FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is this the right course for me?
Since the methods used in this course improve the fitness of the brain and body it can be useful for everyone. The course helps many people overcome pain, reverse the symptoms of aging, rediscover ease, vitality and joy. Musicians improve their playing, golfers improve their stroke, injured athletes get back to their sport, and active healthy people move more freely and live more fully.
What should I expect in this course?
You will be guided through a series of slow, gentle and specialised movements, normally in a lying position but occasionally sitting or standing. These movements are safe for all participants regardless of age and physical condition.
This style of slow self-exploration may not feel comfortable at times because the body will be freeing up compensations that were masking an uncomfortable sensation it had been experiencing. The beauty of this learning is that you will be trading these compensations for genuine healing and healthy function as improved awareness of your movement patterns releases your unconscious holding that have been causing physical, emotional and mental limitations or energetic blocks.
This increased ability to sense and feel what you are doing allows you to make: the impossible possible, the possible easy, and the easy elegant. At the end of each session, participants are given an opportunity to share their experiences and discoveries.
Which types of methods are used?
The course is based on the Body Brain Freedom (BBF) approach which improves movement, learning and health. BBF blends methods such as Integrated Awareness®, Cortical Field Re-Education®, The Feldenkrais Method® and Strategic Intervention. These methods of self development and somatic education are based on scientific principals of: neurology, pyschology, biomechanics, physics, and marital arts, and optimise the neuroplasticity of the brain to heal the body.
Why work with brain neuroplasticicty and and not the symptoms?
It would seem to make sense to treat our symptoms, but latest research shows that 90% of our movement is processed by the brain and only 10% is in the physical movement itself, so when our bodies are out of alignment it makes perfect sense to work at the level of brain function. This is the way our Body Brain Freedom methods work, and the reason we have such incredible results.
How long will the changes last?
As the BBF methods (detailed above) are working at the deepest level of the body-brain connection, it's normal to expect lasting change from improvements experienced during the workshop.
What sort of conditions does this workshop help?
The workshop is particularly helpful for problems such as: restricted movement, chronic pain, shoulder and back pain, arthritis, TMJ, fibromyalgia, sciatica, anxiety and depression. It may also be helpful for other conditions.
How is this course different than yoga, stretching or physical therapy?
Unlike Yoga, stretching, or physical therapy, the course does not involve stretching or holding of positions and does not stress muscles and joints, and is therefore very safe. The benefits are attained by constantly introducing new movement patterns instead of repeating and holding set poses. All the movements are carried out slowly and gently, allowing for change and improvements to be realised instantaneously. The repertoire of new and improved movement skills grows very quickly.
One also learns the underlying principles of harmonious movement, and the attitudes that bring us maximum health and vitality. As in Yoga, there is a spiritual component to the methods used, which enhances feelings of well being and the unity of mind and body.
What are the typical outcomes of this course?
This course will help to improve the overall fitness of your body and brain, which often leads to vast improvements in physical health. Many previous course participants have overcome health issues they've been battling with for years, using more traditional methods of treatment. Many have also experienced a renewed vitality and sense of freedom and happiness, that their limitation and pain had been suppressing.
Do I need any prior experience?
No prior experience is needed to participate in the Movement For Life workshops.
What is the best day/time to arrive and depart?
Most people travel on the same day that their holiday starts and finishes - usually a Saturday. Your outward flight should arrive no later than 15:30. This gives you time to collect your luggage and get to the hotel from where the bus to Cortijo Romero leaves by 16:30. Some flights arrive much earlier, in which case you can leave your luggage at the hotel, use its facilities, have a swim, a meal, a rest or whatever.
At the end of the holiday, our bus gets to the airport in good time for flights departing at 12:00 or later. If your flight is much later, you can again leave your luggage at the hotel and use their facilities.
A few guests prefer to arrive in Malaga a day (or a few days) early and book into a hotel in Malaga city or one near the airport, beaches and the pick-up point for our bus. (N.B. this operates only on the day the holidays start and finish.) You can often get a cheaper flight by coming earlier, especially mid-week, thus off-setting the hotel cost. Much the same applies for the return journey.
Can I fly to another airport in Spain other than Malaga?
