Dance & Group Process Women’s Retreat with Yoga & Mindfulness near the Bay Area

From September 26–28 (Friday through Sunday), Spirit Camp invites women ages 20+ into a Dance and Group Process Retreat designed for authenticity and agency. Across the weekend, practices include yoga, mindfulness meditation, reflective writing, ecstatic dance, and group process. Every activity is optional and choice-centered, allowing you to engage in ways that honor your own rhythm.

Secure your spot through the Sacred Feminine booking page, and explore more programs on the Spirit Camp Retreats calendar.

This retreat celebrates connection without pressure. Whether you thrive in group energy or prefer moments of solitude, the container supports both. You can join a dance, sit in circle, or step away for quiet reflection. Here, your autonomy is not just respected—it’s celebrated.

Context for Group Process & Mindful Movement

In retreat settings, group process refers to intentional time spent in facilitated circles where participants share experiences, witness each other, and reflect. Unlike therapy, it is non-clinical and based on consent, boundaries, and mutual respect. The purpose is connection, not correction, allowing participants to feel seen and heard without obligation.

Psychiatrist Irvin Yalom described factors like universality, group cohesion, and interpersonal learning as reasons group settings can feel transformative. While this retreat does not teach therapy, it draws from the wisdom that sharing stories in safe containers can help people feel less alone, more connected, and more authentic.

Mindfulness and yoga provide balance, acting as stabilizers before and after group sessions. These practices cultivate presence, soften stress, and anchor participants in their bodies. In a weekend setting, they help ground the energy that emerges in group process, ensuring integration rather than overwhelm.

It’s important to clarify scope: this retreat is experiential, not therapeutic. It offers supportive practices rooted in choice, creativity, and mindfulness—tools that can enhance everyday well-being without promising clinical outcomes.

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 Dance and Group Process Retreat. All cabin spaces are included in yoga & mindfulness retreat California.

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 — Grounded, creative, experienced

Lisa Gungor, a Grammy-nominated musician, yoga facilitator, and author, brings artistry, rhythm, and playful creativity. Dr. Hillary McBride, a therapist, researcher, and author, contributes psychological insight and compassionate guidance. Together, they co-founded Sacred Feminine in 2018 to create inclusive, non-hierarchical spaces where women can explore connection, presence, and play.

Spirit Camp Experience — Gathering places that make connection easy

Spirit Camp’s campus is designed to support both connection and rest. The Sanctuary, with its copper roof and south-facing windows, glows with light and warmth, offering a space for meditation, yoga, or quiet journaling. Magic Meadow, with its fire circles and starlit skies, invites community gatherings that feel both intimate and expansive.

Accommodations range from cozy cabins and shared rooms to nostalgic bunkhouses and seasonal glamping, ensuring options for every preference. Plant-based, locally sourced meals are served communally, nourishing both body and conversation. Learn more about this retreat campus in the redwoods at Spirit Camp.

Location & Access — North of San Francisco and the greater Bay Area

Just three hours from San Francisco and Oakland, and two hours from Santa Rosa, Spirit Camp is both accessible and otherworldly. Nestled in Mendocino County, the retreat sits minutes from Highway 1 and the village of Mendocino, where coastal trails and ocean overlooks are within easy reach. See all upcoming opportunities on the Spirit Camp Retreats calendar.

FAQs

1. I’m introverted—will I be okay?
   Yes. Group activities are invitational, and there are plenty of quiet nooks for solo reflection between sessions.

2. Are there quiet nooks between sessions?
   Yes. The Sanctuary, gardens, and meadows all provide space for silence and rest.

3. Is there cell/Wi-Fi access?
   Yes, though many participants choose to unplug for the weekend to deepen their experience.

Nearby Activities — Explore Mendocino’s natural wonders

The Jug Handle Ecological Staircase trail showcases five ancient marine terraces shaped by tectonic uplift and ocean forces. Along the way, you’ll encounter a rare pygmy forest where centuries-old trees stand only a few feet tall.

At Van Damme State Park, explore lush Fern Canyon trails or wander down to the beach, where the forest meets the sea. Its combination of coastal bluffs, fern gullies, and ocean views makes it a favorite for hikers and wanderers alike.

Top Women’s Dance & Connection Retreats in Northern California

If you’ve been searching for a women’s dance and connection retreat North of San Francisco or a women’s yoga & dance retreat Northern California, this weekend offers both proximity and depth. This Dance and Group Process Retreat balances movement, mindfulness, and authentic connection in Mendocino’s redwoods.

Looking for a Women’s Retreat “Near Me”? Explore Spirit Camp

Close enough to the Bay Area for easy travel yet far enough to feel like a sanctuary, Spirit Camp is a place where connection flows easily. With yoga in the Sanctuary, dance in the Lodge, and fire circles under the stars, this movement retreat Mendocino offers a rare blend of joy and grounding.

Final Invitation & Conclusion

September 26–28 is your opportunity to step into presence, connection, and renewal. With skilled facilitators and a redwood campus designed for both play and stillness, this retreat welcomes you to explore on your terms. Register via the Sacred Feminine booking page, and browse more dates at the Spirit Camp Retreats calendar.

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