
Each week at the Ranch offers a unique experience.
Our Specialty Weeks are week-long health and fitness programs held in addition to regular classes. Visiting instructors (the finest in their fields) are dedicated to enriching your mind/body/spirit experience.
Special Presentations include evening events, guest lecturers, arts and crafts classes, workshops, concerts and more. Some of the individuals who have graced our podium and/or led workshops include Dean Ornish, Larry Dossey, Jean Achterberg, Molly Ivins, Gail Sheehy, Graham Spanier, Amory Lovins, Erica Jong, Naomi Wolf, Madeleine Albright, Steve Thomas, Jane Fonda, Pepper Schwartz, Beverly Whipple, Ruth Westheimer, Mona Golabek, Roger Ebert, Jerry Brown, Arianna Huffington, Linda Wertheimer, Sandra Day O’Connor, Ken Dychtwald, Robert Butler, Bill Moyers, Larry Grobel, Dan Wakefield, Marion Nestle, Marion Burros, Alice Waters, Max Frankl, Swami Veda, Henry Louis Gates, Jr., and Clodagh. Each week brings someone new and exciting, a tradition dating well back to the early days of the Ranch—a time best-known for the lectures of the late Professor Edmond Szekely, and the frequent visits of author/philosopher Aldous Huxley.
Our special programs are free of charge (but some classes, such as wreath making and “prayer arrows”, have a small materials charge), and we encourage you to enjoy as many as possible during your stay.
Click
on the dates below to see detailed information regarding each week's
theme and special presenters. Please note that the information
and schedules are subject to change (although this is rare) without
notice. Although many of our guest presenters spend an entire
week with us, those with busy schedules may come only briefly.
In order not to miss a presentation that is important to you, check
the weekly events calendar as soon as you arrive.
In addition to our guest presenters, Ranch co-founder Deborah Szekely gives an inspiring evening talk each week (schedule permitting) followed by a question and answer period. These warm and informal talks take place almost every week, and are a mix of philosophy, history, and inspiring observations on how to live the “longer healthier life.”
- Ashtanga Yoga Week | Rich McGowan, Holly Gastil, and Michelle Haymoz
- CoreGolf Fitness | JayDee Cutting
- Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Visiting Teacher Meredith Deeds
- Handwriting Analysis | Lena Rivkin
- Improving with Improv | Charlie Allenson
- Winning Ways to Manage Change | Gary Miller
- Solution Oriented Dream Decoding | Layne Dalfen
- Native Peoples of Baja California | Michael Wilken
- Pilates Week | Conni Ramsey
- CoreGolf Fitness | JayDee Cutting
- Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Visiting Teacher Jill Silverman Hough
- All Gershwin Concert | Tom Barabas
- What is Inside Shines Out: Poetry | Myra Klahr
- Staying Healthy in Your Later Years | Robert Dickman, M.D.
- Crossing the Line: When Entertainment Becomes News | Marion Coomey
- Native Peoples of Baja California | Michael Wilken
- The Bar Method | Burr Leonard and Catherine Wendel
- CoreGolf Fitness | JayDee Cutting
- Gyrokinesis | Cathleen Murakami
- Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Visiting Teacher Martha Holmberg
- Concert | Ensemble Mira
- Seeing the Possibilities — Bring Your Camera | Pat Harrison
- Keeping Your Skin Fit | Fred Hirsh, M.D.
- Couples Week
- Prime of Life Yoga | Larry Payne
- CoreGolf Fitness | JayDee Cutting
- Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Visiting Teacher Andrew Schloss
- Learn to Tango | Elena and Victor Pankey
- Breaking the Communication Barrier | Abe Wagner
- How to Start Journaling and Why | Maralyn Hill and Brenda Hill
- Sensuality and Sexuality | Beverly Whipple, Ph.D.
- Male Sexual Health | William Aronson, M.D.
