☼ Assistance with coordinating any transfers from Coimbra, Porto or Lisbon
What's Not Included?
☾ Flights to and from Portugal
☾ Travel to Coimbra B train station (shuttle is available from that station to Cara Creek)
☾ Travel and Health Insurance
The Venue:
Cara Creek Eco Lodge
Situated in a majestic valley where two rivers meet, Cara Creek offers a perfect retreat space for The Sanctuary. It was designed in symbiosis with nature, runs solely on solar power and with the water supplied by the land. This oasis supports us in remembering that we are a part of nature, automatically starting the process of regulating our nervous system and grounding us into who we really are.
Private River Beach Waterfall & Forest
We have our own private river beach with its waterfall nearby and lush green forest hikes. Relax with a clay mud bath at the river lie in a hammock or go paddle boarding along the river.
Garden to Table Meals
Organic & seasonal meals prepared with intention and care throughout the retreat. Grown mostly in their own garden includes brunch, afternoon snack or cake and dinner. Tea coffee, fruit and nuts always available.
Relaxing Spaces
For some downtime in between sessions there are plenty of areas to relax and process. There are cozy communal dining spaces and chill-out nooks to grab a cup of tea, a good book or cuddle up with one of the retreat animals.
Natural Swimming Pool
The pool has an infinity edge overlooking the valley and surrounding woodland and is kept clear and chemical-free using a sand filter, UV filter and diverse aquatic plants.
Communal Living
Eco Pods are every nature lover's dream. Sleep in close proximity with nature from the comfort of a cozy bed. The Pods do not have electricity, and have a small solar lamp. We have 3 showers sustainably heated by solar power and cold water outdoor showers. There are 3 flushing toilets and 3 dry compost toilets.
Hot Tub & Sauna
A Hobbit-style wood-fired sauna and solar powered hot tub with the pool close by to cool off in between sessions.
Accommodation Options
There are four different types of eco pods that are designed to sleep in close proximity to nature from the comfort of a cozy bed. The eco pods do not have electricity but do have a small solar lamp.
Penta Pod
Pod with Single Bed
Pentagonal Pods with a window and a door that allows guests to admire the views from bed, or sunbathe on their large deck.
Cabana
Pod with a Double Bed
Constructed from half wood, half canvas with cabin-feel and stunning views of the valley and down on the swimming pool.
Tri Pod
Pod with a Double Bed
Named for their triangular shape, each has a small deck out front to admire the views of the pool and sweeping tree tops.
Tetra Pod
Pod with a Double Bed
Inspired by the Tetrahedron, the walls reach 6 meters high to a skylight at the tops. They also have a large round window.
It’s Time To Connect With Yourself Again
With one-on-one guidance and group support, you've
found a safe place to dig deep and nurture your inner self.
“Besides the positive energy and support within the group I enjoyed how mindful Zavira was of every participant. I felt she was so amazing at extracting the essentials from whatever was being said and was great at refocusing whenever someone got off track. Her prompts and questions went to the core of things and made abstract things tangible. I appreciated also the humour and the authenticity. She has so much warmth in her, I always enjoy it very much and it makes it easy to open up to her and feel comfortable.”
- Mirjam Ryter, Internal Medicine Specialist Consultant
“I'm grateful for those soul resonating moments that brought me from turmoil to inner peace on many occasions. In the moment it helped me get clarity in a way that wasn't just a momentarily surface change. But a deeply transformative, connecting of parts of the inner self. She emphasised creating a safe space with words and actions, can't applaud that loud enough. The moments with Zavira were also a catalyst to find passion for my own quest of self development with a deep dive into parts of the frameworks and science behind her coaching.
Thank you for the time and space you provide Zavira!”
- Petra van Pijkeren, Trainer & Medical Student