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Azores BBM Training Retreat

November 9 - 15, 2026

Rabo de Peixe, Portugal

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Hosted By

Mandy Brinkley

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6 nights, 7 days

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6 person retreat

Highlights

  • Become a Breath Body Mind (BBM) Instructor on a live retreat style training in the Azores.

  • Recharge deeply through the practices and the healing energy of São Miguel island.

  • 36 hours live training with Mandy Brinkley, a Level 4 Senior BBM Teacher.

  • Presentations by the BBM developers ( live online) Richard P. Brown, MD & Patricia L. Gerbarg, MD.

  • Benefit from 4 hours pre-recorded lectures and presentations.

  • Level-One BBM Instructor Manual is included in your training.

  • Exclusive use of the retreat centre for our group.

  • 6 nights stay at Quinta Minuvida - a sustainably run orchard lodge in the Azores.

  • ​Enjoy delicious food - breakfast, lunch and dinner - that marries the traditional with the innovative and creative.

  • Teas and snacks always available.

  • Intimate group size (6-8 participants) for a personalized experience.

  • Access to beautiful hiking trails and serene natural surroundings of the Azores.

  • Onsite holistic therapists offering massages for added relaxation.

  • Afternoon excursion to hot springs: includes packed lunch, transport, entrance fees and guide.

Details

This is a unique retreat-style training to become a Level 1 Breath Body Mind Instructor in the Azores. This level one BBM Instructor training is suitable for healthcare professionals, coaches, practitioners, therapists, yoga and meditation teachers, school teachers, military, first responders, EMTs, police, firefighters, disaster relief workers, and service organizations. The benefits of Breath-Body-Mind™ have been shown to increase resilience and reduce the effects of stress in surveys of participating health care practitioners, individuals with mental health and medical conditions, children, veterans, active-duty military, and survivors of disasters. Spaces are limited to a maximum of 6 participants. Please note that there are prerequisites for applying for this training: Complete a 12-hour BBM Fundamentals course* Attend a minimum of six BBM classes with experienced, advanced BBM teachers Have a regular Coherent Breathing personal practice (20 mins a day, five days per week minimum). *There are regular opportunities to complete fundamentals training in person and online.

Location

Rabo de Peixe, Portugal

Rabo de Peixe, located on the north coast of São Miguel Island in the Azores, Portugal, is a traditional fishing village known for its strong maritime culture and rugged coastal beauty. Set against dramatic cliffs and the vast Atlantic Ocean, the town offers a glimpse into authentic island life, where colorful boats line the harbor and locals maintain generations-old fishing traditions. Though modest and deeply rooted in its heritage, Rabo de Peixe is surrounded by lush green hills and volcanic landscapes, offering a serene yet vibrant atmosphere that reflects the raw charm of the Azores.

Venue

Quinta Minuvida

4.8 113 Reviews

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Offering an outdoor pool, a year-round outdoor pool, and barbecue, Quinta Minuvida is located in Rabo de Peixe. Free WiFi is available throughout the property, and free private parking is available on site. Certain rooms feature a seating area where you can relax. Some rooms include views of the sea or the mountain. The rooms have a private bathroom. For your comfort, you will find free toiletries and a hairdryer. There is a shared lounge at the property. A traditional breakfast is included, featuring local cheeses, bread, fresh local fruits, and house-made jams and juices. The area is popular for hiking. The guest house also offers car hire. Ponta Delgada is 5.6 mi from Quinta Minuvida, while Furnas is 15 mi away. The nearest airport is João Paulo II Airport, 7.5 mi from Quinta Minuvida.

A/C in Rooms

A/C in Rooms

Free Wifi

Free Wifi

Pool

Pool

Garden

Garden

Spa

Spa

Bicycles For Rent

Bicycles For Rent

Laundry

Laundry

Towels

Towels

Housekeeping

Housekeeping

Kitchen

Kitchen

Accommodation

Shared suite

4 Spots Left

2-person shared room

$2,785.50 USD / person

Private Suite

2 Rooms Left

Private room for 1

$3,015 USD total

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You will stay at Quinta Minuvida a traditional, sustainably focussed Azorean orchard lodge. There are five ample suites full of character, featuring high ceilings and traditional features- named them after plants that grow in the orchard. Each suite strikes the balance between sustainable and sensible lodging and modern-day conveniences and amenities. Suites feature memory foam mattresses, custom or vintage furniture, modern or vintage baths, wireless Internet, air conditioning and heating, plus daily cleaning. PLUS outdoor pool, yoga studio, guest kitchen, living room with fireplace, outdoor grill, firepit, observatory, organic vegetable garden, and one acre of orchards. A mix of single and share suites are available.

