Eden
Sanctuary
At the heart of Eden lies the purpose from which everything was born: to offer a safe, supportive, and deeply human space where each person can reconnect with their true essence.
The seed of this sanctuary was planted in 2009, when Paul, our founder, originally from London, began a profound inner journey through Brazil. Immersed in the country’s rich cultural and spiritual traditions, he was deeply inspired by the wisdom of nature, ancestral knowledge, and a way of life rooted in connection, healing, and harmony.
Through this long and personal exploration, a clear calling emerged: to create a place where self-awareness, inner truth, and personal transformation could unfold naturally with care, responsibility, and integrity.Eden was born as a refuge for those seeking meaning, clarity, and authenticity on their path.
About
Eden Sanctuary
Why Vale do Capão?
Eden Sanctuary is located in a very special place — Vale do Capão, a small village nestled within the Chapada Diamantina National Park.
Vale is known for its international community and alternative lifestyle. Walking through the village, you’ll naturally encounter invitations to many kinds of therapies, practices, and events. Here, different cultures and traditions meet in a unique way: local beliefs alongside Hindu Gods, herbal wisdom alongside Eastern practices, music, movement, and shared ceremonies.
This diversity creates an open and welcoming atmosphere, making Vale do Capão a naturally supportive place to explore yourself and feel at ease within a like-minded community. This is one of the reasons Eden is here.
Embracing it all are the majestic mountains of Chapada Diamantina, rich in rivers and waterfalls. This region is one of the most unique geological formations in South America: its valleys shaped by ancient seas, leaving behind a remarkable variety of crystals and minerals that still decorate the landscape today.
The climate is balanced and pleasant — not too hot for Brazil, and never cold. Eden is located close to the entrance of the National Park itself, without close neighbors or noise pollution. Just nature all around, holding, teaching, and harmonizing.
The Sanctuary & Spaces
All accommodations are comfortable and well-equipped, offering hot showers, air conditioning, and everything needed for a good rest. Large windows in every room allow natural light to flow in, so you never feel enclosed — instead, it feels as if nature is gently holding you from all sides.
We offer two types of rooms:
Private Accommodation
Private rooms and chalé for those who prefer more personal space and privacy during their process.
Shared Accommodation.
A spacious dormitory or cabana shared with a maximum of 3 people. Ideal for those who enjoy community, simplicity, and a cozy environment.
Around Eden Sanctuary
At Eden, every space is part of the experience. From the Oca, a place for spiritual practices, yoga, and meditation, and the spacious deck above the Mother House with panoramic mountain views, to the sauna, fireplaces, and surrounding gardens, the sanctuary offers beautiful environments that support both guided practices and quiet personal moments.
These spaces are meant to be enjoyed throughout the retreat: during activities, shared gatherings, and also in your free time — inviting you to slow down, reconnect with nature, and simply be present.
Nourishing Food
Meals at Eden are healthy, balanced, and prepared with care — supporting a calm mind and a light, grounded body throughout the retreat. Our kitchen works with fresh ingredients sourced from local farmers and markets whenever possible.
We welcome a variety of dietary preferences and offer thoughtful options to suit different needs. If you have specific restrictions or allergies, our team will do their best to support you with attention and care.
The People Behind Eden
The team behind Eden grew naturally around Paul, our founder. Meeting beyond work, in a neutral and human space, we formed a bond of friendship, mutual respect, and shared learning. Over time, this connection became the heart of Eden.
We are an international team, bringing together people from England, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, and Belarus. Here, we speak English, Portuguese, Spanish, and Russian, creating a space that feels welcoming and accessible to people from different backgrounds.
We are here to support you from your first message, during the retreat, and afterward.
