Can you imagine what would happen if you drove a car without lessons? . . . straight to A&E no doubt. Yet most people have no training whatsoever in RELATIONSHIPS and expect a glowing result and a healthy outcome, with no training at all. MADNESS.
If everyone dealt with their codependency issues the world would spin on it’s axis overnight, which is why this is a number one priority for wellness.
Many have also discovered that ditching or being aware of romantic tyranny is a well played lesson to perfect. Divorce and break-up figures suggest that instead of £15,000 average spend on wedding day nuptials, just spending a fraction of this on therapy, relationship counselling and codependency work BEFORE you tie the knot makes common long-term sense.
Check out elements of this blog site to improve ALL of YOUR RELATIONSHIPS – with people, money, work and work life balance, debt, stress, contentment, depression, joy and ACTION. No day is ever the same, nor are relationships.
No more people-pleasing, needless perfectionism, pointless procrastination and the emotional killer called PROJECTION – companion to anxiety and worry.
BREATHWORK and CODA COACHING will change your life and rebrand your thinking.
Olivier Award Winner Adam Spreadbury-Maher is an Australian/Irish Theatre Artistic Director, Producer and Writer. He is the founding Artistic Director of the Cock Tavern Theatre, OperaUpClose and The Hope Theatre, and is the current artistic director of the Kings Head Theatre, Islington. London.
“Initially attending a one day Evolutionary Breathwork workshop in Central London, I decided to take the plunge and travel to Marrakech on the week long Breathwork retreat in March that David and his team hold annually. I didn’t know what to expect, though I went along with an open mind and heart.”
“The week long retreat was co-led with established breath worker Luisa Bradshaw, a partnership that accounts for over 45 years combined experience, buckets of empathy and good humour, and I felt ‘emotionally safe’ from the start.
Based at a beautiful and comfortable 4-star riad-style hotel, just off the beaten track and hustle and bustle of the main square, in the Kasbah medina, our group was gently eased into the course with care and compassion over the first 2 days in the hotel with hammam, steamed, washed, scrubbed and relaxed in the Spa plus daily group breathwork for emotional and body release.”
“The schedule had plenty of time for us to spend together socialising at meals or relaxing by the pool, alone in solitude and reflection, plus visits to some of Marrakesh’s most exquisite gardens. The day trip to the Ourika Valley at the foot of the Atlas Mountains was a particular highlight for me, along with silent walks in the stunning Anima Garden en route in the morning.”
“Throughout the week, not only was I able to spend sometime focussing on a cleaner and better relationship with myself, I was also able to make new friends and deepen existing relationships.
This is breathwork for today’s pragmatic realistic, who is happy to dodge the crystals and dolphin music; it’s effective, self-led ( yet supported and guided ) self growth therapeutic practice.
Quite unexpectantly, Conscious Connected Breathwork with David Parker has had a hugely positive impact on my life and well being. I recommend David, Luisa and their team unreservedly, in fact . . . I’ve already signed up for next year!”
Tales of the Unexpected. #BREATHE I took a planned 7 Day no-work break in Tenerife mid January with no schedule, and had no idea I would be driven up to “Pura Vida” in Bajamar, North East Tenerife for a gathering of some of Tenerife’s most experienced Rebirthing Breathworkers “Colectivo de Renacedores de Canarias”. A workshop and a full breathe from 10-2, then a hearty lunch with Agustín Hernández plus Silke Modersohn who created the centre “Pura Vida” for yoga, rebirthing and relationship work. Thanks all for such a warm welcoming experience
10 days before my trip I collapsed at home with a very high heartbeat and had to call an ambulance, then an overnight stay so my long used angina meds could be adjusted. According to the Doc, the structure of the heart changes and so meds needs review and at 71 this year I took it seriously and still under the care of University College Hospital for monitoring. I asked whether the stent I had fitted 13 years ago was working, and the reply was “Yes, if it wasn’t, you would have had a heart attack.” Both my parents died instantly with heart attacks – so I am prepared to break the pattern!.❤ #BREATHE
Luckily they let me get to Tenerife as planned but while away I decided to have a break on return to London, and curtail Evening Breathwork Groups till after we return from Marrakech. ❤
Our Annual Breathwork Retreat in Marrakech is FULL ❤ #BREATHE
“I came on this retreat last year and THAT changed my life, without doubt. Doing breathwork today with the most amazing group of people has surpassed every expectation that I could have had.
