Rejuvenation Retreat for Women

Santa Cruz

At a Glance

At the Land of Medicine Buddha retreat center, take part in a women’s-only getaway to learn relaxing and healing methods to help you balance and energize. Qi Gong and self-acupressure will move Qi, or vital energy, smoothly through your meridians and bring you to a state of relaxation with gentle physical movements and mindful breathing. Take this wonderful opportunity to rebalance in a beautiful setting, and consider sharing this retreat with a mother or daughter. Find your power within!

Activity Level

Varies by date

Short walking distances between accommodation, meeting rooms and dining room. Hilly terrain, uneven ground in places, some stairs or a steep hill & ramps to the dining room and meeting room.

Small Group

Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 10 to 24 participants.

Best of all, you'll ...

Learn massage techniques and how to use healing aromatic essential oils for balance and wellness.
Enjoy heart-healthy vegetarian cooking with low-fat, high-taste recipes.
Practice guided meditations, visualizations and mantras that will open the heart and bring deep inner peace.

General Notes

Due to the nature of this program, listening devices are not available.

Featured Expert

All Experts

Jon Landaw

Jon Landaw is an instructor of Buddhist meditation and an author of several books on the topic including "Buddhism for Dummies" and "Prince Siddhartha: The Story of Buddha." From 1972 to 1977 he worked as an English editor for the translation bureau of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Dharamsala, India. Jon has taught in numerous Dharma centers throughout the U.S., Europe, Australia and New Zealand. He currently leads courses and teaches in Road Scholar programs at the Land of Medicine Buddha retreat center in California.

Chuck Walbridge

Linda Vaughan

Neal Hellman

Amanda Stiler

Christine Klein

Breige Gormley Walbridge

Venerable Drimay

Caryl Smith

Jon Landaw

Venerable Yangchen

Breige Walbridge

Radha Vignola

Suggested Reading List

View 4 books

How to Meditate

by Kathleen McDonald

Start Where You Are

by Chodron, Pema

'Beyond Religion' Ethics for a Whole World

by His Holiness the Dalai Lama

The Blooming of a Lotus

by Thich Nhat Hanh

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4 days

3 nights

9 meals

3 B 3 L 3 D

Getting There

See travel details and required documents

DAY

Check-in, Registraion, Orientation, Welcome Dinner

Soquel, CA

Land of Medicine Buddha

Afternoon: Arrival and check-in is in the Reception office at Land of Medicine Buddha between 4-5 p.m. Snack: 4:00-5:15 p.m. in Dining room.

Dinner: Enjoy a delicious, mainly organic, vegetarian dinner in the dining room at 6 p.m.

Evening: Orientation at 7 p.m.

DAY

Movement Class, Meditation, Nature Walk, Aromatherapy

Soquel, CA

B,L,D

Land of Medicine Buddha

Breakfast: Enjoy a delicious, mainly organic, vegetarian breakfast in the dining room.

Morning: Experience a Qigong movement class and learn about energy and flexibility. Qigong and self-acupressure will move Qi, or vital energy, smoothly through your meridians and bring you to a state of relaxation with gentle physical movements and mindful breathing. After a break, learn meditation techniques, with mindfulness meditations and visualization, for deep inner peace and relaxation.

Lunch: Enjoy a delicious, mainly organic, vegetarian lunch.

Afternoon: Take an expert-led nature walk in a majestic redwood forest, learning about redwood ecology, wild herbs and birds. After some free time, enjoy a snack in the dining room, then take in a lecture and demonstration on aromatherapy. Learn how to use organic essential oils at home in many simple ways, including baths, steam inhalations, compresses and massage blends.

Dinner: Enjoy a delicious, mainly organic, vegetarian dinner.

Evening: Documentary film, movie, entertainment or lecture

DAY

Movement Class, Meditation, Healing Energy Massage Class

Soquel, CA

B,L,D

Land of Medicine Buddha

Breakfast: Enjoy a delicious, mainly organic, vegetarian breakfast.

