The Aliveness Retreat

Portugal • New Year's Edition • 29.12.-02.1.

When was the last time you felt completely alive?

Not productive, busy or "doing the work"… but truly alive.

The kind of alive that makes you laugh until your stomach hurts. Dance without thinking. Cry because your heart has finally softened. Jump into the ocean. Feel deeply connected to yourself and the people around you.

The Aliveness Retreat is a five-day New Year's journey in the Portuguese countryside that combines deep inner exploration with joy, creativity and play. Together, we'll slow down, reconnect with ourselves, share beautiful meals, move our bodies, explore what has been holding us back, laugh around the fire, dance barefoot, jump into the ocean, rest and welcome the new year with intention.

With only 9 participants, this retreat is intentionally intimate, creating a space where everyone can be seen and supported during the journey.

The most important thing I've learned is that the goal isn't to arrive somewhere. As long as we're alive, we'll always be on a journey. The question isn't, "How do I finally become the person I want to be?" but rather, "How can I feel more alive while I'm here?"

Somewhere along the way, many of us become disconnected from that feeling. We get caught in our minds, overthink our decisions, carry old stories and spend so much time trying to improve ourselves that we forget to enjoy being ourselves.

The Aliveness Retreat is a space to pause - not to escape your life, but to reconnect with it.

Make space for
your aliveness

During these 5 days together, we…

A glimpse into our days

This is an example schedule to give you a sense of the rhythm. While we have a carefully held structure, we will also adapt to the natural flow of the group.


Day 1 — Arrival & Opening | 29.12.

14:00 Arrival & Welcome
14:30 Opening circle & warming up to each-other
15:30 Gaga-inspired Dance Workshop
17:30 Break
18:30 Welcome dinner
20:30 Good Night Sound bath


Day 2 — Exploration & Reconnection | 30.12.

08:30 Optional morning practice: stretch, breath & journaling
09:00 Nourishing Breakfast
10:00 Creative Workshop: meeting your protectors
12:30 Lunch Break
14:30 Inner Child Workshop:
Meeting your core wound and needs
16:30 Gaga-inspired dance workshop
18:00 Sunset Beach Dinner & ocean dips
20:30 Good Night Sound bath & evening integration


Day 3 — Aliveness & New Beginnings | 31.12.

08:30 Optional morning practice
09:00 Nourishing Breakfast
10:00 Workshop: Your Aliveness Blueprint: exploring your gifts, values, passions and desires
12:30 Lunch Break
15:00 Sauna, cold plunge & integration time
17:00 Rest, prepare & connect
20:00 New Year's Eve dinner & celebration
00:00 Fire ritual: releasing the old & making space for the new


Day 4 — Integration & Embodiment | 01.01.

09:30 Morning Beach Practice & Nourishing Breakfast
11:00 Free time in town
13:00 Lunch Break
14:00 Money & Somatics Workshop
16:00 Free time for rest, nature, creativity & connection
19:00 Dinner
20:30 Live music & relaxed evening


Day 5 — Closing & Carrying It Forward | 02.01.

08:30 Optional morning practice
09:00 Nourishing Breakfast
10:00 Integration Workshop: Past, Present and Future
12:00 Farewell & departure

What’s Included

Every week we dive a little deeper and step by step you’ll integrate what you learn about yourself, your chosen instruments and your practitioner journey.

My intention is for you to walk away inspired, well resourced, clear and empowered. Equipped with tools & techniques that support you on your path as a Sound Therapy Practitioner.

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In case you have questions, email me here
Or book a 20 min discovery call here

What’s Included

Every week we dive a little deeper and step by step you’ll integrate what you learn about yourself, your chosen instruments and your practitioner journey.

My intention is for you to walk away inspired, well resourced, clear and empowered. Equipped with tools & techniques that support you on your path as a Sound Therapy Practitioner.

  • 12x 1.5-2hr live online group teaching calls

  • Bite sized self-paced video modules in our online portal

  • 3x 1hr 1:1 guidance sessions with Vanessa

  • A community group to connect, exchange and support

  • A detailed and effective workbook
    including journaling exercises & practices for each module

  • All modules & tools included are wisdom for life and
    support you at every stage of your personal and practitioner journey

    • Instrument teachings - learn how to play metal & crystal singing bowls, gongs, drums, tuning forks, chimes & using your own voice

    • Sacred geometry teachings - understand the metaphysical power of sound, frequencies and geometric patterns

    • Psychological teachings - introduction to nervous-system regulation for yourself and clients

    • Tech setup teachings - learn how to record and set up online sessions professionally

    • Energetic teachings - holding space for 1:1 and groups in various ways, energy hygiene, alignment to your natural frequency and central channel, reading and balancing energy

    • Authentic business practices - Offering, Branding, Finances

  • My list of trusted instrument vendors

  • My reading list

  • Incredibleguest teachings from experts in various fields

  • Integration Sessions - monthly check-in Q&A session after the training concludes to support you in integrating all you’ve learned

Beyond the obvious, you’ll receive new perspectives, a stronger sense of self-trust, a whole new supportive community, a new profession and vision for the next chapter of your life.

