Renewal and Vitality: A Brazilian Healing Retreat with Jessica Sandhu + Meg Brackett
January 18-24, 2025
Plant the seed for 2025 for seven days and seven nights during your retreat with Jess and Meg nestled in the heart of coffee country in Minas Gerais, Brazil.
As healers and yoga teachers, we want to invite you to an authentic Brazilian wellness experience in a space that allows time to heal, renew, and replenish.
Throughout the week, you'll have the opportunity to engage in a variety of healing practices. These include a fire ceremony, horseback riding, guided exploration to a nearby waterfall for swimming or meditation, a sweat lodge experience, drum circle, and much more.
Our sanctuary will be the charming coffee farm, Fazenda Cachoeira. This 200-year-old farm embraces regenerative agriculture and holistic practices and has been in the same family for six generations.
We’ll also explore the bustling city of Belo Horizonte and take an overnight historic sightseeing trip to Tiradentes for artisan shopping.
Our offering is open to all, yet we wanted to create a safe container for Indigenous, Black, or other persons of color to come together to learn some traditions that have been forgotten due to the impact of colonization. We encourage non-BIPOC people who are willing and want to learn more about these traditions to join in this space of humble learning.
Highlights
Daily Yoga and Meditation with Jess + Meg
Horseback riding and picnic in the countryside of Brazil
Excursion to local markets in Belo
Overnight trip to the historical, charming town of Tiradentes for shopping and artisan crafts
São José Mountain Range guided morning hike
Sweat Lodge with a local Indigenous healer
Coffee ceremonies and tour of the coffee farm and private waterfall
PRICING
$3,650 // $3,350 early bird
Farmhouse Private Room and Private Bath:
$3,400 // $3,100 early bird
Farmhouse Private Room and Shared Bath:
$3,150 // $2,850 early bird
We offer partner rates of 10% off so you can travel with your bestie or love. Early bird rate ends September 15, 2024.
“Nature is not something to be preserved or observed from a distance. It is something to be experienced and felt.”
Your setting
Nestled in the heart of coffee country in Minas Gerais, Brazil, your wellness retreat is hosted at a historic coffee farm that embraces regenerative agriculture and holistic practices.
On this 600-acre property, you are surrounded by lush vegetation, hiking trails, gardens, orchards, waterfalls, a nature preserve, and a temperate rainforest.
Traditional Brazilian cUSINE + speciality coffee
The cuisine is centered around traditional regional foods that can easily accommodate most diets. Meals are offered three times daily and focus on seasonal fruits and vegetables from the organic gardens.
The culinary team bakes bread, makes cheese daily, and prepares organic juice and smoothies with the freshest ingredients.
The producers at the farm take pride in curating a delicious cup of coffee. From growing the best beans to roasting unique flavor profiles, you will change how you drink coffee. A daily ceremony is dedicated to preparing and enjoying coffee in community.
eXPLORING BELO + tiradentes
Belo Horizonte, translated to “beautiful horizon” is the 6th largest city in Brazil. Guests will fly in and out of the nearest airport and have a chance to explore the city’s markets, shopping, and restaurants.
Tiradentes is a small, artisan town surrounded by the Serra de São José mountains in Minas Gerais state, Brazil. Walk along the cobblestone paths and explore one of a kind crafts and art from local vendors.
Tentative daily schedule
7:00 Morning meditation
7:30 90-minute yoga flow
9:00 Breakfast
10:30 Cultural Experience
12:30 Lunch
2:00 Rest or Massage/Reiki session
3:00 Healing Workshop
6:30 Dinner
8:30 Free time and rest
The full schedule will be shared before the retreat.
Tentative flow for the week
Saturday, January 18: Guests arrive in Belo Horizonte and depart for the farm by 10 am. Welcome ceremony + tour of the farm.
Saturday, January 18 - Thursday, January 23: Stay at the farm for daily group meditation + yoga, healing ceremonies, massage or reiki treatment, local cultural experiences, land connection, hiking, and nourishing meals. Space for self-relaxation and integration are also included.
Thursday, January 23: Morning meditation, yoga, and breakfast. Depart for Tiradentes by 10 am. Lunch, explore, and shop. Dinner with the group and stay at the 4 star hotel.
Friday, January 24: Morning meditation, yoga, and breakfast. Depart for Belo Horizonte by 12 pm. Group farewell dinner and stay at the 4 star hotel near the airport for Saturday departure.
