3 Days of Gratitude: Yoga and Meditation Retreat Santa Cruz Mountains

Land of Medicine Buddha

CP
Christie Pitko
  • Email address verified
39 reviews
Nov 5 - 7, 2021
Group size: 10 - 20
3 Days of Gratitude: Yoga and Meditation Retreat Santa Cruz Mountains
Land of Medicine Buddha

Christie Pitko
  • Email address verified
39 reviews

Nov 5 - 7, 2021
Group size: 10 - 20

About this trip

Are you ready to hit the reset button after a challenging year? Let's celebrate and cultivate gratitude by coming together as a community for this exciting retreat!


Our stunning venue, Land of Medicine Buddha rests within the redwoods, and is only minutes away from the Pacific Ocean, making it an energetic hot spot, and the perfect place to reflect and retreat. 


Experience a weekend of harmony and bliss amongst the magical redwoods of the Santa Cruz Mountains in Soquel, California. Enjoy daily all levels yoga and meditation, feast on delicious vegetarian meals, stay in lovely accommodations, and explore the surrounding land. Land of Medicine Buddha is a sacred, tranquil place with temples, statues, and hidden gems throughout the grounds. Guests continue to return year after year to the serenity of this place.


Our special guest, Sophia Aurore is returning to provide us with the soothing and restorative meditation with sound healing. Some of you have had the privilege of experiencing her sounds before. Not to be missed!


Seacliff State Beach and Brighton State Beach are just about 15 minutes away by car. Visit the Pacific on one of your breaks.


Classes are lead by experienced yoga and meditation teacher, Christie Pitko, E-RYT 500. Learn more about Christie here.

Schedule

Schedule is subject to minor changes.


Friday

Arrival - 4:00pm (Rooms are not ready until closer to 4pm, but aim to get here early. You can enjoy tea and cookies or explore the grounds. Give yourself PLENTY of time for Friday traffic.)

Mini Yoga Session- 5:00-5:40pm

Land of Medicine Buddha Welcome - 5:45pm

Dinner - 6:00pm

Welcoming and Group Meditation- 7:15pm


Saturday

Breakfast - 8:00am

Meditation and Therapeutic Yoga - 9:30-11:00am

Free Time - sauna, massage, hike

Lunch - 12:30pm

Free Time

Vinyasa Flow Yoga - 4:30pm

Dinner - 6:00pm

Sound Healing Session - 7:15pm


Sunday

Breakfast - 8:00am

Optional Public Meditation led by Land of Medicine Buddha - 9:30-10:15am

Out of Room- 11:00am

Farewell Yoga Flow - 11:30am

Lunch - 12:30pm

Depart after lunch

Important Things to Know

**We have decided to add some precautions to prevent the spread of Covid-19.  Prior to attending, we will require proof of vaccination by emailing a photo of your vaccination card to christie@shiftingandinspired.com.


Remainder of balance due Friday, October 1st.


Our retreat is for students who are 18 years of age and above.


We welcome all levels of practitioners, including beginners. It is important to have some yoga experience before signing up. Please know basic yoga poses.


Alcohol and meat are not permitted at Land of Medicine Buddha to honor the Buddhists who live on the grounds.


Unless you have Verizon, cell phones will not work. There is a pay phone and WiFi available.



About Your Retreat Guide

Christie Pitko, ERYT 500 is an expert at leading retreats both in the U.S. and abroad. She guides 5-6 retreats per year, and has been hosting retreats since 2014.


Christie is a dedicated student and full-time yoga and meditation teacher in San Francisco, California. She has taught over 2600 hours of yoga classes. She is part of the faculty at Yoga Garden San Francisco for their 200 hour teacher training program. She teaches alignment-based yoga, restorative, as well as meditation. Her biggest influences are Annie Carpenter and Richard Rosen whom she studies with frequently.


