top of page
Frequently Asked Questions
Harmony Ridge Lodge (NOT Resort) Google Map Link:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/BjtcjufHt487Cbb2A(https://maps.app.goo.gl/BjtcjufHt487Cbb2A)
1 hour from Sacramento
1.5 hours from Reno
3 hours from San Francisco
Driving Directions from Sacramento:
1. From Sacramento, take I‑80 East toward Reno — drive about 45 miles.
2. Take the exit for CA‑49 North toward Grass Valley/Nevada City — continue for about 25 miles.
3. In Nevada City, merge onto CA‑20 East.
4. Drive about 6 miles on CA‑20 East — 18883 CA‑20 will be on your right.
Driving Directions from Reno:
1. Start in Reno, NV and get on I‑80 West toward Sacramento.
2. Drive about 62 miles on I‑80 W.
3. Take the exit for CA‑20 West toward Nevada City/Grass Valley.
4. Continue on CA‑20 West for approximately 26 miles.
5. Turn right onto Harmony Ridge Road.
6. Drive about 1 mile — Harmony Ridge Resort will be on your right at 10492 Harmony Ridge Road.
Soul Sanctuary Retreat Agenda
This is a loose overview (that will definitely change) to give you an idea of the flow of our time together. While every experience will be thoughtfully curated, your presence in each part is always an invitation — not a requirement.
Day 1: Thursday – Arrival + Opening
• Arrive & Settle
• Dinner
• Opening Circle & Group Agreements
• Evening Integration
• Sound bath to soften and settle
Day 2: Friday
• Breakfast
• Sharing circle, guided activity, or embodied inquiry
• Yoga or Meditation Practice
• Lunch
• Afternoon Nature Immersion
• Dinner
• Evening Wind-Down for spacious integration, journaling, rest, or group activity
Day 3: Saturday
• Breakfast
• Connection circle
• Abundant free time for integration. For you this might be an explorative trip to downtown Nevada City to poke around, enjoying quiet time in your room, napping, hiking off the property, indulging in Reiki, acupuncture or other holistic offerings onsite brought in by various providers.
• Lunch | Guests are on their own for this meal
• Dinner
• Evening Activity
Day 4: Sunday – Integration + Farewell
• Nature Immersion
• Breakfast
• Closing Circle
• Lunch
• Farewells with full hearts and softened edges
We understand that life can shift in unexpected ways. Below is the cancellation policy for the Soul Sanctuary Retreat at Harmony Ridge Lodge, happening in April 2026:
• 100% refund for cancellations made on or before December 15, 2025
• 50% refund for cancellations made between December 16, 2025 – January 15, 2026
• No refunds for cancellations made on or after January 16, 2026
Other options if you’re unable to attend:
• You may transfer your spot to another participant at any time.
• If we’re able to fill your space from the waitlist, we’ll do our best to process a refund, even after the deadline.
Thank you for honoring the time, energy, and sacred preparation that goes into creating this retreat experience. Every spot holds deep intention.
Nevada City Average April Weather:
High of 62, low of 39
https://www.accuweather.com/en/us/nevada-city/95959/april-weather/332016?year=2026(https://www.accuweather.com/en/us/nevada-city/95959/april-weather/332016?year=2026)
View sitemap here:
https://harmonyridgelodge.com/lodge-sitemap/(https://harmonyridgelodge.com/lodge-sitemap/)
https://harmonyridgelodge.com/galleries/suites-gallery/ (https://harmonyridgelodge.com/galleries/suites-gallery/)
A suggested packing list will be shared with all participants well in advance to the retreat date.
We will bring practitioners onsite to offer Reiki (energy healing) and other holistic and spiritual offerings for guests to choose from. Three to 4 weeks prior to the retreat, guests will be invited (in the order which they registered) to secure specific appointment dates and times for services. Payment will be handled directly through the practitioners for 1:1 sessions. On the registration form guests may select the options they are interested in.
Note: this page will change as we identify additional providers looking to share their gifts to retreat guests.
https://static.wixstatic.com/media/6420cb_c7d33bfbcc964c54a9653e719a109739~mv2.jpg
Meet Lore Ross
Lore Ross is a renowned Channel & Healer. Not only will she be leading a session at the retreat, but she will also be available to book for 1:1 sessions. Lore guides healers, coaches and entrepreneurs to activate their unique connection to Source, enabling them to transform trauma and grief through the power of ancient healing, so that they can deliver profound healing and messages to their communities and clients during these uncertain times.
