Yogaion

"In one word: amazing! I can absolutely recommend this retreat from all aspects. Shaini is a great and experienced Yoga teacher from whom I learned a lot. I loved every single class. The location was beautiful, food was amazing and the overall experience definitely gets a 10. I loved it!"

BookYogaRetreats website, edited

"I did the yoga+nourish retreat and it was just perfect, relaxing and restorative. Shaini is a great teacher with a lot of knowledge and a very warm personality, making your stay unforgettable. The house, the food and the treatments were fantastic too. If you want to improve your yoga and have a relaxing time surrounded by great nature and great people, this is exactly what you should do."

TripAdvisor, edited

"The Yogaion Retreat is heaven! Shaini is the perfect teacher to discover or to know better yoga and yourself. The location is perfect and the food amazing. I wish I could stay there longer. will go back for sure!"

TripAdvisor, edited

"Myself & 2 friends spent a glorious 6 days at this yoga & nourish retreat. Shaini is an amazing yoga teacher, taking time to get to know everyone ( there were 9 of us on the retreat). Shavani did the vegetarian/vegan cooking & all the food was prepared with love & the tastes were delicious. Liz is the 'go too' woman for everything else & she does a great job, nothing was too much trouble for her. I had a lovely relaxing massage too."

"All the rooms were very comfortable & spotlessly clean with plenty of spaces to relax both inside & outside the house. This is an 'off grid' property. If you are considering hiring a car I would advise either 4x4 or a high off the ground one as the drive up from the main road is more 'off road', but car hire is not essential."

Trip Advisor, edited

"Not long back from wonderful yoga and nourish retreat at Shaini's Yogaion hideaway. Beautiful house in stunning location "far from the madding crowd" .. perfect escape."

"Excellent yoga tuition by Shaini, wonderful vegetarian food created daily by Shivani to nourish body and soul . Shaini is ably supported by her PA Liz allowing her the time to devote full attention to her students. Shared our time there with a lovely group of people .. a lot of laughs along the way .. thanks everyone"

Trip Advisor, edited

"A superb house in a remote location but just a 5 min walk from a lovely beach. A great introduction to Iyengar yoga in the mornings and evenings. Surfing at Amado beach during the days was fantastic fun but risking injury if not careful. Full board vegetarian food was unbelievably good and we're now looking into macrobiotic diets."

Trip Advisor, edited

"Had an amazing time at Shaini's yoga retreat, everything was 5*, accomadion, yoga and food, 'incredible' :)) ! Shaini is a truly beautiful young woman , her yoga classes are really enjoyable, I came away feeling so much looser and my stiff shoulder is feeling so much better, she is very attentive during the practice making sure one does the poses correctly, I will return !"

Trip Advisor, edited

"Always some mixed feelings when sharing a secret spot... Yogaion is way more than value for money and easily exceeded our (high) expectations, it's a genuine place and kind of slowlife paradise. Sheini is a super host and a great yoga guide, Shivani makes marvelous meals, Liz was very kind too and very helpful. The secluded location meets the best dreams. High spirit during the whole week, thank you!"

"Last but not least, we managed to stand up on our boards thanks to the the good tips of our surf instructors Eduardo and David. Great memories..."

Trip Advisor, edited

"I loved this yoga retreat! very good quality teaching in a small class which enables personal adjustments and attention. The food was out of this world delicious, abundant and veggie goodness and to top it all off the location was beautiful with lovely company - couldn't have asked for more :)"

Trip Advisor, edited

"Wonderful peaceful set up, lovely spacious house with access to energizing powerful beach, complete and pampering organization and hosting skills of Shaini and completely spoiling, loving food by beauty Shivani makes the yoga&surf experience very valuable package to afford for oneself. Lovely people and energy to take back home. "

TripAdvisor, edited

"Shaini is not only one of the nicest persons you could meet but she is also a very good Iyengar teacher. The resort is held in a lovely beach house in a national park and the vegan food is excellent. If you are into surfing as well this is perfect combination with yoga. A week full of happiness for the body, mind and heart!"

TripAdvisor, edited

"Great get a away, its beautiful, wonderful food, everything is clean and well taken care of! Highly recommended! For anyone looking for a place to switch off and relax, take walks, meet people, surf, enjoy good food and drink- just go :)"

TripAdvisor, edited

"10 parts sharing inspirational sunrise / sunset yoga practices with Shaini's unique guidance. 6 parts Shivani's daily delicious nutritious food magic. A slice of panoramic ocean views. A dash of birdsong. A sprinkle of wild flowers. Stir with an authentic Eco living experience. Top up with a mix of like minded souls from across the world. And garnish with lots of laughter. Warning: Be prepared to fall in love with the west coast of the Algarve / to go home to no yoga quite like this / to wish Shivani lived closer / to make some very good friends here / to sigh wistfully at all the Yogaion retreats you won't be able to make."

