Alignment with Nature
Iyengar Yoga and Ayurvedic Lifestyle Retreat
with Sandy Lamerson, Ruchi Murlidhar and Yvonne Mayshark
May 2-5, 2024
Whispertree Retreat
Boonville, Mendocino County, California
Experience deep-level nourishment and resilience through yoga sadhana, Ayurvedic food, nature, silence and community
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Alignment with Nature
Retreat Information
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About the Retreat
This 4-day, 3-night retreat includes the transformative practices of meditation, yoga asana, pranayama, chanting, and Ayurvedic food and lifestyle.
There will be ample time to rest, reflect, and be in nature. We will nourished by balanced, home-cooked meals inspired by
Ayurvedic principles. The retreat's theme: "Alignment with Nature," aims to cultivate inner and outer alignment, open-heartedness, and a profound sense of well-being.
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This retreat is open to anyone who wishes to deepen their yoga practice and learn and adopt self-care practices drawn from Ayurvedic wisdom.
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Retreat Leaders
Iyengar Yoga Classes will be taught by Sandy Lamerson and Ruchi Murlidhar. Yvonne Mayshark will prepare the Ayurvedic meals and lead discussions on Ayurvedic lifestyle, herbs and teas, and plant identification in the surroundings. Ruchi and Sandy will lead chanting and yoga philosophy discussions.
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The Location
Situated on 600+ acres, this natural and majestic setting is 2 hours and 15 minutes north of the Bay Area, in Mendocino County on Ancestral Pomo Land. The land and buildings are conducive to silence, reflection and connection with nature. There are plenty of hiking trails and a pond to swim in during warm weather. Yoga classes will take place in a spacious and bright yurt style building (with actual walls).
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The Food and Accomodations
Accommodations are both comfortable and close to nature. Options include single or double bell tents or platform tents. All meals will be vegetarian and prepared on site by Yvonne and made with fresh organic ingredients. When registering you can indicate any dietary restrictions and preferences. More information about accommodations can be found below.
Retreat Schedule
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Thursday, May 2
4pm Arrival
5pm Orientation
5:20 Asana/Pranayama Class
6:30 Dinner
7:30 Community building, Opening Ceremony
8:45pm, optional silent meditation
Friday/Saturday, May 3-4
6am silent meditation (optional)
6:45-7:15 pranayama
7:15-7:30 chanting
7:40 Breakfast
Break
9:30-11:30 Asana Class
12 lunch
Free Time
4pm Ayurveda Tea Time
5pm Asana/Pranayama Class
6:30 Dinner
7:30 Chanting + Yoga Philosophy Discussion
8:45 optional silent meditation
Sunday, May 5
6am silent meditation (optional)
6:45-7:15 pranayama
7:15-7:30 chanting
7:40 breakfast
Break - check out of rooms
9:15-10:45 Asana Class
12 lunch (optional, not included in retreat fee) in Boonville
Optional hiking trip to Hendy Woods Park 1-4pm
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*Note - There may be slight changes to the schedule
Retreat Leaders
About the Land
Text from https://whispertreeretreat.com/
The 600+ acres of land at Whispertree covers two peaks and a valley known by western settlers as Bell Valley. Prior to colonial settlement, Bell Valley was inhabited for thousands of years by the Tabahtea people, classified by ethnographers as part of the Pomo tribe. The Tabahtea actively managed ecosystems and engaged in abundant wild food propagation. They engaged in year-round cultural practices that supported sustainability and were largely responsible for Northern California's legacy of biodiversity. The diversity and resilience on the land is palpable to observant visitors. As a sub-watershed feeding Soda Creek and the larger Navarro River Watershed, the land supports fir forests and towering old oaks.
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Animals on the land include the more commonly recognized deer and turkey, bobcats, hare and seasonal packs of wild boar. High above the valley, turkey vultures and red-tailed hawks commonly survey the land accompanied by kestrel and the rare bald eagle. At lower elevations, you’ll find families of California quail trotting in packs across the road, scrub Jays and acorn woodpeckers eager to farm acorns in trees and buildings.
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The rich plant diversity of Bell Valley, including a number of perennial native grasses, is unparalleled for the area, giving visitors a robust sense of aliveness and beauty leading visitors to describe Whispertree’s land as “magical.”
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Images of the land can be found here
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About the Accommodations
Accommodations are comfortable "glamping" tents. All glamping tents are fully furnished with two twin beds, tables, lamps, bed linens, heated blankets and rain coverings. You can see a gallery of the accommodations here.
Bathrooms and hot showers are in a new bathhouse a short walk away. There is an outdoor kitchen with outdoor seating as well as a cozy indoor sitting room and small kitchen where tea/coffee and snacks will be made available.
Bell Tents in Spring
Platform tent
Accommodation Options and Pricing
Prices are all-inclusive of food, lodging, and retreat programming
Giving
Giving is built into this retreat model. $500 of the retreat proceeds will be gifted to an indigenous land preservation organization. When you register for the retreat, you can opt to give more. Let's make the healing energy of our retreat expand outwards into local communities and ecosystems! Our goal is is raise 2k through our collective generosity.
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Commitment to Inclusion
We want to include everyone in this retreat, regardless of their ability to pay. If you would like to donate a little extra to support someone in need of a scholarship, please indicate that on your registration. If you need financial assistance, let us know.
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FAQs
Who is this retreat for?
This retreat is open to anyone interested in deepening their yoga practice and finding balance by following an Ayurvedic diet and lifestyle. The quiet and natural setting is an ideal environment conducive to rest, reflection and spiritual practice. Some experience with Iyengar yoga is helpful but not required.
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What can I expect?
We have a full schedule of practice that you are invited to participate in. The afternoons have a 4 hour block of unstructured time which you may rest, practice, go hiking, swimming or talk with like minded people, or be in silence.
What should I bring?
You will receive a detailed packing list once you register for the retreat.
What if I am new to yoga/or have injuries and limitations?
You are welcome. Please describe any physical or other issues on the registration form. In each yoga class there will be a teacher and an assistant to help with modifications.
What is the food like?
The food will be prepared according to vegetarian sattvic Ayurveda principles, which means fresh, warm, organic, seasonal, and vegetarian with the use of dairy products. There will be options for dairy free and gluten free. Eggs will be available separately for those who request. Tea, coffee, fruit and snacks will be available throughout the day in the cottage kitchen. Please indicate your dietary restrictions and preferences on the registration form.
How do I register and pay?
Click on the registration link and complete the registration form. You may select to pay by check or Zelle direct deposit. A deposit of $300 is required to hold your space, or you may pay in full at the time of booking.
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Do you have scholarships/Payment plans?
We do offer payment plans. Please inquire if needed. If you have financial need and cannot afford the retreat, let us know and we may be able to find a solution.
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What is the refund policy?
A full refund is issued if you cancel more than 3 months prior to the start of the retreat, minus an admin fee of $50. If you cancel less than 3 months before the start, you will receive your retreat fee minus the deposit of $300. If it is less than 1 month, we cannot offer refunds. Special circumstances/emergencies will be considered on an individual basis.
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Other questions?
Please use the contact form to email us. Or reach out to Sandy directly at kausalayoga@gmail.com
