Elements of the Azores: A Yoga + Ayurveda Retreat at the Edge of the World

To a place in the middle of the Atlantic where the earth is still becoming.

The Azores, a Portuguese archipelago of nine volcanic islands rising from the middle of the Atlantic, once called the end of the known world, are among the most geologically alive places on the planet. Here, the five great elements are not theory. They are the landscape.

Fire rises from the earth in geothermal pools and volcanic calderas. Water pools in crater lakes, and crashes against black sand shores. Earth gives rise to cloud forests that have existed since before recorded time. Air moves without obstruction across the open Atlantic. And the sky holds it all with the vast quality of Space that is rare and unmistakable.

Over seven days and six nights on the northern coast of the island of São Miguel, we will weave together daily Yoga and Ayurveda practice with the elemental medicine of the place itself.

The setting serves the practice. The teachings deepened by the setting in ways that are difficult to anticipate and impossible to forget.

Each morning begins in the shala perched above the ocean. Evenings close with the slow unwind of an island. In between: walks on the black sand beach, healing treatments at the wellness center, hiking to volcanic lakes, a food tour to understand place through nourishment, reflection in the presence of the powerful Atlantic. Your days will yield the kind of deep rest that comes more easily when you are far from ordinary life and held by the container of community and retreat. It’s an invitation to s.l.o.w. down.

Your retreat includes two excursions into the heart of São Miguel.

The first takes us to Sete Cidades, one of the most iconic landscapes in the Azores. A volcanic crater holding two lakes, one blue and one green, separated by a narrow bridge and surrounded by ancient caldera walls.

The second is a guided food tour through the cobblestone streets of Ponta Delgada, the island’s historic capital.

7days/6 nights guided Yoga + Ayurveda retreat
6 nights accommodation at ocean-side eco-retreat center
Daily Ayurvedic Yoga practices (asana, pranayama, meditation, yoga nidra)
3 nourishing meals per day sourced from the resort’s organic farm and the surrounding sea. Starting with dinner on the first night and ending with breakfast on the last day
2 half day excursions to be included in the itinerary
Ground transport to and from Ponta Delgada Airport (PDL) on retreat arrival/departure dates

Accommodations

Perched on the northern coast of São Miguel Island in the Azores, the Ocean Wellness Retreat offers a contemporary, luxurious, and eco-conscious escape with direct access to one of the island’s most stunning black sand beaches. This unique resort seamlessly blends luxurious comfort with sustainable practices, providing a serene environment where the volcanic landscape meets the Atlantic Ocean. Accommodations include stylish studios and villas, many featuring private balconies or terraces that present sweeping views of the ocean and the dramatic coastline. Each unit is thoughtfully designed with minimalist aesthetics, natural materials, and modern amenities, ensuring a comfortable and inspiring stay. Construction of the resort prioritized the use of natural materials, primarily local wood (cryptomeria), cork, and bamboo, and infused decorative elements that callback to traditional Azorean motifs and accents.

The Azores Ocean Wellness Retreat is a haven for both tranquility and exploration. The property boasts a magnificent infinity pool overlooking the ocean, direct beach access perfect for surfing, and beautifully maintained grounds that reflect the island’s lush environment. With a strong commitment to sustainability, the resort offers an authentic experience that respects and utilizes local resources. Dining at the on-site restaurant emphasizes fresh, seasonal, and locally sourced ingredients, including incredible seafood and produce. Whether you’re unwinding by the pool, catching waves, or simply reveling in the breathtaking natural scenery, this resort provides an idyllic base for discovering the magic of the Azores.

Kara Aubin

Kara Aubin CAP, E.RYT is an Ayurvedic Practitioner and Yoga educator based in Michigan.

Kara has spent 20+ years sharing the spirit and science of Yoga and Āyurveda through in-depth study programs, clinical practice, and retreats led around the world. She teaches what she identifies as capital “Y” Yoga from rich lineage based traditions, and invites her students into ever-deepening relationships with the sciences of Yoga and Āyurveda. Her mission is to guide students toward their bright inherent potential, as well as their right to radical wellness and balance.

Kara guides students on retreat as a means to know oneself better via the experience of travel. She believes learning from the rich cultures of the world makes us better global citizens. She has witnessed time and again the transformative power of retreat, and is committed to offering these opportunities to students on the path.

Kara’s retreats are filled with community, ceremony, and exploration, each with a unique flavor of the locale. Her retreats are for those who want to go, and want to go deeper.

