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Retreat at Land of the Medicine Buddha with Heather Haxo Phillips
July 10 - July 13
Welcome to the serene redwoods
FINDING FOCUS
4 DAYS IN NATURE
YOGA RETREAT FOR SEASONED IYENGAR YOGA PRACTITIONERS
WITH HEATHER HAXO PHILLIPS
July 10 – 13, 2025
Land of the Medicine Buddha
In today’s fast changing world, it is easy to lose your sense of self. Finding Focus is an in-person retreat designed to give you the opportunity to reconnect with your best self through asana, pranayama, chanting and the study of yoga philosophy.
Finding Focus will give you the opportunity to find your body and access the mental space necessary to sink into these profoundly transformative practices. Together we will explore the vast realm of yoga using the immersive elements of nature – earth, air, wind, ether and fire – as our topic of study. Let us experience together how the ancient wisdom of these practices connect so directly to our lives in 2025.
Participants will feel nourished on all levels. It is an opportunity for you to step away from your busy life and exhale deeply. You will be surrounded by other dedicated practicioners participating in challenging asana classes paired with relaxing contemplative practices. Give yourself this opportunity to restore, discover what you are capable of and find your focus.
Land of the Medicine Buddha provides the container for this healing experience. Located in the the Santa Cruz mountains near Aptos, Land of the Medicine Buddha is an easy 2-hour drive from Berkeley. You will appreciate the experience of retreat among the 108 acres of ancient redwood groves and sunny oak meadows. You will have time to explore the property’s walking trails and meditations areas.
Retreat highlights:
- Explore this peaceful property: 4 days / 3 nights in the serenity of a Buddhist sanctuary
- Enjoy the practice of Iyengar Yoga: Time with Heather in our private space overlooking the redwoods. Morning contemplative practices paired with challenging asana practices will support your focus and rejuvenation
- Nourish yourself: Three delicious organic vegetarian meals each day
- Relax deeply: Walks on the property, massage and other on-site spa services await
- Explore your surroundings: Ample time to soak in the incredible temples and walking trails
- Connect: Enjoy being with like-minded people
New this year:
CIYT and teachers in training can join us for one additional day prior to the retreat start. Teacher education will be offered, starting the afternoon of Wednesday, July 9th. Our time together will include deeper studies into teaching skills, both asana, pranayama and yoga philosophy – plus more time enjoying meals and hikes together.
This retreat offers you the opportunity to:
Observe the quiet within – Gain Clarity
Discover new depth in your yoga practice
Connect with others
This annual retreat sells-out every year.
Sign up now to ensure your spot.
Lodging
Our cozy accommodations provide the perfect place to rest and recharge after a day of yoga and exploration. You’ll stay nestled in the forest, complete with all the amenities you need for a comfortable and relaxing stay.
Options in the main campus:
4 days / 3 nights:
Single Occupancy (FULL): $1970
or
Double Occupancy: $1670
or
Shared room (3 – 4 people) (FULL): $1490
These guests rooms are steps from the yoga space and dining hall. Each has its own private bathroom.
Bring your own camper or van and park in the redwood groves (FULL): $1125
This option includes access to a shared bathroom and shower
Commuters staying off-site (FULL): $980
For those joining us 5 days / 4 nights:
includes your tuition, food and housing:
Single Room: $2,365 (FULL)
Double Room: $2,030 (FULL)
Shared Room: $1,815 (FULL)
Bring your own camper van $1,380 (FULL)
Commuter $1,205 (FULL)
REGISTER NOW
Who is this retreat for?
Dedicated Iyengar Yoga practitioners
You should be practicing regularly with a certified Iyengar Yoga teacher. This retreat is best suited for people who have at least one year experience studying Iyengar Yoga: you should be studying consistently in Continuing Beginner, Intermediate or Advanced classes with a CIYT. This retreat is for serious students, and is an excellent opportunity for teachers and teachers in training.
Our Asana practices will build progressively toward intermediate and advanced poses. You ought to be well-steeped in the foundational standing poses and inversions, and able to access forward bends and back extensions already knowing how to modify these poses for your personal needs.
