California Retreat for Women with Ecstatic Dance & Reflective Writing in the Redwoods
From September 26–28 (Friday through Sunday), Spirit Camp hosts a California Retreat for Women designed for authenticity, rest, and playful exploration. With optional ecstatic dance, reflective writing circles, yoga, and mindfulness practices, women ages 20+ are invited to connect with themselves and others in a pressure-free, choice-based container.
Register through the Sacred Feminine page, and discover additional opportunities on the Spirit Camp Retreats calendar.
This retreat invites you to express and reflect in equal measure. Dance when you want, write when you’re ready, rest when you need. Your “yes” and your “no” both matter here.
Context for Creative Movement & Writing in Retreats
Free-form movement and writing are natural companions. Ecstatic dance, practiced in many communities today, creates space for embodied expression without choreography or judgment. Writing circles then translate that expression into reflection and integration, helping participants give voice to what movement stirred within them.
Practices like 5Rhythms, founded in the late 1970s by Gabrielle Roth, shaped modern ecstatic dance culture. While not taught directly at this retreat, its philosophy—that movement itself is medicine—remains an inspiration for those seeking authentic, embodied connection.
Mindfulness ties these practices together, offering presence and gentle awareness as the thread. As Mindful explains, mindfulness is simply paying attention to the present moment with openness and curiosity, and it integrates seamlessly with both dance and writing.
Yoga rounds out the practices as breath-led movement, offering supportive mobility and deep rest. Within this retreat, yoga is not about performance or lineage—it is about grounding your body so your creativity and awareness can flourish.
Photo of Deer Haven, one of the our many unique cabin spaces. This cabin has three beds. Cabins have between 1 to 8 beds each and provide several different sleeping arrangements for California Retreat for Women. All cabin spaces are included in Mendocino retreat weekend.
Photo of Group Glamping Tents Setup in Sunset Meadow. We have 10 Glamping Structures that can be added with 1to 3 beds each. This can increase bed capacity of campus to 50 guests across 20 unique accommodation spaces.
Facilitators — Music, words, psychology — and consent
This weekend is led by Lisa Gungor and Dr. Hillary McBride. Lisa, a Grammy-nominated musician, yoga facilitator, and author, brings creativity and rhythm into her facilitation. Hillary, a therapist, researcher, and author, brings psychological insight and compassionate leadership. Together, they co-created Sacred Feminine with a focus on consent, play, and authenticity, ensuring participants feel free to explore at their own pace.
Spirit Camp Experience — Choose your nesting place
At Spirit Camp, accommodations are designed to meet you where you are. Private cabins offer cozy solitude, shared rooms support small-group connection, and the nostalgic bunkhouse provides budget-friendly camaraderie. Seasonal glamping lets you sleep under canvas with comfort, while BYO camping allows direct communion with the land.
Every option is clean, thoughtfully designed, and held by redwoods. Between practices, you might journal in Magic Meadow, sip tea in the Sanctuary, or share laughter around the communal table. Meals are plant-based, locally sourced, and nourishing. Learn more about this unique retreat center in the redwoods at Spirit Camp.
Location & Access — In California, close to the coast
Spirit Camp is located in Mendocino County, California, near Highway 1 and just minutes from the Pacific Ocean. It is about three hours from San Francisco and Oakland, and two hours from Santa Rosa—making it an easy Bay Area women’s retreat destination. Only ten minutes from the town of Mendocino, it blends seclusion with access to coastal cafés, shops, and trails. See other retreat opportunities on the Spirit Camp Retreats calendar.
FAQs
Will there be structured writing time?
Yes. Facilitators invite reflective writing during designated circles, though participation is always optional.Do I have to dance?
No. Ecstatic dance is invitational. You are welcome to journal, meditate, or simply witness.Are quiet breaks built into the schedule?
Yes. The retreat balances group sessions with downtime for rest, reflection, or silent walks in the redwoods.
Nearby Activities — Extend your California weekend
The Russian Gulch Waterfall Loop offers a forested hike leading to a 36-foot cascade, passing through fern canyons and redwood groves. It’s a beautiful way to extend your retreat with both movement and stillness.
Closer to town, the Mendocino Headlands provide bluff-top trails with sweeping Pacific views, sea arches, and hidden coves. Whether for a short walk or a longer wander, the headlands offer breathtaking scenery just steps from Mendocino’s village streets.
Top Women’s Retreats in California’s Redwoods
If you’re searching for a women’s retreat California or a Northern California women’s retreat weekend, this program combines the best of both. This California Retreat for Women integrates ecstatic dance, writing, yoga, and mindfulness into a single transformative experience.
Looking for a Women’s Retreat “Near Me”? Explore Spirit Camp
Accessible from the Bay Area yet nestled in redwoods, Spirit Camp offers a rare sanctuary for women seeking expression and reflection. Whether you’re dancing in the Lodge, journaling in Magic Meadow, or walking coastal trails, this retreat creates space for your authentic self.
Final Invitation & Conclusion
September 26–28 is your chance to immerse in creativity, movement, and reflection at Spirit Camp’s redwood sanctuary. Save your spot at the Sacred Feminine page, and view other retreats on the Spirit Camp Retreats calendar.
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