- Comedy Development for Television | Shelley Aronson
- Concert | Ensemble Mira
- Pilates Week | Jill Winegar
- Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Visiting Teacher Peggy Knickerbocker
- Sensuality and Sexuality | Beverly Whipple, Ph.D.
- Being in the Moment | Lynne Kaufman
- Fearless Writing | Crescent Dragonwagon
- Of Art and Nature: Artist/Nature/Spirit Collaboration | Lynda Reeves McIntyre, PhD
- Joy of Anusara Yoga | Jennifer Fox and Paul Gould
- Triathlon Week | Dean Hinchliff
- Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Visiting Teacher Diane Morgan
- Love's Four Journeys | Linda Carroll, M.S.
- Self-Discovery Through Journal Writing | Rita D. Jacobs, Ph.D.
- Better Family Photos – Bring Your Camera | Tom Birmingham
- Cultivating Community Through Creative Action | Erin Lee Gafill
- Lenny and Larry… The Poker Guys
- Ta'i Chi and Qigong Week | Kevin M. Sullivan
- Focus on Golf | Bee Epstein-Shepherd,Ph.D., Seth Epstein, JayDee Cutting, MBA
- Hiking as Metaphor | Barbara Abrahams and Cy Wakeman
- Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Visiting Teacher Chris Prosperi
- Introduction to Mosaics | Linda Weill
- Swim Week | Dr. Jane Katz
- Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Visiting Teacher Dorie Greenspan
- The Story of My Life | Erica Jong
- Doing Good | David Flink
- What’s the Brain Got to Do With It | Harold S. Koplewicz, M.D.
- Drawing on the Right Side of Your Brain | Linda Sirow
- Hatha Yoga | Shayne and River Morgan
- Focus on Fruits and Vegetables | Russ Parsons
- Concert | David Shostac, John Walz, and Deborah Aitken
- A String and a Prayer | Eleanor Wiley
- The Bar Method | Bev Currier
- Bird Week | Joe Sweeney, Phil Pryde, and Neil Solomon
- Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Visiting Teacher Alisa Barry
- All For The Birds | Elena Durán, flute
- Spirit Week: Yoga and Everyday Mindfulness | Phyllis Pilgrim and Elana Rosenbaum
- Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Visiting Teacher Marie Simmons
- Photography Programs — Bring Your Camera | Gary Harmatz
- Mask Making / Storytelling | Lynn Hazan
- Concert: Nostalgia for Mexico | Elena Durán, flute, and David Owen Norris, piano
- Transformational Yoga | Dana Rae Paré
- Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Visiting Teacher Jesse Ziff Cool
- Are You SPENT? | Frank Lipman, M.D.
- Put Some Snap Into Your Snapshots – Bring Your Camera! | Susan and Neil Silverman
- Bridge Table Wisdom: Fun and Simple Strategies… | Betty Ann Kennedy
- Feldenkrais® Week | Ilana Nachoum
- Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Visiting Teacher Denise Vivaldo
- Do You Have a Book Inside You?/ | Dianne Jacob
- Folklore and Stories: A Window to the Soul | Rabbi Michael R. Zedek
- Concerts | Suzanne Ciani
- The Spirit of Yoga | Phyllis Pilgrim and Michele Hebert
- Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Visiting Teacher Tori Ritchie
- Improve Your Communication Skills | Jan McLaughlin
- Dance Week | Donna Sternberg & Dancers
- Develop Your Personal Power | Diann Newman
- What is Your Plan to Build Bone Health? | Stan Bassin, Ed.D.
