Grace & Gratitude: A Pre-Thanksgiving Yoga & Meditation Retreat

Date
November 15 - 17, 2024

About this Retreat

Your Guides

Details of this retreat

Join Lauren Cohen and Nat Kendall for a nourishing pre-Thanksgiving weekend in the redwoods! Through soulful yoga practices, dharma discussions, chanting, meditations, time in nature and more, we’ll explore what it means to cultivate grace and gratitude in our everyday lives. Yoga practices will be a mix of slow flow, vinyasa and restorative. Experience deep renewal and inspiration as you:

deepen your understanding of yoga, beyond the mat
explore how the philosophical teachings can apply to your everyday life
enjoy slow flow and somatic practices to calm the nervous system
explore the theme of grace and gratitude and how you nurture these qualities in your daily life
deepen your practice through mantra and chanting
practice meditation in a supportive group setting
feel the healing power of nature as you enjoy the peaceful surroundings of Ratna Ling
nourish the body, enjoying delicious, organic, vegetarian cuisine — three meals daily, all-inclusive
cultivate and nurture community with others committed to health and inner awakening

In community with others committed to health and inner awakening, immerse yourself in learning that inspires your yoga practice and your life.

 

SCHEDULE (Subject to change):

Friday

Arrive & check in between 3-4pm 
4:30pm – Grounding Practice
5:30pm – Dinner 
7pm – Opening circle 

Saturday

8am – Breakfast 
9:30-12pm – Discussion, Meditation & Asana (Vinyasa & Slow Flow) 
12:15pm – Lunch 
1-3:30pm – Free time / Massage services 
3:30-5:30 – Yoga & Meditation (Slow Flow & Restorative) 
5:30pm – Dinner
*Free evening (journal prompts offered for personal reflection)

Sunday

7:30-9:30am – Morning practice & closing circle
10am – Brunch 
12pm – Check out

 

For directions to Ratna Ling - Ratna Ling Retreat Center 35755 Hauser Bridge Rd Cazadero, CA 95421
Accommodations are beautiful lux cabins



ADDITIONAL DETAILS

Transportation to/from Ratna Ling is NOT included - carpooling encouraged
Payments are nonrefundable and transferable to a future Ratna Ling stay or retreat
Each cottage includes TWO private rooms with queen beds, large dining & living area, gas fireplace,
spacious deck, jacuzzi tub, linens/towels/hand soap, kitchenette with tea & coffee, complimentary wireless internet. Towels and hand soap are provided.

5 vegetarian meals are served during our weekend together.
What people are saying about our retreats:



“Space to move at your own space. Both meditation and movement classes were wonderful.”
“It was exactly what I needed – to disconnect, get in tune with my soul and recharge my spirit.” ~ 1.2024


“It helped me relax and center myself. Space for reflection while also giving me anchor points through teachings. George is the best! He is such a wonderful and knowledgable host.” ~2.2024
“Space to move at your own space. Both meditation and movement classes were wonderful.” ~9.2023



 

Getting Here

Location icon Ratna Ling Retreat Center

Directions

San Francisco International and Oakland International airports are approximately three hours south of Ratna Ling by car. Alaska Airlines flies to and from Sonoma County Airport in Santa Rosa which is approximately 1.5 hours from Ratna Ling by car. Unfortunately, there are no shuttles that bring you directly to Ratna Ling, so it is best to rent a car or email us to support in coordinating a carpool with fellow retreatants.

Accommodation

14 guest cottages on 120 acres of property. Each spacious, quiet cottage has 2 private rooms, with high ceilings and a deck with a view. Cottages include jet tubs (or ADA shower), towels, deluxe linens, refrigerator, tea kettle, coffee/tea, kitchen sink/counter, diningware, dining table, and living room with a stove fireplace. Free wifi available and a landline telephone. Guests can choose to have an exclusive cottage for ONE person; a private room for ONE person in a SHARED cottage; or a cottage for TWO people. Any additional guest after TWO is $100 per person per night. Meals and classes included.

