Founder of Karuna Retreat Center, Dr, Bal has been a practitioner of Vipassana and Tibetan Buddhist meditation for the past 40 years. He concluded a three and half years retreat with the guidance of Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche and a year and half solitary retreat. He is a Traditional Chinese Medicine Doctor (acupuncture), having earned his Degree in 1982 from École de Cinque Elements (former O.C.N.A.) in France and holds a Master Degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine from Abel Salazar Biomedical Institute - University of Porto in Portugal. Dr. Bal works in several clinics throughout the country but lately has been living on and off at Karuna where you can find him

D r . B A L K R I S H N A M A G A N L A L ( 1 9 5 0 - 2 0 2 2 )

A N A F E R R A Z

Ana has been Karuna's manager for over 15 years. It is impossible to miss her presence at Karuna for she's the one who keeps the gardens beautiful, the place running and cooks the most delicious meals ever! Ana holds a degree in Somatic Psychotherapy from the International Institute for Biosynthesis.

A N N E D I N N E E N

Born in Ireland, living in Serra de Monchique, Algarve, Portugal since 1988. Anne Dinneen, qualified as a teacher in Hatha Yoga with Chetan Mahesh, from the Association for Yoga and Meditation in Rishikesh, India. Anne obtained a IYA Diploma- (Indian Yoga Alliance) and has also completed a one year teacher training course at the International Yoga Knowledge Centre in Monchique, Portugal.

Her yoga classes will deepen your journey of self discovery through asana and breathing. Whether you are a beginner or doing yoga regularly, you will feel relaxed and energized.

D O U T O R A V E E N A F E R N A N D E S

Dr. Veena Fernandes is an Ayurvedic Doctor. She obtained her Bachelor Degree in Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery from Gujarat Ayurvedic University, one of the most prestigious universities in India. Specialized in Panchakarma treatments (ideal for healing chronic diseases and deep pathologies like obesity, migraine, psoriasis, stress and anxiety, depression, gastritis, arthritis and osteoporosis) and Rasayana therapy (rejuvenation treatment). Dr. Veena works at several health clinics in the Algarve as well as at the Karuna Meditation Center. You can book an appointment with her on weekdays and you'll probably also find her leading Ayurvedic cuisine workshops at Karuna!

A H U N D R E D M O R E . . .

This website page wouldn't be enough to mention all the people who participate actively at the Karuna Retreat Center Project. For all those precious friends, not mentioned here (and there is more than a hundred...), a warm thank you.