Reiki :: Rebecca Hutley - Reiki Workshops UK Brighton Worthing Cambridge Holidays Healing Therapy Yoga Meditation Retreats - Dordogne Perigord South West France Marrakech Morocco

Monday, January 28th, 2013

Morocco Retreats Guardian Article - Saturday 27 Jan 2013

Walking Morocco’s beaches, with a yoga retreat thrown in for good measure

Guided by a Tuareg tribe, our writer joins a nomadic retreat on Morocco’s Atlantic coast, walking from beach to beach, practising yoga and sleeping in a camp set up at a different spot each night.

At the end of the long day’s walk under the searing Moroccan sun, across endless expanses of sand, the Berbers slowed their camel and stopped. We had arrived at the camp that was to be our home for the night. I was hot and tired after following in the nomads’ footsteps, and desperate to cool off. Lucky for me, we weren’t, as it may sound, in the Sahara desert, we were on the Atlantic coast, so I simply stripped down to my bikini and ran into the sea.

This was the joy of the week I spent on a new “nomadic beach retreat”, walking a stretch of coastline between Essaouira and Agadir with a tribe of Tuareg Berbers. This part of Morocco has mile upon mile of unspoiled, deserted golden sands – we rarely came across anyone save a lone man on a donkey, a pair of horse riders or a local family having a picnic.

In winter the tribe live in the desert, running a luxury camp (desertcampmorocco.com). Their leader, Mohamad Boulfrifri (known as Bobo) turned to tourism when the construction of a dam in Ouarzazate affected his water supply and put paid to his family farm. Bobo has now teamed up with a small company specialising in retreats to offer the unique new beach camp: his tribe take care of the camping and guided walking, and Emma from Morocco Retreats organises yoga, meditation and beauty treatments experienced along the way. It is a far more immersive experience than the usual one-night stay in the Sahara that some tourists stretch too.

Setting up an elaborate Berber camp in the July heat each day looked like hard work but Bobo laughed it off: “We are used to the desert. We love it by the sea! It is cool here!” Bobo, who speaks six languages, was a charming guide with a great sense of humour – and great fashion sense, mixing a batik suit with a modern gilet, or zebra-print shorts with a trendy T-shirt. His tribe operated on a strict hierarchy when there was work to be done but everyone played football together on the beach at break times.

The week began at Riad Zamzam (riadzamzam.com) in Marrakech, an enchanting old fortune-teller’s house in the medina, now converted into a boutique hotel. A small group of us, including a student recovering from exams, a woman with a broken heart and a pair that had stayed at Zamzam before and vowed to return, gathered for some pre-departure pampering. We sunbathed on the roof terrace with views of the dusty city skyline; practised yoga in the riad’s courtyard under a shady palm tree; had an introduction to reiki in the salon; and were scrubbed and pummelled in the hammam.

Beach-ready and already relaxed, we headed west on a three-hour drive to Essaouira, the nearest coastal town to Marrakech, where we lunched at OceanVagabond, a laidback surfers’ hangout. We explored the wind-whipped town’s white and blue port and souk, known for exquisite woodwork and musical instruments – the town hosts the renownedGnaoua world music festival each year. The bracing wind, which makes Essaouira a surfing hotspot, was a not-entirely-welcome change from the heat of Marrakech. But a short way along the coast, at the village of Sidi Kaouki, where we began our beach walk, the wind had begun to die down.

We would be accompanied by Bobo and the camel on the first walk – the others had gone on ahead to prepare the camp. Tuaregs are traditionally nomadic pastoralists who operated long-distance caravan trading across the Sahara, so it isn’t out of character for them to lead tourists across the sands – albeit far more hospitable sands. I was eager to get going and Bobo had only one instruction: “Follow the camel.”

We had been walking south along the beach for an hour or two when suddenly Bobo veered off the sand and up a steep, rocky path. After a short climb we emerged on to a flat clifftop with views of the deserted beach and the sparkling silver sea. A handful of luxury tents were grouped around a central area covered in rugs and cushions; a laden dinner table was set to one side. Bobo offered mint tea, gin and tonic or cold white wine, while other members of the clan passed around nibbles. We watched the sun set into the sea before moving to the table, which was illuminated by flaming torches.

