Art of Breathing, Creative Writing and Tai Chi Qigong Shibashi 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 daily study of the Alexander Technique, Jessica Wolf’s Art of Breathing and of Tai Chi 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 prices include accommodation and all meals. You will stay in the idyllic lodgings of Sierra y Mar in Ferreirola in the heart of the Alpujarras, all the rooms have private bathrooms. 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. 

Presenters

Colin Beattie is an Alexander Technique teacher, instructor of Jessica Wolf’s Art of Breathing, and instructor of Tai Chi Qigong Shibashi. He qualified with Walter and Dilys Carrington in 2001 and has trained with Jessica Wolf since 2014.

Nuria Vera Lorente is an integrative physiotherapist, teacher of Alexander Technique, instructor of Jessica Wolf’s Art of Breathing, and instructor of Tai Chi Qigong Shibashi. She qualified with Paul Versteeg and Tessa Marwick in 2002 and has trained with Jessica Wolf since 2014.

Joshua Bridgwater Hamilton, Ph. D., M.F.A. received his PhD in Spanish from Indiana University - Bloomington and his Master of Fine Arts in poetry from Texas State University.  He has taught creative writing workshops for Texas A&M University, Corpus Christi Writers Studio and Southwestern College, Kansas, where he is currently professor of English.  His books are Excavator (Gnashing Teeth Publishing 2024) and Lightspeed (Flowersong Press 2026).