Mindfulness Retreat with Meditation & Reflective Writing in Mendocino’s Redwoods

From September 26–28 (Friday through Sunday), Spirit Camp in Mendocino invites women ages 20+ into a circle of reflection, rest, and renewal. Over two nights, this Mindfulness Retreat offers yoga, guided meditation, reflective writing, and gentle group process—all optional, all invitational. The goal is not performance but presence, not output but authenticity.

Reserve your place via the Sacred Feminine page, and browse additional programs on the Spirit Camp Retreats calendar.

This retreat was born out of a desire to give women permission to pause, to sit quietly under redwoods, and to discover what emerges when silence meets the page. If you are longing for a space where your “yes” and your “no” are both honored, this weekend is for you.

Context for Mindfulness Today

Mindfulness is often defined simply as paying attention to the present moment with openness and without judgment. It is not about emptying the mind but about noticing what is here—breath, body, thought, sensation—and relating to it with kindness. Publications like Mindful describe it as an ability we can cultivate through repeated practice, in meditation or in daily life.

In Western contexts, mindfulness rose to prominence in the 1980s, when teachers and researchers began adapting contemplative practices for health, education, and public life. Today, it is common in schools, workplaces, and medical settings as a way to manage stress and foster resilience.

A key driver of this shift was Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), founded in 1979 by Jon Kabat-Zinn. While this retreat does not teach MBSR as a formal curriculum, it carries forward the program’s spirit: that mindfulness can be shared in secular, accessible ways to support well-being across diverse communities.

At Sacred Feminine’s retreats, mindfulness is not separate from embodiment. It weaves with yoga, breath-led movement, and journaling. Writing becomes a way to notice inner dialogue; yoga, a way to embody it; meditation, a way to quiet and listen. Together, these practices form a gentle constellation that supports self-awareness and compassion.

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 Mindfulness Retreat. All cabin spaces are included in reflective writing 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 — Mindful guidance with warmth

Lisa Gungor (Grammy-nominated artist, author, and yoga facilitator) and Dr. Hillary McBride (therapist, researcher, and author) bring years of experience creating consent-forward, playful, and deeply supportive retreats. Their approach is both research-informed and heart-centered: Lisa brings creativity and grounding through yoga and music, while Hillary brings psychological depth and compassionate structure. Together, they embody mindful facilitation that invites your authentic presence.

Spirit Camp Experience — Sanctuary light, Magic Meadow hush

Spirit Camp is designed for both stillness and community. The Sanctuary, with its copper roof and south-facing windows, fills with golden light by day and glows like a beacon by night. It is a place to meditate, journal, or simply rest in silence. Magic Meadow, where the canopy opens to the sky, offers year-round sunlight—ideal for optional silent walks or quiet reflection.

Meals are plant-based and locally sourced, served around communal tables that invite both conversation and contemplation. Lodging options span cozy cabins, nostalgic bunkhouses, and seasonal glamping under the stars. Each space is impeccably clean and thoughtfully designed. Explore this unique mindfulness retreat setting at Spirit Camp.

Location & Access — In Mendocino, among redwoods and ocean air
Nestled in Mendocino County, Spirit Camp is surrounded by redwood forests and only minutes from the Pacific coast and the historic village of Mendocino. It is about three hours from San Francisco and Oakland, and two hours from Santa Rosa, making it an ideal meditation retreat North of San Francisco that still feels worlds away. Find other upcoming programs on the Spirit Camp Retreats calendar.

FAQs

1. Is mindfulness beginner-friendly here?
   Yes. All practices are designed to meet you where you are. No prior experience is necessary.

2. Will there be silent periods?
   Yes, periods of silence may be woven into the retreat. These are invitational, never enforced, and designed to deepen your connection with yourself.

3. Do I need to bring a mat?
   Bringing your own yoga mat is recommended, though Spirit Camp has some available. Journals and pens are also encouraged for reflective writing sessions.

Nearby Activities — Extend your reflection beyond retreat time

The Mendocino Art Center is a hub for creativity overlooking the coast. Galleries showcase local and international artists, while workshops offer chances to create. A short stroll from town shops and ocean overlooks, it’s a perfect way to extend your retreat with inspiration.

Inland, Hendy Woods State Park shelters serene old-growth redwoods. Walking its Cathedral Grove or Big Hendy trails is like stepping into stillness itself. The towering trees create a hushed sanctuary ideal for slow, contemplative wandering.

Top Mindfulness Retreats in Northern California

If you’re searching for a mindfulness weekend Northern California or a women’s meditation retreat California, Spirit Camp offers both accessibility and depth. Here, meditation, journaling, and yoga are not side practices but central threads in a supportive, inclusive community.

Looking for a Meditation Retreat “Near Me”? Explore Spirit Camp

Close enough to the Bay Area for easy access, yet far enough to feel like a world apart, Spirit Camp offers a redwood sanctuary where presence becomes second nature. Whether you’re on your mat in the Sanctuary or on a silent walk in Magic Meadow, this Mindfulness Retreat holds space for your deepest listening.

Final Invitation & Conclusion

September 26–28 is your invitation to step into stillness, reflection, and renewal. Guided by compassionate facilitators and held by redwoods, this retreat offers the rare chance to slow down and reconnect with yourself. Reserve via the Sacred Feminine page, and browse more dates on the Spirit Camp Retreats calendar.

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