There is a good small airport at Granada, with flights operating from London City Airport. These are not as frequent as flights to Malaga, but they tend to be very good value and some people prefer this option, perhaps combining it with an extra few days in Granada, a wonderful city with abundant accommodation of every kind. There is a public bus from Granada and we can collect you (no charge) from the bus stop in our local village. Please contact us for further details:
+44 (0) 1494 765775.
I can only get flights to arrive or depart outside your recommended timings. What do I do?
If you can only get flights arriving after, or departing earlier than our recommended timings, please check with our bookings office: +44 (0) 1494 765775, before booking them. We can often still arrange additional transport for you but extra charges will apply. Very late arrivals are not possible.
I have agreed a late arrival or early departure with the bookings office. What am I charged for the transfer for this?
You will be charged £70 for a one-way journey (either a late arrival or early departure from our centre) instead of the £26 minibus fare. This is a subsidised rate and is charged per person (if you booked a taxi yourself, it would cost you about 200 euros or more). Our subsidised rate is available only on the days when our holidays start and finish.
How do I get to your centre from Granada?
From Granada to Cortijo Romero takes about an hour by taxi or hired car. Public buses take 1¼ - 1½ hours. The last bus leaves about 5 p.m. from the city centre. We can collect you (no charge) from the bus stop in our local village.
Will I be able able to get to Granada city to visit the Alhambra?
Only one or two holidays at Cortijo Romero include an excursion to Granada and the Alhambra. However, it's quite easy to go there by public bus or taxi instead of taking the more local excursion that is included with every one of our holidays. We can book a ticket and taxi for you and/or provide bus timetables.
An alternative is to come to Spain a few days before your holiday at Cortijo Romero (or return a few days after it). Granada is easy to reach by public transport from Malaga and has abundant accommodation of every kind. It's a great place to spend a few days; parts of it are a world heritage site and the Alhambra is one of the wonders of the world.
Can I stay on additional days?
This is often possible, when not all the rooms are needed for people booking for the whole week. Please contact the Cortijo Romero bookings office for details.
Can you do special diets?
Our food is vegetarian. We can cater for most non-meat/fish special diets at an additional charge of £17 per week. Please check with the bookings office first.
I've got to cancel my booking. Do I lose my money already paid?
You can always transfer to another week within the next twelve months. Otherwise, cancellation terms are printed on the reverse of your booking confirmation and in our brochure; depending on the amount of notice given, you may get a proportion of your money re-funded. It's a condition of booking that you have travel insurance, which should cover any remaining losses.
Are the holidays suitable for families with children?
Many guests are also parents, of course, but they often come to Cortijo Romero partly to have a break from family duties. Also, the centrepiece of each holiday is a course or workshop for adults interested in their own development - and it's very difficult to concentrate on that whilst also attending to children. For these reasons, the holidays are for adults only.
What discounts are available?
Movement for Life 1 & 2 are similar retreats and it's possible to book to book both weeks back-to-back and save £100. To take advantage of this offer, please quote M4L100 when booking.
How do I claim an advertised discount?
Please note when provisionally reserving a place where you have seen the offer with any code if applicable.
Do I qualify for a bursary?
We have a bursary fund for those in receipt of state benefits, who have a very low income or are unpaid carers for a dependent person.
Is there any way I can find out whether anybody would like to share a taxi with me from Malaga airport to the pick-up point for the bus to Cortijo Romero?
Yes. Click on the relevant link below and you will be redirected to the appropriate course page of the Cortijo Romero website. You can enter your details here and connect with other people arriving on the same day as yourself.
Click here for Movement For Life 1 - Taxi share
Click here for Movement For Life 2 - Taxi share
What clothes should I bring?
Well firstly, you don't need anything formal; things are pretty relaxed at Cortijo Romero. During the Movement For Life retreats, it will be hot almost all the time, it's unlikely it will rain, and so you won't need to wear much at all. However, if you are sensitive to strong sunlight, you might want to have clothes with long sleeves, plus a sun hat. A light jersey or similar should be enough for evenings.
In general, we recommend that you take a variety of light layers, rather than lots of heavy ones; that way, you will have more flexibility. Many people take too many clothes on a first visit!
If you like to walk in the mountains, strong shoes are essential. Good trainers are OK, as are strong sandals (not flip-flops or the like). Some guests like to walk up mountain river beds to waterfalls; for this, some waterproof footwear is necessary.
