Reclaim: A Nervous System Retreat for Deep Rest and Relaxation

I attended Ratna Ling’s “A Weekend of Self-Care” retreat over Labor Day weekend, and it was truly one of the best things I have ever done for myself. From the moment I arrived, the peaceful natural surroundings made it feel possible to slow down, breathe, and step away from the responsibilities and noise of everyday life.

The retreat offered a beautiful balance of guided classes, quiet reflection, meaningful connection with other women, and time to simply be alone. Rosalyn White and Erica Martzen created a warm, welcoming environment where I felt comfortable participating if I wanted to, there was never any pressure. Nothing felt forced or overwhelming. The cottages were a comfortable peaceful place to rest. The food was gluten free and vegan. This isn’t my usual diet but I tried many new things and I was all very good. Prepared right there on the property fresh everyday.

What made the weekend so meaningful was having the space to reconnect with myself and find a sense of peace within. I left feeling lighter, more grounded, and reminded that caring for myself is not selfish but necessary.

If you are a woman who spends most of her time caring for everyone else, feels emotionally drained, or simply needs space to reset, I wholeheartedly recommend this retreat. You do not need to have experience with yoga, meditation, or retreats… I had zero experience with any of it and felt totally welcomed. Ratna Ling is a very special place, and I hope to return.

Ratna Ling is a very special place filled with warmth and beauty. Expect to find inspiration, connection, and new ways of living in your daily life. Erica and Rosalyn were wonderful teachers, the food was amazing, and I will always remember my time here. Highly recommend!

It was a joy to lead a retreat with Erica M. this past weekend. The exquisite facilities are beautifully designed and well-maintained. The gardens and natural landscape surrounding it are lovely and peaceful. The food was wonderful, fresh, and healthy. The staff was helpful and friendly and showed a connection to the spiritual tradition on which Ratna Ling is based.

The people attending the retreat were a very nice mix. Some came from as far away as South Carolina, while most were from the Bay Area. They were professionals, from a nurse to a tech industry worker to a retired Wall Street stockbroker. Many were there for the first time., but there was a quick bond that formed, based on an openness to caring and kindness. Many people shared their contact info to stay connected with each other.

Thank you, Ratna Ling, for providing the space to allow this amazing connection to take place.

As was my time last year, overall a very pleasant experience. The cabin is lovely and very comfortable. The food was very good for me. I most appreciated the special little meals that were brought to me because of my not being able to tolerate onions and garlic. The room for yoga was perfect, as was David's yoga. David is the best and he made my yoga and meditation experiences really special. Meditation in the temple was an experience I will carry with me for a long time. I don't want to say anything negative, but I think you should be aware that the shower valve in Cabin 17 is really faulty and getting scalded by hot water is a real possibility. It is impossible to adjust the water to STAY at a comfortable level for any length of time before it reverts to scalding or cold. There is a provision in California law regarding water temperature setting for facilities used by individuals who have no control over water temperature i.e. apartment buildings, rentals etc. and the temperature setting is much lower than what the setting is for your cabins. The regulation valve should be repaired and the water temperature turned down. The salad on our first meal on Friday was not fresh and was wilted and had spoiled leaves throughout. Otherwise, the food was great. I hope next year we are back in the cabins that are closer to the main lodge, as we had to drive to the lodge each day, because the walk would have been too much for me in addition to yoga.
I love coming to Ratna Ling and will continue as long as I can. ☮️ ❤️ Angi Shine

Wonderful experience.