Current
COURSES
Almeji 2025
Calendar at a glance…
March 9th-16th 2025
Staying Sane in a Crazy World
maggie whiteley
march 29th-april 5th 2025
The Roots of Happiness
Judi Ledward & Caroline Cross
april 8th 2025
1 Day Taster Course
Introduction to Sustainable Garden Design
Mhairi Clutson
april 27th-may 4th 2025
The Garden of the Heart
Beverley A’Court
May 11th-18th 2025
Walking in the Sierra de Ronda
Enrique
May 11th-16th 2025 (5 days)
The Poetry of Land and Soul
Rebecca Faro & Rafael Anderson
May 11th-16th 2025 (5 days)
Tai Chi – Qigong Energy
Simon Allen
June 1st-8th 2025
Sustainable Healing Gardens
Mhairi Clutson
June 8th-15th 2025
Exploring Mindfulness through Playful Art
Ignacio Lalanne
June 8th-15th 2025
The Smugglers’ Trails
Enrique
Sept 7th-14th 2025
Meaningful and Life-Affirming Relationships in a Changing World
Javier Rodriguez
Sept 7th-14th 2025
In the footsteps of the Bandoleros
Enrique
Sept 14th-21st 2025
Change Your Posture, Change Your Life
Richard Brennan & Kecia Chin
Sept 21st-28th 2025
Back in Balance
Richard Brennan & Kecia Chin
Sept 28th – Oct 3rd 2025
Pilates
Penny Little
Oct 5th-10th – 2025
Women’s Hiking
COurse FUll
Nov 2nd-9th – 2025
The Copper Forest
Enrique
Dec 21st-28th 2025
Christmas Week
Rachel Caine and Simon Allen
Courses in detail…
Staying Sane in a Crazy World
March 9th-16th 2025
maggie whiteley
“If you want to awaken all of humanity, then awaken all of yourself!” Lao Tzu
How do we manage our response to the current state of the world? It can be overwhelming. We can find ourselves swinging from doom-scrolling despair to head-in-the-sand denial, both of which increase our sense of powerlessness. In this retreat we’ll use meditation, ritual, creativity, and group sharing giving you the chance to connect deeply so you can go home ready to make your unique contribution and become a beacon of hope.. You will know and trust what you have to offer, be it big or small, and let it shine out. […click arrow to read more…]
You are not powerless. It’s time to wake up. Wake up and cultivate joy and inner stillness so you can be fully present for yourself and others. Wake up your deep wisdom spreading love in the face of hatred and greed. Wake up and be rebellious, firmly resisting what is unacceptable to you.
There is a seriousness of purpose in this course, however, with Maggie you can expect a lightness of touch in the delivery and a good dollop of fun and irreverent humour.
The Roots of Happiness
Course Full – march 29th-april 5th 2025
Judi Ledward & Caroline Cross
“The very source of all happiness is your beingness; be there!” Nasargadatta Maharaj
Our 21st century lives are full of distraction: 24 hour news, smart phones, long hours at work, family commitments. Within all the busy-ness it can be hard to find our centredness, a place from which we know who we are, how we feel, what we truly want, what next. On this course we will explore ways to connect with ourselves, others and our environment, to be fully present in our lives and our being. […click arrow to read more…]
Among the noise of doing it’s hard to stay with being, and being present. We may stay busy and distracted to avoid feelings unfelt, thoughts that torment us, fears about the future. What we lose by staying plugged into our handy technology is living life fully in the present moment.
When we are present in our bodies, feelings and experience we can be fully who we are and wholeheartedly ride the tides of life. We can let go of ways we haunt ourselves about the past and of fears and fantasies about the future. By dropping into rather than avoiding our felt experience we can discover what we need and move through suffering to happiness. We can savour the beauty, pleasure, creativity and aliveness available to us in big and small ways in the present moment.
We will use movement, music, song, creativity, meditation, the power of the present moment, the therapeutic process of the group and personal work if wanted, to discover and dissolve obstacles within us, and fully inhabit ourselves and our lives.
Introduction to Sustainable Garden Design
1-Day Taster Course
april 8th 2025
Mhairi Clustson
Escape to the beautiful Serrania de Ronda mountains for an inspiring 1 day course in Sustainable Garden Design. This relaxed taster course is perfect for gardeners, nature lovers, & aspiring designers, who would like to learn how you can start creating a beautiful, resilient garden that thrives with minimal water and enhances biodiversity.
