Esalen Institute – Big Sur, CA | September 2026

~ Awaken Your Heartfelt Intentions
Through Movement, Sound & Stillness

A Week-Long Yoga Workshop/Retreat
With Tracy Lease & Miyu Tamamura

Dates: September 7 – 11, 2026

Press Here for Full Description of this Retreat @ Esalen Institute

Press Here for Information on Accommodations & Costs

If interested in a scholarship, apply as soon as possible.

If you have further questions, feel free to reach out to Esalen for help by email @ [email protected] or by phone: (831) 667-3000, Monday – Saturday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm Pacific Time.

Offer yourself the deep relaxation of the hot springs tubs, the rugged beauty of the Big Sur coast, beautiful gardens and delicious, healthy food made for you this New Year. Join Miyu and I for a week of feeling into body, heart and mind through gentle qigong and yoga stretching, silence and singing bowls, community sharing and restorative yoga so that we can authentically set heartfelt intentions for your new year.

This workshop is for anyone feeling the need to slow down, reconnect with themselves, and step into the New Year relaxed and awake. Whether you’re navigating change, seeking greater balance, or simply wanting to deepen your relationship with yourself, this is an invitation to pause, breathe, and replenish through gentle movement, the healing sounds of crystal bowls, and stillness.

Throughout our time together, we’ll explore practices that soften the body, calm the mind, and open the heart. Each day, we’ll return to the present moment through qigong, gentle yoga, restorative movement, sound healing, meditation, and poetry — all held within a compassionate and nurturing container. These practices will allow us to feel deeply into our yoga sankalpa — our heartfelt intentions — for the New Year.

The rhythms of the week are designed to help reset the nervous system, create space forreflection, and support attunement to our own inner landscapes. The healing vibrations of crystal singing bowls will support deep rest and spaciousness, offering opportunities for insight and integration.

All levels and bodies are welcome to experience this balanced blend of movement and mindfulness. To participate fully, you’ll need to be able to move independently between standing, seated, and floor-based postures — or attend with a support person who is also registered for the workshop and can assist you throughout the week.

“Our mission at Esalen to facilitate change within self and society has never been more vital than it is now.”

— Michael Murphy, co-founder of Esalen Institute.

If you are capable of living deeply one moment of your life, you can learn to live the same way all the other moments of your life.

— Thich Nhat Hanh

We hope you can join us!

September 30, 2024March 8, 2026

Japan | October 2026

~ Into the Sacred ~

A Women’s Cultural and Spiritual Immersion Retreat in Japan

With Miyu Tamamura & Tracy Lease

October 3rd-14th, 2026

Imagine opening your eyes to greet your day in the beloved cultural mecca and ancient capital of Kyoto, Japan. This beautiful city has been the home of Buddhism for more than 1200 years.

We’ll begin our days with gentle yoga stretching, fluid Qigong and guided meditation in a tranquil Zen temple uniting our group energy to prepare us for a day full of exploration. Japanese temples have been a community gathering place that supports the spiritual and cultural life of the Japanese. They are home to an aesthetic and spirit that reflects lived experiences of the ancestors and their religious beliefs. These temples, precious repositories of nearly 1200 years of history, still stand open today to welcome any and all.

Then we will head out to explore Kyoto’s markets, neighborhoods and gardens with Miyu, who grew up in Kyoto, as our guide. She will help us better understand all that we explore. When done

with our explorations we will return home and enjoy the onsen, the Japanese baths, put on our Yukata robes and head to dinner where we can enjoy Tempura, sushi, noodles, sake, Japanese beer and each other’s company.

After our 4 day immersion in Miyoshin-ji “The Temple of Enlightened Mind” we will begin ourpilgrimage walk along the Kumano Kodo, a sacred mountain path people have been walking for more than 1,000 years. This will offer us an opportunity to practice walking meditation while immersed in nature.

With each step of our journey, reflections on life come. Appreciation and joy for life wells up from our hearts and we embody the serenity and peace that surround us in the mountains of Japan.

Our retreat is custom designed to inspire and nurture you through beauty, gardens, temples, freshly prepared delicious meals, and authentic experiences that touch deeply into our inner landscapes.

This immersion retreat to Japan is a pilgrimage to the center of our hearts with the purpose of revitalizing our lives and invigorating our souls. Bring an open and curious heart and allow Japan to flow in and expand your horizons!

Dates:

October 3rd-14th, 2025

Retreat cost:

$7,950 land cost

Participant Numbers:

10 participants

Registration Email:

[email protected], or
[email protected]

If you would like a detailed description of the trip or to learn more about our itinerary, reach out to [email protected].

About Your Trip Leaders:

Miyu Tamamura
Owner Sacred Japan/ Tour Leader/ Translator

When it comes to leading trips in Japan, Miyu is an expert. Her passion and devotion to service and authentic experiences have benefited travelers as she leads them into the heart of her native country. Growing up in a culturally fertile environment, she was surrounded by exceptional and inspiring artists who helped her cultivate a deep appreciation of authentic beauty and what it means to have a true experience.

Miyu was the executive trip coordinator, guide and translator for the popular tour company Journeys East prior to establishing her own custom tour operation, Sacred Japan. She has been leading small groups on unique, custom designed trips to Japan for over 20 years. Miyu’s heart centered approach to travel creates a bridge of peace between Japanese culture and the West.

Tracy Lease
Owner Full Life Yoga Studio

Tracy Lease, owner and director of Full Life Yoga Studio, a certified Yoga Therapist, Yoga, Pilates, Qigong and Meditation Teacher has spent 20 years guiding students in movement and mindfulness practices. Tracy loves to share meditative movement and empowers each unique individual to move towards optimal health and happiness.

Tracy knows movement can help calm and revitalize body, mind and spirit and assist us in living fully in the present moment. She tunes into her students, wanting each client to feel welcome, safe and supported in classes, retreats and private sessions. Tracy has a passion for guiding groups, and has led retreats in the United States, Mexico, and France.

The practice of yoga invites us to be fully present in the experiences of our lives. Enjoying our practices, visiting new parts of the world with and open and curious mind, good food, company, rest, history, culture, quiet reflective time and adventure are all a part of our practice of living fully.

I hope you can join us!

Questions? Reach out to [email protected]

September 24, 2024March 11, 2026

Big Springs – Sierra Buttes, CA | July 2026

~ Inhale Mountain, Exhale River~

A Women’s Retreat in Nature & Community ~

Big Springs Retreat Center, Sierra City, CA
with Tracy Lease & Miyu Tamamura
4 nights, 5 days of celebrating summer
July 8th – 12th, 2026

To create this women’s circle we will breathe in the mountain air, listen to the flow of water, settle into our inner landscapes as we practice qigong, yoga, take a cool dip in the rock pool and share delicious meals..

We will enjoy qigong with a view of the Buttes, sitting and walking meditation in the hall and forest, restorative yoga and special sound healing meditation with crystal singing bowls in nature and community.

Beautiful walking trails, state of the art architecture, delicious vegetarian meals in a peaceful setting will nurture you.

Retreat Center: