Special Events & Workshops

AUGUST

Yoga, Art & Mindfulness Master Retreat

This event has been expanded from its original one day format to allow space for deep self-reflection and time to transform and transmute old patterns held in the body and mind. We have broken the event down into components to provide varying commitments in time and money. Each component will be powerful on its own, but together, the whole experience will have the most profound results.

2 & 3 August
San Diego, CA
(Fairbanks Ranch: exact location given upon enrollment)

We invite you to experience a self awakening, master retreat nestled in a private, verdant garden in Rancho Santa Fe. We will dive deep into yogic and expressive art practices for personal renewal, therapeutic healing and the opportunity to reconnect with our authentic, joyful, enthusiastic selves. No experience is necessary and all are welcome.

The topics of impermanence, self-judgement and attachment will be at the forefront of the weekend, and will be explored through dialogue and guided meditation. They will be woven into our yoga practice and free-form expression on the canvas, which act as a mirror of self-reflection. These tools allow us to renegotiate our relationship with fear and reconcile past experiences in a visceral, powerful and embodied way that reaches well beyond words. All art supplies and meals (dinner friday, lunch & dinner on saturday, snacks both days) are provided.

Paisley with co-teacher and good friend, Stephanie.

Sample Retreat Schedule

Friday 6 – 9 pm

  • Meet and greet
  • Opening Ceremony
  • Intention setting
  • Yoga and meditation
  • Food

Saturday 10 am – 8 pm

  • Morning movement, guided meditation
  • Expressive art foundations
  • Lunch break
  • Deepening art expression, therapeutic tools for process and release
  • Movement break for peace and stability
  • Memory reconciliation & reconsolidation
  • Finalize artwork
  • Dinner
  • Fire Ceremony
  • Closing Circle

Your Guides

Stephanie Bell May is an artist with a masters degree in fine arts from Pepperdine University. She hosts retreats at her home in Rancho Santa Fe and provides a safe sanctuary for participants to experience multi-disciplinary artistic immersions and mindfulness-based art expression.

Paisley Close is a yoga teacher with over 10,000 hours experience teaching in the mind-body field. She instructs with a masterful blend for body, mind and heart, with practical skills for staying centered off the mat. Her classes are alignment-based, with a blend of held poses, slow flow and plenty of space to de-stress and breathe.

Rachael Marie McDaniel is an international artist based out of San Diego, California. She has her BA in Art Education and has studied with The Expressive Arts Institute as well as UCLArts and Healing to hone her services in the social-emotional arts. Rachael loves sharing art experiences that are impactful not because of what a piece of work looks like but because of what it felt like to create it. More information can be found at rachaelmcdaniel.com

Investment:
Friday only $100
Yoga only (Friday evening ~6:45-8 pm) $30

Saturday only $500

Whole weekend $600
Whole weekend with on-site lodging in a private casita for Friday and Saturday nights $1500

Please contact me to register:

 

SEPTEMBER

Yoga at Rankin Dude Ranch
dates and pricing coming soon
Caliente, CA

Join Paisley at the rustic and peaceful Rankin Ranch. Family owned and operated since 1863, this destination is an escape from busy life —even your cell phone won’t work here! Ranch rates include room and board, trail rides on horseback and plenty of lounge time in the garden or next to the heated pool.

 

2020

JANUARY

Yoga Teacher’s Intensive 

Tehachapi, CA
(exact location given upon enrollment)
24-26 January

This intensive is only for certified teachers and/or those currently teaching. Curriculum and guidance will be driven by Paisley, but with peer interaction and feedback with the other teachers attending. Expect to actively teach and be critiqued and challenged to try new techniques and methodologies in a supportive environment. There will be writing and contemplation exercises to encourage critical thinking and creative solutions to classroom dynamics. Hours count towards Yoga Alliance continuing education credits.

Topics covered:

  • observing and addressing misalignments
  • adjusting in a safe, appropriate way
  • sequencing to make poses more accessible
  • modifications and props for special needs and mixed level classes
  • clear, confident cueing
  • thematic, purposeful teaching
  • adding philosophy or spirituality to your classes
  • how to work with challenging, needy or disruptive students
  • teaching more advanced poses (even if you struggle with them)
  • avoiding burnout and fatigue

Friday 6-8 pm
Saturday 8:30-noon & 2:30-6 pm
Sunday 9-noon & 2-4  pm

Cost: $350

 

 

MAY

17-19
Seven Circles Retreat Center
Badger, CA
(near Sequoia-Kings Canyon NP)

More info coming soon.

 

JUNE

18-21
Mammoth Yoga Festival
Mammoth Lakes, CA