YOGA & HEALING WITH HORSES
Calendar Year 2025
Feb 12-16 | Mar 19-23 | Apr 9-13 | Apr 17-21 | May 14-18 |Jun 11-15 | Jul 16-20 | Aug 27-31 | Sep 17-21 |
Oct 15-19 | Nov 18-22 | Dec 17-21
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.
When we interact with horses, we are forced to be aware because horses live in the present and respond to our nonverbal cues and body language. This can help us become more mindful of our own emotions and thoughts, which is essential for meditation and spiritual well-being.
It has been proven that this equines also have a calming effect on humans, which can help us reduce stress and anxiety. Their rhythmic movements and the sound of their breathing can be meditative, and their gentle natures can help us feel more connected to nature and the universe.
Horses are also powerful symbols of freedom, strength, and spirituality in many cultures, which can make them a meaningful part of spiritual practices and rituals. For example, horses are often used in Native American spirituality as symbols of power and healing.
INCLUDED IN YOUR PACKAGE
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All program items during 5 days
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4 nights accommodation
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Daily brunch and dinner and light snack in afternoon
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Welcome glass of cava (Spanish Champagne from grapes from our vineyards) on day 1
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Coffee, herbal teas and filtered water all day
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One individual healing session with Ellen and the horses per person
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Hot chocolate, golden milk and chai by the fire place or at sunset from our 120 m2 roof terrace
ELLEN CHRISTIAANSE
Ellen, a devoted practitioner with years of experience in horse healing modalities, excels in Reiki, equine-assisted constellations, and meditation to foster human-horse connections for healing. Her expertise extends to working with wild mustangs in California and Colorado, deepening her insight into their energy and behavior. A fervent learner, she has enhanced her animal communication skills through numerous courses. Ellen's work, rooted in respect for nature and belief in horses' healing abilities, showcases her compassionate, intuitive approach, facilitating healing and personal growth with horses.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Day 1: Afternoon Arrival and Setting Intentions
Afternoon
• 3 PM : Arrival and Welcome Ceremony:
Guests arrive at Alaya Retreat Centre in the afternoon, settle in, and enjoy a guided tour of the grounds.
• Orientation and Intention Setting: Brief overview of the week’s activities, followed by a group intention-setting circle.
• Introduction to the Herd: A gentle meet-and-greet session with the horses. Participants are introduced to each horse’s unique qualities and learn the significance of the human-horse connection in healing.
Evening
• 6 PM - Evening Yoga Session: A gentle yoga session focused on grounding and releasing any travel stress, helping participants prepare for the retreat experience.
• Meditation with the Horses: A guided meditation session in the presence of the horses, allowing participants to connect energetically and begin establishing a calm, shared bond with the herd.
• Grounding Meditation and Reflection: Reflect on first impressions and set personal goals for the retreat.
Day 2: Establishing Connection and Breathwork
Morning
• 9 AM - Morning Yoga Session: An energizing yoga practice to start the day, focusing on breathwork and gentle movement to connect with the natural rhythm of the retreat center.
• ABC Breathing Technique Workshop: Introduction to the ABC breathing technique to enhance self-awareness and mindfulness. Participants practice with horses, observing how breathing patterns affect their connection with the animals.
Afternoon
• Horse-Assisted Grounding Exercises and Hypnosis Session: Guided activities focusing on establishing mutual trust and grounding through non-verbal communication and gentle touch.
• Time slot for Individual Reiki Healing with Ellen: Each participant receives one one-on-one personal Reiki session during the retreat with Ellen, allowing for deep relaxation and energy alignment.
Evening
• 6 PM - Evening Yoga Session: A calming, restorative yoga practice that complements the day’s activities.
• Guided Reflection and Journaling: Participants note down their experiences with the ABC breathing technique and connection exercises.