Saturday, January 25: Flights leave as early as 5:30 am to the East Coast. Guest can choose to leave anytime on Saturday.
tRAVEL TO BRAZIL
The closest international airport is Belo Horizonte (CNF). Two other popular destinations are Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, which offer multiple daily flights to Belo Horizonte.
Please arrive in Belo Horizonte by 10 am, Saturday, January 18 and give yourself at least 2 hours for international airport layovers.
On Saturday, the arrival day, guests will meet at the Belo Horizonte (CNF) airport or in town at the central bus terminal. We will provide transportation to and from the farm.
We assist with arranging air travel and are happy to answer any questions.
You are solely responsible for meeting all travel requirements for entry to Brazil, including any additional COVID-19 restrictions.
Date and Location
Saturday, January 18th - Friday, January 24th, 2025
Belo Horizonte, Santo Antônio do Amparo, and Tiradentes, Brazil
PERSONAL INVESTMENT
Early bird rate ends September 15, 2024
Garden Apartment with Private Bath
Price includes one entire apartment, overlooking the gardens, and private bath.
Five garden apartments are on the property, each with a double bed accommodating up to 10 people
Private Room with Private Bath
The 200-year-old farmhouse has two private rooms with a double bed and attached private bathroom.
Private Room with Shared Bath
The 200-year-old farmhouse has four private rooms with double/twin beds and two shared bathrooms.
We offer partner rates of 10% off, so you can travel with your bestie or love.
All rooms vary slightly and are equally priced. For overnights in Belo Horizonte and Tiradentes, each guest will have a private room and private bath.
INCLUDED IN THE RETREAT:
Pre-trip assistance
Five nights at a private farmhouse in the countryside of Brazil
One night at a 4-star hotel in Belo Horizonte
One night at a 4-star hotel in Tiradentes
Private guides, transportation, and tours throughout
Breakfasts, lunches, and dinners
Daily yoga & meditation
One massage or reiki treatment
NOT INCLUDED
Airfare
Travel Insurance
Gratuites
DEPOSITS
A non-refundable deposit of $500 is required to hold your spot. Final payment must be received by September 15, 2024 for early bird pricing.
Final payment for all participants by November 25, 2024.
CANCElLATION POLICY
If a participant cannot attend the retreat after being accepted, they must notify Jess or Meg in writing before September 15, 2024, to obtain a refund of any fees paid, excluding the $500 non-refundable deposit and credit card transaction fees.
No refund is available if the participant cancels for any reason after November 25, 2024.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
Travel insurance is required for your trip. Many companies offer travel insurance, but Travelex and World Nomads are reputable organizations that provide worldwide coverage.
Please carefully read the Terms and Conditions for full policies.
Only 14 Spots are Available
Scholarship
We have reserved two $500 scholarship for BIPOC in need. Please reach out to jess@jessicasandhu.com to learn more or fill out application form here. First come, first serve basis.
Apply to Join Us in Brazil!
your guides
Meg Brackett
Meg was introduced to yoga in her teens and has been exploring various yoga styles and teachers worldwide ever since. Her all-level yoga classes includes calm instrumental music, dim lighting, and ample time to connect with your body. She incorporates elements of astrology, numerology, and the moon cycles to align every class with the forces of the universe.
She trained with Faith Hunter in 2013 and completed her 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training. She believes the best way to connect with the present moment is through practice and strives to incorporate a mindful and positive attitude in all aspects of life.
Jessica Sandhu
Jessica Sandhu is a Canadian-born healer, somatic coach, and yoga teacher of Anishinaabe First Nations and Punjabi Indian descent.
As an anti-racist healer and teacher, Jess’s goal is to create equity in conference rooms, on the yoga mat, and in coaching sessions. She’s continually aware of who is not in the room and who needs to be.
Since 2001, Jess has practiced various forms of yoga, finally finding a home with Iyengar Yoga in 2003 because its alignment-based principles allowed for more understanding of the pose benefits and how it created a deeper connection to the body.
Jess has dealt with lower back pain throughout the years and found yoga super beneficial in alleviating it. When more yoga was integrated into her life, things seemed less hard, and life actually became more sweet! Less Dukha, More Sukha.
Jess is also a Usui Reiki Master and a health coach trained in Trauma-Informed Yoga, Yoga Nidra, and Yin Yoga.
Jess is committed to becoming a bridge with roots in both the modern and traditional world by honoring the traditional customs of yoga and respecting all Indigenous cultures. Jess resides on the ancestral lands of ancestral lands of the Anacostans.