Learn more about Christie Pitko here: https://www.christiepitkoyoga.com/about

What to Bring

Yoga mat

Blanket to be used for yoga

Yoga blocks and straps (if you have them)

Toiletries

Water bottle

Comfortable shoes for walking and hiking

Bathing suit for the pool

Eye pillow (optional)


What’s included

  • Accommodation
    2 night stay at Land of Medicine Buddha (single, shared, or triple/quad with private bathrooms)
  • Fresh vegetarian meals
    Food is incredible! 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, and 2 dinners. We can accommodate vegan and gluten-free as well.
  • Daily yoga
    All levels mix of alignment-focused vinyasa and therapeutic
  • Daily mediation
    Mindfulness and pranayama
  • Sound Healing Session
    Sophia Aurore is back! She will provide her soothing and restorative sound healing.
  • Hiking trails
    Access and map to different hiking trails throughout the venue.

What’s not included

  • Transportation
    Nearest airports are San Jose (about an hour) San Francisco (about 90 minutes) , and Oakland (about 2 hours). Please give yourself lots of time for traffic on a Friday!

Available Packages

Single Room, Private Bathroom

Lovely single room with private bathroom. 


Note that if there are 2 people coming, you must book a double room.

$709
Deposit: $300
Double Room, Private Bathroom

Lovely shared room. Please note pricing is PER PERSON in this shared room with private bathroom. 



$629
Deposit: $300


Who’s Going

Your Organizer


CP
Christie Pitko
39 reviews
Christie Pitko, E RYT-500, began practicing yoga in 2001, and since then, it has healed her spirit, ignited creativity, and encouraged her to take her time. She enjoys helping students stay curious about the inner landscape of their bodies and minds through yoga and meditation. Christie is grateful for all that she has learned from her teachers, Annie Carpenter, Richard Rosen, and Leah Gillman. Christie hosts multiple yoga retreats per year.

Reviews

My sister and i really enjoyed this yoga retreat.. we met new and old friends. Christi accommodated all levels of experience. The weather was fantastic and the hiking awesome.
By Susie S for 4 Day Yoga, Meditation, and Nature Retreat Near Yosemite Valley on Oct 25, 2022
The yosemite bug is close to Yosemite National Park and there was plenty of time during the yoga retreat to spend time in Yosemite National Park. There is a spa and sauna and some great hiking close to the Yosemite Bug. Great location. The restaurant onsite serves amazing food. The yoga every morning was as always invigorating to prepare for the busy day in Yosemite. Meditation or relaxation yoga at night helped to wind down for the night. Great Location and Great yoga instructor.
By Pamela M for 4 Days of Nature, Yoga, and Meditation Near Yosemite Valley on Apr 28, 2022
Yosemite is one of my favorite places in the world and April was the the perfect month for it. This was our 2nd yoga retreat with Christy Pitko and we look forward to more in the future!
By John B for 4 Days of Nature, Yoga, and Meditation Near Yosemite Valley on Apr 26, 2022
I'm not sure exactly what I was looking for, but I know my expectations were met and then exceeded. The location, the people, the food, everything was just incredible. I was ready to book my next trip before I left.
By Dacia W for Yoga On and Off the Mat: A Costa Rica Retreat on Mar 10, 2022
DC
This yoga retreat was fabulous. Christie provides excellent yoga instruction. She always gives suggestions for modifications and the use of blocks so that all participants can safely practice. We learned more about the history of yoga and had some group discussion and meditation practices. The large windows in the yoga room allowed us to enjoy the outdoors and even watch a family of monkeys during one of our practices. RipJack Inn is an excellent location for this type of retreat. The grounds are lovely and the yoga studio is spacious and comfortable. The restaurant is lovely and the food amazing! The staff at RipJack are a wonderful group of people who served our high energy group with kindness and professionalism. The beach is just a short stroll away and there are beautiful shells to check. The sunsets are amazing! RipJack provided boogie boards and beach chairs at no charge. I have already put next year’s retreat on my calendar.
By Deborah C for Yoga On and Off the Mat: A Costa Rica Retreat on Mar 09, 2022
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