"THE USUAL PSYCHODYNAMIC FOUNDATION FOR THE SELF-EXPERIENCE IS THAT OF HUNGER, NOT BREATH. THE BODY IS EXPERIENCED AS AN ALIEN ENTITY THAT MUST BE KEPT SATISFIED, THE WAY AN ANXIOUS MOTHER MIGHT EXPERIENCE A NEW BABY. WHEN AWARENESS IS SHIFTED FROM APPETITE TO BREATH, THE ANXIETIES ABOUT NOT BEING ENOUGH ARE AUTOMATICALLY ATTENUATED. IT REQUIRES SETTLING DOWN OR RELAXING INTO ONE'S OWN BODY. WHEN THIS FLUIDITY MOVES TO THE FOREFRONT OF AWARENESS...THERE IS A RELAXATION OF THE TENSED SELF...AND THE EMERGENCE OF A SIMPLER, BREATH-BASED SELF THAT IS CAPABLE OF SURRENDERING TO THE MOMENT."

–MARK EPSTEIN

During this day-long retreat, we will use conscious and continuous breathing techniques for standing, sitting, and lying down, as well as other breath-driven movements, including some Qi Gong and yoga sequences. Particular Pranayama techniques, Meditation, and Yoga Nidra practices will be woven between these sessions and silent walks in nature through the Green Gulch Farm and on Muir Beach.

The Emotional Freedom Technique of “tapping” (Acupressure points with intention-setting) will also be part of our conscious movement vocabulary.

The retreat is designed to release stress, unblock stagnate energy, calm and soothe the nervous system, and open the energetic pathways that allow healing.

“FEW SKILLS ARE MORE ESSENTIAL THAN THE ABILITY TO SETTLE YOUR BODY. IF YOU CAN SETTLE YOUR BODY, YOU ARE MORE LIKELY TO BE CALM, ALERT, AND FULLY PRESENT, NO MATTER WHAT IS GOING ON AROUND YOU. A SETTLED BODY ENABLES YOU TO HARMONIZE AND CONNECT WITH OTHER BODIES AROUND YOU WHILE ENCOURAGING THOSE BODIES TO SETTLE AS WELL. GATHER A LARGE GROUP OF UNSETTLED BODIES OR ASSEMBLE A GROUP OF BODIES AND THEN UNSETTLE THEM—AND YOU GET A MOB OR A RIOT. BUT BRING A LARGE GROUP OF SETTLED BODIES TOGETHER, AND YOU HAVE A POTENTIAL MOVEMENT—AND A POTENTIAL FORCE FOR TREMENDOUS GOOD IN THE WORLD. A CALM, SETTLED BODY IS THE FOUNDATION FOR HEALTH, FOR HEALING, FOR HELPING OTHERS, AND FOR CHANGING THE WORLD.”

“MY GRANDMOTHER’S HANDS” – RESMAA MENAKEMA

The retreat includes all instruction, a vegetarian lunch, tea service, all props, time for hiking or walking through the farm and gardens, or a stroll on Muir Beach.

Diet: A plant-based diet is best for this day, potentially the day before and after. Avoid alcohol and recreational drugs, oily and sugary foods. The organic lunch served at Green Gulch is vegetarian.

Silence: This is a silent retreat, with opportunities to talk during discussion periods.

“IF YOU AREN’T IN YOUR BODY, SOMEONE ELSE IS. THE SYSTEMS OF THIS WORLD HAVE EVERYTHING TO GAIN FROM YOUR DISEMBODIEMENT. STAY NEAR YOURSELF. REMEMBER YOUR BODY.”

– COLE ARTHUR RILEY

Overnight accommodations before or after the retreat can be arranged separately through Green Gulch Farm (415.383.3134).

For more details, contact David at: david@moryoga.com

Cancellations: 50% of your registration fee is non-refundable. Reservations canceled less than 30 days prior to the retreat date are 100% non-refundable.

Dress comfortably in layers. The yurt has an iron stove fire in it to keep us warm should we need. Fog can roll in even on the warmest days, or it might be sunny and warm throughout.

Props available on site: Block, Bolster (cushion or blankets), Yoga Strap, Blankets. Please bring your own eye pillow if you have one.

Carpool options will be recommended for those of coming from the east bay or San Francisco. That will be arranged closer to the retreat date, once registration is completed.

