MADERA HILLS RANCH UNDER CONTRACT FOR NOVEMBER SALE!!!!
Special Events
On Madera Hills Ranch, a recent participants impressions: such rugged beauty, expansive power of the desert landscape; most approachable, loving, friendly, and inquisitive herd I've ever met; a retreat from the hectic pace of everyday life, a place with its own rhythms and time; a place to reconnect to your inner landscape; a place where wildlife roams freely. It is a place to come and be welcomed into the rhythm of a working ranch;.... A sky so big you can feel the curve of the earth echoed in its starry expanse.
THE ART OF CHANGE- A WOMEN'S RETREAT WITH HORSES NONE SCHEDULED
Here are a few TESTIMONIALS from last retreat:
The retreat was a great experience, filled with new ideas and interesting people. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to expand their life into new horizons. Karen, Brady, Tx.
This has been so great to get to actually learn to know your horse, have him follow your instructions, learn about the Alexander Technique, get to know the wonderful people, the cats and dogs, and the good food, and other amenities. Lee, Georgetown, Tx.
Experience a place of serene spaciousness, and awesome changing landscapes of light and shadow of the surrounding Davis Mountains. In this big silence you can hear the still quiet voice within. The Art of Change, A Women's Retreat With Horses is an opportunity to reclaim your inner knowing, using this wisdom to bring to your life greater clarity, confidence, and congruency. In this experiential based workshop, we will explore:
Horses: being in the moment, calling up authenticity and trust and deepening communication with these compassionate allies Art: experience healing and awaking to your intuition and joy through creative expression Nature: recharge yourself through the beauty and power of the desert landscape Alexander Technique: gently bring your body into balance and harmonious movement Focusing: deep body/mind listening that shifts patterns and reactions Interpersonnal Communication Skills
Tai Chi: Diane Indorf, M.Ed., certified instructor: provides an additional opportunity to develop balance and coordination. Experience an introduction to playing Tai Chi for health and fitness, including whole body warm-up exercises and a sampling of individual Yang's 32 Short Form Tai Clhi basic movements and stances.
Facilitators Kate Vigneron and Melissa Weiss Steele create an engaging setting for opening to your true spirit. This is your chance to slow down, learn more about yourself, and enjoy a supportive community of women. Located at the enchanting 4000 acre Madera Hills Ranch in West Texas, the wildlife includes deer, foxes, aoudad sheep, red-tailed hawks, javelinas, jack rabbits, eagles, quail, dove, owls, and giant grasshoppers. It also boasts some of the best star gazing in the Western Unitd States, with the famous McDonald Observatory nearby.
Kate Vigneron, MEd, certified Alexander and Focusing instructor, owner and manager of Madera Hills Ranch. Kate blends her passion for horses with her background in education and the holistic mind/body modalities of the F.M. Alexander Technique and Focusing. She specializes in Tennessee Walking horses, training them for trail pleasure mounts. A native of Lousianna, Kate lived most of her adult life in France until she fell in love with West Texas. Kate is fulfilling a dream to share the healing gifts of horses with both adults and children. She brings compassion, intelligence, and insightfulness to her work with individuals and groups.
Kate with two of her "breederlings"!
LOVE & TRUST
Melissa Weiss Steele is an intuitive artist, dreamer, and teacher with 15 years experience. She weaves her background in art, spirituality, and human development to create a transformative learning experience. Melissa believes we are all naturally artistic, creating a safe enviroment focusing on the process over the product. She has followed a mid-life passion for horses making a series of pilgrimages throughout the Western United States. She and Kate met during one of these journeys at an Epona Equestrian Services workshop in Arizona. You can see more about Melissa's art and adventures at her web site, www.HorseDancers.com. She lives in Seattle at this time.
