MAARTEN DE VOS

I live and work on the Costa Vicentina in southwest Portugal, where nature, movement, and silence form the foundation of my work. Being in nature allows people to slow down, reconnect, and access deeper layers of themselves. Through a combination of yoga, meditation, mindful movement, and personal leadership exercises, participants are guided to take steps not only physically, but also internally, helping insights to surface and integrate into everyday life.

Within Coast2Core, I contribute as a facilitator to a safe and supportive setting where silence, nature, and movement can do their work. I emphasize translating insights into practical steps that can be applied after the journey. For those who wish to continue, there is the option for one-on-one coaching, both live and online, to explore personal questions and deepen the process. This allows for continued support and integration of insights into daily life. More information is available at www.hiddenvalleyportugal.nl.

My academic journey began at the Outdoor Sports Academy in the Netherlands, followed by a degree in Physical Education. Over 20 years, I have coached adolescents and adults across European countries and beyond, including the Alps, Norway, and the Netherlands, supporting resilience, growth, and self-awareness.

Alongside outdoor education, I have practiced yoga and meditation for over 20 years. I completed accredited Yoga Coaching programs and have integrated yoga, conscious breathwork, and focused attention exercises into my personal leadership approach. I currently work as a personal leadership trainer on the Fisherman’s Trail and guide groups in the Sierra Nevada, facilitating experiences that combine movement, reflection, and nature-based exploration.

I support individuals and groups in developing self-awareness, resilience, and balance. I also work one-on-one with people facing burn-out and related challenges, guiding them outdoors along the west coast or online. I help participants gain clarity, approach life with ease, and cultivate positivity, enabling them to integrate insights into daily life with confidence.

www.hiddenvalleyportugal.nl 

RAUL SALDARRIAGA

Since childhood, dance has been a natural extension of play for me, a way to continue exploring and creating even into adulthood. I firmly believe that improvisation is an adventure into the unknown, where each movement is an opportunity to discover and creatively resolve challenges. I love all forms of improvisation, whether in dance, theater, or music, for the freedom and playfulness they offer.

One of the most meaningful moments for me is when, in the middle of a class, a communication channel opens between what I want to transmit and what the participants understand. Seeing how an idea or movement resonates and transforms someone's way of dancing is deeply rewarding.

My approach to dance has evolved through constant exploration of performance and improvisation. I'm passionate about inhabiting the present and being open to change, finding different games and sources of inspiration that enrich my artistic approach. I love exploring paths that intersect with different images, arts, and disciplines, creating a space where dance becomes a universal language.  

Raúl Saldarriaga, an artistic researcher, performer, and choreographer, leads Amsterdam's “Casagrafia”  movement collective. He holds two bachelors,  BA in Art Pedagogy,  and other one inContemporary Dance, an MA in Interactive Media and Choreography (Hanze University, NL), and an MA in Choreography and Community (CODARTS University and FONTYS University). With a decade of experience teaching Contact Improvisation in the Netherlands and worldwide, he has been invited to teach at CI Festival Asturias, CI Festival Sintra, and CI Festival Netherlands for the last 4 editions. Currently, he explores playfulness in adulthood through Contact Improvisation while teaching at Vrijehogeschool.

https://www.casagrafia.com