TripAdvisor, edited

"This was my first yoga retreat and I absolutely loved it. Starting from the place, which was perfectly chosen in a very nice and quiet natural area. The house was very comfortable, nicely decorated with lots of light. But it was especially the people who made this place so special. Shaini was a great yoga teacher, who was able to always find solutions in her lessons to make them suitable for complete beginners and pros - which in my eyes is not always easy :)) she was very patient with people starting newly with yoga and had always good tips how to adapt certain postures. The food and the people who run the hotel and of course the rest of the Yoga group rounded up the whole experience - food was absolutely great and everyone in the house was absolutely warm and welcoming. Shaini organized everything perfectly - from the pick up over the surfing lessons including made in bali lunch boxes we got everyday till the day everyone had to leave. I hope to have the chance to come back to one of her retreats soon and to meet some of the group again. I can absolutely recommend you to stay at one of her retreats!"

TripAdvisor website, edited

"Shaini is an amazing yoga teacher and full of knowledge, I learnt so much from her about my own practice and her manor is so gentle, compassionate and down to earth. I had always practiced Vinyasa yoga before and this week retreat and given me the ability to continue my practice safer than before. The retreats accommodation is second to none with such beautiful people in every department. Namaste x."

Yogaion, edited

"I had an absolutely fantastic time on this retreat. Shaini is the best teacher - she has such a great, personal approach in her teaching and felt so welcome with her lovely, warm personality. The food was fantastic and resort was great. Really enjoyed the surf lessons too on some of the most beautiful beaches around! I would definitely recommend people on this retreat!"

Yogaion, edited

"My fianc and I recently returned from Yogaion's surf and yoga retreat, organized and hosted by the very special Shaini Verdon with the help of the Casa Vale da Lama staff.The retreat and the facility were both amazing. The yoga, led by Shaini twice daily, was both energizing and rejuvenating. Shaini is a great teacher who provides great one on one instruction while tailoring her classes to all skill levels. When not leading us in Yoga, Shaini was around making sure that we were being well taken care of by the wonderful folks at Vale da Lama. Speaking of those folks, our cooks were always willing to accommodate our dietary needs and went out of the way to provide us with delicious and nourishing food. We are grateful for their efforts.Surfing was led by the charismatic Eduardo (of Future Surf School). His positive energy, teaching ability and local knowledge made the surfing experience amazing for our entire group. Our skill levels definitely improved under his guidance. And he made us laugh, a lot.The accommodations were clean and comfortable and there was nothing more you could really ask for in that regard. The serene setting of Vale da Lama also really enhanced our experience.Overall, Shaini's exuberance and zest for life spilled over into all aspects of the retreat and I would not hesitate, for a second, recommending her retreats to anyone. Thank you Shaini for an experience we will never forget."

Yogaion, edited

"Retreat. What does it mean? Giving yourself, body and mind, a rest from everyday life. Step back and take some time to pause, to relax and to do something for yourself. My week at Yogaion has been a wonderful experience and Shaini managed to provide not only a retreat but a full experience of warmth and compassion. The place: Quinto de Vale da Lama is an eco-resort close to Lagos a bit inwards in the country. Upon a small hill you will find the house with a charming surrounding. Everyone working at the resort is so friendly and open, so that you feel welcome and at home immediately. They provide you with the most wonderful local and organic food and surprise you with original variations every day. The course: Yoga and surf. A week program which provides you with 2 yoga lessons a day. The first morning session gives you a powerful start and you are ready to conquer the waves. Surfing is done throughout the day and the caring instructor knows how to bring the great experience of standing on the board to everyone. Depending on the waves different locations are chosen every day, so you get the opportunity to see stunning beaches. In the evening, a restorative yoga session is provided, so your muscles are well stretched and ready for the day to come. Shaini: She makes the retreat an experience. Her genuine, wholehearted and caring nature makes the difference. Her way of teaching Yoga is motivating and a great mixture of bringing you deeper into the poses but not going beyond any of your limits. She adjusts, gives tips and is concerned about the wellbeing of the people. Her passion for yoga can be felt in every session and gives you comfort to achieve your goals. A week full of bringing awareness to yourself - your body and your soul, in a wonderful surrounding with highly qualified and experienced teachers. Highly recommended!"

