Twelve of us got together for our first retreat event ever! Usually we go out into the wilderness, but this time we thought we would try something more civilized and more focused around workshop activities. We spent a great naked day exploring yoga, massage, forest meditation, blowing giant bubbles in the fields and a few other things we'll surprise you with! On-camera: JessiK, Ousia, Allie, Jonathan, Blossom, Logan, Missy, Sheila, Vanessa, David
Photos by: Spencer, Jon, JessiK, Nomad
event-18
Dreaming in Color
event-18
Dreaming in Color
gallery-1 97 photos by Nomad and JessiK JessiK and I arrived the day before to prepare for the event the next day. We tested the giant bubble blower!
gallery-2 75 photos by Spencer and Jon People arrive and soon are clothes-free. We have a meeting to prepare for the exciting day ahead. Off to Yoga!
gallery-3 106 photos by Spencer, Jon and Nomad Blossom leads the yoga class on this hot sweaty afternoon.
gallery-4 98 photos by Spencer and Jon Naked Yoga allows the body freedom of full movement and contact with the cooling air. Into the showers we go!
gallery-5 103 photos by Spencer and Jon Finally we get to use the pool! Relief on this unusually warm day. Favorite activity: splashing!
gallery-6 116 photos by Spencer and Jon We hike through the forest up to to labyrinth where we are drawn into the concentric circles.
gallery-7 98 photos by Spencer and Jon Nomad's "Connecting Bodies in Balance" workshop.
gallery-8 106 photos by Spencer and Jon Wow! The biggest bubbles ever, float freely around us. It's the perfect day for this: humid with no breeze at all.
gallery-9 91 photos by Spencer, Jon and Nomad Everyone is getting covered in soap as they get creative with bubble forms.
gallery-10 100 photos by Spencer and Jon In the middle of nowhere is a water hose. Perfect for washing off all the soap!
gallery-11 102 photos by Spencer and Jon Heading back to the retreat the group becomes enchanted and they start to dance like elves. Who can explain it?
gallery-12 86 photos by Spencer and Jon After having some of JessiK's great meal it's time to chill out.
gallery-13 97 photos by Spencer and Jon Ousia leads a class in the art of massage. Everyone is pretty eager after the long day.
gallery-14 99 photos by Spencer and Jon As the sun sets the massage oil gets liberally applied and tired bodies are relieved.
gallery-15 99 photos by Spencer and Jon Everyone has had a turn... well... except for the photographers! Not fair.
gallery-16 105 photos by Spencer, Jon and JessiK Allie heads a workshop in "poi", which is fire-spinning. Except today we'll nix the fire part.
gallery-17 108 photos by Spencer and Jon Winding down with some hoola hooping, dancing and soaking in the hot tub.
gallery-18 52 photos by Spencer and Nomad Most people get ready to go home - a few spend the night, but not without a good pillow fight first!
nomad-notes
Somewhere along the way, after having done many outings with groups, I had the idea we should find a private property where we could camp, perhaps with some facilities at hand, and thus spend more than just a few hours together. We could spend a long day or several days. I put out the word and suggestions came back. Eventually my interest was piqued by a small retreat in the Santa Cruz hills called Salamander. I met the woman who curated the place and as she took me on a tour of the property... the various yurts, the trails... I fell in love with the place. I had told her we were a photography group, leaving out the clothes-free part for the time being. I knew I had to tell her before leaving that day and when I did she showed no surprise at all. It was no big deal. Apparently many groups that rent the facility are clothing-optional. Six months later I was finally able to come back with a small group to try out the new model for running an event. The plan was then to do something bigger, with more people the following year. This "test day" was great; conveniently we had a heat wave so it was easy to be without clothing. The weather was perfect!