As both a trance and conscious Channel, Lore brings through healing, information, sound, and the ancient languages of the ancestors to support personal, generational, and global transformation. In addition to being a Channel, Lore is an herbalist, author, speaker, mother to an awesome human and two wild kittens, and loves sunflowers. Learn more about Lore and connect with her via her website: rewritethebody.org (https://rewritethebody.org/)or via email hello@rewritethebody.org.(mailto:hello@rewritethebody.org?subject=Lore%2C%20Soul%20Sanctuary%20Retreat%20Question)
Nut butter spreads and fresh fruit will be offered to guests, however, guests are invited to supplement with their favorite snacks.
Mealtimes at Harmony Ridge Lodge
Meals are nourishing, vegetarian, and served buffet-style. Dishes may include dairy and eggs, with vegan and gluten-free options generally available.
Mealtimes are as follows:
Breakfast – Roughly 7 am - 8 am
Lunch – Roughly 12 pm - 1 pm
Dinner – Roughly 6 pm - 7 pm
If you or anyone in your group has food allergies, please notify us in advance—our team will do our best to accommodate within our capacity. While we cannot offer access to the kitchen for personal cooking, we aim to provide thoughtful, inclusive meals for all guests.
Which meals are included?
Friday: Dinner
Saturday: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Sunday: Breakfast and Dinner (Guests are on their own for lunch during "free time." Guests might go into town and enjoy lunch there. Additionally, two dining options are within walking distance from the retreat venue including the Old 5 Mile House and Harmony Ridge Market and Deli.
Monday: Breakfast and Lunch
Beverages:
Tea, juice and milk are available all day. Coffee is served with breakfast in the mornings.
Ample, no-cost parking is available onsite at Harmony Ridge Lodge.
Our retreat will take place across the beautiful grounds of Harmony Ridge Lodge and the surrounding Sierra Nevada landscape.
We'll use a variety of spaces, each chosen to enhance our experience:
• Dining and Connection: We will gather for shared meals and casual connection in the main lodge dining area.
• Group Activities: For structured programming like yoga, sound baths, circle discussions, and group meditation, we will meet inside a spacious, bright 1,000+ square foot building with tall ceilings.
• Nature Immersion: For our deepest nature experiences and meditations, we will venture out into the beauty just beyond the lodge, utilizing the onsite wooded areas, nearby Tahoe National Forest, or the scenic shores of Scotts Flat Lake (unless the weather prevents us).
• Quiet Reflection: You are welcome to use the lodge's garden paths, yoga deck, and your own private room for personal rest and reflection.
Absolutely! This makes for a deeply heartfelt and generous gift to offer a loved one. If purchased for a friend, a beautiful and personalized digital gift certificate will be made and emailed to you so you can give it to the lucky recipient. Or, I can send your friend an email with it included. Simply email heartsalivecoaching@gmail.com (mailto:heartsalivecoaching@gmail.com)to connect with me and put in your request.
You are highly encouraged to participate in all the activities however if other activities better align with your needs at the time, you will be celebrated for heeding your inner wisdom and doing what is right for you.
We anticipate 20 guests and will cap the event at 22 participants, contingent upon available lodging options.
To preserve a sense of cohesiveness and sacredness of the group container we co-create from when we first join together and when we say our farewells, we are limiting this experience to folks who are committing to attend the entire retreat. If your arrival to the retreat is delayed or you need to leave early, that is fine, however, we are not offering partial day or partial weekend passes. Thank you for your understanding!
Zero experience is required. Any yoga asana (poses) classes that are led will be all-levels and include modifications and variations to meet most people's needs.
Harmony Ridge Lodge may accommodate folks who wish to sleep in their vehicles. If interested, please email Suzanna.(mailto:heartsalivecoaching@gmail.com)
Although being fully immersed in the experience (which includes staying overnight in one of Harmony Ridge Lodge's accommodations), a commuter option exists for those stay offsite and commute in and out. If interested, please email Suzanna.(mailto:heartsalivecoaching@gmail.com)
There is ample parking at the venue however carpooling might be of interest to some folks. If you're interested in offering a ride or you need a ride, get in touch with me and I can connect you to others. Email Suzanna.(mailto:mannionsuz@gmail.com)
This retreat promotes holistic well-being, focusing on rejuvenation and self-discovery. We respectfully ask our guests to refrain from alcohol and drugs. By embracing sobriety, we hope to elicit clarity, deeper connections and the opportunity to fully engage in enriching experiences that nurture mind, body and spirit.
