7 Day Body & Mind in Portugal

 

                                     From October 8 to October 15, 2022 

 

Do you sometimes feel that it is difficult to survive in the present time? That a lot is asked of you, but you sometimes don't have time to think about who you are and what you want? That you sometimes wish you were a little happier? IKIGAI TV (ikigaitv.nl) is a platform for positive psychology that teaches people to discover and trust their own inner strength in these sometimes difficult times. Ikigai means purpose or reason in life. And our goal during the retreat is to get everyone who participates in an upward spiral and to empower them. That does not mean that you are always cheerful or positive, but that you get and stay in balance, even when life is a bit difficult.

 

An exclusive trip, with yourself on a beautiful estate in the middle of the nature of the Serra da Estrela, the largest national park in Portugal.

 

During this retreat you will learn short-term and powerful positive psychology interventions, in the form of challenges, supported by scientific theory. Through these interventions you can get (renewed) energy and zest for life. This in turn has an effect on the people around you (positive ripple effect).

 

In a few days you participate in a number of 'Challenges' such as the gratitude challenge and in the challenge 'letters to the future' you (re)write your own future and that of the world. You also make a concrete plan to put what you have written into practice in the near future. With personal attention from the coach and from each other for your plans.

 

With the exercises and assignments from Ikigaitv you get to know your inner strength, you learn to have a more positive attitude to life, to write affirmations for your own future and what the power of giving is.

 

Travel sum: € 1,520.00 per person,

Includes: full board, private room, ikigai workbook, daily yoga class, daily tai-chi and (if you feel like it) personal walking coaching. 

Excluding travel expenses and any insurance.

 

This week's program is tailored to rediscovering your inner strength and positivity: yoga every morning, in-depth coach walking conversations and swimming in the river. With the beautiful surroundings of the mountains of the Serra da Estrela as a backdrop. We make full use of nature's incipient autumnal power: from the outside in. To also give your body extra strength, we serve organic meals. With lots of fruit, vegetables and almonds from our own garden.

 

The 8-day trip is from Saturday October 8 to Saturday October 15, 2022. To make it as exclusive and personal as possible, there is a maximum of 6 participants.

 

Do you want to extend your trip and stay with us a little longer or arrive earlier? Which can. We are happy to tailor it for you.

 

The retreat in brief 

 

This literal journey to Portugal and inner journey to yourself includes:

      Seven nights in a private studio with private bathroom. 

      Towels and bed linen.

      Organic breakfast, lunch and dinner, including a drink.

      Tea, coffee and water from our own well.

      Exercises from Ikigaitv with the initiator Michaéla Schippers.

      Daily yoga class from Mariette Zabel.

      Daily Tai-Chi by Jasper Groenewegen.

      According to your wishes and needs: coach walks with Manda den Elzen.

      And of course plenty of time for yourself. Time to exhale and take a look at your          look around. Really watch.

Who provides this retreat?

 

Michaela Schippers,  Professor of Behavior and Performance Management

 

Initiator Ikigaitv and founder Great Citizens Movement Great Citizens Movement – co-creating a new world. In daily life, Michaéla is a professor at the Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University Rotterdam. 

Her passion is to make other people shine and to use evidence-based “Challenges” to optimize people's performance and make the world a better place. She does this in a personal capacity, in addition to her job as a professor. Her lifelong hobby and passion besides science is Taekwon-Do.

 

Manda den Elzen ,– life coach, ACT teacher, farmer and cook

 

Manda is a sharp, thorough thinker. She observes processes and can put her finger on the right place. She expresses the insights gained in a pleasant way. This creates a beautiful connection between her and the people she works with. Her guidance is enlightening, provides tools for the future and focuses on the strength of the other.

 

 

Jasper Groenewegen,  – chef seller, bon vivant and lover of Tai-Chi

 

Jasper is a prince in the kitchen and he loves to let others enjoy it to the full. He cooks with organic, honest products. Lately his interest in patisserie has been sparked and he bakes delicious cakes, makes fantastic almond cookies and can easily whip up a tiramisu. He is also a farmer, organizer and bon vivant. He has experience teaching Tai-Chi and Chi-Kung and likes to pass on this experience in a playful and pleasant way.

 

 

Mariette Zabel,– yoga teacher, actress and embracer  

 

The keyword 'embrace' comes closest to what this earthly life is all about for Mariëtte: learning to embrace the landing on this earth as a human being. And that is a job in itself. She looks forward to starting every Portuguese morning with you on the yoga mat. A nice joint start of the day, outside in nature. You literally land in your body for a moment, you come to yourself; in silence, with focus and in full attention.

