Focused Intention Therapy
Zenthai Shiatsu Elements Course
31st May - 4th of June 2027
Central Portugal, Arganil area
This retreat-style course offers a living, embodied exploration of the Five Elements from the perspective of Ancient Chinese tradition, integrated within the holistic approach of Zenthai Shiatsu.
It is designed as a natural continuation of the foundational Level 1 training. While it can also be taken independently - depending on your personal journey -completing Level 1 beforehand allows for a more integrated and harmonious learning experience.
Level One & Elements Foundations are a prerequisite to the 9-month therapist training offered across Australia & Europe.
Who is this course for?
While completing Level 1 Zenthai Shiatsu beforehand is recommended, this course is open to anyone curious about the philosophy and theory of the Five Elements or wishing to bring its wisdom into daily life.
It offers an opportunity to explore how the Five Elements can support greater harmony within ourselves and in our relationships, through simple lifestyle choices, conscious nutrition, and the hands-on practice of Zenthai Shiatsu bodywork.
Participants will cultivate presence, deepen body awareness, and integrate the insights of this ancient healing art into everyday life in a practical and meaningful way.
Beyond offering practical and profound tools, this training is often experienced as a transformative journey - a chance to slow down and reconnect with yourself, your body, and a heart-centred community.
What you will receive
Hands-on practice: Daily sessions of giving and receiving Zenthai Shiatsu, including structured sequences linked to the Five Elements.
Morning grounding practices: Zenthai Flow Movement classes based on Yoga asana, Qi Gong, breathing, and somatic exploration.
Theoretical teaching: Physical, emotional, and energetic aspects of the Five Elements, plus functional anatomy fundamentals.
Course materials: Complete manual and recap videos for ongoing reference.
Community access: Join an online network of Zenthai Shiatsu practitioners.
Certification: Official “5 Elements” Certificate in Zenthai Shiatsu.
Accommodation & meals: 4 nights in single or shared rooms, plus 3 vegetarian/vegan meals per day.
What you will walk away with
Practical experience in Zenthai Shiatsu bodywork, with element-specific sequences for Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water.
Deeper body awareness, sensitivity to subtle energies, and refined touch.
Understanding of how to apply the Five Elements in bodywork and movement.
Knowledge of functional anatomy for addressing postural imbalances, pain, and movement limitations.
Confidence in giving and receiving touch, with the opportunity to rediscover the healing power of innocent, heartfelt touch.
A sense of inner grounding, connection, and presence to carry beyond the training.
Certificate of Completion.
Highlights past events:
Combined training
*Important: The Elements Module will take place immediately after the Level 1 course, from 31st May to 4th June, with one rest day in between.
Participating in both courses is a wonderful opportunity to immerse yourself in the foundations of Zenthai Shiatsu fully. Experiencing Level One and the Elements Module consecutively allows you to deepen your understanding, integrate the teachings more fully, and absorb the practice through continuous learning, embodied experience, and connection with the community.
*A discount is available for those who join both courses.
Note: Food and accommodation for the transition day are not included and must be booked directly via info@quintadalibelula.center.
For more info about the Level 1 course, check the link: https://www.energyinmotiontherapy.com/zenthai-level-one-course-portugal
Your experience
Quinta da Libelula is a quiet eco-space in the mountains of central Portugal, created for retreats, gatherings, and time spent close to nature. Far from busy roads and everyday distractions, the Quinta offers a simple and grounded atmosphere where people can slow down, breathe deeply, and reconnect with themselves and the natural world around them.
The surrounding landscape is wild and peaceful, with forests, fresh spring water, and open skies that fill with stars during the summer nights. A natural pool invites refreshing dips on warm days, and dragonflies, the inspiration behind the name Libélula, are part of the life and spirit of the place.
Daily life at the quinta follows a natural rhythm. Meals are vegetarian, seasonal, and prepared with care, using many ingredients grown directly in the garden. Whether sharing food outdoors, sitting around the fire, or walking through the mountains, Quinta da Libelula offers a space that feels authentic, calm, and deeply connected to nature.
You can discover more about the farm and the space here: https://quintadalibelula.center
To retreat is an act of kindness towards oneself.
It is the choice to slow down and breathe with the earth, water, and wind through the trees.
It is a return to the body, feeling, to the heart’s rhythm.
Among the quiet hills, the song of the river, and the warmth of shared presence, new spaces open, allowing what we are to unfold gently.
Here, nature becomes our guide.
