Gateways: A 5Rhythms Movement & Mindfulness Retreat

 

Dec 29, 2025 – Jan 2, 2026

 

Esalen Institute

55000 Highway 1

Big Sur, CA 93920

 

Come to dance and be danced! Move until you are moved. Dance until the dancer disappears and only the dance remains.—Gabrielle Roth

 


The gateway of the body is a powerful vessel that allows us to move and be moved. Together, we will dance into and through the gateway of the new year, crossing the thresholds of past, present, and future. We will honor the darkness of this season while igniting the light of prayer and hope for the future, dancing out of distraction and into the focused space of collective movement medicine.

 

If we have the courage to move the body, the heart and mind can follow. Come open the gateway of your body by unlocking presence and potential. Come see what is waiting for you on the other side. The 5Rhythms®, a moving meditation practice, teaches us skills and tools to use in our everyday lives that help us facilitate the union of presence-based awareness. The rhythms — Flowing, Staccato, Chaos, Lyrical, and Stillness — allow us to explore the true nature of who we are and how our energy moves in this world.

 

Seated meditation allows the space for quiet integration of the nervous system. In the 5Rhythms, we engage in mindfulness while in motion as a pathway to externalize energy. The two polarities of moving and sitting meditation together mirror the dance of life and open the door to cultivate peace, well-being, and balance.

 

Join us as we dance into the new year! No experience is required. All workshop hours contribute to 5Rhythms teacher training prerequisites.

 

This workshop includes optional sessions with Guest Artist Martha Peabody focused on the investigation of the 5Rhythms Visual Practice for personal and community ritual.This workshop includes optional sessions with Guest Artist Martha Peabody and Maya Jaguar.

 

Join Martha for special sessions focused on the investigation of the 5Rhythms Visual Practice for personal and community ritual.

 

Join Maya on the sacred threshold of the new year for a soul-stirring ritual honoring Yemayá, the Yoruba Goddess of the Ocean, mother of creation, and guardian of transformation. Rooted in Afro-Brazilian tradition and adapted with care for a diverse and inclusive community, this two-hour ceremony invites you to release what no longer serves and call in the tides of renewal.

 

NYE ceremony as part of the retreat experience — often a gentle, ritualized closing/opening for participants.


The venue — Esalen Institute (Big Sur)

 

Setting: Dramatic coastal cliffs, hot springs, gardens, and an emphasis on contemplative retreat. The location contributes strongly to the overall experience (walking the grounds, soaking in the baths).

Jacey

 

On-campus logistics: Esalen offers shared and private lodging options, communal meals, and workshop/timing structures; workshops there often run as multi-day residential experiences. Expect simple, retreat-style accommodations and included meals for residents.

 

Website: https://www.esalen.org/workshops/gateways-a-5rhythms-r-movement-and-mindfulness-retreat-12292025

Sebastopol Bloom Fest 2025

 

October 24–26, 2025

 

Downtown, Depot Street

Sebastopol, CA

 


Sebastopol Bloom Fest is planned for October 24–26, 2025 in Sebastopol, California. It’s marketed as a “vibrant celebration of food, movement, music, and community,” combining farm-to-table culture, wellness, art, dance, music, and more.

The festival is presented as “Profits with a Purpose” — net proceeds are earmarked for development and support of downtown green spaces in Sebastopol, including improvements to a temporary community park/event space connected to the future site of Hotel Sebastopol.

It’s being co-branded with Bhakti Fest (or at least featuring a Bhakti Fest zone). So, expect devotional music, kirtan, sound healing, etc., woven into the broader festival lineup.

 

Lineup, Activities & Features

  • Musical Acts & Stages: The festival will feature a mix of conscious music, contemporary acts, and devotional music (Bhakti). Acts like Poranguí, Ayla Nereo, Scott Nice, Mamuse, Dogon Lights, DJ Drez & Marti Nikko, Jai Dev, and more are announced.
  • The festival brand calls for 5 unique musical stages.
  • Workshops, Yoga, Dance, Wellness: Daily yoga, movement classes, healing & wellness workshops are part of the programming.
  • Art, Film, Performances: Expect art installations, performances, film showings, and community art features.
  • Vendors / Makers / Food: Local artisans, food & drink (local wine, elixirs, etc.), marketplace of makers.
  • Glamping & Stays: There is mention of exploring “unique glamping and home stays” as lodging options.
  • Community Involvement: Skill sharing, community service projects, etc.

