Olhao, Portugal Yoga Retreat∙ July 2022

Event Gallery

Photos by Nicole Wild

During our retreats we make memories, new friends, reach goals and more– that's why we love to document each retreat. Devin Archilla is an amazing photographer and as a part of your experience at the Kula, we share the event gallery with all attendees.

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approaching a 200-hour training with us
Approaching a Retreat With Us

Join The Kula in Olhão, Portugal, this July 2022 for a rejuvenating yoga retreat. Experience daily yoga sessions, meditation, and wellness workshops amid stunning coastal scenery. Enjoy the peaceful ambiance of golden beaches, charming local architecture, and the natural beauty of the Ria Formosa. Connect deeply with yourself and others in a serene, sunlit paradise.

the kula team

Meet Your Facilitators

For the first time Nicole, Silvana + Tobi will co-host a Kula Team Yoga Retreat together. Join all three of us for a week packed full of various yoga practices and explorations including long-form morning practices, afternoon workshops and evening restorative + recovery moments. And of course - lots of time to hang out with the Kula team and community!

Nicole Wild

Based in Seattle, Washington, Nicole is the founder + creator of the Kula and is known for her creative sequencing, challenging but playful practices, and heartfelt meditations + philosophy drops. She has hosted Kula retreats worldwide and is thrilled to meet groups of yogis in retreat settings like this one. She can't wait to play in the jungle with you!

Silvana Vanfretti

Silvana is based in Antigua, Guatemala with familial roots also based in Italy. Her presence + her classes are warm and nurturing, and she also knows exactly when to bring the spice. Silvana facilitates vinyasa and mellow flow classes, beautifully guided meditations + facial yoga and massage (which is the biggest treat if you haven't done it yet!).

Tobi Winkelmann

Based in Germany and rooted in the school of Awakening Yoga, Tobi offers a strong and playful blend of vinyasa practices, mobility + bits of breath and meditation work. You can expect to get upside-down in Tobi's workshops breaking down inversions for all-levels of practitioner.

Retreat Sample Daily Schedule

What We'll Cover

∙ Intro to the energetics of teaching
∙ How to ‘read the room’ + be present and grounded in your facilitation 
∙ Space holding ∙ Types of cueing + refining your cues
∙ Hands-on adjustments ∙Building a class
∙ Types of sequencing
∙ History of yoga
∙ Noteworthy texts including the Bhagavad Gita + Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
∙ Posture Labs (breaking down the main yoga postures and their general alignment, modifications + contraindications)
∙ Anatomy labs
∙ Meditation Techniques
∙ Breathwork Techniques
∙ Practice teaching + building your own classes∙ Incorporating music into your classes
∙ Teaching in various settings and environments
∙ Finding your voice as a teacher 
∙ The Subtle Body: Koshas, Kleshas, Chakras, Bandhas 
∙ A whole lot more

from the kula

What Attendees Are Saying

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The Venue

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Olhao, Portugal

Olhão, Portugal, features a charming coastal landscape with expansive, golden sandy beaches and tranquil blue waters. The town is set against a backdrop of low-lying, sunlit hills and scenic salt marshes. Traditional whitewashed buildings with colorful tiles line the streets, while the nearby Ria Formosa Natural Park offers winding waterways and diverse birdlife. The warm, Mediterranean climate and the gentle sea breeze enhance the serene, laid-back atmosphere.

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YTT Sample Daily Schedule

6am • Coffee, tea + fruit available for early risers
7-9am • Daily morning Sadhana: Asana, Meditation + Journaling
9am • Breakfast
10am-12pm • Teaching Methodology: Creative Sequencing Workshop 12pm • Lunch
1-2pm • History of the Yoga Practice Lecture
2-4pm • Practice Teaching
4-6pm • Anatomy Workshop
6pm • Dinner
7:30pm • Daily Closing Circle or Campfire Chat

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Sign-up

What's Included

What's not Included

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Superior Double-Occupancy w/ Private Pool (Casa Om)

TOTAL PER PERSON
$3,400
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Double-Occupancy Upgraded Suite w/ Kitchen and Private Pool (Zen)

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$3,800
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Meet Nicole

Hello! Nicole Wild here. I built the Kula after many years of teaching yoga in-person all around my hometown of Bozeman, Montana & shifting into an online space in 2021 followed quickly by hosting yoga retreats and trainings worldwide. I am so deeply passionate about this community, this space + this practice. I’m grateful that you’re here + would love to see your name and face around the community. Pop in and say hello, ask questions + send requests.

