Events Archive - Page 9 of 19 - Rancho La Puerta
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Tamales & Traditions: A Mexican Holiday Celebration

Experience the essence of a Mexican holiday celebration in this hands-on cooking class. You’ll learn to make tamales from scratch, explore traditional festive recipes, and delve into the rich customs of the Posadas. Enjoy a lively atmosphere as you cook, taste, and immerse yourself in the vibrant flavors and joyful spirit of the season!

Tamales & Traditions Sign Up

 

11:15 am – 2:30 pm
Capacity: 14 guests
Price: $90 USD, tax included

Itinerary:
11:15 am – Guests meet @ Front Desk for prompt departure
11:30 am – Guests arrive @ LCQC
11:35 am – Introduction and garden tour with Salvador
11: 45 am – Hands-On Cooking Class with Chef Reyna
12:45 am – Lunch is served family style
1:30 pm – Holiday Games (Lotería, Pin the Star on the Piñata, break a Piñata, prizes, etc.)
2:15 pm – Acknowledgments, Q&A, thank you!
2:30 pm – Guests return @ RLP

Tamales & Traditions: A Mexican Holiday Celebration

Experience the essence of a Mexican holiday celebration in this hands-on cooking class. You’ll learn to make tamales from scratch, explore traditional festive recipes, and delve into the rich customs of the Posadas. Enjoy a lively atmosphere as you cook, taste, and immerse yourself in the vibrant flavors and joyful spirit of the season!

Tamales & Traditions Sign Up

 

11:15 am – 2:30 pm
Capacity: 14 guests
Price: $90 USD, tax included

Itinerary:
11:15 am – Guests meet @ Front Desk for prompt departure
11:30 am – Guests arrive @ LCQC
11:35 am – Introduction and garden tour with Salvador
11: 45 am – Hands-On Cooking Class with Chef Reyna
12:45 am – Lunch is served family style
1:30 pm – Holiday Games (Lotería, Pin the Star on the Piñata, break a Piñata, prizes, etc.)
2:15 pm – Acknowledgments, Q&A, thank you!
2:30 pm – Guests return @ RLP

Secrets of Give and Take

Imagine what your life would be like if everyone you interact with – at work and at home – would value and reward you for your talents in the way you truly deserve.

In “Secrets of Give and Take,” we will explore how to bring your gifts to the world in a way that they are embraced and rewarded. Skills for win-win outcomes that work in business can just as effectively be applied to life and home situations. If you have ever sought to buy a home, wanted your children to do their homework, experienced a conflict with a neighbor, or aimed to sell your artwork – then some of the tips we cover are bound to be helpful.

How I Learned the Hard Way (So You Don’t Have To)

Join me in hearing about the many mistakes I made over time as I tried to meet my needs in business and in life. Have a good laugh when you hear how I was negotiating against myself, mistaking my wants for needs, and letting my emotions get the better of me. And discover the four steps that build strong mutual trust over time to support successful, mutually beneficial relationships.

Mindsets for Getting What You Deserve

In this session, we will dispel some myths about what it takes to “win” in life, and what “winning” really is. We’ll address the paradoxes of mindset. Such as: how the one thing that makes you most persuasive is allowing yourself to be persuaded. How self-doubt is just another form of self-orientation, and how it can be overcome. Why objections are not rejections but requests for help. You’ll gain insight into the mindset of winners, and you’ll learn to turn your own mindset around.

Personal Brand

Today, we’ll discuss how to make your “authentic self” shine brightly, so people want to engage with you. We review another paradox: how putting the brakes on expressing certain emotions can make you more authentic, not less. We will discuss how your values can inform your message, and how you can help others around you see the benefit of what you have to offer. We also touch on the differences between how men and women often present themselves, and what they can learn from each other.

Skills for Getting What You Deserve

Let’s get very practical now and learn the simple skills that will help you offer your gifts and talents to the world and get what you deserve. Once you master asking three important questions, you’ll be on your way to a mutual, “win-win” relationship. We will also review the difference between persistence and stalking, and between promotion, exaggeration, bluff, and lies; and we’ll delve into the core skill of “treating everyone in life as if they were your customer”.

Techniques that May Be Used Against You, and How to Overcome Them

This is a dangerous session, as you will become familiar with commonly used, effective but less ethical negotiation tactics and techniques. Dangerous, because we don’t want to use these techniques to manipulate others! We want to be prepared, though, for the pressure that may be used against us, and I will provide you with techniques to turn these negative tactics around into more productive conversations.

Maggie van de Griend is a lifelong consultant and coach. Her life’s work is focused on ethical, values-based influence, helping people bring their gifts to the world and reap the just rewards. She has accelerated the careers of countless sales and business executives around the world. She has built a multimillion-dollar business of her own, called Sokrates Partners, from the ground up – teaching executives how best to collaborate for great relationship outcomes as well as great results.   Maggie has held senior leadership positions in top global consulting firms as well as in small, specialized firms. She has a master’s degree in Classical Linguistics from the University of Amsterdam (the Netherlands) and a variety of coaching and facilitation certifications.

Classics and Originals for Flute and Piano

Musical Meditation
Come relax and enjoy a collection of miniature musical gems, performed by Natalie Dalschaert, pianist, and Brice Martin, flutist. The selections are brief yet beautiful, and are chosen for their calming, soothing qualities. Savor this meditative musical interlude following your morning classes, and before heading off to lunch.

Flute and Piano Mothers and Friends Concert
Enjoy an entertaining evening of beautiful classical and original music for flute, piano, and exotic winds. The musical selections will represent a variety of styles, and will range from poignant lyricism to brilliant virtuosity. To enhance the listening experience, Natalie and Brice will also include interesting commentary about the music and the lives of the composers.

Natalie DalschaertPianist Natalie Dalschaert has performed on television, coached actors and has been a production musician for the shows Star Trek: The Next Generation, Perfect Strangers, JAG, Wings, and Song of the Lark. Ms. Dalschaert has performed on many concert series with her husband, flutist Brice Martin. Performances include the Sundays at Four radio broadcasts at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Redlands Bowl, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Cal Tech and for the Los Angeles Philharmonic Committee concerts. A lover of musical theater, Natalie has been musical director and pianist for numerous shows with the Los Angeles Youth Theater. Additional concerto performances include appearances with the Chautauqua Festival Orchestra and the Toulouse Orchestra in France. Natalie is a sought-after pianist and accompanist for recitals, competitions, master classes and social events. Natalie has an active teaching studio and is a member of the Music Teachers Association of California. A number of her students have won concerto competitions and MTAC festivals. She received her Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance from the Juilliard School in New York and her Master of Music degree from the University of Southern California, where she received the Koldofsky Memorial Scholarship.  As a student in Philadelphia, Natalie entered competitions and appeared as soloist twice with The Philadelphia Orchestra and also with the Haddonfield Symphony and the Lansdowne Symphony Orchestra. At the Interlochen Centers for the Arts, she received the Van Cliburn Scholarship. Natalie studied with Jacob Lateiner as an undergraduate student at the Juilliard School in New York. In her second year, she won a Juilliard Concerto Competition and performed the Beethoven Concerto No. 1 at Lincoln Center with the Juilliard Symphony. Upon graduation from USC, Natalie received an Outstanding Graduate of the Year Award.