Private Queen Room (Spacious Cottage with 1 other person). Includes meals and classes.

Venue & Amenities

A/C in Rooms icon A/C in Rooms
Free Wifi icon Free Wifi
Spa icon Spa
Sauna icon Sauna
Pool icon Pool
Towels icon Towels
Free Parking icon Free Parking
Kitchen icon Kitchen
Tour Assistance icon Tour Assistance
Hot Tub icon Hot Tub
Coffee/Tea icon Coffee/Tea
Cafe icon Cafe
Restaurant icon Restaurant
Fitness Center icon Fitness Center
Yoga Studio icon Yoga Studio
Housekeeping icon Housekeeping
Bicycles For Rent icon Bicycles For Rent
Three miles from the beautiful Sonoma coast. Organic, vegetarian meals. 120 acres of redwoods, canyons, reservoirs, and wildlife. Sacred architecture timber cottages and communal spaces. Featured stupas, gardens, and temple empowered by Tibetan Buddhist Lama Tarthang Tulku Rinpoche.

Meals

Menu Types

All of our meals are organic and vegetarian, made with love and care. We provide homemade yogurt and granola for breakfast. Lunches and dinners always include salads or salad bar. Each meal is self-served on a buffet table.

Customer Reviews

4.92 out of 5.0 average rating

5.0
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Love of Beauty
Magical,Love, Blessings, Learning and caring. Hugs to everyone who gave such gentle care. I felt wrapped in a lovely warm blanket of beauty and love. Especially from our leader, Maria Helena. I felt her love filling every corner of the room, and every corner of my heart. This was my first retreat and I hope to come back if there is one in the spring! Bless you all and thank you! Donna Fivis

5.0
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Peaceful and beautiful location
Ratna Ling was a wonderful find in redwoods along the northern California coast. I spent a week there on a solo retreat, the staff were wonderful and the center and cottages have a very warm and comfortable feel. The grounds and surrounding area are a perfect place to disconnect, relax, reflect, meditate, and connect with nature.

5.0
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The Love of Beauty: A Meditation Retreat in Nature Review
My experience over the course of a weekend at “The Love of Beauty: A Meditation Retreat in Nature” at Ratna Ling exceeded all of my expectations. From the moment I arrived, the retreat offered a perfect blend of tranquility and introspection. Maria Helena, the main host guiding our meditation practices, demonstrated exceptional skill and sensitivity, effortlessly managing a diverse group of participants with varying levels of meditation experience. Her guidance was insightful and accommodating, making each session both accessible and deeply transformative.

In addition to Maria Helena’s expertise, the entire Ratna Ling staff played a crucial role in enhancing the retreat experience. Each team member was not only well-versed in meditation practices but also enthusiastic about sharing their knowledge. They provided valuable insights into the local hiking trails and offered personal perspectives on meditation that enriched our understanding. The warm and approachable demeanor of the staff created an atmosphere of openness and support, which was instrumental in fostering a sense of community and connection among us.

The retreat’s natural beauty and spacious facilities further amplified the experience. Surrounded by Redwoods, the environment was ideal for appreciating nature and connecting with our senses. Every meal served was fresh, varied, and well presented—which contributed to a balanced and fulfilling experience. The days were structured to be both enriching and educational, leaving me with a profound sense of peace and rejuvenation by the end of the weekend.

5.0
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Wonderful place
What a wonderful place to go and soothe your mind and body. The grounds are so tranquil and the food is amazing. I would go back for another retreat here in a heartbeat. The retreat was led by Gretchen Donovan, who I would also highly recommend, and I hope to do some more work with her. A wonderful experience all around.

5.0
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Loved Ratna Ling and Gretchen Donovan!
Ratna Ling is in a breathtakingly beautiful location, with luxurious cabins, outstanding food, and a very friendly class. I think Gretchen Donovan is an amazing teacher; I gained so much from her retreat this year.

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