Gateways: A 5Rhythms Movement and Mindfulness Retreat

Step into the threshold between years and discover what moves within you. Gateways is a seven-day immersion in the Five Rhythms—Flowing, Staccato, Chaos, Lyrical, and Stillness—designed as a gateway to presence, embodied awareness, and nervous system integration. Held during the winter solstice season at the sacred coastal sanctuary of Esalen Institute in Big Sur, California, this retreat invites you to move, meditate, and remember what it means to be fully alive in your body and breath.

Led by Lucia Horan, a lifelong student of 5Rhythms founder Gabrielle Roth, alongside facilitator Douglas Drummond and guest musicians Sanga of the Valley and Nick Ayers, this retreat honors the transformative power of conscious movement. Whether you arrive carrying the weight of the past year or seeking renewal, the Five Rhythms become your compass—a dance that teaches you how to flow with life, cut through resistance, surrender to chaos, soar in freedom, and rest in deep stillness. This is not performance; it is medicine.

All experience levels welcome. The retreat weaves dynamic kinetic awareness with seated contemplative practice, creating a container where your nervous system can integrate, your body can speak, and your spirit can expand against the backdrop of Big Sur's dramatic coastline and Esalen's legendary hot springs.

What to Expect

You will begin each day moving through the five rhythms in a spacious, supported environment. Morning sessions ground you in presence; afternoon practices deepen your exploration of each rhythm's unique intelligence. The retreat balances vigorous movement with restorative meditation, honoring both the kinetic and the still within you.

The arc moves from Flowing (the liquid, organic foundation), through Staccato (the sharp, clear, warrior energy), into Chaos (the dissolution and breakthrough), emerging into Lyrical (the freedom, play, and lightness), and finally arriving at Stillness (witnessing and presence). Guest musicians Sanga of the Valley and Nick Ayers create a live, responsive soundscape that meets you where you are.

By retreat's end, you'll leave with:
- Direct somatic experience of how the Five Rhythms can shift your nervous system
- Tools for integrating movement and stillness into your daily life
- A felt sense of what it means to dance as meditation
- Community with fellow seekers on the path

Venue & Logistics

This retreat takes place at Esalen Institute, the legendary retreat center perched on the cliffs of Big Sur, California. The seven-day program begins Monday, December 28, 2026. Wear comfortable clothing you can move freely in; the institute provides access to hot springs and coastal trails. Esalen is accessible by car; please contact the venue directly regarding any mobility accommodations.