 

Brice Martin’s formal training includes degrees from The Julliard School and the University of Southern California. He is an active studio musician and plays for film, TV and commercial soundtracks. He has played for Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, The Grammy Awards Orchestra, Star Trek: Voyager, and the Wonderful World of Disney. Brice is also a composer and has written music for film and television. He specializes in woodwinds and has a large collection of exotic woodwinds from around the world.

The Joy and Power of StorytellingCliff Mayotte

“The universe is made of stories, not of atoms.”
― Muriel Rukeyser

As human beings, we’re hard-wired for empathy and connection. We thrive in environments where we can share our stories with joy, love, and gratitude. During our classes, we will reinvigorate our storytelling skills as we embrace active listening, playfulness, empathy, and curiosity. We will utilize the principles and practices of oral history as we gain new tools for collecting and sharing the stories of our communities and loved ones. This fun and rejuvenating practice offers a lively approach to acknowledging and celebrating the universe of stories that live within us.

Celebrating the Power of the Story (60 minutes)
This fun and interactive presentation is focused on the power and joy of sharing stories. It will lay the groundwork for the drop-in storytelling classes throughout the week. The presentation will include a brief storytelling activity, reading and discussing first-person accounts, learning about creating safe spaces for sharing stories, practicing the art of active listening, gaining strategies for collecting family, and community stories, and a lively Q&A.

Session One (45 minutes): What’s Your Story?
Session Two: Speaking and Listening: The Art of Inspiring Stories
Session Three: Story Circle

 

Cliff Mayotte is the lead teacher for The Nation Magazine’s Fellowship for the Future of Journalism. He created the education program for Voice of Witness, an award-winning nonprofit (co-founded by author Dave Eggers) that advances social justice through oral history storytelling. Cliff has facilitated workshops for universities and organizations including The Bronx Documentary Center, Stanford University, the New Americans Museum, the New York Public Library, True/False Film Festival, The Nelson Mandela Foundation, and Trinity College Dublin. Cliff is the co-author of Say It Forward: A Guide to Social Justice Storytelling. He is a former education director for the Tony award-winning Berkeley Repertory Theatre and a recipient of the Beverly Kees Educator Award from The Society of Professional Journalists.

Meditation with Sylvia Boorstein

Meditation – Sunday through Friday

 

Sylvia Boorstein has been teaching Dharma and mindfulness meditation since 1985. She is a founding teacher of Spirit Rock Meditation Center, a psychotherapist, wife, mother, and grandmother. She is particularly interested in emphasizing daily life as mindfulness practice and including informed citizenship and social activism as integral to spiritual maturation. Her books include: It’s Easier Than You Think: The Buddhist Way to Happiness (1997); Don’t Just Do Something, Sit There: A Mindfulness Retreat (1996); That’s Funny, You Don’t Look Buddhist: On Being a Faithful Jew and a Passionate Buddhist (1998); Pay Attention for Goodness’s Sake: The Buddhist Path of Kindness (2003), and Happiness is an Inside Job: Practicing for a Joyful Life (2008).  She has visited and taught at Rancho La Puerta since 1972.

 

Flexing Your Creative Muscles: Using Storytelling to Stretch & Release

“Flexing Your Creative Muscles: Using Storytelling to Stretch & Release” is a series of writing workshops inspired by Jennifer Harris’s diverse experience as a writer, educator, organizational storyteller, and fitness enthusiast! In an era where every day storytelling has been reduced to 280 characters or less, Jennifer sees a growing need to reframe its intrinsic value. She compares writing to running, resting, and eating well, and suggests that writing as a form of storytelling is, in fact, good for our health and wellbeing. “We share a basic human need to flex our creative muscles,” she says, “to move, stretch, and release our inner spirit.” Jennifer likens her workshop experience to an energizing workout: “It may seem hard to get into at first, but if you surrender you can hit a stride, and you will feel empowered after.”

Jennifer believes that storytelling is primal, that we are wired for story, and that writing is a wellness practice we can all access. By designing exercises that warm up the mind and root writers in their bodies, Jennifer takes participants inward in an effort to draw stories outward. Her philosophy is simple: every person is a writer and every writer deserves a safe place to learn, experiment, share, and receive. Writing in this way will ignite connection and community, and will nourish your mind, body, and spirit.

Join Jennifer for an evening program that will invite dialogue around the “science of story” and will introduce writing as a wellness practice. She will host three 50 minute guided-writing sessions thereafter that allow participants to engage more deeply in the therapeutic power of storytelling.

 

Jennifer HarrisJennifer Harris is a San Diego-based entrepreneur who has spent over two decades writing and storytelling across sectors. A graduate of University of Chicago’s Master of the Arts Program in the Humanities and UC Davis’s undergraduate program in English and Creative Writing, Jennifer has built a career applying creative thinking and writing techniques to the fields of education, arts and culture, health and environmental sciences, and philanthropy. Over the last decade, Jennifer has produced custom storytelling workshops for hundreds of individuals, associations, and companies, she attained a Certificate in Narrative Health Care from Lenoir Rhyne University, and she is now chair of the board for Health Story Collaborative, a patient-centered, research-based nonprofit organization committed to the therapeutic power of storytelling. Her consultancy, JH Collective, Inc., continues to fuse her personal and professional ethos—an ethos centered on the power of stories; that stories can serve personal growth and healing, develop organizations and business, and preserve communities and histories. On the Web jhcollectiveinc.com. Linkedin: Jennifer Harris

World Groove Movement

Re-CREATE your workout…..GET GROOVE FIT! – THE GROOVE™ Experience 
THE GROOVE™ F.I.T. is a mind-blowing, functionally integrated fitness experience. Not only do you get to Dance Your Heart Out in the way that best suits your body and soul, you also get to enhance every area of fitness you can possibly think of. Cardio, flexibility, coordination, balance, agility, full range of motion, muscular strength, endurance and exclusive to THEGROOVEexperience, we’re gonna pump-up your creativity muscle too. There are NO fancy steps or choreography to memorize — just UNITE in a ridiculously SIMPLE yet effective movement connected to MakeYouWannaDance music and GROOVE yourself FIT!

GENTLE GROOVES…Restorative Flow– THEGROOVE™ Experience
“GROOVE your body CALM to HEAL and RESTORE”
Are you ready and willing to gain access to the fullest potential of movement in your body?  No one can do it for you except you!  Find YOUR FLOW and experience how good you can feel ALL OF THE TIME!  Learn one of the most powerful tools for a healthy life; the ability to soothe, restore and relax your mind and body through music, movement, creativity and breath. Enjoy the bliss of slowing down, elongating your muscles, decompressing your joints and making sweet sweet love to your whole body!

SILENT DISCO
Immerse yourself in the music, in nature and in the dance! With GROOVE, you cannot get it wrong. We give you simple moves that you get to do in your own way…the way that works best for you today. The music will move you and the natural environment will inspire endless creativity and enjoyment! Get grounded and get grooved all in one session!!

WATER GROOVES
We are turning the pool into a magical GROOVE DANCEfloor experience! Simple moves, done in the best way for your body in conjunction with make-you-wanna-dance music! We will be getting our GROOVE on, smiling, laughing and connecting with each other while forgetting that we are actually getting a great workout! Join us for the fun!

