CASCAIS
SRI LANKA
DREAM
TEAM
Dee - Yoga Teacher
Her story of dedication and love for yoga for the past 25 years and how she came to this field is truly inspiring. Dee was a regular attendee of yoga from the age of 19, but when she was diagnosed with a stomach condition it was her yoga, meditation, and breathing exercises that helped her to start recovering. Yoga not only helped her recover but she fell in love with it and it became her daily routine. She then went on to train as a yoga teacher as she wanted to serve and help others through this beautiful healing practice.. through her many trainings Dee found that as well as the practice she loved the Philosophy of yoga and the great texts of yoga and loves to share this with her students. Patanjalis Yoga Sutras became the foundation of daily routine and the baghavad Gita a guide to life that teaches us so much.. if you really want to dive into the fascinating philosophy of yoga in an inquisitive and intriguing fun way, Dee will guide you through these amazing learnings.
 Dee’s qualifications all through Yoga Alliance and World Yoga Alliance are: 200 Hr Hatha and Restorative Yoga, 300 Hr Hatha, Vinyasa, Yin, Restorative, trauma led yoga, Pre and Post natal yoga, 100 Hr Yin, 250 Hr Aerial Yoga, 80 Hr Aerial Yin/Restorative, 200 Hr Aerial Pilates and Diploma in Ayurvedic Principles.
“ Learning how to breathe properly is really important. It will calm you down when you're stressed, relax your body, and tighten your focus. These are all things you want to be doing when you're surfing. Breathing is the first thing we do in this life… When done properly, breathing can really contribute positively to your overall health ”
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Her practice is beautifully breath focused, pulling the awareness into the body and empowering the mind to use its capabilities for the good of the whole being. She loves to use meditations that are complex in their simplicity and deliver them with love and grace. She really values healthy alignment of the body, the mind as well as a heartfelt and kind inner attitude.
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“ Dee loves to hold nurturing and compassionate spaces where students can come home to themselves and realise the wisdom, strength and beauty that lives within them all. ”
Gianluca - General Manager
Role at The Salty Pelican... I Am Gianluca from Italy and for the last 2 years I have been working at the Salty Pelican yoga and surf retreat in Sri Lanka as a general manager and in this role I have also been responsible for organizing and managing the yoga side of the business including retreats, class schedule and be a point of contact for retreat leaders that were interested in organizing retreats at the property. Also I am a yoga teacher since 2018 and during those years i have constantly taught classes and continued my education by attending seminars, workshops and assisted other trainings.
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“ I started off working for The Salty Pelican in Portugal 2 yrs ago and have gradually become a key member of the team and I have been travelling all over the world and have the best advice and positive attitude to offer all our Salty Pelican clients. I will help you spend your days here stress free whilst you practice yoga, mediation and learn how to surf with the best instructors ”
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Secret super powers... My secret super power is my spaghetti carbonara of course ;-) ​
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Favourite place in the world ... I love Hiriketiya in Sri Lanka.... The waves, the nature, the food, the culture and the people !!
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Craziest experience... Everyday is a crazy good day in Sri Lanka... keeps me on my toes and I dont just mean with my asanas...
Waka - Surf Instructor
Role at The Salty Pelican... Surf instructor in paradise.. Im the one making all our students fall in love with the ocean while experiencing the feeling of catching that wave ! We always find the perfect waves for every level and my everyday goal is to see that every single person has fun, is safe and learns how to ride these beautiful warm water waves.
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“ I started surfing when I was a small child and it didn't take me long to decide i would make my passion my job and starting to surf as much as possible while discovering the beautiful coastline of Sri Lanka. There I met my Salty Pelican family.... Seeing happy faces in the water everyday..... What more do you want right? ”
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Secret super powers... Putting smiles on everyones faces while creating a fun vibe when we are all out on the water together. If you hear loud whistles and cheering.... it will be me !
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Favourite place in the world ... The Salty Pelican
Isuru - Bar & Restaurant
Role at The Salty Pelican... I’m Wilma, Photographer, Social Media Manager and (un)professional reel-maker.
Background Experience... After high school I’ve basically been out and about traveling and seeing what the world has to offer. From surfing in Australia and diving in Mexico to living in a shed in Indonesia and bungee jumping from a bridge in South Africa. I’d say I’ve always had the travel bug, longing for new places and experiences. After doing the 9-5 and studying in Stockholm for a while I had enough and that’s what led me to the Salty Pelican: my portuguese home and family!
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“ When I’m not behind the lens or scrolling on instagram for the best reel song I’ll be dancing in the kitchen to a swedish banger no one knows the lyrics to. I’m a creative at heart who will only be seen doing yoga poses to get the best angle for a photo ;) ”
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Secret super powers... Hear me out - I can cook the weirdest food out of what I have left in the fridge and it always turns out good in some non-gourmet kind of way ?! I guess most people who’s backpacked knows exactly what I’m talking about. Other than that I can make any boring photo look kinda artsy-cool-instagram friendly if you let me hehe...
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Favourite place in the world ... Leave me anywhere close to the ocean and I’ll be happy.
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Craziest experience... My whole life is kind of a crazy experience. Never really having a plan can be nerve wracking but also a valuable lesson !