Breath Retreat In Lanzarote (3-7 nights)
Breath Retreat In Lanzarote (3-7 nights)
With Alan Dolan
What’s it all about and why go on this life-changing retreat?
Have you ever watched a small child at play? Completely absorbed in the moment and totally unselfconscious. Perfect authenticity. No facades. Simply being. It’s a great reminder of our inherent ability to live this way. So when did we lose that ability and how do we get back there?
From a very early age we are taught how NOT to be authentic. Parents give children signals as to what is ‘ok’ and ‘not-ok’, and children adopt strategies in order to regain approval. For children, non-authentic behaviour has a short term gain. Over time however it becomes the norm, leading us further and further away from who we really are.
Our relationships with others are a direct reflection of the one we have with ourselves. You can’t hope for intimacy with another person if you aren’t intimate with yourself. If you’re looking for authenticity you need to be authentic with yourself. If you want respect from others you need to be respectful with yourself. If you’d like to see through the facades of others you must get behind your own facade first.
Breathwork is your ticket back to the remembrance of your authentic self, a journey which can open you further than you ever imagined possible. It’s the best adventure you will ever have, and unlike even the most fabulous holiday it doesn’t stop when you get back home. It’s literally the ultimate trip.
Breathwork allows you to lighten up, and realise that you are already ok as you are. The facade you’ve spent years constructing will simply fall away, allowing you to spend time with your true self, learning your needs and wants. You can disengage from the drama, find your centre, find joy inside yourself – and consciously create a life you are happy to be a part of.
The Healing Power of Breath
Humans have been aware of the healing power of their breath for millennia. Through the centuries we’ve developed a vast array of breathing practices, all designed to bring about physical and emotional wellbeing and connect with our deeper selves.
But in today’s society, we often neglect our bodies’ built-in capabilities. Imagine owning the highest specification TV in existence, keeping it plugged in on standby and then living with it for years and years without ever actually turning it on. The fact is, most of us live in ‘standby mode’ most of the time. The most powerful mechanism is literally right beneath our noses waiting to be explored, yet we rarely give it more than a passing thought.
Conscious breathing is a powerful and safe way to infuse the body with oxygen and energy, recharging our own (often depleted) systems to work to their healing capacity. And it facilitates openings to higher levels of consciousness, allowing us to tap into our deeper resources and live better, easy, more joyful lives.
With breathwork we can enjoy optimum health, mental and emotional clarity, and experience an ever-deepening relationship with ourselves. It’s the means by which we can embark upon the ultimate journey: the one where we discover who we really are. And it can facilitate the growth needed in order for us to transform into who we’re capable of becoming.
What you’ll gain (and we’ve experienced it ourselves, so know all of these to be true)
- Be the healthiest you’ve ever been
- Feel completely energised
- Experience deeply nourishing peace and relaxation
- Move beyond whatever is standing between you and your happiness
- Become aware of emotions halting your personal growth
- Let go of emotional baggage permanently and easily
- Release anxiety and alleviate depression
- Develop a new dimension to your yoga and/or spiritual practice
- Understand the nature of spirit
- Open your breath and expand your life
The Technique
All of Alan Dolan’s work is based around one simple breathing technique, which you can vary depending on how you want to feel or what you’d like to achieve. You’ll be taught how to use conscious breathing effectively and be guided and supervised as you go along – paving the way for really transformative experiences.
Lanzarote and the villa where you’ll be staying
Situated just 79 miles off the coast of Africa, Lanzarote is the most easterly of the Canary Islands and has been Alan’s home for the past 11 years. In 2011, after more than a year of searching, Alan found the ‘Dream Place’ for these retreats – a sanctuary of peace and seclusion in a rural location with sea and volcano views, ten minutes from the beautiful beach at Famara.
The villa is in an elevated position, with terraced patio areas and private, shady spots to lounge. The 5-star accommodation is mostly arranged around the sheltered private pool, with two of the rooms opening directly out to it. Nearby, you can soak in the hot tub after your twice-daily breath sessions and drink in the awe-inspiring vistas as the sunsets.
Your 1-1 breath sessions with Alan always take place in the complete privacy of the therapy room. And as there are only ever a maximum of four guests staying at any one time, you can be as private or as involved as you wish to be – most people choosing to do both at different times during their stay. Those attending often say the other people present during their stay really add to their experience.
The Rooms
THE LOFT
A light and airy double room with floor to ceiling windows, sea/volcano views and direct access to the pool terrace. The space has been furnished using a mixture of Indonesian, Spanish and Turkish pieces, resulting in a relaxed, stylish environment. The teak four-poster bed and ensuite bathroom/dressing area complements the living space beautifully.
THE SUITE
The spacious Suite is made up of a double bedroom, bathroom and lounge. Both the bedroom and the lounge have patio doors opening directly onto the pool area. The lounge can also be used as a second bedroom, making The Suite ideal for friends or family who wish to visit the retreat together.
SKYVIEW
A double bedroom with ensuite bathroom, with an atrium skylight perfect for watching the stars. The high-spec bathroom also features a shower/steam room.
The Food
Delicious and healthy, Alan’s vegetarian cuisine is prepared by his resident chef from local, seasonal produce.
Other information
Hiring a car is recommended as the villa is in a rural location, and if you really want to explore the island it’s a must. Car hire is very reasonably priced and can be arranged on your behalf, but you will still be met at the airport irrespective of whether or not you hire a car. It’s remarkably easy to drive around the island; there is very little traffic and it’s a great way to experience the incredible landscapes.
