Mãe Terra Retreats
São Simão
Portugal
Contact
- sschalwijk@yahoo.com
- 0031 654717551
Quick Links
© Copyright 2024 Mae Terra Teatreats. All rights reserved.
Relax your body, clear your mind and feed your soul
Relax your body, clear your mind and feed your soul
Nothing you have to do
nowhere you have to go
no one to please!
Mãe Terra, a place to simply Be. No need to smile or be anything other than you. Just be without judgement. Feel free to open up and follow your heart and intuition.
During this individual, nature-based retreat you can experience a healing combination of meditation, Qigong, moving meditation, professional guidance, immersion in nature and being with horses. The retreat is set in a beautiful, nurturing and safe natural setting. Nourishing your body, mind and spirit can make this retreat a truly transformational experience, helping you to become more resilient and rediscover your peace, joy and clarity.
Your private nurturing environment so you can thrive!!!
Mae Terra Retreats, Portuguese for Mother Earth Retreats, is located in a small valley with a river and waterfall in the hills of central Portugal. A space for joy and self-discovery. It’s a place of peace and tranquility where you can leave daily life behind and enjoy the natural abundance and beauty of nature. You will have your own comfortable and intimate little house between the trees by a small river, ancient bridge and olive mill.
The one important thing we usually are not taught, is to do less. How liberating it is to learn how to relax more, drop into the present moment and stop worrying so much. How refreshing would it be to release the tension in your body, the emotional stress, and find some peace from a busy mind? Experience how doing less truly becomes more.
reconnect with your inner peace and tranquility
At Mãe Terra you have the opportunity to spend time to deeply connect to your inner stillness. Reconnect with your inner peace, joy, inspiration, enthusiasm and curiosity so you can best show up in life for yourself and the people around you.
Away from your familiar reality you can open up to see things differently. You will be supported to become aware of your conditioned mind and patterns and reconsider things. This awareness gives you the clarity and freedom to choose again and make creative choices to live your best life.
Taking care of your physical, mental and emotional health and well-being is fundamental to meet your daily challenges with creativity, enthusiasm and joy for life, adding spring to your step!!!
Finding the awe for life in nature
Nature immersion
Immerse yourself in the unique energy and nature of Mãe Terra. You will have the perfect opportunity to connect with the life force energy within you and all around you and find the awe for life in nature!
Whether you are walking by the river or just resting on the old bridge or laying in a hammock under a tree, simply being in nature is a therapeutic practice that helps us embrace nature’s power to heal and revitalize.
True! inner peace lies within, but the tranquility and beauty of nature will help you connect with your inner stillness.
Mãe Terra Retreats is located on two hectares of land in a beautiful valley. You can go for amazing walks by yourself or with some company.
The guided nature walks can be in silence to allow for a deeper connection with nature and can also be accompanied by horses and one or more of our sweet dogs.
Meditation
The meditations we offer are suited for everyone, whether you have been meditating for years or if you are starting on a completely new journey. We open ourselves to the moment with, what the Buddha called “a beginners mind”.
Meditation is a process of discovery, not something we do but something we allow to happen. Effortless and with ease, we can relax into the immediate experience of being.
Meditation has been shown to have some of the following positive effects:
. Developing more self-awareness.
. Becoming better at regulating your mood.
. Strengthening your immune system.
. Experiencing less stress, more resilience and cultivating a sense of wellbeing.
Guided Meditation audio
befriending silence
In our busy lives we often do not find much silence and we might not really be very comfortable with it if it is there. Here you will have the chance to befriend silence with some support. Silent time can be a new and freeing experience.
During the retreat you will have time just for yourself, no need to focus on anyone else. Silence is healing, and gives you an excellent opportunity to slow down and observe what’s happening in your mind and body.
We encourage you to take the opportunity and enjoy time for yourself without the interference that your phone and other devices create.
Try it out! Disconnect to reconnect! Turn off your phone and trade digital stress for healing stillness!
QiGong
In the morning you are invited join in the ancient practice of Qigong, a mind-body-spirit practice that combines gentle stretches and flowing movements, breath work and meditation. Its gentle movements are suited for everyone and will give you a wonderful start of the new day.
This practice is designed to harmonise and cultivate vital energy (Qi), improve circulation, release physical tension, emotional stress and mental chatter and enhance overall well-being by mirroring the movements of nature.
Qigong is a form of moving meditation. It helps you to move out of your mind and reconnect with your body. This allows you to experience a much fuller reality; more present and connected to your inner power.
By embracing the practice of ‘doing less’, you drop into the intelligent energy system which is innate to your body and get it to work for you!
. Your self-healing abilities restore.
. Your immune system becomes stronger.
