Dates
30 March - 4 April 2023
The challenging runs
The running routes have been chosen by Ceri, a successful athlete, mountain guide and retreat leader, who once lived in Spain, and reflect his love of landscape as a way of feeling connected.
From Hujate, it’s possible to run for miles between villages and towns, navigating Los Ramblas (the dried-up river beds) and the via verdes, where the olives were transported to be pressed, as well as the miner’s paths up in the mountains.
The routes are deliberately challenging, and designed to take you out of your comfort zone and into the growth zone but you are welcome to opt in and out at any times.
The easier runs
There will be alternative, easier runs for people who are not seasoned runners. The owner of Molina Viejo Bernard is also a keen marathon runner and your qigong instructor Amanda, was also trained in hypnotherapy by a running hypnotherapist, so there will be a healthy spread of running literature around the retreat!
The two hardest challenges will be the run up Mount Jabalcon in Granada, at 1492 metres above sea level. Not surprisingly the views from its peak present breathtaking, all encompassing vistas of the contrasting mountainscapes of the Sierra Nevada, and the stunning vision of Lake Negratin. You can also experience a fascinating diversity and hues of geology here. The other toughie is to the top of Los Minares from the Parador del Candrail, which will take you from around 1000m to 1800m over 8K.
QiGong
Amanda offers Qigong, breathwork and visualizations for resilience training which embodies:
- Being optimum in body, mind and spirit
- Using your emotions to your advantage
- Reaching your optimal performance and focus
- Stop sabotaging your performance with your emotions
- Become your best self physically, mentally, and spiritually
- Learn to control your emotions and use them to your advantage
- Heal, recover, and restore energy
Plus
- Powerful Taoist QiGong breathing techniques
- Moving your body with less effort and more power
- Perfecting posture to avoid wear and tear
- Cultivating and storing “Qi” vital energy
- QiGong moves to help you heal, rejuvenate, become stronger, faster, more flexible, and agile
- Gain more control over your body, mind and energy through powerful guided visualizations
The Gong Bath
The Gong Bath sessions are taken by Frank, who lives in nearby Beza and have been chosen as part of the growth programme. They will help you to reach new levels of relaxation and to appreciate the ancient art of vibrational healing. Be open minded and try it. It’s worth it.
The science bit: During a sound bath, which simulates REM sleep, you will shift first into the alpha state, before moving into the theta brain wave state.
Fitness levels
Some background in running would be beneficial and you should have a reusable level of fitness. However you don’t have to be a primed athlete to sign up. You just need to be capable of running a half marathon at any pace.
Accommodation
The Molino Viejo is a beautiful old renovated mill, nestled in the Almanzora Valley in the Almeria region of Andalusía, surrounded by limestone mountains, olive and sweet smelling almond trees, with historic towns such as Seron, nearby to visit.
The location is really memorable. Location is key, and this venue has a history of ecotourism, where locals and visitors can mix, without that ‘them and us’ mentality, which you can get elsewhere.
In typical Spanish style, there are two inner courtyards, one of which houses a separate annex bedroom and a large dipping pool.
Season
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