Sunrise and Sunset average) Times:
6:45 am and 7:45 pm
Moon Phase:
https://theskylive.com/moon/2026-04-10(https://theskylive.com/moon/2026-04-10)
• April 10: Third quarter
• April 11-13: Waning Crescent
The land where our retreat is hosted is the ancestral home of the Nisenan people. They were the original stewards of this land, with a rich history and culture that has been tied to this area for thousands of years. Acknowledging the Nisenan people honors their history, their deep connection to the land, and their enduring presence. We recognize the profound impact that colonial history has had on their community and pay respect to their elders, past and present.
Learn more about the Nisenan here.(https://share.google/GCydqdf0aburrtmWg)
.
So many reasons! Check out this blog post "Unlocking the Transformative Power of Going on Retreat.(https://www.heartsaliveyoga.com/post/transformative-power-of-going-on-a-retreat)"
Here's a blog post about the Hearts Alive Fall 2023 Reclaiming Joy Women's Retreat which will provide insights: https://www.heartsaliveyoga.com/post/unleashing-play-a-glimpse-into-the-reclaiming-joy-women-s-retreat-fall-2023
Yes, you will need to bring your own yoga mat and props. Ideally bring: a strap, yoga mat, meditation cushion or bolster and yoga blocks.
The agenda details will continue to be refined leading up to the retreat date however this rough overview will offer a sense of what to expect. Important: while participating in all activities is highly encouraged, consider the scheduled activities more of an invitation than a requirement.
Day 1: Thursday
Arrival to the property starts at 4pm
Dinner is at 6:00pm (first 10-15 minutes are in silence)
Welcome/introductions/group agreements start around 7 pm
Meditation or gentle movement
Circle discussion
Sound Bath
Bedtime
Day 2: Friday
Daily meditation offered in Zendo
Breakfast / coffee / tea is at 7:20am (an entirely silent meal)
Circle discussions/activity
Yoga
Lunch - 12:30pm (first 10-15 minutes of the meal are in silence)
Guided Nature Immersion/free time
Dinner is at 6:00pm (first 10-15 minutes are in silence)
Bedtime
Day 3: Saturday
Daily meditation offered in Zendo
Breakfast / coffee / tea is at 7:20am (an entirely silent meal)
Circle discussions/activity/yoga/free time
Lunch - 12:30pm (first 10-15 minutes of the meal are in silence)
Part I Experiential dance
Dinner is at 6:00pm (first 10-15 minutes are in silence)
Part II Evening Letting-Go Fire Ceremony
Day 4: Sunday
Daily meditation offered in Zendo
Breakfast / coffee / tea is at 7:20am (an entirely silent meal)
Circle discussions/activity
Lunch - 12:30pm (first 10-15 minutes of the meal are in silence)
Closing circle + farewells
At mealtimes we will gather in the dining hall at Green Gulch. For our nature immersion experience we will gather outdoors unless the weather is abysmal. For circle discussions, yoga, retreat-group meditation (outside Green Gulch's daily meditation offerings), the fire-letting-go ceremony and our dance experience, we will gather inside a 30' diameter yurt heated by a wood burning stove.
Cancellation Policy:
* 100% refund for cancellations before December 15, 2024.
* 50% refund for cancellations before January 15, 2025.
* 0 refund for cancellations after January 16, 2025
Other possibilities should you need to cancel:
* Your registration can be transferred to another attendee if you're unable to make it.
* If your spot can be filled by someone on a wait list, a refund may be granted.
Absolutely! This makes for a deeply heartfelt and generous gift to offer a loved one. If purchased for a friend, a beautiful and personalized digital gift certificate will be made and emailed to you so you can give it to the lucky recipient. Or, I can send your friend an email with it included. Simply email heartsalivecoaching@gmail.com (mailto:heartsalivecoaching@gmail.com)to connect with me and put in your request. All gift recipients will need to complete the registration form.(https://forms.gle/d6H3j4QXzudxadJz5)
Are you interested in more fully integrating learnings from this transformative retreat experience via participation in a six online group monthly meetups starting late March-August to support you with achieving new year's goals for the first half of 2025?