It has been very deep work, but overwhelming in its content and in the range of emotions which it generates. I have seen major changes happen in others, honesty, trust, sharing and the most breathtaking energies holding the space throughout. Thanks to Robert, Sara, Suzanne and Jake for assisting so well.
Finally special thanks to David Parker and Meleeshka for doing the most amazing work and holding the space so beautifully. Tonight I am in a state of blissful gratitude, feeling the love and looking forward to the final few days.” Mike Delaney RNMH, RMA, Cert Couns, (BACP, EAGALA) / London – Birmingham
Mike Delaney is one of the directors of LEAP Equine Therapy., and is a key member of the senior therapeutic team. Mike is a Mental Health/Addictions Specialist with over 35 years experience working with individuals, rehabilitation centres and professional bodies in the UK and internationally. He had a successful career for twenty years as a Registered Nurse Manager and CPN within Mental Health/Learning Disability services and, since undergoing treatment for his own addictions in 1996 he has specialised in a range of issues including addictive behaviours, young people who have suffered sexual trauma, co-dependency and relationships. There was no Equine Assisted Therapy on our Retreat, Mike came for his own well-being, but all details are on his website http://www.mikedelaney.co.uk
Keith from Bristol was new to Urban Life Class – but took the risk, heart in hand and travelled to Marrakech with us. On leaving he posted this to participants on FB.
“Just about managing to keep a lid on tears (not so lucky with that in the taxi on the way to here, Marrakech Airport ) after the most incredible week with a truly amazing group of people. It’s been non stop laughter, a few tears, and a new perspective on my life that I never expected.
I came away with 15 strangers and am going home with 15 friends. I’m so grateful to all of you, I just can’t quite find the words to do it justice.” Keith Conway / Bristol
Mo Haque, an Urban LIFECLASS regular needs to PUT A SHOUT OUT!
MH – The most recent Evolutionary ‘Rebirthing’ Breathwork group session I attended included a discussion with the theme ‘ASKING FOR HELP’. Particularly pertinent for me in the context that I had the week before launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise £200,000 for a cancer treatment unavailable on the NHS. A campaign whereby I am required to ask for an abundance of help. The discussion was most beneficial, as I began questioning reasons for me not asking for help over the years.
Ego and pride came to mind.
My situation right now is critical. Diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer 18 months ago, I have exhausted all standard NHS treatment. 18 cycles of chemotherapy and one major operation. I even tried a phase 1 trial drug, the 24th person in the UK to be given these tablets. My cancer however continues to grow. Due to the genetic nature of my cancer Lynch Syndrome/mis match repair/ RAS mutation, THERE IS HOPE”.
I have experienced 4 rebirthing sessions to date this year, and each time the feeling I get is one of pureness. After a breathe it feels like my insides have been cleansed, there is a softness within each organ of my body, as if I am breathing for the first time without the polluted air. This emotional detox is needed right now, to manage my mental, spiritual and physical condition.
DP – I’ve known Mo since he was 15, working in the local newsagent, he is now 33 and over the years developed an interest in personal growth, spirituality, relationship awareness and Deepak Chopra. We would often bump into each other in the street, giving me updates on personal development seminars he was taking. Then this year he re-found me, this time on the internet, discovering I had stopped travelling and started doing London Groupwork again, involving Rebirthing Breathwork and Coaching, so he came along. He also brought me and the group up to date on his Health Crisis, as he explains below.
MH – We hear about breakthrough cancer drugs almost every other day on the news, and in my case an immunotherapy treatment offers over 70% response rate for the specifics of my cancer. This treatment is unavailable on the NHS and extremely expensive. Each dosage being approximately £10,000 with a dose required every 3 weeks, easily close to £200,000 for a years treatment. As such the only way for me to pay for it is to crowd fund and ask for help.
But with my pride and ego in the way, the task is doubly difficult.
The shifts that took place following the rebirth group breathing and discussion were quite profound. Thoughts around my self worth and being deserving of help unconditionally, became pre-eminent.