Meals

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Meals provided

Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner

Diets catered

Vegetarian · Gluten-free · Dairy-free · Halal

At Quinta Minuvida they pride themselves on serving delicious food that marries the traditional with the innovative and creative. You will enjoy:  DAILY BREAKFAST Spread of local and in-season breakfast including many of the fruits grown at the lodge. LUNCHES All your delicious lunches are included - 1 will be a packed lunch for the hot springs visit. DAILY DINNERS Regional dinner with salad, herbed water, dessert at Quinta Minuvida

Schedule

This is a 6 night, 7 day retreat style training. On arrival day we will meet and have an opening class before dinner. Each day will include training in the morning and the afternoon, beginning after breakfast, with an hour and a half for lunch and then enjoying dinner together each evening. mid way through the retreat there will be an afternoon off training to visit the hot springs - transport and entrance fees are included. This is a 40-hour experiential BBM Instructor course is designed for participants who wish to begin offering BBM practices to individual clients and small groups (2-6 people). The course is also suitable for those who want to explore the BBM practices and principles more thoroughly and enhance their personal BBM practice.

Testimonials

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“I couldn’t have asked for a better teacher! Mandy shared her knowledge of and passion for yoga so generously with us. And the ladies on the retreat were such a joy. I have new friends around the globe.”

Marybeth R., US

…truly an unforgettable experience. From the moment I arrived, I was welcomed with warmth and genuine care, setting the tone for the entire retreat. …Mandy Brinkley is truly exceptional. Her, expertise and passion were evident in every interaction. She created a safe, nurturing space for everyone to share, explore, and evolve. I felt deeply supported throughout the retreat.Mandy's Retreat offers a well-balanced mix of mindfulness, self-discovery, and personal development activities. Each session was thoughtfully designed to guide participants on a journey of introspection, healing, and growth. Whether through guided meditation, workshops on emotional well-being, or intimate group discussions, every part of the program felt intentional and enriching. One of the most powerful aspects of the retreat was the sense of community. Everyone was there for their own personal reasons, yet we all came together to share our stories and experiences. The connections formed during the retreat were meaningful and lasting. It was a space where vulnerability was embraced, and we could all grow together in an atmosphere of compassion and respect. Leaving the retreat, I felt rejuvenated, more grounded, and with a deeper understanding of myself. The retreat exceeded all my expectations, and I’m truly grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of it. If you're looking for a life-changing experience that nurtures both your mind and spirit, join Mandy Brinkley on her next retreat. I can’t recommend it enough!

Denyse B, Canada

Mandy’s teaching is so beautiful. Her love of teaching and her desire to keep learning herself means the retreat experience is always extremely unique and special. I can’t quite express how valuable I find the retreats. They always help me come back to myself & empower me with new knowledge and understanding of the practice.

Katie C., UK

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Host

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Mandy Brinkley

9580 Vila do Porto, Portugal

Mandy Brinkley is a highly experienced yoga teacher and retreat leader with over 20 years of teaching experience and more than 1,700 hours of yoga teacher training. Her approach blends yoga, breathwor...

Certified Yoga Instructor

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1 language

English

Teaching for 3 months

Joined Insight Timer in Oct 2025

What's Included

6 nights of en-suite shared or private accommodation.

Three daily delicious creative meals, mindfully prepared.

36 hours live training with Mandy Brinkley, a Level 4 Senior BBM Teacher.

Presentations by the BBM developers ( live online) Richard P. Brown, MD & Patricia L. Gerbarg, MD.

4 hours pre-recorded lectures and presentations.

Level-One BBM Instructor Manual.

Afternoon visit to hot springs with packed lunch.

Pre- and post-retreat support from the teaching team.

A small, intimate group size for a personalized experience.

Transfers to and from the airport to the retreat centre.

Not Included

Flights to and from the Azores.

Travel insurance (highly recommended)

Additional treatments, such as massages, available onsite for an extra fee.

FAQs

Guest requirements

  • Complete a 12-hour BBM Fundamentals course

  • Attend a minimum of six BBM classes with experienced, advanced BBM teachers

  • Have a regular Coherent Breathing personal practice (20 mins a day, five days per week minimum).

  • *Mandy is hosting a Fundamentals course in the Azores in June 2026 and there are other in person and online options with Mandy and other Senior BBM teachers regularly.

Cancellation policy

The remaining balance for the retreat is due 60 days prior to the start date. If this balance is paid earlier than these 60 days, you are eligible to cancel and receive a full refund of this remaining balance, provided you do so at least 60 days before the retreat begins.