Posture Labs at Nest Yoga

February - May (see dates below) 

These posture labs will enhance your skill and discernment in approaching some of the more challenging poses. The key to success is finding optimal alignment, and optimal balance of strength and flexibility. Working step-by-step we will work on all of the component parts of these poses, as well as several different variations of the pose. Doing this kind of detailed work will empower you with choice, and will make your practice dynamic, enjoyable and sustainable. You can sign up for all four, or for individual labs.

Dates and pose focus:
2/25 - Natarajasana (Dancer Pose)
3/24 - Astavakrasana (Eight Crooks Pose)
4/28 - Urdhva Dhanurasana (Wheel Pose)
5/26 - Pincha Mayurasana (Forearm Stand)

Deep Rest Program

at Esalen Institute

March 15-17

Join Nichol Chase and Elissa Epel to experience deep rest and renewal! You need and deserve this.  So many of us are overtaxed by constant demands, burdens, and worries, especially those of us providing extra support for others through caregiving, healthcare, activism, and other service-oriented jobs.

We bring you expertise in the science, art, and practice of restoration from stress.

• Learn the practical and cutting-edge science of stress resilience.
• Be guided into states of deep rest and rejuvenation through meditation, yoga nidra, and restorative yoga.
• Awaken all of your senses to reconnect with your body and increase vitality through gentle yoga, expressive movement, nature immersion, and sound healing.

Immersed in the beauty of nature at Esalen, our work is well supported. We will learn and practice new ways to restore ourselves, and you will develop a toolbox of short practices that support your daily rejuvenation and sustained vitality.

Handstand Workshop at Love Story Yoga

March 23 @ 1-2:45pm PT

In this workshop we wil focus on methods for strengthening your handstand practice. Practices will include warm-ups and drills to prepare your body for coming into “L” pose at the wall, kicking up into handstand at the wall, increasing length of holds at the wall, and balancing in the middle of the room.

This workshop is designed to give you a toolkit for training handstand at home. If you have ever wanted to learn how to do a handstand or wish to strengthen your handstand, this is for you. By working step-by-step, deconstructing and reconstructing, and exploring every nuance, your command of handstand will greatly increase. Expect to have fun, be challenged, and to surprise yourself with what you can do!

The Transformative Power of Embodied Practice at Garrison Insitute

April 14 @ 9:30am-5pm ET 

Join us for this Daylong gathering with teachers Arawana Hayashi and Nichol Chase.

This special retreat will appeal to those looking to align their bodies, hearts and minds in the serenity of a contemplative environment. Come and spend a lovely Spring day with us, immersed in this beautiful offering. We will offer an array of practices and tools, that can easily become the basis of your daily practice for the year.

This retreat includes instruction in different practices that foster a sense of connection with the wisdom of the body and, in the process, can help reduce stress: yoga, Social Presencing Theater, and mindfulness meditation.

Cultivating Vitality

at Esalen Institute

May 3-6

Join Nichol Chase, Elissa Epel and Cassandra Vieten to cultivate vitality!

What is vitality? Exuberance, vibrance, sparkle, spirit, and verve — terms rarely found in psychology textbooks. Vulnerability to depression and anxiety is widespread, and our culture traditionally emphasizes reducing symptoms with drugs that alter certain neurotransmitters, which is only part of the picture. We are living in a new era where vulnerabilities can become strengths, and what used to be stigma becomes common humanity. Good mental health is being redefined in terms of stress resilience, post-traumatic growth, and vitality.

This workshop explores evidence-based tools for living a vibrant life, even in the presence of stress, depression, anxiety, or any pain we may be carrying. We will help you build your own ecosystem of mental well-being — including new ways to foster vitality and purpose through caring for the brain, body, and gut. In this workshop, we’ll review the latest scientific findings on practices such as:

• Hot and cold exposures
• Optimal physical challenges
• Breathing techniques
• Meditation
• Embodied movement

The Art & Science of Transformation

at Esalen Institute

May 6-10

Have you ever worked hard to make a change, only to find yourself slipping back into old habits? Want to supercharge your ability to stimulate behavior change in others when it comes to the issues you care about the most? Is it time to break free from old patterns and build your next chapter? This workshop is for people in the process of change and those who work as change agents with individuals, groups, and organizations and in society.

Through dialogue, experiential practice, and creative process, we will bridge the science of breakthroughs with indigenous, religious, spiritual, and secular models of transformation. You will:

• Learn what works and what doesn’t to inspire lasting change in yourself and others.
• Explore how peak experiences, a-ha! moments and awe can stimulate change.
• Examine how we and those we work with can get stuck or lost, and find ways to shake free from periods of inertia or patterns that prevent us from moving forward.
• Investigate the transformative potential of pain, hitting bottom, and post-traumatic growth.
• Delve into stories, symbols, and metaphors of transformation to guide your path.

Find Your Voice Retreat

at Omega Institute

July 19-21

Join Nichol Chase and Sará King to find your your voice through reflection and practice.

It is our belief that science, art, and contemplative wisdom are the key ingredients. Contemplative wisdom traditions are rooted in practices that heighten awareness and help cultivate wisdom and authenticity — these practices have the propensity to reveal your unique gifts and passions, and bolster your resolve to speak powerfully.

These practices come to life through creative artistic expression. And as it turns out, this is all increasingly supported by scientific study. This program presents a unique approach to finding one’s voice at the nexus of science, art and contemplative wisdom. It integrates both of the contemplative, evidence-based frameworks Dr. Sará King and Nichol Chase created during their time as Garrison Institute Fellows. 

We will explore all the layers of our identity — individual, relational, and collective — through light lecture, making art, and practices involving music, movement and meditation. Our sincere hope is that this program will help to bring about insight, compassion, wisdom and will help you to discover your true voice. 

Deep Rest Program

at Esalen Institute

October 25-27

Join Nichol Chase and Elissa Epel to experience deep rest and renewal! You need and deserve this.  So many of us are overtaxed by constant demands, burdens, and worries, especially those of us providing extra support for others through caregiving, healthcare, activism, and other service-oriented jobs.

We bring you expertise in the science, art, and practice of restoration from stress.

• Learn the practical and cutting-edge science of stress resilience.
• Be guided into states of deep rest and rejuvenation through meditation, yoga nidra, and restorative yoga.
• Awaken all of your senses to reconnect with your body and increase vitality through gentle yoga, expressive movement, nature immersion, and sound healing.

Immersed in the beauty of nature at Esalen, our work is well supported. We will learn and practice new ways to restore ourselves, and you will develop a toolbox of short practices that support your daily rejuvenation and sustained vitality.