Yogaion, edited

"I have stayed here twice in the past year; each time for Yogaion's amazing yoga retreats and have loved every minute! I know that I am not alone when I sing Shaini's praises as one of the most remarkable yoga teachers who truly cares for and connects with each of her students and brings alive something new and meaningful in every practice.Vale da Lama is a unique and dynamic place to stay where the vision of people living and working in harmony with the environment and the planet - a step up from the 'please help us by reusing your towels' type of Eco friendly measure - is being made a reality in a contemporary setting.All of the beautiful people at Casa Vale da Lama, the clean fresh airy rooms (all designed and built as solar passive), the extensive grounds with orchards, herb and vegetable gardens, walks to the sea, musicians and storytellers, delicious meals from own grown fresh food prepared with love and to 'world music' (!) and the genuine commitment to an inspirational permaculture project make this an accessible 'little bit of heaven' in the Algarve! Perfect on so many levels!"

TripAdvisor website, edited

"The retreat with Yogaion was, for me, totally perfect. The location was stunning, the accommodation really comfortable, and the food delicious. Shaini is a great yoga teacher, she has a really personalized approach to teaching, taking time to get to know everyone in the class."

Yogaion website, edited

"My friend & I stayed here for a Yoga in Nature Retreat in May 2014. It is a very lovely place full of beautiful people who love what they do & love sharing it with their guests.It is a relaxing, peaceful place & you can do as little or as much as you want in terms of joining in to help collect the vegetables for the lunch or maybe learning a new skill like bread making! There is a salt water pool outside.We came home feeling that this retreat was one of the nicest things we had ever done for ourselves, I would highly recommend the experience."

TripAdvisor website, edited

"Great experience of amazing yoga classes, fun surfing times and delicious and healthy food. Also great organisation and time planning of all the activities. I really recommend this very special experience!"

TripAdvisor website, edited

"This yoga surf retreat was so much fun; we were very lucky to have a fabulous group of people and our teacher Shaini was excellent. The accommodation was comfortable and easy - though don't expect room service - and the food was very tasty. Yoga was twice a day and Shaini's teaching was amazing; it was nice to have such focus on alignment and posture. Shaini was good at challenging people to go that extra step and gave encouragement all the way - plus her positive outlook on life is very inspirational. I was very happy and surprised when I managed my first headstand! The surfing was really good fun and the guys running the surf school were brilliant. I did manage to have a little accident but I was completely looked after and the level of care I received was 110%. I would recommend this trip if you're looking for some relaxation, timeout, laughs and challenges. Thanks so much!"

TripAdvisor website, edited

"The "waves within" retreat with yogaion was, for me, totally perfect. The location was stunning, the accommodation really comfortable and the food delicious. Shaini is a great yoga teacher, she has a really personalised approach to teaching, taking time to get to know everyone in the class. Her approach is perfect for beginners to yoga but also great for experienced yogis who may have learnt bad habits! Each session was just challenging enough without being too tiring. The combination of yoga and surf is great, it is so amazing to spend the day in the water and come back to a relaxing yoga session. To anyone who isn't sure which yoga holiday to pick, pick this one....you won't regret it!"

TripAdvisor website, edited

"I stayed at Eco Resort Casa Do Vale for 6 nights on a yoga retreat in July 2014. This is an ideal place for a yoga retreat, relaxing, peaceful, a place to connect back to nature. Good vibes and positive energy. I left feeling much more relaxed. There is a really delicious vegan caf, with great chiefs using produce from the farm. Its possible to walk to the beach but there is also a salt water pool. Shaini is a great yoga teacher and the week classes were really well planned and fun!"

TripAdvisor website, edited

"This Yoga Cleanse, Restore and Renew retreat was so much more than I could have expected. First of all Shaini is the most inspiring yoga teacher I have met during my 5 year of yoga practice. She was just amazing on all levels. The fact that the group size is kept small guarantees you a very personal experience of every class.The location was more than just a eco resort, it is actually a permaculture, which was something new for me. Very interesting to get to know how this works and as the place was quite small, you got to know the people living and working there. And the food was gorgeous. I cannot think of anything I did not appriciate of this retreat. Met some really wonderful people, likeminded getting into some really interesting discussions. Loved it all and can recommend to anyone interested in their own health as well as getting some deep insights into yoga alignments."

