Flow & Steep: A Qigong and Tea Retreat

We welcome Dr. Cynthia Li, Tea Master Daniela Cubelic, and Author Pavi Mehta for a magical weekend of ease, bliss, and presence.

Reconnect with yourself and the deeper flow of life!

Grounded in qigong — one of China's oldest contemplative healing traditions — this retreat weaves together gentle movement, breath, visualization, sound, and stillness into a living practice. You'll learn to follow the body's own wisdom back toward effortlessness. Tea and poetry deepen the rhythm of the days. Like qigong, they can be gentle yet potent sources of nourishment — asking nothing of you but presence. And in this kind of immersion, something begins to loosen. What surfaces is not only peace, but often a sense of playfulness and joy.

This retreat is for you if you are seeking a greater sense of calm, renewed energy, and relaxed presence. No prior qigong experience needed. All movement is gentle and adaptable to every body. You'll leave with a felt sense of flow, a simple practice to bring home, and the warmth of a community that moved and steeped together.

This weekend includes:

Daily qigong practice, moving between dynamic movement and contemplative stillness
A rare evening of darkness qigong — practicing by inner light, without visual reference (optional)
"Tea as qi" ceremony with a tea master, including a silent sitting 
Poetry woven into the practices, another form of pausing into stillness
Mindfulness, breathwork, and integration of qigong into daily life
Group reflections and opening and closing circles to bookend the weekend

FAQs:

What should I bring?
Comfortable, loose clothing for movement, layers for temperature changes, and anything that helps you feel at ease. Full packing details will be sent after registration.

What portion of the retreat is silent?
There is an optional silent tea sitting on Saturday afternoon. One or two of the meals may occur in collective silence. Beyond that, the retreat includes group discussion and connection -- it's not a silent retreat overall.

What if I have special dietary needs?
Ratna Ling Center offers organic, locally sourced vegetarian meals. They can accommodate meals that are gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, and other food allergy meal requests. Please notify them at your time of booking with your special request. Ratna Ling is located deep in nature, so pack what you need to supplement their provisions. 

Schedule (Subject to change):

Friday

3:00pm — Check-in
4:00pm — Opening Circle & Tea
5:30pm — Dinner
7:00–8:00pm — Evening Qigong: Arriving

Saturday

7:00–8:00am — Morning Qigong: Waking the Conscious Body
8:00am — Breakfast
9:00am–12:15pm — ​Movement & Stillness: Dynamic & Contemplative​ Qigong​, with poetry
12:15pm — Lunch
1:15–3:30pm — Rest (Optional: ​silent tea ​at 3PM)
3:30–5:30pm — ​Afternoon Qigong: Deepening the Practice
5:30pm — Dinner
7​:00​-9:00pm — Darkness Qigong​: Practicing by Inner Light

Sunday

8:00–10:00am — Morning Qigong & Closing Circle
10:00am — Brunch
12:00pm — Checkout

COVID POLICY: For your safety and ours, we require vaccination and a 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.
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. 
Vegetarian meals are served during our weekend together.