Harvest of the Heart

Step away from the noise and into the rhythm of integration!

A 6-day, 5-night 5Rhythms retreat in the raw beauty of nature—where land, sea, and sky invite you to dance through the change of the season, release what’s ready to go, and harvest what’s truly yours.

September 6-11, 2025
Algarve, Portugal

As summer fades and autumn begins, a natural turning point calls us inward. This is a time to gather what has ripened within us—to embrace the fullness of what we’ve lived, let go of what no longer serves, and create space for what’s next.

This 6-day, 5-night retreat at Essencia, Algarve offers a rare chance to step away from daily routines and into a rhythm that reflects the shifting season. Through 5Rhythms Waves & Heartbeat, we will move with cycles of fullness, release, and deep integration—allowing the body to unwind, the heart to open, and the mind to soften. This is movement as a way to reclaim presence, emotional clarity, and embodied freedom.

Set in Essencia’s secluded retreat center, nestled between rolling hills and the vast ocean, you’ll dance in a space designed for restoration. Enjoy sauna session, refreshing dips in the wild lake, nourishing vegan meals, and time to breathe in the raw beauty of the land. Between sessions, walk the coastline, rest under the open sky, and let nature guide you back to center.

This retreat is for those who feel the pull to slow down, reconnect, and listen—for those who know the value of investing in themselves, their well-being, and the deeper pulse of life.

Are you ready to cross this threshold?

Move through the fullness of summer into autumn’s embrace, honoring the harvest of the heart and spirit.

Flow with the rhythms of change, as summer’s warmth gives way to autumn’s quiet strength.

Dance with the turning of the seasons, letting the natural cycles of ripening, release, and renewal guide you.

Embrace the ebb and flow of life’s rhythms, as summer's abundance shifts into the introspective energies of autumn.

Savor the harvest of the heart, moving through the natural rhythm of closing chapters and opening to new possibilities.

Who is this for?

  • You crave movement that goes beyond exercise—a practice that frees your body and emotions, unlocking deeper presence and flow.

  • You feel the weight of daily demands and long for a space to unplug, breathe, and reconnect with what truly matters.

  • You are at a transition point in life—whether it’s a career shift, personal evolution, or simply a call for something more.

  • You’re drawn to nature’s quiet power—the ocean’s rhythm, the warmth of the sun, the grounding stillness of the earth beneath your feet.

  • You seek a like-minded community—open-hearted, self-aware individuals who value depth, connection, and authentic expression.

  • You appreciate high-quality experiences—intentional spaces, nourishing food, and a retreat that balances structure with freedom.

This retreat is open to all, from seasoned dancers to those new to 5Rhythms but willing to explore movement as a gateway to transformation.

Who is this not for?

  • If you need a luxury resort experience, this may not be for you—Essencia is a place of simplicity, raw beauty, and deep presence.

  • If you prefer structured agendas and constant stimulation, this retreat offers space, stillness, and room to breathe.

  • If you’re not comfortable exploring your emotions through movement, this work invites you to feel, release, and express in a supported environment.

  • If you don’t enjoy community spaces, shared meals and group practices are part of this journey.

  • If you’re looking for quick fixes, this is a space for embodied exploration, not a one-size-fits-all solution.

The Facilitators

Vehllia Tranne & Alessandro Moruzzi are both Certified 5Rhythms® Teachers and the Founders of The City Waves 5Rhythms® San Francisco.

Workshop Details

This workshop counts as 2 days of Waves and 3 days of Heartbeat towards the 5Rhythms® teacher training path

  • Spaces are limited to ensure an intimate and supportive retreat experience.

    🔗 [Reserve Your Spot Now]

  • The shift is here—the moment between seasons when the earth exhales, the light changes, and something deep within us stirs. Summer’s fullness is fading, autumn’s call is near, and the body knows: it’s time to gather what is ripe, shed what is heavy, and stand in the truth of what remains.

    In the rugged landscapes of Algarve, where the elements shape the land with time and force, we will step into five days of movement, emotion, and transformation. Through the 5Rhythms Waves and Heartbeat maps, we’ll track the rhythms of both body and heart—exploring how change moves through us, how we hold on, how we let go, and what we find when we surrender to the dance.

    We will meet fear and feel its pulse, tracing its edges until it shifts into presence and courage.
    We will move with anger, using its power to clear a path for clarity and strength.
    We will drop into sadness, allowing it to soften us, to wash through us like the tide, revealing the connection beneath.
    We will expand into joy, letting its currents lift and open us to possibility, to aliveness, to gratitude.
    And we will root ourselves in compassion—the rhythm that holds it all, allowing us to move from the heart, to give and receive, to stand open and whole.

    This is a dance of release and reclamation, a harvest of what is true. We come to this land to strip away what no longer serves, to move with what is real, and to find ourselves more deeply in the rhythm of our own becoming.

    No matter where you are on your path—whether you are seeking, grieving, longing, or celebrating—the dance will meet you. The land will hold you. The rhythms will move you. Come as you are. Leave only what you no longer need.