Dinner was noisy and fun. As well as six “retreaters” our party included Emma (secretly called Sergeant Major by the Berbers); Rebecca, a reiki practitioner; a yoga teacher and a beauty therapist; and around 16 members of the tribe. After a feast of harira, tagine, couscous and copious wine, histories were shared and stories told. Bobo explained how to navigate by the stars and survive in a sandstorm – two skills that I hoped I wouldn’t need. Sleep came easily that night in our comfortable beds with Egyptian cotton sheets, two to an en-suite tent, lulled by the sound of the waves lapping on the beach below.

I was woken by bleats; a herd of goats had descended on the camp. Hundreds of furry little bodies ambled among us, looking curiously at the human interlopers. When they moved on, it was time for us to do the same. Bobo’s men began to take down the tents as he led us towards the water and onwards. We would be walking for around five hours in total that day.

The beaches were empty until we happened across a popular picnic spot: a fresh water source made it the greenest place for miles around, and locals took their cows there to drink. Waterfalls, lush greenery and grazing cows, in the midst of miles of golden dunes, made the scene appear unreal, like a film set – especially when our camel entered stage left.

We stopped for a breather and I stroked the dog who had been trotting at our heels. I took him for Bobo’s pet but he was a stray who decided to adopt us. Camp Dog, as he became known, followed us everywhere, stayed on guard outside tents as we slept, and even joined in with the yoga; anyone stepping back into downward-facing dog was liable to tread on an actual dog sprawled on their mat.

The walking was wonderful, a sort of active meditation where we could chat, or think, or just empty our minds. The terrain, a mix of beach and clifftop paths, was easygoing aside from the July sun, which became fierce around midday. If it got too much, we could clamber on to the camel for a rest for as long as we liked – a far cry from the strictly-timed camel rides available elsewhere in Morocco.

Our second camp, near the tiny fishing hamlet of Tafedna, was as spectacular as the first. This one was right on the beach – hence my dash into the sea – with a shady lounge tent to escape the heat. We spent two nights here, practising yoga and meditating right on the water’s edge. I read, swam and explored the little caves around the cove. Rebecca gave us a group course in reiki, then individual “healing” sessions. Some got more out of the reiki than others; I found I couldn’t overcome my cynicism, but it was relaxing. Hannan, a beauty therapist from Marrakech, seemed bemused to be working on the beach in the middle of nowhere but her massages were sublime.

Bobo bought fresh fish straight from the boats for our last dinner. The food, cooked by the Berber chefs, was incredible considering the limited facilities. Breakfast might be shakshouka (eggs cooked with tomatoes and peppers) and fruit salad served in a whole watermelon with a lid cut in the top. There would be really fresh salads and brochettes (kebabs) for lunch, and lavish spreads in the evening, featuring lentil and bean dishes, lamb and apricot tagine, and relishes including a particularly delicious sultana chutney.

Our final walk the next day was to be a short inland trek back towards Sidi Kaouki, a nice contrast to the previous days’ coastal strolls, before being picked up by 4×4s and taken back to Marrakech to wash the sand off in a hot shower (not quite as good as a cooling dip in the sea).

But first, there was one last magical night. After the final dinner, we gathered around a campfire to listen to drumming and singing by professional Berber musicians. Eventually, we were all on our feet, dancing to the beats – not quite as elegantly as Bobo and co, perhaps, but just as enthusiastically. They explained each song as they played, ranging from rousing ahwash, village folk music with call-and-response vocals, to slower, sad poem-songs. The musicians, on drums, a flute and a single-string violin, continued playing quietly long after we had gone to bed.

Way to go

The next retreats are on 2 March, 15 June and 3 November, prices from £995 for six nights (+21 2 661 215062, moroccoretreats.com). The Moroccan National Tourist Office (visitmorocco.com) provided flights with BA (ba.com) which flies to Marrakech from Gatwick from £165 return

1 comment » Filed under News by becs at 19:37.

