Monchique Portugal
Life-changing 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training at a mountain refuge in the Algarve, Portugal.
What to expect
Begin your 18 days of yoga teacher training in the hill-topped village of Monchique, in a place filled with life, peace and diversity. Immerse yourself in the teachings of Hatha and Vinyasa yoga, health, meditation and more, while surrounded by the beauty of the mountains and the natural environment. Here you can safely disconnect from the outer world and reconnect with your inner self, while being guided on your journey of self-discovery, exploration and transformation.
Become a part of our global La Casa Shambala family and share and receive the gifts of love, knowledge, energy and acceptance, all while becoming a fully certified yoga teacher.
Dates
- June 8 – June 25, 2026
- September 7 – September 24, 2026
- October 5 – October 22, 2026
- October 30 – November 16, 2026
- November 19 – December 6, 2026
Program Details
If you are looking for a deeper connection with your inner self, to elevate your knowledge of yoga practices and philosophy, or to create a new career path that’s aligned with your beliefs and values, this course is for you. Our training is truly unique, with each content and practice created with pure love and nourishing intention. Our curriculum and philosophy focus on traditional Hatha yoga, diving deep into the eight limbs of Hatha philosophy. You will learn how to integrate the empathetic and spiritual practice of Hatha into your life, learning not only how to exist, but how to flourish and elevate in both your inner and outer world. Vinyasa is a modern form of yoga that comes from the Hatha asana practice and focuses on harmonizing breath with every movement in the yoga flow. No two vinyasa classes are the same and we will teach you how to sequence beautiful Vinyasa flows that will embody your unique teaching style.
This course also explores the teachings of traditional Ayurveda like the ayurvedic diet, your Ayurvedic profile (the doshas) and using Ayurveda for preventative health and wellness. As a yoga teacher, it’s important to understand human anatomy and how yoga influences our bodies from an anatomical level. Our course teaches anatomy from a traditional and biological standpoint as well as the conjunction between yogic philosophy and biological principles. This is so that our students can understand, from a biological level, why asana practice makes us feel better.
This yoga teacher training certifies you in Hatha and Vinyasa styles, however, during your training you will get a taste of other types of yoga, especially Yin/restorative yoga.
Venue Details
MONCHIQUE, PORTUGAL
The beautiful hill-topped village of Monchique is an ideal escape into quietness, away from the bustling life of cities, yet only an hour away from Faro Airport. The region is famous for its healing thermal waters that are now one of Portugal’s leading drinking water distributors. Our venue is located at walking distance from the village. Quinta Algarve began as a family project 30 years ago, on a large property with a 19th century restored family home (previously Quinta das Relvinhas), two newer bungalow-style buildings, numerous flower, herbal and fruit gardens, natural swimming pool, sauna, several geodesic domes (indoor & outdoor), outdoor shala, and winter garden conservatory. Each room is spacious, beautifully decorated and shared with one, two or three other students. The rooms have double and single beds (prices vary based on your bed preference, not number of people per room). All rooms have a private en-suite bathroom.
All along the property there are hidden nooks and crannies to find a quiet space for yourself, as well as gathering spaces to connect and share the moments together. The Quinta is a vibrant and cosy place, where you will find a sense of home, familiarity and peace.
Exact location: Quinta Das Relvinhas, Caminho da Foia, 8550-364, Monchique, Portugal
Accommodation Details
Our spacious and cosy rooms in Monchique offer beautiful views of the surrounding nature, creating a peaceful and nurturing environment for your stay. Rooms are situated across the property, all within easy walking distance of the communal spaces.
For any special requests or assistance, our team will be happy to help — please contact us at [email protected].
Accommodation / Package Options
Our shared rooms and dorms are mixed gender (though often all female). If you’d prefer a single-sex room, please request it when booking—we’ll do our best to accommodate you and ensure everyone feels welcome and at ease.
Private room with Fireplace:
2999€ EUR
Ensuite Ensuite bathroom with
bathtub.
(Fireplace Not Available)
Plant-Based Food
La Casa Shambala will offer you a healthy vegetarian/vegan diet for this training. Our menus are created to promote spiritual, mental, and physical health that aligns with the philosophy we practice . The yogic diet is based on the yoga principles of purity (sattva), nonviolence (ahimsa), and balanced living.
