Life in Movement | Next Level Pilates Retreat

When & Where?

JOIN US at Casa Cales Loule, Portugal FROM June 15th - 21st 2025 For a truly unique Pilates Retreat experience.

For this retreat we are returning to our beloved Teacher Training retreat venue Casa Cales in the Algarve. Run with true heart an soul it has one of the most beautiful studio spaces with sweeping views over the rolling Algarvian hills and the sea.

Imagine a vibrant and action-filled 6-night Pilates retreat run by five truly exceptional international teachers — an intimate mini Pilates training summit. This retreat is perfect for our past students, new teachers, and serious Pilates enthusiasts.

Outside the Pilates sessions, you will be nurtured with delicious healthy meals prepared by chef Fabrice with whom we've been working for 6 years. There is a delicious pool to relax (or jump in) and word has it that we might be doing some Pilates in the pool as well...
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How to get there:

By plane:
The closest airport is Faro. From there it's an easy 30-min taxi (Uber/Bolt) ride to Casa Cales (Loule).

‍From Lisbon:
There are several direct trains to Loule from Lisbon (3hrs) and by car the drive down is about 2.5hrs

Our retreat will officially start in the afternoon of June 15th, giving you all day to arrive at the venue. Leaving day is June 21st after breakfast.

What’s Included?

more than a Retreat, more than a Pilates conference— we have packed the best of both worlds into this retreat.
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INCLUDED IN THE PRICE for Full Retreat participation

6 nights accommodation in shared or single rooms (all with en-suite bathroom)
daily breakfast brunch, lunch & dinner (vegetarian and freshly prepared)
access to the full programme (a total of 20 Pilates classes and workshops)
intimate welcome & retreat closing ceremony
Calm Concepts welcome gift bag
two exclusive Pilates group classes for the on-site retreat group

INCLUDED IN THE Day-ticket PRICE:

daily breakfast and lunch on-site (vegetarian and freshly prepared)
access to all sessions of that day (typically includes two 60-min Pilates class and 2 longer workshop-type sessions)
All-days-ticket also includes retreat closing ceremony, last night dinner & dance party

Not INCLUDED IN THE PRICE:

international flights
travel insurance
transportation (taxi, Bolt and Uber are widely available)
accommodation and dinner for day-ticket guests
alcoholic drinks and meals outside the venue

Accommodation & Price

choose one of only 12 spots and stay on-site FOR Full Retreat participation or choose your own accommodation and join us only for the day(s) you like.

For over 100 BASI Pilates Teacher Training Students so far, the intimate and cosy setting of Casa Cales were home for a week of learning in growth. That's why we decided to come back 'home' for this one-of-a-kind Pilates retreat.

The yoga shala is a peaceful space with the sunlight filtering through the curtains…oh, how much we are already looking forward to being there!

The 8 bedrooms are clean and cosy with en-suite bathroom, fresh linens and towels. Expect the rustic charm of a well-kept yoga retreat, but don't expect luxury. Casa Cales is a small and private place, run passionately by its owners. Expect to be treated like family as we will enter Casa Cales' ecosystem for our week together.

Stay on-site

All rooms at Casa Cales have their own en-suite bathroom. Shared rooms are for two people and if you come alone we will match you with a suitable room mate.

Shared Room EUR 1,800*

Single Room EUR 2,050* * SOLD OUT *

Day-Tickets

Even if all on-site spots have been booked, we want to give you the possibility to still attend the retreat. You will organize your own accommodation and transport to/from the venue. Breakfast & lunch is included.

Day-Ticket EUR 280/per day*

All-Days-Ticket EUR 1,400*

* all prices are per person, and quoted in EUR. We will try our best to help you avoid bank and transfer charges, but if they do occur, all bank/PayPal charges must be carried by the participant.

Your Teachers & Host

YOU COULD NOT BE IN BETTER HANDS! We have such an amzing line-up of teachers, it's unbelievable!

Tash Barnard

PILATES TEACHER, BASI PILATES PRINCIPal FACULTY & TEACHER TRAINER

Tash’s high energy and passionate encouragement brings infectious joy and laughter to anyone in the group. No wonder that we have so many return guests. During class, Tash will push you to reach for the stars and to believe in the impossible. Tash is a highly accomplished Pilates teacher, teacher trainer and part of BASI Pilates' principal faculty. Every year she joins us on our retreats with all the passion and excitement you’d expect from a first timer. If you are looking for a mentor who will encourage you to believe in yourself, a week with Tash might very well change your life.