TripAdvisor website, edited

"This was a perfect retreat, hidden in a little valley bursting with life among a welcoming community aiming to live in sustainable self-sufficiency (permaculture), with just a short walk to the sea. The surfing is a little drive further away and with competent, attentive and encouraging instructors. The yoga classes are perfect to build strength before and stretch after the surfing, and this helps your body adapt to the challenge. Shaini is a wonderfully open and warm yoga teacher and highly attentive to correct positioning and posture, she manages to work wonders on the body and the mind.The day starts (not too) early, with yoga and meditation, with frogs croaking in the pond just outside the window and songbirds fluttering among the surrounding trees. Then a delicious hearty breakfast: like all the food here it's prepared with love and served with smiles by permaculture community.. then the instructor picks you up to drive to the surf beach to practice and train. The permaculture community prepares you a full and delicious lunchbox; its contents are devoured at midday - then better take a small digestive break to stop the waves pushing it back up out :) Then a few more hours surfing and back to the Casa do Vale da Lama for some restorative yoga, stretching out the well-used muscles, then a delicious and well-earned supper. They really work some magic in that kitchen :) and food is always served with beaming smiles. The food is extremely diverse and based on the fruit and vegetables produced (sustainably & organically) in the surrounding permaculture gardens: a highlight was to be guided around the gardens and the welcome given by the community.All this combines to create a wonderful ambiance. We had a lovely team spirit with our yoga and surf buddies, it's a great place to reach out and make new friends. When we finally arrived back home, our friends and colleagues all remarked at how healthy, rested, happy and indeed glowing we were. So we brought some of the magic with us :) I highly recommend you to experience it too .. I will certainly return for more!"

TripAdvisor website, edited

"This retreat was much more than I expected! From the first contact with Shaini everything was put into place. The transfers were made by her trusted colleagues. Nothing to worry about from the moment you step out of the airport! It is wholesome for body & soul. We learnt something new every day in yoga from Shaini and enriched our souls with the mediation. I loved it! The fresh vegetarian/vegan meals served by Anna were outstanding. We had a surprise tour of the permaculture resort too and were made to feel so welcome as guests & friends by all the staff and volunteers. Would I go again? Yes. Would I recommend? Yes. Would I do more surfing? Yes. Would I change anything? Yes. Go at a warmer time of year & be more prepared for the peace & tranquility! Thank you Shaini for a holiday of a lifetime. Namaste! "

TripAdvisor website, edited

"Just got back from an absolutely fantastic break on this yoga & surf retreat with Shaini. She is the most wonderful, caring teacher with so much knowledge to share and a real passion for overall wellbeing. Every day I learnt something new, having practiced yoga for years this was really refreshing and just what I was after. She is one of the most caring people I have met and helped to develop each and every student and support them through their journeys.The surf teachers Eduardo and Simon were both friendly, encouraging and again taught me a lot in just a few days. The only other feedback I would have is that it would be good to see other beaches if the waves are suitable, rather than just one.The place is inspirational; every meal is made from scratch from the produce on their farm- so wholesome and nourishing. Rooms are clean, the people are lovely, a very chilled, laid-back type of place with no shoes or tech, nice to go back to our roots!Can't recommend this place enough! Except that I want it to keep it to myself so it stays small and unique, the size of the group was just perfect (as were the people). "

TripAdvsor website, edited

"We did the yoga-surf retreat in October 2013, and stayed at Casa Do Vale. At our arrival at Casa Do Vale, we felt immediately embraced by the lovely permaculture garden, the alternative furnished terrace and the warm welcome of Shaini, Antonio, Xana and others. And that was even before we had seen our fantastic room with mezzanine. Every morning and evening we had yoga. During the day we surfed. In the evening we enjoyed a lovely meal of vegetarian food. We loved the yoga workshops. Shaini has the ability to enclose all people in her practice regardless the level of yoga they have. Her teachings were never dull, but encouraged everyone to give the best of them. In the morning workshops she focused more on 'opening' us up, in 'generating our energy'. The evening class was more at ease and focused on 'turning inward' again.The combination of yoga and surf was extremely good, because of the slow but profound warming up, deep preparation before facing the water force, and after the surf an intense stretching out of our muscles :). It was also amazing that there were so many similarities between surf/yoga. (On the surfboard, you have to do the 'cobra' before standing up in a kind of 'warrior' position...)We both definitely would like to repeat this retreat ! We would recommend everyone to jump into this incredible adventure!"

TripAdvisor website, edited