Movement Retreat with Ecstatic Dance & Yoga on the Mendocino Coast

From September 26–28 (Friday through Sunday), the Sacred Feminine community welcomes women ages 20+ to the redwood forests of Mendocino for a weekend where movement becomes medicine and rest becomes renewal. Across two nights, this Movement Retreat blends yoga, ecstatic dance, mindfulness, and playful group connection. Every activity is an invitation, not an obligation: you may step fully into dance, linger in stillness, or rest in journaling.

Secure your place via the Sacred Feminine booking page and browse more opportunities on the Spirit Camp Retreats calendar.

This retreat is designed to remind you that you are both rhythm and repose. Whether you are seasoned in yoga or curious about free-form dance, the weekend honors your pace. The invitation is to listen inwardly and let both motion and stillness shape your healing.

Context for Movement as Medicine

Modern ecstatic dance communities emerged in the late 20th century as spaces where people could move freely without choreography or performance pressure. Practices like 5Rhythms, pioneered in the late 1970s, emphasized that movement itself could be a path to presence, catharsis, and spiritual insight. Today, such communities exist worldwide, offering agency, expression, and joy through dance.

Mindful movement practices, including yoga and dance, are recognized for their ability to regulate the nervous system, reduce stress, and enhance emotional awareness. By focusing on breath, rhythm, and interoception—the felt sense of the body—we shift from mental chatter into embodied presence. For many, this becomes an anchor of clarity and calm in everyday life.

Yoga complements this by offering breath-led mobility and pathways to deep rest. In contemporary Western contexts, yoga is widely practiced as a blend of physical postures, breathwork, and relaxation techniques. At retreats like this, yoga becomes less about perfect form and more about listening inward, moving gently, and honoring your body’s needs.

It is important to note: this retreat does not promise a specific lineage or branded curriculum. Instead, it integrates tools drawn from modern mindful movement—approachable, inclusive, and choice-based—so you can explore what resonates most with you.

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 Movement Retreat. All cabin spaces are included in yoga and dance retreat Northern 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 — Artistry meets psychology.

The weekend is guided by Lisa Gungor, a Grammy-nominated musician, author, and yoga facilitator, and Dr. Hillary McBride, a therapist, researcher, and author. Together they co-created Sacred Feminine, blending artistry and psychology in their facilitation.

Lisa’s creative spirit invites music, rhythm, and play into every session, while her yoga training ensures grounded, accessible practices. Hillary’s background in therapy and research brings depth, safety, and insight into group experiences. Both weave consent and play into the container, ensuring every participant feels free to engage authentically, whether in movement or rest.

Spirit Camp Experience — Spaces that invite motion and stillness

At Spirit Camp, spaces are designed to meet both rhythm and repose. The Lodge, built from redwood and bathed in natural light, offers wood floors perfect for yoga or dance, with plants, a fireplace, and even a disco ball for spontaneous play. The Sanctuary, crowned with a copper roof and warmed by a wood stove, glows with sunlight by day and serves as a quiet refuge by night.

Beyond the practice spaces, meals are shared around communal tables and feature plant-based, locally sourced ingredients. Between sessions, you might wander the gardens, stretch in Magic Meadow, or pause with tea in a sunlit corner. The campus blends nostalgia (bunkhouses, campfires, dress-up chests) with comfort (private cabins, cozy bedding), creating a truly unique spiritual retreat space in the redwoods. Explore more here: Spirit Camp.

Location & Access — Coastal trails and redwood breezes

Spirit Camp is located on the Mendocino Coast, just minutes from Highway 1 and the charming village of Mendocino. About three hours from San Francisco and Oakland, and two hours from Santa Rosa, it is an accessible retreat for Bay Area travelers seeking both immersion and convenience. Whether you arrive by winding coastal drive or scenic inland route, the transition into redwood breezes begins the moment you step onto the land. More retreat opportunities can be found at the Spirit Camp Retreats calendar.

FAQs

1. Do I need dance experience?
   No experience is necessary. Ecstatic dance is free-form, welcoming all levels. The only requirement is curiosity and openness.

2. Can I choose yoga over dance in some blocks?
   Yes. Sessions are invitational. You are encouraged to select what resonates—yoga, dance, or rest.

3. Will there be gentle options?
   Absolutely. Both facilitators emphasize accessibility. Whether seated yoga, slower dance, or journaling breaks, gentle options are always available.

Nearby Activities — Explore the coast’s wonders

At Van Damme State Park, just south of Mendocino, you’ll find Fern Canyon trails that wind through lush greenery and a rare Pygmy Forest where centuries-old trees stand only feet tall due to unique soil conditions. Hiking here is like entering another world, where ecosystems shift dramatically within short distances.

For a quieter coastal moment, head to Navarro Beach, where the Navarro River meets the Pacific Ocean. The shoreline is ideal for meditative walks, watching driftwood shift with tides, and listening to waves merge with the river’s current. It is a liminal place, perfect for reflection before returning to circle.

Top Transformational Retreat Experiences on the Mendocino Coast

If you’ve been searching for a women’s movement retreat Northern California or dreaming of a dance & yoga retreat Mendocino, Spirit Camp offers a rare blend of somatic exploration and coastal beauty. This Movement Retreat bridges body awareness, self-expression, and deep rest, all held within the redwoods.

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

For Bay Area women craving a reset, the Mendocino Coast is just far enough to feel like another world—and just close enough to be practical. Spirit Camp’s grounds invite rhythm and stillness: yoga in the Lodge, dance under skylights, fire circles in Magic Meadow, and stargazing in Sunset Meadow. Here, movement is not performance—it is presence.

Final Invitation & Conclusion

September 26–28 offers a chance to reclaim your rhythm and your rest. In the company of women, with guides who honor consent and play, you’ll discover movement as medicine and rest as anchor. Reserve your space at Sacred Feminine and see other opportunities on the Spirit Camp Retreats calendar.

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