Back to the Roots — Honoring the Past in Contemporary Days
November 6th to 16th 2025. Gran Canaria, Canary Islands. Spain.
After three beautiful years offering the Under the Skin retreat in its advanced format, we’ve heard the call — and we’re returning to the roots.
This 10-day immersion is a heartfelt response to the many requests we've received for a foundational Thai massage course. While we don’t truly believe in levels, we do believe that the basics never go out of style — and are always a wise place to return to.
Our inspiration has always been the legendary Sunshine Network school in Northern Thailand, where the classic 12-day basic course has been shared for over two decades. We teach Thai Massage through a contemporary osteopathic lens — where anatomical understanding meets tradition, and precision supports intuition.
What has inspired us the most is not only the quality of the teachings, but the lifestyle that surrounds it: a space where meditation, silence, healthy food, and minimalism support the practice and the practitioner.
In that spirit, this course is much more than technique — it’s an experience.
We’ll learn and live together in a simple outdoor setting:
• Classes take place in a natural cave under the open sky.
• We sleep in tents, eat healthy vegetarian food, and move slowly.
• Mornings are dedicated to practice and learning.
• Afternoons invite us into creative spaces — voice work, fire rituals, expression, and rest.
It is an honor for us to walk this path, and to offer a similar experience on this magical island facing Africa.
Whether you are just starting out or looking to revisit the roots of your touch, you are welcome.
About the course
Throughout these 10 days, you will learn a full basic Thai massage sequence that will allow you to confidently offer 90-minute sessions by the end of the course — a perfect starting point to begin sharing with friends, family, and your community.
The way we teach is light and deeply practical.
Your body learns faster than your mind, and without even realizing it, you'll absorb the movements through repetition, presence, and flow.
By following our simple methodology, you'll discover how to move with grace and ease, using your whole body — not your strength. This approach allows you to give massage in a way that feels natural and energizing, without getting tired or overwhelmed.
We will explore key elements of traditional Thai massage:
• The main energy lines (Sen) and how to approach them with clarity and sensitivity.
• How to work with the body in the four fundamental positions — supine (lying face up), prone (face down), side-lying, and seated.
• The use of body weight, breath, rhythm and grounding to support both giver and receiver.
In fact, this is what we love most about Thai massage: when practiced with awareness, it brings benefits not only to the person receiving — but also to the one offering.
When you care, you are cared for.
This course is more than a training — it's an investment in your life and your personal growth.
The value of the experience, and of the knowledge shared by our facilitators with over 20 years of practice, cannot be measured in numbers.
We know, from the heart and from experience, that these 10 days can be deeply transformative.
Whether you come from the world of yoga, movement, somatic exploration or simply a desire to connect, care, and learn with others — this course is for you.
A beautiful place to begin, to return to the roots, and to plant seeds for the future.
Program
Schedule
Arrival day, Thursdat, November 6th:
14:30: Meeting Point at the airport with the shuttle to the venue.
16:30: Setting up the tents.
17:30: Opening circle
19:00: Dinner
20:00: Yin Yoga Class.
From Friday to Saturday:
7:00: Movement exploration class.
8:00: Break slow
10:00- 13.00: BodyWork class
13:30: Lunch
16:30 - 19:30: Bodywork class
20:00: Dinner
22:00: Silence
Ending day, Sunday November 16th:
7:00: Movement class
8:00: Break slow
10:00 - 13:30: Bodywork Class
13:30: Lunch
14:30 - 15:30: Closing circle
17:30: Check out
What to bring
Comfortable clothes.
Your musical instruments.
If easy for you please bring a yoga mat and an extra blanket for your massage futon.
Swimming suit (optional)
Your Magic objects for the Altar.
Location
Espacio El Solapón. Gran Canaria
A Transformative Off-Grid Experience in Nature.
We found this place only because a friend recommended it to us!
A hidden gem, completely off the grid in the mountains of Gran Canaria, in a valley of palm trees and red soil, this is THE place to RETREAT and disconnect from our modern fast lives and tap into our own rhythms and nature. After driving on mountain roads for about an hour from the coast we will arrive at Espacio el Solapon, a camping ground lovingly taken care of by our host Mari Carmen.
Everything here says connect to (your own) nature.
Accommodations are simple yet deeply cozy:
Sleep in your own tent, which feels like a little nest, offering comfort and a deep connection to the land. Waking up in nature every day, with the sounds of the wild surrounding you, will ground and energize you in ways you never imagined.
A unique highlight of this retreat is the small, refreshing pond within the cave—perfect for an energizing cold plunge to start your day.
Afterward, enjoy the open-air kitchen and dining area, where the meals are prepared with care and love, and unwind in a hammock surrounded by lush banana plants.
This retreat isn’t just a place—it’s a way of being.
Living outdoors, in harmony with the earth, brings a sense of freedom and clarity.
It’s an experience that enhances not just your practice, but your entire perspective on life.