Most of the classes inside the Kula are taught by me, though we have a growing collection of guest teachers, too! Kula is a Sanskrit word that means family. We like to think of it as ‘family-by-choice’ - and want you to feel valued inside of this sweet community. Welcome!

Answers to Your Most Frequent Asks

RETREATS WITH THE KULA

What is included in a Kula retreat?

Each retreat is unique, so be sure to check into the details of the specific retreat you’re looking at. However, all of our retreats include quality accommodations for the duration of the retreat, as well as meals and all yoga offerings throughout. Most include excursions throughout the week, but we’ll be clear in our messaging if this is not the case for any particular retreat. We do our best to include transportation to and from the retreat venue - especially if hosting in a remote area.

What is not included in a Kula retreat?

The main thing not included in a Kula retreat is your travel to and from, including flights and any nights before or after the retreat that you stay nearby. Some of our retreat schedules leave a few meals open/not included so that you can go experience local restaurants and have your own choice of what you eat. In more remote locations, we include all meals. Any additional snacks, meals, travel, etc. that is not a part of the retreat schedule will not be included. Some retreats have additional add-on excursions available for an extra charge, and we’ll be clear in our messaging when these are not included in the retreat costs.

Can your retreat chefs accommodate my dietary needs?

Yes! We work with chefs who are experienced and comfortable accommodating all dietary needs including vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, dairy free, nut-free, etc. We’ll collect your dietary needs upon registration. Please note that our retreats do allow for attendees to eat meat and/or drink alcohol up to your own discretion and as far as is respectful and mindful of the group.

How much yoga will we do on retreat?

Each retreat schedule is unique, but all will have a minimum of one practice per day. Most days include a second practice or workshop. Our practices range from 60-90 minutes and include asana, pranayama, meditation and journaling. We incorporate workshops such as arm balance + inversions, backbends, or meditation in many of our retreat schedules.

What excursions/adventures will we do, and are they included?

We incorporate excursions unique to the area that we’re visiting. Past retreats have included surfing in Panama, hiking in the French Alps, Wine tasting in Cape Town and island hopping by boat in Portugal. These excursions are almost always included (but always optional) in your retreat pricing. Select retreats are priced lower, but offer excursions as an add-on on-site. We’ll be clear in our messaging about this upon registration.

Will there be free time, and will I get to see the full itinerary before the retreat?

All retreats include free time throughout the week for you to relax, nap, explore, add-on excursions, or anything else you desire. We will go over the retreat schedule for the week upon arrival.

Is there a group transportation option to get to the retreat location?

Most of the time, yes. We try to offer a complimentary shuttle option for the group to the venue, especially for more remote retreat locations. We’ll send a welcome packet upon registration that includes all of your travel need-to-knows.

Should I purchase travel insurance?

It is always recommended that you book travel insurance, though we do not require it.

What is the payment schedule?

We require a non-refundable deposit to book your spot. Your final payment is due 90-days prior to the retreat start, and is also non-refundable once paid. We are only able to refund canceled spaces in the event that we can fill your space with another attendee. Contact us if you’d like to set up a payment plan!

Are retreats co-ed?

Yes! We welcome anyone to join in on retreat, unless noted as a specifically women-only offering. If you join alone but register for a shared room, we’ll pair you with somebody of the same gender. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you would like to discuss the best rooming options for you.

Can I join alone?

Of course! You can join alone, with friends, with family, with a partner, or however you like. Many people join alone - and we always love to watch the friendships that build throughout the course of the week together.

Will there be alcohol on retreat?

Maybe, depending on the retreat. We ask that attendees keep consumption intentional and with awareness of the needs of the group. Prior retreats have included wine tasting in France and Cape Town, or trying the local wines of Portugal paired with dinner.

