The historic town of Obidios and lunch in Nazaré followed by a visit to the top of the cliffs for the most spectaular, breathtaking views.
There is a reason we take our practice out of the studio and into the world. In Pilates, we focus on alignment and breath, but sometimes, you need a change of scenery to truly feel those principles in action. During our excursion this past October, we visited two locations that perfectly mirrored the balance we seek in our bodies:
Óbidos: Grounding & Stability
We began in the historic town at the Usseira Aqueduct (pictured). Looking at those 16th-century arches, I couldn’t help but think about the spine—a strong, curved structure designed to support everything else. Walking the town of Óbidos was an exercise in active recovery; the cobblestone streets challenged our ankle stability and balance, turning a simple sightseeing walk into mindful movement.
Nazaré: Expansion & Breath
Later, we headed to the cliffs of Nazaré. Standing at the Sítio, looking down at the vast expanse of the Atlantic, felt like a deep, cleansing exhale. This spot is famous for its massive energy and waves, reminding us of the power inherent in nature—and in ourselves. It was a moment of pure decompression, allowing us to return to our practice with the memory or “lightness” and “expansiveness.”
Moments of Movement and Mindfulness
Standing on the cliffs of Nazaré overlooking the Atlantic Ocean; inhaling the salt air and watching the endless horizon was the ultimate reset for the nervous system. Definitely a raw power place — the same energy we try to harness in our practice. It was the perfect backdrop to reconnect with our bodies outside the studio.
We stood atop the Sítio, the clifftop district that watches over the town. This spot is steeped in the ‘Legend of Nazaré,’ where a knight was miraculously saved from falling off the cliff while hunting in the fog. Today, it’s famous for a different kind of miracle: the North Canyon. This underwater geological trench funnels massive swells toward the lighthouse (Forte de São Miguel Arcanjo), creating the largest surfable waves on the planet.
Even on a calm, sunny day in October, standing on those cliffs gives you a fresh perspective on the power of nature—a perfect theme for our movement journey.
Óbidos: The Queen’s Gift Our journey into the past began the moment we spotted the Usseira Aqueduct (pictured in the arches photo). Built in the 1570s by Queen Catherine of Austria, this 3km architectural marvel is still standing strong today.
It sets the tone for Óbidos, a walled city that was traditionally given as a wedding gift to Portuguese queens. Inside the walls, it’s a preservation of history—whitewashed houses, cobblestone streets, and the scent and production of of Ginjinha (cherry liqueur).
Chocolate cups with cherry liqueur, one of the region’s famous sweets, were enjoyed 😉
I loved the contrasts of the morning mass to the evening cherry wine. 😉
A classically trained Pilates Teacher, Gina and has been teaching along the Gold Coast of Hudson and Bergen County, NJ for more than twenty+ years. Certified by Power Pilates of New York, Gina has trained with a myriad of #2nd Generation Master Teachers Bob Liekens, Susan Moran, Brett Howard, Clare Dunphy-Hemani.
Gina holds a BA from Upsala College and MBA from New York University and uses all her corporate business management expertise in the management of the studio and business. She actively supports a myriad of clients, teaching all to honor their health, strength and life with the principles of Pilates at its core.
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