She teaches us to let go, to receive, to transform.
And to walk, step by step, toward a more aligned and authentic life.
Details:
Dates:
The classes will run from the 1st to the 4th of June 2027. We will start at 8:15 am on the first day and finish at approximately 5:00 pm on the last day. Check-in is on Monday, 31st May, by 6 pm, and check-out is on Friday, 4th June.
Location:
Quinta da Libélula (20 minutes driving from Arganil)
*More accurate location details will be provided during the booking process.
Investment:
Course fee (for the training, which includes all teaching and manuals):
Super early bird offer: €360 (registered before the 30th of January 2027);
Early bird offer: €400 (registered before the 30th of March 2027);
Regular price: €460 (after the 30th of March 2027).
*If you genuinely feel called to join but financial reasons prevent you from doing so, please reach out; we can find a way.
Accommodation:
Single Dome with own bathroom and air conditioning — €380 per person (Limited availability);
Double Dome (2-person shared) with shared indoor bathroom facilities and air conditioning — €330 per person (Limited availability);
Big Dome (4-person shared) with Shared indoor bathroom facilities and air conditioning — €305 per person (Limited availability);
Tipi Tent (4-person capacity) with outdoor toilet and shower in our beautiful garden — €280 per person (Limited availability);
Own tent with outdoor toilet and shower in our beautiful garden — €185 per person.
*It is possible to rent a tent and camping gear for an extra €5 per night (limited availability).
Accommodation price includes:
Arrival on the 31st May;
Dinner on the 31st May evening;
Accommodation: 4 nights (from 31st May to 3rd June);
If you would like to stay an additional night, please let the host know.
Full retreat catering throughout the retreat;
3 homemade vegetarian meals per day, plus a tea & coffee station available at all times.
Support from our core team;
Firewood preparation;
4x4 transportation (driving up and down);
Music and sound equipment;
Shared infrastructure;
Operational and hosting support.
Additional stay after the course can be arranged separately and would include:
Accommodation for the extra nights;
Food contribution for the following days.
Accommodation Payment Policy:
50% deposit required upon booking with the host to secure your room/tent.
Remaining 50% balance due two weeks before arrival.
All accommodation and food arrangements must be managed directly via email at info@quintadalibelula.center.
Joining the Level 1 and the Elements Module:
If you choose to take part in both the Level 1 Foundation Training and the 5 Elements Module, you will receive a 5% discount on the total tuition fee.
Participants joining both modules will stay at Quinta da Libélula for the entire duration of the experience, from 26th May to 4th June, 2027, fully immersed in a peaceful natural environment and the supportive rhythm of retreat life.
Between the two trainings, one dedicated day is set aside for rest and integration. This space allows the body and mind to absorb the experience more deeply, slow down, and come back into balance.
During this pause, you are invited to rest, explore nature, or simply enjoy the stillness and quiet atmosphere of the farm.
Note: Food and accommodation for the transition day are not included and must be booked directly via info@quintadalibelula.center.
Booking & Cancellation Policy:
Booking & Payment:
To secure your place in the course, a €150 deposit is required at the time of booking.Payment Schedule:
The remaining balance is due upon arrival.
Accommodation and food costs need to be arranged directly with the host by sending an email to info@quintadalibelula.center.
Registration Deadline:
Registrations will close when all places are filled. Once the deposit is received, your place is confirmed.Cancellation by participant:
If you wish to cancel and you find another person to take your place before the course start date, you may transfer your registration.
Alternatively, if we manage to fill your spot from the waiting list, you will receive a full refund minus a €50 admin fee.
If you cancel and we cannot fill your place, no refund of payments already made.
Course Cancellation (by us / organiser):
If the course is cancelled due to insufficient registrations or other extraordinary circumstances, deposits and any payments will be fully refunded. Please note that we cannot reimburse any travel-related or other personal expenses, including flights, visas, insurance, or any costs not paid directly to us.
Waiting list:
If the course is fully booked, you may join the waiting list. If you cancel early, we will contact you to offer the available spot.
Email Andrea Rao at andrea_rao@yahoo.it for questions and payment instructions.
Your facilitators
Curious by nature and inspired by human connection, I’m passionate about exploring life through movement, nature, shared experiences, and personal growth. I believe in living fully, staying open to what life brings, and continuously growing into a more authentic and fully expressed version of myself.
