California Yoga Spa Retreat
Mind, Body, & Spirit
During your revivifying stay at our California yoga spa retreat, bring your wellness into focus with specialty offerings in mindfulness. We know that mental clarity is just as important as physical condition. For this reason, essential applications like yoga and meditation are a highly beneficial part of the guest experience.
Ground Yourself
Yoga
All types of yogis are welcome to practice with candlelit yoga in the chapel. While an ashtanga class pushes masters to achieve athletic feats during flows, a gentle yoga class allows beginners to balance out the body, easing their way into restful postures.
YOGA
ASHTANGA YOGA
An intense physical and athletic flowing style of yoga. (High Intensity)
AQUA YOGA
The dynamic and therapeutic qualities of water make for an invigorating and challenging, yet accessible environment for yoga practice. Aqua yoga makes exercising safer for many people with injuries. The water helps support the body, easing pressure on the joints. Water also adds resistance and builds strength as the muscles must push against the water. Water can be very nurturing, putting us more in touch with intuition and spirituality.
BEGINNER TRAPEZE YOGA
Using a swing-like contraption made of fabric, yoga trapeze allows you to hang in various ways helping build core and upper body strength while invigorating the body and mind. “Yoga trapeze” or “aerial yoga” acts as a support tool for yoga postures and muscle strengthening techniques. It’s the most natural form of lengthening the body and even offers support for some chronic low back pain. *Advanced private sessions available upon request.
BOSU YOGA
A dynamic, fun and challenging yoga class done on a BOSU balance trainer. The unstable surface of the BOSU will challenge your cardiovascular fitness, balance, flexibility and overall strength.
CHAIR YOGA
A gentle form of yoga that is practiced sitting on a chair or standing using the chair for support. Chair yoga is a great practice for anyone interested in deepening flexibility and increasing personal body awareness. This class emphasizes the importance of the flow or your breath and to connect with gentle movements. While seated, you are able to do versions of twists, hip openers, forward folds and mild back bends.
FACE YOGA
Face Yoga is a non-invasive practice focusing on exercising the 57 muscles in your face and neck for up to 15 minutes a day. We will show you how to perform this practice which will help decrease premature aging.
LETTING GO VINYASA YOGA
A Vinyasa Yoga class to release any toxic thoughts, worries or fears that keep you from receiving the gift of total relaxation and rejuvenation. This is a practice that uses the power of breath and mantras to let go of what no longer serves you or what you have outgrown.
SLOW FLOW YOGA STRETCH
This class is a combination of breath to postures and fluid movement performed at a slower pace than Vinyasa, giving you more time to explore alignment and sensation within each individual posture.
VINYASA FLOW YOGA
A breath-synchronized yoga format, poses will flow from one to another in conjunction with the breath.
YIN/YANG YOGA
This class begins with a slow flow to warm the body and integrates Yin Yoga to passively stretch the connective tissue and give more attention to the body’s fascia.
YIN YOGA
Yin Yoga is a perfect complement to the dynamic and muscular (yang) styles of yoga that emphasize internal heat, and the lengthening and contracting of our muscles. Yin targets the connective tissues, such as the ligaments, bones, and even the joints of the body that normally are not exercised very much using a more active style of asana practice.
FLOATING YIN YOGA
Experience deep relaxation and physical restoration with the assistance of the Trapeze Yoga silks. This class is for all levels. Release and store your nervous system while being nested in the Hammock.
YOGA AT THE BARRE
Great yoga class for beginners to intermediate that utilizes the Ballet Barre to support posture through each unique sequence.
YOGA FOR RELEASE
This class incorporates gentle yoga movements, breath, and meditation.
YOGA NIDRA
A practice available for everyone. It holds immense benefits for all those who struggle to let go, those who suffer from lack of sleep, trauma, burn-out, and anxiety. It is also highly beneficial and holds great healing power for anyone who wants to experience a deeper sense of peace and re-connect more profoundly with themselves. Preferably the students lie down in savasana as that is naturally the most effortless and balanced resting position. But it is also very common and acceptable to have students lie down on their belly or on their side.
YOGA PILATES FUSION
This fun class combines the core strengthening of Pilates with yoga stretching and restore. The first half of the class will be focused on mat Pilates and the second half will transition to decadent and relaxing yoga floor poses, ending with savasana.
YOGA SCULPT
Yoga Sculpt incorporates flowing yoga postures with light hand weights to tone your muscles and clear your mind.
YOGA TUNE UP®
If you love yoga poses, corrective exercises and rolling on therapy balls, this is your one stop class. We will warm up tissue to release tension and then move through poses to strengthen and stabilize hips, spine and shoulders.
