THE HUMMINGBIRD RETREAT CENTRE, SPAIN

When Spanish explorers first encountered hummingbirds in Peru, they called them joyas voladoras: "flying jewels." The hummingbird was revered as a sacred healer, a guardian of plants, the spirit, and those who needed healing or were training as healers themselves.

That is why the hummingbird is the symbol for The Hummingbird Retreat Centre. Located in one of the most peaceful and unspoiled parts of rural Spain, it offers a relaxing and invigorating space where you can escape from ‘normal’ life into a more magical one where time slows down and you have the space to breathe, dream, heal, explore and allow your spirit to flourish as you enjoy the breathtaking scenery of its beautifully tranquil mountain setting – and one of the sunniest and most welcoming climates in Europe.

The Centre offers a wide range of healing therapies and treatments, including massage, hot stone therapy, reiki, and crystals, and outstanding training in the arts of shamanism, soul retrieval, Thai herbal massage, Indian head massage, plant spirit shamanism, yoga, dance, creative writing - and many others - with courses taught by some of the world’s best-known and respected teachers.

 .

If you are looking for a pleasant escape from the rush of daily life, the Centre offers the perfect holiday, nestled among spectacular mountains in a landscape full of peace and quiet, where things move at a natural pace and the delights of nature surround you.

As well as beautiful scenery, a peaceful and private environment, and delicious home-cooked food, there is a pool for your use, a garden and a pool-side bar and, for those who wish to explore the local area, there are several unmissable sights close by which will give you a flavour of the real Spain.

The Hummingbird Retreat Centre is close to an unspoiled Natural Park in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada which is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and has many unique and rare species, as well as skies that are rated the cleanest in Europe. This area was once ruled by the Moors, who thought it the Paradise promised to them by Allah, and it is not difficult to see why.

It is surrounded by magnificent mountains and olive groves that have grown there for centuries, and ideally placed for those who love nature as you can literally walk out of the grounds and begin your discovery of the Andalucian countryside – or sit by the pool and let nature come to you in the form of the magnificent birds and other gentle and colourful creatures who find the tranquil surroundings irresistible.

The area is above sea level so the climate is warm all year round. During the winter, temperatures range from average highs of 54 degrees to lows of 36 degrees - which is warmer than London in spring. Then, when spring comes to Andalucia, temperatures climb to the mid-60s with lows in the upper-40s.

Summer brings sunny days and warm evenings where daily highs of 87 degrees are typical: a time for sunbathing, relaxing by the pool and taking things easy. Nights drop to a nice mid-60s and everything feels right with the world.

Like spring, autumn is a particularly lovely time to visit. The days are cooler (an average of 70 degrees) and nights are a perfect 50.

COURSES COMING UP AT THE HUMMINGBIRD RETREAT CENTRE

August 1-14

SHAMANIC PRACTITIONER AND HEALER TRAINING

A unique Diploma course which condenses a whole year of normal practitioner training into a two-week residency, saving you time and money. It is ideal for those who wish to learn shamanic skills so they can incorporate them into their lives and/or those who would like to act as guides and healers for others, helping them find their own soul pathways. No prior experience of shamanism or healing is necessary.

August 22-26

HEALING ARTS TRAINING

More information to come.

September 5-9

WRITE IN THE HEART OF SPAIN

Do you think you have a book in you? We’re sure you do. Everyone has a story to tell, a unique experience they would like to share, an entertaining or poignant memory, an extraordinary encounter, or a skill that should be passed on to others and which would make the world richer if it was. This relaxing, inspiring and creative workshop is packed with information and ideas to help you discover, develop, and take pleasure from your natural writing abilities and skills - and get your book into print.

September 12-16

SHAMANIC HEALING AND SOUL RETRIEVAL TRAINING

A training course for people who would like to deepen their understanding and practice of shamanism and bring healing to others. Participants are introduced to the issues of soul loss and the practice of soul retrieval from a shamanic perspective. They learn how soul loss occurs and how to find or track a soul and bring it back to a person who is suffering from its loss. As well as working with practices for soul retrieval, the course focuses on ‘soul anchoring’: providing a safe and powerful space for soul-energy to return to, using methods of energy rebalancing, spirit extraction and power retrieval, as well as ‘life after soul retrieval’: how to create healthier lives for ourselves and others after the healing has taken place.

September 19-22

THE RETURN OF THE SERPENT: PLANT SPIRIT SHAMANISM AND THE VINE OF SOULS

On this workshop we explore our connection to nature and the folkways, medicines and wisdom of our ancestors as we restore balance to our souls through the healing and visionary powers of ‘the vine of souls’, one of the world’s greatest teacher plants. Participants learn the fundamental practices of plant spirit shamanism, including methods for connecting to and working with our guides and allies in nature, how to recognise and prepare healing plants, give and receive blessings, and aspects of soul healing and retrieval using plants and flowers. Two teacher plant ceremonies are included, which we prepare for by following the shaman’s diet, just as it has been practiced for thousands of years by plant spirit shamans and healers of the Amazonian ayahuasca traditions.

September 26-30

REIKI TRAINING AND INITIATION

More information to come.

December 29-January 2 2010

NEW YEAR GATHERING, CELEBRATION AND HEALING RETREAT

Do something different this New Year: revitalise, energise, relax, cast off the old and find the new energy and focus to make the coming year the best you’ve ever had! Your stay includes delicious celebratory food, three therapies of your choice, entertainment and performances, gentle workshops and traditional Spanish rituals for blessing the year ahead. Most of all it’s about taking it easy!

HIRE THE HUMMINGBIRD FOR YOUR OWN COURSES

The Hummingbird Retreat Centre is also available to other healers and teachers and is an ideal venue for yoga, tai chi, meditation, dance, holistic therapies and other courses, as well as relaxation, celebration and renewal.