If you don’t want to drive, don’t worry – Alan is happy to drop you at the beach, and half or full island day tours are also available. You can walk on pristine sandy beaches, surf at Famara or swim in the crystal clear ocean, go on nature walks or volcano climbs, or soak up the local culture at fiestas; Lanzarote really is the most magical of islands. It enjoys a mild dry climate with average daytime temperatures ranging from about 21°C in January to 29°C in August. With total annual rainfall at just 140mm, so your time on this retreat is likely to be bathed in warm, dry weather whatever time of year you visit.
What’s included
- One 60-minute 1-1 breath session each day (ex. arrival + departure days)
- One 60-minute group breath session each day (ex. arrival + departure days)
- Full board vegetarian meals and drinks prepared by our chef
- Airport transfers
Due to the bespoke nature of this retreat it’s essential to get in touch with us directly to make a booking. Please contact us here.
Prices
Having experienced this retreat personally, we can affirm that the longer your stay, the greater your experience. While 4 nights is enough for a taste of breathwork, 6 nights is the average length of stay – and it allows you the time and space to tap in to your deeper resources.
Availability for this retreat changes daily – plus Alan likes to establish personal contact with his clients, so should you wish to check availability please tell us the dates you are interested in and we will let you know your options and arrange for you to have a personal call with Alan to run through everything.
All prices are in GB Pounds. You can plan in additional breath sessions at £100 each – let us know when booking. Also ask us about massages and volcano excursions.
If you’d like us to arrange flights for you, we can, otherwise you’re free to organise your own.
My Breathing Space retreat was just that… space for myself to focus on me, just me. Alan’s experience, natural compassion and intuition enabled me to learn about myself and to ‘clear’ emotionally and physically. At the end of the week I felt stronger, clearer, spiritually and literally ‘lighter’… a life changing week. I am resolved to make it an annual retreat. Worth every penny and more.”
Emma, Cambridge
Alan Dolan is one of the best alternative practitioners/ breathworkers I’ve had the privilege to work with. His level of care for and intuitive understanding about the needs of his clients is second to none and I highly recommend him to any and everyone embarking on a journey of self discovery and/or looking for a way to live a happier, healthier and more peaceful life”
Naomie Harris, Oscar, Bafta & Golden Globe nominee
I have practiced yoga for 8 years and meditation for 5 years and have always struggled with breathing and connecting the breath. I felt constricted across the chest and stuck. I knew I wasn’t breathing to my full capacity and that was the motivating factor for my initial interest in transformational breath. My actual experience extended way beyond any expectations I ever believed for what could be achieved through breathing! The breath work took me on a huge healing journey in 5 days and for the first time in my life I could feel my heart softening and opening. The work Alan does is incredible, truly life changing and transformative – Thank you for an amazing experience, Alan.”
Naomi Buff – Monaco
Due to the bespoke nature of this retreat it’s essential to get in touch with us directly to make a booking. Please call Justine on 0044 7714 333418 or email justinec@thelifeadventure.co
Presenter Alan Dolan
Alan Dolan, a world-renowned breath coach, has spent over a decade changing people’s lives (not least his own) with the simple power of breathing. After graduating from Aston University he worked overseas in Africa, Asia and for 10 years the Middle East, forging a career in the high-pressure world of communications. His last position in his “previous incarnation” was as a PR manager in the Aerospace industry. After taking a sabbatical in order to pursue his interest in things metaphysical Alan was introduced to the wonders of breathwork, and immediately knew that this would form the foundation of the next stage of his journey. Alan’s key message is that YOU are the guru, and your breath is the key. Eleven years on Alan has gained a wealth of experience in working with the breath both for individuals and businesses and lives on the magic isle of Lanzarote.
MORE »What’s included
4-7 night retreat includes:One 60-minute 1-1 breath session each day (ex. arrival + departure days)
One 60-minute group breath session each day (ex. arrival + departure days)
One massage with bodywork specialist Martin Cairoli
Full board vegetarian meals and drinks prepared by the chef
Airport transfers
Due to the bespoke nature of this retreat it’s essential to get in touch with us directly to make a booking. Please call Justine on 0044 7714 333418 or email justinec@thelifeadventure.co
Presenter Alan Dolan
Alan Dolan, a world-renowned breath coach, has spent over a decade changing people’s lives (not least his own) with the simple power of breathing. After graduating from Aston University he worked overseas in Africa, Asia and for 10 years the Middle East, forging a career in the high-pressure world of communications. His last position in his “previous incarnation” was as a PR manager in the Aerospace industry. After taking a sabbatical in order to pursue his interest in things metaphysical Alan was introduced to the wonders of breathwork, and immediately knew that this would form the foundation of the next stage of his journey. Alan’s key message is that YOU are the guru, and your breath is the key. Eleven years on Alan has gained a wealth of experience in working with the breath both for individuals and businesses and lives on the magic isle of Lanzarote.
MORE »What’s included
4-7 night retreat includes:One 60-minute 1-1 breath session each day (ex. arrival + departure days)
One 60-minute group breath session each day (ex. arrival + departure days)
One massage with bodywork specialist Martin Cairoli
Full board vegetarian meals and drinks prepared by the chef
Airport transfers
Due to the bespoke nature of this retreat it’s essential to get in touch with us directly to make a booking. Please call Justine on 0044 7714 333418 or email justinec@thelifeadventure.co