 

Heather Winia is a master trainer and educator for The World GROOVE Movement and the featured facilitator on the bodyGROOVE On Demand streaming program. She brings with her 31 years of experience in the fitness/wellness industry and 15 years of sharing holistic health education and GROOVE DANCEfloors at fitness conferences and wellness retreats around the world.  Her passion is to INSPIRE the WORLD to DANCE, to Speak Truth and to LIVE Authentically while spreading POSITIVE VIBES in all she does!

Pickleball with Vicky Foster

Vicki Foster is a 5.0 pickleball player and teaching professional from Scottsdale, Arizona. She has trained and tested more than 500 new pros throughout North America as a national clinician for the Professional Pickleball Registry, the official education and certification partner of USA Pickleball. Vicki was the recipient of PPR’s 2022 National Clinician of the Year award, is a sponsored player on Team GAMMA and a head pro for GAMMA Pickleball Camps. Vicki has been instructing and competing in pickleball for 18 years and has won multiple gold medals in the 5.0 division of both the USA and Canadian National Championships. Vicki also competes in USTA tennis and is a former Division I college tennis player and teaching professional.

“Sharing my pickleball knowledge with Ranch guests is so gratifying. It’s great to see guests familiar with the sport show up every morning, enthusiastic to learn more. But it’s equally as enjoyable to watch new players discover how fun and easy the sport actually is to play.”

The Writer’s Journal

The Journal as a Starting Place
Journal writing is an ideal way to express and develop ideas, emotions and creativity as well as a way to heal the self, discover hidden abilities and desires—and, of course, deal with life’s realities. Writers often use journals to work out ideas, to sketch out characters, capture memories and describe settings. Being at Rancho La Puerta with a notebook is the perfect time to begin a journal practice or resume one that you might have left behind. The journal you keep will be a treasure trove of pieces to develop further in memoirs, non-fiction, fiction and all of your writing.

Three Journal Writing Workshops. All of them are hands-on writing experiences:
The List of 100 Desires
An exploration of the ways in which list-making can be an effective tool for writing

Dialogue with the Self
An examination of why and how writing dialogues can unleash powerful insights and effects in writing

Right Brain/Left Brain Collision
A journey into the ways external stimuli can be used to uncover new realizations and empower storytelling

Rita JacobsRita D. Jacobs, Ph.D., is the author of The Way In: Journal Writing for Self-Discovery; Tommy: The Musical; A Day in the Life of America and A Day in the Life of Canada. She is a widely published journalist and book reviewer whose articles have appeared in The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, PARADE Magazine, Diversion, Frequent Flyer, Glamour, SELF and GRAPHIS. She is Professor Emerita of English at Montclair State University and in the past twenty years has taught workshops on journal writing nationally and internationally. In 2012, Random House commissioned her to write 20 columns titled, “From Journal to Memoir” which are available on her website Rita D. Jacobs – Biography (ritadjacobs.com)

Hands-On Cooking Classes and Chef’s Table Dinner with Nina Curtis

Nina offers hands-on culinary experiences, 3.5 hours each, during which you will enjoy preparing your own meal along with fellow cooks. Classes take place at La Cocina Que Canta, our culinary center on Tuesday and Wednesday, at 4pm. In addition, Chef Nina will collaborate with La Cocina Que Canta’s Executive Chef Reyna Venegas and her team to create a special feast (with wine pairing!) on Thursday at 4:45pm.

Hands On Cooking Classes and Chefs Dinner Sign Up

 

Tuesday Hands-On Cooking Class 4:00 PM
Each class $145 (tax included). Class subject to change, check your weekly planner and schedule for updates. The maximum number of guests per class is 14.

Wednesday Hands-On Cooking Class 4:00 PM
Each class $145 (tax included). Class subject to change, check your weekly planner and schedule for updates. The maximum number of guests per class is 14.

Holiday Tres Estrellas Garden Feast
Thursday Farm-to-Table Dining Experience 4:45 PM

Celebrate the abundance of our organic farm and the connection to community with a Farm-to-Table dining experience – a perfect blend of health, tradition, flavor, and fun! Cost is $150 per person, tax and wine pairing included. The maximum number of guests is 30. Sign Up at the Appointments Desk or through the link above.

 

Nina CurtisChef Nina Curtis, a renowned figure in plant-based cuisine, stands among the 25 Top Women in Foodservice and Hospitality for 2024. Honored as America’s Top Hospital Chef in 2020, her culinary journey spans over two decades, showcasing the vast potential of plant-based cuisine on a global scale. Her influence as a trendsetter and award-winning chef resonates not only in her culinary prowess but also in her leadership within the culinary world.

With a passion for crafting delectable whole plant-based cuisine, Chef Curtis has redefined the culinary landscape, earning accolades and admiration from both vegans and non-vegans alike. Her cuisine isn’t just plant-based; it’s an exquisite symphony of flavors, textures, and tastes that leave a lasting impression.

One of her crowning achievements was being invited as the first guest chef by First Lady Dr. Jill Biden to curate a historic plant-based menu for a White House State Dinner honoring Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a strict vegetarian. With over 400 guests in attendance, this groundbreaking event marked a turning point in culinary history, proving that plant-based cuisine could be both luxurious and satisfying.

Chef Curtis’s passion for plant-based cuisine extends beyond her kitchen. She is a dedicated advocate, sharing her profound knowledge and enthusiasm through captivating dining experiences and enlightening lectures. Her expertise in whole plant cuisine has positioned her as a respected authority, inspiring culinary enthusiasts worldwide.

Her remarkable career journey has seen her in pivotal roles such as Director of Culinary and Executive Chef positions, underpinned by rigorous training from esteemed culinary and nutrition institutions. Her pursuit of excellence also led her to earn an MBA from Pepperdine University, a testament to her commitment to both her craft and business acumen.

Chef Curtis’s involvement in the American Culinary Corps, a collaborative initiative of the James Beard Foundation and the State Department, underscores her dedication to culinary diplomacy and cultural exchange. She embodies the notion that food transcends boundaries and fosters cross-cultural understanding through its universal language.

In a realm where taste, innovation, and nourishment converge, Chef Nina Curtis stands as a true trailblazer. Her unparalleled culinary expertise and imaginative creations continue to captivate palates and inspire culinary enthusiasts worldwide.

 

George Lopez and Gulimina Mahamuti Concerts

Latin Fire: Exotic Dance Music for Four Hands, One Piano
Duo Mundi George & Guli thrill audiences around the world with their innovative, diverse programming style of sensual Latin-inspired music. George Lopez & Gulimina Mahamuti explore music for one piano, four hands in the standard and contemporary repertoire, as well as commissioning new works by national and international composers. With an adrenaline of communication that captivates theatergoers of every generation, the unique duo creates beautifully synchronized performances that engage both the eye and ear in a dance of emotions.

From Scott Joplin & George Gershwin to Billy Joel, with George Lopez
If you love piano music then come out for a fun and exciting program of solo piano music from the last 150 years to the present. George Lopez has wowed audiences throughout New England and the world with his entertaining and easy performance style, where he brings each piece to life with a dynamic narrative that totally draws in the listener. Some piano favorites will include the great American ragtime composer Scott Joplin, the iconic George Gershwin and the classical stylings of none other than William Martin “Billy” Joel. Not to be missed!

