Explore, Expand and Rejuvenate
Family Constellations,
Playing and Connecting with/in Nature
Moving with Dance and Biodanza
Authentic Art Making
Long Weekend
Friday 18 - Monday the 21
March 2022
There will also be time to socialize, relax, sing, walk, swim,and rest
What is the Aim of this weekend?
My intention with hosting weekend Retreats is to create a safe, supportive environment, where people can experience powerful modalities like Family Constellations, to explore and resolve aspects of there life which are troubling them.
As this type of inner work can get serious and intense, we use Dance (Biodanza), Art, Nature, Music and Playfulness to lighten the process and to help participants to integrate their insights and experience.
Having a weekend, especially a long weekend like this one, allows us to build greater trust and safety, allowing people to go gentler and deeper into their process.
Through these weekends, we are also creating a sense of Community, caring people coming together in a beautiful place, supporting each other on their journeys. While someone may arrive as a stranger, they are very soon part of the family, making special connections.
As one participant from my previous retreat shared:"I found the weekend calm and restorative creating a safe non judgemental space to unpack old baggage allowing release and space for personal growth. The dance was playful which balanced the intensity of the constellation work. Arrive with an open heart and let the healing work it’s gentle magic, the touches and smells of nature all around is soul soothing 🙏"
Family Constellations
Family Constellations leads us to the realization that it is never too late for a greater, happier life. For every person there is only one right place in their family, and that is their own place. Once you have found and taken this place, a new perspective opens up, which makes you capable of taking action. Frequently, we have taken on misguided beliefs and other people's stuff, inherited from our parents and ancestors , that keep us entangled and not able to live our full magnificence.
Family Constellations can help bring these patterns and entanglements out into the light and into our consciousness, so they can be questioned, released and overwritten. The decision whether you are ready to do so is up to you personally.
Authentic Art Making
Intuitively choosing images and colors, bringing them together into a magical collage. This process is a wonderful way to integrate the many insights of the weekend and make it manifest in a stunning image.
The result is something you can take home with you to remind you of your learnings and inspire you going forward.
Biodanza and Biodanza in Nature
"Biodanza is a radical system that awakens our potential to live life fully. It is about falling in love with life. This means deepening our love for ourselves, our connections to other, to nature and all that that is, through movement and music!"
Rolando ToroAreneda (Creator of Biodanza)
Biodanza gives us an opportunity explore different ways of Being in the world, freeing ourselves from learnt patterns. Connecting deeper with Ourselves, an Other and with All that is around us.
Connection to Nature is right there in the heart of Biodanza. We adventure together and experience how nature can hold and nurture us, as we slow down, connect with, open to and rest within her magnificence.
Optional Extras and Own Time
Early morning Yoga.An opportunity to greet the dawn withsome gentle stretches and breathing.
Nature walks, either Guided or on your own.
Gentle strolls, to explore and connect with Nature.
Party Night.Socializing together with Live music, Singing,Joke sharing and Story telling.
There will be free time for you to read a book, have a nap,
swim in the dam/river, explore the beautiful gardens and nature.
Time to Be, to relax, rejuvenate and restore your Soul.
Alan Hughes
I have been involved in various forms of Self Development and Healing, for over 20 years. Of all the work I have done, these weekend Retreats are the most rewarding. It ignites my passion and is humbling to see the amazing shifts in people, when given the support and space they need to evolve.
This journey took seed in Cape Town in the mid 90's. It then blossomed in the later 90's, while I was living in Ireland. After taking time to do personal spiritual retreat, I completed a 2 year training as a Professional Healer, followed by another 2 years to get my Diploma in Craniosacral Therapy. I then honed these skills, running a small practice in Ireland.
Since returning to South Africa in 2006, I have trained and graduated as a Biodanza Facilitator, a Life Coach, a Family Constellations Facilitator and as a Watsu Practitioner.
Nature has always played a hugely restorative part in my life. As well as enjoying a lot of time being and connecting with Nature, I have studied and offer Biodanza in Nature, participated in Nature Constellations, completed studies with "Spirit of the Wild", guided various hikes and shared many special nature experiences with others.
Gayle Gerber
I am always thrilled when Alan invites me to support him and lead Art Processes on his Retreats. While I have attended many, each weekend is always unique, always with an amazing "family" of people, coming together to have fun and grow together.
I love hiking and being in Nature and where possible I also sketch and paint in Nature. I often take trips out to the country side to do plein air painting. I also love the energy of Live Music and always have the compulsion to sketch when I attend these events. We are all creative, so I encourage who ever wishes to explore this aspect of themselves, to attend my free Happy Hippy Girl Open Studio once a month to share our talents in a loving atmosphere.I have been involved with the Blaauwberg Art Society since 2014 and President since 2015, where I organise artists to do monthly practical demonstrations in various mediums and also organise exhibitions for our members at a local shopping centre. I am a member of SASA, exhibiting with them at Kirstenbosch Gardens and Rondebosch Art In The Park. I am also a member of The International Water Colour Association and have exhibited with them at Lorensford Wine Estate.
Words cannot describe my gratitude and experience. It feels as if I have been released from something that has been part of me my whole life. There is an open space inside my being, a relaxed feeling that I am not used to, when I went to bed last night I thought when I woke up it will be gone, but it's still there.
