Giving Thanks: A Yoga Retreat
Description
“Enoughness” is where gratitude begins. We start to truly receive the beauty of what is unfolding when we first recognize that we are already enough.
Held within Esalen’s transformative setting, this retreat invites us to gather during Thanksgiving week. Together, we will honor the land and the Esselen people, the original stewards of this place, while remembering the wonder of the natural world around us and the life force within us.
Over the course of the week, we will practice giving thanks for the world we inhabit. We will nurture curiosity and a sense of awe for the life available to us right now, gently shifting our attention away from the long inventory of “lack” that can so easily fill our days.
To support this spacious way of being, daily practices will help create greater suppleness in mind, spirit, and body:
- Breathwork
- Meditation
- Yoga asana
- Philosophy
- Journaling
- Yoga nidra
We will return to the present moment and reclaim ourselves in wholeness, remembering that we are enough. We will explore the many ways we are enough, give enough, receive enough, and have enough, so we can claim the life force moving through us.
Each day offers an exploration of practices and tools that support contentment, while allowing the spirit of giving to move outward with grace and gratitude.
This workshop includes $175 additional faculty tuition.
Live Extended Education Program
Join a cohort of 16 learners in a rigorous course of study, with up to 26 hours per week over either two weeks or four weeks, depending on the program. In addition, you will be required to dedicate 26 hours of service each week in one of Esalen’s operational departments.
Event Schedule
Nov 23-29, 2026
6 day event
Daily Schedule:
Accommodation Options
Bunk Bed
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.
Standard Shared
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.
Standard Queen
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.
Standard Two Beds
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.
Premium Queen
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:
- Ocean or forest view
- Upgraded bathrooms and decor
- Private outdoor area
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.
Teachers
Janet Stone’s path in yoga began with a transformative journey to India in 1996, where she devoted herself to conscious evolution through practice. Since then, she has developed a distinctive approach to Vinyasa yoga that brings together deep knowledge, years of experience, and an unmistakable sense of vitality. Her teaching is known for being both strong and nourishing, offering a...
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Sadia Bruce is a creative educator at Esalen, known for guiding transformative experiences where yoga, breathwork, somatics, and ancestral wisdom meet. Her approach encourages embodied inquiry, playful exploration, and a deeper sense of connection with yourself, with others, and with the unseen. Drawing on her expertise in breath-based movement, along with a deep reverence for the human experience and her...
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For nearly a decade, Megan has offered a somatic-based approach to yoga, guiding students toward a deeper connection between body awareness, breath, and movement. Her classes are designed to help participants bridge meditation and motion in a way that feels both grounding and empowering, creating space for authentic embodiment and mindful presence. With a teaching style rooted in support and connection,...
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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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At Esalen, Cara Chandler discovered the calling that would shape her work in holistic healing. Drawing on a background in Entertainment as well as training and experience in yoga, meditation, and psychology, she has developed an approach that supports self-expression, self-discovery, and a deeper mind-body connection. Her sessions invite participants to slow down, tune in, and explore what it means to...
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Rooted in a deep reverence for the natural world, Micha shares vibrational ritual and embodied herbalism as a heartfelt way of connecting with the living ecosystem around us. Their work is shaped by personal mentorship with shamanic Lahu medicine women in Thailand and spiritual midwives in Bali, bringing together ancestral wisdom and present-day healing practices. At Esalen, Micha currently facilitates the...
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With a thoughtful, inquisitive style shaped by a strong academic background, Sam Stern brings depth and curiosity to every conversation he leads. As the host of the Voices of Esalen podcast, he guides a deep-dive interview series centered on Human Potential, which has already reached more than 1 million downloads. His work reflects a commitment to meaningful dialogue, exploration, and...
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