Greetings Brothers,

I am holding space for a men’s mentorship program here in SW Portugal. The objective of this work is to help you cultivate your physical, mental and spiritual health. It is an opportunity for you to focus exclusively on yourself and to build a strong foundation to carry on with the work on your own. If you have dealt with lack of energy, anxiety, panic attacks, procrastination, lack of emotional regulation, relationship challenges, trauma, lack of purpose and focus, maybe this could be a good opportunity for you.

Bellow is a list of practices and tools I’ll share with you. The knowledge shared is supported by years of dedication and direct experience. Not only I’ll share and teach you all I know in a practice level but also, I have a solid theoretical knowledge to support the practice. I am open and want you to challenge my knowledge, I follow no dogma, no teacher, no tradition.

The Venue - A Casa de Palha (the straw bale house) My house is located between the natural reserve and agricultural reserve of Costa Vicentina at Ribeira da Azenha, between Vila Nova de Milfontes and Porto Covo, 4 km away from Aivados beach. It is a 2,3 hectares property and the house was designed and assembled using natural and local materials, based on the observation of nature, weather patterns, sun and moon trajectory throughout the year and the seasons. The house needs no heating even on winter. It has no mold or humidity. The house is off the grid, independent from water and electricity.

Yoga - Yoga has been hijacked by the west and today it’s purity and integrity is compromised. Yoga practice changed my life for better because it made me face all my inconsistencies. I have been practicing Yoga since I was 19. I started teaching in 1998. After practicing with senior teachers in Europe and Bali in 2001 I did my first trip to Mysore, South India to practice Ashtanga Yoga under the guidance of late Sri K Pattabhi Jois and Sharath Rangaswamy. I was granted the authorization to teach in 2004 after completing the intermediate series. I was the fist Brazilian and Portuguese to have this “title”. I’ve been teaching internationally ever since. Regardless of your level or experience in Yoga, together we will develop your self practice so you can connect with your body, calm your mind and sharpen your purpose.

Surfing - Surfing if for me the biggest blessing. The ocean is a powerful source of energy where every wave is different. The ocean will humble us and give us our biggest joys and beatings. I’ve been surfing since I was 11 years old. I started in Brasil and later Portugal where I moved when I was 13. I’ve competed at the national level and had my own surfboard brand called “Tribal.” My Índia years made surfing less consistent. In 2012 I moved to SW Portugal with my family to be able to surf every day. In 2015 I discovered one of the best big wave spots in Portugal and got fully dedicated to big wave surfing. I’ve traveled extensively to Indonesia, Costa Rica, Morrocco and Azores chasing perfect waves. I’ve also been to Hawaii. I’ve coached many people surfing. To this day the Ocean has been a temple, a place for devotion, humility, health, healing and fun. I enjoy every type of waves and love sharing the “stoke” with friends. I will meet you at whatever lever you are.

Meditation - Meditation should be compulsory for anyone willing to know himself in a deeper level. I’ve learned different types of meditations, yet the most impactful experience I had was during a Vipassana retrat. I practice Vipassana regularly. I’ve done Osho meditations for years and different types of energy visualization, micro-cosmic orbit. Taoist Sexual energy cultivation etc.

Breathwork and Pranayama - Know your breath and you will know your Spirit. I have a vast experience with pranayama which I learned in India and with senior teachers from the west. I’ve been practicing Breathwork consistently for the past 3 years. I use different techniques for different emotional, mental and physical states.

Yoga philosophy - Philosophy studies is important to establish metaphors for life. The more angles and perspectives you can have about something, the more options and perspectives you can have about life. I’ve studied (chanting and theory) the Yoga Sutras and the Bhagavad Gita. Remembering that yoga philosophy and chanting are a very deep and complex subject that very few westerners have mastered. I am light years away of screeching the surface of it. Yet, what I know and what I’ve practiced I am happy to share with you with humility and respect.

