Yoga and Hiking in the Giant Sequoias of Yosemite with Nadine Johnson

Spring time invites the opportunity for an internal change of season. This course focuses on inspiring our yoga practice through listening to the rhythms of the wild natural world-learning long-term vision and patience from the ancient sequoia trees each day will include in-depth yoga practices, thoughtful discussions and refreshing wilderness walks. The asanas (yoga postures) are intended to bring focus to how we observe ourselves and the world around us. Together with the hikes, they help bring clarity and perspective to what we have observed.

Lodging and meals are included at a rustic retreat 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-some of the largest and oldest trees in the world. The setting and amenities are intentionally simple and communal to allow us to unplug from our busy lives and meet new people.

Highlights:

• Daily yoga practice
• Daily naturalist led hikes in Yosemite and the giant sequoia groves
• Group discussions and creative activities on finding balance in our daily lives
• Accommodations in the cabins of the Crane Flat campus of the Yosemite Institute

Itinerary:

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 forest. We'll orient ourselves to the campus, move in and get settled. We will have our first yoga practice before dinner, concluded by discussion around the fire.

Saturday
In the morning we will gather for a yoga session. This will be followed by explorative activities focused on increasing awareness of our internal and external worlds. After lunch, we will journey to a grove of giant sequoia trees and learn about their interdependence with the surrounding environment. These ancient trees are the largest in the world. Their grand presence in the forest speaks to the virtues of patience, in the natural world and in our own daily lives. We will return to our base camp with time to relax. After dinner, we'll have a gentle yoga practice. The evening concludes with optional group reflective activities, storytelling, or silent contemplation around the fire.

Sunday
Before breakfast, we will enjoy our final yoga practice. You will come away from this retreat with a renewed sense of clarity and a fresh perspective on the interconnectedness of life. After a celebratory lunch together there will be an optional hike to a beautiful sub-alpine meadow nearby. The program concludes by 2 pm.

Note on Itinerary:

This schedule is an outline. It is subject to change depending on the needs of the group and of course moods of the elements. It allows for spontaneous inspiration. This program operates rain, snow or shine.

Price Includes:

Professional instruction and guiding, accommodations, all meals and snacks, first-aid supplies.

Not Included:

Transportation to and from your hometown to Yosemite, park entrance fees, and personal items.

Travel:

The driving time to Yosemite from the Bay Area is 3.5-4 hours and varies depending on traffic and road conditions. For California highway conditions visit http://www.dot.ca.gov/ or call 1-800-427-7623. For the latest road conditions and advisories in the park, call 1-209-372-0200 then press 1. You are required to carry and be prepared to use tire chains.

Important Information about Air Travel:

Prior to purchasing your airline tickets contact Balanced Rock to confirm the trip has the minimum number of participants required. info@balancedrock.org or 209-379-9453.

Closest Airports:

Fresno, CA: 103 miles; Oakland, CA: 159 miles; Sacramento, CA: 170 miles

Public Transportation and Carpooling:

There is excellent train and bus transportation to Yosemite Valley. For information on public transportation options please visit: http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/publictransportation.htm. Once you are enrolled we will send you detailed pre-trip information including options for carpooling.

Accommodations:

Winter and spring in Yosemite are secret gems. The number of visitors to the park drops dramatically but the beauty and wonder only increases.

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 the ability to hike and carry a light daypack at an altitude of 6,000feet. To maximize your enjoyment of the trip, we suggest that you engage in a light exercise routine prior to the course. We also recommend that you stay well-hydrated prior to departure to assist in adjusting to altitude. Please see notes in the welcome letter for further information on preparing for our adventure. Appropriate and open to all levels of hikers and yoga practitioners.

Weather:

Daytime temperatures can range between 50°-90° F. Mountain weather can change quickly. It is common to have clear sunny mornings with building clouds and afternoon showers followed by clear starry skies at night. Please check the forecast frequently before your course and plan accordingly. Visit the Yosemite National Park "Plan Your Visit" site for detailed information and weather-related links. http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/hours.htm

General Information:

Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. Detailed pre-trip information, including directions to the meeting place, will be sent when you enroll.

We look forward to creating a special experience that you'll never forget! Why wait?