Ola Mazur

movement enthusiast, BASI Pilates Faculty & Teacher Trainer

Ola came for her first Life in Movement retreat as a participant in 2017 and joined the teaching team two years later. Retreats bring all of her passions together: travel, nature and movement. Ola teaches with care, precision, and commitment. Her goal for her students is to learn something new each class, improve understanding of movement and skills that they can take with them outside of the Pilates mat to other activities of everyday life. As part of the BASI Pilates faculty, Ola has already lead seven BASI Teacher Training Courses for us in Thailand, Portugal and Morocco.

Samantha Woods

Pilates Teacher, Physical Therapist, BASI Pilates associate faculty member

Sam is a physical therapist with a passion for integrative wellness. Her expertise spans Pilates, yoga therapy, orthopedics, sports therapy, and functional rehabilitation. She blends traditional physical therapy with mind-body practices. Sam is an associate faculty member for BASI Pilates, for whom she created and teaches the popular advanced education certificate course "Pilates for Injuries & Pathologies", and she is the author of the book "Pilates for Rehabilitation". Having hosted her own successful Pilates & Yoga retreats in Costa Rica and Bali, Sam is the perfect addition to our Next Level team.

Joshua Norris-Ongso

Physiotherapist, Pilates Practitioner & Teacher Trainer, Studio Owner Australia & Portugal

Joshua is an Australian Physiotherapist with over 20 years experience in the health and wellness industry. After a career in performing arts and aerobic gymnastics which saw him represent Indonesia internationally, Joshua took his passion for sport and movement in another direction, becoming a Physiotherapist at the elite level — career highlights including his work with the Indonesian Sports Commission. He proceeded to open 11 Pilates and Barre studios in Australia and most recently, 3S Studios in Setubal, Portugal. Joshua is a strong believer in making fitness and healthy lifestyle fun and accessible. Expect to both love and 'hate' his classes for all the right reasons.

Mareile Paley

OWNER OF LIFE IN MOVEMENT, RETREAT HOST, PILATES & WELLNESS GUIDE, Founder of CALM Portugal

If a retreat is a beautiful piece of art, Mareile is the glue that holds all the pieces together. Having started in 2010 leading her own Pilates retreats, she soon found her true calling and strength in connecting people, in crafting and curating truly exceptional retreat experiences and in finding the best teachers. The personal attention you will receive before, during and after the retreat can all be attributed to Mareile’s deep desire to make people happy and to make you feel valued and special. On this retreat, Mareile will share her knowledge and experience on all things 'retreat', spanning 15 years and over 50 Pilates Retreats and Teacher Trainings.

QUESTIONS ABOUT THE RETREAT? MAKE A FREE APPOINTMENT TO CHAT WITH MAREILE,

here

Frequently Asked Questions

I KNOW... IT’S HARD TO STAY GLUED TO THE SCREEN AND READ THROUGH SO MUCH INFO. HERE ARE A FEW MORE ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS you might have:

Can I stay on-site for less than 6 nights?

No. As we only have limited capacity, we have reserved all 8 on-site rooms for participants joining us for the full retreat experience.

What is the difference between 5 x single Day-Ticket and the All-Days-Ticket?

The All-Days-Ticket is geared towards participants who either could not get a spot on-site or prefer to arrange their own accommodation. While dinners are reserved for the full-retreat package participants, All-Days-Ticket holders are welcome to join us for our special closing ceremony on June 20th followed by dinner and a dance party and also our last 'Surprise' class on the 21st in the morning.

I am not a Pilates Teacher, can I still attend ?

Yes. We recommend that you have a good understanding of Pilates and a regular practice, but you don't have to be a teacher. Some of our classes and workshops are more geared towards teachers, others are great for any level. Best you check the programme and see what speaks to you.

Can I come with a non-participating spouse or friend?

Yes and no. If you are traveling with someone who is not as much into Pilates as you are (gasp!), we recommend you purchase day tickets, so you can join us for classes and some meals, but also get to spend time with your loved one.

Are meals included?

Breakfast and lunch is included in all tickets. Dinners are included in the full on-site retreat package. All-Days-Ticket holders are welcome to join us for a celebratory last dinner on June 20th.

Is this a BASI Pilates specific retreat?