23 reviews

David Moreno, ERYT 500, YACEP, SFT, has taught at international yoga conferences, festivals, universities, and teacher trainings worldwide. He has worked privately with students in the fashion and entertainment industries as well as professional athletes. Among those athletes taught include the U.S. Olympic Men’s Swim team coaches for the 2004 and 2008 Olympics. He has worked as a product advisor and ambassador for the Canadian Athletica Company, Lululemon, is a certified Pilates instructor, Somatic Fitness Trainer and, an ordained minister. His yoga commentaries have been published in Yoga Journal, Yoga International, LA Yoga Magazine, and Common Ground. His dance criticism and reviews are featured Culture Vulture. David is also the creator and producer for Yoga DVDs, electronic books, Yoga Nidra downloads, and subscription yoga classes for Yoga Vibes. He is known for his keen sense of humor, making his teachings fun and informative. David lives in San Francisco, CA.

Profound weekend of meditation, yoga, and community!

By John R for Deliberate Stillness Weekend Retreat 2024 on Jun 25, 2024

Incredible transformative experience!

By Ned M for MAS YOGA: Playa Viva, Mexico 2024 on Feb 20, 2024

i had a great time every day and evening on the stunning property. My treehouse #18 was just gorgeous, and amazing with our attached full bathroom perched up off the ground, and falling asleep every evening to the sound of the breaking waves was so serene. Delicious food was offered at every meal, and i adored helping out at the neighboring turtle sanctuary to bury harvested turtle eggs, and witness the newly-hatched baby turtles enter the sea. Everything was so thoughtfully laid out and executed so well, and the staff is so happy and pleasant. The outreach to the farm production and water conservation for the greater watershed is SO impressive and transformative to the local communities. What you all are doing is a game changer for your greater ecosystem, given the recent & disturbing shifts in the local climate. You are doing more with less, and empowering the local peoples to learn and teach these practices to others. Outstanding work. It was a privilege to stay at Playa Viva. Profound Thank you.

By James M for MAS YOGA: Playa Viva, Mexico 2024 on Feb 17, 2024

David's humor and wisdom shone through, as always. Lovely people in an amazing setting. Thank you!

By Ted O for MAS YOGA: Playa Viva, Mexico 2023 on Feb 10, 2023

It was an incredible day of self-reflection and growth. David is a wonderful leader, full of wisdom, humor and warmth. He made meditation very approachable and I found myself falling into my medidations much more easily by the end of the day and with subsequent meditations at home. I could eat the food at Green Gulch all day long, and it was so fullfilling to nourish both my body and soul at the same time. I can't wait to go back for another journey beyond the self with David.

By Lesley Z for Deliberate Stillness Day-long Retreat 2023 on Nov 22, 2022

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Abhimanyu (David,) I’m glad I waited to tell you about my experience in New Mexico, because I wasn’t aware of how much it would affect me now that I’ve returned to my “normal life.” There was a sadness that I think we all felt when we had to say goodbye to our magical alternate reality we shared, and you helped create for us, in those mountains full of deep wisdom. But since I left the retreat I’ve felt a return to something that I forgot, or missed within me. I’ve taken so many tools for my own spiritual practice from this that I honestly did not expect, I’m so grateful. And like Wolf said, “so inspired by you!” I feel a deep connection with everyone who shared this experience with me, and I think they would agree that this was a transformative experience, to say the least. I would sincerely encourage anyone to do something like this. Going into this I was in a particularly worn down place, emotionally, but yoga has allowed me to transcend that and be in the moment, and cultivate a practice, both spiritually and physically that is nothing short of amazing. Like my mom said, this is a turning point for me, and I didn’t even realize it at the time, but my practice is bolstered by, and draws upon the truly transformative experience I’ve had at the Jemez retreat. I am eternally grateful! THANK YOU! From the bottom of my heart, much love.

By Marlowe K on 08 Nov, 2016

David's trip "Journey to Petra" was an unforgettable trip that was so much more than Petra. The community, the yoga, the food, the sights, the time spent walking the roads of ancient civilizations put so much of my daily life into better perspective. This was some combination of retreat and adventure in a land that holds history of mythic proportion. Seeing this part of the world was also a humbling experience that brought me compassion and understanding for past and present political, religious and social events. I am changed and I would do this Journey again in a heartbeat.

By Ceri, D on 12 Oct, 2016

My personal highlight of the trip was the famed Wadi Rum desert stay with an early morning camel ride with the Bedouins and an exquisite "glamping" private tent stay. Every moment was like a dream, steeped in age old history and beauty beyond explanation...

By Kevin, S on 12 Oct, 2016

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