  • Essência Nature Retreat

    66V7+GM Aljezur, 8670-130 Aljezur, Algarve, Portugal

  • The retreat place is a 20 minutes drive from Lagos; about 1 hour from Faro International Airport; 3 hours south of Lisbon or 3 hours of Sevilla.

    Faro airport has direct connections to many European cities, as well as New York and Toronto. 

    The nearest train station is Lagos (to which you can get trains from Lisbon and Faro). There are also buses from Lisbon, Faro and Sevilla.

    We will explore possibilities of pick up from Faro and Lagos as well as car sharing.

  • Choose the accommodation that best suits your comfort and budget.

    • Single Room (Private Space) – US$
      For those who desire solitude and personal space.

    • Double Shared Room – US$
      Ideal for two participants looking to share a cozy space.

    • Triple Shared Room – US$
      A budget-friendly option while still enjoying the comfort of an indoor room.

    • Glamping – US$
      For those who love sleeping close to nature with style (shared outdoor bathroom). Access to all retreat amenities included

    • Camping (Bring Your Own Tent or Van) – US$
      For those who love sleeping close to nature (shared outdoor bathroom). Access to all retreat amenities included.

    (A deposit of US$500 is required to secure your spot. Payment plans available upon request.)

  • Please note, this schedule is subject to change.

    Day 1: Arrival & Grounding

    • 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Check-in and Arrival

    • 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Welcome Circle & Guided Movement

    • 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM: Dinner

    • 8:00 PM - 9:30 PM: Opening Ceremony & Reflection

    Day 2: Full Moon Focus

    • 7:30 AM - 8:30 AM: Morning Practice

    • 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM: Breakfast

    • 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Morning Session

    • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Lunch

    • 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Free Time

    • 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM: Afternoon Session

    • 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM: Dinner

    • 8:00 PM - 9:30 PM: Full Moon Ceremony & Dance

    Day 3 - 5: Harvesting the Body & Heart

    • 7:30 AM - 8:30 AM: Morning Practice

    • 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM: Breakfast

    • 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Workshop Session

    • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Lunch

    • 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Free Time

    • 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM: Evening Session

    • 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM: Dinner

    • 8:00 PM - 9:30 PM: Evening Reflection & Movement

    Day 6: Departure

    • 7:30 AM - 8:30 AM: Final Morning Practice

    • 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM: Breakfast

    • 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM: Check-out and Departure

  • This retreat is an all-inclusive experience, carefully designed to nourish your body, heart, soul and spirit.

    Movement & Exploration

    ✔ Daily 5Rhythms Waves & Heartbeat sessions (morning, alternate afternoon & evening)
    ✔ Guided movement explorations in nature
    ✔ Evening integration sessions (meditation, journaling, or somatic inquiry)
    ✔ Creative exercises inspired by the land and season

    Nourishment & Rest

    ✔ 6 days, 5 nights accommodation at Essência (various options available)
    ✔ 3 organic, organic vegan meals per day prepared with local ingredients (Dinner on the first night, 3 meals a day on Day 2, 3, 4, 5 plus Breakfast on Day 6)
    ✔ Unlimited herbal teas and filtered water

    Nature & Well-being

    ✔ Access to the wood-fired sauna for deep relaxation
    ✔ Proximity to stunning beaches for ocean dips and sunrise walks
    ✔ Hiking trails and quiet spaces for reflection
    ✔ Communal fire gatherings (weather permitting)

    Connection & Support

    ✔ An intimate group setting for deep connection
    ✔ A safe, held container for emotional and somatic exploration
    ✔ Guidance from experienced 5Rhythms teachers

  • While most aspects of the retreat are covered, some personal expenses are not included:

    ❌ Flights, Visa & Travel Costs – You are responsible for booking your own flights to Portugal. Closest airport is Faro.
    ❌ Airport Transfers – Transportation to and from Essência is not included but can be arranged.
    ❌ Extra Snacks & Drinks – While meals are provided, additional snacks or specialty drinks (coffee, juices) are at your own expense.
    ❌ Travel Insurance – We highly recommend travel insurance to cover unexpected cancellations or emergencies.
    ❌ Additional Private Sessions – If you wish to book a one-on-one movement, coaching, or bodywork session, this will be at an additional cost.

    ❌ Gratuities, souvenirs and personal expenses

  • Early bird registration is not refundable.

    • If regular registration participants must cancel before May 5, they will receive a full refund minus a 50% processing fee.

    • If regular registration participants must cancel by June 5, their refund will be subject to participant replacement. If a replacement is registered, participants will receive a full refund minus a 50% processing fee.

    • For cancellation after June 5, no refund will be issued. If a participant does not show up for the retreat without communicating, their registration payment will not be refunded.

    • In individual cases 30% of the full amount could be reasonably credited towards future events.

    The City Waves reserves the right to cancel any retreat/workshop in the event of insufficient registration or other unforeseen circumstances, in which case, the full amount paid to register for a retreat/workshop will be refunded to the registrants. In the event of cancellation, an attempt will be made to notify registrants no later than 10 calendar days before the start of the retreat/workshop. All other expenses incurred including but not limited to flights and accommodation arranged for the purpose of attending a retreat/workshop will not be covered. 

  • None