50 hour Yoga Teacher Training

About Meridian Yoga Therapy

About Portugal Portugal’s beauty is subtle and understated - the magic here is witnessed only when you slow down. Portugal's beauty is lived + experienced.

The area were heading to is called Coastal Alentejo, and you probably haven't heard of it (that's a good thing). It's far removed from the coastal tourist culture of the rest of Europe. The beaches are windswept and untouched. As you move inland, golden rolling hillsides give way to a rugged coastline, traditional whitewashed villages, and majestic medieval towns.

Traditional farming here is a way of life. Cork production still continues. Even at our property, the eggs come from our chickens, the cheese from our neighbors sheep, and olives from an olive grower down the road. The birds here are some of the most majestic you'll see, and the walking paths, like the Costa Vicentina, are world renowned.

The world is (finally) catching on to Alentejo. Get there before it does.

The Retreat Center

Cocoon is a 275 acre farm and dedicated retreat center on the Atlantic Coast of Portugal, offering inspiration + community for the modern traveller. It's also pure magic, where between the oversized hammocks and the freshwater lake, you'll start to lose track of time. The kind of place where each morning is a celebration, practicing under the canopy of old growth pines, but so is each evening, with incredible farm-to-table meals and elevated dinner conversation. The Guardian recently rated Cocoon "One of the Top 20 Yoga Retreat Centers in the World" and Yogascapes voted it "Top 10 Retreat Centers in Portugal".

Watch this gorgeous 90 second video of Cocoon, which was filmed during one of our previous advanced teacher trainings!

Where in Portugal? Cocoon is situated on the breathtaking Atlantic coast of Portugal, near the charming fishing village of Vila Nova de Milfontes, in the Alentejo region, which is known for its long stretches of untouched coastline and charming whitewashed villages. From Lisbon, it's roughly two hours drive south, entirely dependent on how many espressos you’ve had (from Faro, we’re slightly closer). The ocean, with bluffs, trails, and sandy coves, is a 10-15 minutes drive.

Yoga Shalas There are two yoga shalas at Cocoon. The pine shala is nestled under the canopy of old growth pines, with the occasional sheep or goat roaming around nearby. The pine shala is a dream for morning meditation and practice, especially as the morning fog rolls in. The indoor shala is lightfilled, with high ceilings and traditional handmade Santa Catarina tiles, which are a joy to practice on.

Meals Expect three healthy, lovingly-prepared meals each day. Strong coffee and herbal teas are available throughout the day. For breakfast, expect homemade granola, local honey, homemade jam, oats, fresh local fruit, and slow-rise breads. Lunch is typically light, like a bowl of ancient grains with fresh greens. Dinner is served family style, expect things like curry, beetroot hummus, salads, and soups. Our menu is always changing, depending on what's available. We fly in a different chef each year, and so the menu changes according to their personal style. The menu items listed above are just to give you an idea!

Rooms The rooms are clean, bright, and simple. Cocoon has 11 bedrooms and 10 bathrooms. There's different options for different budgets, from a private room to having your own bed in a shared double or triple room, your preference. You can have a room with an ensuite bathroom, or share a bathroom between two rooms. Please keep in mind this is not a resort - it's a Portuguese farmhouse. If you are looking for a JW Marriott with staff, central AC and turn-down service, this is NOT the training for you. If you appreciate understated beauty, barefoot adventures, a freshwater lake, peacocks, pine forests + salty air, then this is PERFECT for you! The property is so spacious, with many places to relax, chat or study - and from our experience people really only use their rooms to sleep.

How To Arrive Fly into Lisbon. Rent a car, and enjoy the two hour drive to Cocoon. Stop at Camporta Cafe for a fabulous lunch and a swim, and check in after 3pm. If you don't feel comfortable renting a car (or just don't want to), we can pair you with someone else arriving at the same time, so that you can drive together. Renting a car in Portugal is extremely easy & affordable. If you have time before or after the training, we highly recommend a couple of nights in Lisboa!