The invitation to join this group is exclusive to this retreat's attendees and intended to support:
* ongoing integration (or, how you process your experience from the retreat and fold the insights gained from the retreat into your daily life)
* community-building / continued connection with retreat participants
* accountability / support as you work towards your goals
What to expect:
All retreat participants are invited to attend the first session which will serve as an opportunity for us to see each other again and debrief our post-retreat experience. All sessions will start with a short grounding ritual and candle lighting (from wherever we are "calling" in from). Following the initial gathering, those who commit to the remainder of the meetups will continue meeting online once monthly.
During each session we will set goals, report on our progress, discuss obstacles we might be bumping up against, share reflections gained from each other and celebrate one another's wins!
There will also be "homework" (or fun-work? :) like answering journal prompts or activities that take us out in nature to name a couple.
Where:
Google Meet (like Zoom)
Details:
* Early Bird Cost: $175 when paid by January 15, 2025
* Regular Cost: $200 when commiting after January 15, 2025.
* Minimum six women must commit by March 7.
* Payment due by March 15.
Timing:
TBD and will be confirmed by the retreat dates. Sessions will most likely be 60-90 minutes on a Sunday afternoon or weekday evening once-monthly.
Mealtimes are:
• Breakfast - 7:20am, and is an entirely silent meal
• Lunch - 12:30pm, and the first 10-15 minutes of the meal are in silence
• Dinner - 6:00pm, , and the first 10-15 minutes of the meal are in silence
"Meals are vegetarian, served buffet style, and may include dairy and eggs. Vegan and gluten-free options are generally available. If there are participants in your retreat with food allergies, alternatives may be arranged with advance notice and we will try to accommodate requests as best we can. The kitchen is not available for private cooking. Please remember that we are a small monastic community and have limited capacity to accommodate strict dietary requests." (from Green Gulch)
You are highly encouraged to participate in all the activities however if other activities better align with your needs at the time, you will be celebrated for heeding your inner wisdom and doing what is right for you.
Yes, there is wifi in the whole central area, including the guest house.
Zero experience is required. Any yoga asana (poses) classes that are led will be all-levels and include modifications and variations to meet most people's needs.
Learn more here:
https://www.sfzc.org/locations/green-gulch-farm/getting-green-gulch-farm
Find more info on this here.(https://www.accuweather.com/en/us/muir-beach/94965/may-weather/2189763)
Roughly, the temperature can range from high 30s to low 70s F.
There is ample parking at the venue however carpooling might be of interest to some folks. If you're interested in offering a ride or you need a ride, get in touch with me and I can connect you to others. Email Suzanna.(mailto:mannionsuz@gmail.com)
To preserve a sense of cohesiveness and sacredness of the group container we co-create from Thursday when we first join together and Sunday when we say our farewells, we are limiting this experience to folks who are committing to attend the entire retreat. If your arrival to the retreat is delayed or you need to leave early, that is fine, however, we are not offering partial day or partial weekend passes. Thank you for your understanding!
We will share this information at the retreat but you can get a glimpse here in the meantime:
https://www.sfzc.org/locations/green-gulch-farm/zen-meditation-practice-green-gulch/daily-schedule-green-gulch
This retreat promotes holistic well-being, focusing on rejuvenation and self-discovery. We respectfully ask our guests to refrain from alcohol and drugs. By embracing sobriety, we hope to elicit clarity, deeper connections and the opportunity to fully engage in enriching experiences that nurture mind, body and spirit.
A movement session led by Sylvie Minot of Syzygy Dance Project will use dance and music to support us in reconnecting to our body in a safe way and expressing ourselves while releasing what we no longer need.
We will find ways to embody what we want to create in our lives and express in the world, reconnecting to the things that bring us joy and make us smile. The dance will integrate mind, body and spirit to support our health and well-being while having fun!
No dancing experience is required and simply observing is okay too!
Using movement, ceremony and drumming, we will integrate what we worked with in the afternoon embodied release movement portion in manifesting our desire (intention/goal). We will then have a fire ritual to release the things we no longer need. Ritual and ceremony is a very important aspect of healing in these times. They allow us to witness and be witnessed and support each other in community and spirit. Manifesting our vision together strengthens each other and the world around us.
We anticipate 20 guests and will cap the event at 22 participants, contingent upon available lodging options.
Unfortunately, Green Gulch is unable to accommodate folks who wish to sleep in their vehicles.