Morning: Continue to learn about Qigong movement and its association with energy and flexibility. Qigong and self-acupressure will move Qi, or vital energy, smoothly through your meridians and bring you to a state of relaxation with gentle physical movements and mindful breathing. After a break, learn meditation techniques, with mindfulness meditations and visualization, for deep inner peace and relaxation.

Lunch: Enjoy a delicious, mainly organic, vegetarian lunch.

Afternoon: After some free time and a snack in the dining room, take in a lecture and demonstration on healing energy massage,for balance and wellness.

Dinner: Enjoy a delicious, mainly organic, vegetarian dinner.

Evening: Documentary film, movie, entertainment, or lecture.

DAY

Movement Class, Meditation, Program Concludes

Soquel, CA

B,L

Breakfast: Enjoy a delicious, mainly organic, vegetarian breakfast. Room check-out time is 11 am.

Morning: Cap your exceptional rejuvenation experience with a further exploration of Qigong movement, and after a break, delve further into the fascinating benefits of meditation, including a class, lecture and discussion.

Lunch: Enjoy a delicious, mainly organic, vegetarian lunch at 12:30 before departing.

Meals

9 Meals

3 Breakfasts

3 Lunches

3 Dinners

The following choices may be available when requested in advance: Gluten Free, Vegetarian, Low Fat, Low Salt

Lodging

Lodgings may differ by date. Select a date to see the lodgings specific to that date.

Display

Dec 04, 2017 - Dec 07, 2017

Jul 25, 2017 - Jul 28, 2017
Aug 28, 2017 - Sep 01, 2017
Oct 09, 2017 - Oct 12, 2017
Oct 23, 2017 - Oct 27, 2017
Dec 04, 2017 - Dec 07, 2017
Jan 15, 2018 - Jan 19, 2018
Feb 05, 2018 - Feb 08, 2018
Apr 23, 2018 - Apr 26, 2018
May 21, 2018 - May 24, 2018
Jun 04, 2018 - Jun 08, 2018
Jul 09, 2018 - Jul 12, 2018
Sep 03, 2018 - Sep 07, 2018

Land of Medicine Buddha

3 nights

Soquel

A beautiful, rustic retreat center in California's wonderful redwood forest. Situated on 170 acres in Soquel, just south of Santa Cruz, and adjoining 10,000 acres of state forest, our physical location provides a perfect space for guests to relax and connect to their spiritual inner being. We offer simple rooms with private baths. Most rooms have two or three twin beds. A few rooms have Queen beds. The cell phone reception on the land is extremely limited. If you need to make a call, there is a phone booth on the property and phone cards for sale in the bookstore. The Reception Office phone is available for all urgent calls. The Pine room is a spacious meeting room overlooking the trees. This room is used for most classes. The Gompa is beautiful Meditation room, with exquisite paintings, statues and a sand mandala. The Wish Fullfilling Temple has beautiful murals with the life story of Buddha and other sacred images, painted over four years by two artists. Three large Prayer Wheels, Meditation Bell, and a loop trail for contemplation and relaxation. Gift and Bookstore. Wi-Fi is available for guests in the Pine room. In order to develop the practice of compassion and loving kindness towards our fellow sentient beings, and to preserve the pure energy of this sacred land, insects are not harmed and guests must abstain from intoxicants including tobacco, alcohol and drugs on-site.

TripAdvisor Reviews

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13 Reviews

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5 Average

Elizabeth

Class of 2017

Roseville, CA

(5) 19 days ago

This was my first Road Scholar trip. I wanted to "test drive" their organization. I decided to not have any preconceived expectations of the program. So what did I discover? WOW... It was amazing!!! I needed to rejuvenate and balance myself emotionally and physically. This program did both. All of our hosts were amazing people. We had the unexpected pleasure of getting to attend a talk with a visiting Llama from Tibet. I also met some amazing women. Many of whom will become friends. I loved this experience! Well done Road Scholar.