PLAY AND CREATE
Cost of the four (4) night retreat is $ 850.00. A $ 50.00 discount is available for early bird registration. This includes all activities, supplies, lodging, and healthy delicious meals. No prior horse experience necessary, and mounted horse work is optional. Participants will arrive the afternoon of the 24th, beginning the retreat Thursday morning. The retreat will end after lunch on the 28th. Private riding and Alexander Technique lessons are also available with Kate following the retreat. Limited to six (6) participants. Send a 50% deposit to:
TESTIMONIALS: check website: www.horsegazette.com under featured stories, archives, September 06 and also you may read of Kate and the Retreats in the Winter Edition of the Desert Candle: www.desertcandle.org
The retreat was phenomenal from start to finish. The entire experience was wonderful and different and life changing. I look forward to the next one. The art lessons were fun, especially since I am not an "artist." Melissa found one little art bone in my body. Sarah, Bellville, TX
Beautiful scenery, great workshops, neat people, great experience. Joyce, Bellville, Tx
It was a wonderful "eye opening" experience and a great bonding between new friends. Stephanie, Ponchatoula, LA
Very intense and emotional, very uplifting, very healing. Neville, Bellville, Tx
Glowing memories of the retreat linger. There were so many wonderful things about it...It was a capsule in time that was absolutely perfect. Your incredible ranch made it so perfect as did you even more. Your generosity, warmth, and fun loving attitude led the way. I felt safe there...taken care of. You have created something important, Kate. Kelly F. ,Texas
Since visiting with you and yours at the Ranch, I have many times reflected on my experiences and fond memories of my visit. As with a fine wine or aging cheese, the more I reflect, the more I realize what a rich and rewarding experience it was. Bless you for the time, effort and creativity you have devoted to making all your visitors feel enriched and ex-panded in heart, head, health and spirit. May 2007 bring you fulfillment in all your endeavors. Mary M., Kentucky
I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed the weekend. I have been practicing the Alexander Technique ever since--- I can now relax my occipital joint and I am learning to use the core strength in my lower back. I am also learning to lead with my head and use my back when I sit down---it is really amazing when I do it right as my knees do not hurt. Mary F. Texas
Kate, I enjoyed meeting you and spending time learning from you---I only wish I could have begun my riding lessons with you. I think the biggest thing I learned was to recogonize how tensed up my muscles are and how relaxing allows me to better communicate with my horse...Mary Lou, Texas
My daily life has been significantly influenced by your gentle teachings of the Alexander Technique. Several times each day I consciously remind myself to relax into the Alexander stance (head forward, back back). I take a minute and consciously focus on relaxing the shoulders where my stress resides. My posture has improved tremendously and as a result it even makes me look thinner!! I look forward to a refresher session that would remind me of parts of the technique that I have forgotten. Thanks for sharing your talents and friends with me.
Rebecca, El Paso, TX.
FOR PHOTOS OF APRIL '07 RETREAT CLICK ON "SLIDESHOW"
Private and group lessons are available in Focusing and F.M. Alexander Technique. Please call 432-375-0296 or email for F.M. Alexander or Focusing (developed by Dr. Gene Gendling of University of Chicago) schedules
Horses: being in the moment, calling up authenticity and trust and deepening communication with these compassionate allies
Kate Vigneron, MEd, certified Alexander and Focusing instructor, owner and manager of Madera Hills Ranch. Kate blends her passion for horses with her background in education and the holistic mind/body modalities of the F.M. Alexander Technique and Focusing. She specializes in Tennessee Walking horses, training them for trail pleasure mounts. A native of Lousianna, Kate lived most of her adult life in France until she fell in love with West Texas. Kate is fulfilling a dream to share the healing gifts of horses with both adults and children. She brings compassion, intelligence, and insightfulness to her work with individuals and groups.
Melissa Weiss Steele is an intuitive artist, dreamer, and teacher with 15 years experience. She weaves her background in art, spirituality, and human development to create a transformative learning experience. Melissa believes we are all naturally artistic, creating a safe enviroment focusing on the process over the product. She has followed a mid-life passion for horses making a series of pilgrimages throughout the Western United States. She and Kate met during one of these journeys at an Epona Equestrian Services workshop in Arizona. You can see more about Melissa's art and adventures at her web site, 