What are the retreat add-ons?

Some of our retreats include a 3-day add-on experience. These are not yoga-related events, but an additional travel experience to see a different area of the country we’re exploring. As an example, after our Panama retreat, some of our group spent 3 days on a Catamaran boat exploring the San Blas Islands together. We highly value intentional travel and outward exploration and play, and we love to see the world with you! These add-on experiences are often limited in space and offered only to those who have attended the retreat.

What is your cancellation/refund policy?

All deposits are non-refundable as these are used immediately to support the planning and prepping process of the retreat. If you must cancel after making your final payment, we can only offer you a refund if we are able to fill your space with another attendee. We are responsible for paying our venues + vendors for your space regardless of whether you join. The sooner you can let us know of your cancellation, the more likely we will be able to fill your space and therefore work with you on a possible refund or transfer to a different retreat.

Do I need to bring a yoga mat?

We try to book venues that have yoga mats and props, but some of our more remote locations do not supply these. We’ll let you know upon booking if you need to bring your own mat!

Answers to Your Most Frequent Asks

TRAININGS WITH THE KULA

How are teacher trainings different from Kula retreats?

While retreat schedules include daily practice and study, teacher trainings are a much bigger deep-dive. Our Teacher Training curriculums are full-days of learning, practicing, applying new knowledge, having deep conversations about the material, reading texts, etc. If you wish to receive a certificate from attending the training, 100% attendance is required.

What is your cancellation and refund policy?

All deposits are non-refundable as these are used immediately to support the planning and prepping process of the training. If you must cancel after making your final payment, we can only offer you a refund if we are able to fill your space with another attendee. We are responsible for paying our venues + vendors for your space regardless of whether you join. The sooner you can let us know of your cancellation, the more likely we will be able to fill your space and therefore work with you on a possible refund or transfer to a different training or retreat. 

Can your retreat chefs accommodate my dietary needs?

Yes! We work with chefs who are experienced and comfortable accommodating all dietary needs including vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, dairy free, nut-free, etc. We’ll collect your dietary needs upon registration. Please note that our retreats do allow for attendees to eat meat and/or drink alcohol up to your own discretion and as far as is respectful and mindful of the group.

What is the curriculum like?

We are proud of the robust and playful nature of our curriculums. We aim to bring you all types of learning material including reading, hands-on, experiential practice, discussion, journaling, etc. so that you can remain engaged and access the material from various points of view. We aim to make our trainings very well-rounded, not only focusing on Asana but including a unique approach to anatomy, philosophy, history, Sanskrit studies, and more. Be sure to look into each of our trainings to get a more thorough look at the curriculum for each offering.

Are TCSY trainings Yoga Alliance certified?

Yes! All of our trainings are certified by Yoga Alliance.

Are there scholarships available?

We are proud to have created a scholarship program, offering 1-2 spaces in each retreat and training on scholarship. We open our scholarship applications once per year and create a small panel to review the applications and make selections for upcoming trainings. We prioritize the BIPOC community and students as we make scholarship selections. 

Are there payment plans available?

Yes, we are happy to work with you on a payment plan. Inquire with us at hello@thecollectivekula.com

Are the trainings fully in-person? What do I need to complete online?

Our trainings include a mix of online and in-person hours. Be sure to look at each training to read more about the split between online and in-person training for each particular module.

Do you offer 200-hr. and 300-hr. YTTs?

We currently offer 200-hr. Yoga Teacher Trainings, with our 300-hr. Training to be launched in 2024. Stay tuned!

Can I attend if I don’t plan to teach yoga after?

Of course! Every 200-hr. Yoga Teacher Training includes a mix of people who wish to teach afterwards, and not. Many attend who are unsure of whether they wish to teach afterwards. You are welcome to join simply to learn and follow your curiosities within the yoga practice. We welcome anybody who is serious about learning.

Is there a group transportation option to get to the training location?

We will either offer you a complimentary shuttle to our training location, or detailed information about how you can travel to the venue. We’ll connect you with other attendees prior to the training start in case you wish to connect with a travel buddy.