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Saturday, July 28th, 2012

Luxury Sahara Camp Retreat, March 2013. ‘La Source’

‘La Source’

Luxury Sahara Camp Retreat

2 – 9 March 2013

Experience a once in a lifetime journey into the Sahara, arriving at Erg Chigaga in the deep, beautiful silence of the desert. Here you will stay in luxury tents in a room with a stunning view across the sands. Transport your soul to ’La Source’, a place where you feel the deepest connection to your Inner Being. You will at once be stimulated and at peace, as your worries drift away.

Sit beneath open starry skies, listening to the renowned Saharan musicians from the nomadic tribes of the desert and you will be drawn deep into your soul, remembering who you are and where you have come from.

Zamzam Riad & Spa – Marrakech Medina

Arriving in the mystical Medina of Marrakech, you will be transported to an ancient past, staying in our historical Story Teller’s house. Zamzam Riad is an exotic boutique hotel where peace and tranquility sit within the hustle and bustle of Medina life.

The Journey

Leaving Marrakech, our journey takes us into the foothills of the High Atlas Mountains with its lush valleys and Berber villages hanging precariously on the mountain edge. The descent to the Kasbahs of Telouet and Ait Benaidou in the rain shadow of the High Atlas offers awe inspiring scenery. After the descent at Ouarzazate we wind through a mountain range full of spectacular rock formations. We then meet the lush Draa valley, ten km wide in places, with three million date palms and hundreds of ancient kasbahs. After the lush palmeraie of M´hamid we enter the desert. On our journey we have the opportunity to visit the kasbahs of Ait Benaidou and Telouet, the underground caves at Tamgroute, with its famous traditional pottery.

The camp, adjacent to the dunes at Erg Chigaga, offers unostentatious luxury. Each tent has the highest quality mattresses, linen and pillows, whilst each tent is equipped with ‘wall-to-wall rugs’, solar-powered lighting and handcrafted furniture. Each tent has en suite facilities. The bathroom has a toilet, make up area, washbasin and wash area. Fluffy towels, soaps, argan oil, and other ‘goodies’ are also provided. Due to the chronic shortage of water in the desert, instead of a shower two 20-litre silver pewter buckets are provided with hot and cold water. The bucket wash is incredibly invigorating and uses a fraction of water compared to a shower.

Arriving at Erg Chigaga Luxury Desert Camp

Our retreat team have carefully designed a programme to nurture and support you during this powerful week. Dynamic Yoga with Anette Haugen, energetic harmony through Reiki with Rebecca Hutley and a range of treatments from our superb team of experts allow you to relax and be pampered in this sublime environment. The wind in your hair, sand on your feet and cool water to refresh you at night before dining under the stars and climbing into Egyptian cotton sheets. Our Berber Nomad Team full of powerful energy, drum to the rhythm of the Sahara around the camp fire whilst our superb chef creates delicious fresh traditional meals. Make new friends, laugh a lot and unwind in this totally natural and energising environment, experiencing the best of both worlds.

Programme

Day 1 – Arrive at Zamzam Riad & Spa, Marrakech Medina. Meet each other and the Retreat team before dinner.

Day 2 – A day at Zamzam with Yoga, an Introduction to Reiki & Attunement, Hammam and Massage. Meditation is followed by a fusion dinner by Ilham Elwadi to enliven the senses.

Day 3 – Leave for Ouarzazate through the stunning Atlas mountains in Landcruisers, driven by experienced drivers. After lunch at the Unesco Heritage Kasbah settlement of Ait Ben Haddou we go onto stay at Kasbah Ellouze.

Day 4 – Continuing south into the Sahara through the Valley of the Roses, we arrive at our Luxury Camp after lunch. Yoga in the late afternoon is followed by meditation. We meet for drinks and dinner under the expanse of the starry Saharan night sky.

Day 5 & 6 - Two full days at the camp surrounded by the stillness of the desert, the rhythm of life starts to beat in tune with the natural world and between one-to-one Reiki, Massage and other treatments you are free to simply be in this stunning and liberating environment.

