Individualised Ayurvedic Healing Retreats with Alex Duncan

A rare opportunity to spend several days at The Sun Centre and receive one-to-one Ayurvedic guidance on a daily basis (I only accept one person per event, though a partner could accompany you). On the first day, we will determine your Ayurvedic constitution and assess any long-term imbalances. We will then design an Ayurvedic health regime that suits your current needs, taking into account your lifestyle back home and your personal inclinations. This would typically include the following components: a nutritional regime (cooking classes will be given), herbal remedies, therapeutic yoga, self-hygiene methods (such as self-massage, self-marma (acupressure) therapy, nasal cleansing), daily and seasonal regimes, mental techniques like affirmation, visualisation, healing sound and meditation. During the days that follow, you will be taught how to employ your new healing program (approximately 4 hours per day), as well as having plenty of time to rest and relax, enjoy a massage or two (additional fee) or go for walks in nature.

You will learn how to cook healing foods that not only taste good, but are easy and quick to prepare and include the use of digestive spices and other special ingredients for optimal nutrition. Advice will be given on your current use of supplements and super foods, as well as Ayurvedic herbal formulas. Details will be given on how to adjust your nutritional regime during the different seasons, and some simple home detox guidelines offered. Above all, I work according to your inclinations, tastes, and current lifestyle.

Instruction for the therapeutic yoga and any other practical aspects of your program will be given on a daily basis. If you have never practiced yoga, you will not loose out, in fact, it can even be an advantage. I work with and prescribe posture work (asanas), breath work (pranayama) and the use of healing sound (mantra). But ‘modern’ exercise will also be discussed and a realistic exercise regime will be drawn up.

We will also spend some time looking at mental and emotional health. A friendly discussion-come-counselling session enables us to determine what sort of mind improving/healing techniques to work with (if any at all). The least I will do is determine your psychological dominance (usually reflected in your physical constitution) and help you understand how to make this work for you.

Towards the end of your stay, we will fine-tune your program, taking into account the experiences you have had during your stay, and any additional insights I have gained that might further improve your efforts. Here you will have the chance to clarify any last-minute details.

This retreat will empower you with new tools and ideas helping you to experience ever greater levels of health. If you have good general health, but want to ensure you get the most from life, preventing premature aging, this event is ideal. If you are suffering from a chronic illness, then ask yourself “am I prepared to make a genuine effort to heal and take responsibility for my wellbeing”. If the answer is yes, then this practical Ayurvedic approach adapted to our western culture can help you, and this retreat will give you a rare opportunity to work closely with someone who can guide you in your efforts of self-healing.

Typical program (changes may be made depending on your needs)

Day 0: PM: Arrival, includes airport pickup

Day 1:

AM: Prakriti (your constitution) and vikriti (imbalance) assessment
PM: Healing program defined and explained

Day 2:

AM: Therapeutic yoga instruction
MID-AM: Nutritional counselling and cooking class (includes Ayurvedic Cookbook)
PM: Free time
EVE: Discussion: Ayurvedic perspective of mind and emotions. Mental practices given

Day 3:

AM: Therapeutic Yoga instruction
MID-AM: Nutritional and cooking class
PM: Free time
EVE: Educational discussion: Daily & Seasonal routines

Day 4: Day off

Day 5:

AM: Therapeutic Yoga instruction
MID-AM: Nutritional and cooking class
PM: Free time
EVE: Evaluation and fine-tuning of mental practices

Day 6:

AM: Therapeutic Yoga instruction
MID-AM: Final session, modifications , questions etc., herbal formulas suggested
PM: Free time OR travel to airport etc. for evening departure
EVE: Discussion

Day 7: AM: Travel to airport etc. for morning/midday departure.

Cost

€1250 (about £850). Price includes all tuition (approximately 25 hours) all meals and en-suite accommodation and various materials including the Ayurvedic Cookbook by Amadea Morninstar, self-hygiene equipment (nasal cleaning pot, tongue scraper, massage oil), additional printed media, instructional CDs etc. Travel to The Sun Centre from Nîmes, Montpellier or Avignon. Herbal remedies (these you order from Ayurvedic suppliers when you return home) and massages (€45 per full body massage) are not included in this price.

Dates

The following weeks are availalbe (dates indicate the Saturday start date). The program ends at Friday Lunch time. Departure can be either Friday afternoon (for evening flights etc.) or Saturday morning. A 40 Euros discount is given for Friday departures.

Autumn / Winter 2004

30-Oct, 13-Nov and 20-Nov, 11-Dec

Winter / Spring 2005

15-Jan and 22-Jan, 12-Feb and 19-Feb, 05-Mar, 12-Mar and 26-Mar, 02-Apr, 23-Apr and 30-Apr, 21-May and 28-May, 04-Jun and 11-Jun.