YOGA POSE WORKSHOP®
This workshop style yoga class is great if you are already a basic yoga practitioner. Starting with a short meditation, you will identify and target what you need to strengthen that day. This class is an intimate communication of your mind and body that challenges you to master one pose at a time.
CHAKRA YOGA – REALIGN THROUGH MOVEMENT
You’ll realign and bring increased energy to each of the seven main Chakra centers located along the spine using yoga poses combined with imagery and sound. Chakra means “wheel” or “disk.” When one or more Chakras are blocked, this manifests as congestion in the body’s physical health as well as an imbalance in one’s emotional and/or spiritual life. (All Levels)
CORE YOGA
Combining traditional Pilates with flow yoga for a total body workout focused on core strength. You will develop core strength and stabilization through Pilates poses, and improve your flexibility, muscular strength, posture, balance, and alignment through yoga poses, breathing and relaxation.
GENTLE YOGA WITH DRUM MEDITATION
This class includes easy and gentle movements designed to restore the body and facilitate a deeper meditative experience. After some light stretching and relaxing yoga postures, you’ll be guided into a restorative yoga posture accompanied by a drum meditation.
HEART OPENING YOGA
A specific sequence of yoga poses used to therapeutically release tension and strengthen the muscles that open the chest and shoulders, stimulating the abundance of the heart. (All Levels)
HIP & SHOULDER OPENING YOGA
A specific sequence of yoga poses used to therapeutically release tension and strengthen the muscles that support the hip joints. (All Levels)
RESTORATIVE YOGA
This class uses slow, and deep breathing with gentle, and mindful movements on the floor. This will help you understand and feel the power of relaxation, and release tightness in the body.
REFLECTION CANDLELIGHT CEREMONY
Join us for a candlelight ceremony reflecting on your journey to health and wellness. You may join at any point between 5:10pm - 6:00pm to engage in the ceremony. Simply enter the class and choose any available mat. You can stay for as long (or short) as you want. Set your intentions or celebrate what you’ve accomplished here at Cal-a-Vie.
YOGA THROUGH THE SENSES
Practice presence with supportive objects, colors, or patterns around you. Discover how your body, emotions, sensations, breath, and energy impulses in movement and stillness.
*Classes subject to change.
Meditation
Guided meditation offers the opportunity to become quiet, intuitive, and wise in a busy world. With these valuable practices, you can elevate your inner peace and eliminate the burdens of stress in a calm and serene atmosphere.
MEDITATION
Meditation is the opportunity to learn how to become quiet, intuitive, and wise in a busy world. Experience the beauty of our restored 16th century French chapel, the peacefulness of one of our studios or the tranquility of the Labyrinth, while learning techniques ranging from mindfulness practices to guided visualizations. Relaxing through meditation helps elevate inner peace. Learn how to eliminate the burdens of stress and to soothe the soul. More than a mind vacation, meditation is a life tool you can use anytime, anyplace.
CRYSTAL SOUND BOWL BATH
Through the sounds and vibration of the crystal bowls, sometimes called singing bowls, experience a meditation unlike any meditation before. You will be guided to complete relaxation of the mind and body.
CHAKRA MEDITATION
Guided meditation through all 7 chakras.
CHAKRA MEDITATION & JUICE SHOTS
We take you through a guided meditation through all 7 Chakras. Chakra means “wheel” or “disk.” When one or more Chakras are blocked, this manifests as congestion in the body’s physical health as well as an imbalance in one’s emotional and/or spiritual life. As an accompaniment to the meditation, nourishing Chakra Shot juice blends will be served by our Registered Dietitian to align with the colors of each Chakra, bringing increased balance and harmony to the body.
DEEPEN YOUR SENSES BREATHWORK
A meditation and breath work designed to regulate the autonomic nervous system, using a special technique. We recommend practicing right after waking, or before a meal, when your stomach is still empty.
EXPLORING MEDITATION
Great for anyone new to meditation and how to incorporate a meditative state of mind in your busy life back home. Silent walk, mindful eating, gemstone energy healing and crystal sound bowl.
GUIDED MEDITATION
An instructor will facilitate with an option to end with your own meditation.
HOLISTIC HEALTH REFLECTION
You will have the opportunity to celebrate and reflect on areas of your life that comprise your overall health and well-being. Think of this as a journal style class where you will be able to take inventory of what’s working and what can be improved. We will start and finish with a meditation.
FIND YOUR HIGHEST SELF MEDITATION
Navigate the actions that drive our thoughts, beliefs, words, and behaviors. There is a part of us that holds deep wisdom and power. This is our Higher Self. This guided meditation invites access to the Higher Self, a space for clarity where inner wisdom can arise.
