Awaken Your Inner Artist in Portugal

An 8-Night Artist Retreat Through the Algarve & Lisbon

Diandra and I are currently co-working at Minuto Bauli in NYC, and I'm realizing how badly I need a graphic designer.  Thank you for powering through these aesthetically imperfect newsletters.

I had to get this note out today because it was the ideal time to chat with you about harnessing creativity...

In her real life, my chief of staff - Diandra - works for a publishing company.  I learned today that it's the same company that publishes the work of Julia Cameron, author of the Artist's Way.

If you've ever been a member of the LiveYinsa Collective, you know that every year, we explore this 12-week program that helps us find our creative spark, learn to take creative risks, and in turn, develop a deeper relationship with spirit.

Today, Diandra showed up with a copy of Seeking Wisdom - a truncated version of Cameron's original 12-week program.

Perfect timing...

It is not a coincidence that after 4 years online, we have brought the LiveYinsa version of the Artists Way to life.

In Person.

In Portugal

Maybe this is your sign that your creative soul is calling.

This is your invitation to join us for an unforgettable Yinsa Retreat between the city and the beach in Portugal—5 nights in the sun-drenched Algarve and 3 nights in vibrant Lisbon. This journey is designed to awaken your sacral chakra—your energetic center for creativity, joy, and emotional flow—through yoga, meditation, storytelling, art, and cultural immersion.

If you’ve felt stuck, uninspired, or disconnected from your creative spark, this is your invitation to play, express, and write a new story for yourself.

Your Journey Begins Before Portugal

When you register, your experience begins online with a 12-week guided journey through The Artist’s Way—a renowned program designed to unlock creativity and reconnect with your inner artist.

By the time we meet in Portugal, your imagination will already be alive and ready to flow.

Retreat Flow

Mornings

• Gentle yoga + meditation with Felipe Gonzalez to open and balance the sacral chakra

• Journaling + intention setting with Daniele Gates for daily creative alignment
  
  

Creative Workshops

Personal Narrative Writing with Irene Yanniscoli, a Brooklyn-based teacher, writer, peer counselor and mom. She began her teaching career as a writing and GED teacher working with incarcerated adults, and then shifted to high school as an English teacher in the NYC Public School system. Following a late term pregnancy loss in 2018, Irene began working as a peer counselor for individuals experiencing trauma related to pregnancy loss. She writes about grief, teaching, motherhood and healing. On any given Saturday, she can be found sweating it out on her Peloton, or playing with her daughter at the local playground.

in addition to personal narrative writing, our artistic juices will flow in hands-on visual art sessions including watercolor, pottery, and Portuguese tile-making.

Authentic Algarve Experiences

Coastal boat trip along dramatic cliffs

Portugese Cooking class + local market tour

Pottery or tile-making in a traditional atelier

Leisure time to explore a nearby town

Lisbon City Adventures

Street art & creative neighborhood tour (Alfama + Bairro Alto)

Fado performance and dinner with live music

Azulejo tile workshop + museum visit

Creative photography walk through Lisbon’s vibrant streets

Optional food & wine tasting

Evening Reflections

Reflection + conversation circles

Time for spa treatments or local explorations

Why the Sacral Chakra?

The sacral chakra is the home of creativity, joy, and emotional expression. When open, it allows life to flow with inspiration and pleasure.

Through movement, writing, art, and cultural experiences, this retreat helps you unblock stagnant energy and awaken the creative force within.

What’s Included

• 8 nights in Portugal (5 Algarve + 3 Lisbon)

• Round-trip international flights (from select airports)

• Ground transfers between retreat locations

• Daily yoga + meditation

• All creative writing + art sessions

• All excursions (boat trip, cooking, tile/pottery, street art, Fado dinner, etc.)

• 1 spa treatment

• All meals during the retreat

• 12-week Artist’s Way program before departure

Land-only option: You arrange your own flights + ground transport.

Investment in Your Creativity

Early Bird Pricing (Book by Oct 1, 2025):

• Single Occupancy, with flights: $5,200 (reg. $5,500) – only 3 single rooms available

• Double Occupancy, with flights: $4,200 (reg. $4,500)

• For land-only packages, $4400 single, $3400 double
  
  

Payment Plans Available:

• +6.7% finance charge

• Final balance due by May 15, 2026

• Example: $5,549 single | $4,482 double

• Payment plans up to 36 months offered by Klarna, Affirm, and Paypal credit
  
  

Step Into Your Creative Flow

If your heart is ready for inspiration, play, and self-expression, join us in Portugal for 8 nights of creativity, connection, and joy.

Respond to this email with "Portugal" in the subject line, and we will set up a call to chat about registration and payment options...

See you in Portugal...

With Gratitude,

Daniele & The Yinsa Team