First class is free with code: LOCAL
Check Holiday Schedule

Yes! All participants need to register online in advance. This also helps you ensure a spot is available, as space is limited.

Tuesday evenings most weeks with rare exceptions. Our hope is to add additional class offerings in the future. While booking a class you'll see a calendar with the current offerings.

Zero pretzel requirements! Come as you are. Our Gentle Hatha Yoga class is all-levels and we are able to offer modifications and variations to work around most limitations. As is customary when starting any new exercise regimen, it's recommended to consult with your physician first, especially if you have preexisting conditions.

If you are unable to make a class you've registered for, please cancel it ideally 12 hours in advance by logging in and rescheduling or emailing heartsalivecoaching@gmail.com. With classes filling up, it's even helpful to know you won't be able to make it if an hour in advance to the start of class as some people register last minute.

An FAQ section can be used to quickly answer common questions about you or your business, such as “Where do you ship to?”, “What are your opening hours?” or “How can I book a service?” It’s a great way to help people navigate your site and can even boost your site’s SEO.

Items to bring that ensure a comfortable and enjoyable experience include: a blanket, yoga mat, yoga blocks and strap (belts work too), pillows or bolster, a journal and pen/pencil, water bottle, your favorite bowl, plate, mug and utensils (although compostable options will be provided as well), clothing including a scarf, walking shoes, cozy socks, coat, sweater and in general clothing that is easy to move in. An informative email will be sent to all registered participants in advance taking in account shifts in the weather and other activities.

We will enjoy a nature walk weather permitting. If trails are too muddy or it's rainy out, we will remain indoors. If conditions are ideal, the walk will be a mile or less and we would most likely catch the Clark Boas Trail leading gently uphill from the bottom of the school's lower parking lot. It's possible we'll take a stroll on trails within the boundaries of the school campus. Both options will likely include flat and uneven surfaces as well as uphills and downhills, but nothing too strenuous. If you have concerns, please reach out at heartsalivecoachig@gmail.com.

The Lotus Light Store is located onsite at the retreat venue and offers a fabulous range of items. They offer high quality art such as statues and thangkas in a range of styles suitable for all budgets. In addition, they offer a variety of implements for spiritual practice and everything in between. Visit LotusLightArts.com to learn more.

High-speed internet is available at no additional charge however the venue requests we avoid downloading or uploading large files of any kind. Cell-phone reception is limited at the center although wifi calling works for most service providers.

Cancellation Policy: * 100% refund for cancellations before August 31, 2023. * 50% refund for cancellations before September 1, 2023. * 0% refund for cancellations after October 2, 2023

Directions from Santa Rosa Inland route — along rivers, through Cazadero… Drive from Santa Rosa to Guerneville, on River Road, and continue through Guerneville (last stop for gas stations) and Monte Rio. The road becomes Hwy 116 West. About 20 minutes out of Guerneville, you will cross a bridge with a sign on the right for ‘Cazadero’. Turn right on Cazadero Highway and continue 6 miles to the town of Cazadero. Just past Cazadero is a STOP sign and the road forks uphill to the left onto Fort Ross Road. Continue for 6 miles till you reach a large white house on the left (there are almost no houses on this road, so this is easy to spot!) A few minutes later you pass the junction with Brain Ridge Road, and then reach our driveway on the left. Guardrails and large metal sign will be on the left. Take that sharp left onto our two-laned driveway and continue down 2 miles till you reach a cluster of buildings, and a STOP sign on a side wall. Our office is on the near end of the building on your right. Past rivers and vineyards, up the coast… Drive from Santa Rosa to Guerneville, and then continue through Guerneville out towards Jenner on Hwy 116. Do NOT turn right onto Cazadero Highway. Continue straight on 116, passing through Duncan’s Mill on the way, till 116 ends at Hwy 1. Swing right on Hwy 1. Drive north through Jenner (last stop for gas station, on right) and follow road upwards. Turn right onto Meyers Grade Road and continue for 4 miles. Watch for sign on right saying ‘Cazadero’. Take the next sharp right onto Fort Ross Road. After about 4 miles when you reach a hill-top clearing, take a right on our two-laned driveway. A large metal sign says ‘Padmasambhava Peace Institute / Black Mountain Preserve’. Continue down 2 miles till you reach a cluster of buildings, and a STOP sign on a side wall. Our office is on the far end of the building on your right.

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.

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.

You are invited to participate in all the activities however if sitting quietly on the patio or in the upper meadow with your journal or taking a nap (or some other activity) better aligns with your needs at the time, you will be celebrated for heeding your inner wisdom and doing what is right for you at the time.