Do I allow my ego and pride get in the way of my health? I accepted that I am a child of the universe. I am connected to everyone else. I am by default naturally deserving of the life force that surrounds and connects us all. I then resolved to embrace the love and support already around me and put myself out there and ASK FOR MORE OF IT.
All I can do each day is my best. Acknowledging that my best today might not be the same level tomorrow, and all I can ask from my friends, family, and those I don’t know, is to help in whatever form they can.
A friend suggested I should set up a crowdfunding page, so I did, having no expectations as to what would happen. What I learnt from group is that asking for help isn’t as painful as I had imagined and now I have gone beyond just the crowd funding page asking for donations in private Facebook groups, telling my story in mosques, and asking for help within the commercial medical community.
IN JUST 2 WEEKS THE RESULT HAS BEEN PHENOMENAL bringing in a total of £30,000 ( crowdfunding and other donations ) which means I can start the treatment as early as June but I still need continued funding to complete a years treatment. So my practice of asking for help continues”.
DP – So there you are – If you can contribute something to Mo’s link below (the majority of contributions are between £5 and £20) which means a lot of people are behind him to beat the condition within his body that he is determined to overcome. #TOGETHERweWIN – PLEASE HELP in posting on all avenues of social media this page and links below. Many Thanks. Mo & David #BREATHE #GRATITUDE
“This week has been one of the most profound, mind-blowing, painful at times but spiritually healing experiences of my recovery.
I would highly recommend URBAN Lifeclass Coaching and Breathwork Retreats to anyone who wants to go that little bit deeper in self development work. You have to be brave enough to trust the process but, My God it’s worth it!!
My utmost gratitude to David Parker and Meleeshka for their knowledge and skills and to all of my new friends for their love, support and laughter every day. Thank you so much x “
Mike Delaney RNMH MBACP
Addictive Behaviour Specialist
Mike Delaney is a leading authority in the treatment of addictions with over 30 years’ consultancy experience with individuals, rehabilitation centres, and professional bodies in the UK and internationally.
There was no Equine Assisted Therapy on our Retreat, Mike came for his own well-being, but all details are on his website http://www.mikedelaney.co.uk
Some Spiritual Retreats focus on Sacrifice, and that works for many, but our Maroc Retreats focus on Nourishment, Nurture and Abundance . . . and it’s not expensive either. Like last years experience, URBAN LIFECLASS has been offered again – a great deal by the Hotel : 7 Nights for the price of 5.
LET’S GET CLEAR ON THE YEAR – is the theme of our 5 Day Breathwork Course within the 7 day break.
START 2016 with a REVIEW : The 5 Day Breathwork/ Personal Development Course for 10 participants costs £350 and includes Hammam in the Spa, Daily Group Breathwork, Written and Verbal Exercises, and the opportunity to work with 2 experienced trainers, of over 25 years each. A one day excursion into the Mountains is included ( a different destination this year ) and another visit to Yves St Laurent’s Majorelle Garden ( also a longer period planned ) PLUS a Moroccan Musical Evening to finish off the week.
The Course fee can be paid in instalments before or after we return to the UK.This gives you room to save up, budget or stretch the paying period. Just let us know a plan that will work for you.
Accommodation is extra to the Course in sumptuous surroundings, but at reasonable prices, around £60 a day with Breakfast & Dinner. Some rooms will cost more but we have some Single Rooms & Single Occupancy for Double rooms, plus twin beds in a room for 2 people. Similar price to a Single Room but with much more space.
URBAN LIFECLASS pays the Deposit to secure your rooms, so you don’t pay anything upfront with Hotel until you leave it. But we do need COMMITMENT. More details in future blogs.
All we ask is for you to talk to us first then BOOK YOUR FLIGHT. BOOK EARLY for cheaper flights ( about £100 / £120 return with 20 kilos ). Once it’s done YOU ARE ON YOUR WAY.
The 18 sound-proofed, well insulated rooms, dispersed between four separate patios, are each well appointed with bath or shower (some have both), heating and air conditioning, personal room safe, hairdryer, minibar Morrocan, telephone, free Wi-Fi connection and widescreen TV with satellite channels. Five rooms on ground floor level (one of them a single) offer easy access while the remainder, on first floor, are reached, respectively, via five separate stairways. Though very similar in terms of decor and facilities, no two bedrooms are identical.
