26&2 Retreat with Jasmine Nash

This yoga retreat with Jasmine Nash centers on the Bikram 26&2 hot yoga series, practiced in a purpose-built hot room at D'Alijo Yoga Retreat Center in Casal, in the Cabeceiras de Basto area of northern Portugal. It suits practitioners who already know the series and want a week of steady practice, along with yin yoga, technique workshops and quiet time in the hills. The pace is yours to set: take one class a day or two.

What to Expect

One or two Bikram 26&2 classes are offered each day. Beyond the hot room, the week includes yin yoga, an e84 Intermediate class and posture technique workshops, so there is room to refine how you work in the postures as well as to repeat them.

Those who want a "bootcamp" week can attend both daily classes. Others can pick and choose sessions and keep the days more relaxed. Meditation and unheated sessions take place in a mountaintop studio, a change of air and light from the heated room.

On the first day, plan to arrive in time for the class at 5:30pm.

Optional outings are arranged according to group interest, at extra cost. They include an adventure park, a scenic village, or a day in Porto. Many guests skip them and stay on the property. Massages and other bodywork treatments are also available for an extra fee.

The Setting

D'Alijo sits on three hectares of rolling hills and terraced land, with an olive grove and evergreen mountains around it. There is a heated swimming pool, and hiking trails start on the grounds. One trail leads to a swimming hole and another down to the pool.

Accommodation is spread across the property: a main house with five bedrooms, five wooden chalet-style rooms with outdoor verandas, and three deluxe chalets. Every room is a short walk from the yoga room.

Meals are vegetarian, as the whole property is. A light breakfast, brunch and dinner are served daily, along with a green juice. Other dietary restrictions can be accommodated when you tell the center in advance.

Fly into Porto Airport (OPO). Shuttles from the airport can be arranged any time after 1:30pm on the arrival day, and you will be paired with others from the group when possible. Renting a car is another option, and rentals are inexpensive in Portugal. On departure day, shuttles back to the airport can run as early as needed, with the latest at 11am.

Before You Go

The program is pitched at an intermediate level, built around the Bikram 26&2 series and an e84 Intermediate class. No formal prerequisite is stated, but familiarity with hot yoga will help you get the most from it. Sessions are taught in English.

Included are accommodation at D'Alijo, the daily breakfast, brunch, dinner and green juice, access to the hot room and mountaintop studio, and use of the hiking trails and heated pool. Flights, massages and bodywork, and the optional excursions are not included.