YOUR FACILITATORS

Debbie

At the heart of Debbie's practice is mindfulness — a way of slowing down, coming back to the present moment and reconnecting with ourselves.

Debbie is a trauma-informed meditation teacher with over a decade of experience as a person-centred counsellor and counselling supervisor. She is also a qualified coach and brings a warm, open and gently encouraging approach to everything she offers.

For Debbie, mindfulness isn't about trying to empty your mind or always feeling calm. It's about becoming a little more aware of what is happening right now, learning to meet ourselves with kindness and creating some space around the thoughts, feelings and experiences that can sometimes feel overwhelming.

Her own yoga and qi gong practices inform the gentle movement and breathwork she brings to her sessions, while her love of creativity encourages curiosity, playfulness and self-expression. She is particularly interested in the ways mindfulness and creativity can help us reconnect with ourselves and discover different ways of experiencing the world.

Debbie believes that wellbeing isn't just about switching off or taking a break. It's about reconnecting — with your breath, your body, your creativity, other people and your own sense of ease.

She loves creating spaces where people can slow down, feel supported and simply be themselves, without pressure or judgement. Whether you're hoping to understand anxiety a little better, quieten a busy mind, rediscover your creative side or simply give yourself some time to rest, Debbie will offer a calm and caring presence throughout the week.

During the retreat, Debbie will bring her experience of mindfulness, counselling, meditation and gentle embodied practice, offering opportunities for reflection, connection and individual support alongside the wider programme.

Anna

Anna has been teaching yoga for over ten years and is an IAYT-certified Yoga Therapist, qualified yoga and mindfulness teacher, massage therapist and Level 2 CBT psychotherapist accredited through the BACP, with postgraduate qualifications in Art Therapy, Creative Writing and Education and particular experience and interest in neurodiversity. For the past three years, she has led workshops combining yoga and CBT for anxiety, and brings together yoga therapy, breath, movement, mindfulness, creativity and evidence-informed psychological approaches to help people understand their anxiety, notice patterns in their thoughts, feelings and bodies, and discover practical and compassionate ways of responding differently.

Anna also brings personal experience to this work, having found through her own journey that yoga, mindfulness, CBT and creativity can offer different ways of understanding anxiety and learning to live alongside it, rather than feeling that we always need to fix or overcome it. Her approach is warm, gentle, curious and non-judgemental, and she loves creating spaces where people can feel comfortable being themselves, slow down, explore new possibilities and make meaningful changes at their own pace, while also making room for rest, laughter, creativity, connection and simply enjoying being somewhere beautiful. During the retreat, Anna will share her experience across yoga therapy, CBT, mindfulness and creative practice through the group sessions, individual support and opportunities for reflection, working alongside Debbie to create a safe, welcoming and nurturing experience throughout the week.

A Week to Pause, Notice and Transform

March 1st to March 7th

Brisa Bahia Retreat

Columbia

A Week to Pause, Breathe and Reconnect

This retreat offers an opportunity to step away from everyday demands, slow down and create space to understand your anxiety, reconnect with yourself and focus on your wellbeing.

Each day begins and ends with gentle yoga therapy, grounding, breathing, movement and meditation. Rather than traditional yoga flows, these practices encourage you to slow down and notice your body, breath, thoughts and emotions.

The retreat is led by two highly experienced therapists, bringing complementary expertise and a balance of therapeutic exploration and restorative wellbeing practices.

Mornings: Exploring Anxiety with Curiosity and Compassion

Mornings focus on understanding anxiety and developing new ways to respond to it. Sessions will be gently challenging, nurturing and positive, with a focus on building awareness, confidence and practical skills.

Through group sessions, paired work and one-to-one support, we will explore:

Afternoons: Wellbeing, Mindfulness and Restoration

Afternoons offer a complementary focus on wellbeing, mindfulness, nervous system regulation and restoration.

Creativity, Nature and Time for Yourself

Creative therapies offer another way to explore and express thoughts, feelings and experiences. No artistic experience is needed — simply an opportunity to be curious, creative and explore different ways of seeing yourself.

Nature is also an important part of the retreat. There will be plenty of time to walk, rest, reflect, enjoy good food and spend time outdoors, surrounded by the beauty and quiet of the natural environment.

You can also join guided local excursions with our experienced local team and discover more of the surrounding landscape.

And there is time simply to enjoy being here — sit with a cup of tea, take a gentle walk, talk and laugh with others, or enjoy your own space.

There is no pressure to make every moment productive. Rest, enjoyment, connection and time for yourself are just as important as the therapeutic work.

Take home Change and Transformation

Our hope is that you leave feeling more rested, connected and confident, with a deeper understanding of yourself, your anxiety and your patterns.

You will have the opportunity to develop practical tools for working with thoughts, emotions, uncertainty and physical sensations, alongside calming and restorative practices to take home with you.

Above all, this is a week to pause, breathe, explore and reconnect — with yourself, with others and with the natural world, supported by two experienced therapists in a warm and nurturing environment.