Winter Meditation and Snowshoe Retreat
with Kay Peterson:
January 30 - February 1, 2009
Winter is a time when nature invites us to turn inward. It is an opportunity to relax our minds in meditation, set our intention for the new year, and bring balance to our daily activities. Explore ease in movement as we gracefully flow back and forth between stillness of sitting meditation, to qigong, to walking with snowshoes through the snow-blanketed countryside of Yosemite. Experience the peace of mind and clarity of purpose this season has to offer when we take time out from the hustle and bustle.
Each day will include instruction and practice in meditation techniques, thoughtful discussions and refreshing wilderness walks. Leave with tools for offering more kindness, compassion, and sanity in work and relationships.
Kay Peterson has been on an active meditation practice path for the last 12 years. Initially a practicing psychotherapist, she began contributing her skills in supporting individual transformation and creative group facilitation to the outdoor experiential education field in 1997. She was trained to give meditation instruction in the Shambhala Tradition in 2004 and has since been leading programs integrating meditation with her love of the outdoors. She is currently on the Board of Director's for Northern California Shambhala.
This retreat includes lodging and meals at a rustic base camp 6,200 ft. above sea level and deep in Yosemite National Park. The center is surrounded by forest and adjacent to a giant sequoia grove, a perfect setting for slowing down and tuning in to our inner selves. The setting and amenities are intentionally simple and communal to allow us to unplug from our busy lives and meet new people.
Highlights for seminar include:
- Meditation instruction and guidance
- Daily meditation practice
- Daily snowshoe hikes
- Daily qigong energizing practice
- Group discussions on finding balanced in our daily lives
- Tools to cultivate relaxation in our daily lives.
Experience a place where you can be truly present to the moment.
Schedule:
Friday
The retreat begins at the Crane Flat campus in Yosemite National Park at 4:00 pm. The campus is 15 minutes inside the park boundary on Hwy 120 at 6,200ft. For this weekend, our group will be the sole residents of this isolated setting surrounded by snow. We’ll orient ourselves to the campus, move in and get settled. After a hot dinner, we’ll meet around the wood stove to review the schedule, and conclude with our first meditation session.
Saturday
Each morning will begin with hot drinks and a short qigong practice to center ourselves before breakfast. The day will be divided between indoor meditation instruction and practice and stepping out into the elements for an invigorating snowshoe walk to a grove of giant sequoia trees. Instruction in snowshoe technique will be provided. These ancient trees are the largest in the world. Their grand presence in the forest speaks to the virtues of patience. We’ll return to our lodge with time to relax around the fire before dinner. The day will conclude with an evening presentation and reflection on the day.
Sunday
By now we will feel at home and in sync with our daily routine. After breakfast, we will have our concluding meditation session. After a celebratory lunch together there will be time for an optional snowshoe through silent snow blanketed meadows. You will leave this rustic retreat with a deep sense of calm, a renewed commitment to caring for yourself, and some new tools to help you follow through on that commitment. We will conclude by 2pm.
Note on Itinerary:
This schedule is a guide. It is subject to change depending on the needs of the group and allowing for spontaneous inspiration. This program is operated rain, snow or shine.
Travel:
Click here for directions to the retreat.
Driving time from the Bay Area is 3 – 3 ½ hours. Please plan on additional time if there is weather. There is often snow on the road. You are required to carry tire chains in the Park in the winter. A 4-wheel drive vehicle can reduce the chances of needing to use chains. For the latest road conditions in Yosemite, call 209-372-0200 then press 1.
Important Information about Air Travel:
Contact Balanced Rock prior to purchasing your airline tickets to confirm the trip has the minimum number of participants required to operate.
Cost: $540
We want to make this program accessible to all. Scholarships are available upon request at: info@BalancedRockFoundation.org
Price Includes:
Professional instruction and guiding, lodging and all meals, props and blankets for meditation, and snowshoes.
Not Included:
Transportation from your home to the seminar; park entrance fees; personal items
Closest Airports:
Fresno, CA 103 miles; Sacramento, CA 170 miles; Oakland, CA 159 miles
Transfers:
There is no reliable transfer service from any airport to our meeting point in the winter. If you are flying in for this seminar, anticipate renting a car.
Accommodations:
Winter in Yosemite is a secret gem. The number of visitors to the park drops dramatically but the beauty and wonder only increases. On a sunny day the snow sparkles like diamonds, if you are lucky enough to be here during a storm, the experience is sublime.
This is a rustic retreat. We will be staying at the Crane Flat campus of the Yosemite Institute. It is located at the end of a road in the winter, and is a tranquil and undisturbed experience. Our rooms are shared cabins heated by wood stoves.
The campus includes a bathhouse with hot showers, three sleeping cabins and a dining hall/meeting room. We are adjacent to Crane Flat meadows and less than a mile from the Tuolumne Grove of giant sequoia trees.
Qualifications:
This trip requires a moderate level of fitness as we plan to hike for 2-4 hours per day in the snow and on steep terrain. We will be staying at an altitude of 6,200 feet, which occasionally has an effect on people. To maximize your enjoyment of the trip we suggest that you engage in a regular exercise regimen prior to the seminar. We also recommend that you stay well hydrated prior to departure to assist in mitigating altitude sickness.
Weather:
Daytime temperatures can range between 20° - 45° F, with evening temperatures dropping into the teens or single digits. We could have clear sunny days or blowing snow. Please check the forecast frequently before the seminar as the weather can change quickly. Be prepared for winter driving conditions, including carrying tire chains. We will always have the opportunity to conduct the program indoors depending on the weather.
General Information:
Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A full gear list and detailed pre-trip information is sent upon sign-up.
We look forward to having you join us for a very special experience! Why wait?