Day 7 – On the final day we follow a different route back to Marrakech. We arrive at Zamzam Riad ready to rest in the luxurious rooms and absorb and process the journey we have just been on before our celebratory retreat dinner with Andalous musicians.

Price:

£1590 - Own room at Kasbah Ellouze, shared room at Zamzam riad and shared Luxury Tent with en-suite bathroom.

£1870 - Own room at Zamzam Riad, own room at Kasbah Ellouze, shared Luxury Desert Tent with en-suite bathroom.

£2426 - Single occupancy all accommodation.

Price includes:

· Airport transfers

· Healthy fresh meals – any dietary requirements catered for

· All drinks included plus alcohol if required – sunset dune lounge

· Luxury accommodation with high count Egyptian cotton sheets, towels and

· Transport to the Sahara and back in comfortable Landcruisers

· Spa – Hammam with gommage and Rhassoul mud plus 2 massages

· Reiki attunements or re-attunement to your Level - I, II or Masters

· Reiki treatment with Reiki Master and Healer

· Daily Meditation

· Daily Yoga

· Visit to Ait Ben Haddou, ancient Kasbahs and Tamgroute pottery

· Camp fire with professional Berber drummers with jumbbies and singers

Extra options:

· Spa treatments - £40 - £80

· Cooking Class - £65

· Reiki Practical – I, II or Masters - £150 - £400

· Reiki Treatment - £60

· Yoga one to one – 1 hour class - £50

· Thai Massage – 1 hour - £60

Contact Emma:

zamzamriad@gmail.com / www.moroccoretreats.com / www.moroccansoul.ning.com

1 comment » Filed under News by becs at 22:27.

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Thursday, February 2nd, 2012

Luxury Beach Camp Retreat 2012

Unspoilt Moroccan Atlantic Coast

5th - 11th July 2012

Experience the great outdoors on the most stunning virgin beaches of Morocco, getting fit and fabulous from the inside out. Walking along deserted stretches of open sand, you arrive at the luxury camp to rest, meditate, swim and practice invigorating Yoga and the peace of Reiki.

A large Moroccan lounge tent is set up for practice and rest and we leave each place as clean and stunning as we found it, just like our nomadic team would in the desert. We eat in style, with breakfast, lunch and dinner set on crisp linen tablecloths.

At sunset, drinks are served followed by dinner surrounded by torch firelight and a camp fire.

This experience is set within a two night stay at the boutique Riad Zamzam in Marrakech where you will enjoy spa treatments, hammam and massage before and after the beach.

Enjoy the cool breeze from the Atlantic with the pranayama of ocean air filling your lungs. Sitting under the stars, listen to the singing of Bobo and his team from the nomadic tribes of the desert and you will be taken deep into your soul, to remember who you are and where you have come from.

Mohamed Boulfrifi ( Bobo)

The Retreat Programme
After arriving in Marrakech, you will be met by one of the Zamzam drivers to take you to the mystical heart of the Medina. As you enter the beautiful Riad Zamzam, you will be greeted with a warm welcome and tea.

Here you will experience the first part of this Retreat where body and mind are cleansed with a Moroccan Hammam and Gommage detoxifying body scrub with black soap from the local olives and a mineral mud pack, followed by a detoxifying massage to give you a glowing body perfect for the beach.

The next morning, we leave for Essaouira and after lunch at the ancient Unesco heritage Port where Jimmy Hendrix found his inspiration for Castles in the Sand, we leave for Sidi Kaulki Villa with Yoga practice on the terrace and dinner over-looking the Ocean.

After a peaceful night, we begin our first morning of beach walking, where we will stop for lunch and the afternoon to swim and rest in preparation for Yoga, Reiki and Meditation. As the sun sets, drinks will be served followed by dinner under the stars and the chance to have a Henna tattoo.

The second and third day we continue our beach walk and spend the evenings by the camp fire listening to nomadic tribal singing.

On the final day, we drive back to Marrakech and once again experience Hammam and Massage to invigorate us for the journey home. Each day will be unique and the programme of Reiki and Yoga is suitable for all levels with each session fully optional. There is the chance to ride horses on the beach or to take a surf lesson while we are there.

