California
Rejuvenation Retreat for Women
Program No. 6734RJ
Immerse yourself in restorative traditions as you practice gentle healing techniques, learn qi gong and self-acupressure and discover the art of guided meditation for deep inner peace.
Program
At a Glance
Duration
4 days
Program Begins
Soquel, CA
Program Concludes
Soquel, CA
Group Type
Small Group
Meals
9 (
3B, 3L, 3D
)
Activity Level
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!
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 expert-led meditations, visualizations and mantras that will open the heart and bring deep inner peace.
General Notes
The Retreat Difference: This unique, often basic and no-frills experience at a Road Scholar Retreat includes opportunities for early morning exercise, interaction with the local community for insight into local life, an authentic farm-to-table or locally sourced meal, a live performance or event and a value-priced single room. Due to the nature of this program, listening devices are not available.
Ingrid Mednis
Ingrid Mednis has taught numerous classes in herbology and frequently leads nature walks. She has been a docent at the University of California, Santa Cruz organic farm project for about 20 years and has worked in Henry Cowell State Park.
Please Note:
This expert may not be available for every date of the program
Chuck Walbridge
Chuck Walbridge has been studying Buddhism under Tibetan masters since 1975. He has received teachings from more than 45 Tibetan lineage holders and has completed several retreats. He has taught Buddhist meditation and philosophy for 20 years and has been a favorite instructor in the Road Scholar program for the last 10 years.
Neal Hellman
Neal Hellman is a nationally acclaimed performer and teacher of the mountain dulcimer who has been active in performing, teaching and recording acoustic music for the past 25 years throughout the U.S., Europe and New Zealand. He is the author of many books on the Appalachian dulcimer, and received an award for his score for the children’s video, “Princess Furball.” As the founder, director and one of the primary artists of the Gourd Music record label, Neal has produced over 35 albums of folk music.
Caryl Smith
Caryl Smith has served as a certified therapeutic massage and polarity therapist , holistic health educator, nutritional educator and teacher of the healing arts for over 25 years. Caryl has taught classes in massage, nutrition, self massage and reflexology at Dominican hospital, Capitola Parks and Recreation and privately. Working with seniors in the Santa Cruz community is a particular passion of hers. She has a private practice in Capitola, California and teaches energy massage in Road Scholar programs at Land of Medicine Buddha.
Christine Klein
Christine Klein has been a doctor of acupuncture and Oriental medicine and a licensed acupuncturist for 30 years. She has a private practice in Santa Cruz and also teaches Qi Gong and acupuncture at Five Branches University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Christine has been practicing and studying Qi Gong for 21 years with Dr. Bingkun Hu. She enjoys sharing the health benefits and relaxation of Qi Gong with others.
Breige Gormley Walbridge
Breige Gormley Walbridge has taught Qi Gong classes since 1995 and has a background in Tibetan Buddhism and experience in meditation. She received her certification with the London School of Aromatherapy and has taught aromatherapy classes and workshops using essential oils for home and professional use since 1993. She is also an artist whose paintings appear in international collections. Breige has taught classes in Qi Gong, meditation, aromatherapy and painting for Road Scholar participants at Land of Medicine Buddha since 1998.
Breige Walbridge
Breige Gormley Walbridge has been the Road Scholar program coordinator and group leader at Land of Medicine Buddha since 1999. During this time, she has organized and hosted approximately 200 programs. Breige is known for her warmth, hospitality and organizational skills.
Venerable Yangchen
Venerable Yangchen is a Tibetan Buddhist nun, who has studied with many Tibetan Buddhist masters. Currently, she leads weekly meditations, facilitates a cancer support group for women, and teaches introductory classes on Buddhist concepts and meditation in the Road Scholar retreats at Land of Medicine Buddha. Venerable Yangchen also leads some meditations at Ocean of Compassion center in San Jose.
Susan Pandolfi
Susan Pandolfi has been practicing physical therapy for over 30 years. She is a certified Vinyasa Flow and has also studied Hatha, Shaolin and Iyengar yoga and learned from many dedicated teachers. She is a BASI certified Pilates teacher, and at present, studying Wild Goose Chi Gong. Susan offers yoga classes in a kind, respectful way to allow the space for each individual to find new ways of loving and expressing themselves in a safe and beautiful environment.
Venerable Tenzin Chogkyi
Venerable Tenzin Chogkyi first became interested in meditation and Buddhism after reading “Be Here Now” and early translations of Buddhist sutras. In 1991, she became a student of Tibetan Buddhism, studying in India and Nepal with His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Lama Zopa Rinpoche. Venerable Tenzin took novice ordination in 2004 with His Holiness the Dalai Lama. In 2006 she became a traveling teacher, teaching at various centers around the world, as well as visiting prisons on behalf of the Liberation Prison Project.
Ramona Richard
Ramona Richard graduated with honors from the University of California with a B.A. in Psychology. She holds a teaching credential from the State of California, is a state certified Nutrition Consultant, and was a senior instructor at Bauman College from 1996-2005. She now owns a nutrition consulting company, is a Practitioner at Way of Life, a research assistant in the medical field, and an on-line nutrition instructor. Ramona teaches classes on aspects of nutrition in Road Scholar programs at Land of Medicine Buddha, CA.
Richard Prinz
Richard Prinz completed a degree in psychology at UC Berkeley while experiencing the social unrest of the late 1960s. After living in India and Nepal, he met Tibetan Buddhist Lamas in 1974, which led to an interest in their psychology. Returning to California, Richard got involved in building a Tibetan Buddhist retreat center, Vajrapani Institute. While he was director, a visit from the Dalai Lama inspired Richard to go to graduate school, leading to a career in counseling and therapy.
Isabella Wesner
Isabella Wesner is a yoga teacher and a massage and art therapist. In 2021, Isabella studied Zen Thai Shiatsu massage therapy and created her small business, Made On Earth Massage. Later on in 2023, she became a yoga teacher through the Hatha Yoga Teacher Training at AyurYoga Eco Ashram in Mysore, India. She has been a facilitator, offering meditations, sound therapy, and massage therapy at retreat centers around the East Coast of Australia and the Midwest of the United States.
Activity Level
Easy Going
Short walking distances between accommodation, meeting rooms and dining room. Hilly terrain, uneven ground in places, some stairs or a steep hill and ramps to the dining room and meeting room.
Small Group
(13 to 24)
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
Suggested Reading List
View Full List
(4 Books)
You can also find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
HAVE QUESTIONS?
Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?
We can help. Give us a call, and we can answer all of your questions!
Call
800-454-5768
Enroll with Confidence
Peace of Mind
We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. That’s why we go to the ends of the earth to give you peace of mind, from the moment you enroll until the day you return home.
Assurance Plan
Road Scholar's continued commitment to our participants and their well-being is exemplified whether participating on a program in the United States or on one of our International programs, every Road Scholar participant receives coverage under our Road Scholar Assurance Plan.
Want to Protect Your Investment?
Road Scholar is pleased to offer its Trip Protection Plan as a way to protect your program investment. You may purchase this optional trip protection plan when enrolling in your program.
Sustainable Travel
We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Read about our commitment to a more sustainable planet.
- Peace of Mind
We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. That’s why we go to the ends of the earth to give you peace of mind, from the moment you enroll until the day you return home.