Wellness Redefined – Our First Body & Mind Wellness Retreat in the Azores

When I think about wellness, the first images that come to mind aren’t necessarily of exercise routines, Pilates mats, or perfectly plated healthy meals. Instead, I picture moments, small, often quiet ones, that shift how we feel from the inside out. The slow inhale that fills the lungs with morning air. The shared smile between two people who just met but already feel like old friends. The kind of deep belly laugh that leaves your cheeks sore and your heart light.

Wellness, for me, is the art of living in a way that honors both body and spirit. It’s how we move, how we rest, how we think, how we connect with others, and how we feed our souls. It’s a living, breathing practice — never a one-time achievement, but something we nurture every day.

This belief is what led me to create the first-ever Body & Mind Wellness Retreat in the Azores. I wanted to craft a space where wellness wasn’t a box to check but an experience to live. Where people could unplug from the noise of their daily routines and step into a rhythm that felt more natural, more human, more connected.

Why the Azores?

I only became aware of the Azores at the beginning of 2024, but from the moment I saw the first photos, I was stunned. The lush green cliffs, volcanic landscapes, and untamed Atlantic waters felt like something out of a dream. Choosing this place was, in many ways, completely by chance — the result of being captivated by images online — yet my intuition was loud, almost insistent, telling me this was the place. And it was right. There’s a grounding energy here, in the volcanic soil, in the way the ocean is always within sight, in the ever-changing light that makes each moment feel unique. From the start, I sensed it was the perfect setting to host a retreat focused on movement, mindfulness, and connection. The environment itself invites you to breathe deeper, to listen more closely, and to let go of the weight you’ve been carrying.

The Vision Behind the Retreat

I didn’t want this retreat to be just another wellness getaway where people arrive, take a few classes, and leave with a tote bag. I wanted it to be a reset. A full-body and mind recalibration. A space where every moment, from the first coffee in the morning to the last conversation at night, had the potential to nourish.

That meant thinking about wellness in the broadest sense:

• Movement that energizes and strengthens, but also respects the body’s need for rest.

• Food that nourishes, delights the senses, and connects us to the land.

• Mindfulness that helps us slow down enough to truly notice our surroundings and ourselves.

• Community that uplifts, supports, and celebrates each person’s unique journey.

• Play that reconnects us with joy and curiosity.

The Lessons I Learned

This experience taught me more than I could have ever planned for. Here are some of the biggest lessons that will stay with me:

1. Wellness is in the Simple Things

Some of the most transformative moments didn’t come during a structured activity; they happened in between. In the unplanned conversations over tea, the shared silence while watching the ocean, the laughter that bubbled up during a casual walk. I was reminded that wellness doesn’t have to be elaborate. It lives in the smallest of gestures and the simplest of connections.

2. Community is a Superpower

We began as strangers, but very quickly, something shifted. There’s a certain magic in a group of people coming together with open hearts and a shared intention to grow. We supported each other through moments of vulnerability, celebrated each other’s wins, and listened without judgment. By the end, the bonds felt like family, proof that when we create a safe space, human connection can flourish almost instantly.

3. Slowing Down is a Radical Act

In a world that glorifies busyness, it can feel uncomfortable — even indulgent — to slow down. But I saw firsthand how essential it is. Once people gave themselves permission to step away from their to-do lists, they started to breathe differently. Their shoulders dropped, their laughter came easier, and their sleep deepened. Sometimes the most productive thing you can do for your well-being is to simply pause.

4. Nature is a Powerful Teacher

The Azores gave us more than a beautiful backdrop. They gave us lessons in presence and adaptability. The weather shifted constantly... sunny one moment, misty or rainy the next, reminding us that change is natural and nothing stays fixed. The ocean reminded us of the power in movement, in letting go, and in trusting the flow.

5. Gratitude Expands Everything

Every single day, I found myself whispering “thank you”, for the land, for the food, for the people who showed up fully. Gratitude became a quiet undercurrent that carried us through the retreat, deepening our appreciation for each moment. And the more grateful I felt, the more I noticed to be grateful for.

The Transformations I Witnessed

What moved me the most was watching people transform in front of my eyes. Faces softened. Postures opened. Conversations deepened. I retreat members rediscover parts of themselves they’d forgotten: their curiosity, their playfulness, their sense of wonder. I saw them try new things, set boundaries, rest without guilt.

Some arrived feeling tired, disconnected, or uncertain. They left with a glow that came not from a “fix,” but from reconnecting with what was already inside them. That’s the beauty of wellness — it’s not about becoming someone new; it’s about coming home to yourself.

Why This Experience Changed Me Too

As the host, I thought my role would be to guide, teach, and facilitate. But the truth is, I was just as much a student. I learned from every person there. I learned from the way they trusted the process, from the courage they showed in being vulnerable, from the way they embraced each other without hesitation.

I left the Azores with a heart that felt both full and light. Full from the connections we built, the beauty we experienced, the lessons we learned. Light from the sense of alignment and clarity that comes when you know you are exactly where you’re meant to be.

The Gratitude I Carry

To everyone who joined me on this first retreat: thank you. Thank you for trusting me, for showing up for yourself, for opening your hearts to each other. Thank you for the laughter, the tears, the shared meals, the quiet moments, and the joyful ones.

You reminded me why I do what I do. You reminded me that wellness is not just a profession for me, it’s my calling. And you reminded me that even in a world full of noise, we can create spaces of peace and connection if we choose to do so.

The Journey Ahead

This was just the beginning. We’ve already set our dates for next year’s Body & Mind Wellness Retreat in the Azores! Every retreat will be different because every group brings its own unique energy, but one thing will remain the same: the commitment to creating a space where wellness is lived, not just talked about. If you felt something reading this, a pull, a curiosity, a sense that maybe this is what you’ve been needing, I invite you to stay in the loop. Sign up for updates, follow along, and be the first to know when spots open.

Wellness isn’t a luxury, and it’s certainly not something to save for “someday.” It’s here, now, in the way you breathe with intention, in the way you move your body with care, in the way you connect with the people around you. It’s in the choices you make each day to honor yourself. And maybe, just maybe, the Azores will be the place where you remember that truth, where the noise fades and you can hear your own heartbeat again. Even though we’ve left the islands, the energy we felt there, the connections we built, and the sense of calm we discovered will stay with us forever, woven into who we are.

For a sample of what a day in the Azores looks like, click HERE.