254 Courses

Our 2 day weekend course is a fantastic introduction to sailing, designed to give a taste of sailing or allow you to practice skills in a relaxed environment. It is the perfect setting to find out if sailing is for you, as students are involved in all aspects of sailing the yacht, from basic knot tying to hoisting the sails and steering the boat. You will be taught basic skills and routines on board, whilst enjoying your first exposure to sailing. Price includes accommodation on board one of our yachts, all meals, fuel & mooring fees. Waterproof clothing loan available on request. Our current school boat is the modern 2017 Dufour 382, a fantastic boat to learn and develop your knowledge on; with her spacious deck layout,dual helm and on-deck plotter, she is easy to handle in close and open quarters. We pride ourselves on providing a comfortable, enjoyable sailing experience and guarantee all students their own cabin.   Facilities on-board include: • Dual helm • Heating • Fridge • Two toilets each with hot water and showers • Three cabins • Television and radio • Charging points for mobiles • On-deck chart plotter and radar   We carry out a deep clean before every course and provide fresh linen and towels. Operating along the picturesque South Devon coast, we venture to prime local cruising locations such as Torbay, Dartmouth, Salcombe and Plymouth. Marinas feature as a daily stop, providing time to reflect and partake in shore-side activities. Our aim is to provide safe fun on the water, allowing you to develop your skills and knowledge in a safe and friendly environment. We use a 3:1 students to instructor raitio, which allows our experienced RYA instructors to tailor courses to the various levels and needs on board, and deliver at a managable pace. Navigation is taught using traditional charting techniques along with electronic methods using E-Series Raymarine chart plotters and Radar. All course prices include accommodation on board, meals for the duration of the course, fuel and mooring fees, and the provision of fresh linen and towels.Waterproofs are available upon request.

Come and join Janine at Stitching Kitchen for a weekend learning how to make a log cabin quilt. This workshop will take place over two full Saturdays. It is suitable for total novices, taking you through everything you need to know to build confidence in quilt-making. If you are a more experienced quilter, you will enjoy learning a new technique that has so many creative possiblities, and you can benefit from Janine’s years of experience to pick up tips and tricks for a professional, polished quilt. Log cabin quilting gets its name from the layout of the pieces - log-shaped strips built up around a central square, or ‘hearth’. It's a great quilt for getting through your scraps. Or, you can use precut 2 ½-inch strips, like Jelly Rolls, which make the process easier and just as enjoyable. Log cabin quilting is really versatile because the fabric choices, layouts and positioning can be used to make such a huge range of patterns. Your tutor Janine also holds monthly long-arm clinics at Stitching Kitchen that you'd be welcome to drop into if you'd like any further pointers, or would like to outsource the quilt finishing to her! What you will learn/achieve Skills in measuring, cutting and sewing this traditional block. How to create a huge range of patterns with your fabric choices, layouts and positioning. If you’re not yet comfortable with a rotary cutter and ruler, you can use precut 2 ½-inch strips, like Jelly Rolls, which make the process easier and just as enjoyable. The quilt size is flexible and can be adjusted based on your experience/speed. What's included Tuition: full instruction and support in a small class (maximum of 6). Written instructions that you can take away and refer back to at home. Use of all the tools you will need during the workshop. Use of the Pfaff sewing machines in Stitching Kitchen's fully equipped studio.  Tea and cake. What to bring Fabrics to make your log cabin blocks. We will send you a materials list, but just give us a call or drop in to the studio if you would like further advice, and we can also make suggestions about where to purchase quilting fabric. This is a great quilt for getting through your scraps, or sewing with a jelly roll! Stitching Kitchen has thread available to purchase. You won’t need to bring anything else and you can leave your sewing machine at home. Stitching Kitchen is fully equipped with Pfaff sewing machines and all the quilting tools and sewing kit for use during the workshop. Stitching Kitchen also stocks a full range of haberdashery, batting and quilting tools if you discover anything you would like to purchase to use at home. Please note that this workshop is held in our light and spacious first floor studio at Stitching Kitchen, which is accessible by stairs.  About your tutor Your tutor is Janine from TheFatQuarter Quilting https://thefatquarter.co.uk Having dabbled at patchwork and quilting when her children were babies, Janine moved on to develop a love for learning everything patchwork and quilting. In recent years she has owned a patchwork and quilting shop, living and breathing patchwork each day. Nowadays Janine is a professional Longarm Quilter and Patchwork Tutor with a love for sharing her wealth of experience. If you have any questions, please feel free to get in touch.