 

The Robert Beckwith Artist-in-Residence at Bowdoin College, George Lopez, has been a dynamic performer, sought-after pedagogue, and engaging lecturer for over 30 years. Known for his “…kaleidoscopic colors and clarity of conception…” (LA Times) in the standard repertoire as well as being a champion of newly written works, his debut at the renowned Concertgebouw in Amsterdam was lauded as “… authentic and memorable …” by the Nederland’s Dagblad for his interpretation of Bach’s Goldberg Variations along with all Twenty-Four Preludes of Chopin. He performed worldwide as a soloist in major cities throughout Europe, Australia, Japan, Mexico, Central and South America. George’s extensive performances covers most major U.S. cities, including New York’s Lincoln Center, Merkin Hall, and Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie, Paul Hall at the Juilliard School, Benaroya Hall in Seattle, Ambassador Hall in Los Angeles, the Shao Lin Arts Center in Rockport (Massachusetts), The Cleveland Art Museum, Harvard University, and Tanglewood. After his performance at Lincoln Center, the composer Lowell Liebermann described the performance of his work as “…exciting and decisive!” A featured soloist at many international music festivals throughout Europe and abroad, Mr. Lopez performed at the renowned Salle Pleyel in Paris, the Girona Internacional Festival de Música in Spain, the Kowmung Festival just outside Sydney, Festivale d’Internazionale Solisti e Musica da Camera in Umbria (Italy), and the renowned Latin-American music festival Cubadisco in Havana (Cuba). He also performed as guest soloist with the National Symphony in São Paolo (Brazil), Rose Hall in Osaka, at Asahi Hall in Tokyo.

Gulimina Mahamuti is the first Uyghur from China to receive a Doctorate of Musical Arts in Piano Performance from the U.S. She made her Carnegie debut in New York City at Weill Recital Hall and has performed internationally in Montreal, Copenhagen, Istanbul, Budapest (at the invitation of the Turkish Ambassador), and across the U.S. and China, broadcasting on these nations’ radio and TV programs. She has performed piano concerti with the Southeast Kansas Symphony Orchestra, Mansfield Symphony Orchestra, and Harbin Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra, and was featured on the radio in San Francisco, Queens College/CUNY podcast, China Touch Radio, and Istanbul Technical University Radio.

An Evening of Jazz & Blues with Guitarist Mimi Fox

Two evenings featuring different songs/music: a wide array of music from Cole Porter, The Beatles, Duke Ellington, Stevie Wonder, as well as select original compositions.

 

As a virtuosic improviser who’s collaborated with many of jazz’s greatest figures, Mimi Fox has earned her spot in the jazz guitar pantheon. Internationally renowned for her work as a player, composer and recording artist, she’s been cited in numerous Downbeat MagazineInternational Critics Polls. Celebrated by writers and colleagues alike as one of the most eloquent guitarists on today’s scene, Fox has performed and recorded with some of the music world’s most commanding artists, including  Grammy winners Branford Marsalis, Diana Krall, Stevie Wonder, Joey De Francesco, and Terri Lyne Carrington. Fox has also been the guest soloist with many orchestras, most recently the Michigan Philharmonic. She has toured the world, playing prestigious venues in Japan, Thailand, Europe, and Australia, as well as festivals such as the Montreal, Guinness Cork, Perth International, and Jamaica Spice Jazz Festivals. Stateside, she has headlined at elite venues such as Jazz At Lincoln Center, Monterey/Newport Jazz Festivals, The Kennedy Center, Blues Alley, and Yoshi’s among countless others. She has also been featured in documentaries for PBS and BET. Her 12th and most recent album, One For Wes, is a consistently blazing centennial tribute to guitar legend Wes Montgomery featuring her smokin’ organ trio, a project New York City Jazz Record hails for “showcasing her exceptional skill and versatility across various musical styles.”

“Beyond her passion and technical virtuosity, Fox plays with a profundity that only results from a lifetime of commitment and total immersion in one’s art.” – Guitar Player Magazine

An Evening of Jazz & Blues with Guitarist Mimi Fox

Two evenings featuring different songs/music: a wide array of music from Cole Porter, The Beatles, Duke Ellington, Stevie Wonder, as well as select original compositions.

 

As a virtuosic improviser who’s collaborated with many of jazz’s greatest figures, Mimi Fox has earned her spot in the jazz guitar pantheon. Internationally renowned for her work as a player, composer and recording artist, she’s been cited in numerous Downbeat MagazineInternational Critics Polls. Celebrated by writers and colleagues alike as one of the most eloquent guitarists on today’s scene, Fox has performed and recorded with some of the music world’s most commanding artists, including  Grammy winners Branford Marsalis, Diana Krall, Stevie Wonder, Joey De Francesco, and Terri Lyne Carrington. Fox has also been the guest soloist with many orchestras, most recently the Michigan Philharmonic. She has toured the world, playing prestigious venues in Japan, Thailand, Europe, and Australia, as well as festivals such as the Montreal, Guinness Cork, Perth International, and Jamaica Spice Jazz Festivals. Stateside, she has headlined at elite venues such as Jazz At Lincoln Center, Monterey/Newport Jazz Festivals, The Kennedy Center, Blues Alley, and Yoshi’s among countless others. She has also been featured in documentaries for PBS and BET. Her 12th and most recent album, One For Wes, is a consistently blazing centennial tribute to guitar legend Wes Montgomery featuring her smokin’ organ trio, a project New York City Jazz Record hails for “showcasing her exceptional skill and versatility across various musical styles.”

“Beyond her passion and technical virtuosity, Fox plays with a profundity that only results from a lifetime of commitment and total immersion in one’s art.” – Guitar Player Magazine

Therapeutic Gentle Yoga & Poetry of the Soul with Sophia Wang and Joanna Morrison

Therapeutic Gentle Yoga & Poetry of the Soul
Sophia Wang will be offering gentle and meditative yoga practices each day this week to stretch, release, and rejuvenate. She will also be weaving heart-centered poetry and sutras into each practice designed to help us drop in and connect deeply. She believes that yoga is an invitation to be in relationship with the self, others, and our larger world. This practice is open to all levels, with special emphasis on releasing lower back tension and cultivating balance.

Candlelight Therapeutic Gentle Yoga & Cello
Gentle Therapeutic Yoga and Cello is a collaboration between Sophia Wang and Joanna Morrison to bring forth a soulful and deep exploration of body, mind, heart, and spirit. As a certified yoga therapist and instinctive meditation teacher, Sophia guides this gentle practice with full presence and heart, through movement inquiry and yoga’s inherent invitation towards transformation. Joanna skillfully brings the full embrace of sound – the cello being the only instrument that encompasses the entire range of the human voice – to help us move through the body and uplift consciousness. This collaboration is a special experience designed to let us drop in and be carried.

 

Nancy Wang GaedenSophia Wang is an ex-Buddhist nun, a Certified Yoga Therapist (C-IAYT), and a faculty member of the school for Instinctive Meditation. She has served countless chronic pain and cancer patients in northern California over her last 10 years of teaching. She holds therapeutic yoga certifications from Duke Integrative Medicine and Oregon Health and Science University, and is a graduate of the Kripalu School of Yoga & Ayurveda.

