with Steffi Grube & Anne Maria Popanda

Indian Summer – the perfect time of year to nurture yourself with Portugal’s golden rays of late summer sun and filling your personal inner ressources – to prepare yourself for autumn and winter. 

Aligned with the elements, we’ll dive deep within through excuisite Katonah Yoga classes and holistic self-exploration sessions based on bodywork, Gestalt therapy (The Here&Now Approach), dance (Contact Improvisation, Wave) and meditative practice.   

At the same time there is no better venue than the 275 acre farm „Cocoon“ with it’s oversized hammocks under old growth pines and fresh water lake to let the soul dangle and enjoy yourself with a glass of wine in solitude or good conversation. Or explore the breathtaking atlantic coast and white-washed villages nearby. 

Steffi Grube is a Katonah Yoga Teacher from Cologne, Germany. She loves the combination of practical body input and intellectual information. She is curious about Chinese Medicine and how to heal your body, keep you balanced and listen to your own intelligent system. Steffi is also trained in Acupuncture. She is the co-founder of the yoga project „This is holy“ (thisisholy.de). When she isn't teaching yoga she writes radio features or is on a hunt for good decaf coffee. 

Anne Maria Popanda is a dedicated bodyworker, gestalt therapist, pedagodue, yoga & tantra teacher, dancer and passionate facilitator of sensuality, massage and self-exploration workshops. Travelling intensively for many years in India, Southeast Asia and Latin America she studied various traditions of healing, dedicating her path to the exploration of the complex interplay of body, mind and spirit. Her offerings combine know-how, wholeheartedness and fine intuition. 

A light structure with Katonah Yoga morning classes and holistic self-exploration sessions in the afternoon. Supplying perfect balance between retreat and free time to find rest, build friendship or go on adventurous explorations. 

Connecting deeper to yourself, diving in body, mind and soul. Finding support and joy in the group, nature and spirit. Breathing. Moving. Restoring. 

Cocoon is a stunning coastal farm & retreat center in Alentejo region about two hours drive from either Faro or Lisboa. It has two yoga shalas (in- and outdoor), a fresh water lake and a circus of wild chicken, goat, sheep and peacocks. The rooms – single/double/triple options – are clean, spacious and elegant, each opening to the outdoor courtyard. Special treat is the fresh, local farm-to-mouth food provided coming either directly from the property or nearby farms. A typical breakfast includes eggs, local fruit, Greek yogurt, homemade granola, local honey, homemade jam, slow-rise bread, and a daily tonic. Lunch is often a bowl; a base of ancient grains like farro, topped with avocado, roasted veggies, nori, or mixed greens. For dinner, expect Indian + Japanese curries, Mediterranean stews, legumes, rice, salad and dessert. Once a week the outdoor wood-fired oven is lit for pizza night!