Our two camels carry our day sacks leaving you free to explore and take stunning photos. You will have access to your day sacks when you need and your main bags will be moved with the camp. If anyone wants a rest during the walk they are welcome to ride the camels.

The retreat will run with a minimum of 6 guests. After 6 guests, we donate 10% of our profit to ‘Education for All’ our Moroccan charity.

Price £1150 per person all inclusive of the following:

Transport

Airport transfers x 2

Transfers to the Moroccan Coast and back in 4 x 4 Landcruisers with professional drivers

Drivers for use around the coast when needed and for any emergency

Accommodation

2 nights luxury accommodation at Zamzam Riad

1 night Sidi Kaulki Villa

3 nights luxury eco camp - www.desertcampmorocco.com

Salon tent

Kichen tent

Dining tables and chairs, large torches for the evening

Camels

Food

Meals including breakfast x 6, lunch x 5 and dinner x 6

Living Food menus are created to detoxify and re-hydrate including cleansing teas

Careful healthy eating menu devised by Emma and prepared with the chef, fresh fish bought daily on the coast and vegetarian options available

Includes all drinks, water, wine and mint tea

Spa

Hammam, Gommage with black soap and mineral mud, Massage

Retreat classes

Yoga and mats - 1.5 hours per day

Reiki practice - each day

Meditation - each day

Lounge Tent for use to rest and for Reiki Practice

Extra Treatments available

Deep Reflexology for detoxifying and toning organs
Deep tissue massage for toning the body and revitalising
Reiki Treatment for re-balancing energy

Schedule

5 July

Arrive Zamzam Riad & Spa - Marrakech Medina

Airport collection by Zamzam drivers

Welcome mint tea

Spa - Hammam, gommage with black soap and mineral mud followed by Massage

Dinner at Zamzam

Retreat Circle/Trip Information

6 July

Essaouira

8.00 - Meditation

8.30-9.30 Breakfast at Zamzam

9.30 - Leave for Essaouira in Landcruisers with drivers

12:00 - Arrive Essaouira - lunch and tour of the Port and Medina at Essaouria.

Essaouira means jewel of the Atlantic, have a pretty tour of this relaxed Medina and Town, a Unesco Herritage Site, is income is gained through tourism and fishing.

5:00 - Leave for Sidi Kaulki Villa

6:00 - Yoga on the terrace with views of the ocean

7.30 - Break

8:00 - Dinner

7 July

8.00 - Meditation

8.30 - 9am Breakfast

9:00 - Leave on beach walk with day sacks and camels

1:00 - Arrive at camp, mint tea and lunch

2:00 - Sunbathing and swimming on the beautiful deserted beaches.

4:00 - Reiki Practice

5:00 - Beach Yoga and Meditation - facing the clean ionized air from the Atlantic waves

7:00 - Drinks served watching the stunning sun set over the ocean

8:00 - 3 Course Dinner served against the rolling waves, under the starlit sky with torches

9:00 - Henna designs

8 July

8.00 - Meditation

8.30 - 9am Breakfast

9:00 - Leave on beach walk with day sacks and camels

1:00 - Arrive at camp, mint tea and lunch

2:00 - Sunbathing and swimming on the beautiful deserted beaches.

4:00 - Reiki practice

5:00 - Beach Yoga and Meditation- facing the clean ionized air from the Atlantic waves

7:00 - Drinks served watching the stunning sun set over the ocean.

8:00 - 3 course Dinner served against the rolling waves, under the starlit sky

9 July

8.00 - Meditation

8.30 - 9am Breakfast

9:00 - Leave on beach walk with day sacks and camels

1:00 - Arrive at camp, mint tea and lunch

2:00 - Sunbathing and swimming on the beautiful deserted beaches.

4:00 - Reiki Practice

5:00 - Beach Yoga and Meditation- facing the clean ionized air from the Atlantic waves

7:00 - Drinks served watching the stunning sun set over the ocean.

