5.0
Verified
Lovely retreat center
I was delighted with my experience at Ratna Ling and will most definitely return again and again.
Winter Respite Retreat - Finding Warmth in the Cold
Top Rated
Winter Respite Retreat - Finding Warmth in the Cold
4.94119 reviews
December 19 - 21, 2025
About this Retreat
Melina Meza is a pioneer in the field of yoga, nutrition, and Ayurvedic Health, sharing her knowledge with yogis around the world for more than 25 years.
She is the creator of Seasonal Vinyasa Yoga, a holistic practice that features lifestyle, diet, and yoga practices tailored to the rhythms of the four seasons to help people stay healthy as they age. Her passion for Nature, the five elements, beauty, and humor forge the foundation of her unique approach to well-being.
In addition to working with individual clients, Melina facilitates year-round yoga and Ayurveda workshops, leading retreats in extraordinary sanctuaries around the world. She is the author of Seasonal Health and Wellness and the Art of Sequencing books as well as the creator of the Yoga for the Seasons – Fall Vinyasa DVD. Her unique teachings can also be found on Yoga Anytime, YogaUonline, and Gaiamtv.
https://www.melinameza.com/
Baxter Bell, MD, has been actively deepening his understanding of the power of yoga since making the stress-reducing move from a career as a busy family doctor to that of a yoga teacher and medical acupuncturist.
Baxter is a graduate of the Piedmont Yoga Studio’s 18-month Advanced Studies Program, and served as Director of PYS’s Deep Yoga Program for many years, teaching the Experiential Anatomy, Yoga Technique, and Yoga Methodology portions of that training.
Baxter is a Certified Yoga Therapist, a level of training denoted by C-IAYT. He is also co-author with Nina Zolotow of the new book Yoga for Healthy Aging.
He is co-founder and a past contributing writer for the blog Yoga for Healthy Aging (lots of great archived articles by Baxter!) and his new blog is called What’s On Your (Yoga) Mind?
https://www.baxterbell.com/
Details of this retreat
Join Melina Meza and Baxter Bell, MD this winter for an unforgettable and deeply nourishing yoga retreat. This retreat, led by two experienced instructors, will be a wonderful way to pause and immerse yourself in the practice of yoga and mindfulness during the holiday season. Melina will share winter Seasonal Gentle Yoga classes, introduce Ayurvedic practices for self-care, and teach Yin Yoga to prepare your body and mind for meditation. Baxter will be offering Yoga for Healthy Aging classes and mudras to help you turn inward during this slow, quiet time of the year.
Morning practices will be invigorating (yang) while afternoon classes will be restorative (yin).
Our yoga getaway will be perfect way to deepen your practice while simultaneously keeping your inner fire (agni) bright during this dark season. And there is no better place to do this than our beautiful center in the redwoods!
COVID POLICY: For your safety and ours, we require proof of vaccination AND negative test result from all visitors to Ratna Ling Retreat Center. We wish to provide peace of mind for all of our residents and guests.
Retreat Schedule (Subject to Change)
Friday:
3:00pm Check in
4:15-5:30pm Yoga
5:45pm Dinner
Saturday:
7:30-8:00am Pranayama/Meditation
8:00am Breakfast
10:00am-12:00pm Yoga
12:15pm Lunch
Free Time
4:00-5:30pm Yoga
5:45pm Dinner + Talk on the History of Ratna Ling
Sunday:
8:00-10:00am Meditation/Yoga
10:00am Brunch
Check out
For directions to Ratna Ling - Ratna Ling Retreat Center 35755 Hauser Bridge Rd Cazadero, CA 95421
Accommodations are beautiful lux cabins
ADDITIONAL DETAILS
Transportation to/from Ratna Ling is NOT included - carpooling encouraged
Payments are nonrefundable and transferable to a future Ratna Ling stay or retreat
Each cottage includes TWO private rooms with queen beds, large dining & living area, gas fireplace,
spacious deck, jacuzzi tub, linens/towels/hand soap, kitchenette with tea & coffee, complimentary wireless internet. Towels and hand soap are provided.
vegetarian meals are served during our weekend together.
What people are saying about our retreats:
“The accommodations were great along with the beautiful surroundings - everything was so peaceful and nurturing”
“It was exactly what I needed – to disconnect, get in tune with my soul and recharge my spirit.”
“I loved having time to myself to reflect on my life and where I am going. Thank you Ratna Ling."
“Space for reflection while also giving me anchor points through teachings.
“Space and time for meditation and movement classes were truly wonderful.”
“Being able to move at my own pace is a luxury. And of course the food was delicious."
Morning practices will be invigorating (yang) while afternoon classes will be restorative (yin).
Our yoga getaway will be perfect way to deepen your practice while simultaneously keeping your inner fire (agni) bright during this dark season. And there is no better place to do this than our beautiful center in the redwoods!
COVID POLICY: For your safety and ours, we require proof of vaccination AND negative test result from all visitors to Ratna Ling Retreat Center. We wish to provide peace of mind for all of our residents and guests.