This course will cover practical issues like planning , water-wise planting, soil improvement, and sustainable landscaping techniques and how they have been incorporated in local gardens designed by the tutor.
Whether you dream of transforming your own garden and want to learn more; or simply want a creative day out, this hands-on experience will leave you full of inspiration and a fresh way of looking at your outdoor spaces.
The cost for this course is 110€ including lunch
The Garden of the Heart
april 27th – may 4th 2025
Beverley A’Court
“What is it, the heart? It is the sound of the pine breeze in the ink painting” (Zen master Ikkuyu) “Take yourself to the garden so the garden can take you to yourself ” (Darlene White)
I welcome you to this immersive, creative-therapeutic adventure, supported and inspired by the ancient imagery of the sacred, paradise garden. Would you value time to tend the ‘garden’ of your heart, dedicated time in deep listening with your whole body and senses, to reflect on your joys, sorrows and ‘heart’s desires through art? I look forward to supporting you to experiment with mixed found and natural materials, following subtle ‘callings’ from nature within and around you, accompanied by our beautiful theme. […click arrow to read more…]
Would you like to learn creative ways to nurture yourself with compassion in your everyday life?
Would you like to let go of stress or pressure around’ art’, to experience art-as-non-doing, through gentle, playful and meditative ways into a ‘flow’ state of authentic, uncontrived art-making?
Would you like to experience the healing power of making-in-communion with nature, and the state of relaxed, embodied presence this awakens?
Are you curious to discover the vast reservoir of inspiration within your body memory, imagination and cultural heritage, and enjoy how they weave together to support creativity and healing?
No formal artistic training or skills are required, just a willing openness to experiment and surprise yourself and engage supportively with group members as we journey together.
Walking in the Sierra de Ronda
May 11th-18th 2025
Enrique, Gaucin
Enrique’s walks will take you through some of the most beautiful and yet least known parts of the mountains around Ronda. Nestled between three national parks, the Serrania de Ronda has both exceptional beauty and environmental value. You will enjoy a full range of mountain, valley, river and forest landscapes – and the flora and fauna they contain – and visit Andalusia’s charming whitewashed villages. Walking through these villages and the surrounding hills is like travelling back in time. You will come away steeped in both natural and human history. […click arrow to read more…]
The walks that you will do are moderate in difficulty with a combination of wide tracks and narrow paths with a stony surface underfoot at times.
Located close to the town of Ronda, the capital of the region, this is the perfect setting for all kinds of outdoor activities and offers a magnificent historic, cultural and gastronomic experience.
The Poetry of Land and Soul
May 11th – 16th 2025 (5 days)
Rebecca Faro & Rafael Anderson
A Creative Cultural fusion… In a five day writing, storytelling with movement retreat, we will start exploring our inner landscapes, connecting to ourselves, and asking the following questions… What are our stories that make us who we are? How do we connect to our bodies to help express our authentic voice? What do we want to write into the script of our lives? What whispers from our soul guide us there? All of these are explored through a blend of the healing power of expressive writing techniques, meditation, self-inquiry and tuning into our bodies and intuition – all within a supportive environment. […click arrow to read more…]
Then we turn towards the stories held in the outer landscapes… We will immerse ourselves in this beautiful land through the rich tapestry of ancient stories passed down over the years. We will visit the sites where these tales began and absorb the lives that once were lived here, in Ronda, and will be invited to write reflections that filter back to our own.
Rebecca and Rafael have a deep but light touch to their facilitation, making it an immersive, exploratory experience. Come and fill your creative and cultural cup. No experience in writing or movement necessary just come ready to explore!
“Rebecca weaves her talents with calm, warmth & gentle encouragement making each experience meditative, contemplative yet freeing. I could not have placed myself in better hands.” Shell W, New Zealand
“Rebecca supports the clients to embrace their Inner Knowing . She taps into their narrative and brings forth their innate insights. She fuses together a blend of authentic movement, expression through the written word, poetry, drawing, sounding and music. I truly believe through the sessions with her she helped me to excavate my own being.” Glynis Judge
“We try never to miss Rafael’s presentations at the Nerja history society which are always the highlight of its annual program. Rafa kept us spellbound for hours as we learnt about the history of this amazing achievement so long ago. Few people are as skilled at weaving story, poetry, images and unexpected discoveries as Rafa.” Mel O’Gorman
Tai Chi – Qigong Energy
May 11th – 16th 2025 (5 days)
Simon Allen
Deep relaxation, inner peace, grounding, and vitality… Simon will be facilitating a retreat week solely dedicated to Tai Chi and Qigong to enable you to dive deeper. All aspects of human life – physical, emotional, mental and spiritual – depend upon our energy levels. This week will focus on helping you to either gain back your depleted energy, or empower you to reach higher levels of it. […click arrow to read more…]
Tai Chi and Qigong is a body mind energy management system that comprises correct breathing techniques, balance and neuromuscular training as well as stress, and emotional management. Tai Chi elicits the relaxation response and balances the autonomic nervous system thus regulating respiration, heart rate, blood pressure and vitality in general.
