A Weekend of Forest Bathing, Nature Awareness, and Meditation in the Sierra Nevada Foothills
Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves.John Muir
At a time when technology and busy lives compete for every moment of our attention, this retreat offers something rarer: time to slow down, step into the forest, and listen.
Through forest bathing, Sharing Nature activities, meditation, Ananda Yoga, and Energization Exercises, you will reconnect with the healing presence of the natural world and the stillness that lives within you.
August 7 - 9
- At The Seclusion Retreat
- 2-Day Retreat
- All Meals Included
- Twice Daily Yoga and Meditation
- FREE book!
- Accommodations and Prices
- Sample Schedule
All good things come from stillness.Joseph Cornell
I'm ready for a retreat!
What you'll experience:
I'm ready to reset and recharge
Your Home During Your Stay
Tucked into a quiet forest near Nevada City, The Seclusion Retreat offers something increasingly rare: genuine stillness. The property is small and intimate by design, with tall pines, birdsong, and almost no ambient noise beyond what nature provides. Guests who come here often say they forgot how much they needed this kind of quiet until they arrived.
Prices and Accommodations
A variety of private cabins, uniquely decorated and tucked into nature, designed to offer a quiet, serene retreat. Some are remote and secluded, others closer to the gardens and central facilities.
All Inclusive Rates
The rates below cover everything for one person*, including your cabin, three delicious vegetarian meals each day, and full participation in the program.
-
Full Kitchen + Private Bathroom Starting at $592
Ideal for those seeking maximum comfort and autonomy. These cabins (e.g. Devotion, Generosity, Peace of Mind, Krishna) provide full kitchens, private baths, decks, and tranquil surroundings.
-
Kitchenette + Private Bathroom Starting at $536
A balance of convenience and simplicity. These cabins (e.g. Kindness, Contentment) include a compact kitchenette and a private shower, perfect for solo or couples who don’t need a full kitchen.
-
Kitchenette + Shared Bathroom Starting at $406
Budget-friendly options. Some cabin-style lodgings (e.g. Renunciation, Lahiri, Happiness Lodge) have a small kitchenette but share bath facilities in the nearby shower house.
*Extra charge for additional people.
Simple, cozy dwellings, with easy access to shared bath facilities. These are insulated for seasonal comfort, but do not provide cooking or food storage facilities.
All Inclusive Rates
The rates below cover everything for one person*, including your bungalow, three delicious vegetarian meals each day, and full participation in the program.
-
Garden Bungalows $418
Comfortable and convenient, these bungalows are near dining, lounge, and temple areas, offering the shortest walks to shared facilities.
-
Secluded Bungalows $400
More tucked away for added privacy, yet still with easy access to the Shower House. A great choice for one person or for those wanting a quieter feel.
*Extra charge for additional people.
The most economical lodging option, situated under a forest canopy with no hookups, ideal for those content with very simple, nature-immersed stays.
There is a Porta-Potty in the campground area and the shower house and toilets are nearby in the main retreat area.
All Inclusive Rates
The rates below cover everything for one person, including three delicious vegetarian meals each day, and full participation in the program.
-
Tent $300
-
RV $320
A variety of private cabins, uniquely decorated and tucked into nature, designed to offer a quiet, serene retreat. Some are remote and secluded, others closer to the gardens and central facilities.
All Inclusive Rates
The rates below cover everything for one person*, including your cabin, three delicious vegetarian meals each day, and full participation in the program.
-
Full Kitchen + Private Bathroom Starting at $592
Ideal for those seeking maximum comfort and autonomy. These cabins (e.g. Devotion, Generosity, Peace of Mind, Krishna) provide full kitchens, private baths, decks, and tranquil surroundings.
-
Kitchenette + Private Bathroom Starting at $536
A balance of convenience and simplicity. These cabins (e.g. Kindness, Contentment) include a compact kitchenette and a private shower, perfect for solo or couples who don’t need a full kitchen.
-
Kitchenette + Shared Bathroom Starting at $406
Budget-friendly options. Some cabin-style lodgings (e.g. Renunciation, Lahiri, Happiness Lodge) have a small kitchenette but share bath facilities in the nearby shower house.
*Extra charge for additional people.
Simple, cozy dwellings, with easy access to shared bath facilities. These are insulated for seasonal comfort, but do not provide cooking or food storage facilities.
All Inclusive Rates
The rates below cover everything for one person*, including your bungalow, three delicious vegetarian meals each day, and full participation in the program.
-
Garden Bungalows $418
Comfortable and convenient, these bungalows are near dining, lounge, and temple areas, offering the shortest walks to shared facilities.
-
Secluded Bungalows $400
More tucked away for added privacy, yet still with easy access to the Shower House. A great choice for one person or for those wanting a quieter feel.
*Extra charge for additional people.
The most economical lodging option, situated under a forest canopy with no hookups, ideal for those content with very simple, nature-immersed stays.
There is a Porta-Potty in the campground area and the shower house and toilets are nearby in the main retreat area.
All Inclusive Rates
The rates below cover everything for one person, including three delicious vegetarian meals each day, and full participation in the program.
-
Tent $300
-
RV $320
Extend Your Stay, Deepen Your Peace
Wish you had more time to trest, recharge, and go deeper? Arrive early or linger longer with a flexible Personal Retreat stay*—and give yourself the gift of unhurried time. Enjoy daily yoga, meditation, and nature’s beauty, all at your own pace.
