A Day-long Meditation & Somatic Movement Retreat
Green Gulch Farm & Zen Center 1601 Shoreline Hwy, Muir Beach, CA 94965
9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Enter the green silence of redwoods. Slip into the quite subtle experience of kriya, pranayama, and mindful meditation practices. Delve into Deep Flow Yoga and guided Yoga Nidra periods for a replenished you. During free time, take a peaceful walk to Muir Beach or through the fertile organic farm of Green Gulch Zen Center. Lunch will come from their lush gardens. This full-day retreat is a gift to yourself, a chance to stretch both body and mind–a silent holiday.
This silent day-long retreat will move between asana practice and sitting or “abiding.” Asana portions will not only be designed to take us deeply into profound states of consciousness but will also be designed to enable us to sit more effortlessly once hips and legs have been opened systematically. Lunch and free time will also be done as a silent practice.
"THE DELIBERATE STILLNESS: MEDITATION & YOGA DAY-LONG DELIVERED ME FROM CHRONIC HIGH ANGST ABOUT THE WILDFIRES ENCIRCLING NORTHERN CA AT THIS TIME TO A SPACIOUS INNER CALM AND EXPANSIVENESS THAT FEELS LIKE I AM LIVING BEYOND THE EGO MIND. AND IN THIS STATE, I FEEL ALERT BUT NOT HYPER-VIGILANT, PHYSICALLY WORKED BUT RESTORED AND LIGHTER IN SPIRIT AKIN TO JOY. IT WAS A NOTEWORTHY OBSERVATION TO EXPERIENCE THIS EXPANSIVE FREEDOM IN OUR LAST MEDITATION FOLLOWING THE YIN PRACTICE. THESE TWO PRACTICES TOGETHER HAVE A POWER I HAD NEVER EXPERIENCED. I HOPE TO DO MORE OF THIS WITH YOU IN YOUR CLASSES AND RETREATS AS WE MOVE INTO THE MYSTERY TOGETHER" MANY MANY HUGS OF GRATITUDE FROM MY SEQUESTERED LIFE IN OAKLAND"
–MICHELLE
The retreat includes all instruction, a vegetarian lunch, tea service, all props, time for hiking or walking through the farm and gardens, or a stroll on Muir Beach.
This schedule is subjected to inspirations & impulses...
9:00 – Opening Circle
9:30-11: Qi Gong & Asana Practice
11:00-11:30 Pranayama & Meditation
11:30-12:30 Lunch Break
12:30-1:00 Yoga Nidra
1:00-2:00 Pranayama & Restorative Yoga
2:00-2:15 Break
2:30-3:30 Yin Yoga Practice
3:30-4:00 Abiding Meditation
4:00-4:15 Break
4:15-5:15 Deliberate Stillness
5:15-5:30 Closing Circle
Props: All yoga props, including yoga mats, are supplied. If you prefer to use your own, please bring them. Eye pillows are not included and easy to bring if you have one.
Space: We will be in the studio for this retreat. After lunch, there is time to stroll to Muir Beach.
Diet: A plant-based diet is best for this day, potentially the day before and after. Avoid alcohol and recreational drugs, oily and sugary foods. The organic lunch served at Green Gulch is vegetarian.
Silence: This is a silent retreat, with opportunities to talk during discussion periods. Maintain Noble Silence during the retreat, i.e., refrain from speaking to other participants, reading, writing, going online, using cell phones, or communicating with anyone outside of the retreat except for medical emergencies.
"Look between the thoughts, rather than at the thoughts. When you happen to walk in a crowd, you do not fight every person you meet - you just find your way between them." ~ Nisargadatta
Overnight accommodations before or after the retreat can be arranged separately through Green Gulch Farm (415.383.3134).
For more details, contact David at: [email protected]
Cancellations: 50% of your registration fee is non-refundable. Reservations canceled less than 30 days prior to the retreat date are 100% non-refundable.
Dress comfortably in layers. The yurt has an iron stove fire in it to keep us warm should we need. Fog can roll in even on the warmest days, or it might be sunny and warm throughout.
Props are available on site but it is uncertain at this time of availability due to the pandemic. I'll know closer to our date. If not, please consider having the following props or prop alternative: Block, Bolster (cushion or blankets), Yoga Strap, Blankets, Eye Pillow.
Carpool options will be recommended for those of coming from the east bay or San Francisco. That will be arranged closer to the retreat date, once registration is completed.