Rejuvenation Retreat for Women

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.

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 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.

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 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 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.

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.