São Miguel is a rich place for rejuvenation and exploration. During your retreat, you will have free time during which you can enjoy some of what the island has to offer. Here is a selection of tours and activities that you will be able to choose from while in the Azores:

healing bodywork and spa treatments
a beach walk into the local town
horseback riding
kayaking
whale watching
volcanic hot spring soaks

*Activities are not included in the price of tuition unless listed under “What’s Included”. Activities and availability are subject to change.

Please be sure to review Our Policies.
For technical questions or alternative payment options, please contact us.

Getting There

True Nature specializes in curating and offering the best retreat experiences. For your flights, we recommend that you use Google Flights or a trusted travel agency.

You will book airfare to João Paulo II Airport (PDL), located in Ponta Delgada, São Miguel Island, Azores. Before booking tickets, please be sure you have received your official confirmation note that the retreat has met its minimums. There will be one group airport shuttle each way based on our flight window guidelines. Be sure your flights align with the provided flight windows if you wish to use the group shuttle. The drive to the center take approximately 20 minutes.

Travel Insurance

We cannot emphasize more the importance of travel insurance. As we all know, especially as travelers, “life happens.” Whether it’s family, work, mother nature, or a change of heart, it is important to be prepared in case you need to unexpectedly change your travel plans. Often for less than $150, you can purchase a travel insurance policy and be protected in the event that you need to make a change or need to be covered financially prior to or during your trip.

We have partnered with Trawick International (available for U.S. Residents only). Read more about their policies here. We encourage you to research the insurance company and policy that best meets your needs.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Do you have questions about traveling abroad? After you register, we will provide you with a Participant’s Package with helpful information. Also, be sure to check out our Participant FAQs. If you have other questions, feel free to write to us at info@truenaturetravels.com and let us know how we can help!

Click Here to Register Now!

Save $200 on full-price (Shared only) ENDS May 15th!

One-Bedroom Garden Villa Shared Accommodations – $4145 USD (Full Price $4345)
Private hot tub. Up to two people of the same gender per room.

One-Bedroom Garden Villa Single Accommodations – $5545 USD

Two-Bedroom Garden Villa Shared Accommodations – $4145 USD (Full Price $4345)
Private hot tub. Up to two people of the same gender per room. Up to 4 people in the villa. Shared bathroom with the entire villa; may be co-ed.

Two-Bedroom Garden Villa Single Accommodations – $4945 USD
Private hot tub. Up to 3 people in total in the villa. Shared bathroom with the entire villa; may be co-ed.

Blue & Green Studio Couple Accommodations – $4345 USD (Full Price $4545)
King Bed. Up to two people of the same gender per room.

Blue & Green Studio Single Accommodations – $5845 USD

One-Bedroom Blue & Green Villa Shared Accommodations – $4345 USD (Full Price $4545)
Private hot tub. Up to two people of the same gender per room.

One-Bedroom Blue & Green Villa Single Accommodations – $5945 USD

Two-Bedroom Blue & Green Villa Shared Accommodations – $4345 USD (Full Price $4545)
Private hot tub. Up to two people of the same gender per room. Up to 4 people in the villa. Shared bathroom with the entire villa; may be co-ed.

Two-Bedroom Blue & Green Villa Single Accommodations – $5245 USD
Private hot tub. Up to 3 people in total in the villa. Shared bathroom with the entire villa; may be co-ed.

Deposit & Payment Requirements

To secure your tuition rate and reserve your spot, a non-refundable and non-transferable deposit is required at the time of registration:

$350 for registrations made more than 90 days before the trip.
$1,000 for registrations made 60–90 days before the trip.
Full payment is required for registrations made within 60 days of the retreat.

A non-refundable $50 payment processing fee will also be added to the tuition at registration.

If you select Deposit Payment, depending on when you registered, your remaining balance will be split into 1-3 payments and processed with your credit card on file on the dates indicated on your Confirmation Letter.

Follow this link to review our payment schedule policies.

For technical questions or alternative payment options, please contact us.

Cancellation

Initial deposits and the $50 registration fee are non-refundable and non-transferable.
50% of payments are refundable up to 90 days before a retreat excluding the initial deposit and the $50 registration fee.
89 days prior to a retreat, tuition is non-refundable and non-transferable.
Full tuition is refunded* if the trip is canceled due to low enrollment. The $50 registration fee is not refundable.
True Nature Travels is not responsible for any loss incurred due to currency conversion rates.

*Refundable amounts do not include applied credits.

If you wish to cancel your spot on a trip you must submit your cancellation by email to info@truenaturetravels.com.