About Us

Christina Prieto

Years ago I was struck with a fierce case of wanderlust and began traveling far and wide. I have meditated with Buddhist monks in Nepalese Monasteries, hiked the ancient Inca ruins of Machu Picchu in the Peruvian Andes, climbed the Great Wall of China, and visited the splendid Taj Mahal in India. Other travels have led me to Bali, Norway, Denmark, Chile, Ecuador, Mexico, and a portion of the US. Yet, the more I travel, the more I realize there’s so much more to encounter.

I felt an inner calling to share my passion for personal growth through travel, and started organizing retreats to share in these profound experiences. I’ve since led 3 cultural immersion yoga retreats to Cuba, and 17 adventure and restorative yoga retreats to Costa Rica. Last year, I brought a group of 28 people to Peru’s Sacred Valley for an epic adventure, and a second group in 2025! My heart is now taking me back to Costa Rica in 2026 for 3 more wellness retreats….and so it goes….I find myself collaborating with my longtime friend, teacher, and retreat partner, Sati for this incredible and elevated retreat to Portugal.

We organize the itineraries with the intention to support the local community and offer an authentic experience to the retreat participants. As travelers, rather than tourists, we will explore the splendid beauty of remote landscapes, as well as hold space for healing and transformation while creating magical memories. I’m beyond thrilled to embark on yet another journey beyond our wildest imagination!

Shannon "Sati" Chmelar

Known as Sati to her students and colleagues, Shannon Chmelar is a seasoned mentor, educator, and facilitator who has spent over two decades weaving together the threads of yoga studies, Buddhist philosophy, and somatic practice. Her work is uniquely informed by nearly 15 years of living abroad, complemented by a Master’s in Mental Health Counseling from the University of Rochester. While her clinical background as a therapist provides a sophisticated psychological layer to her teaching, her foundation is rooted in the arts and the body, stemming from her early career as a professional dance artist and her previous work as a licensed massage therapist. As the founder of the education organization, Vasudhaiva Institute, Sati’s offerings are defined by a deep, embodied understanding of movement, culture, and the human spirit. When joining Sati for a retreat, participants enter a space refined by the experience of leading 18 international journeys across the USA, India, Nepal, and Peru. Her facilitation is grounded in diverse yoga methodologies, inviting a reflective and physically restorative exploration of the self. Designed for the thoughtful practitioner navigating the complexities of modern life, her retreats bridge the gap between ancient contemplative wisdom and real-world application. Sati creates a learning environment that is as compassionate as it is scholarly, ensuring that every journey—whether domestic or abroad—is intentional, culturally resonant, and deeply transformative for those seeking a path of embodied growth.