Karlakattai (Indian Clubs)- Is an ancient warriors tradition coming from India and Persia. It simulates the movement of the shield and sword. Its a healing practice for all the upper body joints and articulations. After some time of practice you enter into what practitioners call “flow state” a state where movements are interconnected making the mind and body sharp and aware. I’ve learned this practice on my own and two winters ago I traveled to India to learn with local experienced teachers.

Tai Chi Chuan - Tai Chi came before Yoga. My father used to practice in Brasil when I was very young. I got inspired by the idea of controlling the vital energy. I studied Modern Yang style with Sifu Wu Xuan. I learned sword and stick forms. Besides the empty hands form I also learned Tui Sou or “pushing hands”, standing tree pose and Chi Kung exercises. I later practiced Chen Style Tai Chi under Sifu Luis Pedreros who was a direct disciple of grand master Chen Xiao Wang. I used to repeat the form 19 times a day.

Chinese Medicine - I’ve studied Chinese Medicine for 6 years. I was an intern and assistant teacher at the School of Traditional Chinese Medicine of Lisbon. Besides acupuncture and Chinese massage, I specialized in nutrition and dietetics and also European flora under the light of Chinese medicine. I worked in a clinic for 2 years.

Sacred sexuality and intimacy - This area is for me of utmost importance. Over the years I’ve learned different practices with different masters. I’ve studied Mantak Chia’s practices since the mid 90’s. I had several Yoga and Tai Chi teachers who taught me different practices to balance and direct your sexual energy. There is no amount of practices and knowledge on that area that will turn you into a  “good lover” if your intention is not clean. Also intimacy is dependent on the partners you have. A balanced body, mind and spirit is a starting point. Your ability to raise your frequency to “attract” a good partner to explore sexuality is very important. I’ve “failed” over and over again. I was also blessed with amazing Lovers that had taught me so much. I will teach everything I know about the subject with no restrictions.

Functional Training - After years of Yoga and surfing and being very skinny (65 to 68kg) I got to a point and age where I needed to gain weight and muscle mass. I started calisthenics and functional training. I experienced a total body shift. I got to 74 kg which for me was considered impossible. I explored different natural testosterone enhancers like Shilajit, Tong Kat Ali, Pine tree Polen, Maca, Tribulus and Aswagandha.

Acupuncture - I’ll offer you one acupuncture session to unblock the free flow of energy in your body. It’s a homeostatic protocol that helps the body to recalibrate.

Shiatsu, Tui Na and Ayurvedic Massage - I studied Shiatsu and Tui Na during my 6 years of Chinese Medicine studies. I’ve learned Ayurvedic massage in India and Portugal.

Permaculture and Ecovillage Design - I took the PDC (Permaculture Design Course) in 2007 with Andre Soares from IPEC in Brazil. Andre is one of the most prestigious permaculture and bio construction specialists in the world, having amongst many projects, helping design the Boom Festival. I’ve participated and developed permaculture projects in Portugal and Spain. I also took a course on eco-villages and sustainable living with Andre Soares and his wife from Australia Lucy Leagan. I learned about circular economics and how small communities organize to become self sufficient and resilience.

Natural Building - I’ve always been drawn towards working with my hands. I used to shape surfboards since I was 16. Building is in every man’s DNA. Shelter, food and clothing are basic necessities of a human. I’ve build my own light straw bale house. I designed and built it mostly alone having few community gatherings where I coordinated more than 20 people at once.

Agro-forestry - I took a weekend long practical and theoretical course on Syntrophyc agriculture from which I reforested 2.3 Hectare. “Monte Há Mar” is where I live. What was once a depleted land 6 years ago is now a small oasis reforested with hundreds of trees.

Fatherhood - I am a father of 4. I rejoice fatherhood not without making many “mistakes”. It’s a constant learning process. I am happy to share everything I know about being a father.

