RETREATS
2025-2026 Retreats
Sonoma Coast - Creativity Retreat - September 5th-7th
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Dolomites, Italy - September 30th-October 6th​
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Sonoma Coast - Yoga & Ayurveda Retreat - Dec 19th-21st
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Yelapa, Mexico - January 24th-31st, 2026
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Bahamas - April 24-26, 2026
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Sicily, Italy - September 27th-October 3, 2026
Sacred Seeing
Inspire Your Creativity
RATNA LING RETREAT CENTER
Sonoma Coast, California
with Melina Meza & Baxter Bell
September 5-7, 2025
Calling all yogis, artists, musicians, and anyone seeking new ways of being…
Join us for a restorative and inspiring retreat at Ratna Ling Retreat Center, nestled among the majestic redwoods of the Sonoma Coast, just a short drive from the breathtaking landscapes of Salt Point State Park and Sea Ranch. In this serene and spacious setting, we will explore creativity as a spiritual path and a means of self-discovery.
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Through a nourishing blend of meditation, gentle yoga, creative exercises, nature walks, and meaningful conversations, you will have the opportunity to slow down, reconnect with yourself, and reignite your artistic passion. Whether you are a photographer, writer, musician, watercolorist, or creative professional seeking time to dive deeper into a project, this retreat offers a peaceful and inspiring environment to support your process of unfoldment.
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With thoughtfully designed creative prompts for both inner reflection and artistic exploration, you will leave feeling refreshed, spacious, and creatively recharged—more connected to your artistic voice, more in tune with the rejuvenating powers of nature, and filled with a renewed sense of balance, gratitude, and inspiration to carry forward into your work and life.​
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Only 3 spots left!
Yoga & Exploration
in the Dolomites, Italy
September 30-October 6, 2025
Embark on an Italian retreat in the enchanting Dolomites, where wellness activities, delectable cuisine, and the breathtaking Dolomite mountain range await.
Delight in a cooking class, explore picturesque surroundings on invigorating hikes, and savor panoramic vistas. Traverse charming towns with an e-bike tour and indulge in wine tasting in a cozy cellar.
Join us on this journey to northern Italy, where you'll depart with cherished memories of wellness, nature, and the rich flavors of the Dolomites.
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FULL
Contact Baxter to get on the wait list
Winter Respite
Finding Warmth in the Cold
RATNA LING RETREAT CENTER
Sonoma Coast, California
with Baxter Bell & Melina Meza
December 19-21, 2025
Join Melina Meza and Baxter Bell, MD this winter for an unforgettable and deeply nourishing yoga retreat. This retreat, led by two experienced instructors, will be a wonderful way to pause and immerse yourself in the practice of yoga and mindfulness during the solstice and holiday season.
Melina will share winter Seasonal Gentle Yoga classes, introduce Ayurvedic practices for self-care, and teach Yin Yoga to prepare your body and mind for meditation. Baxter will be offering Yoga for Healthy Aging classes and mudras to help you turn inward during this slow, quiet time of the year.
Morning practices will be invigorating (yang) while afternoon classes will be restorative (yin).
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Our yoga getaway will be perfect way to deepen your practice while simultaneously keeping your inner fire (agni) bright during this dark season. And there is no better place to do this than this beautiful retreat center in the redwoods!
Join Baxter for his 14th season in the magical town of Yelapa, and his fifth year hosting this yoga adventure at the lovely retreat center, Pura Vida. Located at the end of the bay, an easy 10 min walk from the pueblo of Yelapa, Pura Vida is a perfect place to cultivate what Costa Ricans call “Pura Vida” or Pure Life.
In yoga, we call the underlying energy of life Prana, and there is lots of it here, including on the open-air yoga deck overlooking the Pacific Ocean that will be our home base for our twice daily yoga sessions, designed to be accessible to students of all levels, including those new to yoga.
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Yelapa, reached only by boat, takes people back in time enhancing the feeling of “getting away from it all” and invites participants to remember the simple life. Walking the beach, hiking in and out of the village, crossing the lagoon, walking up river, getting in waterfalls all create a sense of grounding in this other cultural world steeped in nature...​
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Only 6 spots left!
Join Baxter Bell, MD, C-IAYT for an evening that blends science, movement, and a touch of music. In this engaging presentation, Baxter will share the latest research on how yoga supports cognitive health, heart health, and cancer prevention—and more importantly, how you can apply these discoveries to your own life.
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This isn’t just a lecture—it’s an experience. Baxter brings the material to life with interactive discussions, thoughtfully curated PowerPoint visuals, and a guided yoga practice that turns cutting-edge science into accessible, embodied wisdom. You’ll leave feeling informed, inspired, and more connected to your health.
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Known for his warm presence and dynamic teaching style, Baxter often surprises audiences by picking up his violin for a soulful interlude. Whether you’re a seasoned yogi or simply curious about the healing power of yoga, this is an evening not to miss.
Come ready to learn, move, and maybe even hum along.​
Serenity & Adventure
in Western Sicily
September 27th-October 3rd, 2026
Sicily – an island where tranquility intertwines with history and adventure, offering a blend of Italy's finest. This itinerary is centered in western Sicily, boasting a continuous coastline adorned with sandy beaches, diverse landscapes, access to historic treasures, and opportunities for exhilarating outdoor activities with breathtaking vistas.
Your accommodation for this journey is the Almar Giardino di Costanza Resort & Spa, nestled amidst lush olive trees, vineyards, and tropical flora. This single-hotel retreat offers the ideal balance of cultural immersion, relaxation, and wellness.
Delve into the island's natural marvels, relish in locally sourced cuisine, and enjoy the comfort of your lavish accommodations.
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Adventures include an e-bike ride through the Gorghi Natural Reserve, exploring the Valley of the Temples, hiking the Zingaro Natural Reserve, and an immersive Sicilian cooking class, amongst yoga classes, leisure time and more!
