California

Rejuvenation Retreat for Women

Program No. 6734RJ
Immerse yourself in restorative traditions as you practice gentle healing techniques, learn Qigong and self-acupressure, and discover the art of guided meditation for deep inner peace.

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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
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
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.

What You'll Learn

  • 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.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
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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 this program.

Profile Image of Ingrid Mednis
Ingrid Mednis View biography
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.
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Chuck Walbridge View biography
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.
Profile Image of Neal Hellman
Neal Hellman View biography
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.
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Caryl Smith View biography
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.
Profile Image of Breige Gormley Walbridge
Breige Gormley Walbridge View biography
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.
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Breige Walbridge View biography
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.
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Venerable Yangchen View biography
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.
Profile Image of Venerable Tenzin Chogkyi
Venerable Tenzin Chogkyi View biography
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.
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
Year
2024
  • 2024
  • 2025
Date
Oct 14 - Oct 17
  • May 27 - May 31
  • Aug 19 - Aug 22
  • Sep 02 - Sep 06
  • Oct 14 - Oct 17
  • Oct 28 - Nov 01
Please Note: The program differs on certain dates.
Please Note: The program differs on certain dates.
Select trip year and date
2024
  • 2024
  • 2025
Oct 14 - Oct 17
  • May 27 - May 31
  • Aug 19 - Aug 22
  • Sep 02 - Sep 06
  • Oct 14 - Oct 17
  • Oct 28 - Nov 01
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
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4 days
3 nights
9 meals
3 B 3 L 3 D
DAY
1
Check-in, Welcome Dinner, Orientation
Soquel, CA
D
Land of Medicine Buddha

Activity note: Retreat center check-in from 4:00 p.m. Grounds around retreat center include a 35-foot steep hill or 13 outside stairs to dining room and meeting room.

Afternoon: Program Registration: 4:00 p.m. After you check in and have your room assignment, join us at the Road Scholar table to register with the program staff, get any updated information, and confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please locate your Group Leader and let them know you have arrived. We will then gather in the dining room for refreshments.

Dinner: In the retreat center dining room or outside dining area.

Evening: Orientation: 7:00 p.m. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. This is a Road Scholar Retreats program. Programming at Retreat locations includes opportunities for light morning exercise, interaction with members of the local community, a farm-to-table meal, and evening entertainment. We will learn from our knowledgeable Group Leader and local experts. Meals in the dining room or outside dining area will be vegetarian and made mainly of local organic ingredients. Filtered drinking water, hot water, tea, coffee and fresh fruit are always available. Wi-Fi is available in the dining area. There is a public phone available, and an office phone for urgent calls. Wi-Fi calls can be made from your phone. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.

DAY
2
Qigong Class, Meditation, Nature Walk, Self-Care Massage
Soquel, CA
B,L,D
Land of Medicine Buddha

Activity note: Qigong includes gentle movement, usually done standing, for about 1 hour; no special clothes or equipment required. Nature walk about 2 miles, approximately 1.5 hours; steep inclines.

Breakfast: In the dining room or outside dining area.

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

Lunch: Dining room or outside dining area.

Afternoon: We’ll set out on an expert-led nature walk in a majestic redwood forest, learning about redwood ecology, wild herbs, and birds. Later, we’ll have a lecture and demonstration on massage for balance self-care and wellness.

Dinner: Dining room or outside dining area.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY
3
Qigong, Movement Class, Meditation, Aromatherapy Class
Soquel, CA
B,L,D
Land of Medicine Buddha

Activity note: Qigong with gentle movement. Grounds around retreat center include a 35-foot steep hill or 13 outside stairs to dining room and meeting room.

Breakfast: Dining room or outside dining area.

Morning: Morning We will continue to learn as we engage in Qigong movement and its association with energy and flexibility. After a break, we’ll have another class on meditation techniques — with mindfulness meditations and visualization — for deep inner peace and relaxation.

Lunch: Dining room or outside dining area.

Afternoon: We’ll gather for a lecture and demonstration on aromatherapy. We’ll learn how to use organic essential oils at home in many simple ways, including baths, steam inhalations, compresses, and massage blends.

Dinner: Dining room or outside dining area.

Evening: We will be joined by a local musician who will entertain us with a performance.

DAY
4
Movement Class, Meditation, Program Concludes
Soquel, CA
B,L

Activity note: Qigong with gentle movement. Grounds around retreat center include a 35-foot steep hill or 13 outside stairs to dining room and meeting room. Retreat Center check-out 11:00 a.m. Luggage may be packed and put in cars or fully packed and left in rooms by the door until after lunch.

Breakfast: Dining room or outside dining area.

Morning: We will cap our exceptional rejuvenation experience with a further exploration of Qigong movement. After a break, we’ll delve further into the fascinating benefits of meditation in a class with lecture and discussion.

Lunch: Dining room or outside dining area. This concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on another rewarding program in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!






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