In addition to hosting retreats, Alaya Retreat Centre is also available for independent travel and boutique lodging bookings, which can be made directly via our website:
VACACIONES DE YOGA
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Ooljee: The Spirit of Playful Healingā
Ooljee brings a unique and transformative energy to everyone who visits the Alaya Retreat Centre. Renowned for his playful curiosity, Ooljee consistently reminds guests that even in challenging times, life’s lighter moments are never far away. His presence in the paddock acts as an invitation for all to embrace the present with open-heartedness and joy.
When participants come to the Centre, perhaps burdened with emotional or physical stress, Ooljee naturally gravitates toward them, offering gentle nuzzles and a strong, positive presence. This isn’t simply an act of affection; it is an invitation to let go of anxiety and return to simple moments of connection.
Many guests describe how Ooljee’s playful nature helps melt away tension, igniting a new sense of curiosity and hope. His ability to sense human emotions enables him to offer companionship that is perfectly attuned to each person’s needs, whether through playful interaction or simply by standing quietly nearby. Ooljee teaches visitors to rediscover the joy and curiosity often lost in adulthood.
His spirit encourages all to approach the healing journey not just as a task to complete, but as a process to experience with openness and, when possible, lightness. He mirrors the Centre’s philosophy that healing is not only about overcoming struggle, but also about inviting in moments of joy, even on the hardest days.
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Ginebra: The Anchor of Wisdom and Grounding
Ginebra serves as the Centre’s wise guardian and steadfast companion, supporting every guest in their quest for healing and self-discovery. Recognized for her calm, steady demeanor, Ginebra helps foster an environment where visitors feel safe and accepted, regardless of what they are bringing with them.
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Her grounded presence encourages guests to slow down, breathe deeply, and connect with themselves on a more profound level. Whether standing quietly by someone’s side or sharing in meditation sessions beneath the trees, Ginebra’s silent companionship communicates compassion without judgment. She is especially intuitive when sensing pain or emotional distress, and many at the Centre find that her quiet support creates a space where they can release tension and find new strength.
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Ginebra’s wisdom is most evident in her ability to hold space for transformation, she does not push or demand but instead provides unwavering support, inviting people to progress at their own pace. Visitors report that simply being in her proximity fosters feelings of stability, patience, and a renewed trust in the body’s own capacity to heal.
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In this way, Ginebra is a living embodiment of the Centre’s ethos: that deep healing comes from presence, patience, and unconditional acceptance. Her role is not just that of a healer but of a wise partner who helps each guest find stability and courage in their unique journey.
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At the Alaya Retreat Centre, Ooljee and Ginebra work in complementary harmony: Ooljee’s playfulness and Ginebra’s wisdom create a powerful, supportive environment where all visitors can experience personal growth, release, and profound connection, both with the horses and within themselves.
Ellen Christiaanse: The Founder, the Facilitator and the Healer
VACACIONES DE YOGA
Ellen obtained a Masters Degree in psychology, and spent 4 years working on her Doctorate in Information Systems at Harvard and MIT as a visiting scholar. She worked for over 20 years in the academic and consulting world. In 2005, she started to focus on what life was really about, and educated herself in healing techniques. In 2008, she dedicated her time to build Alaya Retreat Centre. She has steered Alaya Retreat Centre as a hub for profound transformation, crafting innovative coaching methodologies that challenge conventional approaches. Ellen has worked with groups for over 20 years, and completed 2 years of the Four Cycles TM integrated healing program.
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She also has her Masters in Reiki, which allows her to teach Reiki to other students and work as a Reiki healer. In addition, she participated in a first level teacher training of Yin Yoga and has a diploma in sound therapy level I and II, to give healings with Quartz Bowls. In 2017, she became educated as a horse assisted coach and animal Reiki healer. With this, her circle was completed and she is now healing all types of animals with 2 or 4 legs.āā
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Her groundbreaking work in equine-facilitated leadership coaching has empowered executives, teams, and individuals to break through limiting patterns and harness their full potential. By integrating horses, mirrors of human emotion and behavior, into leadership development, Ellen fosters a radical shift in the way we understand trust, collaboration, and authentic presence.
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A futurist in the wellness space, Ellen continually adapts to the evolving landscape of personal growth and conscious leadership. She stands at the forefront of a new era in holistic development, proving that the path to transformation is not just intellectual—but deeply embodied.
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The work that I do with the horses is a culmination of everything in my life leading to this work. This was also divinely guided by my horses showing me that this is what they are here to do. I am so grateful that with all of my experience that I could support them in this work, as they are equally supporting me in this work.
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Ellen Christiaanse
IMAGE GALLERY
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VACACIONES DE YOGA
Yoga and Healing with Horses: 5-Day Retreat
DISPONIBLE TODO EL AÑO
Note: This retreat can also be organized on other dates with different duration upon request. Just contact us through the form on the bottom of this page.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Ellen, una practicante dedicada con años de experiencia en modalidades de curación con caballos, se destaca en Reiki, constelaciones asistidas por equinos y meditación para fomentar las conexiones entre humanos y caballos para la curación. Su experiencia se extiende al trabajo con mustangs salvajes en California, profundizando su conocimiento de su energía y comportamiento. Una estudiante ferviente, ha mejorado sus habilidades de comunicación con los animales a través de numerosos cursos. El trabajo de Ellen, arraigado en el respeto por la naturaleza y la creencia en las habilidades curativas de los caballos, muestra su enfoque compasivo e intuitivo, lo que la convierte en una figura respetada en la facilitación de la curación y el crecimiento personal con caballos.
āāOPTIONAL:
• Additional Massages
• Additional healing treatments with the horses
• Horse riding excursion through the vineyards with nearby riding school with a glass of local wine afterwards
• Individual coaching session with horses
• Individual family constellation session with the horses
VIDEO GALLERY
Mira con el sonido a alto volumen para que puedas escuchar a los caballos reaccionar a la respiración de Ellen.
CONEXIÓN ALIENTO ANIMAL
āDada la naturaleza sensible de los caballos, responden instantáneamente a tus patrones de respiración. Al alinear tu respiración con la de un caballo, puedes mejorar la conexión, fomentando un estado de relajación que incluso podría llevar a que un caballo se tumbe a tu lado y respire en armonía, como se muestra en el video. Recuerda mantener el sonido activado, ya que es crucial para la demostración. La meditación Animal Breathwork Connection (ABC) está diseñada para ser accesible y no requiere experiencia previa con caballos o técnicas de respiración.
Reiki
Una sesión de Reiki actúa como un masaje energético, canalizando la energía universal para fomentar el bienestar, mejorar la salud y mejorar la calidad de vida. Es eficaz contra una variedad de problemas físicos y psicológicos como la ansiedad, el estrés y más, al mismo tiempo que cura los bloqueos emocionales. Su objetivo no es solo aliviar los síntomas, sino también restablecer el equilibrio y la felicidad. Los caballos, en sintonía con la energía, responden positivamente al Reiki, disfrutan de las sesiones y participan activamente, demostrando su sensibilidad a la energía curativa y amorosa que se intercambia durante la terapia.
MEDITACIÓN
āHorses, sensitive to our inner states, reflect what we may not see in ourselves. Their presence teaches us to utilize somatic, emotional, and intuitive information more effectively. The coherence of a horse's heart rate, in sync with its breathing and brain activity, can positively influence human heart coherence, leading to beneficial physiological states. Meditating with horses offers a simple, serene way to harness these animals' ability to enhance our well-being and personal growth.
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