Flow, Create, Connect: Art at Lalita House Yoga Camp

I first met Adriano and his wife Monica, the founders of Lalita House Yoga Camp, at a breathwork and sound bath workshop. That experience remains one of the most profound I’ve ever had — held in a beautifully inviting space, filled with pure intentions, and enriched by a musician whose sounds intertwined with the songs of birds and the elements of nature. Years later, I still carry those moments with me.

At the time, I was navigating a difficult period in my life. Art became my way of processing, channeling my energy, and reconnecting with my higher self. Intuitively, I felt a strong pull to create for Lalita House. Trusting my inner guidance, I approached the founders about a collaboration. Adriano already had a few ideas in mind, and our creative journey together began.

The first project was transforming a broken surfboard (donated by a friend from Mellow Move Surfcamp) into a meaningful piece of art for their garden. They envisioned a design inspired by nature, so I painted flowers, plants, and mandalas, accented with gold leaf to complement the serene yoga atmosphere. As I worked, I felt a deep connection with the energy of their daughter, Lalita, after whom the house is named. I wanted to infuse the piece with the essence of gentle, childlike wonder and the abundance of nature.

When Adriano received the artwork, he was struck by the synchronicity — it reflected the very same themes as his daughter’s recent Amazon rainforest-themed birthday party.

Adriano also invited me to create a hand-painted piece of driftwood featuring a wave, hibiscus flowers, and the words Om Shanti. I also curated and installed a permanent gallery wall at the entrance of Lalita House for their guests to enjoy. The collection includes acrylic paintings inspired by surfing (a perfect fit for Ericeira, a World Surfing Reserve), a toucan in a tropical setting, and mixed-media pieces incorporating dried seaweed and gel plate prints.

Lalita House also has a small shop as part of their yoga studio, where I left a selection of my works— delicate seaweed prints and hand-painted galaxy postcards featuring zodiac constellations. Wanting to give back, I decided that 100% of the sales from these pieces would support the Prison Yoga Project Portugal, a great cause Adriano is involved in, helping with the rehabilitation and social reintegration of inmates through yoga.

I am deeply grateful for the opportunities that unfolded with Lalita House Yoga Camp, a collaboration born from intuition and a shared vision. Through my art, I hope to plant the seed of joy and connection, nurturing creativity as it flourishes within the collective experience of yoga retreats.