If you’ve been doing your best to take care of yourself - but still wake up stiff, achy, low on energy, or just not feeling like yourself - and you're ready to finally feel good in your body and trust what actually helps, then join me at the magical Octant Douro Hotel for a retreat designed to give you the clarity, support, and real-world tools to feel better — in a way that truly fits your life.
You awaken slowly, wrapped in soft, luxurious sheets as golden morning light spills gently across your room. Just beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows, the Douro River glides by like silk - so close it feels like it is part of your sanctuary. The air is crisp and clean. You pause, breathing it in. There is no rush. No one waiting. No decisions to make. Just the quiet hum of nature, the distant chime of church bells, and a deep sense of being held by the moment.
A soft fog lingers over the water, but as the sun rises, it begins to lift - revealing lush green hills and a sky that stretches wide and clear. Something inside you begins to shift too. The fog of busyness, of holding it all together, starts to thin. You feel space open up - space to rest, to breathe, to simply be.
There’s a different pace here. One that invites you to slow down. To meet the day with gentleness. To greet your body with care instead of urgency. You sit up, savoring the view, your heartbeat syncing with the quiet rhythm around you. Even your thoughts feel softer.
At Octant Douro, mornings aren’t just beautiful – they’re restorative. They invite you back to yourself. To your breath. To your body. To the parts of you that have been longing to be noticed. Here, healing doesn’t come from striving – it comes from stillness, softness, and finally having the space to listen.
And maybe, for the first time in a long time, you remember what it feels like to be in harmony. With nature. With your body. With yourself.
Ready to Feel the Shift?
✨ Do you crave a real reset — a chance to clear the noise, recharge your energy, and reconnect with what truly matters — you?
On this retreat, you’ll have space to slow down, reconnect, and finally listen to what your body has been trying to tell you — with support, not pressure.
✨ How empowering would it feel to finally have clarity — knowing exactly what supports your sleep, digestion, energy, and resilience (without second-guessing yourself)?
You’ll walk away with confidence in what works for you — no more chasing trends or doubting your choices, just real insight and lasting support.
✨ Have you forgotten what true comfort feels like — waking up energized, moving without stiffness, and feeling at ease in your own skin?
Through mindful movement, insight into fascia, and practical tools, you’ll experience what comfort can truly feel like — and how to bring it home with you.
✨ What if you could finally trust your body again — moving from frustration and confusion to clarity, ease, and even celebration?
Together we’ll rebuild a relationship with your body & mind that feels steady and empowering — one rooted in awareness, empowerment, and self-compassion.
✨ Imagine stepping into your next chapter feeling vibrant, resilient, and confident — empowered with tools that actually fit your real life.
This escape isn’t about checking out — it’s about tuning in. It’s about creating a connection to self-care that you actually enjoy — so you return home feeling inspired and equipped to sustain it.
This isn’t just a vacation. It’s not just a wellness escape. It’s a return to clarity, comfort, and confidence — so you can move through life feeling strong, steady, and fully empowered.
The Venue
I selected this magical hotel - remote, serene, beautiful for you to:
Retreat - Into Yourself... Fall back and go inside
Reset -Yourself and your nervous system... with the rhythm of nature
Release - Into and Create... Space, Awareness, Connection
Your Riverside Sanctuary: Octant Douro Hotel
Just 45 minutes from Porto, nestled in the terraced hills of Castelo de Paiva, the Octant Douro Hotel harmoniously blends modern luxury with natural beauty. Expansive glass walls throughout the hotel ensure breathtaking views of the gently flowing Douro River, keeping you constantly connected to nature.
Your Deluxe Riverview room is a thoughtfully designed cocoon of comfort, featuring contemporary furnishings, floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors overlooking the river, Marshall speakers, and espresso machines for your morning ritual. Outside, secret gardens and winding paths encourage quiet reflection, while two panoramic infinity pools and a heated indoor pool offer serene escapes.
Explore the tranquil waters by kayak or paddleboard, and enjoy a private sunset cruise aboard a restored Rabelo boat. If you’re craving a workout or deeper restoration, the hotel’s gym, Turkish bath, and hydrotherapy spa all offer full views of the river - inviting you to stretch, sweat, soak, and fully unwind in style.