LOVE LETTER MEDITATION
Be taken through a guided meditation and decide who needs love in your life. Whether it be yourself or a loved one, you will then write a letter with words of affirmation that you can send or take home for yourself.
LABYRINTH LIBERATION MEDITATION
Walking the labyrinth is your own personal journey of letting go of any areas in your life that needs attention. Reflect and Journal what calls to your walking meditation. As you find your way back out of the labyrinth, you cultivate a sense of peace.
VISION QUEST MEDITATION - MANIFESTATION THROUGH MEDITATION
A guided mediation technique to cultivates Visions of your dreams, aspirations, and healing.
MANIFESTATION JOURNALING
Practice the Law of Attraction to build your dream life. Using a journal, keep your thoughts and ideas on your manifestations in one place not only makes it easier for you to stay organized, but also create a subconscious mental trigger about what you are doing. The aim is to help you build positive momentum towards your goals, by focusing on improving your energy (your mood) about them. As you do, your mental blocks and limiting beliefs begin to unravel, and gradually you will feel clearer and more inspired about taking action towards your aims.
FREE MOVEMENT MEDITATION
This class guides you into a state of allowing through the art of moving meditation. You will energetically release resistance in the mind and body providing an experience of freedom and lightness.
MEDITATION NATURE WALK
Nature walks through Cal-a-Vie’s beautiful property where you will practice meditation in motion while walking.
PRANAYAMA
This practice of yoga breathing helps to calm the mind, improve focus, and reduce anxiety. It also brings positivity, energy, and strength to the mind while reducing anxiety.
COMPASSION MEDITATION
Practice of gratitude and compassion for yourself and others through positive mindset and breath.
*Classes subject to change.
Mindful Art
The process of creating is a wonderful way to achieve a present state of mind. At Cal-a-Vie Health Spa, you are welcome to let creativity shine freely. From feathered dream catchers to chakra energy bracelets, beautiful pieces of art are waiting to be handmade.
MINDFUL ART AND CREATIVITY
CREATE A LAVENDER WREATH
Have fun with Lavender. Create a beautiful lavender wreath with fresh lavender gathered from the Cal-a-Vie hills.
CREATE YOUR CHAKRA ENERGY BRACELET
Learn about Chakras then create your own bracelet to enhance your energy.
CREATE A MALA MEDITATION BRACELET
In Sanskrit, the word “mala” translates to “garland.” The Bead term is “bede,” or “prayer.” The work “Japa” means to “utter in a low voice, repeat internally.” Create your own mala bracelet as an aid in your meditation practice. The tassel of the mala is a representation of the lotus flower, a symbol of higher consciousness.
FLORAL MANDALA PRINT
Create a radial “mandala like” print inspired by the gardens and natural surrounding areas of Cal-a-Vie. Traditional print making techniques will be taught; allowing guests to experience this ancient art method with roots in both Europe and Asia.
CHAKRA BALANCING TEA PARTY
Learn and experience how herbal teas promote wellness in the body! We’ll travel through the chakra system as we sip tea that resonates with your body.
JAPANESE TEA CEREMONY
Experience the tranquility of a hands-on workshop of Sado - the way of tea. Learn about the history and benefits of Matcha tea with this 101 class.
JOURNEY CARD ART
Create an artistic expression and a reminder of your personal goals with your own journey card. It will be mailed back to you in six months.
LIVING NATURALLY WITH ESSENTIAL OILS
Explore the many ways to use essential oils to enhance your wellbeing and environment, then create your own personal recipe to take home.
ORIGAMI
Learn the tradition of paper art and experience peace and calm.
SUMI ART
An artful form of meditation using a brush, ink, and your imagination.
SAY IT NOW WORKSHOP
A gratitude expression of “saying it now”. Why wait to tell others how much they have impacted your life, why not say it now. This class helps you identify those people who have impacted you in a special way. You can choose to write a letter, have a face-to-face conversation, or do it in yourself. a group setting. Deepen your relationships through the power of gratitude and quality time by ‘saying it now’!
MENTAL WELLNESS CHALLENGE
This class will help you to set goals, find ways to work towards achieving them and define what is important in your daily life. Challenge yourself to overcome your daily thoughts and find the ways you can accomplish reaching your goals in career, relationships, lifestyle, health, and spirituality.
5 LOVE LANGUAGES
Explore the five love languages. Understanding your partner’s love language and letting them know yours is a way to help you both connect and feel loved and appreciated. The Five Love languages will help you explore the five different ways of expression and receiving love.
*Classes subject to change.
The Labyrinth
Experience everything from mindfulness practices to guided visualizations in our peaceful Labyrinth space. The Labyrinth’s classic seven-circuit pattern provides a path for introspective walking meditations and calming wellness rituals.