7-Day Conscious Yoga and Ashram Stay in the Sintra Countryside

The week is structured around a simple daily rhythm, repeated from Monday to Friday. Mornings start at 6.30am with meditation in the Red Temple, followed by a pranayama practice at 7.30am. Breakfast is at 8.45am, and then from 10 to 11am there's karma yoga – a couple of hours helping with the ashram's daily tasks, like cleaning, gardening, or food prep. Lunch is at noon, and the afternoon yoga class runs at 6pm (5pm on Tuesdays), with dinner afterwards. Saturdays and Sundays ease off a little: you're free to do your own self-practice, with meals and karma yoga still on the schedule.

The yoga itself is Iyengar-focused, taught by Samuele Piazza and Lavinia Casaburo. Iyengar yoga is known for its precision and use of props, and guests specifically mention how much they learn about alignment and therapeutic movement. Samu's background is broad – he started with Raja Yoga at 17, and has certifications in Hatha, Ashtanga Vinyasa, Kundalini, Yin, AcroYoga, and sound healing, alongside an E-RYT 1000. Lavi came to yoga later, through a childhood home practice, and has studied yoga philosophy, mantras, and Ayurveda deeply. Both are currently pursuing advanced Iyengar certification. The teaching style is hands-on and informed, and reviewers repeatedly praise them as exceptional teachers.

The ashram is a simple, comfortable space in São João das Lampas, a small village between Sintra and Ericeira. The property has a garden with hammocks, a fireplace, a library, and a dedicated yoga shala. It's not a luxury resort – the hosts describe it as a simple place surrounded by nature – but it's warm and well cared for. You'll be contributing to the running of the house as part of the experience, which adds to the feeling of a real ashram stay rather than a hotel booking. You can also walk to the beach through the valley, or head into the mystical Sintra forest for longer hikes.

What's included

- 6 nights accommodation - 3 meals per day (breakfast, lunch, dinner) - Snacks - Water, tea, and coffee available throughout the day - Daily meditation classes - Daily yoga classes - Daily pranayama classes - Karma yoga experience - Mantra circle and philosophy chat - Free parking - Free wifi

What's not included

- Airport transfers - Flights - Travel insurance - Visa fees - Additional activities not included in the itinerary - Additional treatments (e.g., massage)