Embark on a journey of renewal and activating your full potential with beloved community in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Dive deep into the Yogic & Buddhist traditions with Asana (physical Yoga postures), meditation, pranayama (breath practice), mantra, and stories for connection and deep soul growth. There will be Yoga asanas offered for all levels of experience: Hatha flow and Gentle Hatha Yoga. You will be led in the true treasures of practice: accessing strength and fluidity in the body, illuminating the mind, and connection with all that is. We will draw from teachings and practices that touch into timelessness, the cultivation of agility and resilience, and opening into the heart medicine of love and compassion. We’ll explore what it means to walk a path that balances inner well-being while meeting the challenge of our relationships and our world.
You’re invited into deep refuge within a container of Noble Silence that's supported by Insight meditation, Buddhist & Tantric philosophy. In addition to Dharma talks, meditation instructions, and Yoga sessions, there will be small group meetings with the teachers. Participants will be asked to be in silence outside of the small group meetings and discussion with the whole group. Some yogis may decide to be in silence the entire weekend.
This retreat centers the experience of those who have experienced systemic oppression. This includes and is not limited to folks with disabilities, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, women and femmes, LGBTQIA+, religious minorities, and immigrants. All are welcome that are 18+ and have a commitment to equality, inclusion and liberation. Our intention is to embody the beloved community. We will co-create community agreements to embody this intention.
No Yoga or meditation experience necessary. Satya teaches in a radically inclusive way with a focus on therapeutics, alignment, and preventing injury.
Arrival: Friday, January 26th, 4 pm
Departure: Sunday, January 28th, 12 pm
Attending the retreat means you are committing to the entire experience. Please consider arriving on time and staying the duration as an investment in yourself & building community.
Early bird prices end December 12th
FAQ:
1. Payment plans available
2. If you would like to arrange to pay by cash or money order, please contact info@soulflowoakland.com
3. All deposits & payments are NON-REFUNDABLE and NO EXCHANGES. This includes if the retreat gets canceled for reasons beyond the control of the organizers such as acts of God, Covid-19, or Mother Nature. Purchase of travel insurance is required to attend. Please make sure you purchase travel insurance that would cover a cancelled retreat or your personal need or emergency to cancel your retreat. Make sure to check fine print. Fear of travel isn't the same as not being able to travel. Another option is plans that cover up to 75% of your expenses if you cancel for any reason. In these unpredictable times, this type of planning is important to protecting your investment in the retreat. As a small BIPOC-run business, we are unable to assume the loss for your investment.
4. Travel insurance recommendations: worldnomads.com or www.allianztravelinsurance.com
Click here for Insurance policies that you can cancel for any reason.
5. All meals are included and lovingly prepared by the local chefs. Ingredients are organic with an abundance of vegetables, protein, and fruit. Gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, and other dietary needs are available upon request.
Satya de la Paz (she/her) is a Queer, Multiracial, Black Womxn offering 14 years of experience teaching Yoga, dance, and meditation. Satya offers Yoga as a means of collective and personal liberation and decolonization. She infuses dynamic alignment, chanting, storytelling, and community-building into her classes. She recently completed a 2 year mindfulness teacher training program led by Tara Brach and Jack Kornfield. She is deeply grateful for all her teachers including Spring Washam, Sianna Sherman, Abby Tucker, Rob Preece, and Sally Kempton. Honoring the traditions of Hatha Yoga, Tantra Yoga, and Tibetan Buddhism, she empowers multiracial, multi-gender, and multigenerational groups to awaken their true nature of awareness and bliss.
Here are a few testimonies from previous retreats
Video of retreat site:
Amphitheatre of the Redwoods at Pema Osel Ling | Property and Lodging Video 2022 - YouTube
Please note that this retreat will go on regardless of the state of Covid-19. Most retreat activities will be inside. Purchase of travel insurance that covers Covid-19 and other emergencies is required. Negative Covid-19 home test required to attend.
Full & partial scholarships available. Apply by December 12th with the link below.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSchLm0Teom8wcNfr4_vD9xGCGjefoMYV81sRTUEPUMx9VcRJA/viewform?usp=sf_link
The drive from the Bay Area to the Santa Cruz mountains is about an hour and a half or more with traffic. We organize carpooling and make every effort to support those who need a ride. In 11 years of leading retreats, we have never had someone who has needed a ride not be able to get one. However, we can't guarantee a ride to the retreat.
For those of you coming from outside of the Bay Area you can fly into San Jose, Oakland, or San Francisco. We will help you organize carpooling if you are coming from the Bay Area or flying into a Bay Area airport. You may want to fly in the night before or play to arrive before 12 pm January 26th.
Location shared upon registration
airfare, shuttle
Day 1
Arrival 4 pm
Early arrival is not permitted
5:30-7 pm
Evening Yoga & meditation Session
7-7:30 pm
Dinner served
8-9:30 pm
Welcome, community agreements and orientation
*enter Noble Silence until Sunday 11 am*
Day 2
6:30 - 8:30 am
Gentle - moderate Hatha flow Yoga & meditation
8:30 am
breakfast
10 am - 11 am
meditation instructions & discussion
11 am - 11:30 am
walking meditation
11:30 - 12 pm
still meditation
12 pm - 12:30
walking meditation
12:30 - 2 pm
lunch
2-2:30 pm
still meditation or small group check in
2:30-3 pm
walking meditation or small group check in
3-5:15 pm
Gentle Yoga & meditation
5:30 pm
Dinner
7 pm-8:30 pm
dharma talk and discussion
8:30 - 9
walking meditation
Day 3
6:30 - 8:30 am
Gentle - moderate Hatha flow Yoga & meditation
8:30 am
breakfast
10 am - 11 am
Dharma talk & going home instructions
11 am - 12 pm
break silence & closing ceremony