One day silver clay workshop in Market Bosworth you will make 3 to 5 solid silver jewellery pieces taught by a fully qualified metal clay artist. Come and have fun learning the magic of Silver Metal Clay. Silver clay is a recycled product which when fired becomes solid silver and is Hallmark quality. The best thing is it requires few tools so makes a great new hobby. A workshop for beginners or experienced jewellers, you will learn how to: Roll and pattern clay Cut shapes and create moulds Sand , drill and prepare your piece for firing Fire and polish add patinas and add findings so your solid silver jewellery is ready to wear.

How to become a successful negotiator, includingthe drivers of success in negotiation; the elements to cover in a negotiation; and what to do if a negotiation becomes stuck.

Learn about the unique qualities of silver clay and make your own solid silver jewellery. You'll be guided by a friendly and experienced teacher to help you make three jewellery pieces for you to treasure and take away! Firstly, you will make a leaf pendant or earrings. Then you'll mould a small object of your choosing to turn into a charm. Lastly, you will form a pendant or charm and learn how to add texture and a gemstone. Once all your projects are ready, you will be shown how to fire and polish your pieces to be solid silver with a beautiful shine.

One of the hottest trends in fitness is stretching. Don’t get left behind. With NASM’s Stretching and Flexibility Coach course, you will master the techniques and strategies needed to start helping clients with assisted stretching and more, all while increasing your client base. This revolutionary program is built on the latest and most up-to-date scientific research, methods, and insight to prepare you to train clients, assess them, and provide customized stretching plans geared towards their specific needs and outcomes. From athletes to weekend warriors and everyone in between, as a Stretching and Flexibility Coach, you will be able to help all clients lead a more flexible and fulfilling life.

Join us for an energising & relaxing afternoon of yoga with a 5* vegan picnic in the park! Agenda 11:00 - 11:30 Meet & find a good spot 11:30 - 12:30 Yoga class 12:30 - 13:00 Relax, Chat & Chill 13:00 - 14:00 Picnic 14:00 Stay as long as you wish About this event 4 hours Yoga & Picnic in the Park Come join us for a relaxing afternoon of yoga with a delicious vegan picnic in Clapham Common Park! Finish your weekend with a rejuvenating yoga session surrounded by nature. Afterwards, enjoy a delicious 5* vegan picnic with like minded yogis. Don't forget to bring your yoga mat and maybe picnic blanket. The perfect way to unwind and connect with others in a beautiful outdoor setting. See you there!

