Ines is our soulful movement guide for the week and our Head Yogi in Portugal. She’s got a background in health and exercise, a restless mind full of big questions (and random ones too), and a deep love for yoga that goes way beyond the physical.
Words and Photography by Joel Rollason | 25th June '26
What started as a way to stretch for surfing turned into a way of life – one that’s all about presence, intention, and tuning in. Her classes mix mindful movement, mobility, and body awareness. It’s not about nailing the perfect pose – it’s about feeling into your body, calming the mind, and reconnecting with yourself. Think meditation, but in motion.
Ines in her element
Who are you?
That’s a tricky question… But let’s keep it simple: I’m Ines, and right now I’m the Soul Manager at Soul&Surf Portugal. I do my best to bring all things soulful together – from yoga classes and inspiring workshops to special events, amazing therapists and therapies. Basically, I help create the ‘Soul’ side of your experience with us.
Tell us a little bit about your relationship to yoga?
I’ve always had a hard time sitting still and if you know me, you’ll know my mind can jump from “why do giraffes have such long necks?” to “what’s the meaning of life?” in a matter of seconds. Yoga first came into my life as a way to become more flexible for surfing, calm down, and focus. But it turned into something a lot deeper than that. With my background in exercise and health, I was already fascinated by the body and movement. Yoga added a whole new layer, not just physical awareness, but a philosophy that helped bring more intention and presence into everything I do. It has become a space where mind, body, and soul get to hang out.
What does Soul mean to you?
Our essence, what we do when no one is watching and hopefully when someone is watching too. What fuels us to live life and how it makes sense to us. The best way we can, want, crave and need. Eventually share our soul with the world.
Meet Ines – your guide on the mat in Portugal
Tell us a little bit about your classes for our Soul & (not) Surf week
I like to call what I teach conscious movement — a mix of mindful mobility, body awareness, and the kind of movement that helps you feel more connected to yourself. I’m really into how the body works and feels, and I try to create space for people to explore that in their own way. For me, it’s like meditation through movement — using the body to help quiet the mind. It’s not about doing things perfectly, but about tuning in, moving with intention, and maybe even enjoying the stillness that can come from simply… moving.
Post Travel Flow:
Long journeys can leave the body feeling stiff and the mind unsettled. Through mindful movement and deep breathing, we’ll allow your body and soul to arrive at this place. Perfect after a long flight, road trip, or train ride!
Inversion Workshop:
Learn the foundations of Shirshasana (Headstand) in a safe, supportive way. We’ll explore prep poses, wall work, alignment, and balance techniques to help you build strength and confidence upside down. Sometimes it's the right side up. No experience needed.
Yin:
All over yin, rest, relax, recover. A whole body reset to the system type of class, longer time in certain postures, focusing on fascia work and creating space.
All over Vinyasa:
Probably our most intense lesson is a balanced flow incorporating strength, flexibility, and mobility. Expect dynamic movement, deep stretches, and mindful transitions to support overall movement and ease in the body.
Yoga Nidra:
Yoga Nidra (Yogic Sleep) is a guided meditation practiced lying down, designed to bring deep rest and nervous system relaxation. Through breath awareness and body scanning, you'll drift into a calm, healing state between wakefulness and sleep.
Alignment & Adjustment workshop:
This hands-on workshop explores the principles of functional alignment, offering tools to move with more stability and awareness.
Expect a mix of theory and practice as we break down key asanas, explore modifications and adjustments to improve our understanding of the body, injury prevention and sustainable movement.
Arm Balancing Workshop:
Explore different variations of Bakasana (Crow Pose) using props, prep drills, and smart alignment to build strength and confidence. We'll move from supported shapes to flying solo, with options for all levels. Expect technique, playfulness, and plenty of time to practice. No experience needed.
Surf Mobility Flow:
A slow-paced flow designed for surfers to be honest, but i still think everyone can benefit from the focus on mobility, flexibility, and strength. This practice targets key areas like the hips, shoulders, and core to improve balance, range of motion and overall movement.
Yang to Yin:
Begin with energizing, balancing postures to build strength, then move into deep hip and lower back releases. The practice will really slow down towards the end, guiding you into a calm & resetting forward fold sequence for a complete sense of relaxation and release.
Guided Meditation:
In this session I will be guiding you through Trataka Sadhana, this is a traditional yogic practice of focused gazing, often on a candle flame, to still the mind, purify the eyes, and awaken deeper concentration, followed by time for inward reflection.
It’s a powerful tool for clarity, nervous system reset, and meditative state.
