The Deep Exhale:
Portugal Women’s Retreat

The ultimate experience of peace. Els and Eliana have created a physical and mental Eden, where cares drip away. They hold you in such safe hands physically wrapped in beauty but also mentally where your only requirement is to show up. The yoga was so well taught and rooted in technique and mindful practice with open ended Savasanas to start your day or end it perfectly. The sound baths and group sessions were bonding and reflective. The food was the headiest I’ve eaten in my life! And the setting - wow just wow. You have to see it. It settles in your bones and truly makes you want to embrace a slower pace of life connected to nature. The Sri-Lankan people and land have a magic about them that Els and Eliana have managed to fully share and respect. Inspirational woman and memories that will always be returned to when I need that moment of peace. Thank you for offering such wonder ♥️

“I had the most amazing week at Soul House the villa was beautiful. Practicing yoga with Eliana twice a day was so grounding, and the food was absolutely incredible so many flavour's and so nourishing. This retreat was a chance to slow down, reset, and take some much needed time out. The other women probably don't realise it, but they all helped heal a bit of me. Truly magical in a way words can't quite describe.”

“A truly wonderful week with heart opening yoga, true connection, peaceful nature and a place to be yourself. Eliana’s yoga classes are intuitive and go beyond just the physical. A week of transformation for your soul, body and mind.”

“I joined Eliana’s yoga retreat in Sri Lanka at Soul House and I can only say good things about my time there. She is the sweetest soul making sure that everyone feels comfortable during the yoga classes but also in general. You can really feel the love the puts in her practice.

The retreat location is also beyond amazing. You are completely surrounded by jungle and this is probably the most at peace I felt during my whole time in Sri Lanka. It was so easy to just be there in the moment and relax. The jungle chalets, the pool, the food, the staff, the amazing girls in the retreat everything made this experience amazing! I will definitely come back! Thanks again Eliana.”

“I’ve been looking forward to writing this review since I was still on retreat with Eliana & Elspeth in Sri Lanka, as the world needs to know about the magic that was created there!
Eliana is such an intuitive space holder, able to adapt every yoga class to each participant’s needs and interests. Her classes are the perfect mix of challenging, strengthening and deeply nourishing, with yoga philosophy woven through in an accessible way. As well as being a talented teacher, she's also such a warm and welcoming human - making everyone feel seen, heard and included regardless of experience…

…The Sri Lankan Ayurvedic food - all sourced locally - was absolutely out of this world, every single meal delicious and unique - I don’t think we ate anything more than once (except for when we requested it!) Elspeth has an incredible wealth of knowledge about local produce, cooking and customs and the amazing team of local cooks were always on hand to teach us more about the ingredients they had used.

I loved the variety of additional activities we were offered and came away feeling like I'd got to the know the area well. I also really appreciated how flexible and collaborative the schedule was, so that we could each take what we needed from each day and make requests for additional things we wanted to explore.

In summary, I feel so grateful to my past self for booking onto this retreat and very thankful for Eliana, Elspeth and their magic. Can't recommend it enough! Xx”

If you are considering to the book a yoga retreat with Eliana, do it!
It wasn't just a week of just practicing yoga in the physical sense, but about concious connections with a group of beautiful women supporting each other. Eliana has been able to create a beautiful space that provides an opportunity to take break from daily life and recharge in one of the most bautiful spots.
The location is amazing but whenever I tell poeple about this experieance i can't stop praising the amazing food. Each breakfast and dinner was a highlight itself <3
Would recommend 10/10

It was an absolute joy to explore Ayurvedic and Sri Lankan flavors as a guest chef at the retreat. From the serene energy of Soul House to the wonderful people who gathered there, every moment felt deeply nourishing. Cooking alongside Himasha and Tharinda was inspiring, I learned so much from their incredible Sri Lankan dishes. Grateful to have shared my creations. Until next time!

“Having yoga with Eliana in Sri Lanka was such a special experience. Everything felt calm and grounding from the moment I arrived.
The group of women really made it—everyone was so open and supportive, had so many amazing and inspiring stories to share, and I left with meaningful connections I didn’t expect and a lot of appreciation for the accomplishments of other women that I hope to learn from. Sri Lanka itself was beautiful and peaceful, the perfect setting to fully relax and be present, still raw, keeping its identity and culture. And the food served in the retreat, out of this world!
The accommodations were also amazing—comfortable, surrounded by nature, and just really serene. I left feeling refreshed and grateful. I’d definitely recommend it and hope to go back sometime given the chance!”

“I arrived feeling sluggish, with achy joints and a restless mind. But as the week went on, my body grew stronger, the aches melted away, and I felt more present, happy, and full of energy. From the nurturing, delicious food to the tranquil beauty of Soul House, every moment was a gift waking up to nature, soaking in the sound bath, and sharing this journey with incredible women.”