Sofia Matos
Yoga, Qigong and Breathwork
She started practicing yoga in 2007 and studied at the Portuguese Yoga Confederation for 10 years, becoming an instructor and later a teacher. She has been teaching yoga for about 15 years and continues to practice and study yoga regularly.
During the pandemic, she discovered Therapeutic Qigong (chikung) and it was "love at first sight", so she enrolled in the 3-year Therapeutic Chikung Instructor course at the School of Traditional Chinese Medicine (ESMTC). During this period, she also attended complementary Qigong training: Wudang - Movements for happiness, 8 pieces of brocade, 5 animals, the Palm of the 5 Elements , 2nd and 3rd level of Zhineng Qigong.
She started teaching Qigong classes in 2023 and believes that the practice and study of Qigong and Yoga are inexhaustible sources of knowledge!
Considers Yoga and Qigong as extraordinary activities for maintaining and improving balance, focus, mindfulness, and relaxation. These activities contribute to health care, providing a space for self-care and self-awareness across various dimensions: energetic, mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual.
At Saber Parar she teaches Qigong, Yoga and Breathwork.
In our daily lives, there are countless stimuli and it is a constant rush! In Qigong and Yoga classes we slow down the pace, the exercises are done without rushing, with awareness of the body, of the breathing, of the energy that surrounds us and our connection with nature.
In Breathwork classes we combine disciplines, techniques and movements from Yoga and Qigong, with a focus on breathing. Classes last around 30/35 minutes, as a break in the middle of the day or at the beginning of the day to energize.
Pedro Malheiro
Psychology
Consultant and trainer for over 35 years, specialized in adult education.
He has worked with prestigious companies in the sector, such as CEGOC, Watson Wyatt, and Capgemini. Pedro has contributed to dozens of national and multinational organizations in Portugal, Brazil, Angola, and Cape Verde. He was part of the "Global Faculty" at BP International and Air Liquide International.
Pedro has also collaborated as a guest lecturer in master's and postgraduate programs at ISPA, Universidade Autónoma, Universidade Lusíada, and ESSA. He is the author of “CRONÓFAGOS - Optimize o Tempo e Ganhe Produtividade” (2009) and served as coordinator for publications in Organizational Development and Human Resource Management at Verlag Dashofer.
He holds a degree in Social and Organizational Psychology from ISPA-IU and an MBA from EU Business School. Pedro has multiple certifications in psychological assessment tools and international behavioral training programs, including Six Seconds, Korn Ferry, DDI, Hay/McBer, WorldWork, TESI, Mobius, Direct Leadership, and SDI.
He led the first editions of the programs in Team Management and Leadership for Virtual/Remote Teams and Interactive Virtual Facilitation for Teachers at UBI (Universidade da Beira Interior), organized by CFIUTE. Pedro also collaborates with UBI on Erasmus projects related to Hybrid Team Management (HY-BRIDges project).
Pedro Malheiro is a psychologist with extensive experience in counseling for workplace mental health and organizational well-being.
He specializes in stress management, time management, presentation techniques, meeting facilitation, conflict management, emotional intelligence, and personal development for professionals. Pedro also holds an Integrated Master's in Psychology from ISPA-IU and training in Behavioral Therapy from HJM.
Certified in Emotional Intelligence by Six Seconds and trained in Mindfulness by Mindfulness, Lda., Pedro is accredited in various psychological assessment tools and coaching methodologies focused on promoting well-being in personal and professional life.
He is a member of the Portuguese Psychologists’ Association (registration nº 8466).
Most recently, he completed certified training in "Foundational CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy)" and "Compassion Focused CBT" through Psychwire (https://psychwire.com/).
Palmira Matela
Administrative Assistant
She has been working in the administrative field for as long as she can remember!
However, she has also taken on other roles and participated in various projects, such as baking cookies and cakes, working in retail, transcribing oral texts, and more.
She enjoys learning, taking courses, and efficiently completing tasks! She cares deeply about the people around her, participates in volunteer work, has a beloved cat, and adores her great-nieces!
Margarida Domingues
Therapeutic Qigong (Chikung) Teacher
Shiatsu Therapist
She is coordinator and teacher in the Therapeutic Chi Kung Instructors Course at the School of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
She is a Therapeutic Chi Kung Instructor, graduated from the School of Traditional Chinese Medicine - ESMTC, Founding Member of the Professional Association of Therapeutic Chikung and Taichi - APCKTT, President of the Board, and Member of the Portuguese Federation of Therapeutic Tai Chi and Chi Kung - FPTCT.