. You will experience less stress, more energy, more flexibility of the body and clarity of mind.
All in all Qigong will help you feel happier, healthier, more balanced and connected. Feeling more alive in your body!
Seven minute stress release
Horse connection
Horses truly live in the here and now. They are very sensitive and can give you pure and authentic feedback in their own unique way. Interaction with them can bring you closer to the core of who you are. Without judgement they mirror your qualities and help you introspect and strengthen your ability to connect with yourself and others.
They can help you to reflect authentically and connect with your heart, intuition and qualities.
You can enjoy just being in their presence or have a guided horse-assisted therapy session.
Impression of a retreat day
7:00
•
Guided morning meditation and Qigong gentle moving meditation
8:30
•
Breakfast
9:00
•
Quiet time
11:00
•
Choice of the following sessions:
Guided reflection.
Just being with the horses
Guided horse-assisted session
Walk and talk
Guided silent walking meditation in nature
Guided resilience building session
13:30
•
Lunch
14:30
•
Quiet time
17:00
•
Evening meditation and Qigong practice to calm the mind and the body
18:30
•
Light dinner
The program is adjusted to best align with your individual needs so you can most benefit from what we have to offer.
Impression of a retreat day
7:00
•
Guided morning guided meditation and/or Qigong gentle warm-up and moving meditation
8:30
•
Breakfast
9:00
•
Quiet time
11:00
•
Choice of the following sessions:
Guided reflection.
Just being with the horses
Guided horse-assisted session
Guided silent nature walk
Walk and talk
Guided silent walking meditation in nature
Guided resilience building session
13:30
•
Lunch
14:30
•
Quiet time
17:00
•
Evening meditation and/or Qigong practice to calm the mind and the body
19:00
•
Light dinner
The program is adjusted to best align with your individual needs so you can most benefit from what we have to offer.
Your guide during the retreat
Hi, my name is Sascha Schalkwijk, and I am happy to accompany you on this journey! Let me tell you a bit about my background.
In 2021 Casper and I found this amazing place in Portugal. As soon as we entered Quinta Mãe Terra we felt a deep sense of awe and relaxation. For Casper it was the ancient bridge, for me the rock formation covered by an old cork oak and our dog immediately jumping happily into the river. The energy of the place is just amazing!
A year later we moved here with our two horses, two cats and two dogs. Not long after that we were joined by another beautiful dog.
We love to create and share a space for you to relax and reflect. It is my joy to share with you how meditation, being immersed in nature, the practice of Qigong and the calming energy of horses can create more room for you to self-reflect and open up for new possibilities.
Guidance
To guide you in your process I bring together contemporary science, ancient wisdom and spirituality.
I love to share the tools that have helped me and so many along with me, to find more peace, flow and freedom. I have found great inspiration in Buddhist psychology, Daoist teachings and meditation which give us wonderful tools for reflection and finding more peace and joy in our lives.
My experience with meditation practices such as vipassana, non-dual practices, self-inquiry and Qigong, have greatly supported my wellbeing and resilience and help me support you in your process.
Your guide during the retreat
Hi, my name is Sascha Schalkwijk, and I am happy to accompany you on this journey! Let me tell you a bit about my background.
In 2021 Casper and I found this amazing place in Portugal. As soon as we entered Quinta Mãe Terra we felt a deep sense of awe and relaxation. For Casper it was the ancient bridge, for me the rock formation covered by an old cork oak and our dog immediately jumping happily into the river. The energy of the place is just amazing!
A year later we moved here with our two horses, two cats and two dogs. Not long after that we were joined by another beautiful dog.
We love to create and share a space for you to relax and reflect. It is my joy to share with you how meditation, being immersed in nature, the practice of Qi gong and the calming energy of horses can create more room for you to self-reflect and open up for new possibilities.
Guidance
To guide you in your process I bring together contemporary science, ancient wisdom and spirituality.
I love to share the tools that have helped me and so many along with me, to find more peace, flow and freedom. I have found great inspiration in Buddhist psychology, Daoist teachings and meditation which give us wonderful tools for reflection and finding more peace and joy in our lives.
My experience with meditation practices such as vipassana, non-dual practices and self-inquiry, have greatly supported my wellbeing and resilience.
a combination of practices especially designed for you!
The combination of these different practices, studies and techniques have a cumulatively positive effect on your well- being and resilience. Aligning with your specific personal development needs we combine these practices so you can most benefit from what we have to offer.
You are invited to open up and allow for more clarity and insight. Supported by this safe environment and compassionate guidance, I assist you to answer your own questions.
By becoming aware of your patterns, you can free yourself from the reactivity of the conditioned mind and be fully present in life.
