Co-creating a natural healing space and garden in Sierra Nevada, Spain

  • Favourited 351 times
  • Last activity: 23 Mar 2024

Availability

  2024 

 Min stay requested: at least a week

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Details

  • Description

    Description

    This place is in a beautiful natural setting close to Orgiva in Andalusia, Southern Spain. There are a vast range of activities going on to turn this traditional Cortijo and currently bare land into a self sufficient and sustainable place where people will be able to come for rest, healing, yoga, workshops, garden work, sharing and learning skills and time out... all on a not for profit basis with everything ploughed back into the project.
    I am an english woman with spanish residency and used to run a wellness retreat centre on an organic farm in Wales where we hosted woofers from all over the world, so I am very familiar with the host role.

    At the moment the place is partly a building site and work is most suitable for those with some experience in building, general maintenance and gardening. There are also opportunities for keen permaculture gardeners to help develop herb and medicine gardens and creative people who are good with wood. Next year onward I hope to be able to host people with healing and other creative skills but for now I am keen to host those who can work largely unsupervised with appropriate skills to help get this dream project up and running.

    Currently we are building garden walls, clearing the grounds of weeds and excess stones, preparing and laying out garden areas, paths and steps between terraces. We also plan to convert the stables and create a wooden yurt and shady garden shelters. Work has begun on building the wooden platform to become the Yogashala, extending our large veg bed along permaculture and organic principles, and making the areas around the house and pool safe and attractive for guests who we hope to welcome later this year. We have also been tracking the energy lines on the land to provide focal points for meditation and connecting with the powerful energy that runs through this valley and some say runs all the way to Glastonbury in England. I draw on local expertise which is abundant, to assist with all the projects and there are many skilled and knowledgeable community members willing to teach those interested. Work usually takes place between the hours of 8.30am and 4pm or after 5pm when the mid days are too hot. I usually prepare lunch around 1 - 3pm and something in the evening after 6.00pm so work hours can fit into any of those times.

    The place is set in 9500 sq. meters of land with 360 degree views of the Sierra Nevada and the Lujar mountain ranges and has 30 old Olive trees and a growing orchard as we plant. We are walking distance from the small town of Órgiva, from the Guadalfeo river and 25 minutes drive to the nearest south coast beach.
    I am a yoga teacher, Barbara Brennan trained healer, Reiki healer and Shamanic healer and practitioner and I also love to get involved with all the physical projects on the land. Yoga and healing sessions will be free to those interested in participating in this project to co-create a natural healing space. When the various indoor and out door spaces are ready I will also offer courses and events on a not for profit basis.

    As a healer, yoga teacher and therapist I am naturally very concerned with everyones physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health. Whilst my intention is to be fully inclusive, I prefer to have a call, whatsapp or video chat with prospective volunteers so that we can see if we are a good fit and if you would be happy working here for a while. There will be opportunities for workaways to stay for longer periods if things work out well.

    There is a vibrant 'conscious community' in and around Órgiva and many opportunities to participate in music, dance, spiritual and cultural events. It gets very, very hot in July and August and our natural pool or Alberca as part of the irrigation system is almost completed and already a joy to relax and swim in - see photos!

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Help with Eco Projects
    Gardening
    DIY and building projects
    Animal Care
    Creating/ Cooking family meals
    Help around the house
    General Maintenance
  • UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

    UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

    UN goals
    No poverty
    Zero hunger
    Good health and well-being
    Quality education
    Gender equality
    Clean water and sanitation
    Affordable and clean energy
    Decent work and economic growth
    Industries, innovation and infrastructure
    Reduce inequality
    Sustainable cities and communities
    Responsible consumption and production
    Climate action
    Life below water
    Life on land
    Peace, justice and strong institutions
    Partnerships for the goals
  • Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Whilst english is the main language spoken around the Cortijo, there are many opportunities to mix with and learn from the Spanish and many other nationalities who reside in the area. All the ongoing projects have elements of learning new skills from experienced practitioners. This includes the yoga, healing and shamanism, as I teach these skills to others in their capacity of working as a healer as well as assisting with their own personal and spiritual development.

  • Help

    Help

    Outdoor projects will include completing and building natural stone walls and steps, building a compost loo and outdoor shower, creating water features as part of the land irrigation system, planting and maintaining a community veg bed, planting and maintaining the orchard and garden areas, harvesting the olives. Indoor work includes cooking, (preferably vegetarian), preserving excess fruit and veg, occasional cleaning and maintenance. There will usually be plenty of options depending on workaways interests and skills. There is also much building help going on with opportunities for workaways to get involved if interested and skilled.

  • Languages spoken

    English: Fluent
    French: Intermediate
    Sinhalese: Intermediate
    Spanish: Beginner
    Swahili (Kiswahili): Beginner

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation

    There will be different types of accommodation available, partly depending on length of stay and time of year. There is a large spare bedroom in the main house, not always available. There is a small campervan on site and space for people to bring their own mobile accommodation. There is a one person caravan and I may add a bell tent as a further option.

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    There are plenty of amazing walks and hikes in the area and in winter skiing on the Sierra Nevada. There are many beaches easily accessible and the incredible culture in Granada with the Alhambra palace and gardens is only an hours drive. The white villages or Pueblo Blanco (now partly brown from the saharan sands!) are a local tourist attraction and get very busy in holiday times, but offer fiestas and ferias as well as local produce and crafts for sale.
    There is a fairly good local bus service and there may be a vehicle available to borrow if you have the appropriate drivers licence.
    I am an early riser and enjoy good company over a shared meal. The kitchen will be available to cook shared meals or your own at certain times. Órgiva is about 20 minutes walk away and there are all the usual shops and facilities including a good organic veg shop and market every Thursday. There is a good internet connection in the house.

  • A little more information

    A little more information

    • Internet access

    • Limited internet access

      Limited internet access

    • We have pets

    • We are smokers

    • Can host families

  • Can host digital nomads

    Can host digital nomads

    Internet connections are good in the house and immediate surroundings but not all over the land

  • Space for parking camper vans

    Space for parking camper vans

    There is plenty of space but not much shade yet! Also due to restrictions on temporary accommodation in the locality longer stays in your mobile home may not be possible.

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    More than two

  • ...

    Hours expected

    Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week

Host ref number: 565957627671

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