Since the methods used in this course improve the fitness of the brain and body it can be useful for everyone. The course helps many people overcome pain, reverse the symptoms of aging, rediscover ease, vitality and joy. Musicians improve their playing, golfers improve their stroke, injured athletes get back to their sport, and active healthy people move more freely and live more fully.
What should I expect in this course?
You will be guided through a series of slow, gentle and specialised movements, normally in a lying position but occasionally sitting or standing. These movements are safe for all participants regardless of age and physical condition.
This style of slow self-exploration may not feel comfortable at times because the body will be freeing up compensations that were masking an uncomfortable sensation it had been experiencing. The beauty of this learning is that you will be trading these compensations for genuine healing and healthy function as improved awareness of your movement patterns releases your unconscious holding that have been causing physical, emotional and mental limitations or energetic blocks.
This increased ability to sense and feel what you are doing allows you to make: the impossible possible, the possible easy, and the easy elegant. At the end of each session, participants are given an opportunity to share their experiences and discoveries.
Which types of methods are used?
The course is based on the Body Brain Freedom (BBF) approach which improves movement, learning and health. BBF blends methods such as Integrated Awareness®, Cortical Field Re-Education®, The Feldenkrais Method® and Strategic Intervention. These methods of self development and somatic education are based on scientific principals of: neurology, pyschology, biomechanics, physics, and marital arts, and optimise the neuroplasticity of the brain to heal the body.
Why work with brain neuroplasticicty and and not the symptoms?
It would seem to make sense to treat our symptoms, but latest research shows that 90% of our movement is processed by the brain and only 10% is in the physical movement itself, so when our bodies are out of alignment it makes perfect sense to work at the level of brain function. This is the way our Body Brain Freedom methods work, and the reason we have such incredible results.
How long will the changes last?
As the BBF methods (detailed above) are working at the deepest level of the body-brain connection, it's normal to expect lasting change from improvements experienced during the workshop.
What sort of conditions does this workshop help?
The workshop is particularly helpful for problems such as: restricted movement, chronic pain, shoulder and back pain, arthritis, TMJ, fibromyalgia, sciatica, anxiety and depression. It may also be helpful for other conditions.
How is this course different than yoga, stretching or physical therapy?
Unlike Yoga, stretching, or physical therapy, the course does not involve stretching or holding of positions and does not stress muscles and joints, and is therefore very safe. The benefits are attained by constantly introducing new movement patterns instead of repeating and holding set poses. All the movements are carried out slowly and gently, allowing for change and improvements to be realised instantaneously. The repertoire of new and improved movement skills grows very quickly.
One also learns the underlying principles of harmonious movement, and the attitudes that bring us maximum health and vitality. As in Yoga, there is a spiritual component to the methods used, which enhances feelings of well being and the unity of mind and body.
What are the typical outcomes of this course?
This course will help to improve the overall fitness of your body and brain, which often leads to vast improvements in physical health. Many previous course participants have overcome health issues they've been battling with for years, using more traditional methods of treatment. Many have also experienced a renewed vitality and sense of freedom and happiness, that their limitation and pain had been suppressing.
Do I need any prior experience?
No prior experience is needed to participate in the Movement For Life workshops.
What is the best day/time to arrive and depart?
Most people travel on the same day that their holiday starts and finishes - usually a Saturday. Your outward flight should arrive no later than 15:30. This gives you time to collect your luggage and get to the hotel from where the bus to Cortijo Romero leaves by 16:30. Some flights arrive much earlier, in which case you can leave your luggage at the hotel, use its facilities, have a swim, a meal, a rest or whatever.
At the end of the holiday, our bus gets to the airport in good time for flights departing at 12:00 or later. If your flight is much later, you can again leave your luggage at the hotel and use their facilities.
A few guests prefer to arrive in Malaga a day (or a few days) early and book into a hotel in Malaga city or one near the airport, beaches and the pick-up point for our bus. (N.B. this operates only on the day the holidays start and finish.) You can often get a cheaper flight by coming earlier, especially mid-week, thus off-setting the hotel cost. Much the same applies for the return journey.
Can I fly to another airport in Spain other than Malaga?
