I genuinely can't sing. Is this workshop still for me?

Yes — and you would not be the first woman in the room to say that. The session starts with sound and tone rather than singing, which is exactly why women who insist they cannot sing tend to be fine within a few minutes.

Do I have to perform in front of everyone?

No. There is no audience and nobody is being judged. It builds gradually in a room of women who are on your side, not watching for mistakes.

What actually happens, step by step?

It starts small — breath, sound, tone — and builds toward using your voice more fully, eventually with words. Nothing is sprung on you, and each stage is introduced before you are asked to try it.

What if I get emotional or embarrassed partway through?

That is common, and nobody treats it as a problem. You can hum instead of project, pause, or step back at any point without it being remarked on.

Can I just watch instead of taking part?

You can sit at the back, participate at a whisper, or leave — all of that is a complete answer. Like every practice at Portals, this one is an invitation, not a requirement.

Why is this session part of the week at all?

A lot of women in the circle have spent years measuring how much space their voice takes up. Using it fully, out loud, on purpose, is often the session women end up talking about the most afterwards.

Finding your voice and your power

Finding Your Voice Out Loud

Most women in the circle are excellent at speaking for other people. This session is about speaking as yourself.

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Vocal activation workshop at the Portals retreat

What happens

A workshop, not a performance

You use your voice in a room with other women — sound, tone, volume, and eventually words.

There is no audition and no audience. Nobody is graded, and nobody is asked to sing a song they know.

It builds gradually. It starts with sound rather than singing, which is why women who insist they cannot sing usually end up fine.

Why it lands

The room where you have been quiet

A lot of women have spent years measuring their volume. Softening an opinion. Waiting for a gap that did not come. Deciding it was not worth the friction.

Using your full voice out loud, on purpose, in front of women who are on your side, is a strange and physical thing. It is often the session women talk about most afterwards.

If you are dreading it

You can participate at any volume

This is the session women most often say they want to skip. It is also the one they most often thank Shannon for afterwards.

That said — you can hum. You can sit at the back. You can leave. Every practice at Portals is an invitation.

In their words

Women who walked through

Jasmin

Soma Yoga · Nervous system wellbeing

New Zealand

“The retreat gave me a sisterhood I didn’t know I was missing.”

I feel nourished, full of love, and very relaxed. The quality of women who led and attended were full of wisdom and personality.

The dynamic at the end, filled with harmony, love, and connection, illustrated the retreat’s essence perfectly.

If you are feeling stuck, broken, exhausted, or simply in need of refuge and connection, go to the Portals Retreat. It’s a beautiful opportunity to reconnect with your wholeness.

Ciara

Founder of The Unity Studio · Songwriter · Mom

Toronto, Canada

“This retreat is an absolute must for any woman who is truly ready to know herself and step into her power.”

I joined the retreat knowing deeply that this would connect me more to my work, my transformation, and to Shannon, and all are true.

Being held in a space with the women is incredibly potent. Supporting each other to transform is priceless. The guides, the shamans, and the facilitators hold and create a safe, sacred space for transformation. It was truly magical, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

In my case, I’ve experienced the passing of my child from a terminal illness two years ago, which led to the demise of my marriage and career as my partner and I were in a music duo together. This precious week came at the perfect time for me and has supported me in moving forward in my highest purpose.

Shannon holds a sacred space for women, and her tender approach is gentle yet encouraging. The shamans and healers we worked with are high-level and authentic. I can’t think of a better place to meet Temazcal and the divine medicine of Ayahuasca for the first time.

I’m so grateful I did this for myself. I’ll never be the same.

Hagit

New York, USA

“The group of women was so beautiful, safe, loving, and compassionate.”

I’ve been interested in trying Ayahuasca for many years. I was searching for a healing retreat with women that included a variety of healing modalities. This retreat ticked all the boxes.

It provided a very safe and loving container for making huge shifts. Every activity was carefully and perfectly designed for deep introspection, all while being supported by incredibly strong, wise, and loving sisters.

I loved connecting with women from around the world and participating in memorable activities like visiting the cenote and watching the sunrise on the beach. The setting was stunning, the meals were healthy and gorgeous, and Shannon shares her gifts in a truly magical way.

The Portals Retreat was more than I ever imagined. I am forever changed and deeply grateful for this amazing journey of self-love and self-discovery.

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