Relationships - Relationships are the biggest teachers I know. It’s an opportunity to see yourself reflecting on another person. There is no loosing or wining in relationships. There is only learning. You will always start a new relationship where you left the previous one. I’ve grieved deeply, I healed alone, I looked for support, I studied, I did therapy. I can’t say I’ve cracked the code but after 50 years of life I humbly can say that I know something about the subject. I learned so much with all of them. I am happy to say I have worked to heal my relationships with my parents, kids and ex wives. I learned to cultivate and nurture good friendships. I am very fortunate to have many friends. All relationships are a reflection of the relationship you have with yourself.

Plant Medicine - ( I don’t work with plant medicine) I’ve used psychedelics on my late teens. I over used cannabis for many years. I always used psychedelics in Nature with good friends. It opened many doors inside me. In 2007 I did my first Ayahuasca ceremony in Brasil in a small town I was born. Since then the medicine has been guiding me. Since 2010 I’ve done one or two ceremonies per year. I’ve take breaks for 2 and 3 years. It’s not my personal path but it’s always present. It has showed me light and darkness. It showed me very clearly where I will go if I don’t walk straight in this life. It’s a guide for spiritual evolution. I am very humbled and honored to be able to have this guidance in my life.

Men’s work - I came across men’s work during the toughest time of my life. It gave me the possibility to get in touch with both my masculine and feminine side. It allowed me to face my shadows and look at them without fear. It connected me with my ancestry line. It gave the opportunity to go through all rites of passage a man should have had that this system and society doesn’t provide. It’s a container to be open, honest, present and vulnerable so I could become a better man, father, lover and citizen. My view and approach to Men’s work is not dogmatic or rigid. I believe it’s up to the individual to cultivate his own best version of himself. I do have my family line and my life story as a man. I do have my views and perspectives about manhood. Maybe by sharing them with you my view and my discipline I can inspire you to create your own. Based on your needs and capacities.

Cooking - I’ve traveled extensively all over the world and I love cooking. I’ve learned how to prepare many dishes from many of this countries. I’ll be happy to share some of them with you.

Food and supplements - Over the years I’ve done several juice, coconut water and urine fasting to cleanse and reset my system. I’ve returned eating meat after over 25 years of being a vegetarian. I’ve helped people loose and gain weight. Based on your constitution and needs we will choose foods and plants to take during your stay.

A day at the farm***

I believe in discipline, repetition and consistency so once we agree on what practices to do we will do most of them every day, adding different ones each day.

5:45 wake up (noble silence)

6:00 bulletproof coffee - using coffee butter or coconut oil. I’ve explored different natural supplements to increase Testosterone levels and I have high grade Shilajit I personally got from India. If you don’t drink coffee you can use cocoa or herbal coffee.

6:30 - 7:00 Vipassana meditation

7:30 - Ashtanga Yoga Class at Oficina da Escola.

9:30 - breakfast - Fruit Shake with Maca, Ashwagandha and tribulus. Protein based breakfast with eggs and Avocados.

10:00 / 11:00 - daily check inn and planing the day. Surfing conditions will dictate the day if surfing is a priority for you. Depending on the weather we will train at the beach and cold plunge at the ocean. To be at the beach is essential and we will prioritize that whenever the weather is good. If there is work to be done at the farm we do it.

14:00 / 15:00 - Lunch. We can adapt the diet to your needs. My Dutch Brazilian mother will cook lunch for us. Traditional Brazilian food, lasagna, pasta etc.

15:00 - Power meditation Siesta - 25 minutes recorded led relaxation to recalibrate body and mind.

16:00 - After lunch check inn and planning of the afternoon.

16:30 - 18:30 Men’s work dynamics, practice workshop based on our choice and interest.

18:30 - 20:00 free time for resting, journaling, reading, studying and working.

20:00 - Sunset Breathwork, barbecue, using local meat and products.

21:00 - 22:00 bonfire story time and circle sharing.

23:00 - bed time.

*** this time table is subjected to change based on your choice of subjects, weather patterns etc.