 

Cellist Joanna Morrison completed her Bachelor of Music and Master of Music Degrees at Boston University.  In 2007 Ms. Morrison won a position in the Honolulu Symphony and served as principal cello of the Hawaii Symphony from 2012 to 2015.  Concert tours have taken Ms. Morrison to Japan, Taiwan, Singapore and South Korea as well as much of Europe and the United States performing under conductors including Zubin Mehta, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Leonard Slatkin, David Zinman and Manfred Honeck.  Joanna was an acting member of the San Diego Symphony from 2016-2020.  An avid chamber player, Ms. Morrison has collaborated with various artists and has studied under members of the Guarneri and Juilliard Quartets. She has received fellowships to summer festivals around the world including Verbier Festival where she served as principal cellist for the world tour with Charles Dutoit and Martha Argerich.

Illuminate Your Life

The Interior Journey: Listening to Your Life
How can you live from the center of who you have been born to be, not who you have been told to be? We’ll explore this question through images, humor, spiritual wisdom, and personal reflection — all as pathways to discovering how you might live your life with expanded authenticity, meaning and joy.

Loving Midlife and Beyond
While we live in a society which extols youth, we are also living in an era where people in the second half of life have more possibilities than ever before.  We will explore the losses and opportunities which surface as we age and consider strategies and practices for how to make this phase of our lives the most generative and satisfying yet.

Portals in Wonder and Awe
What are your portals into feeling a sense of wonder and awe?  What are the conditions that invite you to unclench and be present to your “one wild and precious life”? We will explore these concepts both playfully and reverentially, buttressed by research, music, images and individual reflection.

The Inner Pilgrimage to Beauty
It can be easy to confuse beauty with glamour.   But true beauty is about living from your sacred center.  With the complement of images and music, you will be invited to consider your longing, encounters, and thresholds to beauty; not mirror-image beauty, but the beauty of becoming who you are.

 

Jeannie DuBose is the author and illustrator of the award-winning Tending the Fire: The Story of a Marriage and The Mother Daughter Dance.  An experienced speaker, facilitator, and retreat leader, Jeannie works with organizations focused on health and spirituality, a variety of faith communities, and groups in the North Carolina prison system.   A Vanderbilt University graduate, she  holds an M.S. in Counseling Psychology from Georgia State University and a Certificate in Spiritual Formation from Columbia Theological Seminary. Jeannie and her husband raised their three children in Atlanta and currently make their home in Montreat, NC. To learn more about Jeannie’e work, go to www.jeanniedubose.org.

Diane Arkin | Mexican Art

The Power of Mexican Women Artists
Friday Kahlo, Tina Modotti, Maria Izquierdo, and Lola Bravo were among the great Mexican artists of the 20th century whose lives unfolded on a parallel course with the development of Mexico as a modern nation. All of them shared distinctly adventuresome, artistic, sexual, and political identities, and were inspired by Mexican popular culture and folklore. They were part of the hub of avant-garde activity in Mexico and elsewhere in the 1920’s, 30’s, and 40’s who sought to promote social, political, and economic reform in the era following the 1910 Mexican Revolution. In honor of Women’s History Month (March) please join Diane Arkin in exploring the often-overlooked contributions of these talented Mexican women artists.

Giants of 20th Century Mexican Mural Art
Mexico has long been a magnet for an international community of avant-garde intellectuals, writers, poets, and artists, but it is Rivera, Orozco, and Siqueiros who would shape an artistic revolution and an imaginative new vision, bringing both fame and notoriety as they went on to influence generations of Mexican artists, while also profoundly impacting American art at mid-century. Join Diane Arkin to explore, discover, and discuss this extraordinary cultural and artistic legacy of Mexico.

Spanish and Mexican Surrealism: The Magic of Miro, Dilemma of Dali, and Fantasies of Frida
The dream imagery, personal sign languages, auras of fantasy, and subconscious feelings that surrealist artists explored are all evidenced in the paintings of Miro and Dali, two of the best-known 20th-century Spanish surrealist painters. But we also find these elements in the extraordinary art of Frida Kahlo, a truly iconic Mexican surrealist painter who forged a unique and original type of art filled with personal symbolism. These artists took separate paths to express their shared interests, with Miro creating child-like, carefree, abstract, and poetic images, with flamboyant Dali pursuing painting with hallucinatory impact and power to shock, and with Kahlo virtually re-inventing self-portraiture as autobiography. Join Diane Arkin as we unravel the mysteries in the surrealist art of these three giants of modernism.

Enjoying Modern Art
Modern art can baffle, challenge, irritate, and delight us. By throwing away past traditions, artists like Van Gogh, Gauguin, Cezanne, Picasso, Miro, Rauschenberg, Warhol, Wiley, and Kim experimented with new ideas and materials to revolutionize the art experience. With an emphasis on 19th, 20th, and 21st century art, we will track the hand of the artist, the growing emphasis on the psychological, and the movement toward abstraction. Join Diane Arkin for a session of careful looking and lively discussion aimed at discovering, exploring, and enjoying modern art.

 

Diane ArkinFor VIP’s, dignitaries, superstars, and celebrities, Diane Arkin, retired Senior Lecturer at the National Gallery of Art, was the scholar routinely called on to provide engaging, entertaining, and thought-provoking presentations on subjects spanning treasures from the medieval period through the most challenging art of today. She also lectured nationally on museum education, trends in theory and practice, active learning strategies, and museums as unique learning environments. Prior to coming to the National Gallery of Art, Diane served as Curator of Education at the Corcoran Gallery of Art and College of Art and Design in Washington, DC, and as Director of Education at the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore. Diane’s work as a Program Coordinator in both the Resident Associate Program and the International Study Tours Division of the Smithsonian Institution included years of lecturing both domestically and internationally on a broad range of art historical subjects.

Diane Arkin | Mexican Art

The Power of Mexican Women Artists
Friday Kahlo, Tina Modotti, Maria Izquierdo, and Lola Bravo were among the great Mexican artists of the 20th century whose lives unfolded on a parallel course with the development of Mexico as a modern nation. All of them shared distinctly adventuresome, artistic, sexual, and political identities, and were inspired by Mexican popular culture and folklore. They were part of the hub of avant-garde activity in Mexico and elsewhere in the 1920’s, 30’s, and 40’s who sought to promote social, political, and economic reform in the era following the 1910 Mexican Revolution. In honor of Women’s History Month (March) please join Diane Arkin in exploring the often-overlooked contributions of these talented Mexican women artists.

Giants of 20th Century Mexican Mural Art
Mexico has long been a magnet for an international community of avant-garde intellectuals, writers, poets, and artists, but it is Rivera, Orozco, and Siqueiros who would shape an artistic revolution and an imaginative new vision, bringing both fame and notoriety as they went on to influence generations of Mexican artists, while also profoundly impacting American art at mid-century. Join Diane Arkin to explore, discover, and discuss this extraordinary cultural and artistic legacy of Mexico.

Spanish and Mexican Surrealism: The Magic of Miro, Dilemma of Dali, and Fantasies of Frida
The dream imagery, personal sign languages, auras of fantasy, and subconscious feelings that surrealist artists explored are all evidenced in the paintings of Miro and Dali, two of the best-known 20th-century Spanish surrealist painters. But we also find these elements in the extraordinary art of Frida Kahlo, a truly iconic Mexican surrealist painter who forged a unique and original type of art filled with personal symbolism. These artists took separate paths to express their shared interests, with Miro creating child-like, carefree, abstract, and poetic images, with flamboyant Dali pursuing painting with hallucinatory impact and power to shock, and with Kahlo virtually re-inventing self-portraiture as autobiography. Join Diane Arkin as we unravel the mysteries in the surrealist art of these three giants of modernism.