- Fitness Walking | Linda Warren
- Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Visiting Teacher Cathy Thomas
- Packing Light and Easy | Bunny Stoddard
- Photography Programs – Bring Your Camera | Gary Harmatz
- Concerts | Karl Anthony
- Where Are My Keys? ® | Judy Marcus
- NIA Week | Debbie Rosas
- When You've Got Your Health… You Can Take On the World! | Carol LeBeau
- Self Expression through Digital Photography -- Bring Your Camera | Lynne Harty
- The Bar Method | Emily Feinstein
- Pilates Week | Karen Sanzo
- Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Visiting Teacher Barbara Fenzl
- Feldenkrais® Week | Betsy Ingalls
- Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Visiting Teacher Gary Jenanyan
- Writing From Your Life | Irene Borger
- Quest for Inspiration | Leslie McGuirk
- Revitalizing Your Finances | Brent Kessel and Britta Bushnell
- Make Your Own Alebrije | Lauren Sherman
- Pilates Week | Odile Zelenak
- Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Visiting Teacher Joanne Weir
- Point of Impact — Bring Your Camera | Pat Harrison
- Autobiography and the Memoir | Lawrence Grobel
- Swim Week | Dr. Jane Katz
- Joy of Anusara Yoga | Jennifer Fox and Paul Gould
- Love's Four Journeys | Linda Carroll, M.S.
- Mindful Yoga | Ann-Marie Ahye
- Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Visiting Teacher Kitty Morse
- Soul Motion | Vinn Marti
- Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Visiting Teacher Joey Altman
- Jazz Piano | Joel Camche
- Water Week | Craig Stuart
- Handwriting Analysis | Lena Rivkin
- Water Week | Craig Stuart
- Love's Four Journeys | Linda Carroll, M.S.
- Contemporary Dance Week | Henry Daniel
- Pilates, Gyrotonic® and Gyrokinesis Week | Diane Daniel
- Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Visiting Teacher Amelia Saltsman
- Writing Your Way Out of a Crisis | Katherine Ellison
- Life in Transition... What's Next? | Natalie Caine
- Pilates Week | Rebekah Rotstein
- Herbal Renaissance Week | Luna Rose
- Pilates Week | Shelley Estes
- Ballet Week | Roni Mahler
- Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Visiting Teacher Chris Prosperi
- Writing Workshop | Shelley Harrison Rae
- Ballet Week | Roni Mahler
- Labyrinth Week | Karen R. Cross
- Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Visiting Teacher Pam Anderson
- Pilates Week | Madeline Black
- Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Visiting Teacher Molly Stevens
- Pilates and Gyrokinesis®: A Fun Fall Full Moon Week | Tannis Kobrinsky
- Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Visiting Teacher Molly Stevens
- Aerobics with Soul® | Maria Nhambu
- Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Resident Teacher Deborah Schneider
- Are You SPENT? | Frank Lipman, M.D.
- Love's Four Journeys | Linda Carroll, M.S.
- A Breath of the Himalayan Yoga Tradition | Swami Veda Bharati
- Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Visiting Teacher George Geary
- Love's Four Journeys | Linda Carroll, M.S.
- Couples Week
- Inspiration Yoga and Embodied Writing | Phyllis Pilgrim and Irene Borger
- Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Visiting Teacher Deborah Madison
- Put Some Snap Into Your Snapshots – Bring Your Camera! | Susan & Neil Silverman
- Couples Week
- Broadway Week | Larry Lane and Shelley Estes
- Fitness Walking | Linda Warren
- Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Visiting Teacher Maureen Clancy
- Kundalini Yoga | Ramona May
- Pilates Week | Kim Krausher
- Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Visiting Teacher Jill Melton
- Breaking the Communication Barrier | Abe Wagner
- Healing Power of Sound with Crystal Bowls | Susana Moore and Les Garfinkle
- Pilates Week | Cathleen Murakami
- Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Visiting Teacher Marie Simmons
- All Gershwin Concert | Tom Barabas
- Powerful Posture: Regaining Your Place In Gravity | Nathan Briner & Kristi Anderson
- Handwriting Analysis | Lena Rivkin
- Fitness Dance Week | Ranch Dance Staff
- Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Visiting Teacher Gary Jenanyan
- The Positive Power of Hypnosis | Bee Epstein-Shepherd, Ph.D.
- Iyengar Yoga | Aman Keays
- Iyengar Yoga | Aman Keays
- Concert | Ensemble Mira
- Autobiography and the Memoir | Lawrence Grobel
- Concert | Ensemble Mira
