The long, slow, conscious breath has the ability to stabilize and quiet the fluctuations of the mind. Concurrently, the breath can act as a medium through which we are able to connect to the formless dimension of being, to the invisible realms of spirit and soul. Whether we are in the yoga room, changing jobs, or dealing with a shadow facet of ourselves, the conscious breath can serve as an amazing tool of transition—it can calm us down in the corridors of change. We practice the breath in pranayama and asana practice and become mindful of the potential to integrate conscious breathing in our daily lives. What begins as a support for calming the mind and nervous system becomes an open door to the possibility of change and transition, on a personal and a collective level.

This is the theme and focus for our yoga retreat. Our mornings will begin with meditation and pranayama, leading into mid-morning active yoga practice. We’ll gather in the afternoons at various places on the Esalen property to observe the natural forces of nature, and then return to our yoga room for twists, forward bends, and restorative poses. Anyone with a minimum of three months of yoga experience is welcome. Please bring a yoga mat.