Tai Chi Courses and camps at Cortijo Almegreras
Cortijo
Almagreras is a working olive farm situated near Orgiva, in an area called
Cerro Negro (Black Hill). The land is terraced and planted with olive trees
(some 400 years old), almond and various fruit and nut trees. There is a large
tai chi area on one the terraces looking out over the upper Guadalfeo valley.
The farm belongs to Trevor and his partner Jenny, who is also the chef for
the courses. They bought the farm 14 years ago and have been gradually restoring
and renovating it ever since. They grow high quality organic olive oil which
they sell here and in Britain, and have an extensive vegetable and soft fruit
garden. Jenny was the head chef at Cortijo Romero for many years and is also
the chef at Cortijo Santa Cruz. So expect wonderful veggie food, which we
believe is an equally important part of our courses.
The Alpujarras was settled and developed by the Moors of North Africa between 700-1500A.D. They installed a unique system of terracing and irrigation which is still working 1000 years later. This beautiful and fragile environment in the south of Spain is a perfect place to study and practice tai chi and tune into our inner rhythms.
The
week consists of daily sessions of tai chi, chi gong and related exercises
with the aim of deepening our understanding of our bodies and our relationship
to the environment and to others. As we open up to our senses and feelings
we can attune ourselves to our bodies and start to move in ways which enhance
the flow of energy through and around us. We will use traditional tai chi
and related arts to facilitate this process. Using various 'forms' (sets of
movements) from different disciplines and breathing exercises, a typical day
will start with a pre breakfast session (0830-0900) to wake us up to the day,
followed by breakfast and a morning session (1030-1330). Lunch is a picnic
style meal, followed by an afternoon session (1600-1800). The evening meal
is served at 1930 and the evening can be spent sitting around the camp fire
with the possibility of music, drumming, talking and enjoying the unique feeling
of being out in nature.
The tai chi camps are low impact holidays on our farm with several accommodation possibilities. There are individual tents with mattresses and great views. The idea is that when the courses are finished, the land reverts to farm land. This allows us to share our environment with others without losing its unique and precious qualities.