The Dream Team
Elisabeth green & Eva Sion
Elisabeth & Eva are passionate and experienced professionals in the field of healing bodywork.
Coming from different backgrounds, they first crossed paths in 2017 while working as assistant teachers for Pau Castellsagué during a Thai Massage course at the Sunshine House in Greece.
An instant connection blossomed between them, rooted in their shared vision of teaching bodywork in a fresh and organic way—one that emphasizes practice and intuition over heavy theory & structure.
Their first collaboration as teachers happened in 2019, and from that moment, a seed of creativity was planted. This is how Under The Skin was born: a healing space nestled in nature and silence, where they could share their passion for bodywok.
Their approach merges the Art of Thai Massage with Osteopathic sensitivity and a deep sense of presence.
For the past three years, Eva and Elisabeth have been teaching advanced bodywork courses in stunning natural surrounding of Gran Canaria. They feel profoundly grateful for the magic of this special place, which adds so much to the experience of learning and connection.
Now, they’ve recognized a growing need for a basic Thai Yoga Massage course—a space where participants can fully immerse themselves in this beautiful art form and reconnect with their own essence.
edu albert - guest teacher of thai massage &yoga -
Eduard Albert is a seasoned professional specializing in integral yoga, traditional Thai massage, and meditation.
His approach goes beyond physical postures, guiding individuals toward conscious physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.
He organizes retreats and massage sessions, focusing on sharing ancient wisdom while fostering a deep connection with nature, music, and inner balance.
Edu blends practices such as Yoga Nidra, Yoga Dance, Kirtan, and Thai therapy, offering a holistic experience that reduces stress, reconnects the soul, and revitalizes vital energy.
sheeryn moon - play fight facilitator -
Nurturing personal & collective growth is at the heart of my work, guided by a deep love for weaving play, mindfulness & connection into daily life.
Currently training as a Playfight facilitator, I work as a teacher trainer & coach, dedicated to creating & running courses on wellbeing, mindfulness, team building, leadership, & trauma-informed emotional intelligence.
Having participated in all Under the Skin events, I deeply admire Eva & Elisabeth’s ability to teach with clarity & creativity, fostering spaces of deep learning, kindness & reflection. Everything I know about massage, I’ve learned through these events. I aspire to carry forward the art of holding generous, supportive spaces in all I do.
paula andrea - vegan cheff -
Nurturing personal & collective growth is at the heart of my work, guided by a deep love for weaving play, mindfulness & connection into daily life.
Currently training as a Playfight facilitator, I work as a teacher trainer & coach, dedicated to creating & running courses on wellbeing, mindfulness, team building, leadership, & trauma-informed emotional intelligence.
Having participated in all Under the Skin events, I deeply admire Eva & Elisabeth’s ability to teach with clarity & creativity, fostering spaces of deep learning, kindness & reflection. Everything I know about massage, I’ve learned through these events. I aspire to carry forward the art of holding generous, supportive spaces in all I do.
Flo Hanetschek - photo & video support-
Flo has always felt a deep connection to dance and moving images.
In 2017, she began studying Thai massage, expanding her understanding of the body.
A member of the Under the Skin team since its inception, Flo is responsible for recording the classes, ensuring that students can stay present in each lesson and access valuable, high-quality material to continue their growth at home. She is also the creator of an entire collection of high-quality photographic content.
Being part of this project is an honor, and she is filled with excitement for what lies ahead in the new course.
noela silva
I’m Noela Silva, in 2 words, scientific and mystic lover. I work in the field of body therapies and well-being, combining my background in molecular biology, my passion for yoga, ancestral practices, and the conscious use of plants.
With heartfelt gratitude, I join each year in the unique thread of learning and growth offered by the wonderful Under the Skin retreat.
Invest in yourself
Invest in yourself:
The full price for the 10-day course includes:
✔ All classes and guided practices
✔ Three healthy, vegetarian meals per day
✔ Camping accommodation (bring your own tent or ask us for rental options)
✔ Access to all afternoon activities (voice, fire, creativity...)
We believe in simplicity and transparency — the price you see is the price you pay.
Full Course: €1450
Early Bird till 30/09: €1350
ans special price for old students. Contact us for details.
Spaces are limited to keep the group intimate and the learning personal. Early registration is recommended.
Does not include:
Transportation to the site. Let us know if you need info on that!
Optional extra nights and/or meals. Feel free to come early or leave after and enjoy some extra time in this magnificent location. Contact us for further details.
Ready to join?
To confirm your spot, we kindly ask for a 25% deposit of the total amount.
This deposit is fully refundable up to 30 days before the course begins.
After that date, we won’t be able to offer refunds, as many aspects of the course (meals, logistics, team...) depend on confirmed participants.
We thank you for your understanding — your commitment helps us take care of everyone involved.
INFORMATION ENQUIRY
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Please use the form below if you need more information about our retreats or services.