Enjoying Modern Art
Modern art can baffle, challenge, irritate, and delight us. By throwing away past traditions, artists like Van Gogh, Gauguin, Cezanne, Picasso, Miro, Rauschenberg, Warhol, Wiley, and Kim experimented with new ideas and materials to revolutionize the art experience. With an emphasis on 19th, 20th, and 21st century art, we will track the hand of the artist, the growing emphasis on the psychological, and the movement toward abstraction. Join Diane Arkin for a session of careful looking and lively discussion aimed at discovering, exploring, and enjoying modern art.

 

Diane ArkinFor VIP’s, dignitaries, superstars, and celebrities, Diane Arkin, retired Senior Lecturer at the National Gallery of Art, was the scholar routinely called on to provide engaging, entertaining, and thought-provoking presentations on subjects spanning treasures from the medieval period through the most challenging art of today. She also lectured nationally on museum education, trends in theory and practice, active learning strategies, and museums as unique learning environments. Prior to coming to the National Gallery of Art, Diane served as Curator of Education at the Corcoran Gallery of Art and College of Art and Design in Washington, DC, and as Director of Education at the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore. Diane’s work as a Program Coordinator in both the Resident Associate Program and the International Study Tours Division of the Smithsonian Institution included years of lecturing both domestically and internationally on a broad range of art historical subjects.

Diane Arkin | Mexican Art

The Power of Mexican Women Artists
Friday Kahlo, Tina Modotti, Maria Izquierdo, and Lola Bravo were among the great Mexican artists of the 20th century whose lives unfolded on a parallel course with the development of Mexico as a modern nation. All of them shared distinctly adventuresome, artistic, sexual, and political identities, and were inspired by Mexican popular culture and folklore. They were part of the hub of avant-garde activity in Mexico and elsewhere in the 1920’s, 30’s, and 40’s who sought to promote social, political, and economic reform in the era following the 1910 Mexican Revolution. In honor of Women’s History Month (March) please join Diane Arkin in exploring the often-overlooked contributions of these talented Mexican women artists.

Giants of 20th Century Mexican Mural Art
Mexico has long been a magnet for an international community of avant-garde intellectuals, writers, poets, and artists, but it is Rivera, Orozco, and Siqueiros who would shape an artistic revolution and an imaginative new vision, bringing both fame and notoriety as they went on to influence generations of Mexican artists, while also profoundly impacting American art at mid-century. Join Diane Arkin to explore, discover, and discuss this extraordinary cultural and artistic legacy of Mexico.

Spanish and Mexican Surrealism: The Magic of Miro, Dilemma of Dali, and Fantasies of Frida
The dream imagery, personal sign languages, auras of fantasy, and subconscious feelings that surrealist artists explored are all evidenced in the paintings of Miro and Dali, two of the best-known 20th-century Spanish surrealist painters. But we also find these elements in the extraordinary art of Frida Kahlo, a truly iconic Mexican surrealist painter who forged a unique and original type of art filled with personal symbolism. These artists took separate paths to express their shared interests, with Miro creating child-like, carefree, abstract, and poetic images, with flamboyant Dali pursuing painting with hallucinatory impact and power to shock, and with Kahlo virtually re-inventing self-portraiture as autobiography. Join Diane Arkin as we unravel the mysteries in the surrealist art of these three giants of modernism.

Enjoying Modern Art
Modern art can baffle, challenge, irritate, and delight us. By throwing away past traditions, artists like Van Gogh, Gauguin, Cezanne, Picasso, Miro, Rauschenberg, Warhol, Wiley, and Kim experimented with new ideas and materials to revolutionize the art experience. With an emphasis on 19th, 20th, and 21st century art, we will track the hand of the artist, the growing emphasis on the psychological, and the movement toward abstraction. Join Diane Arkin for a session of careful looking and lively discussion aimed at discovering, exploring, and enjoying modern art.

 

Diane ArkinFor VIP’s, dignitaries, superstars, and celebrities, Diane Arkin, retired Senior Lecturer at the National Gallery of Art, was the scholar routinely called on to provide engaging, entertaining, and thought-provoking presentations on subjects spanning treasures from the medieval period through the most challenging art of today. She also lectured nationally on museum education, trends in theory and practice, active learning strategies, and museums as unique learning environments. Prior to coming to the National Gallery of Art, Diane served as Curator of Education at the Corcoran Gallery of Art and College of Art and Design in Washington, DC, and as Director of Education at the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore. Diane’s work as a Program Coordinator in both the Resident Associate Program and the International Study Tours Division of the Smithsonian Institution included years of lecturing both domestically and internationally on a broad range of art historical subjects.

Hands-On Cooking Classes and Harvesting Mindfulness: A Culinary Journey with Gyll Turteltaub and Reyna Venegas

Gyll will collaborate with La Cocina Que Canta’s Executive Chef Reyna and her team to create a special hands-on culinary experience. During the 3.5-hour experiences you will learn about the benefits and techniques of mindful eating and cooking. You will then mindfully harvest veggies from the garden, prepare and enjoy your own farm-to-table meal along with fellow chefs. Classes take place at La Cocina Que Canta, our culinary center on Tuesday and Wednesday, at 4pm. The Thursday class begins at 4:45pm and includes a wine paring!

Hands On Cooking Classes and Chefs Dinner Sign Up

 

Tuesday Hands-On Cooking Class 4:00 PM
Each class $145 (tax included). Class subject to change, check your weekly planner and schedule for updates. The maximum number of guests per class is 14.

Wednesday Hands-On Cooking Class 4:00 PM
Each class $145 (tax included). Class subject to change, check your weekly planner and schedule for updates. The maximum number of guests per class is 14.

Mindful Matters Dining Experience 4:45 PM
Celebrate the abundance of our organic farm and the connection to community with a Farm-to-Table dining experience – a perfect blend of health, tradition, flavor, and fun! Cost is $150 per person, tax and wine pairing included. The maximum number of guests is 30. Sign Up at the Appointments Desk or through the link above.

 

Gyll TurteltaubGyll Turteltaub, Psy.D. is a clinical psychologist in San Anselmo, California.  Gyll is the Senior Director of People & Culture for The Permanente Federation.  The Permanente Federation LLC is the national leadership and consulting organization for the eight Permanente Medical Groups (PMGs).  Gyll is responsible for developing and providing strategic leadership for PMG People and Culture initiatives including equity, inclusion, and diversity, leadership development, engagement and training, and Physician Health and Wellness.  Additionally, Gyll maintains a private practice, providing psychotherapy for individuals and couples.  Her areas of specialty include compassion fatigue, burnout, improving mindful living, and treating anxiety and depression.  Gyll has presented workshops internationally on a variety of topics including mindful eating, resiliency, communication effectiveness, burnout, and emotional intelligence.             