 


Website: https://www.sebastopolbloom.com/

SoCo PaganFest 2025

 

Saturday, October 4, 2025, 11 am–4 pm

 

Miss Daisy’s Wonderland

790 Hurlbut Ave.

Sebastopol, CA

 


SoCo PaganFest is a family-friendly pagan festival of love and light, encouraging the beauty of Magick, featuring music, drumming, ritual, workshops, vendors, and farm-to-table food.

 

Admission is either free with a donation of non-expired dry or canned food, or a $10 ticket. Profits go to Miss Daisy’s Wonderland.

 

https://www.facebook.com/events/718865747426879

Jazz Festival in the Vineyards 2025

 

Sunday, October 12, 2025 at 11am – 6pm

 

Wente Vineyards

5050 Arroyo Road,

Livermore, CA 94550, USA

 


Join us for a soulful day of music, wine, and vineyard views at Wente Family Vineyards’ Jazz Festival in the Vineyards.

Settle in on the concert lawn—bring your low-back chairs or blankets and claim your spot for an unforgettable afternoon.

Wente wines, beer, and cocktails will be available for purchase, along with catered concessions from 12PM–5PM to satisfy your lunch cravings.

 

Highlights:

  • Enjoy smooth jazz, award-winning wines, and beautiful vineyard views.
  • Performers:
    • Roger Smith (12:00 PM – 12:45 PM)
    • Paul Taylor (1:15 PM – 2:15 PM)
    • Chris Standring with special guest Rebecca Jade & the Hip Sway Horns (2:45 PM – 4:00 PM)
    • Ruben Studdard (4:30 PM – 6:00 PM)

·         General Admission: $65 (21 years and older only)

 


Additional Notes:

  • No outside food or drinks allowed.
  • Pets are not permitted.
  • All tickets are non-refundable.

 

https://wentevineyards.com/events/jazz-festival-october-12/

 

Cosmic Creations Weekend Retreat

 

October 24 · 3pm - October 26 · 3pm PDT. Doors at 2pm

 

Starlit Canyon Anza, CA 92539



You're invited to Cosmic Creations, a soul-stirring weekend retreat where we'll come together to co-create magic under the stars. Hosted at the breathtaking Starlit Canyon, this is a chance to step away from the everyday and immerse yourself in a community dedicated to conscious connection and deep healing.

Come as you are and share your unique gifts as we cultivate a sacred space to nourish your mind, body, and spirit. Throughout the weekend, you can participate in a variety of offerings, including:

  • Yoga, Reiki & Kirtan
  • Movement, Dance & Meditation
  • Noble Silence

There will be plenty of time in between sessions for you to reflect, journal, take a nature walk, or simply connect with others.

This will be a conscious and sacred event, so we will be creating an alcohol-free space to allow for deeper connection and healing. Please bring your own food, water, and camping gear. A grill will be available for use, and there are porta-potties on site.

Remember to pack layers, as desert weather can change quickly from day to night. Get ready to play, create, and explore with us as we stargaze under the galaxy with other open-minded beings.


https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cosmic-creations-tickets-1712447710199

Autumn Equinox Earthdance at Lupin Lodge

 

September 19 · 9am - September 21 · 11:30pm PDT

 

Lupin Lodge

20600 Aldercroft Heights Road

Los Gatos, CA 95033


 

Celebrate the weekend with the ultimate glamping experience. Escape into nature- enjoy hiking trails, a pool, hot tub, sauna, and much more!

 

Lupin Lodge is proud to be a registered participant in Earthdance, the world’s largest synchronized music and dance event for peace. Held in alignment with the United Nations' International Day of Peace, Earthdance unites communities worldwide in a shared moment of intention and fundraising for meaningful causes. We’ll be joining with a synchronized global peace meditation during the event.

