Welcome to the 3-day Meditation, Yoga, and Healing Retreat at Ananda Dhiira, Penn Valley, California, from January 29 – 31, 2027!
Take a break from the pressures of daily life and immerse yourself in a peaceful retreat dedicated to meditation, yoga, personal growth, and inner well-being.
Nestled in the rolling foothills of Northern California, Ananda Dhiira offers a tranquil environment where you can disconnect from distractions, slow down, and enjoy deep meditation. Surrounded by forests, fresh air, and beautiful natural scenery, this retreat provides an opportunity to nourish your body, calm your mind, and deepen your connection with yourself and others.
Whether you are completely new to meditation or already have an established practice, this retreat offers a supportive environment in which to learn, grow, and experience the benefits of yogic living.
Over the course of three days, you will participate in meditation sessions, gentle yoga classes, uplifting mantra chanting, inspiring workshops, nature walks, and healthy vegetarian meals. You will also have opportunities for personal reflection, meaningful conversation, and one-on-one guidance from experienced meditation teachers.
This retreat is not about escaping life—it is about learning practical tools that can help you live with greater clarity, balance, purpose, and peace long after the retreat has ended.
What to Expect
During the retreat, we follow a simple and nourishing daily rhythm designed to support both relaxation and personal growth.
Each day includes:
* Guided meditation sessions
* Gentle yoga classes suitable for beginners
* Mantra chanting and music
* Workshops on meditation, yogic philosophy, health, and personal development
* Time in nature
* Opportunities for questions and discussion
* Delicious vegetarian meals
* Quiet time for rest and reflection
Participants often tell us that one of the most valuable aspects of the retreat is the opportunity to step away from constant stimulation and experience a simpler, more intentional way of living.
Meditation
Meditation is the heart of the retreat, and we will have four meditation sessions each day. Each session is twenty to thirty minutes, plus mantra chanting before the meditation.
Our approach to meditation is practical, accessible, and suitable for people from all backgrounds and belief systems. Through guided practice and personal instruction, you will learn techniques that help calm the mind, reduce stress, increase concentration, and cultivate inner peace.
Meditation is much more than a relaxation technique. It is a method of self-discovery that helps us access deeper levels of awareness, wisdom, and happiness that already exist within us. Whether you are sitting for the first time or returning to a long-standing practice, our teachers will help you develop a meditation routine that you can continue at home. At the end of the retreat, there is an option to have an individual session with the teachers to learn personalized meditation practices.
Mantra Chanting and Meditation
A unique feature of our retreats is the practice of Kiirtana, a form of mantra chanting accompanied by music and dance.
Many participants are surprised by how powerful this practice can be. The combination of music, rhythm, movement, and focused awareness naturally quiets mental distractions and prepares the mind for deeper meditation.
Kiirtana is a joyful and uplifting practice that helps create a sense of inner calm, openness, and connection. For many people, it quickly becomes one of the most memorable aspects of the retreat experience.
Yoga for Relaxation and Balance
The yoga practiced during the retreat is gentle, accessible, and designed to support meditation.
These classes emphasize awareness, relaxation, flexibility, and balance rather than athletic achievement. The movements are simple enough for beginners while still offering benefits for those with previous experience.
Yoga sessions help release physical tension, improve circulation, calm the nervous system, and prepare the body for meditation.
Participants are always encouraged to work at their own pace and modify practices as needed.
Nature and Outdoor Experiences
Nature is an important part of the retreat experience.
Ananda Dhiira is located in a peaceful rural setting surrounded by trees, wildlife, and open skies. Throughout the Meditation and Healing Retreat, there will be opportunities to walk, relax outdoors, and enjoy the beauty of the natural environment.
Weather permitting, we will also visit the nearby South Yuba River, one of Northern California’s most beautiful natural areas. Participants often enjoy swimming, meditation by the river, and simply spending time immersed in the sights and sounds of nature.
Many people find that being away from urban distractions and spending time outdoors greatly enhances the benefits of meditation and self-reflection.
Healthy Vegetarian Meals
All meals served during the Meditation and Healing Retreat are vegetarian and prepared with an emphasis on freshness, simplicity, and nutrition. The special diet presented is the “sattvic vegetarian” diet, which excludes onions, garlic, mushrooms, and eggs. We also have vegan and gluten-free options available.
Our meals are designed to support both physical well-being and meditation practice. Whenever possible, we use organic ingredients and accommodate dietary restrictions and food allergies with advance notice.
Sharing meals also creates opportunities for conversation, friendship, and community.
Personal Guidance
Throughout the Meditation and Healing Retreat, participants will have opportunities to ask questions and receive individual guidance from the teachers.
Whether your interest is meditation, yoga, healthy living, stress management, or spiritual growth, our teachers are available to support you on your journey and help you develop practices that fit your unique needs and goals.
Participants who wish to learn a personal meditation technique may schedule an individual meditation lesson following the retreat. These lessons are offered free of charge. If you choose to stay at Ananda Dhiira after the retreat for additional instruction, normal accommodation and meal fees will apply.
Your Teachers
The retreat is led by Didi Ananda Acira and Dada Diiptimanananda, experienced meditation and yoga teachers who have dedicated their lives to sharing these practices with others. Together, they have taught meditation and yoga internationally for many years and guided hundreds of people in their spiritual practice.