Stone Carving made a return to the Phoenix last year when we welcomed Mark Stonestreet to come teach us the joys of creating free-standing abstract sculpture. It was an absolutely fantastic course! This year Mark is coming back for more and this time we’re giving the students more stone to create with and more time – 5 days to be precise! The dusty nature of stone means that we will be working under a marquee set within the studio’s beautiful meadow – what better way to spend your summer – especially when none of us can go abroad? Outside of a global pandemic, Mark spends half the year creating sculpture in the South Downs and the other half in Mamallapuram in India – a village of over 200 stone carving workshops. His life is in stone and I liked him the instant we met. He is everything you would expect a stone carver to be – sturdy, weathered (meant in the nicest possible way, I promise Mark!) with a warm, no-nonsense personality that immediately puts you at ease. Our students are in safe hands working with him and I cannot wait to see what they will achieve this year! 23/08/2021 - 27/08/2021 10:00 am - 4:30 pm Location: The Phoenix Studio This fun course includes: Informal, relaxed & attentive guidance for every student, provided by Mark Stonestreet Step-by-step demonstrations covering… How to work with the tools and stone safely, How to create an abstract design that will look good and have structural integrity, How to transfer your design to the stone and carve into it efficiently to create the basic shape, How to add detail and refine the carved form, How to finish and present the form (looking at finishes, treatment, and mounting). This course is for you if: You want to realise drawings and 2D designs into 3D or have an introduction to visualizing your ideas in 3D You want to explore your creativity but lack the confidence to do so on your own You want to learn how to work safely and competently in stone You want to get away from it all and immerse yourself in a fun, creative environment Suitable for? Anyone, but please note that you will be using a chisel and mallet throughout the three days and this will take it’s toll on your arms and body. We generally limit the age to 16 years old+ though exceptions can be made where appropriate. Please contact James Orts and ask. What is included in the price? Five full days tuition (10 am-4.30 pm) Materials, including a piece of Portland stone (approximately 55cm x 25cm x 22cm), safety gear, and the tools you will need for when on the course You could consider making a simple printed course handout outlining the technique’s main principles and useful links/suppliers – Totally your choice though! Tea, coffee, biscuits/cakes Use of a beautiful, purpose-built art studio with all the equipment & materials you will need Beautiful countryside setting Pre-course prep It would be useful to gather, sketch out or think about what abstract shapes you are drawn to. Mark will be able to provide ideas as well and advise you on which of your ideas may work best so having some ideas to work from would be useful. You will be working outdoors so come prepared for the forecasted weather and all students must work in sturdy shoes. You will be sent an automated email on booking which prompts you towards documents that help you prepare for your time here. If this does not happen then please email James before the course.   Beyond The Course Having completed a Phoenix Studio course many of our students choose to explore the medium further. They may come on another weekend course, start coming to our Phoenix Art Club Sessions or our Creative Monday Sessions, or carry on independently at home. We are more than happy to help and advise you in taking those first creative steps! Need accommodation? If you are travelling from further afield and would like to stay in the area for your visit then have a look at our recommend B&Bs and hotels. Click here for the list.

If you prefer the convenience of learning from home, or live outside the UK, join our online hypnotherapy training. We welcome students from all over the world* and you can study at either Foundation or Practitioner levels. If you want to train during the week, our midweek class offers a blended option, including both online and in-person students. This involves attending for one full day, then thirty-eight half days (one per week in term time only). It starts in September, so the Foundation level ends in January and the Practitioner level in July. Availability of blended places is limited, so please complete the enrolment form in good time.