Specifically, these asana should already be accessible to you to some degree, and you are
knowledgeable about how to modify these poses for your needs:
Inversions: Sirsasana, Pincha Mayurasana & Adho Mukha Vrksasana
Back Extensions: starting with Ustrasana & Urdhva Dhanurasana
Forward Extensions such as Pacchimottasana
I’M READYYOUR WEEK OF YOGA AWAITS
Wednesday
3 pm | Arrival and Check-in for Teachers
Asana Practice
Dinner
Evening Discussion
Thursday
Pranayama & Breakfast
Teacher Education / Lunch and Free time
3 pm | Arrival and Check-in for General participants
Asana Practice
Dinner and Welcome Ceremony
Friday & Saturday
- Pranayama
- Chanting
- Breakfast
- Active Asana
- Lunch
- Free Time
- Restorative Yoga
- Dinner
- Evening Activities
Sunday
Chanting, Pranayama & Asana Practice
Breakfast and lunch
2 pm | Departure
You will have time to explore the property including its many walking trails and holy objects, or sit by the spring fed pool. Enjoy a warm mid-summer rest!
This transformative yoga retreat is the perfect opportunity to gain a new perspective and find your focus
Early bird rates available until April 2nd
I WANT TO GO!THE STUDENT EXPERIENCE
Nestled in the heart of the stunning redwood forest, our retreat center provides the perfect setting for you to deepen your yoga practice and connect with nature. Imagine practicing yoga surrounded by majestic trees, breathing in the fresh air, and listening to the soothing sounds of nature.
“The peaceful atmosphere at Land of the Medicine Buddha created an environment conducive for reflection and yogic practice. I personally enjoyed ringing the bell and taking walks in nature. Also, my shared accommodation was comfortable and had enough space for privacy.“
~Gopika Womack
Other details you need to know:
Participants are requested to bring their yoga practice kit: 4 blankets, mat, two blocks and a strap. Traveling without props? You can purchase them here, or rent the kit from us for $25.
Delicious vegetarian meals are part of this special experience: The culinary staff can accommodate specific needs such as gluten free, wheat free, sugar free, garlic free, onion free, nut free, and vegan. When you register, please let us know your requirements. A guest refrigerator is also available for anyone who brings their own food items.
A retreat is a quiet place that you go to in order to withdraw from the regular routine of daily life and rest in a private place. So you should be excited to keep your phone and other devices away, for the most part.
Mindfulness is an important aspect of your stay at the Land of Medicine Buddha: As a Buddhist retreat center, guests are invited to be mindful of their actions of body and speech and to be aware that other people share this beautiful space. All guests are invited observe these five precepts: (1) No killing – this includes all insects. (2) No lying (3) No stealing – borrowing without asking permission. (4) No sexual misconduct – any sexual activity that will cause suffering to another being. (5) No intoxicants – includes alcohol, drugs and smoking cigarettes.
Cancellation details: Cancellations received by May 1 are entitled to a full refund minus a $50 admin fee. Cancellations received by June 1 are entitled to a full credit towards future Adeline Yoga programs, minus a $50 admin fee. No refunds or credits will be given for cancellations after June 1. Due to arrangements made with our hosts, there can be no exceptions to this policy.
I WOULD LIKE TO JOINABOUT THE RETREAT LEADER:
Heather Haxo Phillips is a Senior Iyengar yoga teacher and the Director of Adeline Yoga. She is a mentor and assessor. Heather offers expertise in yoga therapy, and is a Certified Yoga Therapist (c-IAYT), Relax and Renew restorative yoga teacher and Yoga Alliance E-500 level instructor. Her teaching is rooted in the ancient yogic traditions, including yoga philosophy, Sanskrit and chant. Every class offers an opportunity to delve into all these aspects of Yog.
A Level 3 Certified Iyengar teacher (Senior Intermediate I level), Heather serves as a mentor to aspiring teachers and CIYT, leading teacher education programs and volunteering on the Assessment Committee for IYNAUS.
Heather studies regularly with senior Iyengar Yoga teachers and the Iyengar family in Pune. Her yoga philosophy and Sanskrit teachers include Dr. Gitte Beschgaard and Dr. Sucheta Paranjpe.
Heather is dedicated to her volunteer work for the Iyengar Yoga Association of Northern California and the Iyengar Yoga National Association of the United States.
Heather is known for her well-organized events and retreats which she has been offering regularly for over a decade.