She has a degree in History from the Faculty of Arts of the University of Lisbon (pre-Bologna), and specializations in Scientific and Technical Documentation (1987), Museum Educational Service Technicians (1994) and Psychopedagogy (1999). She is a certified trainer by the IEFP – Certificate of Pedagogical Skills (2014).
She is a Shiatsu Therapist, trained at the International School of Shiatsu (ISS). Co-founder of the CoShiatsu group, Margarida has organized seminars to promote Shiatsu and other complementary therapies. From 2008 to 2016 she collaborated with Nuno Lima in training in the area of complementary therapies and personal development. Together with Margarida Aires organized seminars in the areas of Shiatsu, Seiki, Myofascial Therapy and Personal Development.
Ana Maia
Mindfulness Instructor
"An informed body is an empowered body."
Ana has been practicing meditation since she felt the need to understand how to navigate a professional world that lacked emotional support and failed to meet her unique and individual needs as part of the workforce. This exploration led her on a fascinating journey, where meditation became not only a personal practice but also a source of sharing, turning it into her professional offering.
Mindfulness is a constant presence in her life, supported by a routine of diverse meditation practices.
More than the calm she initially sought, Ana discovered that meditation practice extends beyond sitting on a cushion. It became an indispensable and insatiable source of self-knowledge.
Ana has complemented her personal practice with essential certifications for her work, including an MBSR course, participation in silent retreats, certification as an Embodiment Coach, and certification as a Mindfulness Instructor.
Professionally, Ana is the founder of Movement is My Constant, a podcast where guests are movement explorers in various fields. The goal is to inspire listeners to break habits and patterns that hinder vitality and prevent action. It aims to help people understand the driving force behind their intentions and generate actions informed by them.
In addition to being a Mindfulness Instructor, Ana holds a degree in Design and teaches UX Design internationally. Having lived in the Netherlands for over 15 years, she attributes much of her personal and professional growth to this significant phase of her life.
Overview of classes at Saber Parar
Weekly classes of 30-35 minutes each.
In these short classes, the goal is to experience meditation in its different variations: sitting, lying down, walking, standing, and moving. All ways of deepening self-knowledge through a state of mindfulness at every moment, and being able to look at these moments of practice as applications in everyday life.
Filipe Pereira
Yoga Teacher
I was born in 1981 and discovered Yoga in March 2006 in Faro through the practice of Integral Yoga.
Since then, Yoga has become a fundamental part of my life, offering a journey of self-discovery and personal transformation.
I began my Yoga instructor/teacher training in 2008 at the Yoga Sámkhya Institute and taught my first Yoga class in September 2009. Since then, my practice and teaching have continuously evolved, always with the goal of deepening my knowledge and enhancing my ability to share this ancient discipline with others.
For over a decade, I have taught at various Yoga Centers in Greater Lisbon, most notably at the Rato Yoga Center, where I worked from February 2010 to November 2022. In parallel, I have had the opportunity to teach at several renowned institutions and companies, such as Lisbon City Council, Jerónimo Martins, the University of Chinese Medicine, and Ogilvy.
My passion for body mechanics led me to deeply study the best ways to perform and teach Asanas (Yoga poses). Over the years, I have participated in various specialized training sessions, including the Advanced Course in Functional Anatomy in Yoga, taught by Professor Hugo Abecassis and certified by Yoga Alliance Professionals, comprising 100 hours and completed in September 2022.
Since 2008, I have attended multiple training programs and retreats, both nationally and internationally, which have allowed me to broaden my horizons and enrich my practice. I have made several trips to India, where I engaged with various Yoga schools to deepen my understanding of this ancient practice's roots. Additionally, I have participated in international gatherings in countries such as Spain, Germany, Sweden, Russia, the USA, and Singapore.
Why Yoga?
Yoga offers a holistic approach to well-being, helping restore balance between body and mind. Through regular practice, students can discover new ways of connecting with themselves and the world, cultivating inner peace and vitality.
Yoga classes include a variety of technical disciplines, including:
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Samyama – Meditation
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Yoga Nidrá – Deep Relaxation
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Pránáyáma – Breathing Exercises
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Àsana – Psycho-physical Poses
Rui Escudeiro
Therapeutic Qigong (chikung) Instructor
Reflexology Therapist (Foot Massage)
My first contact with Qigong was through martial arts when I was looking for something to help me recover physically from training.
However, I soon began to discover and become aware of a completely new world that not only involved the physical component, but also helped me to create and maintain a more balanced emotional state and a better sense of mental and physical relaxation.
With practice I discovered several therapeutic facets until I decided to take things more seriously and obtain certification as a Chi Kung (Qigong) Instructor from the School of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Lisbon, where I was later invited to teach.
