Help open the doors to Isaac's retreat centre

In a nutshell

I’m raising funds to build an off-grid retreat centre in the Serra d’Estrela National Park, Central Portugal - to provide a place of restoration and healing.

In more detail

Having taught over a hundred yoga and healing retreats over the last 15 years, in 2019 I felt the call to set up my own space for healing and restoration. Following our hearts, my partner and I stumbled on a plot of land in the stunning Serra D'Estrela national park in Portugal.

When I walked onto the land, I felt an intuitive sense that this was the place to realise our vision. The clear mountain streams and pure mountain air; the endless mountain views and rich flora and fauna; the ancient trails through pristine nature; all combined to give a sense of peace, safety, and the magic of existence that i hadn't felt elsewhere. 

My vision is to create a small, intimate space for small numbers of students. The teaching will be more therapeutic and specific to the needs of each student; co-created together with participants and guides. We want to break away from the power dynamics of commercialised yoga and instead take heart connection, honesty and nature as our foundation for exploring healing practices.

Situated in these beautiful surroundings, breathing fresh mountain air, gazing up at star-blanketed skies, bathing in freezing mountain water...

A true eco retreat centre for recovery and enhancement of physical, psychological, and spiritual health. 

-The entrance to the centre. 1000m high up in the Serra D'Estrella Mountains.

Work began in winter 2019 and we are half way through completing the vision. Unfortunately, our main source of income as yoga teachers has been completely cut off by the pandemic. All the planned retreats we had scheduled have been cancelled, heavily impacting our ability to complete the project.

We are therefore turning to our global community to ask for your generosity in helping us bring this vision to life.

What we have done so far:

—Solar powered electricity has been installed,
—Water (direct from a mountain spring) connected,
—Septics tanks buried,
—The first of the student cabins built; a beautiful self sufficient wooden cabin, with wonderful views of the sunset over the mountains.
—The permaculture garden has also got off to a great start with the aim of growing the food for the retreats on the land and working with restorative agriculture to foster diversity and soil health.

-Building the first cabin.


-My son enjoying the views from the new construction.


-Every night a different sunset.


-The first of our permaculture gardens.

So close yet...

I am so close to realising my dream of being able to offer all the knowledge accumulated over the past 25 years of learning and practice - as well as being able to invite and collaborate with all the incredible health and wellness experts that I have met over the years.

However I cannot do it without financial help in these challenging times.

Perhaps this was always meant to be the final stage on this journey. A surrender to the necessity of collaboration and the gift of community to support our dreams of healing and connection to bloom.


What's left to do

We have an old granite stone ruin on the land which will be the main house with an attached yoga studio.

We have managed to obtain permission for a 160 sq metre build with 3 or 4 levels. It's very unusual to be granted this in the natural park and it is an opportunity that can't be missed.

Anything over 45,000 will allow us to get creative and produce something of higher quality and larger area. Also there is a possibility of purchasing the land next door which will allow for extra habitations.

-A part of the old ruin with a 160 Sq m build permission.

Limited time

The national park of the Serra d’estrella have set a time limit for completing the project. Unfortunately, we can’t afford to wait before finishing the work.

The architectural plans are in place and we are ready to complete the project as soon as the funds are there.

A way to say thank you!

As for so many of us, it has been a very challenging time for my family and any support received will be accepted with immense gratitude and not a small amount of relief.

Each donation made will be returned with a reward of an online prerecorded class. 
Any donations over £350.00 will receive the complete online six week course I have created.
Any donation over £1500.00 will receive a retreat;.Any donation over £5000.00 a private retreat.

* To redeem your reward, please forward your purchase receipt and full name.