A journey of healing, purpose and spiritual growth

I first met Joana through her yoga classes, which were held at her yoga studio in Portimão. It was my friend who recommended her, as she regularly attended Joana's baby yoga classes with her daughter. I joined one of the adult classes and immediately admired Joana's professionalism and dedication. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to continue attending regularly. After a while, I noticed she had become inactive on social media and started wondering whether the yoga classes were still taking place. Soon afterwards, I discovered she had launched a new project called The Magical Temple, which immediately caught my attention and made me want to learn more. I contacted Joana, and she shared her story with me.

A career helping others

Joana's journey wasn't something she had planned. Looking back, she believes every stage of her life, from working with people and dealing with personal loss to discovering yoga, eventually led her to where she is today.

Before becoming known for yoga, retreats and women's wellbeing programmes, Joana studied sociology and later completed a master's degree in cultural management. Her first career was far removed from the wellness world.

"I always loved working with people," she says. "My job was about helping people recognise their potential and improve their lives."

After graduating, she worked in Nazaré, Lisbon and Leiria, travelling constantly for her job. Although she enjoyed the work itself, the lifestyle eventually became exhausting.

"I remember asking the universe to make a decision for me because I couldn't just leave my job without having another one lined up. The very next day, I got a phone call from the University of the Algarve. I had sent them my CV a year earlier, and suddenly they were looking for someone."

She accepted the position in Lagoa, later continuing similar work in Portimão, where she remained until government changes brought the programme to an end.

Finding healing through yoga

Behind her professional life, however, Joana was carrying something much heavier.

"When I was 16, my brother died in a motorcycle accident. At the time, I kept going, I finished university, started working and never really allowed myself to grieve."

Years later, the trauma surfaced through anxiety and panic attacks.

"I realised I needed help. I started psychotherapy and returned to yoga. Both helped me enormously. Yoga brought me back to myself."

Although yoga became an important part of her healing, it had actually entered her life much earlier.

"I was about 15 when I first discovered yoga through books. I was curious, I loved reading and started practising on my own without telling anyone. It was my little secret."

As her own wellbeing improved, so did her desire to understand yoga more deeply. She attended classes, read extensively, listened to podcasts and became fascinated not only by the physical practice but also by its philosophy.

"I didn't dream of becoming a yoga teacher at first. I simply wanted everyone around me to experience what I was experiencing because it made me feel so much better."

From teacher to mentor

Her passion for working with children also led her to specialise in baby yoga, children's yoga and teenage classes. Over the years she taught in studios, gyms and schools across the Algarve, organised teacher training, led retreats and introduced yoga to hundreds of families.

In 2013, after losing her previous job, Joana travelled alone to India.

"I didn't go looking for answers. I simply wanted to travel. But it was there that I quietly admitted to myself for the first time that maybe I was meant to become a yoga teacher."

During her master's studies, Joana also volunteered with children in Turkey. She says it was an experience that made her realise people are more alike than different, no matter where they come from.

"We are all different, but in the end we all want the same things. It's actually very easy to be happy."

For many years, Joana ran a successful yoga studio, teaching babies, children, teenagers, adults and pregnant women. Despite having full classes, she felt it was time for another change.

"In 2024 I realised I wanted to evolve my purpose and expand. I wanted a space where women could reconnect with themselves."

That idea became The Magical Temple, a project focused on women's wellbeing through online mentoring, retreats, and personal development programmes.

"The Magical Temple is a place where women can empower themselves, reconnect with who they really are and live more authentically."

Creating The Magical Temple

Rather than offering only regular yoga classes, Joana now hopes to organise more immersive experiences.

"I see myself creating retreats, workshops and deeper transformational programmes rather than teaching weekly classes. I like to give people tools they can continue using themselves."

Looking back, she believes every stage of her life helped shape the work she does today.

"I only teach what has truly helped me. Yoga, breathing, meditation, Reiki, writing — these are the things that helped me through difficult moments."

She also believes that self-care does not need to be complicated.

"We all drink water every day, but we should also take care of our energy every day. Even if it's only five minutes to stop, breathe and reconnect with ourselves."

Although The Magical Temple is still evolving, Joana already has ambitious plans, including expanding its online platform and creating more retreats in the future. For now, however, her goal remains simple.

"To be happy. To enjoy life. When I do things from the heart, I believe they also help other people."

Today, Joana's focus is on helping women navigate periods of change and transform their lives through the work she does at The Magical Temple. Whether you're going through a life transition, looking for more balance or simply feel it's time to reconnect with yourself, you can contact Joana through Instagram @TheMagicalTemple or by email at themagicaltemple@gmail.com to learn more about her programmes and upcoming retreats.