In this art I found peace, tranquility and a world of personal development. It became part of me and my life and learning journey. Since then, I have been teaching to the general public and training future instructors, continuing to deepen my knowledge related to well-being practices, Qigong, massages and reflexology.
I feel like an eternal student, also feeling that sharing Qigong, its practice and its benefits is part of my path.
Cristina Belard
Sound Massage Therapist
Therapeutic Qigong (chikung) Instructor - Children
Born on July 13, 1960 in Lisbon.
She graduated in Law from the Free University and practiced law for 33 years,
especially in the area of Sports Law where she became a Specialist at the University of
Coimbra.
During the last three years of her professional career as a lawyer, she felt a spiritual calling and decided to pursue a more aligned lifestyle.
She began and completed his studies of Symbolic Feng Shui between 2015 and 2018 at the Instituto
Macrobiotics of Portugal/IMP with Sofia Batalha.
In 2016, Cristina began studying the therapeutic power of the sound of Tibetan Bowls according to the Peter Hess method. She practiced daily with her close family throughout the pandemic and completed her final exam in December 2021, as it was not possible earlier.
She has continued to study Classical Feng Shui and Bazi with Master Alexandra Morgado.
In 2018 he began taking Therapeutic Chi Kung classes with Lourenço de Azevedo at IMP.
In 2021, she enrolled in the Therapeutic Chi Kung Instructor course at the School of Chinese Medicine (ESMTC), which she completed in July 2024, with an integrated internship, teaching classes to children.
EMA MURTA
Therapeutic Qigong Instructor
As a wise Chinese proverb says, "The teacher appears when the student is ready to learn."
Well, that happened to me ten years ago.
By mere chance, I came across Chi Kung (QiGong) and felt like Alice stepping into Wonderland—a universe filled with unfamiliar concepts for someone new to Chinese Medicine. But, like the characters Alice meets, everything in this energetic practice has a meaning and a purpose. This art carves a profound path toward self-awareness on all levels—physical, mental, and spiritual. Through Qigong the body-mind duo functions as a unified whole, allowing us to go beyond our own barriers, including those of happiness.
Due to life's twists and turns, I only began the Therapeutic Chi Kung Instructor Course (at the Traditional Chinese Medicine School in Lisbon) five years later. At the same time, I started attending daily online classes of Zhineng Chi Kung (Healing Chi Kung), to which I now devote myself fully. I have also attended three Zhineng Chi Kung retreats, integrating its teachings into my sessions, particularly the foundational technique, Peng Qi Guan Ding Fa ("Lift Qi Up, Pour Qi Down").
Additionally, I have training in various Chi Kung Movement Systems, including:
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The 15 Movements of Joy (WUDANG)
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The Five Elements Palm (WU XING ZHANG)
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The Five Animals (Wi Qin Xi)
I cannot imagine my daily life without this practice; I can hardly remember what life was like before. Chi Kung has become fully integrated into every moment of my day. Whether I want to calm down, energize myself, or sleep better, I use specific movements tailored to those needs. The movements can be adapted to any physical condition and performed standing, seated, or even lying down. For these and countless other reasons, Chi Kung transcends the "classroom" setting. Moving beyond being just a physical activity, it becomes a way of life!
Malu Ferreira
PT Qigong
Therapeutic Qigong (chikung) Instructor - Children
I am a Qigong (Chi Kung) instructor, an ancient Chinese practice that harmonizes body, mind and vital energy (the "Qi").
Graduated from the School of Traditional Chinese Medicine (ESMTC), I began this path at the age of 57, proving that it is never too late to transform your life and follow your dreams.
Qigong (Chi Kung) brought me inner awareness and balance, and today my purpose is to share this transformative energy with my students. Through this practice, valid for all ages, people learn to reconnect with their own energy and the world around them, feeling calmer, more focused and in harmony.
In addition to Qigong (Chi Kung), I have found inspiration in the sea, the moon and trees, and I am passionate about hiking. This contact with nature reinforces my conviction that by connecting with universal energy, we can live more fully and consciously.
During my internship, in the Instructors Course, I had the opportunity to work with 1st Cycle students at Casa Pia, an experience that awakened in me a passion for teaching children and showed the transformative impact of this practice from an early age.
I currently teach face-to-face classes for children and individual classes for adults, which allows me to pay special attention to each person's needs.
My goal is to plant the seed of Qigong (Chi Kung), helping each student find more balance, vitality and well-being in their daily lives.
If you are looking for a natural way to improve your physical and mental health, Qigong (Chi Kung) may be the way to go. Connect with your life force energy and transform your body and mind!
João Pereira
Therapeutic Qigong (chikung) Instructor
Integrative Massage Therapist
He studied psycho-body techniques and therapies. He learned that the story of a life and all the experiences one has gone through are inscribed in the body: posture, manner and attitude are marks of the lived history. They determine the way in which we face challenges and how the set of dominant emotions and feelings in our lives develop.