 

Reyna VenegasExecutive Chef Reyna Venegas’ classes are about fresh and delicious food that will energize, inspire, and nourish our Tween guests!!  She fuses the culinary and cultural heritages of her own Northern Baja roots with the nutritious “spa cuisine” pioneered 80 years ago by Rancho La Puerta co-founder Deborah Szekely. At La Cocina Que Canta, “The Kitchen That Sings,” Chef Reyna teaches healthy eating as a celebration of life in farm-to-table cooking classes.

As a lifelong learner, Chef Reyna graduated from University of California, San Diego’s Integrative Nutrition program, which focuses on how food promotes wellness. She is also a graduate of the Culinary Art School in Tijuana, and holds a Pastry Degree from the Lycée Technique et Hôtelier de Monte-Carlo and Fondation Turquois.

She and her husband Chef Marcelo Hisaki own Restaurante Amores, a hidden culinary jewel in the heart of Baja and currently collaborates as manager of Team Mexico on their way to the Bocuse d’Or Americas 2024.

                

8th Annual Chamber Music Festival

Our 8th Annual Chamber Music Festival features some of the world’s finest musicians who will inspire you with extraordinary performances set in the relaxed atmosphere of The Ranch. In addition to daily concerts, you can enjoy talks by the musicians, watch rehearsals, and perhaps even encounter “random acts of music” in unexpected places throughout your day.

Featured artistsThe King’s Singers, pianist Jon Kimura Parker, violist Aloysia Friedmann, violin/guitar duo ArcoStrum, cellist Amelia Zitoun, violinist Monique Mead, and poet A. Van Jordan.

 

Artists Bios, Playlist & Events

 

Event Details:

The highlights of the festival are performances that combine world-class artistry with relaxed discourse. Whether held at La Cocina Que Canta, Bazar del Sol, Oaktree, or the Dining Hall, you will leave feeling invigorated, inspired and possibly transformed.

Sunday, 8 PM, Oaktree
“Opening Night with ArcoStrum”

The festival kicks off with a nature-inspired world tour, featuring both Vivaldi’s and Piazzolla’s “Four Seasons” as well as Chinese music inspired by orchids, young love, and horse racing. Instruments include violin, classical guitar, electric guitar, Erhu (Chinese two-string fiddle) and Dizi (Chinese bamboo flute).

Monday, 8 PM: Concert
“Close Harmony”

The legendary King’s Singers perform a comical and moving program that offers a chronological tour through some of the most famous and joyful music from their 56-year history. The program includes Rossini’s “Overture to Barber of Seville,” Beach Boys’ “Kokomo,” Arlen’s “I’ve got the World on a String,” Billy Joel’s “And so it Goes,” and The Beatles’ “Honey Pie.”

Tuesday 6 AM
“Sunrise Concert” at Cocina que Canta
Hike to the Organic Gardens and enjoy a sumptuous breakfast followed by a short concert with Aloysia Friedmann and Jon Kimura Parker to get your morning started on a high note.

Tuesday 7:45 PM
A Tapestry of Music and Verse

All 12 festival artists join forces with poet A. Van Jordan for a jazz-inspired program of music and verse. Program features Jordan’s poetry paired music by Oscar Peterson, W.G. Still’s “Suite for Violin & Piano,” Grappelli’s “Minor Swing,” Bono’s “M.L.K.” and Loes’ “This Little Light of Mine.”

Wednesday 6 AM
“Morning Tango” with ArcoStrum
Hike to the Organic Gardens and enjoy a sumptuous breakfast followed by a fun tango-infused program to start your day with a smile.

Wednesday 5 PM Oaktree
“The New World”
The King’s Singers present a program that explores the musical links between Iberia and the ‘New World’ of South America, looking at the glorious European Renaissance music introduced by these conquistadors and merchants. It also remembers the musical traditions already in existence in South America, and celebrates how these two different musical heritages fused to form the seeds of a whole new world of South American music. Songs include Ramirez “La peregrinación,” Abreu “Tico-Tico no fubá,” Villa-Lobos “Woodpecker,” Lopez “Remember me,” and Mendoza “Cielito Lindo.”

Thursday, 7:45 PM Oaktree 
“Musical Love Triangle”

A romantic program featuring classical music’s most famous love triangle, Johannes Brahms, Clara Schumann, and Robert Schumann. You’ll hear a Clara Schumann Romance, Johannes Brahms Scherzo from the F.A.E. Sonata, and Robert Schumann’s Piano Quintet performed by Jon Kimura Parker, Strauss Shi, Monique Mead, Aloysia Friedmann, and Amelia Zitoun.

Friday, 5 PM Oaktree
“Steinway Spectacular”
The festival concludes with “Jackie” Parker in a program that spans the spectrum of pianistic expression from the lyricism of Beethoven’s “Moonlight” Sonata, to colorful splashes of Ravel’s “Jeux d’Eau” and ending with the brilliant virtuosity of William Hirtz’s “Fantasy on the Wizard of Oz.”

MINDFUL MUSIC MOMENTS

In addition to evening concerts, Chamber Music Week offers some unique opportunities to engage with music and musicians. Whether you visit an open rehearsal, attend a musical talk, relax in sound healing with Monique, stroll the musical gardens, or experience a “random act of music,” we hope these moments add some magic of your week at the Ranch.

Candlelight Sound Healing with Violin & Cello
Saturday, 8 PM, Oaktree

Melt away your travel stress as violinist Monique Mead and cellist Amelia Zitoun guide you to stillness with enchanting melodies and the healing tones singing bowls, setting the stage for a magical week at The Ranch.

Sound Healing with Violin and Guitar
Monday 3 PM Oaktree

Monique Mead creates a meditative sound journey with singing bowls and violin in collaboration with guitarist TY Zhang. Stretch out and dissolve into blissful sound vibration and melody.

Mindful Music Stroll
Tuesday, 4 PM  Gazebo 
(weather permitting)
Begin at the Gazebo to set the tone for your own mindful stroll during the golden hour. You’ll encounter lighthearted solos and duets by all of our festival musicians in scenic places along your path. The experience concludes with a performance by the King’s Singers at the Bazar del Sol.

 

OPEN REHEARSAL

Wednesday, 1-2:30 PM Oaktree
Drop in/walk out anytime during this interactive rehearsal where festival musicians practice Schumann and Brahms.  You’ll get a chance to ask questions as well.

Musical Talks

Gaze into the inner workings of the music with talks by Monique Mead, ArcoStrum, Aloysia Friedmann, and Jon Kimura Parker.

  • Sunday, 2 PM: Music Talk
    “Decoding the Concert Program” with Monique Mead and ArcoStrum
  • Monday, 1 PM Music Talk
    “Classical Music Jeopardy” with Monique Mead, Aloysia Friedmann and Amelia Zitoun
  • Friday 2 PM Music Talk
    “Practice Tips from the Pros” with Monique Mead and Jon Kimura Parker

 

Empower Your Mind: A Journey Through Stress, Resilience, and EQ for Total Well-Being

A Mindful Approach to Stress
In today’s ever-evolving world, stress is an inevitable part of life. However, stress doesn’t have to be a nemesis; it can also be a powerful ally that propels us forward. This workshop explores how stress, when approached mindfully, can transform into a force for positive change. Delve into the four dimensions of personal energy—physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual—and discover how understanding these can turn stress into a motivator rather than a burden. We’ll delve into research from positive psychology and uncover natural antidotes to stress, alongside strategies for nurturing joy and meaning in your daily life. Leave with practical tools to turn stress into a source of empowerment and growth.