 

Proceeds from our community art show will support ACT for Mental Health, a San Jose nonprofit offering accessible wellness programs. Your participation helps fund their mission of healing through peer support, education, and counseling, making mental health care available to those who need it most.

 

Lupin Lodge is a family-friendly,100-acre clothing-optional campground where guests can dress—or undress—however they feel most comfortable. Everyone is welcome! Highlights include our pool and hot tub, sauna, tennis and volleyball courts, miles of hiking trails and, of course, the beautiful wildlife. Please note: nudity is required in the pool and hot tub area to support the naturist tradition.

 

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/autumn-equinox-earthdance-at-lupin-lodge-tickets-1557956522899

Witches In the Woods - Yoga and Dance Retreat for Women

 

October 23-26, 2025

 

Spirit Camp Retreat Center

4640 Albion Little River Road

Little River, CA

 


This is a sacred gathering of sisterhood, nature, ritual, and creative expression. It offers a powerful blend of movement, meditation, and ceremony to awaken the wild within. Ideal for women who seek heart-led connection, embodied freedom, and the soulful embrace of a transformative experience.

 

Modalities Included In This Northern California Retreat

·         Yoga

·         Dance

·         Meditation

·         Creative Movement

·         Nature Play

·         Fire Ceremony

·         Witchery of All Sorts

 

Who the Retreat Is For

 

This immersive experience is designed for all who identify as female and feel called to embody their authentic selves through movement, ritual, and sisterhood. It is ideal for women seeking transformative growth, a deeper connection to nature, and a safe space to explore creative self-expression. Whether new to yoga and dance or experienced in these practices, attendees will find a nurturing environment that invites personal discovery and collective empowerment.

 

Retreat Description

 

Awaken the Wild Within

 

This retreat calls forth women who yearn to reconnect with their elemental nature and inner wisdom. Nestled among the majestic redwoods of Northern California, “Witches In The Woods” weaves together a tapestry of practices—Yoga, Dance, and Meditation—to guide participants into deeper alignment with their body, heart, and soul. Here, the forest becomes a living temple, offering solace, inspiration, and fertile ground for renewal.

 

Ritual, Sisterhood, and Soulful Expression

 

Guided by seasoned facilitators who blend somatic arts, intuitive movement, and ancient ceremonial traditions, this gathering invites participants to reclaim their power and step boldly into their own magic. Through Creative Movement sessions, Nature Play, and Group Sharing Circles, women are encouraged to show up fully as they are—vulnerable, curious, and open-hearted. Daily rituals, including a Fire Ceremony, stir the cauldron of personal transformation, illuminating old patterns and freeing the path toward authenticity.

 

Embodying the Witchy Essence

 

This experience nurtures a sacred space where women can honor the witch within—an archetype that symbolizes wisdom, liberation, and spiritual depth. Inspired by ancestral practices and guided by the elements, participants will engage with Witchery of All Sorts: breathwork, spellcraft, heart-centered movement, and intentional presence. Through these elemental journeys, they’ll learn to harness nature’s rhythms, cultivate self-trust, and invite greater alignment between their inner landscape and the world around them.

 

Nourishment, Play, and Connection

 

Each day unfolds with nourishing meals, thoughtfully prepared to support physical vitality and emotional well-being. Between structured sessions, participants are free to rest, reflect, or meander through the forest, soaking up its healing beauty. Evening gatherings may involve music, gentle rhythms of the drum, or silent contemplation under starry skies. Whether dancing barefoot on the forest floor or whispering intentions to the rising moon, every moment is designed to reaffirm life’s enchantments and remind attendees that they are not alone in their journey.

 

Website: https://www.spirit.camp/retreats/witches-in-the-woods-a-yoga-and-dance-retreat

 

Awaken as Love California Tantra Festival 2025

 

September 24–28, 2025

 

Beside Seqouia National Park, CA


 

The Awaken as Love California Tantra Festival 2025 will take place at a retreat center near Sequoia National Park, about 10 minutes from the park entrance and 20 minutes past Dunlap, California. It’s set on 160 acres in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, offering a scenic backdrop with a lake, forests, and sunny beaches for swimming. The venue includes four workshop spaces: Nirvana Cabana for intimate sessions, Halls of Heaven for large dance events, Nataraj (an outdoor pavilion), and Yogini Temple for yoga and meditation. Accommodation options include camping (bring your own gear, $600–$680 per person) or shared dorms with bunk beds ($660–$720 per person), with early entry available for an extra day to settle in. All tickets include organic vegetarian meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) and access to workshops, concerts, and ceremonies.

