March 9-27 | Art, Nature, & Wellness • 3-Week Immersion

Each day we will gather and begin by checking-in with ourselves and each other. How are you? will be a real question, not just small talk.

From there we will move into experiential learning sessions that will vary daily.

Sample Daily Schedule

9:00 am Mindful Movement & Grounding Practice

10:00 am Morning Session

12:00 pm Lunch Together

1:00 pm Afternoon Session

3:00 pm Break & Personal Reflection

3:30 pm Creative Practice & Closing

4:30 pm Wrap Up

Throughout the immersion, we work with a set of core practices that support awareness, resilience, creativity, and connection.

• We learn simple, usable tools for working with stress, anxiety, and overwhelm — focusing on approaches that can be applied in daily life, not techniques that require special conditions or a lot of extra time.

• Each day begins with movement and mindfulness practices, including yoga-based work. We explore functional anatomy to better understand how our bodies move and rest, so we can sit, stand, and play in ways that support long-term health, ease, strength, and flexibility. These practices emphasize listening, adaptability, and care rather than pushing or performing.

• We use writing and art-making as ways of thinking and processing — tools for reflection, sense-making, and expression rather than performance or critique. No prior experience with art or writing is needed; curiosity is enough.

• We spend intentional time outdoors, slowing our attention and reconnecting with the world beyond screens and constant input. Being outside is treated as a practice in itself, not a backdrop.

• Along the way, we create space to clarify personal values, recognize strengths, and reflect on possible next steps — without pressure to arrive at fixed answers or outcomes.

Throughout the three weeks we will have the opportunity to learn from and practice with expert facilitators. Here are a few of the sessions we have planned:

Stress, Mental Health, and the Nervous System – one-day exploration of how the body holds and releases stress, and how to respond in ways that build long-term resilience instead of burnout. Facilitated by Jenni Buczko, MA, LPCC

Grief, Loss, and Change – one-day gentle, creative process for acknowledging grief in its many forms—including loss, transition, and uncertainty—and cultivating compassion. Facilitated by June McCrory

Nature Journaling & Attention – a day of hands-on observation, drawing, and writing outdoors to experience how close attention to the natural world can sharpen perception, and open up new ways of thinking. Facilitated by Theresa Ho

Creative Entrepreneurship & Design Tools – three one-day sessions exploring branding, graphic design, small-business foundations, and building sustainable creative livelihoods. Facilitated by Anna Friedland

Community, Responsibility & Resilience – a two-day experience using a council-based framework to explore belonging, identity, and what it means to you to show up responsibly in community. Facilitated by Clay Muwin River

Living Philosophy & Creative Writing – guided reflections on ethics, values, and how those translate into everyday choices. Powerful writing prompts, and a group field adventure in Yosemite. Facilitated by Heather Sullivan

We begin by first building connection: moving out of isolation and into a sense of belonging through shared time and conversation.

From there, we focus on personal well-being, learning how to notice stress and develop skills so we can respond in ways that support steadiness rather than burnout.

Integrating creative and somatic (body-based) methods becomes a way of thinking and making sense of experience, shifting from being motivated by consumption toward active expression.

Engaging with these themes out in nature deepens awareness of place and responsibility, inviting care for the land and for the communities we’re part of.

All of this points toward purpose: not as something you’re expected to have figured out, but as growing clarity around what matters to you and what you want to move toward.

Participation in the Art, Nature & Wellness Immersion can count toward 100 hours of a 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) with Balanced Rock. This option is available for participants who want to apply the immersion toward formal training, but it is entirely optional and not required to fully participate in or benefit from the program.

For those who choose this option, the immersion serves as the in-person, experiential foundation (100 hours) of the training. Participants may then complete the remaining requirements through additional online coursework, teaching practicums, and guided assignments. Areas of study include teaching methodology and facilitation skills, yoga philosophy and ethics, sequencing, anatomy, cueing fundamentals, and reflective practice. Attendance and participation benchmarks apply to the training requirements.

Many people pursue a 200-hour training not because they plan to become full-time yoga teachers, but to deepen personal practice, build confidence working with groups, support their communities, or expand professional and creative skills. Others may be exploring teaching as a future possibility. Both of these approaches are welcome and not required.

Participants who complete the full 200-hour training, including additional coursework, may be eligible for local teaching opportunities through Balanced Rock, including community classes, partner offerings, and paid teaching roles as they become available.

Attendance at all in-person immersion sessions is required to receive training hours toward certification.

Our immersion has its home-base at Midpines Park & Community Hall, a welcoming public space just outside Mariposa. The Hall offers heating, cooling, and restrooms, while the surrounding park features shaded picnic tables, outdoor art installations, and a seasonal creekbed perfect for inspiration and reflection.

The park is easily accessible via the YARTS bus, which stops directly on-site — a great option for sustainable travel. View the YARTS Schedule ›

• Detailed, professional instruction, fresh ideas, and personalized guidance to help you weave supportive, grounding and inspiring practices into the fabric of your daily life.

• All necessary art supplies & yoga gear for movement practices.

• Lunch will be provided each day. We source organic ingredients whenever possible and are able to accommodate a wide variety of dietary restrictions.

• Tea, coffee and snacks.

• Most importantly, please bring an open mind and a commitment to attend the scheduled sessions.

• If possible, please bring something to sit on outdoors (camp chair, towel, yoga mat etc). If you need to borrow something, just let us know.

• Warm layers and sun protection. We will spend a lot of time outdoors as, so please prepare yourself for maximum comfort and variable weather.

• Refillable water bottle and thermos or insulated mug for tea.

• If you are able to bring your own plate and utensils for lunch, this will be a great help and will cut down on waste.

Q: Is this program really free?

Yes! This program is free, thanks to a generous grant from California State Parks, the California Arts Council, and Parks California.

If you’d like to support future programs like this, donations to Balanced Rock will help us continue offering accessible, subsidized experiences for years to come. Learn more and donate here.

Q: Do I have to live locally to apply?

No, you are welcome to join us regardless of where you live. However, please note that lodging is not included in the program.

Q: What happens if it rains or we have bad weather?

This program will run rain or shine. We will have an indoor space that is heated in case of inclement weather. We will adjust our programming as needed with the weather and appreciate whatever it offers us! Your safety and comfort is a priority, so please know that we can be flexible based on the group’s needs.

Q: Do I need to be an artist/artistic or experienced in yoga/mindfulness?

No prior experience is necessary! This program welcomes all people regardless of their familiarity with art, yoga or nature connection.

As a living, breathing human being you have an innate capacity for creativity and awareness; the processes and practices we will explore simply serve to connect you with this basic nature in a new way.

Q: What if I have to miss a day?

Because this is a cohort experience that carries the optional 200-hr Yoga Teacher certification, regular attendance is strongly encouraged. We do understand that illness or emergencies arise, however the expectation is for participants to attend as regularly as possible.

Q: Is lunch really included?

Yes! Daily lunch is provided as part of the program.

Q: How do I get there without a car?

You can ride the YARTS bus or arrange carpooling with other participants. Please reach out to our staff with questions so we can offer you more information and support.

Q: Is this a spiritual program?

While we include contemplative practices, the program is inclusive, non-dogmatic, and grounded in embodied experience.