Although being fully immersed in the experience (which includes staying overnight in one of Green Gulch's accommodations), a commuter option exists for those stay offsite and commute in and out. If interested, please email Suzanna.(mailto:heartsalivecoaching@gmail.com)
A thorough packing list will be shared with retreat guests via email well in advance to the retreat date.
So many reasons!
Check out this blog post "Unlocking the Transformative Power of Going on Retreat.(https://www.heartsaliveyoga.com/post/transformative-power-of-going-on-a-retreat)"
Here's a blog post about the Hearts Alive Fall 2023 Reclaiming Joy Women's Retreat which will provide insights:
https://www.heartsaliveyoga.com/post/unleashing-play-a-glimpse-into-the-reclaiming-joy-women-s-retreat-fall-2023
Green Gulch has numerous yoga mats, blocks, backjack "chairs" and bolsters for us to use.
The short answer - YES!
Three talented, skilled and nurturing women providers are bringing offerings to support this retreat weekend. Sign-ups will be presented to retreat registrants in the order by which they signed up:
NICOLE REYES of PLANTED ENERGY Nicole will be with us the entire retreat weekend and offering Reiki sessions in a private room. More info on this coming soon. In the meantime, learn more about Nicole on her website.
KAREN (a.k.a. KK) KK is a wellness innovator and advocate for women’s healthcare. As a researcher, public speaker, and alternative healthcare practitioner, she empowers clients to master their energetic states t
Through breathwork, frequency-resonance practices, and Reiki. KK holds advanced Reiki Masters certificates in Usui and Karuna, earned during her eight years in Japan. Her research explores the power of sound, frequency, and vibration. KK has shared the stage with experts like Dr. Joe Dispenza and Marie Forleo and presented at the Future of Health and International Sound Healing Conferences. She is also the founder of HONNE, a holistic skincare line incorporating healing frequencies. Learn more about KK on her website.
KK's OFFERING: A Vibro-Acoustic Sound Pillow Session with bonus Reiki offers a unique, deeply restorative experience that activates the parasympathetic nervous system, promoting immediate relaxation and stress relief. The session begins with a specially weighted pillow placed on your body, emitting healing vibrations that resonate throughout your entire system, calming the nervous system and encouraging deep relaxation. At the same time, specific musical frequencies are played through headphones, providing sound healing that harmonizes your body at a cellular level, restoring balance and flow. To further enhance the experience, Reiki energy healing is integrated into the session, grounding and harmonizing your body's energy states. This combination of vibration, sound, and energy work fosters a profound sense of equilibrium and rejuvenation, helping to restore your body's natural state of homeostasis. The result is a deeply regenerative session that not only clears blockages but also leaves you feeling balanced, restored, and in alignment with your true self.
ALEXIS HELD CMT Sorceress
Bay Area based, Alexis Held, founder of Move Happy, massage therapist and embodiment facilitator, will be offering therapeutic bodywork sessions catered to your individual needs, drawing on intuition and studies in Swedish, Deep tissue, Trigger point, Thai massage, Energy medicine, Craniosacral and breathwork. She has been named a "Rebirth Doula" supporting couples, individuals, and groups with physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-BEING, and transformation through body-centered modalities and relational tools. Sessions will be tailored to your specific needs to help you access a deeper place of love, awareness, connection, joy, and ease.
"Alexis is truly one of the most gifted massage therapists I've come across. As someone who has worked in massage, personal training, and yoga for over 15 years, I have been around a lot of body workers and embodied professionals. From the first moment she placed her hands on me I knew she was trustworthy. Her touch was strong and wise, fueled by knowledge, passion, and love. It was one of the only times I've ever felt there was no need to speak or guide the session in anyway. She knew what and where to go, and I felt so deeply nourished and revitalized it felt like she reset a year of my body and mind - and y'all know the kind of year we've been through! I honestly can't wait for my next session and recommended her fully! - Jeremy F. "I've had tons of massages, and have been doing massages off and on for about 20 years, so my standards are quite high.... Alexis' massage was hands down (pun intended) one of the best messages of my life! Here's why: Her style is unlike anything I've ever experienced before. I can tell it's very much her own unique creation, a smooth blend of many modalities. Being that she is a dancer and very connected to her body, she has high awareness of sensations. Her style offers multisensory touch, which I found to be very grounding to my mind/body/soul. From her first making contact with my body I knew I was in great hands (again with the puns) and my whole being began to melt instantly. " Links to More Reviews
Instagram Client Stories Offerings and Reviews
bottom of page