Seven days to move your body, quiet your mind and connect with people who get it.
The Art of Connection is a 7-day yoga and surf retreat in Ericeira, Portugal, running September 13–19, 2026. Guided by Isabel Maria (850h+ certified yoga teacher and somatic coach) and Tarik (Brazilian surf instructor and big-wave surfer at Nazaré), it combines sunrise beach yoga, surf lessons on the Atlantic, somatic evening sessions and community connection. Accommodation is in a boutique ocean-view villa with a pool. From €1,099 per person.
Are you craving adventure, genuine connection and time to actually nourish yourself? The Art of Connection is a surf, yoga and somatic retreat on the Atlantic coast of Portugal, one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in Europe.
In just one week you will catch your first Atlantic wave, practice yoga at sunrise on the beach and sit in evening sessions that reach the places your daily life never quite gets to. You will share home-cooked meals with people who came for the same reasons you did, watch the sun go down over the ocean and leave feeling like something genuinely shifted.
Research from the University of Exeter (White et al., 2019, Scientific Reports) found that spending 120 minutes or more in nature each week significantly improves health and wellbeing. A 2023 advisory from the U.S. Surgeon General identified social disconnection as a public health crisis, carrying health risks comparable to smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Seven days on the Atlantic, in community, by the ocean — this retreat is designed to address both.
Discover Ericeira, a charming fishing village with cobblestone streets, fresh seafood and a surf culture that has been UNESCO-recognised as a World Surfing Reserve. Stay in a beautiful ocean-view villa, wake each morning to the sound of the sea and spend seven days being exactly where you are.
Two teachers. Two worlds. One week.
How the seven days unfold
Based on the 2025 retreat. Times and activities may change depending on weather and wave conditions.
Based on the 2025 retreat. Times and activities may change depending on weather and wave conditions — especially surf, which follows the tides and Atlantic swell.
Chef Teresa feeds you like family.
We do not follow a particular diet. We embrace the full spectrum of food pleasure. The key idea behind the menu is to accommodate the Atlantic climate and the practices, so that you feel light, nourished and energetic from morning to night.
Chef Teresa prepares fresh, seasonal, buffet-style meals using local ingredients. Most meals are at the villa. One lunch and one dinner are enjoyed out in Ericeira, at a place of your choice, so you get to explore the village and its incredible seafood.
What comes with your spot
Ericeira Soulsurfers Villa
A boutique ocean-view villa by the beach with a pool, palm garden, BBQ terrace and lounge areas. All rooms have private terraces or balconies. You are going to wake up to the sound of the Atlantic every morning.
Rooms share one bathroom per floor.
Questions about rooms or availability? Write to info@monkeymindretreats.com
Ericeira, Portugal
Ericeira is a UNESCO World Surfing Reserve on Portugal's Atlantic coast, one of only eleven in the world. It is a genuine fishing village with cobblestone streets, whitewashed houses, fresh seafood around every corner and a surf culture that has been alive here for generations.
In September, Ericeira is warm, golden and unhurried. The summer crowds have thinned. The ocean is at its most welcoming. The light at sunset is extraordinary.
One hour north of Lisbon airport. Close enough to reach without effort. Far enough to feel like you have properly arrived somewhere.
What it actually looks like
“Isabel has outdone herself with the Art of Connection Retreat. The energy of the group was fantastic, a mix of ages combined with the variety of activities was wonderful. Even from the very first full day I was already releasing tension, looking and feeling more relaxed. I felt challenged throughout with a deep analysis and reassessment of my inner self and I also felt truly connected to both nature and my fellow attendees. The location was stunning and the all-inclusive nature of the retreat meant incredible food prepared by an excellent chef. It was such a great experience I would highly recommend it to anyone.”
MIRIAM
Art of Connection, September 2024
What people usually ask
Do I need surfing experience?+
Not at all. Tarik teaches complete beginners with the same care he brings to Nazaré. Most guests have never surfed before. By the end of the week, you will be standing up on your board.
Do I need yoga experience?+
None. The morning yoga is accessible for all bodies and all levels. Isabel meets you exactly where you are.
Is Ericeira good for beginner surfers?+
Yes. Ericeira is a UNESCO World Surfing Reserve with several breaks suited to complete beginners, including the gentle sandy beach at Foz do Lizandro. Tarik selects the safest, most appropriate spot each day based on swell and conditions.
What is a somatic retreat?+
A somatic retreat uses body-based practices — somatic movement, breathwork and EFT — to release stress and patterns held in the nervous system. Unlike purely talk-based therapies, somatic work addresses the physiological root of chronic stress and burnout, not just the mental narrative around it.
What is included in the price?+
6 nights accommodation, most meals by Chef Teresa, daily sunrise beach yoga, surf lessons with boards and wetsuits, somatic evening sessions, EFT, breathwork, sharing circles and professional retreat photos. One lunch and one dinner are enjoyed out in Ericeira.
Can I come alone?+
Most guests do. The retreat is designed to create genuine connection, and many guests leave as close friends. You will not feel alone for a moment.
How do I get to Ericeira from Lisbon airport?+
Ericeira is about one hour north of Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport by car or taxi. Transfer details and recommendations are shared with all guests after booking.
How does payment work?+
A €750 deposit secures your spot. The remaining balance is due 6 weeks before the retreat starts — by 1 August 2026. Full payment details and an invoice are sent after booking.
What is the cancellation policy?+
Full policy details are provided at booking. Write to info@monkeymindretreats.com with any questions before you book.
September in Ericeira is waiting for you.
Maximum 10 guests. Four room options. No experience needed for yoga or surf.
September 13–19, 2026 · Ericeira, Portugal
Questions first? Write to info@monkeymindretreats.com