Dining at the Michelin-starred Raiva Restaurant highlights regional cuisine crafted from fresh, local ingredients. Enhance your retreat with spa treatments, wine tastings, or an easy hike to an ancient shale village, all curated to deepen your connection to yourself and the surrounding culture.
At Octant Douro, every detail is curated to support your journey towards clarity, comfort, and true self-care, making it the perfect setting for your transformative retreat. Here, you can release tension, quiet the mind, and rediscover the joy of simply being, all while immersed in the natural splendor of Portugal’s Douro River valley.
Culinary Delights:
Nourishment for Body and Soul
At Octant Douro, every meal becomes a mindful moment you'll genuinely savor - a chance to slow down and delight in the simple pleasures of delicious, nourishing food. Carefully prepared with fresh, local ingredients, each bite comforts, invigorates, and deeply satisfies.
Imagine beginning your morning with an expansive breakfast overlooking the Douro River. You're greeted by vibrant fresh fruits and veggies, warm artisanal breads, local cheeses, and an assortment of refreshing juices.
Craving avocado toast, a fluffy omelet, comforting oatmeal, or your favorite espresso or latte? The attentive staff joyfully accommodates every request... like the memorable morning when a participant's casual request for a larger mug of coffee was lovingly fulfilled with a bowl-sized latte and a playful smile.
Throughout your stay, your room offers thoughtful comforts like a personal espresso machine and wholesome snacks - perfect for quiet moments or late-night cravings. For casual dining by the pools or simply relaxing, the hotel offers tasty, easygoing options like wood-fired pizzas and satisfying local dishes. Perfect for your restful downtime, allowing you to savor quiet moments of indulgence at your leisure.
One evening, you'll experience the genuine warmth of a local family restaurant, tasting their love in every flavorful bite. Another special night brings you to the Michelin-starred Raiva Restaurant, where beautifully presented dishes highlight the region's culinary heritage, delighting and inspiring your senses.
Can’t eat this or that? Vegan, vegetarian, gluten or dairy-free? No worries—we’re happy to make delicious adjustments to suit your needs. The hotel always has flexible, flavorful options available to ensure you feel fully satisfied.
Every Experience Has a Purpose - and It's You!
Every element of this retreat is thoughtfully chosen to help you feel better in your body, clear your mind, and reconnect with what really matters - your comfort, your energy, and your sense of self.
With a small group of no more than 12, every session is personalized, every moment intentional, and every experience designed to be as unique as you are.
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Morning short guided meditations
Begin each day with a short, accessible reflection to help you arrive in the moment and set the tone for the day. -
Twice-daily movement sessions that aren’t your typical fitness class
Enjoy learning how your body protects and compensates - and how to gently guide it toward more comfort, control, and mobility. Through Melt Method and a variety of movement practices, you’ll discover how good it can feel to move in ways that truly support you. -
A luxurious, full-body massage
A well-deserved indulgence that soothes, restores, and invites your whole body to exhale. -
Private coaching session with Dr. Shelly
A one-on-one space to focus on an area where you’d like more clarity or support. You’ll walk away with personalized tools and insights you can actually use long after the retreat. -
Yoga Nidra and breathwork for nervous system reset
Learn how to calm your body and mind with deeply restorative techniques you can use anywhere. These relaxing, guided practices help shift your nervous system out of stress mode - so you can feel more grounded, balanced, and at ease almost immediately. -
Sleep sessions
Experience what it feels like to truly prepare for sleep. These nighttime sessions teach you how to reset your nervous system and truly decelerate for deeper, more restorative rest. -
A peaceful riverside walk to an ancient shale village
A gentle hike along the Douro is a reminder that beauty is everywhere - when we slow down long enough to see it. -
Self-massage + fascia care
Learn how to release tension, hydrate your connective tissue, and support your nervous system with simple, effective techniques you can continue at home. -
An unforgettable private sunset boat ride on the Douro
On our final night, we’ll drift down the river aboard a restored Rabelo boat - sipping local wine, sharing stories, and watching the sky turn golden together. It’s the kind of memory that stays with you.