Elizabeth

Class of 2015

Rocklin, CA

(5) 26 days ago

This was a delightful trip that I took my 86 year old mother on (I'm 58). In fact, we were just one of 4 mother-daughter participants in the group of 24. Nice easy pace with a gentle introduction to a wide variety of topics. Comfy, simple accommodations (bring your own shampoo) and delicious vegetarian food. I'm a Vegan and was able to select Vegan from the Vegetarian offerings. I noticed they also accommodated gluten free diets. The evening musical performance and the movie "Kundun" were both interesting and delightful. The itinerary and location were great, but what made this trip special were the fabulous Leader, the interesting presenters, and the fascinating and welcoming participants. Bring comfy clothes for gentle exercise and bring an open mind for experiencing new ideas.

Yvonne

Class of 2017

Los Osos, CA

(5) a month ago

I highly recommend this program It is life changing. Can't say anything better than that. If feel centered and happy and have the tools to continue nurturing this awareness.

Shannon

Class of 2017

Sioux Falls, SD

(5) 3 months ago

I highly recommend the Road Scholar Land of Medicine Buddha Retreat programs. It exceeded my expectations. The teachers were most welcoming and incisive, the giant redwood trees are outstanding, and the delicious healthy food was restorative and most enjoyable. Important things that deeply matter in the relationship to our surroundings and each other were taught with great detail. Memorable!

Ellie

Class of 2017

Los Angeles, CA

(5) 3 months ago

This program is magical! I recommend it to anyone looking to restore their energy and well-being. The location is beautiful, and the teachers are fabulous! Do yourself a favor and book this retreat.

Judy

Class of 2017

Dayton, OR

(5) 3 months ago

This retreat was fun, and educational. We practiced what we were learning about. The Qu Chong, and meditation segments were particularly helpful to my interests in 'rejuvenation.' The vegetarian food was delicious, and very filling, and more than enough. The accommodations were basic, clean, warm enough. The retreat was full of activities - well paced. Advice - take slip on shoes - you will be taking them off regularly when you enter the main lecture/activity room and the meditation hall. Advice - with your shoes (that you will take off) use thick socks or socks with those rubber bumps on the bottom for when you are shoeless in these rooms.

Norma Jean

Mountain View, CA

(5) 7 months ago

Land of Medicine Buddha has a deeply spiritual feel to it, and the redwood forest in which it nestles is glorious. A unique and wonderful venue for a a rejuvenation retreat. The program director is a lovely, warm, twinkly-eyed, caring and considerate person. Too many different activities packed way too close together with no room to absorb whichever ones pique your interest before having to drop each one to switch gears. Little or no free time to explore the miles of trails through the forest. So if you go, consider adding an extra day for that. The meditation, chi gung and yoga instructors were excellent and those experiences were highlights for me.

Mary

Class of 2016

Minneapolis, MN

(5) 10 months ago

A memorable introduction to Eastern philosphy and practices for those with already a basic knowledge. Don't hesitate to go alone, for everyone is friendly and kind and you may focus more on your own needs and desires.

Michele

Class of 2016

San Diego, CA

(5) a year ago

This retreat met and exceeded all of my expectations. The staff, food, accommodations and location were amazing. I came away refreshed and rejuvenated.

Aida

Class of 2015

Canton, MI

(5) a year ago

The activities were outstanding, particularly learning and practicing Qigong and meditation! I met a fabulous group of women and the Venerable Nuns were inspiring. If you want to meet like-minded women and experience a variety of activities for your "rejuvenation", then this is the program for you!

Helen

Class of 2008

Lincoln, CA

(5) a year ago

I found this retreat for women truly rejuvenating. The site is interesting in itself with a Buddhist temple, statuary, prayer wheels, gongs, and trails with meditation stations. Buddhist nuns led some of the sessions and were very helpful, especially for those who had never meditated before.

Kathleen

Class of 2016

Walnut Creek, CA

(5) a year ago

An awakening experience!

Susan

Class of 2014

Saint Louis, MO

(5) a year ago

Wish pre contact chat board would have been available to arrange our shuttle to the center, it would have saved three of us a lot of money; since each of us were charged individual rates of sixty each and as a group rate it would have bee eighty! Please encourage booking shuttles at group rates.