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Embark on a transformative journey deep into the Atlantic Forest in southeast Brazil for our 2025 International Retreat "Whispers of The Soul" from September 20th to September 26th. Set across 74 acres of lush, unspoiled nature next to the river, this serene and private sanctuary offers the perfect environment to unplug, reconnect, and rejuvenate during your 7-day, 6-night stay in one of eight uniquely designed houses that seamlessly blend rustic charm with modern comforts.
Enjoy ample space to relax and recharge, with curated wellness experiences including:
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three nourishing meals a day, prepared with local ingredients to support your body’s vitality.
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daily yoga, meditation, & breath-work to release physical, mental, and energetic blockages,
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emotional release techniques & transformational practices to clear old patterns and create space for growth,
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embodiment practices to connect with your true essence and open to new possibilities,
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guided deep rest and rejuvenation for integration and healing,
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Temazcal ceremony, hosted by a local Shaman, for deep cleansing & renewal,
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Cacao ceremony with Kirtan, led by local Brazilians, to open your heart, connect to the joy of Being, & deepen your connection with community.
In addition to thoughtfully curated wellness experiences, we’ll venture beyond the retreat space for:
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A guided tour of Paraty, a historic UNESCO World Heritage site just 6 miles away from the retreat center,
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and a rejuvenating boat trip around Paraty Bay to enjoy the ocean and beach
The property offers even more ways to nourish and heal, including:
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a river that features a natural pool, inviting you to bathe in its refreshing waters,
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a sauna/steam room by the river,
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a jungle gym,
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a wild arts gallery,
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cozy jungle lounges,
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trails to hike,
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a massage spa
This immersive experience invites you to ground, explore, and embrace the fullest expression of your true self. It is more than just a retreat—it’s a deep, restorative journey into self-discovery, healing, and soulful expansion.
The investment: Starts at $2200
Does not include:
Airfare, Transportation (to/from) airport, Travel Insurance, Optional Massage or additional Excursions
Secure your spot with a $600 non-refundable deposit by visiting the link below.
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The deposit goes towards total balance.
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The rest of the balance is due 90 days before the retreat day.
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Pay over time with a customized payment plan upon request.
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No refunds will be given 90 days before the retreat. The only way to receive a full refund (minus 5% credit card processing fees) is if you find someone else to take your spot.
We typically sell out within the first few weeks!
So if you feel the calling to go, put the deposit down and we can figure out the rest of the exchange together and create a payment plan if needed! The earlier you book, the more time you will have to pay the rest of the balance.
Contact Es, your retreat coordinator and manager, at 708-307-9103 with any questions on the logistics such as payment, housing options & flights.
Contact Em, your retreat host, at 708-262-9539 with any questions on the retreat flow itself and what to expect.
Meet Your Guide,
Emile Lisauskaite
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Born in Kaunas, Lithuania, in 1996 and raised in the Southwest suburbs of Chicago, Em was shaped by the contrast of two worlds. Moving to the U.S. at six years old without knowing the language, she quickly learned to adapt. Em’s early life was marked by a rich tapestry of cultural experiences. From the age of seven, she and her sister traveled alone each summer to Lithuania to visit their grandparents. During these visits, her grandparents took them to various countries, including Africa, Turkey, and Greece by the time she was 12. These formative journeys instilled in her a deep appreciation for diverse cultures and ways of life.
By 18, Em was traveling solo, prioritizing experiences over possessions and valuing passport stamps more than material luxuries. By 28, she had explored well over 15 countries, many of them being third-world countries, where she witnessed the richness of simplicity, the strength of communal living, and a deep reverence for Mother Nature. These journeys shaped her understanding of life’s interconnectedness and planted the seeds for her work in healing and transformation.
Em’s journey has been shaped not only by the beauty of life but also by profound loss. She endures childhood traumas no child should and experienced the devastating passing of both her best friend and father in later years—losses that shattered her world and forced her to confront life’s impermanence. Grief became a teacher, revealing the fragility of existence but also the depth of the human spirit. Rather than allowing pain to harden her, she chose to let it break her open, deepening her capacity for love, presence, and understanding.
Em's spiritual awakening began in 2014. It was all fueled by her deep fascination with the mind since adolescent years when she became aware of the thinker within, leading her to ask—who is the observer then? This curiosity drew her to meditation, where she experienced a transcendental awakening, fostering a profound sense of expansion and oneness with all of life. That moment shifted everything, igniting her path into psychology, yoga, and energy healing. In 2017, she completed her yoga teacher training, and by 22, she took a leap of faith, stepping into ownership of Rising Lotus Healing Center. Alongside her mother, she transformed it into a sanctuary for healing, self-discovery, and spiritual expansion, later extending this mission globally through retreats in 2019.
Her journey has been one of deep soul expansion, navigating both personal hardships and spiritual revelations. She came to embody the archetype of the wounded healer, recognizing that pain does not diminish us—it initiates us into a deeper way of living. Healing isn’t about erasing the hardships; it’s about learning to hold it all—the joy and sorrow, the light and shadow—as integral parts of the journey. Loss taught her to appreciate life more fully, to cherish every connection, and untimely to transform pain into purpose, using it as fuel for growth and deeper understanding.
Alongside her role as owner of Rising Louts, yoga teacher, and retreat host, Em is the founder of YOGAEM LLC, her on-demand platform for yoga and spiritual evolution, serves as the lead trainer for the Rising Lotus School of Yoga & Wellness 200-hour Teacher Training Program, is a certified sound vibrational therapist and energy worker, meditation and mindset coach, intuitive, and a psychology graduate. Through her work, Em bridges the seen and unseen, helping others embrace their wholeness and awaken to their their highest potential as a spiritual being.
Emile's Training & Certifications:
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Graduated with a BA in General Psychology - University of Illinois, Chicago in 2018
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E-RYT 200-hrs of Hatha Yoga - Trained by Vita Sireikis in 2017
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RYT 200-hrs of Kundalini Yoga - Trained by Samadhi Banks in 2020
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RYT 300-hrs of In Depth Iyengar Yoga (Yoga Therapy Focused) - Trained by Gabriel Halpern in 2022
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Master Reiki Healer - Trained by Jenni Maes & Shaman Jay
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Sound Vibrational Therapist - Trained by Shaman Jay
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80 hours of "Living Wisdom" - Bridge Between Yoga & Activism - Trained by Bex Tyrer
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80 hours of "Unwind the Feminine" - Specialized Yoga Training - Trained by Bex Tyrer
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50 hours of Yoga Nidra - Trained by Caley Alyssa
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20 hours of Restorative Yoga Training - Trained by Nicole Schneider
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12 hours of Para Yoga - Trained by Rod Stryker
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10 hours of "Yoga on a Quantum Level" - Trained by Gina Antoun
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10 hours of the "Foundations of Meditation" - Trained by Gina Antoun