How a 5pm yin class in Ericeira became a women’s wellness retreat in Portugal
Intro
It was supposed to be a quiet 5pm yin session. Instead it became the conversation that launched a movement. That single evening in Ericeira: two women, one empty studio, and a simple question led to The Wander Woman, week long women’s wellness retreats in Portugal designed for ambitious, high-performing women who need real rest, community, and restoration.
Why this matters: the need for retreats made for women
Most retreats are built on a one-size-fits-all model. Women’s bodies, nervous systems, and life rhythms are different. Especially for women balancing demanding careers, family life, and emotional labor. Our retreats are explicitly designed to meet those needs: nervous-system-informed yoga and movement, nutrient-dense meals, restorative therapies, and unhurried time to process transitions. In short: this is a restorative retreat for women who don’t have time to slow down at home.
The story behind The Wander Woman
The question that started everything
“Why don’t we create the kind of retreat we would want to go on?” That question came up during a 5pm yin class when the practice turned into a conversation. Two women, both exhausted in their own ways, realized the retreats they’d attended were missing something vital: design for women who give so much to others they forget to refill their own cup.
Portugal as the backdrop
Portugal’s coastline, the rhythm of the ocean, the slower pace of life, became the perfect setting to prototype a different kind of retreat. Here, slowing down is not a luxury: it’s built into the day.
Who the retreats are for
Ambitious women juggling careers and family who need pause, not productivity.
Women in transition: career change, new motherhood, or midlife reflection, who need space to reorient.
Women who want practical tools: talks that matter, focused nutrition, and movement adapted to women’s bodies.
You don’t need fixing. You need space.
What happens on a typical week
Morning movement (gentle Vinyasa / functional flows for women’s bodies)
Nervous-system workshops and grounding practices (breathwork, meditation)
Whole-food, hormone-supportive meals (gluten-free, refined-sugar free, plant-focused)
Two restorative treatments per guest (subject to availability): e.g., lymphatic drainage, deep tissue, Shiatsu, or targeted facials
Time to reflect: time by the pools and long walks by the sea
The invitation
Seven days. Ocean views and mountain views. Women who understand the weight you carry because they carry it too. This isn’t a weekend escape. This is real time to return to yourself with clarity and energy.
Ready to learn more? Explore our retreats →