Room prices (see Rates) are based mainly on room size although, in addition to their spaciousness, Premium rooms have space for a comfortable sitting area as well.
Twin bedded rooms, of which there are five in all, two in Standard and three in Premium rooms, can be configured as doubles where required. The breakdown of rooms by type is as follows with Half board and 5 nights for 7 included. We have worked these prices out under current currency exchange rates.
Your HOTEL BILL will be in MADS ( Moroccan Dirhams ) and PAID on LEAVING with DEBIT, CREDIT CARDS. You can also bring GB pounds and exchange into MADS at the Bank. Cashpoints are plenty.
The £350 Course Fee is paid in Sterling before, during or after January 2016 by arrangement.
( left ) 3 double Suites (28 – 30 sq m) SUITE: £470 (£67 per night )
5 ‘Standard’ double rooms (16 – 19 sq m), incl. 2 twins STANDARD:£425 (SINGLE OC.) ( £61 per night )
2 Small double rooms (10 – 12 sq m), one with double bed, the other 2 singles : SMALL (DOUBLE): £295 (SINGLE OC.) H/B 7 NIGHTS) ( £42 per night )
3 Single rooms (9 – 10 sq m) :
SINGLE: £ 280 ( £40 per night H/B 7 nights )
5 ‘Premium’ double rooms (20 – 22 sq m), incl. 3 twins : SMALL TWIN: £200 EACH ( £28 per night )
SPEAK TO US ( not the Hotel ) all we ask for CONFIRMATION is to BOOK YOUR FLIGHTS FIRST! We will tell you what easy jet flights we are on from Bristol & London. For information and payment options. London : David Parker 020 7388 3109 / Robert Beck urbanlifeclass@gmail.com (+44) 7913862492 Glastonbury : Meleeshka 01458 833381
Well….I got there which was a start! That’s me, Sara, in the black poncho feeling the Maroc vibe.
I had been so stressed with work prior to the trip I truly didn’t think I was going to make it, so when the alarm went off on Tuesday 13th January at 2.30am that was it, I was off and the relief once I finally sat on that plane was indescribable. David came over on the flight saying we’d have to fill in an immigration form and produced a bunch of green pens in case we hadn’t brought any with us. What I didn’t realise was, this was to set the tone for the rest of the week. Being cared for, nurtured, considered, prioritised…..
Once we’d arrived at the airport, transport had been arranged and off we went to Les Borjs de la Kasbah right in the Medina, where we had beautiful pastries and mint tea whilst the hotel staff took our luggage to our rooms. On the arrival day some participants had treatments booked whilst others, including me had the Hammam arranged for the following day. I was quite happy to rest and get ready to meet everyone for dinner later on.
My room was absolutely beautiful, rose petals greeting me on the bed and in the bathroom! We were booked in for half board, a three course meal every evening with 2 choices and a breakfast fit for a queen, everything from fresh fruit, pancakes, pastries to home-made yoghurt.
The course was perfectly paced for me, the balance of group work, discussion, individual work and breath work allowed for processing. I had been along to a couple of sessions prior to the retreat, so had met a few members of the group and felt very comfortable with these sessions so the decision to go to Morocco was an easy one for me. I felt happy to surrender myself to the process, trusting and knowing I would be supported and accepted by the trainers and assistants. Although I believe myself to be an open person I thought I would not feel secure opening up in a group, especially with people I don’t know very well. However, the trainers, assistants and group participants were all very supportive and there was no pressure to share or to be anyone other than ourselves. I embraced it all quickly.
I have to say, the nurturing in the course extended to the staff at the hotel and spa. I have never had a Hammam and found the care and attention given to me by the staff to be very moving. It reminded me of being washed by my mother when I was younger.
After HAMMAM the Rebirthing breathwork experience was both powerful and gentle. I experienced a significant emotional shift and physical sensations new to me. The assistants supported me, and seemed to know exactly when to encourage me to breathe deeper and gave reassurance.
The excursions, personal and group leisure time and the course was balanced perfectly, I never felt once that I didn’t have enough time for me, the course or getting out to see Marrakesh. We visited a Berber village, Yves St Laurent’s garden and enjoyed a Moroccan evening with belly dancer, traditional music and food. I don’t know how we fitted it all in but as I mentioned, it felt perfectly balanced. I met some beautiful genuinely caring people during my week, people I feel I’ve shared a significant experience with which has stayed with me.