With regular practice Tai Chi has been shown to increase lung capacity, improve physical posture, cognitive functioning and mental health. Medical research cites that Tai Chi has been observed to improve the quality of life for some people struggling with long Covid, COPD, chronic fatigue, PTSD, depression, and other medical and mental health conditions.
During this week by combining deep rhythmic breathing with slow effortless movements and relaxing your attention into the depths of your body, you can discover a deep sense of peace, connectivity and vitality. Negative energy can be unblocked and released, increasing your stamina and brain functioning, unlocking greater creativity, and giving you improved resilience in high-stress situations.
Tai-chi and Qigong is suitable for all ages, abilities and lifestyles, and Simon’s weeks are open to both complete beginners and those with experience.
Sustainable Healing Gardens
June 1st – 8th 2025
Mhairi Clutson
This relaxed course is suitable for beginners and aims to be fun, inspirational and educational. encouraging spontaneity, creativity and lateral thinking. It is a perfect opportunity for anyone interested in garden design wishing to learn where to start and what needs to be considered. The course will cover the principals of garden design, illustrating the design process with a mixture of relaxed presentations, practical demonstrations and outside visits.
During the 7 days we will cover many topics including: Illusions and effective use of space, Inspiration, Concept Ideas, Mood boards, Drawing a simple plan, Surfaces, Materials & Practicality and of course Planting Principles. The course is designed to provide you with the necessary skills and confidence to enable you to begin designing your own small projects whilst enjoying the amazing location and facilities at Hotel Almaji.
Mhairi says, “The chance to teach small groups at Hotel Almeji in such a beautiful, relaxed environment provides an exciting new opportunity to pass on skills, tips & experiences and to demonstrate that even the most uninspiring spaces can be transformed into beautiful garden sanctuaries that enhance our well-being.”
Exploring Mindfulness through Playful Art
June 8th – 15th 2025
Ignacio Lalanne
We will practice attending to our immediate experience through expressive and playful art with kindness and compassion. It will give you a natural sense of awareness in your life, enabling you to live your life more deeply, centred and at ease in the midst of the ups and downs of your life. It does not matter if you don’t consider yourself an artist or even especially creative. The course is all about process and exploration rather than the final product and outcome. […click arrow to read more…]
We will explore together the fundamental concepts of the ancient practice of samma-Sati (wise/right attention), most commonly known as mindfulness, through brief discussions, guided meditations, mindful movements and creating art.
My workshops have a unique, free-flowing exploration of presence and loving-awareness through art. They blend modern Western art and different traditions embedded within the spirit of Japanese zen art, which is all about inner stillness, spontaneity, self-expression and a deep sense of curiosity and wonder.
You will learn foundational skills of mindful-living:
- greater concentration and focus
- art practice as a path to mindfulness
- learn some expressive & playful art techniques
- rediscovering a sense of curiosity & wonder
- root yourself in the present moment through guided meditations & body movements based on Qi-gong
- how working with breath and body awareness can transform stress and anxiety
- how to cope better with challenging thoughts and emotions
Together, we will experience the extraordinary power found in observing and being aware of the present moment as it unfolds around us.
The Smugglers’ Trails
JunE 8th-15th 2025
Enrique, Gaucin
Enrique’s walks will take you through some of the most beautiful and yet least known parts of the mountains around Ronda. Nestled between three national parks, the Serrania de Ronda has both exceptional beauty and environmental value. You will enjoy a full range of mountain, valley, river and forest landscapes – and the flora and fauna they contain – and visit Andalusia’s charming whitewashed villages. In this particular set of walks, Enrique will take you along the tracks and paths used by the smugglers who moved their contraband from Gibraltar – a major world smuggling depot in the 18th Century – through these hills to their distribution centres in Ronda. […click arrow to read more…]
The walks that you will do are moderate in difficulty with a combination of wide tracks and narrow paths with a stony surface underfoot at times.
