Workshops

Monhegan Yoga Adventure

with Rachel Nixon, Yoga Instructor

Sunday, July 7, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Join us for a beautiful day on Monhegan Island! The adventure begins with a brilliant boat ride from Port Clyde out through the islands and waters of Muscongus Bay. Wildlife sightings – porpoises, seals, eagles, seabirds, and the occasional Minke whale – are a real treat.

Upon arrival on Monhegan, we’ll gather and set our intentions for the day! The morning hike will take us to water's edge, through forested trails, and along breathtaking cliffs. We’ll practice yoga and meditation at various spots along the way! The middle of the day will feature free time to enjoy lunch, hike additional trails, relax in a favorite spot on the island, swim in the invigorating ocean, etc. We’ll gather back together in the afternoon for restorative yoga, meditation, and relaxation to close out our island time. The day ends with a gorgeous boat ride home to the mainland.

Level: Everyone is welcome… no yoga or meditation experience necessary! It is important that you are comfortable hiking on uneven surfaces through the woods and along rocky shores.

Registration: Space is limited. Early registration is highly recommended. To register, kindly pay via the link below.

Cost: $95-125 (sliding scale). Includes ferry ($38), share of parking in Port Clyde ($7 per car), and yoga and meditation on the island. If the lowest amount presents an obstacle for you, please email [email protected] about a payment plan or scholarship. If you are able to pay the full amount, you will help someone else participate.

What to wear/bring: Wear comfortable clothes for hiking and yoga; bring a small backpack that can carry... sunscreen/hat, warm layers for boat ride and breeze, sandals/flip flops if you'd like, hearty lunch, snacks, water, journal/book, bathing suit/towel if you’d like to dive in, small towel/blanket for restorative yoga, etc.

Weather? If there is drizzle or light rain, the trip will go! If it's a downpour, we'll reschedule. If you cannot make the raindate, you will receive a credit at the studio or a refund.

Lots of time to relax during the day!

Schedule for the day:

6:00 a.m. Depart The Dancing Elephant (carpoolers!)

6:30 a.m. Arrive Port Clyde

7:00 a.m. Depart Port Clyde via Monhegan Boat Lines

8:15 a.m. Arrive Monhegan

8:30 a.m. Welcome and plan for the day

9 a.m. to noon Yoga, meditation, and hiking outing

Noon to 2:30 p.m. Lunch break and free time for exploration

2:30-4 p.m. Restorative yoga, meditation, and relaxation

4:30 p.m. Depart Monhegan via Monhegan Boat Lines

5:30 p.m. Arrive Port Clyde

6:15 p.m. Arrive The Dancing Elephant (carpoolers!)

Invigorating and beautiful views!

Hurricane Island Retreat

with Rachel Nixon, Yoga Instructor & Lover of Islands

Friday, August 30, 4:30 p.m. to Monday, September 2, 2 p.m.

Last year was so much fun! We're going back...

Join us for a spectacular weekend retreat on beautiful Hurricane Island in Penobscot Bay! Tune in to the rhythm of the tides, the wind and waves, and the vast sky all around. Connect with yourself, breathe deeply, and relax.

Our days will include yoga and meditation, as well as island exploration and discovery. We will enjoy connection and laughter, as well as periods of stillness and silence. There will be plenty of time to rest and unwind. We will enjoy delicious, healthy meals sourced from local farms and fishermen. You can choose an invigorating dip in the ocean or a glorious outside shower at the bathhouse (indoor showers available, too). We will sleep in shared cozy cabins nestled in the trees beneath the stars.

The 3-night retreat is a special opportunity to live and practice in harmony with the natural world.

Schedule

Friday, August 30. We will meet in Rockland at 4:30 p.m. and then make our way to Hurricane Island in time for dinner, orientation/settling in, and an evening circle.

Saturday-Sunday, August 31-September 1

6:00 a.m. Wake Up

6:30 a.m. Yoga & Meditation Class

8:00 a.m. Breakfast

9:30 a.m. Island Exploration Practice

12:30 p.m. Lunch

1:30 p.m. Rest & Free Time

4:30 p.m. Yoga & Relaxation Class

6:00 p.m. Dinner and Sunset Hike

8:00 p.m. Free Time and Star Gazing

9:30 p.m. Lights Out

Monday, September 2. We will rise for our morning yoga and meditation practice, have some free time to explore in the morning, and then enjoy a farewell lunch together. We will depart Hurricane at 1 p.m., returning back to Rockland by 2 p.m.

Explore the island... and swim, if you are brave!

Registration: Space is limited. Early registration is highly recommended. To register, kindly pay the deposit or pay in full via the link below.

Cost: $400. Includes three nights lodging/facilities, nine healthy meals, daily yoga and meditation classes, as well as roundtrip transportation to Hurricane Island from Rockland. Pay in full or make a $150 deposit with the balance of $250 due by August 1. If you need an extended payment plan, email [email protected]

The Island: Hurricane Island is located 10 miles southeast of Rockland and 2 miles southwest of Vinalhaven. The island is home to the Hurricane Island Center for Science & Leadership, a sustainable, off-the-grid educational community. There will be two other programs on the 125-acre island during our stay (plenty of room for everyone).

Weather: Rain or shine, fog or clear skies….. we are going! There are indoor practice spaces for yoga and meditation.

What to bring: A packing list will be sent with registration.

Cozy cabins Yoga yurt

Hurricane Island, large forested island in foreground. Camden Hills in background.

Social Meditation Retreat

with Nick Kranz

Friday, September 20, 7-9 p.m. PUBLIC TALK @ 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, September 21, 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m.

Sunday, September 22, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.

Early registration is greatly appreciated.

Join us for a weekend retreat to explore the engaging and timely practice of Social Meditation.

As human beings, we’re wired for social interaction. We want to connect. We want to belong. Social Meditation illuminates and strengthens our innate connectedness in the present moment. The practice also fosters emotional resonance, helping us connect with our own wisdom, as well as the collective wisdom of the group. Together, we create a culture of care that is a powerful support for individual practice, as well as a support for the community. When we feel a sense of belonging, our meditation journey is more joyful, meaningful, and sustainable.

Over the course of the weekend, we will practice sitting meditation and Social Meditation. Through dialog and talks, we will work with our social patterns in a transformative way.

Level: Everyone is welcome; no previous experience required.

Registration: Early registration is recommended to save your space and it also helps the staff plan for the program. Kindly complete payment below or contact Rachel at [email protected] or 594-1694 to register and discuss other payment options.

Note: If you are able to pay $175, you will help someone else participate! Thank you.

Generosity policy: We have a generosity policy to make our offerings available to all who wish to participate. If the suggested amounts are an obstacle for you, please consider what is possible in your current situation and offer as much of the program fee as you can. Kindly register ahead by email. Thank you!

Nick Kranz has been a student of Buddhism since 1997. He is an experienced and dynamic meditation teacher with a passion for sharing authentic wisdom. Nick has developed an approach to cultural transformation through the practice of Social Meditation. He is interested in the intersection of social entrepreneurship, awakened intentional community, and collaborative right livelihood. To learn more about Nick, visit to: nickkranz.com.

Hosted by Rockland Shambhala.