Didi and Dada’s warm, practical, and down-to-earth teaching style helps create a welcoming environment for participants of all backgrounds and experience levels.
Benefits of the Retreat
Many participants report experiencing:
* Reduced stress and anxiety
* Greater mental clarity and focus
* Improved emotional balance
* Increased energy and vitality
* Better sleep and relaxation
* A deeper sense of purpose and meaning
* Stronger connection with themselves and others
* Practical tools for maintaining well-being in daily life
While every person’s experience is unique, most participants leave feeling refreshed, inspired, and better equipped to meet the challenges of everyday life.
Who Is This Meditation and Healing Retreat For?
This retreat is suitable for:
* Beginners who want to learn meditation
* People looking to reduce stress and improve well-being
* Yoga practitioners interested in a more meditative approach
* Individuals seeking personal growth and self-discovery
* Those looking for a meaningful retreat experience in nature
* Anyone interested in developing a sustainable spiritual practice
No previous meditation or yoga experience is required.
Discover how a few days of meditation, yoga, nature, and community can create lasting positive change in your life.
Retreat at a Glance
3-day Meditation Retreat at Ananda Dhiira
Friday · Arrive and Settle In
- 2–3:30 p.m. Arrival, registration, and settling into your accommodation
- Afternoon: Welcome, introduction to chanting and meditation, and yoga
- Evening: Dinner, evening program, and time to rest
Saturday · Practice, Learn, and Connect
- Morning: Yoga, chanting, and meditation, followed by breakfast
- Late morning: Meditation workshop and tai chi
- Midday: Group meditation, lunch, and free time
- Afternoon: Walk to the South Yuba River and outdoor meditation
- Evening: Yoga, dinner, and group sharing
Sunday · Deepen Your Practice
- Morning: Yoga, chanting, and meditation, followed by breakfast
- Late morning: Introduction to individual meditation, river walk, and group practice
- 12:30 p.m. Closing circle
- 1–2 p.m. Lunch and departures
Optional early morning meditation: Saturday and Sunday at 5 a.m.
Optional Sunday extension: Stay for a one-on-one meditation lesson between 3 and 5:30 p.m., followed by meditation, yoga, and dinner.
The schedule may change depending on the weather, group needs, and other circumstances.
Arrival and departure
Ideally, please arrive at Ananda Dhiira before 3 p.m. on the first day of the retreat. Allow enough time between your flight’s arrival and reaching the retreat center. Daytime travel is recommended, as Uber availability can be limited in the evening.
If your flight options are limited, you may arrange to arrive the day before or leave the day after the retreat. The additional fee is $200 for arriving one day early and $85 for departing the following day. These arrangements must be confirmed with us in advance. Airport transfers are charged separately.
Airport transfers
We can often arrange an airport pickup or help coordinate a shared ride. Transfers provided by our team cost $65 each way per trip, which can be split among passengers traveling together. Please contact us before booking your flights to check availability, as our team also has retreat duties and other commitments.
Please arrange your return transportation in advance. Uber is sometimes available from Ananda Dhiira, but it can be unreliable. Drivers may cancel at short notice, leaving too little time to arrange another ride.
If our team is unavailable and we cannot arrange a shared ride, we can help arrange a private taxi to the airport (Kimberly). She charges $100 during daylight hours and $130 before sunrise or after sunset. Please contact us ahead of your retreat to discuss your travel plans.
Retreat address
Ananda Dhiira
19393 Sanctuary Road
Penn Valley, CA 95946
United States
The entrance gate on Sanctuary Road requires a security code. You will receive the gate code after registering for the retreat.
Arrival By Car
The address is:
Ananda Dhiira
19393 Sanctuary Road
Penn Valley, CA, 95946
United States
After you enter the gated road, continue up the gravel road and take the second right to the main building of Ananda Dhiira.
What To Bring?
Please bring comfortable clothing and shoes, toiletries, a towel, a notebook & pen, a swimsuit, medications (if you have any), sunscreen, insect repellent, a hat, and other personal needs. Ananda Dhiira has yoga mats, but you are also welcome to bring your own.
Prohibited Items:
It is not allowed to bring any static (tamasik) items, such as tobacco, alcohol, drugs, intoxicants, meat, fish, eggs, onion, garlic, mushrooms, or any food containing those items. If you have any questions, please get in touch with us for more information.
The food during the retreat is plentiful and delicious, so you don’t need to worry about going hungry!
No strong perfumes or lotions should be used out of respect for our guests with scent sensitivities.
Pets are not allowed at Ananda Dhiira.
The Cancellation Policy
- The retreat fees are fully refundable up to 5 days before the retreat (minus any transaction fees).
- If you cancel 0-4 days before the retreat, no refund will be provided.
- All options include a transfer of the amount paid (deposit or full payment) to a friend or relative upon the hosts’ approval, up to 5 days before the retreat.
- If you cannot attend this retreat, you will have the option to transfer your credit to another retreat within 12 months of the retreat you booked. If the other retreat is more expensive, you will have to pay the difference.
- If you check into the retreat and decide to leave early, there is no refund or transfer option for the retreat fees.
- There are no discounts for arriving late to the retreat. We encourage everyone to arrive on time. Arriving late is not conducive to the retreat flow.
- If the host has to cancel the retreat due to unforeseen circumstances, you will receive a full refund within 15 business days, or you can use your retreat payment towards another retreat within 12 months.
