Art of Breathing, Creative Writing and Shibashi Qigong in the Alpujarras (Granada), Spain

We are very happy to offer you the opportunity to spend 5 days and nights in the beautiful mountain surroundings of Alpujarras, Spain – a famous touchstone of inspiration for artists and writers from Gerald Brenan and Federico García Lorca to contemporary working artists.  Here, we will combine the study of the Alexander Technique, Jessica Wolf’s Art of Breathing and of Shibashi Qigong with the pursuit of generative, creative writing through daily workshops, prompts, and excursions. 

The schedule will include two 30 minute individual AT lessons for each participant. The beautiful natural surroundings of the Alpujarras affords incredible opportunity to find poetic inspiration outside during nature walks, while the nearby local villages offer a regional and particular set of experiences for exploration, growth, and creativity.      

     The retreat will take place in the idyllic lodgings of Sierra y Mar in Ferreirola in the heart of the Alpujarras from Monday, May 12 to Saturday, May 17.  We will be provided with delicious vegetarian meals by our wonderful cook Rocio who has extensive experience in creating healthy dishes full of flavor that will nourish us during these days with bioenergetic food, leaving the participants free to focus on writing and psychophysical well-being during the stay. 

Joshua Bridgwater Hamilton, Ph. D., M.F.A., poet and professor at Southwestern College Kansas, will be the instructor for the creative writing workshop dimensions of the retreat.

Nuria Vera Lorente is an integrative physiotherapist, teacher of Alexander Technique, instructor of Jessica Wolf’s Art of Breathing, and instructor of Qigong Shibashi.

Colin Beattie is an Alexander Technique teacher, instructor of Jessica Wolf’s Art of Breathing, and instructor of Qigong Shibashi.