Retreat Schedule (Subject to Change)
Friday:
3:00pm Check in
4:15-5:30pm Yoga
5:45pm Dinner
Saturday:
7:30-8:00am Pranayama/Meditation
8:00am Breakfast
10:00am-12:00pm Yoga
12:15pm Lunch
Free Time
4:00-5:30pm Yoga
5:45pm Dinner + Talk on the History of Ratna Ling
Sunday:
8:00-10:00am Meditation/Yoga
10:00am Brunch
Check out
For directions to Ratna Ling - Ratna Ling Retreat Center 35755 Hauser Bridge Rd Cazadero, CA 95421
Accommodations are beautiful lux cabins
ADDITIONAL DETAILS
Transportation to/from Ratna Ling is NOT included - carpooling encouraged
Payments are nonrefundable and transferable to a future Ratna Ling stay or retreat
Each cottage includes TWO private rooms with queen beds, large dining & living area, gas fireplace,
spacious deck, jacuzzi tub, linens/towels/hand soap, kitchenette with tea & coffee, complimentary wireless internet. Towels and hand soap are provided.
vegetarian meals are served during our weekend together.
What people are saying about our retreats:
“The accommodations were great along with the beautiful surroundings - everything was so peaceful and nurturing”
“It was exactly what I needed – to disconnect, get in tune with my soul and recharge my spirit.”
“I loved having time to myself to reflect on my life and where I am going. Thank you Ratna Ling."
“Space for reflection while also giving me anchor points through teachings.
“Space and time for meditation and movement classes were truly wonderful.”
“Being able to move at my own pace is a luxury. And of course the food was delicious."
Getting Here
Directions
San Francisco International and Oakland International airports are approximately three hours south of Ratna Ling by car. Alaska Airlines flies to and from Sonoma County Airport in Santa Rosa which is approximately 1.5 hours from Ratna Ling by car. Unfortunately, there are no shuttles that bring you directly to Ratna Ling, so it is best to rent a car or email us to support in coordinating a carpool with fellow retreatants.
Accommodation
14 guest cottages on 120 acres of property. Each spacious, quiet cottage has 2 private rooms, with high ceilings and a deck with a view. Cottages include jet tubs (or ADA shower), towels, deluxe linens, refrigerator, tea kettle, coffee/tea, kitchen sink/counter, diningware, dining table, and living room with a stove fireplace. Free wifi available and a landline telephone. Guests can choose to have an exclusive cottage for ONE person; a private room for ONE person in a SHARED cottage; or a cottage for TWO people. Any additional guest after TWO is $100 per person per night. Meals and classes included.
Private Room for 1 guest in a Shared Cottage. Includes meals, lodging, and classes.
Venue & Amenities
A/C in Rooms
Free Wifi
Spa
Sauna
Pool
Towels
Free Parking
Kitchen
Tour Assistance
Hot Tub
Coffee/Tea
Cafe
Restaurant
Fitness Center
Yoga Studio
Housekeeping
Bicycles For Rent
Three miles from the beautiful Sonoma coast. Organic, vegetarian meals. 120 acres of redwoods, canyons, reservoirs, and wildlife. Sacred architecture timber cottages and communal spaces. Featured stupas, gardens, and temple empowered by Tibetan Buddhist Lama Tarthang Tulku Rinpoche.
Meals
Menu Types
Vegan
Vegetarian
Pescetarian
Ayurvedic
Includes Meat
Organic
Gluten Free
Dairy Free
Nut Free
All of our meals are organic and vegetarian, made with love and care.
We provide homemade yogurt and granola for breakfast. Lunches and dinners always include salads or salad bar. Each meal is self-served on a buffet table.
Customer Reviews
Verified
4.0
Verified
Center
Beautiful location. Lovely people. Housing accommodations are exquisite.
Some helpful suggestions - more accurate directions from Meyers Grade Road to center, my food limitation included eggplant and it was served as the main meal one day so I ate salad for dinner so I wondered why you asked about my food allergies. There was no cleaner to wipe down the yoga mats after using.
Overall a great experience and I plan on returning
Some helpful suggestions - more accurate directions from Meyers Grade Road to center, my food limitation included eggplant and it was served as the main meal one day so I ate salad for dinner so I wondered why you asked about my food allergies. There was no cleaner to wipe down the yoga mats after using.
Overall a great experience and I plan on returning
5.0
Verified
Beautiful rejuvenation
Such a calm and delightful context for a beautifully designed retreat. So nice to see how Olivia’s work and the center drew a lovely community into being. Well prepared vegetarian food at all three meals.
5.0
Verified
Lovely weekend yoga retreat with the amazing Olivia Barry at RatnaLing
Inspiring weekend at RatnaLing Retreat Center in the trees.
Olivia's program was well rounded and accessible for most yoga practitioners. Her heart & soul goes into to her work to share movement, fundamentals of philosophy for a gentle and happy life, and how to nurture a healthy body. If you ever get to practice with her at any one of her classes do not miss it!
The Center itself is lovely set in a large site with basic but very large comfortable cabins for overnight guests. The only thing I missed was my hair dryer so bring if you require. The food was simply incredible vegetarian fare (with gluten free & vegan options) served buffet style in the dining room.
Olivia's program was well rounded and accessible for most yoga practitioners. Her heart & soul goes into to her work to share movement, fundamentals of philosophy for a gentle and happy life, and how to nurture a healthy body. If you ever get to practice with her at any one of her classes do not miss it!
The Center itself is lovely set in a large site with basic but very large comfortable cabins for overnight guests. The only thing I missed was my hair dryer so bring if you require. The food was simply incredible vegetarian fare (with gluten free & vegan options) served buffet style in the dining room.
5.0
Verified
timely
Nature respite and retreat grounds well managed.
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