Grounded and Spacious: Mindful Yoga and Embodied Dharma

In a world of constant flux, where inner turbulence mirrors outer chaos, how do you stay anchored without closing your heart? This five-night residential retreat at Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Woodacre, CA offers a rare answer: by weaving yoga and Buddhist meditation into a seamless practice that cultivates both stability and openness. Led by renowned teachers Anne Cushman, Kate Johnson, Djuna Devereaux, and Rolf Gates, Grounded and Spacious addresses the central paradox of conscious living—remaining centered and responsive when everything around you shifts.

Whether you're navigating personal upheaval or seeking tools to meet collective turbulence with grace, this yoga retreat invites you into a container where the body becomes your teacher. Drawing on classical yoga wisdom and Buddhist dharma, the program works directly with your nervous system, anchoring energy where you can actually feel it, and cultivating a lived sense of ease amid difficulty. This is not a detox or a performance-focused workshop—it's a genuine retreat into practice, guided by master teachers who understand both the philosophy and the felt experience of embodied presence.

You'll leave with concrete tools, a settled nervous system, and most importantly, a renewed relationship with your own capacity to meet life with stability and compassion.

What to Expect

Days unfold in a rhythm that honors both structure and spaciousness. Mornings may begin with gentle guided yoga, settling the body and preparing for practice. You'll move through multiple forms of seated and moving meditation, interspersed with dharma reflections that illuminate how these ancient teachings apply to your life right now. Small-group meetings with teachers offer personalized inquiry and support.

Silent practice forms the spine of the retreat, punctuated by clear instruction and moments of community sharing. There's ample time for rest, self-directed practice, and unhurried time in nature—honoring the fact that healing happens at different rhythms for different people. This isn't a packed agenda; it's a curated experience that trusts the intelligence of your own unfolding.

By the end of five nights, you'll have cultivated genuine stability in body and mind, developed practical skills for navigating difficulty, and reconnected with a deeper sense of ease.

Venue & Logistics

The retreat takes place at Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Woodacre, California—a serene sanctuary nestled in Marin County's rolling hills, designed specifically for contemplative practice. The five-night residential format means you'll be staying on-site in comfortable shared or private accommodations. Wear comfortable, layered clothing suitable for yoga and meditation. Spirit Rock is committed to accessibility; contact the venue directly regarding any mobility or dietary needs.