Thursday—Sunday
November 9 – 12, 2017
Ratna Ling Retreat Center, Northern California
with Heather Haxo Phillips and Cynthia Bates

Retreat is an integral part of all spiritual practices. A true retreat provides the support for the practitioner to let go of their identities in the outside world and go more deeply into their practice.  We are supported by the physical space, by our teacher, by our community of fellow students, by the meals that are lovingly prepared for us and the practices that we do. Unlike a vacation, on a retreat we focus on activities that nourish our spiritual selves. We make space and time for practice, for contemplation and for deep rest. The insights, perspective and experience we have on retreat, in turn creates a wider, deeper and more luminous container for us to live in.

Our retreat will be in the redwood forests of Sonoma County, at the incredible Ratna Ling retreat center. Each day will include asana with Heather, pranayama with Cynthia, study of the yoga sutras, community and solitude.  You will have the opportunity to attend 6 asana classes and pranayama every day, with time for walks and time in the redwoods.

Organic, vegetarian meals and beautiful accommodations are an important part of this retreat. Each two-person cabin has two private bedrooms and a shared common area. The retreat begins on Thursday afternoon and finishes Sunday afternoon.

Students should have at least 6 months experience in the Iyengar method.

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THE STUDENT EXPERIENCE

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“In a quiet retreat center, teeming with birdlife, I got to drop into myself and my yoga practice.  Heather beautifully guided us through the weekend, with well-planned sequencing designed to help deepen and replenish.  It was a true privilege.”
~Douglas J. Chermak

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TUITION

WATCH THIS VIDEO ABOUT THE RETREAT

SAMPLE RETREAT SCHEDULE

Thursday

3 pm | Arrival and Check-in

4-5:15 pm | Asana Practice with Heather

5:30 pm | Dinner

7:00-8:00 pm | Orientation & Opening Ceremony

Friday

7:00-7:50 am | Pranayama Practice with Cynthia

8am | Breakfast

9:30 am-12:00 pm | Active Asana with Heather

12:15 pm | Lunch

Personal Time

4-5:15 pm | Restorative Asana with Cynthia

5:30 pm | Dinner

7:00-8:00 pm | Philosophy Discussion and Q&A

Saturday

7:00-7:50am | Pranayama Practice with Cynthia

8:00am | Breakfast

9:30 am-12:00 pm |  Active Asana with Heather

12:15 pm | Lunch

4-5:15 pm | Restorative Asana with Cynthia

5:30 pm | Dinner

7:00-8:00 pm | Philosophy Discussion and Q&A

Sunday89-10 am | Asana with Heather

10am | Brunch

11:00 am | Closing Ceremony

12:00 pm | Check Out & Departure

ABOUT RATNA LING

The Ratna Ling Retreat Center is a Northern California group and personal retreat destination. Located on 120 acres in the redwood forests off the Pacific Coastal ridge, it offers a retreat from the hectic pace and unbalancing influences of today’s world. Ratna Ling is envisioned as a thriving center for healing and discovery bringing forth the power and value of spiritual practice in forms which are wholesome, accessible and effective. As a working community guided by Buddhist teachings, its staff and residents strive to embody and transmit wisdom, compassion, harmony and depth of caring. Its aim is to share what is best, most beautiful and most meaningful in this precious human existence.

Participants often comment on the deep quiet offered at Ratna Ling.  You will likely experience wildlife by day, spectacular sunrise and sunsets, and beautiful stargazing.

The Ratna Ling facility includes a main lodge with cozy sitting areas, a dining hall, and an outdoor deck; a separate building with the yoga room and a library; two-person cottages scattered across the property; and lovely outdoor areas.

Students will need to bring one bolster and four blankets with them.  These props can be purchased at Adeline Yoga, if needed.

Visit the Ratna Ling Website

Check out a video tour of Ratna Ling:

WHAT TO EXPECT

• Students will have their own bedrooms in a deluxe two-person shared cottage. Cottages include a living room, outdoor deck, kitchen (stocked with utensils, fridge and such), and a shared bathroom. All linens are provided.
• Each cottage is in a beautiful, private location that is a 5 to 10 minute walk from the yoga and dining halls.
• Accommodations are shared with 1 other person.
• Students will need to bring their own bolster and four blankets.
• All meals are vegetarian and are prepared by the Ratna Ling staff. Meals will be served in the communal dining area. Ratna Ling does accommodate eating restrictions. Students with special diets should be prepared to also supplement with their own food.

ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTORS

Heather Haxo Phillips is a certified Iyengar yoga instructor at the Junior Intermediate III level, among the highest certified Iyengar teachers in the East Bay. She is Director of Adeline Yoga and has been teaching for nearly 15 years. Heather is past President of the Board of Directors for the Iyengar Yoga Association of Northern California, for which she recently retired after seven years of service. She is also certified as a restorative yoga teacher, and registered with Yoga Alliance as an E-500 level instructor.  She has specialized training to help students with scoliosis, injuries, women’s health and pre-natal yoga. Heather deepens her own practice by studying regularly with senior teachers and the Iyengar family in Pune. Watch a video about Heather’s classes or read her Yelp! reviews.