Are you ready to hear the call of your courageous heart?
This weekend yoga retreat offers an invitation to slow down, soften, and settle into the quiet wisdom within. Held during the astrological moment known as the Lion’s Gate Portal, when Sirius, the brightest star, aligns with the Sun, this shared time is designed to magnify courage and support a deeper alignment of body, mind, and spirit with your higher purpose.
Over the course of the weekend, you will:
Note: Jovinna invites you to detox from, or greatly reduce, the use of electronics during your stay. Some yoga experience is recommended, and you are encouraged to bring a journal and pen.
This workshop includes an additional $35 in faculty tuition.
Learn more about the requirements to receive continuing education credit.
Lead photo: Wari Om Yoga Photography
Page photos: Rick Borutta, Sam Nichilo, Stephanie Lewis, Sadia Bruce, Kodiak Greenwood, Cristopher Nolasco, Emma Barry.
Workshop Schedule
Summer Groovers will experience Esalen in a format similar to our Self Guided Explorations workshops. Each Summer Groove week or weekend opens and closes with a circle, and includes festive, nostalgic activities that evoke days gone by.
Additional activities are available on our open class schedule.
See general schedule information including arrival, departure and meal times.
Accommodations & Tuition
Click Register Now to view accommodation availability and all-inclusive, program-specific tuition. Please note that not all accommodation levels are available for every workshop, and additional faculty fees may apply.
Scholarship funds are available for those with financial need. Learn more.
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 full details before booking your stay.
All-inclusive Pricing
For this workshop, registration and payment for accommodations and tuition are completed in two separate steps.
First, sign up and pay tuition directly to Jovinna Chan.
Second, click Book Accommodations from this page and enter the password to complete your reservation at Esalen.
Accommodation pricing includes lodging, meals, open classes, and use of the baths and other facilities. View partner program accommodations pricing.
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.
Jovinna Chan, E-RYT 500 and YACEP, is a trained personal transformational facilitator, yoga teacher trainer, conscious dance teacher, and performing artist whose work blends movement, spiritual inquiry, nature, and sound healing into deeply immersive experiences. She guides transformational programs around the world, creating spaces where participants can explore embodied practice, inner reflection, and creative expression. Her approach is both grounded...
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Fri, Aug 7 – Sun, Aug 9