The Heart of Yoga and Zen

This retreat sits at the intersection of two complementary practices: the precision and stillness of Zen meditation and the embodied awareness cultivated through yoga. Rather than treating them as separate, the schedule weaves them together — mornings build with vigorous Vinyasa to settle the body, followed by zazen and Dharma teaching; afternoons shift toward inquiry and restoration. The shape suggests the retreat is aimed at people who feel at home in their body and want that physical literacy to inform their sitting practice.

Tassajara, the San Francisco Zen Center's mountain monastery in Big Sur, is the container here. The setting — redwoods, creek, isolation — has a particular quiet that supports both the yoga work and the silence. This is a working retreat center, not a resort, so expect simple accommodations and shared practice space.

What to expect

• Mornings: Vinyasa yoga followed by zazen and Dharma teaching
• Afternoons: Heart-centered inquiry with restorative yoga and rest
• Noble silence throughout
• Residential stay with meals included

The "heart-centered inquiry" language signals this isn't strictly traditional sesshin — there's space for reflection and dialogue alongside sitting. If you're looking for austere Zen form, this bends toward accessibility. If you're a yoga practitioner curious about Zen, or a meditator who wants to move, this retreat explicitly bridges both.