She became a massage therapist implementing integrative massage, a massage that integrates various manipulation and sliding techniques of muscles and fascia: Shiatsu/Thai Massage/Bioenergetics/Massage Therapy.
He discovered in Qigong a way to develop work that complements massage.
He is also a Qigong instructor.
It develops a work that combines massage with the gentle movements of Qigong with the aim of freeing the body from tension and improving posture, so that feelings flow more freely and in a more spontaneous and genuine way. A work that provides greater agility and more life, leaving us more graceful and spontaneous.
Ana Guerreiro
Reiki Therapist
Therapeutic Qigong (chikung) Instructor
She began her Reiki journey in 2006 with Cinira Pallota and, in 2011, became a Master/Teacher in Traditional Reiki, Usui Reiki Ryoho system, under Ana Mota.
In 2015, she acquired knowledge in Clinical Hypnosis and Regressive Therapies through the ESMOT school. Since 2017, she has been teaching Therapeutic Chi Kung, having completed her monitor training at the same school.
In 2023, she completed the Therapeutic Chi Kung Instructor Course at E.S.M.T.C. – Traditional Chinese Medicine School, where she now facilitates the workshop “The Five Elements Palm and the Six Healing Sounds.”
For over 12 years, she has been dedicated to therapy and teaching Traditional Reiki, as well as facilitating sharing circles and guided meditations.
Believing that life is built on reciprocal gifts, she is committed to continuous learning and sharing as an integral part of her path.
Rita Abreu
Therapeutic Qigong Instructor
In 2019, she began practicing Mindfulness and discovered the transformative power of present-moment awareness.
The sedentary nature of her professional life led her to seek more dynamic forms of mindfulness, leading to her passion for Qigong. Since 2022, she has been teaching individualized and group classes in this practice. In 2024, she completed the Therapeutic Chi Kung Instructor Course at the Traditional Chinese Medicine School.
This practice of conscious movement in harmony with breathing promotes body relaxation and connection to the present moment. At the same time, it develops internal awareness of the body's manifestations, enhancing concentration, proprioception, and emotional awareness through the body.
Qigong is ideal for people seeking tools to manage stress and anxiety, those who spend many hours sitting in their daily lives, or individuals who wish to practice mindfulness but find the stillness of that practice challenging.
Bernardo Fernandes
Therapeutic Qigong (chikung) Instructor
Musician, composer and teacher of classical and jazz training.
Teaching experience in the area of music and body expression to various ages.
Experience in the field of Dance.
First contact with Chikung in 2020, recently completing the Therapeutic Chikung Instructor course at the School of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Currently, it combines different languages in the teaching field: Chikung, Music, and Dance linked to free movement.
Monica Martinho
Therapeutic Qigong (chikung) Instructor
My name is Mónica Martinho, but I like to be called MoMo!
I'm from Lisbon, I'm 48 years old and I'm a mother of 2 grown children!
Passionate about life… one of my passions is cooking and another is diving in the sea.
My professional life has involved managing businesses in car dealerships,
but I felt that I needed to get closer to myself and get to know myself, and so I dedicated myself
me in recent years to QIGONG, to obtain tools that would allow me
achieve my new life goal… and I did it!
I'm super happy to be able to share this practice, with method, lightness and humor!
Allow this pause in your day
Gift yourself WELL-BEING
XIÉ XIÉ
Andreia Santana
Osteopathic Therapist
Osteopath, graduated from the Higher School of Health at the Portuguese Red Cross.
Specializes in relaxation, pain relief, and neuro-musculoskeletal and fascial dysfunctions.
Provides care to youth, adults, and the elderly.
Graduated in Osteopathy from the prestigious Higher School of Health at the Portuguese Red Cross, she initially started her professional career in another field. However, she felt her mission was greater, aiming to help others achieve a lighter, pain-free life. Her fascination with understanding the nature of the human being led her to Osteopathy, a scientific field that views the patient as a whole and "respects the relationship between the different dimensions of the human being in health and disease" (Portaria 207/B-2014).
Driven by her desire to deepen her knowledge and because she believes non-conventional therapies should complement conventional medicine, she pursued additional training in various areas. These new resources are often shared with her patients, making her a more comprehensive therapist. She is known for her availability, attentiveness, and dedication.
Her diagnostic and treatment methods are primarily manual techniques. However, she sees each intervention as an opportunity to encourage patients to adopt healthy habits, perform healthy movements, and take an active role in managing their clinical cases. Her ultimate goal is to help integrate practices that promote relaxation, well-being, and an improved quality of life.