 

Yoga is a wonderful form to discover how to stand in your power and make contact with your body. With your breath, the tension and stiffness in your muscles and with your mind. For the retreat it does not matter whether you have often or never stood on a yoga mat. 

 

The program in a nutshell

 

Body & Mind – 7-day retreat in Portugal

You will receive the extensive program with time arcs and explanation after registration. In addition to the content part, every day consists of these delicious ingredients:

• Outdoor morning yoga 

• Extensive organic breakfast, lunch and dinner

• Time for yourself to muse, relax and enjoy

• Tai-Chi to end the day together 

• The possibility of a refreshing dive, under supervision, in the Rio Mondego

• And if you like walking: there are beautiful walking routes and ancient Roman paths

 

In consultation it is of course possible, if the group wants or feels good, to exchange parts of the program, for example to move a part to another day.

 

Day 1– Arrive, meet and land 

Welcome, check in and a delicious dinner. Time to get to know the environment, each other and us.

 

Day 2– Text and explanation of ikigai tv

This day we will discuss ikigai TV in detail and we will take the time for explanation and reflection. We're going to start with a short gratitude challenge, which will help you shift the focus to the positive. 

 

Gratitude Journal

The idea behind the Gratitude Journal is to train your 'gratitude muscle'. Instead of focusing on the negative things in your life, it helps to shift the focus to the positive aspects of life. This helps you to focus (again) on the beautiful things life can offer you. This can help you even if you are experiencing a lot of adversity. For example, gratitude has been shown to:

- positivity feelings increased

- self-confidence improves

- let you sleep better

- makes you happier

- reduces stress

 

Research even shows that gratitude creates more connection with others. You realize what your meaning is in this life, and with that your well-being improves.
 

Gratitude letter

The idea of this "gratitude letter challenge" is to write a letter to someone who deserves your gratitude, but who you think has not received that gratitude yet, or insufficiently. 

In principle, this can be anyone in your network (friends, partners, family, colleagues, etc.), but preferably someone you can meet up with, be it visiting or online. 

Research in the field of positive psychology shows that the gratitude letter can be a great gift that can improve the mental health, well-being, and connection of both of you.

​

Day 3– Day off 

After the morning yoga you have the day to yourself. After the yoga class and breakfast, there is an option of an extra hour of private yoga*, swimming (or with the sup) in the lake, swimming in the river, a walking coach conversation or maybe you fancy a nice day all to yourself. Just exhale.  
 

*This private lesson is not included in the retreat price and you can coordinate with Mariëtte on the spot

 

Day 4– The “life crafting Challenge”

What is Life crafting and how can it help you?

Parts include:

      Your future; what if you don't change anything?

      Your ideal future; the life you want to lead

      Specify concrete goals

      To set priorities

      Identify and remove obstacles

The idea of this "gratitude letter challenge" is to write a letter to someone who deserves your gratitude, but who you think has not received that gratitude yet, or insufficiently. 

In principle, this can be anyone in your network (friends, partners, family, colleagues, etc.), but preferably someone you can meet up with, be it visiting or online. 

Research in the field of positive psychology shows that the gratitude letter can be a great gift that can improve the mental health and well-being of both of you.

We do this in two parts, on day 5 we continue with part 2

 

Day 5 –Life crafting and Letters to the future

 

Part 2 of life crafting: Make concrete plans and discuss them if desired

 

Letters to the Future
What do you think the ideal world looks like and how can we bring it closer? What can you do here yourself? Here too we write about and discuss afterwards.

 

Day 6- Day off

After the morning yoga you have the day to yourself. After the yoga class and breakfast there is an option of an extra hour of yoga, swimming (or with the sup) in the lake, swimming in the river, a walking coach conversation or maybe you fancy a nice day all to yourself. Just exhale.  

 

Day 7–Random acts of kindness and roundup

Indeed, research shows that “random acts of kindness” have at least a positive effect on the well-being of the giver (Curry et al., 2018).  Often the recipient will want to return the favor when the opportunity arises. Through the principle of “Pay it forward” it can also have “positive ripple effects” on society itself. My idea is that the spontaneity of it is especially important. 

 

Pay it forward means that if you have a positive experience yourself, because someone has delighted you with a “random act of kindness”, you will do the same to others when the opportunity arises. How can you do this and apply it in everyday life? 

 

We look at what the week has brought us and how you can apply the knowledge gained this week in your daily life when you return home.

 

Day 8 - Checking out

Today the last yoga class from Jet, the last delicious breakfast and time to check out. Depending on your further travel plans, you are of course welcome to 'hang out'.