Join us for a wonderful and rejuvenating day-long retreat of writing, meditation, and gentle yoga, led by writer and mindfulness meditation teacher Albert Flynn DeSilver and yoga teacher, Saraswati Clere

Through the transformative practices of yoga, writing, breath, relaxation, and meditation we will awaken our senses, intuition, innate healing and inner source of vitality and harmony. The practice of writing is an exploration of consciousness, a practice toward deeper self-awareness, and moves us along the path of awakening to our true nature. Writing has the power, not only to inspire, but also to awaken the very best in the human heart. Mindfulness practices create the conditions for enhanced creativity by providing a space for self-reflection, increased emotional intelligence, and overall expansion of consciousness.

We welcome both those who are published writers as well as those wanting to establish a writing practice. Our yoga sessions will include nature-inspired gentle grounding postures and inward practices that include pranayama and meditation. The movement portions will release tightness and stress to enable a deeper connection to our creative source. (Its fine to opt out of the movement session if you wish)

Green Gulch Farm Zen Center

The Green Gulch Zen Center is located in a beautiful coastal valley just a short drive north of the Golden Gate Bridge, it is surrounded by hundreds of acres of National Parkland. 30 minutes from Berkeley or SF. The organic farm and gardens provide a serene environment for retreats. The Retreat center is next to Muir Beach. During the retreat there will be time to walk to the beach, to journal and to explore the beautiful gardens of the Zen Center.

Lunch: A delicious Organic Lunch is available at the Zen Center or you are welcome to bring your own lunch. Please email if you’d like to like to order the lunch. $20.

Retreat Fees:$145 before May 1/ $155 after. / $260 for 2 (bring a loved one)

COVID vaccination required, please send a photo of card to [email protected]. Bring proof of same day negative covid test. Masks optional.

Carpooling is encouraged for those without cars.

If you wish to stay at Green Gulch before or after the retreat, accommodations may be available. Reservations can be made by calling 415-383-3134 . Green Gulch Farm is located in Marin County, just 15 min north of San Francisco, in a gorgeous valley that opens out onto the Pacific Ocean at Muir Beach. More details can be found on their Web site http://www.sfzc.org/ggf. Pay in advance. Enroll early, space is limited. No refunds for cancellations under 30 days unless your space is filled.

Please note: Due to the nature of retreat center reservations, all payments are final, and there are no refunds or credits. Thanks for understanding!

Reviews from past retreats

I loved the pace of the day, the calmness of the meditation and the yoga practice inspired my writing. I enjoyed the mixture of meditation, writing and yoga. I found the writing prompts and exercises so powerful. The beautiful inspirational retreat setting helped me connect more deeply to my creativity. I appreciated that the Yoga practice was good for all levels yoga breaks were really great for grounding. MM - Richmond

I enjoyed the calm pace and loved the practices scattered throughout the day. The writing exercises were fun and the sharing with the partner was so helpful. The beautiful silent walk was memorizing. RS - Berkeley

I loved the great balance between meditation, yoga, writing exercises and discussions about writing. The silent walking and yoga practice helped me to connect more deeply with myself to be more receptive to the instruction. DJ - Oakland

Albert Flynn DeSilver is an internationally published poet, memoirist, novelist, speaker and workshop leader. He is the author of several books of poems and the memoir Beamish Boy, which was named one of Kirkus Reviews “Best Books of 2012”. His latest book is Writing as a Path to Awakening: A Year to Becoming an Excellent Writer & Living an Awakened Life (Sounds True, 2017). Albert served as Marin County California’s very first Poet Laureate from 2008-2010. He has shared the stage with US Poet Laureate Kay Ryan, bestselling authors’ Cheryl Strayed, Elizabeth Gilbert, Maxine Hong Kingston, and many others. Albert teaches at the Omega Institute, Esalen Institute, Shambhala Mountain Center, and at writing conferences nationally. Website: https://www.albertflynndesilver.com/

Saraswati Clere RYT – 500 – San Francisco Bay Area filmmaker is the founder of Yogakula Wellness Center in Berkeley, which attracts thousands of students each year. She studied in the Iyengar and Anusara Systems and has been teaching yoga for 25 years. She currently offers Yoga Teacher Training Programs and leads workshops and retreats internationally. Saraswati has produced a line of educational CDs and DVDs in collaboration with some of the world’s most prominent yoga teachers and scholars.