Based in the concept of “Ahimsa” which carries the principle of not causing harm to any living being, we offer a diet that is vegetarian, following the main concept of Macrobiotic and Ayurveda (tridoshic dishes) diet, with a balance of pure fresh fruit, vegetables, cooked whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds, using a combination of both raw and cooked foods.
Day by day, we offer a menu that is designed in such a way that you receive the necessary amount of protein, minerals and carbohydrates that accompanies your nutritional needs during training. Making food our medicine, and thinking of our medicine as our food.
You will receive 3 delicious meals per day (not included on the days off) to nourish and increase physical and mental vitality making it easier to experience clarity, lightness and peace of mind. The quality of the diet you receive while training is of vital importance to us, which is why we acquire true and locally sourced ingredients combined in very carefully thought-out recipes cooked with love and care, so that you can detoxify the body in a paced manner during the Yttc process and with that peel another layer back to our true-selfs .
Allergies , intolerances or special diet? Let us know , we will be happy to cater the perfect food for you.
“Feel the fear and do it anyway.”
― Amy Ippoliti
What’s Included:
Daily Schedule:
This schedule is just a template and might have variations. It may start 30 minutes earlier or later depending on the time of year and may include special classes and workshops.
- 07:00-08:00 Kriya or Meditation or Pranayama
- 08:00-09:30 Asana Practice (Hatha/Vinyasa)
- 09:30-10:30 Breakfast
- 10:30-12:00 Philosophy or Anatomy or Teaching Methodology
- 12:00-13:30 Philosophy or Anatomy or Teaching Methodology
- 13:30-15:00 Lunch
- 15:00-16:30 Asana Clinic or Teaching Methodology
- 16:30-18:00 Asana Clinic or Teaching Methodology
- 18:00-19:30 Yin Yoga or Restorative Yoga
- 19:30-20:30 Dinner
- Self Study
What's Not Included:
- Visa, flights, meals on days off (2 days), transportation on departure, covid test, excursions, spa treatments
Location info
general info about the area
The retreat is situated in the beautiful hill-topped village of Monchique surrounded by mountain forests and is well known for hiking and superb spots for bird watching. Main attractions include the historical city centre with cobblestone streets, marvellous carved stonework buildings and a charming main square. All over the village you can find stores, restaurants and small artisan shops with local and handmade products.
The region of Monchique is picturesque, offering many viewpoints, open spaces and walking trails. The West and South coasts are a 35-minute drive away, where you can explore some of Portugal’s most beautiful beaches like Praia da Rocha or wander around the famous golden cliffs of Ponta de Piedade.
How to get there (incl pickup info)
The easiest and most affordable way to reach Monchique is by flying into Faro Airport (FAO).
We offer a free group pick-up service on arrival day from both Faro Airport and Faro Train Station between 12:00 and 14:00, so you can arrive with ease.
Another convenient option is to fly into Lisbon Airport (LIS) and take a train from Lisbon to Faro. There are several departures daily, and the journey takes around 2.5–3 hours.
Once you arrive in Faro, you can join our free pick-up service between 12:00 and 14:00 on arrival day.
If you prefer to arrange your own transfer, public transport is simple and budget-friendly.
You can take a train or bus from Faro to Portimão (€5–10), followed by a local bus from Portimão to Monchique (€4.60). Local bus providers include ALSA, Rodoviário, and Vamus Algarve.
If you need any guidance while planning your journey, our team is always here to support you.
MONCHIQUE, PORTUGAL | TESTIMONIALS
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Useful Information
Note: We appreciate our furry friends, but to maintain a focused environment for our yoga practice, pets are not permitted at our venues. Their well-being deserves full attention, which your busy schedule during this program would not allow. We kindly ask that you make alternative arrangements for your pets if you’re traveling with them. Thank you for your understanding!
Join Us in Portugal
Embark on a journey of self-discovery and ancient wisdom through the powerful path of yoga. Find your power and guide others to ignite their fires so we can brighten up our world in unity.