TENTATIVE: GRADUATION RETREAT
(4 days)

This part is optional and not included in the tuition fee.
If a minimum of 6 participants decide to join the graduation retreat, we will organize it in person. Otherwise we will have an online graduation ceremony.
(To be determined upon program start.)

If this sparks excitement, come join us on this incredible journey of self-expression and creative expansion.

In case you have questions, email me here
Or book a 20 min discovery call here

is this for you?

This training is a wholesome growth journey and no quick rundown. It’s an investment in your personal, spiritual & professional growth.

My approach consists of practical and grounded teachings that include knowledge from science and psychology but also wisdom from eastern medicine and esoteric concepts. The combination of both has massively enriched my own life and the lives of my clients alike. 

All you need to take part in this training is a curious mind and an open heart. All are welcome.

This training is for you if any of The following apply

  • You’re seeking new direction
    You feel called to move beyond a corporate job or find a more meaningful, purpose-driven path.

  • You have a passion for sound
    You’re fascinated by sound and curious to go further and study sound therapy to uplift and support others.

  • You want to expand your existing practice
    You’re a wellness professional, therapist or healer looking to enhance your toolset with sound therapy.

  • You crave deep personal and spiritual growth
    You want to expand your self-awareness and deepen
    your connection to yourself and beyond.

If this sparks excitement, come join us on this incredible journey of self-expression and creative expansion.

In case you have questions, email me here
Or book a 20 min discovery call here

Meet our Wonderful
guest teachers

Jamila O’Gilvie

Financial Expert

Jamila will teach you how to take charge of your finances to carve out your personal path to financial freedom.

Tanita Schneider

Brand Strategist

Tanita will help you connect to your personal brand voice and aligned way of sharing your offering most naturally.

Testimonials from
Previous programmes

“Thank you so much for your guidance and helping me move forward on my healing journey. The knowledge and skills you imparted on me are invaluable. I have felt and continue to experience a huge shift in myself, the ways in which I communicate and most importantly allowing myself to feel my emotions as they arise and question why they are coming up.”

JOHANNA LORDAN, UK
ARTIST & ENTREPRENEUR

“I’m really happy I challenged my self to start do this program. It overcame my expectations. The entire program was really well documented and had much more added value than I expected, definitely good value for money. To top this up, the weekly sessions with Vanessa were perfect to retain all I had processed on each week’s topic, and to make a compromise with my self to always save the time. It was my sacred moment. The breath and sound work she did on me, even online, really opened up my mind about the power and importance of working towards finding our balance and taking better care of ourselves. The program really helped to be more aware of my needs.”

VERA MARQUES DA SILVA, LISBON
ENTREPRENEUR

“Enrolling was a complete act of faith, that was richly rewarded. It exceeded my expectations, greatly. Her program was concise, easy to understand and integrate. it was one of the most effective programs i have ever done. it is easy to return to, and dive deeper into ourselves, time and time again. I have revisited different parts of her program since our time together came to a close. I feel so much gratitude. It feels so rich and beyond the words that i have to express. Merci beaucoup, muito obrigada, THANK YOU, Vanessa!”

MICHELLE POZON, LISBON
FASHION DESIGNER & STYLIST

Your investment

If you feel the call, come join us on this incredible journey of becoming a sound therapy practitioner. You can expect an innovative approach at the intersection of science, art and energetics, coupled with my heartfelt desire to forward to you all that I’ve learned about the nourishing power of sound and working with people. I created this training for you to discover and express your unique contribution through the transformative healing power of sound. I can’t wait to dive in together.

Payment Options


Pay in Full


1699€

1499€

Early Bird Price


Pay in 5 instalments

5× 340€
5x 300€

Early Bird Price

Payment options are selectable on the payment page.

Once you’re in, we will start with an intro call where we can get to know each other and I can learn a bit about you, where you’re at and what you’re hoping to get out of the training. This way we can make sure to personalize your journey to your needs.

In case you’d like to have a chat before signing up to see if this program is a good fit for you, book a 20 min discovery call with me to connect personally, where I can answer any questions you may have.

FAQs

Got a different question?
Reach out and ask me.