You deserve to feel ease and joy in your body as you age. Time in nature, movement, breath, quiet reflection, and those illuminating “Aha!” moments can all deepen happiness and delight in daily life. At the same time, the changes that come with age—aches and pains, joint replacements, osteoporosis, heart concerns, and other conditions—can ask us to meet ourselves in new ways while staying graceful in both movement and outlook.
In this workshop, you’ll explore therapeutic yoga tools designed to expand awareness, support inquiry into your body as it is now, and strengthen your ability to care for yourself well. You’ll learn how to feel yoga poses from the inside out, refine alignment to better sense the energy moving through the body, and discover qigong movements and yoga postures that serve you best.
Over the course of a week together, we’ll make space to listen to inner wisdom and to the quiet intelligence of the body. We’ll also have room to share our ideas, fears, limiting stories, and hopes for what lies ahead.
Together, we will explore:
This workshop is appropriate for anyone with a basic understanding of yoga. No prior qigong experience is required. Participants working with injuries or other body challenges are welcome, provided they can still take part in the practice and, if needed, have permission from a medical provider. Modifications will be offered for different ability levels. Guests must be able to get up and down from the floor on their own. If extra support is needed, workshop members may bring an assistant as a second paying participant. If you are unsure whether this workshop is right for you, please contact Tracy.
Tracy Lease is a yoga therapist, Pilates teacher, qigong guide, and director of Full Life Yoga Studio in Grass Valley, California. She supports each unique student in moving toward optimal health and happiness and has spent 20 years joyfully guiding students in movement and mindfulness practices.
Workshop Schedule
Accommodations & Tuition
Registration and payment for accommodations and tuition are completed in two separate steps. First, sign up and pay tuition directly to Esalen. Then, return to book accommodations from the page and enter the password to complete your reservation to stay at Esalen.
Accommodation prices include lodging, meals, open classes, and use of the baths and other facilities. Scholarship funds are available for those with financial need.
COVID Update
As of June 30, 2023, a negative COVID test is no longer required at check-in. Please review the current COVID safety guidelines for complete details before booking your stay.
Designed for shared stays, this room type accommodates four to six guests in a welcoming, gender-inclusive setting, with a maximum stay of seven consecutive days. It’s a practical choice for retreat participants who value comfort, simplicity, and a sense of community during their time away.
Each bunk room includes twin-size bunk beds and a private bathroom with a shower, offering the privacy and convenience guests need throughout their stay. Fresh towels, bath soap, and bed linens are provided, so you can settle in with ease and focus on your experience rather than the details.
With its straightforward layout and thoughtfully provided essentials, this accommodation supports a restful and uncomplicated stay, making it well suited for those looking to share space while still enjoying comfort and functionality.
Ideal for guests who want a more social stay without the atmosphere of a dorm, this cozy shared room offers a comfortable and practical setup for up to three people of the same gender. The space is arranged with three beds: two on the main floor and one tucked into a sleeping loft, creating a simple, welcoming environment that still feels private and restful.
Each room includes an in-room bathroom with a shower, making daily routines easy and convenient. To help you settle in with ease, towels, bath soap, and bed linens are all provided. Whether you are traveling for a retreat, a wellness stay, or a peaceful getaway with others, this room offers a warm balance of connection, comfort, and simplicity.
Designed for guests seeking a little extra privacy, this inviting room offers a peaceful place to unwind within the charming, Big Sur-inspired motel atmosphere of the property. Thoughtfully located for convenience, it overlooks the main campus and garden, giving you a calming view to return to throughout your stay.
Inside, you’ll find a private bathroom and a comfortable setting that supports rest, simplicity, and easy access to the wider retreat experience. It’s an ideal choice for solo travelers or couples looking for a quiet, well-situated space to recharge between wellness activities, meals, and moments of relaxation.
If you’d like to share the room, one additional guest may join for an extra $250 per night.
Settle into a relaxed stay surrounded by the charming motel-inspired atmosphere of Big Sur. This Standard Two Double Beds room offers a comfortable, unfussy space designed for easy rest and shared travel. With two double beds and a private bathroom, it is a practical choice for friends, couples, or family members looking to enjoy time together while still having room to unwind.
The room’s simple, welcoming feel makes it easy to slow down after a day of exploring, reconnecting, or simply enjoying a peaceful break. Whether you are traveling for a quiet getaway or a shared adventure, this space provides the comfort and privacy you need for a restful stay.
Designed for a serene Central Coast escape, this room invites you to slow down, breathe deeply, and settle into a truly restful stay. A luxurious queen bed creates a comforting place to unwind after a day of exploring, offering the kind of refuge that feels both elevated and easy. The atmosphere is warm and relaxing, with thoughtful details that help guests feel instantly at ease.
Depending on the room, you may enjoy one or more of the following features:
Whether you are here for a peaceful getaway or simply looking for a more refined place to rest, this room offers a welcoming balance of comfort, charm, and natural beauty.
Tracy Lease is a yoga therapist, Pilates teacher, qigong guide, and the director of Full Life Yoga Studio in Grass Valley, California. With two decades of experience, she brings a thoughtful and encouraging approach to movement and mindfulness, supporting each student on their own path toward greater health and happiness. Her teaching style blends skillful guidance with a warm, uplifting presence,...
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Mon, Sep 7 – Fri, Sep 11