Since returning I have already made some essential changes for my well-being, leaving my job being one, but more importantly, putting myself first which is a new phenomenon for me, and one I’m embracing and not feeling guilty about.
Postcard by Sara Turner : A participant of the January Marrakech Spiritual Retreat 2015.
COSTINGS : Average cost of a Single Room or Twin Room ( 2 peeps, similar price each but more space ) is this , Rob our Group PA says : My entire bill came to 5440 MAD which was £366 and included my half board SINGLE room ( breakfast & dinner ) and all the extras that I had including snacks, drinks etc.
-For the room alone I paid 574 MAD which was £38 per night – I only paid for the first 5 days and got the last 2 for free ( hotel Deal for Urban LIFECLASS )
– Plus 200 MAD for half board £13 per day – Plus 26 MAD for tax £1.75 TOTAL 7 Days = £366
The 5 day Course Fee 2016 ( within the 7 day Retreat ) is £350 payable by arrangement. My easy jet flight in 2014 was £110 return from London with 20 K luggage, booked earlier in October I could have got it cheaper. START SAVING and get on our LIST NOW! First Booked get SINGLE ROOMS. http://www.lesborjsdelakasbah.com
“Above all, don’t lie to yourself. The man who lies to himself and listens to his own lie comes to a point that he cannot distinguish the truth within him, or around him, and so loses all respect for himself and for others. And having no respect he ceases to love.”
― Fyodor Dostoyevsky, The Brothers Karamazov
WE ARE ALL ARTISTS, even CON ARTISTS.
Many think they are a FRAUD. In what they produce and who they are.
It’s easy to think that we are not creative, not artistic, yet ironically capable of creating inertia, chaos living, procrastination or double messages in our lives. Using THE ARTISTS WAY we will focus on SETTING BOUNDARIES, surveying our current surroundings, focusing on perceptions regarding environments, colleagues and self with an eye to your best interests, not just serving others. Many of us grew up in a home environment of DOUBLE MESSAGES, where love also meant violence, verbal put downs and abuses. We still deliver those memes of misunderstanding to ourselves partners and friends. Feel them, Claim them, DUMP THEM.
Getting REAL about ourselves is not first on our *to do* list, I’m sure, but being honest about our work, our perceptions and dreams is the FIRST STEP to INTERNAL HARMONY. Writing, verbalising and getting it out there, even if solution appears distant, is vital. Then as we do at the end of each SUNDAY BREATHWORK SEMINAR, handing our minds, body, and spirit over to 1 hours Breathwork, creating altered states of consciousness ( Trippy without being Hippy ) with resultant clarity, serenity and replenishment. https://urbanlifeclass.me/rebirthingthe-love-drug/
The Lecture Room : The Place, 16 Flaxman Terrace, London WC1H 9AT
Well served with numerous tube lines, close to Kings Cross & Euston Main Line Stations, even Paris & Belgium, as EUROSTAR is across the road, so even those folks in Kent can get to us direct in a short time. Registration starts at 12.15 pm ( but many of us meet up before for breakfast somewhere – details coming on that one ). We break for lunch at 3pm for an hour, then continue till 8pm, giving time for peeps to travel afar, take dinner with friends or go home at a reasonable time and relax.
We are not part of THE PLACE programming or have any attachment to their activities, we are simply hiring The Lecture Room,so please do not contact them. They have given us permission to show you their logo, but it will not appear on any of our future promotional material, as their terms and conditions dictate. The room IS smaller than The Light Centre in Victoria ( but just as expensive I might add ) but we will have comfortable chairs to sit on as well as yoga mats.
WELCOME if you are new to Personal Development, Groupwork or Breathwork. We don’t do special languages, New Age stuff or talking sticks. Other groups do those things so much better than us. We are just a bunch of creative people willing to change habits, addictions and depleting toxic relationships from our lives. If you are new, one of our team can contact you if you wish to answer questions. We don’t sell anything, or sign anyone up, we leave the choice up to you. You don’t need to be Creative, just willing to check out your life and how you can change the impact of all your relationships.
