Dance & Group Process Retreat for Women in Mendocino, California

From September 26–28 (Friday through Sunday), Spirit Camp hosts women ages 20+ for a weekend of movement, reflection, and shared presence. This Dance and Group Process Retreat invites you to explore ecstatic dance, yoga, reflective writing, and group process—all designed with consent and choice at their core.

Book your place through the Sacred Feminine page and view more dates on the Spirit Camp Retreats calendar.

Here, dancing is not performance but presence. Group process is not obligation but invitation. Across two nights and three days, you are welcome to show up as you are—to step in, to step out, to listen, to move, and to rest.

Context for Ecstatic Dance & Group Process

Ecstatic or free-form dance is a global movement practice rooted in agency and self-expression. Unlike structured dance, it invites participants to move in whatever ways feel authentic, without choreography or judgment. Many describe it as both liberating and grounding, a chance to connect inwardly while being held in the energy of a collective.

One of the most influential approaches in this realm is 5Rhythms, created in the late 1970s by Gabrielle Roth. This practice framed dance as a meditation in motion, with rhythms like Flowing, Staccato, and Stillness offering maps for emotional and physical expression. Though not taught directly at this retreat, 5Rhythms has shaped the broader landscape of movement practices, influencing the culture of contemporary ecstatic dance communities.

Group process is equally central. At Sacred Feminine retreats, it means creating safe, consent-forward spaces where women can share experiences, listen deeply, and reflect together. Activities may include guided discussions, circle practices, or creative exercises—but participation is always by choice. This openness ensures that group connection becomes supportive rather than prescriptive.

Psychiatrist Irvin Yalom identified factors like group cohesion, universality, and interpersonal learning as reasons why group settings can foster healing. In practice, this means realizing you’re not alone, experiencing connection through shared stories, and learning more about yourself in the mirror of others. These principles help explain why group process feels so transformative when facilitated with care.

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 California coast retreat.

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 — Containers for courage and play

The retreat is led by Lisa Gungor and Dr. Hillary McBride, co-founders of Sacred Feminine. Lisa, a Grammy-nominated artist, yoga facilitator, and author, brings creativity, rhythm, and playful presence. Hillary, a therapist, researcher, and author, contributes depth, psychological insight, and compassionate guidance. Together, they hold containers where courage meets play, ensuring participants feel safe to explore both vulnerability and joy.

Spirit Camp Experience — Where the lodge becomes a dance floor of the soul

The beating heart of Spirit Camp is the Redwood Lodge, a 1,500-square-foot hall with skylights, lush plants, and a stone fireplace. For retreats like this, the space transforms: tables are moved aside, music fills the air, and the polished wood floors invite bodies into motion. A disco ball glimmers, the dress-up chest beckons playful expression, and the atmosphere shifts into a dance floor for both soul and body.

Meals are plant-based, nourishing, and locally sourced, served communally to foster connection. Between sessions, participants can relax in the Sanctuary’s sunlight, wander the gardens, or rest in cozy cabins. Spirit Camp is more than a venue; it is a Mendocino retreat space intentionally designed to balance depth with delight. Learn more at Spirit Camp.

Location & Access — California coast, redwood-lined roads

Located in Mendocino, California, Spirit Camp sits near Highway 1 and the Pacific coast, surrounded by redwoods. It is approximately three hours from San Francisco and Oakland and about two hours from Santa Rosa, making it an easy retreat destination for Bay Area travelers. Just ten minutes from Mendocino village, it offers both seclusion and convenient access to coastal trails, cafés, and local culture. Browse other retreat offerings at the Spirit Camp Retreats calendar.

FAQs

1. What is group process and is it required?
   Group process refers to guided group sharing and reflection. It is never required. Every invitation can be declined, ensuring you feel safe and respected.

2. Is dancing optional?
   Yes. Ecstatic dance is free-form and entirely optional. You may dance, journal, or simply witness others.

3. Can I step out and rejoin?
   Absolutely. The retreat is built on consent. You are welcome to leave and re-enter activities as needed.

Nearby Activities — Extend your retreat with coastal wonders

MacKerricher State Park, just north of Fort Bragg, offers tidepools teeming with starfish, crabs, and sea anemones. Its broad coastal paths are perfect for seal-watching, beachcombing, or quiet contemplation beside the surf.

Closer to Mendocino, Noyo Headlands Park provides sweeping vistas along a wide coastal trail. Once an industrial mill site, it has been transformed into a community gem where ocean, sky, and cliffs converge. It’s an ideal place to take in the horizon after a morning of movement.

Top Ecstatic Dance & Connection Weekends in Northern California

If you’ve been seeking a women’s dance retreat Mendocino or a group process retreat California, this program offers the best of both worlds. This Dance and Group Process Retreat pairs embodied movement with reflective community, creating a space for profound connection and playful healing.

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

For Bay Area women craving both movement and meaning, Spirit Camp offers redwood stillness and coastal breath just a short drive away. Here, the lodge becomes a dance floor, circles become safe havens, and every moment becomes a chance to reconnect with yourself.

Final Invitation & Conclusion

September 26–28 is an opportunity to dance, share, and rest in ways that feel authentic to you. Guided by skilled facilitators and held in a redwood sanctuary, this retreat celebrates agency, play, and connection. Register through the Sacred Feminine page, and see more offerings at the Spirit Camp Retreats calendar.

TOPICS:
Dance and Group Process Retreat, women’s dance retreat Mendocino, group process retreat California, ecstatic dance & connection weekend, movement and mindfulness for women, healing dance North of San Francisco, Mendocino retreat space, Bay Area women’s retreat, redwood retreat California, California coast retreat