Casa Cuadrau: Yoga, Arte y Naturaleza

Ecological and Sustainable House: love and respect for nature (https://www.casacuadrau.org/el-lugar/casa-ecologica-sostenible/)Casa Cuadrau is an ecological house of Yoga, Art and Nature retreats in the heart of the Pyrenees, we are continuously training and expanding our knowledge of cultural and natural heritage. We promote transparent and impactful practices such as the promotion of fair trade and the protection of the environment as a fundamental pillar of the house. The construction of the house was created on an old ruin, following bio-construction methods, and fulfilling the dream of bringing a Pyrenean house to life. The planning, design and renovation of the house has followed bioclimatic principles using ecological and sustainable materials and practices. The house was designed based on a meticulous respect for the local architecture, supporting with its construction the conservation of the tradition of the area.Our dream has always been to turn Casa Cuadrau into an ecological retreat center of local and sustainable development, at the service of health, physical and spiritual well-being, arts and knowledge of the natural environment.Some of these practices are:Generate awareness and educate: We organize meditative walks that include informative stops, where we explain the history of the Pyrenees, its formation and geological and natural value. We also talk to them about the ancestral habits and customs and the cultural value that lies in these lands. We collaborate with local mountain guides, organizing historical excursions along routes used during the Spanish Civil War, donating the funds to local or international NGO's. We collaborate with the Sobrarbe-Pyrenees Geopark and the Ecotourism Club in Spain ``I am Ecotourist``.Local initiatives: We offer workshops and courses on yoga, mindfulness and ecology for students and teachers at the school in Ainsa, capital of the Sobrarbe region. Local collaborators: We work with local residents for the different activities and services offered such as mountain guides, and massage therapists that improve and help the local economy in different ways.Organic vegetarian food: We offer a vegetarian diet, with a very reduced use of dairy and organic eggs, we know that such a diet reduces the environmental impact. All our meals are prepared with fresh, organic, local and seasonal products. However, we have chosen to make use of certain ingredients that come from far away because we appreciate their nutritional value.Supporting local and organic: We give priority to local fair trade projects and initiatives, buying fresh, local, organic and seasonal products from small entrepreneurs, producers and cooperatives that support social and circular economies. In this way we minimize negative impact by reducing pollution, and greenhouse emissions.Conscious purchasing: We make environmentally conscious purchasing decisions whenever possible, and avoid generating waste throughout the process. In the purchasing process for disposable and perishable products, we carefully select suppliers based on their level of sustainability awareness. We make sure that returnable packaging is used in our purchasing decisions, and we avoid single-use plastics as much as possible.Organic vegetable garden and garden: Since our inception we have had a small organic vegetable garden where we explore and learn about permaculture. In addition, our garden is full of aromatic and medicinal plants that we use in our cooking and infusions.Waste management: Casa Cuadrau is part of an institutional project called "Sobrarbe Composta" with the aim of managing organic waste. The town council offers a composter and carries out follow-up sessions to advise on the responsible management of this type of waste. We have developed a written plan so that workers, volunteers and participants in the retreats are informed about the project, are part of it, and help to carry out these practices. - Renewable energy and reuse of resources: o The house is designed and built in a bioclimatic way and optimizes energy resources. We have contracted electric energy exclusively from renewable sources. In addition, the light bulbs are LED or low consumption throughout the building. o We promote renewable energy with the installation of solar panels. o We collect and store rainwater, and use water filters to avoid generating waste. o We use reusable picnic utensils for excursions.Biodegradable cleaning and care: We use biodegradable scouring pads and organic soap in bulk.We offer biodegradable and organic soap and shampoo in bulk.Bed linen is not ironed to reduce energy consumption and we change personal towels only upon request.We recommend using both sun creams and biodegradable insect repellent products to avoid polluting the river.Ecological and fair trade boutique: We have a small boutique, offering carefully selected products that have been developed by small entrepreneurs, thus supporting their activities and the local economy.Shared transportation = less C02: We support and coordinate private transportation among participants to minimize the carbon footprint of their transfers.Library: participants, volunteers and workers have access to Casa Cuadrau's library, which has several reference books specialized in the natural and cultural heritage of the area.we have future projects, in the short and medium term, aimed at making Casa Cuadrau more and more ecological and self-sufficient, sharing with all visitors the love and respect for nature.