£70 for the whole day including a GROUP REBIRTH SESSION ( Some concessions are available for £50 if you are already on the DIY or our concession list ) Delayed/part payment will be individually considered.
Paypal to codacoach@yahoo.co.uk BOOKING : Contact Robert Beck urbanlifeclass@gmail.com (+44) 7913862492 for payment options.
Hard to believe that we have been bang at it for a year, with an idea that sprang out of a LIVE ART DEVELOPMENT AGENCY Weekend Workshop led by Dickie Beau & David Parker at Chelsea Theatre, Kings Road in October 2013. The concept worked so well and the reception encouraging so we had our first 4 hour Sunday Breathwork Workshop at Chelsea Theatre in March 2014, then one in April & May.
The interest increased so we decided to create a One Day Seminar, but Chelsea Theatre though they served us well, closed the centre at 5pm on a Sunday, but as we wanted to start at noon till 8 pm, (handy for late risers, working performers, DJs, party peeps and those travelling from outside London) we needed to look elsewhere. We eventually found a venue close to Victoria Station, the Belgravia Light Centre, specialising in yoga, therapies, mindfulness and groups, happy to let us come in at noon till 8pm. Our first one was July last year.
This proved to work so well that we continued each month until we were told in January that a long training had booked up Sundays in the upper studio where we were, in 2015 ( we did not have the money to book so far ahead, as they did ). The Centre offered us the lower studio, but the dates available were not consistent with our monthly needs, but did say we could book the upper studio from January 2016, without pre-payment, but we realised that the arduous task fell before us to seek another venue to take a regular monthly booking. As anyone saddled with this task will know – it’s not easy anywhere, let alone Central London and rising room hire rents.
We scoured, searched, viewed venues then lady luck lent a hand.
So after a hugely successful Spiritual Retreat in Marrakech we returned fired up for our last Sunday Breathwork Seminar in February in Victoria and decided to skip March and find a venue for April – and we HAVE, in the perfect PLACE, with supportive creative vibes at THE PLACE in EUSTON.
As their website states : Located in the heart of London, The Place is the UK’s premier centre for contemporary dance. The Place unites dance training, creation and performance in our purpose-built centre, which houses some of the best studios in the city. For over forty five years, we have been a vibrant hub of dance activity, a centre of creative and technical excellence and a magnet for aspiring dancers, talented professionals and cutting-edge choreographers from all over the world. http://www.theplace.org.uk
This is the entrance to find, not the Front Theatre entrance, for our first Sunday Seminar in The Lecture Room April 12th focussing on DECEPTION, Denial & Double Messages with guidance from The ARTIST’S WAY.
Well served with numerous tube lines, close to Kings Cross & Euston Main Line Stations,even Paris & Belgium, as EUROSTAR is across the road, so even those folks in Ashford Kent can get to us direct in a short time. Registration starts at 12.15 pm ( but many of us meet up before for breakfast somewhere – details coming on that one ). We break for lunch at 3pm for an hour, then continue till 8pm, giving time for peeps to travel afar, take dinner with friends or go home at a reasonable time and relax.
We are not part of THE PLACE programming or have any attachment to their activities, we are simply hiring The Lecture Room, so please do not contact them. They have given us permission to show you their logo, but it will not appear on any of our promotional material, as their terms and conditions dictate. The room IS smaller than The Light Centre in Victoria ( but just as expensive I might add ) but we will have comfortable chairs to sit on as well as yoga mats.
It’s been a Fabulous 1st year, thanks for your support and attendance on our not-for-profit project, we hope to see you in our new home, our new PLACE. April BOOKING Details coming soon.
Future Diary Dates : Sunday April 12th, Sunday May 24th .
Keith from Bristol was new to Urban Life Class – but took the risk, heart in hand and travelled to Marrakech with us. On leaving he posted this to participants on FB.
“Just about managing to keep a lid on tears (not so lucky with that in the taxi on the way to here, Marrakech Airport ) after the most incredible week with a truly amazing group of people. It’s been non stop laughter, a few tears, and a new perspective on my life that I never expected. 
The shifts that took place following the rebirth group breathing and discussion were quite profound. Thoughts around my self worth and being deserving of help unconditionally, became pre-eminent. 
urbanLIFECLASS 