Natural Pathways to Well-Being
The quest for happiness is a deeply personal journey, and finding a sustained sense of well-being can be challenging. In this engaging workshop, we’ll review research and explore effective strategies for cultivating meaning and purpose in your life. Discover how practices like gratitude, kindness, and connection can elevate your emotional health and overall well-being. We’ll also focus on practical techniques for navigating life’s transitions with a growth mindset, leaving you with a renewed sense of empowerment and tools to approach life’s challenges with resilience and joy.

The Art of Resilience: Thriving Through Life’s Challenges
Resilience is more than just a buzzword; it’s a vital skill that helps us recover from adversity and navigate life’s toughest moments. As we reflect on recent global and personal challenges, this workshop will provide you with actionable insights into enhancing your own resilience. I’ll guide you through the five key characteristics that define resilient individuals and offer practical strategies to bolster your ability to adapt and thrive. Assess your current resilience levels and discover evidence-based techniques for turning obstacles into opportunities for growth and renewal. Equip yourself with the tools to bounce back stronger and embrace life’s challenges with grace and strength.

Emotional Intelligence Unveiled: Empower Your Interactions and Personal Development
Emotional intelligence (EQ) is crucial for building meaningful relationships and achieving personal success. But what exactly is EQ, and how can it impact your interactions with others? This workshop will demystify the components of emotional intelligence and guide you through an EQ assessment to identify your strengths and areas for improvement. Discover how enhancing your EQ can lead to more fulfilling relationships, improved communication, and greater personal growth. With practical strategies for developing your emotional skills, you’ll leave equipped to elevate your interpersonal connections and navigate your emotions with greater confidence and clarity.

 

Gyll TurteltaubGyll Turteltaub, PsyD, is a clinical psychologist based in San Anselmo, California. She serves as the Senior Director of People & Culture for The Permanente Federation at Kaiser Permanente, the national leadership and consulting organization for the Permanente Medical Groups (PMGs). In this role, Gyll provides strategic leadership for initiatives in equity, inclusion, diversity, leadership development, engagement and training, and Physician Health and Wellness.  In addition to her work with Kaiser Permanente, Gyll maintains a private practice where she offers psychotherapy for individuals and couples. Her specialties include compassion fatigue, burnout, mindful living, work/life balance, and treating anxiety and depression. Gyll is also an experienced speaker, having presented workshops internationally on topics such as mindfulness, resilience, communication effectiveness, burnout, and emotional intelligence.

Empower Your Mind: A Journey Through Stress, Resilience, and EQ for Total Well-Being

A Mindful Approach to Stress
In today’s ever-evolving world, stress is an inevitable part of life. However, stress doesn’t have to be a nemesis; it can also be a powerful ally that propels us forward. This workshop explores how stress, when approached mindfully, can transform into a force for positive change. Delve into the four dimensions of personal energy—physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual—and discover how understanding these can turn stress into a motivator rather than a burden. We’ll delve into research from positive psychology and uncover natural antidotes to stress, alongside strategies for nurturing joy and meaning in your daily life. Leave with practical tools to turn stress into a source of empowerment and growth.

Natural Pathways to Well-Being
The quest for happiness is a deeply personal journey, and finding a sustained sense of well-being can be challenging. In this engaging workshop, we’ll review research and explore effective strategies for cultivating meaning and purpose in your life. Discover how practices like gratitude, kindness, and connection can elevate your emotional health and overall well-being. We’ll also focus on practical techniques for navigating life’s transitions with a growth mindset, leaving you with a renewed sense of empowerment and tools to approach life’s challenges with resilience and joy.

The Art of Resilience: Thriving Through Life’s Challenges
Resilience is more than just a buzzword; it’s a vital skill that helps us recover from adversity and navigate life’s toughest moments. As we reflect on recent global and personal challenges, this workshop will provide you with actionable insights into enhancing your own resilience. I’ll guide you through the five key characteristics that define resilient individuals and offer practical strategies to bolster your ability to adapt and thrive. Assess your current resilience levels and discover evidence-based techniques for turning obstacles into opportunities for growth and renewal. Equip yourself with the tools to bounce back stronger and embrace life’s challenges with grace and strength.

Emotional Intelligence Unveiled: Empower Your Interactions and Personal Development
Emotional intelligence (EQ) is crucial for building meaningful relationships and achieving personal success. But what exactly is EQ, and how can it impact your interactions with others? This workshop will demystify the components of emotional intelligence and guide you through an EQ assessment to identify your strengths and areas for improvement. Discover how enhancing your EQ can lead to more fulfilling relationships, improved communication, and greater personal growth. With practical strategies for developing your emotional skills, you’ll leave equipped to elevate your interpersonal connections and navigate your emotions with greater confidence and clarity.

 

Gyll TurteltaubGyll Turteltaub, PsyD, is a clinical psychologist based in San Anselmo, California. She serves as the Senior Director of People & Culture for The Permanente Federation at Kaiser Permanente, the national leadership and consulting organization for the Permanente Medical Groups (PMGs). In this role, Gyll provides strategic leadership for initiatives in equity, inclusion, diversity, leadership development, engagement and training, and Physician Health and Wellness.  In addition to her work with Kaiser Permanente, Gyll maintains a private practice where she offers psychotherapy for individuals and couples. Her specialties include compassion fatigue, burnout, mindful living, work/life balance, and treating anxiety and depression. Gyll is also an experienced speaker, having presented workshops internationally on topics such as mindfulness, resilience, communication effectiveness, burnout, and emotional intelligence.

A Path for Personalized Wellness

Lifestyle Approaches to Reduce Chronic Medical Conditions
The Mediterranean diet can lower the risk of chronic diseases. We’ll explore tips about not only nutrition but also about lifestyle approaches.  Discover how the Mediterranean lifestyle improves health and how you can include this into your daily habits.

Hot Topics in Wellness: Wellbeing, Joy and Weight Loss Drugs
How we take care of ourselves has a significant influence on our health. We’ll have a holistic discussion about the various dimensions of wellbeing, pros and cons of weight loss drugs as well as the often-overlooked elements of fun and joy. Learn how you can incorporate unique strategies for wellness into your everyday life.

What’s Spirituality Got to Do with It?
Did you know that people with a higher sense of spirituality live longer? Spirituality in wellness embraces a sense of purpose as well as a connection to self and others. This is important at all stages of life. Find out about the research behind the significance of spirituality in wellness and discover ways you can augment your own sense of spirituality.

Pillow Talk: A Sleep Conversation
You may know that sleep impacts wellness. Do you know why sleep is important? It’s not just the amount of sleep but it’s the quality of sleep too. What can you do to get better sleep? We’ll take a deep dive into sleep for everyone and also for specific groups like women. Come hear about strategies for improving sleep.

 

Nicola Finley, MD, is a clinician and an innovative educator in integrative medicine with over 20 years of experience working with clients of a luxury wellness resort environment, as well as underserved communities in Arizona. She is an international speaker known for her evidence-based, engaging seminars. Dr. Finley is a board-certified internal medicine physician, fellowship trained in integrative medicine, and an adjunct faculty member at the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health at the University of Arizona. Currently, she runs a boutique consulting business which focuses on a holistic view of wellness – mind, body and spirit.