 

The festival promises a 5-day experience focused on creating intimacy with oneself, life, and relationships, featuring 50 workshops and 200 international attendees. It’s led by facilitators like James Stevenson, Monique Darling, Peter Petersen, and Lawrence Lanoff, emphasizing tantra, personal growth, and community. The event is inclusive, welcoming all relationship styles, orientations, and adults over 18, whether single or in couples. Activities include dance, yoga, breathwork, and healing sessions, with a focus on embodiment and transformation.

 

The festival is set in a traditional outdoors camp in the Sierra Nevada Mountains which gets converted into a sumptuous tantric space for dropping in deep and connecting to nature. Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks are just on its doors step and it’s just over 4 hours’ drive from either San Francisco or Los Angeles.

 

The festival camp comprises of 160 acres with an incredible back drop of nature, in September you can expect comfortable warm weather in the daytimes and beautiful cool evenings without the city lights where you can really see the stars. Its set beside lake with sunny beaches that’s suitable for swimming between workshops and the choice is either camping in your own tent or in bunk beds in the cabin dorms with heating and electricity, both having access to clean bathrooms with hot showers. Amazing organic vegetarian food is included in your ticket for the festival and this will be served 3 times a day in the dining hall with access to coffee and teas stations throughout the day.

 

Website: https://california-festival.com/festival/

One-Day Green Gulch Daylong Retreat with Lauren Cohen

 

Saturday, August 16, 2025 at 9:30 AM  5:30 PM

 

Green Gulch Zen Center

1601 Shoreline Highway

Muir Beach, CA, 94965


 

Join yoga teacher Lauren Cohen for a spacious and nourishing day of yoga, meditation, sound healing and nature at Green Gulch Farm Zen Center in the beauty of Marin.

 

This daylong retreat includes 2 yoga classes (a mix of Slow Flow/Vinyasa and Restorative Yoga), a beautiful vegetarian lunch (prepared by the Green Gulch community), an afternoon sound bath with Emma Peck, and time to drop into the tranquil grounds and surrounding coast. Together, we will explore this concept of moving into stillness and how we can apply the teachings of the Yoga Sutras and elements of Buddhist Psychology into our everyday lives.

 

https://www.soundandsoulsf.com/upcoming-sound-baths/green-gulch-daylong-retreat-with-lauren-cohen-aehfk-4elx7-98e23

 

2025 Convergence Retreat 2025

 

October 10-13, 2025

 

Mandala Springs,

Cobb, CA

 


Sweet friends, are you ready to enjoy a long weekend in nature and experience thoughtful workshops and programming taught by incredible teachers & healers? Join us for a 3-night, 4-day getaway filled with expansion & community as we dance under the stars under the crisp autumn skies. Held in Cobb, California, you are invited to tap into new wisdom and some good old-fashioned fun with like-minded individuals.  

 

A sacred container and open to all-genders, The Convergence Retreat encourages participants to find clarity on their desires and give them the tools to manifest them with a retreat-meets-festival vibe with live music, entertainment, art, wellness studies and more!  

 

This retreat is a unique getaway for adults who wish to explore the intersection of wellness, spirituality, and sensuality. From workshops on conscious relating to yoga, art therapy, dance, to tantalizing discussions on non-monogamy, biohacking and neuroscience - every attendee is sure to leave with new wisdom & inspiration! 

 

·         Included in the retreat pricing:
Daily chef-prepared dinner + lunch (6 meals total) 

·         Ecstatic, explorative movement and dance classes 

·         Meditation & embodiment workshops

·         Panels + courageous, curious conversations

·         Daily self-care rituals and welcome gifts

1:1 post-event integration coaching (optional add-on)

Charming and well-equipped glamping & cabin accommodations for even the most comfort-led attendees

 

https://convergenceretreat.com/