Located close to the town of Ronda, the capital of the region, this is the perfect setting for all kinds of outdoor activities and offers a magnificent historic, cultural and gastronomic experience.
Meaningful and Life-Affirming Relationships in a Changing World
Sept 7th – 14th 2025
Javier Rodriguez
Would you like to consciously explore the landscape of human relationships and deepen the awareness of self and others in a safe container? Do you want to learn how to build healthy, nourishing and intimate connections with yourself and others? Our world is changing and with it the general quality of our life and our relationships. This particular workshop is aiming to increase self awareness and provide a set of skills and practices to help you to become more comfortable with being. We will be holistically weaving moments of group learning, sharing, enquiry work, skills practice together with movement, fun, creativity and silence. […click arrow to read more…]
The heavy use of technology, our fast speed and our tendency to get busy is narrowing down opportunities for deep intimacy, fulfilment and healthy relationships . As a result, we may notice symptoms of social isolation around us, an inability to feel comfortable inside ourselves and an awkwardness in relating or enjoying time with others.
Our human condition needs a sense of belonging and a capacity for authentic self -expression in order to grow and evolve as an individual. However, in the process of adaptation we learnt to sacrifice aspects of ourselves when our attachments with others were threatened .
So deep down we are in a dilemma between a longing to be heard, seen and accepted, and the fear that if we are to become visible we may be hurt, rejected or may loose some significant relationships. However, hiding who we really are behind a mask, limits ours possibilities to be fulfilled in our interactions .
Authenticity is about bringing together our internal experience and outer expression, letting go of expectations of who we are supposed to be, and showing up in the world without necessarily compromising our connections with others.
In my experience being authentic has been found to be a key defining factor in many areas of our mental health and psychological wellbeing.
This particular workshop is aiming to increase self awareness and provide a set of skills and practices to help you to become more comfortable with being.
We will be holistically weaving moments of group learning, sharing, enquiry work, skills practice together with movement, fun, creativity and silence.
In the footsteps of the Bandoleros
Sept 7th-14th 2025
Enrique, Gaucin
Enrique’s walks will take you through some of the most beautiful and yet least known parts of the mountains around Ronda. Nestled between three national parks, the Serrania de Ronda has both exceptional beauty and environmental value. You will enjoy a full range of mountain, valley, river and forest landscapes – and the flora and fauna they contain – and visit Andalusia’s charming whitewashed villages. In this particular set of walks, Enrique will walk with you in the footsteps of the ‘Bandoleros’ – these bandits lived in the hills and preyed upon unwary travellers, but were instrumental in fighting back Napoleon’s troops in the 19th Century. […click arrow to read more…]
The walks that you will do are moderate in difficulty with a combination of wide tracks and narrow paths with a stony surface underfoot at times.
Located close to the town of Ronda, the capital of the region, this is the perfect setting for all kinds of outdoor activities and offers a magnificent historic, cultural and gastronomic experience.
Change Your Posture, Change Your Life
Sept 14th – 21st 2025
Richard Brennan & Kecia Chin
Millions of people today are very concerned about improving the way they look and as a result spend a great deal of money on their clothes, cosmetics and at hair salons. Yet, most people would agree that one of the most attractive qualities about a person is the way they sit, stand and move – or in other words their posture. Please bring your questions, a sense of humour and an open mind as this course is rarely what people expect! […click arrow to read more…]
As children we all had beautiful posture, ease, flexibility and grace movement, but as we grow older, however, it is an entirely different story. From the age of five or six, we start to gradually lose our ease and grace movement, as we start to tense our muscles in reaction of life’s worries, fears and concerns. We are then told to hold ourselves in a rigid upright position. ‘Sit up straight’ , ‘Pull our shoulders back’, ‘Head up’ and’ Stomach in’, but this only causes us to tense our muscles even more and just exacerbate the situation. In fact these unnatural postures are the seeds of ill-health in the future.
To obtain good posture it is important to realise that freedom of movement is not achieved by doing anything, but rather by realising what we are already doing to prevent this freedom of movement from taking place and then taking steps to stop interfering with the way we move. This not only allows the body’s own healing processes to function, but also brings about a greater efficiency of energy and a happier outlook on life.
Kecia is an experienced Alexander teacher who will be assisting Richard on this course. She is also an experienced yoga teacher, so this will be a perfect opportunity to examine various forms of exercise such as Yoga, Pilates or Tai Chi to improve efficiency while reducing effort.
