Holidays@CasaAna
Tai Chi and Walking in Nature
Tai Chi and Qigong have been practised in China for hundreds if not thousands of years and countless people have benefited from the mental calm and physical well-being that arise when they perform this ancient art.
There is also a long tradition of performing tai chi in nature, in beautiful and peaceful surroundings. The Alpujarra provides the perfect setting for tai chi. You’ll be able to practise in the hills, in the fresh air, by a mountain stream, and even on the beach. During the week Angus Clark will teach you the essential moves of Tai Chi, which you’ll be able to practise when you get back home
Next holiday:
Date: 25 – 31 October 2025 (6 nights)
“That was a fantastic session this morning. Thank you. Why have I deprived myself for so long? You bring that connection with Life, the elements, the numinous, the unknown. And it's great fun! ”
— JEN
About Angus
“I am an explorer, enabler and educator in the field of ‘movement for whole human health’ through Tai Chi and Qigong. I’m the founder of Living Movement (Tai Chi, Nature and Health), and have been teaching Tai Chi in nature for many years. I’ve also published books and DVDs on Tai Chi and Qigong and have trained many people to instructor level.
“Right from my very first class in Tai Chi, 40 years ago, I was excited by its principles of deep relaxation and strength in softness. I liked the feeling of ‘natural way’ in my body and began to notice how my mind became attentive to the nature of the movements and just how good this mind-body interaction left me feeling.
“Over the years I have become more and more aware of how the nature of the tai chi movement with its rhythms and cycles mirrors the greater rhythms and cycles taking place continually in Nature. Practising Tai Chi in the natural world brings a sense of connection and belonging to Nature. Hence a lot of my work is Nature based.
“I like to work simply, using core processes and principles, which means that much of my work is accessible to beginners as well as experienced tai chi people.”
The Five Principles of Tai Chi
Through his many years of practising Tai Chi, Angus has distilled five essential principles, which you’ll experience during the week:
Freeing
Brings us fluidity, relaxation and an ease in moving.
Aligning
Allows us to experience the whole self through connections and the postural integration of the body.
Focusing
Allow yourself to become absorbed, attentive, curious as to what is happening in each moment.
Sensing
Deepen and expand your awareness to gather information - from all the senses of your body; your heart, your head, your hands, your feet, your gut… and from your environment.
Being
Follow the Natural Way, the Tao, the way things want to move and flow. Be quiet so that you may hear; be still so that you may notice.
During the week Angus will teach you sequences of moves combining these principles, which you can continue practising when you get back home.
The Programme
Each day Angus will lead a morning and a late afternoon practice. After the morning session and breakfast you’ll head out for a walk, with a picnic lunch, accompanied by Angus and a local guide from the Spanish Highs guiding company.
The walks will last 2 to 3 hours with plenty of time to slow down, breathe, look around and admire the nature around you. And if the mood takes you, Angus will lead short Tai Chi sessions at stopping places on the path.
Highlights of the week will include:
Greet the sunrise: practising Tai Chi each morning on the old threshing circle. The historic threshing circles (Eras) of the Alpujarra are ideal for Tai Chi. Each village has one, and the Era of Ferreirola is one of the best, ringed by mountains with wonderful views of the Trevelez river gorge.
Discover the Alpujarra: with our local knowledge, we’ll take you to some of the most beautiful and unspoilt spots in the Alpujarra as well as the Sierra Nevada National Park.
Chi by the Sea: walking and practising Tai Chi on the beach at Salobreña, whilst listening to the gentle lapping of the Mediterranean and the calls of gulls. All that fresh air gives a good appetite for a picnic lunch on the beach.
A Chi Walk: combining mindful walking with stopping to practise Tai Chi in peaceful locations around Casa Ana. Perform Tai Chi in a peaceful chestnut grove, a terraced meadow, a garden and a local mirador (viewpoint).
Village life: a visit to the historic village of Pampaneira. A change of scene, with opportunities to relax in the local cafes, shop for local crafts and produce and watch the world go by.
Mountain stream Tai Chi: one of our favourite walks, a little higher in the mountains, with inspiring views down to the Mediterranean and even as far as Morocco. The walk starts in the pine forest and descends gently through alpine grasslands, ending at a bubbling mountain stream.
Prices
From €1210. Please contact Tinca at info@casa-ana.com for further information.
The price includes: 6 nights’ accommodation, breakfasts, 5 picnic lunches, 5 dinners with a glass of wine, tea and coffee at Casa Ana. It will also include tuition, walking guides and local minibuses.
The price will not include: flights or airport transfers, 1 dinner, alcoholic drinks (apart from those included with meals), drinks at local cafes.
For further information and bookings: email Tinca at Casa Ana.
“We’ve been learning Tai Chi with Angus for about a year, in a group of all ages and abilities. We really enjoy his excellent teaching, he is calm, humorous and engaging.
We’ve also been on several walking weeks at Casa Ana and love the setting, the warm welcoming staff and the delicious food - put the two together and we can’t wait to come back.”
— JANET AND CHRIS
Accommodation and Food
Casa Ana is known for its stylish and comfortable accommodation, fabulous vegetarian cooking and stunning views of the Trevelez river gorge and the mountains beyond.
““Casa Ana provided fantastic vegetarian meals, with homemade desserts that were beyond delicious, fantastic hearty healthy food, beautiful breakfast”
The House
Staying at Casa Ana is like staying at a private house, simple, comfortable and welcoming. A place where you can feel at home.
The old Alpujarra-style buildings are arranged around a Moorish courtyard garden, planted with wisteria and roses. A few steps through the garden take you to the terraces with breathtaking views along the valley and into the mountains.
In the bedrooms we’ve kept the original chestnut beams with white walls and terracotta floors, comfortable beds, quality linens and a scattering of rugs.
The bathrooms are modern with rain showers, huge mirrors and hand-made tiles inspired by the Moorish designs of the Alhambra. A large sitting room gives onto a shady terrace with superb mountain views.
The Architect-designed dining room and kitchen are open plan and welcoming, giving onto a secluded south-facing terrace. For winter warmth there is underfloor central heating throughout (even in the bathrooms) and a fireplace in the sitting room.
“Casa Ana is a perfect place to bring a small group, especially for walking, writing, or personal development – you can have the place to yourselves. The mix of indoor and outdoor spaces provides a conducive and pleasing environment for this kind of activity. If you bring a group of 6 or more, you can opt to have lunches and dinners included, as we did, and I highly recommend this.”
— LORRAINE
The Garden
Casa Ana was made for outdoor living. Everywhere rooms open onto the Moorish garden, the courtyard or the terraces.
There are big shady pergolas where you can relax with a glass of wine, or a cup of coffee and a good book and secluded sunny corners where you can soak up the Andalucian sun and do nothing at all. At night you can sit out, gaze at the stars and watch the moonrise over the mountains.
Everywhere there are panoramic views, the scent of jasmine and orange blossom, and maybe the sound of goatbells or a nightingale or the river far below.
It’s what makes Casa Ana special.
“The Casa itself is beautiful, and has been lovingly and sympathetically restored... Anne and the staff couldn’t possibly be any friendlier. The surroundings are also stunning.”
— LYNNE