There is a good small airport at Granada, with flights operating from London City Airport. These are not as frequent as flights to Malaga, but they tend to be very good value and some people prefer this option, perhaps combining it with an extra few days in Granada, a wonderful city with abundant accommodation of every kind. There is a public bus from Granada and we can collect you (no charge) from the bus stop in our local village. Please contact us for further details:
+44 (0) 1494 765775.
I can only get flights to arrive or depart outside your recommended timings. What do I do?
If you can only get flights arriving after, or departing earlier than our recommended timings, please check with our bookings office: +44 (0) 1494 765775, before booking them. We can often still arrange additional transport for you but extra charges will apply. Very late arrivals are not possible.
I have agreed a late arrival or early departure with the bookings office. What am I charged for the transfer for this?
You will be charged £70 for a one-way journey (either a late arrival or early departure from our centre) instead of the £26 minibus fare. This is a subsidised rate and is charged per person (if you booked a taxi yourself, it would cost you about 200 euros or more). Our subsidised rate is available only on the days when our holidays start and finish.
How do I get to your centre from Granada?
From Granada to Cortijo Romero takes about an hour by taxi or hired car. Public buses take 1¼ - 1½ hours. The last bus leaves about 5 p.m. from the city centre. We can collect you (no charge) from the bus stop in our local village.
Will I be able able to get to Granada city to visit the Alhambra?
Only one or two holidays at Cortijo Romero include an excursion to Granada and the Alhambra. However, it's quite easy to go there by public bus or taxi instead of taking the more local excursion that is included with every one of our holidays. We can book a ticket and taxi for you and/or provide bus timetables.
An alternative is to come to Spain a few days before your holiday at Cortijo Romero (or return a few days after it). Granada is easy to reach by public transport from Malaga and has abundant accommodation of every kind. It's a great place to spend a few days; parts of it are a world heritage site and the Alhambra is one of the wonders of the world.
Can I stay on additional days?
This is often possible, when not all the rooms are needed for people booking for the whole week. Please contact the Cortijo Romero bookings office for details.
Can you do special diets?
Our food is vegetarian. We can cater for most non-meat/fish special diets at an additional charge of £17 per week. Please check with the bookings office first.
I've got to cancel my booking. Do I lose my money already paid?
You can always transfer to another week within the next twelve months. Otherwise, cancellation terms are printed on the reverse of your booking confirmation and in our brochure; depending on the amount of notice given, you may get a proportion of your money re-funded. It's a condition of booking that you have travel insurance, which should cover any remaining losses.
Are the holidays suitable for families with children?
Many guests are also parents, of course, but they often come to Cortijo Romero partly to have a break from family duties. Also, the centrepiece of each holiday is a course or workshop for adults interested in their own development - and it's very difficult to concentrate on that whilst also attending to children. For these reasons, the holidays are for adults only.
What discounts are available?
Movement for Life 1 & 2 are similar retreats and it's possible to book to book both weeks back-to-back and save £100. To take advantage of this offer, please quote M4L100 when booking.
How do I claim an advertised discount?
Please note when provisionally reserving a place where you have seen the offer with any code if applicable.
Do I qualify for a bursary?
We have a bursary fund for those in receipt of state benefits, who have a very low income or are unpaid carers for a dependent person.
Is there any way I can find out whether anybody would like to share a taxi with me from Malaga airport to the pick-up point for the bus to Cortijo Romero?
Yes. Click on the relevant link below and you will be redirected to the appropriate course page of the Cortijo Romero website. You can enter your details here and connect with other people arriving on the same day as yourself.
Click here for Movement For Life 1 - Taxi share
Click here for Movement For Life 2 - Taxi share
What clothes should I bring?
Well firstly, you don't need anything formal; things are pretty relaxed at Cortijo Romero. During the Movement For Life retreats, it will be hot almost all the time, it's unlikely it will rain, and so you won't need to wear much at all. However, if you are sensitive to strong sunlight, you might want to have clothes with long sleeves, plus a sun hat. A light jersey or similar should be enough for evenings.
In general, we recommend that you take a variety of light layers, rather than lots of heavy ones; that way, you will have more flexibility. Many people take too many clothes on a first visit!
If you like to walk in the mountains, strong shoes are essential. Good trainers are OK, as are strong sandals (not flip-flops or the like). Some guests like to walk up mountain river beds to waterfalls; for this, some waterproof footwear is necessary.