![IMG_20230922_171532[1].jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1c16fb_e22c0b0dc005485e906084f559d51850~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_396,h_297,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/IMG_20230922_171532%5B1%5D.jpg)
What You'll Walk Away With
This isn’t just a getaway — it’s a reset for your body, your habits, and your sense of self. Here’s what you can expect to walk away with...
→ Relief from the everyday tension and pain
Simple, feel-good techniques that melt tightness and bring back ease - without having to push, punish, or stretch your limits.
→ Deeper, more restorative sleep
Evening sleep sessions, guided rest, and nervous system resets that show you how to reset, unwind and truly decelerate — so your body can finally restore itself overnight.
→ Clarity about what actually works for you
No more second-guessing. You’ll learn tools and habits that fit your life - and make you feel supported, steady, and clear-headed.
→ A lighter, more energized body and mind
With mindful movement, fascial release, and nutrition that nourish rather than exhaust you - you’ll feel renewed from the inside out.
→ A gentler, more personal self-care rhythm
You’ll build a version of self-care that feels real, not rigid - one that supports you without overwhelming you.
→ Confidence in your ability to support your own wellness
You’ll leave with tools, insight, and a sense of ownership over your well-being - no more relying on someone else to “fix” you.
→ A felt sense of connection - to your body, your breath, yourself
You’ll experience what it feels like to move with yourself, not against yourself. To feel empowered. Present. Whole.
What's Included
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Five transformative days together while we learn in leisure and get connected to our power to self-care.
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Five nights luxury hotel experience with all the TLC you could want or need
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Five incredible breakfasts - an experience in itself
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Three beautiful dinners to nourish, connect, and savor together.
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A private coaching session with Dr. Shelly to gain clear direction
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A private boat trip on Douro River - a soul-soothing glide through golden waters
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Transportation by taxi to and from the hotel
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All scheduled adventures/experiences
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Surprise gifts & snacks designed to delight and inspire.
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Pre-Trip experiences to get you going and us connected
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Practical, Accessible Wellness Tools to take home and live your best life
What's Not Included
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Your round-trip airfare from home
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Alcohol
*A few alcoholic beverages will be offered at dinner only -
Other non-included items would include souvenir shopping, personal phone calls, taxis, and laundry.
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Personal, medical or trip cancellation insurance(s)
Your Host
My story didn’t start in a yoga studio or with a wellness epiphany. It started in a body that felt like a puzzle — uncomfortable, unpredictable, and hard to live in.
Even with degrees from Johns Hopkins and Northwestern, I found that conventional medicine didn’t have the answers I needed for my daily pain, digestive issues, stress, and anxiety.
From childhood, I dealt with gut issues no one could quite explain. At 17, I herniated a disc and began decades of navigating chronic back pain. Stress and anxiety were steady companions, and I tried my best to “manage” through it all.
But pushing harder never got me where I wanted to be.
I was an athlete — an All-American swimmer in college — and I knew how to work hard. But healing asked something different of me.
Eventually, I stepped away from Western medicine and built a life in Mexico rooted in holistic, mindful self-care. I studied, experimented, practiced, and healed.
Slowly, with patience and research, I found what actually helps. Not quick fixes. Not perfection. But real, doable, sustainable ways to feel more at home in my body and mind.
My personal journey led me to transformative practices like the Melt Method, Yoga, Pilates, nervous system resets, postural awareness, and functional movement — methods that freed me from chronic discomfort and anxiety, empowering me to confidently manage my own well-being.
Mindfulness opened the door — helping me listen to my body instead of getting pulled into stress and that never-ending push to do more, be more, achieve more.
Compassion became a muscle I had to learn how to use — and it grew stronger with every setback, every breakthrough, and every day.
Now, in midlife, I’ve faced new challenges with the same approach: experiential learning, deep listening, and a commitment to being proactive instead of reactive.
I blend my knowledge, certifications, and experience to help others reclaim their power and their well-being. Today, my passion is sharing what truly works — with clarity, simplicity, and compassion.
My approach is practical, realistic, and rooted in personal experience, ensuring you feel genuinely supported every step of the way. This is the heart of what I teach.
Wellness that’s simple. Tools that make sense. No fluff. No overcomplication. Just practical, effective ways to feel good again — in your life, in your choices, and in how you care for yourself.
Because I know what it’s like to live in a body and mind that feel uncomfortable — and I know what it takes to change that.