Paul Mallon
Founder of Eden Sanctuary | Lead Facilitator
Paul accompanies participants throughout the retreat with presence, warmth, and lightness. He guides daily practices in yoga (accessible to all levels), mindfulness meditation, and breathwork, while offering grounded retreat support built on more than 15 years of experience in holistic and spiritual work. Originally from London, Paul felt an early call to step away from a conventional path and seek deeper meaning and purpose in life. During a long solo journey through Brazil beginning in 2009, he immersed himself in the country’s rich cultural and spiritual traditions, developing a strong connection with nature, conscious living, and inner transformation. From this experience, a clear vision emerged: to create a sanctuary where people could safely explore self-awareness, healing, and inner truth in a supportive and grounded environment. This vision later became Eden Sanctuary. Over the past 15 years, Paul has facilitated transformational retreats and immersive experiences across Brazil and Europe. His work is guided by presence, responsibility, respect for ancestral wisdom, and genuine care for each person — creating spaces where people feel safe, supported, and invited to reconnect with their essence.
Jorge Seixas
Guide & Facilitator
Jorge joins our retreats as a guide and facilitator, offering individual sessions and quiet support during key moments of the experience. Born on Marajó Island in Pará, in the Brazilian Amazon, Jorge carries a lifetime of lived wisdom. Now in his seventies, he has lived in Vale do Capão for more than 25 years, where he has woven together his deep connection to the cultural traditions of Brazil with decades of study in symbolic, esoteric, and contemplative practices. A natural alchemist and long-time student of ritual traditions, Jorge has spent over two decades accompanying individuals and communities in processes of inner reflection, self-knowledge, and personal transformation. His presence brings a sense of depth and grounding to the retreats. With quiet clarity and attentive listening, he helps create a space where participants can reconnect with authenticity, cultivate awareness, and explore the deeper dimensions of their inner journey.
Martina Esperon
Retreat Support & Ayurvedic Practitioner
Martina offers retreat support throughout the experience and is available for individual Ayurvedic sessions. Born and raised in Pergamino, Argentina, Martina studied Music Therapy at the University of Rosario before following her calling to Brazil. In 2012, she moved to Vale do Capão, where she has spent over a decade studying, practicing, and sharing Ayurvedic bodywork and lifestyle wisdom. She facilitates Ayurveda-based retreats, courses, and workshops, bringing a grounded understanding of balance, presence, and holistic well-being. Her path has been shaped by long periods of immersion in traditional knowledge, music, and embodied practices, supporting people in reconnecting with themselves through attentive touch, listening, and care.
Isabel Cardona Colina
Music & Movement Facilitator
Isa joins the retreats to facilitate music- and movement-based experiences, including circle music sessions, cacao gatherings, and dance practices. Born in Bogotá, Colombia, she has lived in Brazil since 2013 and brings a rich multicultural background to her work with music, voice, rhythm, and collective expression. With more than 20 years of experience, Isa is a singer, percussionist, composer, voice coach, improviser, and cultural event producer. She is the creator of CantaqueteCura (“Sing for Your Healing”), a workshop series dedicated to exploring the power of singing and music in collective life. Isa facilitates experiences in musical initiation, vocal expression, circle music, and conscious movement. Since 2003, she has travelled as a singer and percussionist to festivals across Colombia, Ecuador, Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Mexico, and Switzerland — sharing rhythm, presence, and a deep passion for music as a tool for connection, expression, and community.
What People Say
Oliver
You feel safe, you feel held, and you really feel you come out on the other side stronger.
Thais Freire de Benfica
I arrived confused and trapped in negative patterns, and the retreat helped me face my fears, release old habits, and reconnect with what truly matters. I left with clarity, peace, and a renewed confidence to move forward.
John T
I returned home more self-aware, kinder to others and to myself, a genuinely better person.
Tatiana Martins
The days were filled with care, love, and kindness in every activity.
Anderson Lemos
I felt a deep connection with nature and its immeasurable power. After this experience I feel more capable, wiser, more confident, and more aware of who I really am. I love more, I’m more grateful, and I’m much more attentive to the path I’m walking.