Day 3: Deepening the Bond with Energy Work
Morning
• 9 AM - Morning Yoga Session: A mindful yoga session focusing on presence and relaxation, setting a peaceful tone for the day’s activities.
• Session with the Horses: Soul Contracts and meditative states: The role of horses
Afternoon
• Introduction to Reiki for Horses: A detailed introduction to Reiki energy healing, its benefits for horses, and how it fosters relaxation and healing. Participants learn basic hand positions and concepts of energy flow.
• Group Reiki with Horses: In pairs, participants practice gentle Reiki techniques with the horses under the guidance of an equine Reiki practitioner.
• Time slot for Individual Reiki Healing with Ellen: Scheduled individual Reiki sessions with Ellen, providing personal time for deeper healing and relaxation.
Evening
• 6 PM - Evening Yoga Session: A gentle flow that incorporates meditation, helping participants unwind and reflect on the day’s experiences.
• Silent Walk with Horses: Reflective evening walk alongside the herd, fostering a sense of peace and unity with nature.
Day 4: Trust-Building and Continued Healing
Morning
• 9 AM - Morning Yoga Session: A centering yoga class that incorporates breathwork to support confidence and trust, preparing participants for their individual session with the horses.
• Equine-Assisted Trust Exercises: Trust-building activities with the horses, helping participants develop confidence and a better understanding of boundaries.
Afternoon
• Time slot for Individual Reiki Healing with Ellen: Each participant receives a one-on-one Reiki session with Ellen in the afternoon.
• Free Time for Reflection and Rest: A peaceful period allowing participants to rest and reflect, integrating their experiences and healing.
Evening
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6 PM - Evening Yoga Session: A restorative yoga practice that supports relaxation and introspection
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Group Sharing and Reflection: Sharing insights and breakthroughs in a supportive circle to help solidify personal growth.
Day 5: Integration and Departure
Morning
• 9 AM - Morning Yoga Session: A gentle yoga session designed to integrate the week’s experiences, promoting a feeling of gratitude and closure.
• Farewell Connection Ritual: Final group session with the horses, integrating lessons learned. Participants have one-on-one time with their horse to say goodbye and thank them.
• Closing Ceremony and Gratitude Circle: Reflective gathering, expressing gratitude for the horses, facilitators, and group. Participants set intentions for integrating this experience into daily life.
Afternoon
• 3 PM Departure: Guests leave the retreat center with new insights, a deep sense of calm, and tools to practice mindfulness, communication, and healing in their everyday lives.
OPTIONAL:
• 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
As activities with the horses we offer meditation with horses, introduction to the chakras of the horses with reiki and breath connection sessions. If you join us for several days we will make sure you have a different activity each day.
In addition we offer individual healing sessions with the horses, coaching sessions and reiki at an additional fee.
We do not offer riding our horses but if you would like to go on an excursion on horse back we can organize this with a nearby riding school that organizes beautiful excursions through vineyardsm forests and hills nearby.
Watch with sound on high volume so you can hear the horses react to Ellen´s breathing.
ANIMAL BREATH CONNECTION
Given the sensitive nature of horses, they instantly respond to your breathing patterns. By aligning your breath with that of a horse, you can enhance your connection, encouraging a relaxed state that might even lead to a horse lying beside you, breathing in harmony as demonstrated in the video. Remember to keep the sound on, as it's crucial for the demonstration. The Animal Breathwork Connection (ABC) meditation is designed to be accessible, requiring no prior experience with horses or breathwork techniques.
REIKI
A Reiki session acts as an energetic massage, channeling universal energy to foster well-being, improving health and enhancing life quality. It's effective against a range of physical and psychological issues like anxiety, stress, and more, while also healing emotional blockages. It aims not just to alleviate symptoms but to restore balance and happiness. Horses, attuned to energy, respond positively to Reiki, enjoying the sessions and actively participating, demonstrating their sensitivity to the healing and loving energy exchanged during therapy.
MEDITATION
Horses, 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.