8:00 - 3 course Dinner served against the rolling waves, under the starlit sky lit with giant torches.

10 July

8.00 - Meditation and Yoga

9.30 am Breakfast

10.30 - Beach bathing/swimming and walking

12.30 - Lunch

1.30 - Leave in landcruisers back to Marrakech

4:00 - Arrive Zamzam and have mint tea

4.30 - Hammam/Massage and Reiki Practice

7.30 - Final circle

8:00 - Finale Dinner with Andaluce Musicians

11 July

Breakfast

Depart Zamzam - Airport transfers

Luxury Riad & Beach Camp Team - 2012

Emma Joyston-Bechal - Food for life Menus and Logistics

Rebecca Hutley - Reiki Master and Spiritual Guide/Meditation

Aisha Barzaghi - Yoga Guru/Breathwork

Desert Camp Team

Bobo - Camp logistics

Chef - all meals and food purchasing, working alongside Emma

4 camp workers arranging and moving camp daily, providing water and fires

6 Professional Drivers with Landcruisers, full insurance and tourist licenses.

Andaluce Musicians

2 comments » Filed under News by becs at 23:09.

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Monday, January 30th, 2012

Virgin Beach Walk Retreat 2012

Morocco Coast

30^th June – 6^th July 2012

Experience the great outdoors on the most stunning virgin beaches of Morocco, getting fit and fabulous from the inside out. Walking along deserted stretches of open sand, you arrive at the eco-camp to rest, meditate and practice invigorating Yoga and the peace of Reiki.

A large Moroccan lounge tent is set up for practice and rest and we spend the night on the earth sleeping in small tents with the comfort of bedding, sheets and pillows. This is eco-camping for adults in the most beautiful untouched parts of the coastline. We leave each place as clean and stunning as we found it, just like our nomadic team would in the desert. We eat in style, with breakfast, lunch and dinner set on crisp linen tablecloths.

At sunset, drinks are served followed by dinner surrounded by torch firelight and a camp fire. This experience is set within a two night stay at the boutique Riad Zamzam in Marrakech where you will enjoy spa treatments, hammam and massage before and after the beach.

Enjoy the cool breeze from the Atlantic with the pranayama of ocean air filling your lungs. Sitting under the stars, listen to the singing of Bobo and his team from the nomadic tribes of the desert and you will be taken deep into your soul, to remember who you are and where you have come from.

Mohamed Boulfrifi ( Bobo)

The Retreat Programme
After arriving in Marrakech, you will be met by one of the Zamzam drivers to take you to the mystical heart of the Medina. As you enter the beautiful Riad Zamzam, you will be greeted with a warm welcome and tea.

Here you will experience the first part of this Retreat where body and mind are cleansed with a Moroccan Hammam and Gommage detoxifying body scrub with black soap from the local olives and a mineral mud pack, followed by a detoxifying massage to give you a glowing body perfect for the beach.

The next morning, we leave for Essaouira and after lunch at the ancient Unesco heritage Port where Jimmy Hendrix found his inspiration for Castles in the Sand, we leave for Sidi Kaulki Villa with Yoga practice on the terrace and dinner over-looking the Ocean.

After a peaceful night, we begin our first morning of beach walking, where we will stop for lunch and the afternoon to swim and rest in preparation for Yoga, Reiki and Meditation. As the sun sets, drinks will be served followed by dinner under the stars and the chance to have a Henna tattoo.

The second day continues our beach walk and in the next camp we spend the evening by the camp fire listening to nomadic tribal singing. The third day of walking ends with Star Gazing through our superb telescope and a talk by Bobo on his nomadic tribe and how they use the stars to guide them in the desert.

On the final day, we drive back to Marrakech and once again experience Hammam and Massage to invigorate us for the journey home. Each day will be unique and the programme of Reiki and Yoga is suitable for all levels with each session fully optional. Camels will walk alongside us for anyone who feels they need a rest on the beach walk and the days provide the chance for spectacular photography.

The retreat will run with a minimum of 6 guests. After 6 guests, we donate 10% of our profit to ‘Education for All’ our Moroccan charity.