Meditation & Self Discovery Retreats

Yoga of Writing Retreat for Women

Heart Opening Retreat - with Meditation and Song in S. Lake Tahoe

Radiance Retreat - Meditation & Yoga Retreat in Sedona's Red Rocks

Meditation Classes & Mind/Body Health Events

Q & A - What is a retreat and why should I go on one?

Article: How a Meditation Retreat Changed my Life!

View the Event Schedule here

Read what people say about the retreats they've attended.

The Yoga of Writing:

A Women's Meditation & Writing Retreat

With Sarah McLean & Friends

in Sedona, Arizona

March 16 - 18

For many, writing is a spiritual practice which leads to a profound experience of timelessness and present moment awareness. A single moment of inspiration can become an eternity. That is also true of meditation. For those who practice meditation, life is transformed physically, spiritually, and emotionally. Give attention to silence, stillness, and the present moment. Listen to and trust your own voice as you transcend your inner critic and express your authentic voice from the womb of spaciousness and creativity.  

Find the ease of writing practice along with meditation with its roots in the yoga tradition and how to use these practices to enhance healing, authentic expression and self-awareness. You’ll write, listen to yourself, and be heard, perhaps for the very first time. No writing, yoga or meditation experience is necessary. Facilitated by meditation mentor Sarah McLean & writer/artist Victoria Nelson, and yoga teacher, Melissa Karolides. 

Nestled in Oak Creek Canyon just a mile north of Sedona, along the lush banks of Oak Creek, sits the Briar Patch Inn - a secret hideaway which nurtures your relationship with nature. The retreat location sits at the base of red rock mountains, surrounded by majestic canyon oaks, and dappled sunlight, creating a healing, magical oasis with private and shared cabins.See what people say about the Yoga of Writing retreat here.

The Yoga of Writing retreat in Sedona is limited to 15 women.  Find out more about the Yoga of Writing in Sedona, call 928.204.0067.

Heart Opening Retreat:

Soothe your Soul and Open Your Heart

with Meditation & Song

Kathy Zavada & Sarah McLean

In South Lake Tahoe, Nevada

May 10-13

Open your heart and discover what a magical world you live in. Rest in the blissful stillness of your own being and Lake Tahoe as you're guided by deeply uplifting music, call and response chanting, silent meditations, and nourishing time in nature.

Experience a deeper connection with yourself and others and the gentle and loving presence of the facilitators Kathy Zavada & Sarah McLean. Deepen your awareness of your true nature and your heart's intelligence. 

You'll nurture yourself, cultivate a deep relaxation and inner peace, and feel the connection to all of life. This retreat is perfect for anyone, even those who have never ventured into meditation or chanting before.

Find out more about the Heart Opening Retreat here, or call 928.204.0067.

Radiance Retreat in Sedona's Red Rocks:

A Weekend of Meditation, Gentle Yoga & Self Discovery

with Sarah McLean & Friends

October 6-8

The Radiance Retreat is designed to help you to reconnect with your spirit, awaken your full potential and find inspiration.   Deepen your path to self-discovery at the Radiance Retreat, a meditation intensive which promises time to rejuvenate, recharge and reflect at one of the most enticing desert hideaways in Arizona – magical Sedona. 

Sedona is a place that inspires - where majestic red rock monuments soar above the juniper-covered hillsides, and where you’ll feel the expansiveness of creation as you gaze into the clear night sky which sparkles with stars.

Held at the luxurious Sedona Rouge, the Radiance Retreat is the perfect opportunity to give yourself the space and time to get in touch with yourself and connect to your spirit through gentle self awareness exercises, meditations and easy yoga practices. You'll even discover some of Sedona's most spectacular hidden treasures.

Led by experts in yoga, meditation, mind/body health, and self-inquiry, you'll learn deep meditation practices, discover how to live with soul-centered awareness, realize your inner radiance and bliss, and deeply listen to your heart’s desires. Discover practices that will help you to live the life you really want.  See what people say about the Radiance Retreat here.