Directions from San Francisco The coastal, more scenic route… Take Hwy 101 north to Petaluma and take the E. Washington St. exit Head west over the freeway through Petaluma. Continue on this road, which then changes to Valley Ford Road and later in Bodega Bay it becomes Hwy 1 North. Continue through Jenner (last stop for gas station, on right) and follow road upwards. Turn right onto Meyers Grade Road and continue for 4 miles. Watch for sign on right saying ‘Cazadero’. Take the next sharp right onto Fort Ross Road. After about 4 miles when you reach a hill-top clearing, take a right on our two-laned driveway. A metal sign says ‘Padmasambhava Peace Institute / Black Mountain Preserve’. Continue down 2 miles till you reach a cluster of buildings, and a STOP sign on a side wall. Our office is on the near end of the building on your right. Inland option — past rivers and vineyards, through the woods… Take Hwy 101 north past Santa Rosa and exit on River Road / Mark West Springs. Go west over the freeway onto River Road. Continue on this road through Guerneville (last stop for gas stations) and Monte Rio. The road becomes Hwy 116 West. About 20 minutes out of Guerneville, you will cross a bridge with a sign on the right for ‘Cazadero’. Turn right on Cazadero Highway and continue 6 miles to the town of Cazadero. Just past Cazadero is a STOP sign and the road forks uphill to the left onto Fort Ross Road. Continue for 6 miles till you reach a large white house on the left (there are almost no houses on this road, so this is easy to spot!) A few minutes later you pass the junction with Brain Ridge Road, and then reach our driveway on the left. Guardrails and a large metal sign will be on the left. Take that sharp left onto the paved two-laned driveway and continue down 2 miles till you reach a cluster of buildings, and a STOP sign on a side wall. Our office is on the far end of the building on your right.

5Rhythms Embodied Expression and Joyful Release Experience This 5Rhythms inspired 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! 😊

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 to connect with me and put in your request. All gift recipients will need to complete the registration form.

BMRC serves delicious, healthy vegetarian meals drawing on Mediterranean, Mexican, Italian, Chinese, Thai and Indian culinary traditions and cooked from scratch. Fruit and bread are included for snack-times, and they offer Alvarado Street’s wonderful organic sprouted grain breads! Water, teas and coffee with dairy or soy milk and organic agave nectar or sugar are served as well. Guests may gather at one of the many tables in the bright and airy dining-hall, or take a seat outside at the garden tables or the Tara House patio. Have a dietary restriction? You will have the opportunity to outline this on the registration form. The venue requires all dietary restrictions to be detailed by October 19, prior to the retreat date. Gluten-free and vegan options will be available. For reservations after Oct. 19th, the venue will strive to take your allergies into consideration (if they are unique to what has already been shared), but there are no guarantees they will be able to accommodate them. Please note: if you have celiac disease or follow restricted diets for other reasons, you may need to bring your own supplementary food items. A refrigerator and microwave are available for guests’ use.

To preserve a sense of cohesiveness and sacredness of the group container we co-create from Friday 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."

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.

The agenda details are being refined, however, this rough overview of gives you a sense of what you can expect. Important: while participating in all activities is encouraged, this retreat is your time to connect with yourself. Each scheduled activity is more of an invitation than a requirement. Day 1: Arrival to the property starts at 3 pm Welcome/introductions/group agreements start around 6pm Dinner around 7 pm Gentle movement Circle discussion Bedtime Day 2: Puja Tibetan Meditation in the temple Breakfast/coffee/tea Hatha Yoga Circle Discussions Guided dance/movement activity lunch / free time Circle discussions Dinner Drummm Circle (drums and instruction provided) Campfire Bedtime Day 3: Puja Tibetan Meditation in the temple Breakfast/coffee/tea Circle check-in Guided nature immersion Closing circle Lunch Farewells around 1-2 pm

Black Mountain Retreat Center (BMRC) is a rustic, clean and comfortable venue situated on 485 acres in west Sonoma County six miles outside the town of Cazadero and held in the center of wooded valleys and open meadows at 1,100 feet altitude. The center warmly welcomes guests of all backgrounds, traditions and beliefs, is LGBTQ-friendly and managed by the Padmasambhava Peace Institute, a 501(c)3 educational non-profit organization. The venue will offer us three nourishing vegetarian meals per day, has around five miles of hiking trails onsite, you can catch a glimpse of the Pacific Ocean (just up the Deer Trail) on a clear day, a fire pit to circle around, ample parking, large rooms to gather in, a location that feels worlds away with a profoundly peaceful energy that will soak into your bones, fresh clean air, ample redwoods and other trees, a great gift shop (explained in another FAQ), daily puja services our group is welcome to attend in their meditation temple and more! On the same property as BMRC you will find the Padmasambhava Peace Institute (PPI) which was set up as an educational non-profit 501(c)(3) in California in 2003, and the land where it is based was acquired in 2004. Its mission is to provide a beautiful dedicated retreat space for all those seeking to learn and practice ways of peace, sustainable use of resources, and social and environmental justice. The Tibetan Buddhist center Chagdud Gonpa Ati Ling and the charity Mahakaruna Foundation are both based at PPI. Learn more here: https://padmapeace.org/

Averages: 69 deg. F high 45 deg. F low More info here.

The meditation-room at Black Mountain Retreat Center is central to the residential community’s life. When groups are not there, they operate on a regular schedule however during our stay they will fit their practice in around their needs to prepare food for and otherwise support our group. We are invited to participate in their shrine room when they are in there practicing and as we move closer to the retreat date, we will have more insights on the timing. We may sit for some or all of the group practice and they do not mind if visitors wish to come and go during their puja times. Folks are welcome to sit on a chair if they cannot sit on the floor. They ask that visitors respect the meditation room as a sacred space and do not handle instruments, ritual objects or items on benches and shrine, and do not step over benches or instruments. Lastly, they ask that we not enter the meditation-room at any other time.