Stronger Together

Women's Yoga & Empowerment Retreat

• Single Day Programs
• Workshops & Immersions

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Program Details

Gather in community to explore a day of yoga, mindfulness, and facilitated discussion in this special retreat created as an inclusive experience for all who identify as women. This retreat will be consciously led by women of color and will touch on experiences around race, cultural identity and disparity through the unifying lens of our shared womanhood. This retreat will serve as a beautiful way to share experiences, educate one another, and celebrate how we are stronger together! 

During this retreat we will gather in the beautiful Yosemite Moonstone Yoga Studio, which will serve as our sacred container to explore various relaxation techniques to connect us to our feminine energy, as well as offer opportunities to reflect, share and connect in sacred community.

A dedicated space for those who identify as women* to seek connection with their spiritual self and feel empowered through sacred community.

*Pertaining to any individual who self-identifies as a woman, trans-inclusive, and encompassing all racial identities: such as Black, Hispanic/Latinas, AAPIs (Asians and Pacific Islanders), Native Americans, Indigenous people, mixed race people.

What is included?

5 hours of facilitated discussion, reflective journaling, yoga movement practice, and gathering in community. This retreat features:

Balanced Rock will offer a complimentary tea bar and light lunch for participants during this event. Sanitized yoga mats and props will be available, but participants are welcome to bring their own as they wish. 

Sample Retreat Schedule

Please note this is a tentative outline and may be subject to change based on the needs of the group.

12:00pm – Arrival, Check-In & Welcome

12:15pm-1:00pm – Group Lunch & Ice Breaker Activity

1:00pm-2:30pm – Session #1: Gentle Yoga & Guided Activity

2:40pm-3:50pm – Session #2: Empowered Yoga + Yoga Nidra Cool-Down for Relaxation, followed by Facilitated Discussion

4:00pm-5:00pm – Final Session: Facilitated Discussion, Journaling Activity, Making Connections & Adjourn

Where will this event take place?

This event will take place in the gorgeous Yosemite Moonstone Yoga Studio, nestled in the Sierra Nevada foothills of El Portal, CA. Just 15-20 minutes from the west entrance of Yosemite National Park, participants can explore the area and the beauty of the Merced River Canyon.

How much does it cost?

$150/person

Balanced Rock strives to offer affordable programming to all of our interested participants, and no one will be turned away due to lack of funds. Please inquire with our team if you are seeking financial assistance to attend this program.

Where can I stay?

Lodging is not included in the program price, however the Balanced Rock team has reserved limited campsites at Dry Gulch Campground on Incline Road for participant use. Please contact Balanced Rock if you are interested in reserving a space at one of the campsites for this program. These spots are first come, first serve and are an offered at no additional cost in attending this program. Our team is here to answer your questions on accommodations, offer recommendations, and help you plan your trip to the area!

IMPORTANT NOTE FOR DRY GULCH CAMPGROUND: Effective 2/8/2022, there is a temporary water outage at the Dry Gulch Campground facility, and water will not be available until further notice. In the meantime, you should bring all the water you’ll need if you decide to camp, including drinking water. 

What should I bring?

You have the option of bringing your own yoga mat and props. We also recommend bringing a journal and something to write with, a mug (if you like to be eco-conscious) for the complimentary tea bar, and any other personal items that bring you comfort (sacred items, photos, altar items). 

Health & Safety Policies

In order to ensure the health and safety of our participants and staff, we will require one of the following for attendance to any Balanced Rock in-person program in 2022:

1. Proof of full vaccination status against COVID-19
2. Proof of a negative COVID-19 test performed within 24hrs of the event start date

All participants will be required to read and sign the Health & Safety Policy for 2022 Programs at registration.

Cancellation & Refund Policy

We understand plans change. As a small nonprofit, we can offer a partial refund of the program price minus a $50 administrative fee up to 30 days before the program start. Any cancellations after this deadline will not be eligible for a refund. All participants will be required to read and accept our Cancellation and Refund Policy upon registration.

Still on the fence about attending?

The Balanced Rock team is deeply committed to offering support for all interested participants for our programming. Schedule a zero-commitment 15-min call with one of our team members to get your questions answered and receive further info about this program!

About Your Facilitators

Born in New Orleans and raised in Albuquerque, Koren Stewart‘s journey with yoga began over 14 years ago. It wasn’t until moving to California that her husband encouraged her to complete the 200- hour RYT training with the Balanced Rock Foundation. Along with the multitude of tasks of being a mother of two boys, Balanced Rock fit her schedule and made it easy to complete her training hours. 

Although Koren is currently a loan officer for the US government, teaching yoga as a side business fulfills her desire to help others realize its benefits. As a mobile yoga teacher, she feels that she can reach more people who may not feel comfortable or have the means to go to the local yoga studio. Koren’s professional background is in financial management and facilitator of diversity and inclusion practices.

Before the pandemic, Koren taught yoga to first responders, staff, and teachers for the City of Clovis and City of Fresno. She also taught the Clovis West Football Team, various athletes, juice bar promotions, African American youth groups, and online classes for the Fresno Black Metro Chamber of Commerce.  Recently she has been asked to be a guest speaker on the lack of diversity and disparity in access to the great outdoors for African American people and POC (a task that has awakened a new passion and intrigue for her).

In sharing her love for yoga, it is Koren’s goal to reach as many people as possible to teach and share the benefits of yoga, being in the great outdoors, and living a healthy lifestyle. Koren desires to be an instrumental resource to create a space of inclusion and diversity along with finding the balance of mind, body, and soul.

Visit Koren’s website to learn more about her work: yogaofkoren.com

Clara Baena, 200-RYT, was born in Medellin, Colombia. Currently she lives in Mariposa, California. Clara has a degree in Science and Environmental Education, and was a biology teacher in middle and high school. In addition to her academic roles, she is a Traditional Karate Do instructor for children and teenagers. 

Since 2007, Clara has devoted herself to the study of Yoga and Reiki and its philosophies, techniques, and spirituality. In Colombia, she shared her love for Yoga as an instructor for six years. After living in Colombia for 35 years she arrived in the United States to start a new life with her husband and daughter.

Currently, she works as a Yoga Instructor at Pure Training Studio and is a Teacher Assistant and Spanish Instructor. Clara continues to deepen her studies of Ayurveda, healthy nutrition and meditation.

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