Focused Intention Therapy
Zenthai Shiatsu Level 1 Course (Foundations)
4 day intensive, 18th - 21st of Sept.
in Oliveira Do Hospital, Portugal
This 4-day foundation course is a deep dive into Zenthai - a conversation beyond words and a distinctive crossroads between the healing arts of Thai yoga massage, Zen Shiatsu and Osteopathic technique; an integration of movement, touch and mindfulness. It explores the poetry within therapeutic touch, a lens into the Five Elements Theory of the Ancient Chinese Tradition and is a great opportunity for self-healing in a retreat style teaching model.
In learning a full 90-minute sequence, you’ll be introduced to practical tools and gain valuable knowledge on structural and energetic therapy. For the entire four days you’ll receive and practice technique, also cultivating inner awareness, a deepened sense of touch and enrichment of conscious community.
Who is this training for?
Zenthai Shiatsu Level 1 is more than just a course, it’s an experiential journey for those who wish to step out of routine and rediscover connection, presence, and care.
This training weaves together the intuitive wisdom of various ancient healing traditions into a modern, practical, and embodied approach. It’s designed for manual therapists wanting to expand their skills, Yoga practitioners and teachers seeking to deepen their embodiment and their ability to support others, as well as those interested in energetic and structural therapy, but it’s not limited to that.
No previous experience in Yoga or massage is required. Whether you’re a seasoned practitioner or just taking your first steps into the world of bodywork, if you feel called towards a holistic vision of health and want to awaken your natural therapeutic abilities, this course is for you.
Beyond offering practical and profound tools, this training is often experienced as a transformative time, a chance to slow down, reconnect with yourself, your body, and a heart-centered community.
What you will receive
Each morning begins with extended yoga and dynamic movement exploration to reconnect and ground deeply into your own body .
A clear understanding of anatomy and the foundations of Chinese Medicine that support the Zenthai Shiatsu techniques taught throughout the course.
A hands-on introduction to functional anatomy, learning to locate key bones and muscles often linked to pain, tightness, poor posture, and restricted movement.
Daily guided practice in offering and receiving mindful, high-quality bodywork.
4 nights of accommodation, either in a room or camping space, depending on your preference.
Nourishing, plant-based meals three times a day.
What you will walk away with
Learn a complete Zenthai Shiatsu sequence (90 minutes), with plenty of hands-on practice in offering and receivingm all guided through clear teachings, live demos, and step-by-step instruction.
Develop a more refined and sensitive quality of touch.
Deepen your inner awareness and embodied presence.
Cultivate the ability to listen to the subtle messages of the body and perceive energetic shifts.
Receive a printed manual and video materials covering all the content from the training.
Join the online Zenthai community and stay connected with fellow practitioners.
Level One Zentai Shiatsu Certificate.
Your experience
Quinta da Carva is a beautiful farmhouse located less than 10 minutes drive from Oliveira do Hospital, in the heart of Portugal, in the Coimbra district. Centrally positioned, it is easily accessible by car: about 1 hour from Coimbra, 2 hours from Porto, and 3 hours and 15 minutes from Lisbon.
The farm enjoys a privileged location, nestled in untouched nature at the foot of the magical Serra da Estrela natural park, one of the most beautiful, quiet, and energetically powerful places in Portugal. The land where we stay is crossed by the Cobral River, a crystal-clear stream with icy, living waters that flow directly from the mountain springs of the Serra da Estrela. It’s a river that carries the strength and purity of the heights, nourishing the landscape as it winds its way through the hills. From here, different trails begin, inviting exploration and connection with nature.
The property extends over 10 hectares: gently rolling hills dotted with ancient oak trees, full of quiet corners where one can read, lie in the sun, or simply listen to the silence, and to the wisdom of the Cobral River, which always has something to teach us.
All meals are prepared with plant based, fresh, local, and seasonal ingredients. The kitchen lovingly caters to all dietary allergies and intolerances. Each dish is crafted to support the rhythm and flow of the retreat, with the understanding that food is our first medicine, essential nourishment for the body, mind, and heart in a space of deep learning.
To retreat is an act of kindness towards oneself.
It is the choice to slow down, to breathe with the earth, the water, the wind through the trees.
It is a return to the body, to feeling, to the rhythm of the heart.
Among the quiet hills, the song of the river, and the warmth of shared presence, new spaces open, allowing what we are to gently unfold.
Here, nature becomes our guide.
She teaches us to let go, to receive, to transform.
And to walk, step by step, toward a life that is more aligned, more true.
Details
Dates:
Thursday 18th - Sunday 21th September 2025
(we will start at 8am on the first day, gathering around the fire. We finish at 5pm on the last day)
Location:
Quinta da Carva, Br. Vale do Ferreiro 14, Lagares da Beira, Portugal 3405-156 (5 minutes driving from Oliveira do Hospital)
Investment:
Course fee for the training includes all teaching, manual, and clear, high-quality videos for home study
Special May offer €350 (registered before the 1st of July, limited spaces)
Regular price €450 (after the 1st of July)
Accomodation: (includes four nights accomodation with three plant based meals per day)
Three to four bedded room: €160
Twin or double room: €200
Single room: €240 (limited availability)
Camping (tent/van): €120 (10+20)
*Possible to rent a tent for extra €5 per night
Non-refundable deposit of €150 secures your place.
*Please note if circumstances change due to natural disasters or other extraordinary event the retreat may be cancelled last minute, in which case you will be fully refunded.
Email andrea_rao@yahoo.it for questions and payment instructions.
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Getting to Oliveira do Hospital
From Porto Airport
The easiest option is by bus — about 3.5 hours.
Check schedules and book tickets at: www.rede-expressos.pt/ptFrom Lisbon Airport
First, reach Lisbon Oriente station (by metro, taxi, or even on foot — it’s around 3 km).
From there, take a bus to Oliveira do Hospital.
Schedules and tickets: www.rede-expressos.pt/ptNote: Coimbra is the closest major city to Oliveira do Hospital. If you're looking at other travel options, arriving in Coimbra first and continuing from there can work well.
A WhatsApp group will be created to help coordinate travel and stay connected.
Once in Oliveira do Hospital, someone might be available to pick you up, or you can easily take a taxi to the course location.Feel free to reach out if you have any questions.
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Yes :) Arriving a bit earlier is highly recommended, as it gives you time to connect with the land and the space, helping you to begin the training with a more grounded and open energy.
You're also super welcome to stay a little longer after the training ends, to integrate the experience more gently and enjoy the peaceful surroundings.
If you're interested in arriving before or staying after the training dates, just let us know, we’ll do our best to accommodate you.
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The training is rich and immersive, filled with valuable content for us to explore together. To ensure we can go through everything at a steady, grounded pace, our days are intentionally long. We begin each morning at 7:30 am and wrap up around 5:30 pm.
There’s a break after lunch, offering you time to relax, take a walk, or simply unwind. Evenings are free, providing space for you to process what you’ve learned, rest deeply, or connect with fellow participants in a more casual way.