*Add extra nights during registration
FAQs
Do I need prior experience with yoga or meditation?
Not at all! This retreat is designed for all levels, including beginners.
What is included in my retreat price?
Prices stated above are per person and include:
- 3 vegetarian meals/day
- Tea, coffee, fruit throughout the day
- Daily yoga & meditation sessions
- Classes and activities
- Lodging according to your selection
What is not included in my retreat price?
- Airport transport
- Additional healing services (massage, spiritual counseling)
- Extra snacks
If you need any of these services, please contact us in advance so we can help you to arrange it.
Are meals included, and when are they served?
Yes. For both Guided Group Retreats and Personal Retreats, all guests receive breakfast, lunch, and dinner as part of the program. Meals are served in our dining hall according to the following schedule:
- Breakfast: 8:30–9:30am (Thursdays: 9:30–10:30am)
- Lunch: 12:30–1:30pm (no lunch on Sundays)
- Dinner: 6:30–7:30pm (times may vary slightly)
What's your cancellation policy?
If you cancel or reschedule on or before 7 days prior to your arrival date, we can refund your entire payment, less a $55 processing fee.
If you cancel or reschedule within 7 days of your arrival date, we will hold your deposit for one year as a credit for a future stay, less a $55 processing fee. If you have paid more than the deposit, we will refund the surplus amount to you.
To cancel your reservation, please call Guest Services at 800-346-5350 or 530-478-7518.
I'm coming from a distance. What is the nearest airport, and how do I get to The Seclusion Retreat?
The best airport to fly into is Sacramento International Airport (SMF). The Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO) is also an option, but is less preferable.
Both airports are approximately 2 hours driving distance from us, so you’ll need to rent a car or hire a drive. If needed, we can share contact information for drivers who have helped our guests in the past.
Yes, our retreat is a little out of the way. And once you get here, you’ll be glad it is! Address: 18443 MacNab Cypress Road, Nevada City, CA 95959
What time is check-in and check-out?
Check-In time: 4 pm – 5 pm
Check-out time: 11 am
What if I have special dietary requirements?
We can accommodate some special dietary needs with non-dairy, non-wheat, and egg-free choices. If you have other dietary needs, it may be that we will not be able to accommodate them in our kitchen and we thus advise that you bring some supplementary food for yourself.
What do I need to bring with me?
We recommend bringing the following:
- Flashlight – important!
- Water bottle
- Your own yoga mat, if you have one (we also have yoga mats, pillows and meditation benches for you to use)
- Journal and pen
- Uplifting reading material (we also have a small lending library that is open to all guests)
- Sturdy shoes and sandals (best to bring shoes, boots and sandals that are easily removable since there are no shoes worn in the cabins and temples)
- Comfortable, casual, modest clothing — dress in layers, as evenings are usually cool even in summertime
- Food if you are staying in a cabin with a kitchen and prefer to prepare your own meals
- Optional: Sun hat, sun glasses, sunscreen, rain gear when applicable
Do you have a dress code?
The Seclusion Retreat is first and foremost a spiritual ashram. In order to maintain our uplifting and inward atmosphere, please dress modestly. Examples include longer shorts and sleeved tee shirts are (preferred), though wide-strapped tank tops are ok. Aside from yoga classes, please add a modest cover-up with leotards, leggings, or swimsuits.
Can I bring my children to the Seclusion Retreat?
The Seclusion Retreat is intended to support a quiet, inward-focused experience, and for this reason children do not usually take part in meals or programs. In some cases, an older child may be welcomed by prior arrangement. We invite you to reach out to us ahead of time so we can explore together what might best support everyone involved.
Can I bring my pet?
Sorry, though we are animal lovers, we are unable to accommodate pets on our facilities. Please leave your beloved pets at home with a family member or sitter and enjoy the peace and quiet.
Is internet and cell phone service available?
Cell phone service is limited between Nevada City and the Retreat. At the Retreat itself, Verizon and AT&T generally have fairly good coverage. Guest Wi-Fi is available in limited capacity; additional Wi-Fi usage fees may apply. When possible, we recommend guests rely on their personal cell phone data plans for internet access.
How can I make a donation to The Seclusion Retreat?
We appreciate your consideration, as The Seclusion Retreat is part of Ananda Worldwide, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. You’ll have the opportunity to add a donation directly on your registration form, or you can donate using the button below.
Rooted in Timeless Teachings, Open to All
Here at The Seclusion Retreat, everything we share is inspired by the universal spiritual principles of Paramhansa Yogananda and his direct disciple, Swami Kriyananda. Their practical, uplifting wisdom is about living with greater peace, joy, and clarity—something anyone can benefit from.
While our roots are in this tradition, the practices themselves—yoga, meditation, and simple living in harmony with higher truths—are universal. Wherever you are on your journey, you’ll find inspiration and support to deepen your own connection with what is most sacred to you, in a way that feels natural and authentic.
Your Guides for the Weekend
Jaidhara Russell
An inspiring childhood in nature led Jaidhara Russell to look for opportunities to share his wonder with others. After years of working as a Park Ranger and Tour Guide throughout California, he found his spiritual path with Ananda in 2022.
Jaidhara now offers frequent workshops and nature bathing experiences for local school groups and visitors to Ananda Meditation Retreats, and serves at Crystal Hermitage Garden and the Living Wisdom School guiding nature activities and a school garden.
His biggest inspiration is helping others discover the joy and stillness that nature offers when we attune ourselves to its reality.