Delving Deeper This groundbreaking course takes you on a mind-expanding journey through the fundamental questions of our time – from the origins of the universe to what consciousness, and the nature of our relationship with reality, might be Are you fascinated by the ‘big questions’? This unique online course, which is based on a weekend course of the same name, takes you on a fascinating journey as it explores some of the fundamental questions of our time – before arriving at some convincing and potentially explosive new explanations. The most stimulating course I've ever done. Why do we have a questioning mind, if not to find the answers?J. SMEDLEY These new insights are compatible with the latest scientific findings and could have huge implications for mankind – they also throw important light on what the ancient mystics have been saying for centuries about the true nature of reality, and our place in it. If you’ve been wondering how the universe came into existence, thinking about the ‘hard problem’ of consciousness, puzzling over the mysteries thrown up by quantum science or been intrigued by mystical experiences – this course is for you. Griffin and Tyrrell’s work soundly rejects the pessimistic reductionist view that the great mysteries about the origin of life, consciousness and time cannot be solved by the human mind. By extending ideas derived from studies of the brain and human givens psychology they have found plausible answers to the big cosmic questions that physicists, biologists and psychologists are struggling with. Their conclusions hold out fascinating implications, not only for scientific progress but also for seekers after truth everywhere. This course offers you the opportunity to examine these profound questions alongside them. This could be the missing link in cosmic and quantum physics… a white knuckle ride through one dazzling, thought-provoking idea after another.AUBREY DAVIS, STORYTELLER What the course investigates How the universe appeared from ‘nothing’ in a Big Bang Why relationships are so important What consciousness is and how it evolved How to expand our consciousness further Why life is full of ‘meaning’ How consciousness connects to matter Why our universe is so extraordinarily favourable to the evolution of life Where the information that created life came from Why consciousness will never be pinned down by brain science How human consciousness changed over the last 100,000 years Why we experience time passing – when physicists say time is an illusion What Dark Matter and Dark Energy might be The function of mysticism What ‘self-development’ really means Can our individual consciousness survive death? And, if so, in what circumstances might that happen? What's included? 21 Videos24 PresentationsLife-long access Course format This online course is derived from a 2-day weekend workshop entitled ‘Delving Deeper: Exploring consciousness and your relationship to reality’ which people travelled from across the world to attend. Fortunately one course was filmed and it is this fascinating material – which includes lively interaction and discussions with the participants – that forms the basis of this ‘Exploring Consciousness’ online course. As some of the concepts in the lectures and discussions are quite subtle and/or very new, we’ve split the course into 21 sections (see ‘Course programme‘) so that you can take your time to absorb and think about the ideas it contains. Each section consists of a filmed talk, many with additional questions and contributions from the participants. Then, after each film, you will receive review notes of the main ideas covered in that section (original to the online course). These notes were carefully written to stimulate contemplation and discussion among you and your friends, or anyone else doing the course with you. You also have access to an exclusive discussion forum where you can post your own thoughts, discuss them and other threads with other course participants who are also interested in the ‘big questions’ (Joe and Ivan are also on the forum). You can spend as long as you like making your way through the course, thinking about the points and ideas raised, and it is easy to review any film or section again should you wish to. In fact, as the content is so rich, we heartily recommend this. Meet your tutors Joe Griffin Joe Griffin is a psychologist with many years’ experience both in psychotherapeutic practice and in training psychotherapists. Read more Ivan Tyrrell Ivan Tyrrell worked for many years as a psychotherapist and now spends most of his time lecturing and writing. Read more How the course was developed Griffin and Tyrrell worked together for many years on improving the understanding and treatment of mental illness. They originated the Human Givens approach to psychotherapy, education and psychology, which has been shown to hugely improve the delivery of psychological interventions, and their mental health courses and numerous books have helped tens of thousands of distressed people. At the same time, they continued to pursue their mutual life-long interest in resolving the hardest question in science – the mystery of consciousness. Their extensive research led them to think about other questions too, such as a meaningful way to understand time, how the universe appeared, quantum entanglement, and what mysticism is for – if anything. Their drive to understand led to years spent studying, researching and thinking about the relevant scientific research and latest theories in various fields (from neuroscience to quantum physics), as well as seeing what the ancient wisdom traditions might have to tell us. Eventually their work and dedication resulted in the publication of ‘Godhead: The Brain’s Big Bang‘ – a book about the explosive origin of creativity, mysticism and mental illness and what that meant for our current understanding about the nature of mind and matter. Magisterial… a grand multi-disciplinary meditation… a gorgeous spell of reflection of the Big Bang and the organization of the universe cast in a fascinating mix of the findings of quantum physics and the intuitions of mysticism… a cascade of every conundrum of our mysterious universe that has baffled the human mind down the millennia.PROFESSOR A.V. ASHOK His view was echoed by many others who wanted an opportunity to get together to explore the valuable ideas it contained – the result was a series of private weekend courses on consciousness, science and spirituality that were run in the UK and Dublin. FAQs Do I need any prior knowledge to do this course? The course is in English so you need to understand English pretty well to follow some of the more subtle ideas that are discussed. You do not need to have any prior knowledge of physics, quantum physics, psychology, neuroscience or mysticism etc, to be able to follow the points made. Just an intelligent, questioning and curious mind… How long will it take me? This is really up to you – the course includes content filmed over two days, and there are also review points for you to read and contemplate and suggested links and publications that you might wish to follow up. We also recommend you watch the films a few at a time, rather than all at once, so that you can think about them in depth and allow time to absorb the rich ideas that are presented in each one. You can then watch each clip as often as you feel is helpful. Can I take the course more than once? Yes, once you’ve paid for the course you can watch it as many times as you like, you’ll have permanent access to the content. Can I discuss the ideas on this course with others? Yes, there is an online discussion forum which everyone who has completed the course is invited to join. On it you can share your thoughts, observations and related links or information etc with like-minded people also interested in these ideas. You can also post questions and comments about what you are learning. Ivan and Joe contribute to this forum too. What else will I gain from the course? As well as looking at the ‘hard’ questions that have baffled scientists, and offering some convincing answers, this course shows you what self-development really requires by revealing the true function of mysticism and how it merges with modern science.