Back in Balance
Sept 21st – 28th 2025
Richard Brennan & Kecia Chin
Back in Balance is a course is based on the Alexander Technique which is a unique way of improving balance, posture co-ordination and how we react to external change. It can help prevent or dramatically alleviate neck or back problems, migraine, arthritis, insomnia, depression and stress as well as the whole range of other physical aches and pains that are common today.. […click arrow to read more…]
During the course we will explore everyday activities such as standing sitting, walking and working at a computer to see if we are holding too much tension in our muscles without realising it. This course will help you to improve posture and confidence as well change the way you think which will help you to move through life with greater ease.
Kecia is an experienced Alexander teacher who will be assisting Richard on this course. She is also an experienced yoga teacher, so this will be a perfect opportunity to examine various forms of exercise such as Yoga, Pilates or Tai Chi to improve efficiency while reducing effort.
What people have said who have done these courses in the past:
- ‘One of the best courses I’ve been on!’ MB
- ‘Brilliant – would recommend it to anyone.’ CS
- ‘Excellent, informative, helpful and motivational. We covered a lot in the time but we were relaxed and unhurried at all times.’ DM
- ‘Just brilliant. Extremely useful.’ JB
- ‘I did the same course last year and it was so good I wanted to do it again.’ MK
- ‘Very enlightening.’ DB
- ‘Brilliant. I really learned a lot and it will make a difference to the rest of my life.’ RT
Pilates
Sept 28th-Oct 3rd 2025
Penny LIttle
“If your spine is inflexibly stiff at 30, you are old; if it is completely flexible at 60, you are young.” (Joseph Pilates) Joseph developed his ‘Pilates Method’ in Germany in the 1930s, which focuses on spine lengthening, core abdominals, and coordinating movement and breath with focus and awareness. Pilates aims to improve posture, ease of movement and stability, and it has proved to be so effective and enjoyable to its devotees that it is now practiced all around the world. Pilates is beneficial for people of all ages and body conditions, and in this course we will dive deeply into the practice of Pilates, whether you are a complete beginner or more experienced practitioner. […click arrow to read more…]
The exercises are modifiable for every level, ability and movement limitation. Penny is an experienced teacher of mixed ability classes and ensures that each member of the group is challenged and supported according to their individual capacity. She has a deep awareness of how past injuries or current conditions can affect our alignment and movement, allowing her to tailor the exercises to her clients’ needs.
A typical class will incorporate breathing practice, movement, stretching and strengthening so that your muscles become more balanced, giving you strength, flexibility and stability. We do exercises in standing, sitting, lying down and in 4-point kneeling, using props such as balls and bands to aid in both stretching and strengthening.
Women’s Hiking
Nov 2nd – 9th 2025
Course full
Course full
The Copper Forest
Nov 2nd – 9th 2025
Enrique, Gaucin
Enrique’s walks will take you through some of the most beautiful and yet least known parts of the mountains around Ronda. Nestled between three national parks, the Serrania de Ronda has both exceptional beauty and environmental value. You will enjoy a full range of mountain, valley, river and forest landscapes – and the flora and fauna they contain – and visit Andalusia’s charming whitewashed villages. This particular set of walks explores the Genal Valley’s unique ‘Copper Forest’ – a spectacular feast of yellows, oranges and ochres the region treats us to as the leaves fall from the chestnut trees. […click arrow to read more…]
The walks that you will do are moderate in difficulty with a combination of wide tracks and narrow paths with a stony surface underfoot at times.
Located close to the town of Ronda, the capital of the region, this is the perfect setting for all kinds of outdoor activities and offers a magnificent historic, cultural and gastronomic experience.
Christmas Week
Dec 21st-28th 2025
Rachel Caine and Simon Allen
A beautiful week of warm-heartedness and compassionate sharing, with plenty of space to do your own thing, alongside mixing in community, at what can be a difficult time of year. There will be sessions offering Tai Chi and Qigong, meditation and sacred clowning, writing and poetry, ritual and ceremony, with evening fireside time for music, singing and magical co-creation, as we relax and deepen our connections. There will be an additional supplement of £100 for this course. […click arrow to read more…]
The week will include an excursion in this beautiful region and we can surprise each other by combining our gifts to strengthen our roots, discovering greater balance and harmony as we celebrate together. We can also expect to laugh a lot!
“Christmas week was the best alternative I could have chosen! I felt completely at home and came away feeling relaxed and restored. The facilitator Rachel was brilliant fun and achieved the perfect balance of serious and silly” – Claire “Laughter, the best tonic, became very commonplace!” – Anna