Rural yoga holiday in Spain, nr Madrid

Planet

Reducing carbon emissions

Our village , Zorita de los Canes (Guadalajara, Spain) is leading the way in what is known as ´Fair energy transition´ . Due for completion in the summer of 2025 , two solar panel farms will produce 209 GW of energy , enough to power nearly 60,000 homes. Our community benefits from the transition to green energy directly and in concrete ways : free green energy to all homes and businesses , supported employment opportunities for the long term unemployed and the over 50s and revenue for infrastructure projects . All the power used by our guests and workers during their trip will come from green energy. In addition from June we are committed to using electric powered transport for our shuttle service from Madrid to the village, with a new recharging station in the main square powered also by green energy . All transport used during the trip for local excursions are by bicycle, on foot or by electric vehicles . We are also working with a French start up company to audit our actives in order to work towards a net zero carbon emissions standard.

Protecting and restoring nature and biodiversity

*Open grazing. We support our local shepherd who’s flock is allowed to graze in the open and allow him on our land when requested. We purchase artisan manchego cheese from local suppliers . Open grazing is a tradition which we are loosing in Spain and contributes to a healthier flock, better quality meat and milk and biodiversity and fire control in the dry summer months .

Supporting the ´apicola ´ (beekeeping) culture in the area. Our village is in the heart of the region known as the Alcaria , a protected and biodiverse valley that produces the famous Alcaria honey. We are major buyers of the organic variety , making it a key feature of our food produce on the adventure trips and is also available for our guests to purchase. Every one of our adventure trips offers a free workshop for guests on beekeeping and in the collection season we also offer visits to the hives .

We are collaborating with a French start up to audit our carbon footprint as we head towards net zero. Looking at how our guest arrive and return home , the journey that our produce takes to arrive to the table, our use of plastic and precious resources like water and fuel.

People

90% of our expenditure goes to local providers including : a cooperative winery in nearby Mondejar, artisan honey producers in the village, cheese and dairy products from Tarancon and eco lamb from our local shepherd, eco olive oil from the olive press in Yebra. Some of the adventures include a tour of the press and a presentation from the owner for which we offer a 10€ a head contribution to help sustain the business .

Active collaboration with the local mayor and town council. We have been given free use of the newly refurbished old school for our activities during the trips; yoga, cooking classes , workshops etc. in return we offer free participation for the local elderly community eg chair yoga & workshops.

Our guests are educated during their stay about the challenges faced by the people in rural Spain, depopulation, aging community and lack of opportunities .
Our guests are accommodated in buildings that belong to the local people so the income goes to residents not faceless outside businesses