No. We welcome practitioners from all schools of Pilates. That said, as three of our presenters are BASI Pilates faculty, this retreat might be especially valuable for fresh BASI Pilates graduates. Mareile is also a classically trained teacher and Josh will stir things up with his own version of dynamic Pilates and Barre. See our programme for all the details.

Do you offer any Reformer Pilates or other equipment classes on this retreat?

No. All classes and workshops are mat-based. That said, we will be using props and other 'tricks' to bring some of that equipment 'onto the mat'.

I have a food allergy and need a special diet

As you can imagine, we are very used to dealing with all kinds of food allergies, preferences and unusual diets. As long as you tell us ahead of time (there is a line about it in our mandatory health form) we can inform the venue and let you know how much we can accommodate you. For the most part it’s easy (ie vegan, gluten free, dairy free) and if it’s potentially tricky, we will advise you to bring your own snacks, supplements and supplies.

HAVE SOME MORE PERSONAL QUESTIONS THAT ARE NOT ANSWERED HERE? SEND US AN EMAIL OR MAKE A FREE APPOINTMENT TO CHAT WITH MAREILE,

here

Sign Up & Deposit

BEST DECISION EVER! WELCOME TO OUR 2025 Next Level Pilates Retreat & Mini Summit

Your information

Full NameYour E-mailAgeWHERE ARE YOU FROM AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE?HOW DID YOU FIND OUT ABOUT THIS RETREAT?What describes you best?

Choose your package:

On-Site Shared Room

I am happy to share a room
with another guest.*

* We will match you with a same gender room mate. If no suitable room mate can be found, we hold the right to consider your room a single room

EUR 1,800

On-Site Single Room

I prefer my own room.
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EUR 2,050 SOLD OUT

All-Days-Ticket

You will stay off-site, but have access to all retreat days, including our closing ceremony, last dinner & dance party and surprise group class.

EUR 1,400

Day Ticket

Join us for select days. Includes breakfast & lunch.

EUR 280/day

Which Days would you like to attend?ANYTHING YOU WOULD LIKE TO ASK OR TELL US?Desposit Payment PreferenceThe legal Stuff

I have read and understand the Cancellation Policy.
Trip cancellation insurance is always recommended whenever making travel plans.

I accept the Terms & Conditions

Yay! That’s exciting. We are very happy to have you on board. We will be in touch with the next steps.

Below, you can pay your deposit to make sure you get a spot.

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Secure your Spot

In order to secure your spot on the retreat, we need to receive a non refundable deposit from you. The deposit amount is EUR 500 for full on-site or all-days-ticket holders. The deposit for day-ticket holders is EUR 100/day. We accept Credit Cards, PayPal or direct bank transfer. Please note that we won’t pay for any bank or transfer charges, including PayPal fees.

PAY DEPOSIT NOW:

Pay Full Retreat Deposit Pay DAY-TICKET Deposit

OUR CANCELLATION POLICY:

Travel Insurance

We highly encourage you to purchase travel insurance in case you need to cancel your trip. We have found during our travels that it is well worth having the coverage, as it covers many unforeseen circumstances that may arise while on vacation.

Cancellation up to 90 days before retreat start:

If we are able to fill your cancelled spot by three months before the retreat start, we will return all money paid to us, except your deposit. If we are unable to fill your spot, we will only return 50% of all money paid to us after deduction of the deposit.

Cancellation after three months before retreat start:

Sorry, but no refund possible after this date.If you are not able to attend the retreat but have a friend or family member that would like to attend, we are happy to transfer 100% of the money that you have paid toward your friend or family member. Both parties must notify us in writing in order to transfer names.

If we cancel the retreat:

All money paid to us by you will be returned, excluding bank chargers. Unfortunately we cannot compensate you for any plane tickets/transportation arrangements you have already made.

Payment general:

A non-refundable deposit is required in order to secure your spot. The deposit amount is EUR 500 for full on-site or all-days-ticket holders. The deposit for day-ticket holders is EUR 100/day. We accept Credit Card (PayPal) and / or direct bank transfer. Please note that we won’t pay for any bank or transfer charges, including PayPal fees.

Next Level Pilates Retreat & Mini Summit !

Why is this retreat "Next Level"?

Mareile Paley

Tash Barnard

This is epic! What a privilege to be retreating with this dynamic team of awesome chicks !

Find all the Retreat Details Below:

When & Where?

What’s Included?