Embracing your full humanness with all its emotions, thoughts and feelings allows for deep healing. I love to assist you tapping into the amazing potential you have!!!
The guidance can be in English or Dutch.
Background
I have an academic background in psychology and management* which provides a solid background to support your journey.
Training in the ancient practice of Qigong **, opened up valuable lessons to embody my spiritual practice. It has helped me a lot to deal with some physical challenges as well as to live a happier and healthier life.
My experience with embodied practices such as equine therapy *** can enrich your awareness during the retreat.
For more than fifteen years I have been a horse assisted coach in the Netherlands and have led meditative horse retreats in Spain****. I am fascinated with the mirroring power of horses. They keep me ever aware, ever developing. Above all, they bring lots of joy!
Having had the opportunity of working with refugees with horses and meditating together has also been a great source of inspiration. Helping to build Resilience skills and providing opportunities for guided meditation programs with refugees has been truly inspiring and rewarding.
I am very grateful for all of the wonderful teachers I have had the opportunity to learn from.
* Masters degree M.A., 1993
** Certified Qigong teacher, 2022
*** EAGALA horse assisted therapist certification, 2010, and EAPD Equine assisted Personal Development certification, 2014
**** www.aardenmetpaarden.nl, @therideofyourlifenl
beyond the retreat
At the end of this individual nature-based retreat you will feel revitalized. Taking steps to more deeply align with your inherent wisdom, you will find more balance both physically and mentally, reconnecting to your inner quiet, curiosity, enthusiasm, energy, inspiration and joy.
You can experience more flow and a sense of freedom. You can learn new skills and gain insights to support your wellbeing and resilience far beyond the retreat!
Let’s not wait for external circumstances to live life fully. Instead let’s truly LIVE life now!
With your stay you support the scholarships for retreats as well as the free meditations and Qigong practices for those who would otherwise not have access to these wonderful resources.
FOOD
We offer delicious home-made vegetarian meals with fresh organic vegetables, fruits and spices. Many of the seasonal ingredients come from our organic garden. The abundance of what nature gives is amazing; the olives and oil, the fresh fruits like figs, peaches and kiwi’s and all the delicious herbs! Their amazing taste invites you to eat mindfully and really enjoy!
Throughout the day you can enjoy different kinds of tea from the garden , coffee and water with fresh mint, elderflower or other seasonal herbs from the land and fresh fruits. You can also enjoy our delicious home-made kombucha.
Accomodation
You will have your own little house with a double bed, fire place, open kitchen and a bathroom with a shower. The terrace has shade from an old medlar tree and a view of an ancient bridge, a mill, the small river, horses and lots of trees! This beautiful, private, safe and comfortable space is a wonderful setting to relax and be at home.
Experiences
Sara
Mãe Terra felt to me like a safe haven in which to explore some of the things I have been dealing with for a very long time. This retreat has given me clarity and insight. There was a lot of space for this process, for sadness as well as joy. It’s been a truly transformational journey for which I am very thankful! Sascha is an amazing person who really sees you. And.. I’ll never forget the laughs we had! And yummy food!
Vincent
What a great opportunity to reflect on my life and business! Perhaps most important are the insights into what is truly important for me.
Marianne
I immediately felt the unique energy at Mae Terra. Right away I felt some of the stress just fall away naturally. Finally, some time just for me! Before this retreat I had never meditated nor did any Qigong before and was afraid of horses. So off I went, totally out of my comfort zone. What an experience!
Just being with the horses was very special. Not only did I gain new insights during the session but also enjoyed to just sit and watch them before going to sleep.
I loved the gentle streches and flows of Qigong and the meditations seem to have given me more space. I feel lighter and more open. I’m happy to have all of these new resources in my life.
Hester
What a gift to be surrounded by such beauty and care. The yellow house, my home during the retreat, was just perfect! It has everything you need, the best atmosphere and the best view! I loved breakfast on the terras surrounded by the trees. The beautiful surroundings helped deepening the meditation and the silent nature walks filled me with joy.
Sam
I really needed a break from my hectic life! I had lost the connection with myself as well as the world around me. It was amazing to stop and reconnect. I felt carried! Carried by the surroundings the horses, dogs and by Casper and Sascha. Thank you so much for that!!!
Expenses
Price indication for 4 days, 3 nights €1950,- including VAT
Included
. Private little house two separate beds/double bed, fire place, bathroom and open kitchen.
. Vegetarian food and drinks
. Meditations
. Qigong practices
. Nature walks
. Horse-assisted session
. Guidance
Not included
. Travel expenses to and from Mae Terra. There is an excellent train connection
from Lisbon to Entroncamento where we can pick you up by car. A direct
transfer by car from Lisbon is also possible.
. Travel and cancellation insurance.
Contact