Sara
I loved our weekend so much, every part of it was amazing, there are no words that can express how I truly feel.
Alan, you are a very caring facilitator, I felt completely safe in your energy.
Hilary
I was able to let go off blocked pain that had been sitting in my energetic fields for way too long. I felt free, young , silly 🙃 and alive. It was easy to laugh, cry and play. It taught me about judgement and self worth, I felt supported by an ancestral energy with an overall vibration of love and kindness 🌺
Adele
Thank you for this special weekend.
Lots of magic happened/ happening ...
To be surrounded by loving people and feel safe and held. Simply amazing! It was just lovey to be around your energy again, your guidance and healing soul.
Thank you for it all.
Shaun
I have been in connecting with nature experiences before and it has been natural for me as a half farm girl to connect with nature, but the experience I had on Saturday, besides from the being a child again, and rolling on the grass and more, that has given the most joy I have experienced in a long time, was beyond magical.
Sara
It was absolutely fabulous, as usual. There is nothing I would suggest differently. Honestly. Thank you again. XXX 🙏😊🙏
Gabriela
It’s usually much easier for me to connect deeply with nature when I am on my own and I absolutely love that connection. But through your heartfelt holding and sincerity, you managed to create a space for me to experience my love of nature and share it with another person.
And that was fun!
Jana
Cost and Booking Details
maximum of 16 participants will be accepted to attend this retreat.
The following prices includes your 3 nights accommodation,
all delicious vegetarian meals, teas, coffees and biscuits.
Arriving by 5pm on Fri 18 March, we will start with an early Dinner.
We will finish around 11am on the Monday.
The cost PER PERSON for this long weekend is
R3900 sharing a room
R4400 for a room on your own
R400 if you wish to set up a Constellation
Please note that the number of Constellations will be limited
to fit comfortably into the time available and to ensure quality.
Discounts and Helping Others
We would like this weekend to be affordable to you. If you are strongly called to attend
and you need assistance with a discount or payment plan, please to speak to Alan.
Likewise, if you are in a position to pay more, to assist others to attend, please discuss this Alan,
who will ensure your generosity goes where it is most needed.
A deposit of R1500 will reserve your place, with the balance due by the 1st of March 2022.
Please chat to Alan if you are interested in attending, so we can ensure that this retreat is appropriate for you.
Rooms will be allocated as deposits are received, so if you have a preferred
room or want a single room, please mention this when booking.
Cancellation/Refund Policy
More than a month before the event - 90% refund
More than two weeks before the event - 75% refund
Less than two weeks before the event - no refund
There may be approved people on a waiting list, wanting to attend the weekend.
So if you do need to cancel, it might be possible for you to make arrangements to transfer your place
to someone on the waiting list.
Please contact Alan if you are interested in attending this retreat,
or if you have any questions, or if you need more information
076 26 49127
alanheals@gmail.com
Hearth and Soul - Our home for the weekend
"Hearth and Soul" is a beautiful farm, set in a stunning location, looking out over river and mountains.
It lies on the Sandy's Glen Road, between Stanford (28km away) and Napier (23km away) and about 2 hours drive from Cape Town.
What to Bring along with you
The venue will cater for us, with wholesome, delicious vegetarian meals. They can also do vegan meals, if you arrange it with Alan when booking. Their food is generally outstanding and plentiful, with much of it grown on the farm.
There will be fresh rain water, coffee, tea, biscuits and some fruit available. Please bring along any special teas, juices or sweeteners you might require. Likewise, if you want additional snacks, supplements, superfoods etc. please do bring them along.
We are choosing to hold this event without the influences of alcohol, recreational drugs, or any other mind altering substances, so please leave these at home. If this is unclear, or there is a substance that you need for your well being, please discuss this with Alan before booking.
Bring clothing for all weather, layers work well. For walking, a water bottle, daypack, sun hat, sun screen, sun glasses, decent walking shoes and water proofs.
Any little creature comforts to help you feel more at home, such as a blankey, yoga mat and cushion. A book to read and a notebook to capture your Magic in.
Please bring a sense of Curiosity, Playfulness and a Willingness to Explore and Grow.
Covid Sensibility
All participants will be required to sign a "Health Declaration" on arrival, confirming that they have not been in direct contact with anyone who has Covid and that they are not displaying any symptoms themselves. If you have any doubt please rather stay home and take good care of yourself.
Hearth and Soul is spacious and well ventilated with plenty of doors and windows that open, to let in the fresh mountain air.
While the venue can comfortably accommodate 27 guests, we are only allowing a maximum of 16 participants.
This will ensure that everyone has plenty of space to move around and breath freely.
Please do bring a mask along. While we will have plenty of space and the option of holding some of the sessions outdoors, there may still be times when we might be close enough that some people may feel safer with us wearing masks. Plenty of Hand sanitizer will be available and you are also welcome to bring your own.
As different people have different views around Covid, please do chat to Alan if you have concerns around this.
When we all arrive, we will discuss what each of us need to feel safe. We will do our best to come to a place where everyone can relax and feel safe in the space.
Anyone attending this Magical weekend does so at their own risk and accepts full responsibility for their health and wellbeing.
By attending, you agree to indemnify the venue, their staff and the facilitators from any consequences of such attendance, particularly regarding Covid.
.