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To the retreat, I will be bringing :

Every morning I lead the Meditation sessions, which will focus upon experiencing more of ourselves and how are in the world.

Prior to the Meditation I also offer a sequence of wonderful pre tai chi exercises which gently open the body joints, connective tissues and muscles so that a natural posture is created. Many participants have taken these exercises into their daily practice .

Holding the group as a general facilitator, means that I am available, both for the group, and for the individuals; to answer questions, explore possibilities, and advise where I am asked.

Also, aside from making half of the fresh juices during the week with Dao, I am the front of house when it comes to the practicalities of heating, lightbulbs, etc.

About Amida

Born in Kampala, Uganda in 1957, I had a combination of private/public and state schooling. I dropped out of education at 16, left home at 17 and got involved in one of the first wholefood shops started in Bath (1973), then called 'Harvest' now called 'Essential Trading'. I consider myself rather blessed by my alternative parentage, my alternative lineage starts with my mother's father who was a leading and early Osteopath and my grandmother who was trained by Nora Weeks, an original student of Dr. Edward Bach (Founder of the Bach Flower Remedies) and she also was trained by Maria Montessori. I was brought up a wholefood baby and as organic as possible in those days... Early memories of pouring over a five galleon tub of honey in our kitchen, which was a source of much sticky attention and great comfort.

At the age of 19, I was running my own small wholefood shop in Dorset and became interested in personal development at 21. At this age, a life changing experience in visiting the pioneering community of Findhorn Foundation launched me into a deeper interest into spirituality, prompting me to leave my shop to work an organic garden in community.

I studied the path of Sufism for the past 27 years and been involved in Dance and Movement for the same time.

Sura

Met and married Sura (an honouring of her is inherent in the name of the company) in 1983, we had two children James 1984 and Sophia 1987.

We were living and working with my parents in a self built house, helping them to run an Alternative Healing Centre called Middle Piccadilly Natural Healing Centre, which they started in 1986 (still being run by my brother).

In 1995 a big earth shattering change in my life, as Sura was diagnosed with aggressive breast cancer, to which she lost her fight in April 1996.

So this one experience of immense pain and loss, changed my life and grounding. . . with 2 children to bring up, it has catapulted me to a deeper commitment to understanding life and what it is to be human and ultimately 'how to live' fully alive with this moment being the most precious there is.

Reinvention

I can see these experiences and my alternative parenting now informs my current interest in the business venture of Sura Detox Retreats, with what we offer as a possible detox of not only the body but also our minds and hearts. I personally have been very inspired by doing a regular Colonic Retreat, as each time I find with the fasting, it gives me a fresh start to clean up my life. Not only by what I put into my body but also in how I live, and it is my aim to offer this possibility with the wonderful team of Sura Detox and the fantastic holding and skills we offer.