I’m a physiotherapist, Zenthai Shiatsu therapist, and movement facilitator. With over 10 years of experience in bodywork and training in Traditional Thai Massage, Zenthai Shiatsu, and Hatha Yoga, I bring together clinical knowledge and hands-on practice in a practical, accessible, and holistic way. Holding a Master's degree in Sports Physiotherapy, my work is grounded in a scientific understanding of the body while embracing the relational and integrative principles of Zenthai Shiatsu.
Zenthai Shiatsu has profoundly shaped not only the way I work but also how I live and relate to others. I see healing as a process of coming back into relationship—with ourselves, with others, and with the world around us.
This perspective is at the heart of the way I teach. Rather than simply sharing techniques, I aim to create a space of co-creation, where everyone is invited to participate, explore, and contribute. I believe that learning becomes most meaningful when it is a shared experience—one that encourages curiosity, connection, and authentic expression, allowing both teacher and participants to grow together.
Andrea
Ilu is a Zen Shiatsu therapist and teacher with over a decade of dedicated study and practice in the healing arts, as well as a Zenthai Shiatsu trainee. Deeply inspired by her teachers and the practice of Vipassana meditation, she creates a supportive and experiential learning environment where technical skill is cultivated alongside sensitivity, embodied awareness, and genuine human connection. She invites students to discover touch not only as a therapeutic practice, but as an art of presence and a pathway to deep listening.
Over the years, Ilu has developed ‘Meridian Flow’— an integrative movement practice inspired by Dō-In, Qigong, Yoga, and Five Element theory. As the founder of the ‘Institute of Shiatsu and Meridian Arts ‘KOKORO’, she is devoted to preserving and sharing the wisdom of Japanese healing traditions and holistic bodywork.
Ilu
Students’ voices
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
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Yes, this is an official Zenthai Shiatsu Course recognised and supported by the founder, Gwyn Williams.
This course serves as a foundational requirement for progressing with your studies toward becoming a Zenthai Shiatsu therapist through the 9-month training program. -
The venue hosting us is Quinta da Libélula.
You can find more information here:
https://quintadalibelula.center
The nearest town is Arganil, located approximately 20 minutes by car from the course venue.
The village of Moita da Serra is connected by bus to major cities such as Lisbon, Porto, and Coimbra.
By Car
Arrive in Arganil and then follow the location details that will be provided after registration.
Once you arrive at the meeting point, a 4x4 vehicle will come to pick you up and take you to the venue.
By Public Transport
The closest bus stop to the venue is Moita da Serra, served by Rede Expressos.
You can reach Moita da Serra by bus from Portugal’s main cities, including Coimbra, Porto, and Lisbon, as well as directly from Porto and Lisbon airports.
We recommend booking your bus tickets in advance and checking the available routes and schedules to plan your journey.
From Moita da Serra, a taxi will pick you up and take you to the venue. The taxi fare is not included in the course fee and is approximately €25 per taxi. Most likely, the cost will be shared with other participants travelling to the venue.
If you have any questions or need support with your journey, please feel free to reach out at any time.
A WhatsApp group will be created to facilitate communication among participants, including carpooling, transport sharing, and other practical arrangements.
More detailed information about the location will be provided during the booking process.
Feel free to reach out if you have any questions.
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Arrival & Departure
• Check-in: 31st May, by 6:00 pm;
• Short welcome circle before dinner;
• First dinner: 7:00 pm;
• Classes start at 8:15 am on 1st June;
• The elements course ends approximately 5:00 pm on 4th June;
• Check-out: Friday, 4th June.If you would like to extend your stay, please let us know in advance so arrangements can be made with the host.
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The course 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 approximately at 8:15 am and end up approximately at 5:00 pm.
*Please note that these times are approximate and may be adjusted slightly according to the needs of the group.
Breaks During the Day
To support your learning and well-being, there will be regular breaks throughout the day, including:45 minutes for breakfast
1 hour lunch break
Evenings are free, offering space for you to integrate what you’ve learned, rest deeply, enjoy the surrounding nature, or connect with fellow participants.
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Payment details will be provided by Andrea via email after you have submitted the application form.
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This course is intended for educational purposes and to develop skills in Zenthai Shiatsu and bodywork. The techniques taught are for learning, practice, and self-awareness, and may be applied to support general well-being.
This training does not replace professional medical care. If you have serious medical conditions, injuries, or are pregnant, please consult a qualified healthcare professional before participating. Always practice mindfully, respect your own limits, and ensure informed consent when working with others.