Find out more about the Radiance Retreat in Sedona here or call 928.204.0067.

Check the schedule here for more program offerings 

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Q & A

What is a meditation retreat?

Whether for an hour, a day, a weekend, a week, or a month, a meditation retreat is a period of time away from everyday activities, pressures, deadlines, distractions or responsibilities, during which one can develop more self-awareness, appreciation for life, clarity, peace of mind, and mind-body healing.  Sometimes meditation retreats focus on cultivating creativity, or to uncovering and healing a particular emotional issue.  Some meditation retreats are religious, and can include prayer, or other spiritual practices. Many are secular in nature and are attended by those who are looking for stress reduction and healing in a new perspective on life

Many people desire a more meaningful vacation. People come to Sedona to experience the vortex energy.  They want to incorporate sightseeing with something more profound, so many combine their sightseeing vacation with something more rewarding .  You know those T-shirts that people bring home, my friend went on a vacation and all I got was this crummy T-shirt?  That is what epitomizes many vacations. A retreat is not about leaving the T-shirt or a new tote bag , or eating at a great restaurant; a meditation retreat leaves a lasting impression.

What do the daily activities in the Sedona Meditation retreats look like?

Meditation retreats can be mostly silent as those in a Zen Buddhist Sesshin. They include walking meditations called kinhin, sitting meditations, formal eating meditations, and work practice. Other meditation retreats can include additional mindful activities such as mindfully eating or walking, or yoga. Some can include creative expression such as dancing, drawing, painting or writing.  Some retreats include contemplative prayer or devotional practices.  

Sedona Meditation Retreats are secular retreats which always include meditation, mindful walks in nature, and self inquiry practices. There is always a couple of hours of silent sitting meditations, and people experience an eating meditation, and many other introspective exercises.  It’s safe atmosphere designed to encourage participants to find out what's inside: who they are and what they really want, and to become more intimate with their own awareness and their own life.

Why should I go on one?

A meditation retreat creates a memory of feeling whole and good - what your life can be. It’s one of the touchstones for more meaningful life and a new perspective. Hopefully one would leave a meditation retreat with an established meditation practice -  meditation is a very subtle yet undeniably powerful practice to create more balance in the body, spaciousness in the mind, and a new appreciation for everything and everyone in our lives. 

A Sedona Meditation Retreat is also focused on training your awareness so that you can be more present to your own life and the possibilities available in every moment. This way, when our “real lives” a kick in again when we get home, we can respond rather than react to certain situations.  

At first the changes may be subtle, you might order something different on a menu, have more patience with your children , or you notice you are less concerned about what people think . There also could be more profound changes: you realize you don't like your job, or where you live, or you realize a new passion in life. My goal is to teach people how to be self-sufficient, to learn a deep practice of meditation so they can to create an opportunity to retreat every single day.   The meditation itself is the retreat.

Can you offer any meditation-related tips that you recommend people incorporate into their daily or weekly routine?

You can use meditation techniques almost any time, almost anywhere. The easiest way is to become mindful - that means paying attention to what you're doing when you're doing it.  

You can turn your attention to your breath, or the sensations in your body, or to what you're doing - whether it's washing your hands, walking to the car, standing in line at the grocery store, or sitting at your computer.  This moment right now, is the one that matters .  Sometimes we forget because we're distracted by what other people think, what we should do, or thoughts about the past or the future. When you bring your attention to the present moment you can tap into the infinite possibilities, spaciousness, peace, and creativity that is available at all times.  There are many other ways I suggest people tap into the moment: Read this article about how to take breaks during the day: Taking Time Out for a Time In.

I also like encourage people to establish a formal meditation practice. This would include regularly meditating at the same time of day for certain period of time. Whether it's for five minutes or 15 minutes or 30 minutes a little meditation before breakfast can help everyone. It's always best to meditate before you eat so if you don't have time in the morning you can meditate before lunch. And if you really inspired, you could meditate again for dinner.

Find out when the retreats are scheduled. Click here.