Rancho La Puerta logo
  • Home
    • Welcome
    • History & Vision
      • Overview
      • Early Days
      • Fitness Revolution
      • Modern Era
      • Deborah's Life
    • Setting
      • Location
      • Climate
    • Nature
      • Birdwatching
      • Notes & Sightings
      • Geology
      • Wildflowers
    • Premises
      • Art
      • Facilities
      • Landscaping
      • Resort Map
    • Photo Tour
    • What's New?
    • Send a Virtual Postcard
    • Ranch Map
    • Affiliations
  • Accommodations
    • Overview
    • Rancheras
    • Haciendas
    • Junior Villas
    • Villa Studios
    • Villa Suites
  • Activities
    • Overview
    • Events Calendar
    • Learning
      • Culinary Center
      • Art and more
      • Guest Presenters
    • Entertainment
    • Fitness
      • Birdwatching
      • Cardio
      • Dance
      • Hiking
      • Pilates
      • Reflective
      • Strength & Balance
      • Stretch & Flexibility
      • Tennis
      • Volleyball
      • Walks
      • Water
      • Yoga
  • Fitness
    • Bar Method
    • Cardio
    • Dance
    • Golf
    • Hiking
    • Men's Program
    • Pilates
    • Reflective
    • Strength & Balance
    • Stretch & Flexibility
    • Tennis
    • Volleyball
    • Walks
    • Water
    • Yoga
  • Spa
    • Overview
    • Book Treatments Online
    • Body Treatments
      • Head, Hands and Feet
      • Hydrotherapy
      • Wraps
    • Facials
      • Back Facial
      • Custom Facial
      • Gentleman's Facial
      • Harmonizing Firming Facial
      • Hydrating Warm Stone
      • Nature's Most Pure Facial
      • Remineralizing Facial
    • Massages
      • Back and Neck
      • Four Hand
      • Hot Riverstone
      • In Room
      • Relaxation
      • Sports
      • Therapeutic Deep Tissue
    • Salon Services
      • Hair
      • Nails
    • Therapeutic Sessions
  • Cuisine
    • Overview
    • Dining Experience
    • Cooking School
    • Book Cooking Classes
    • Organic Farm
    • Recipes
    • Menus
    • Saturdays at the Ranch
  • Rates & Specials
    • Overview
    • Rates
    • Special Offers
    • Make Reservation
    • Travel Agent Info
    • Gift Certificates
  • Your Week
    • Airport Arrival
    • Airport Pickup
    • Book Treatments
    • Book Cooking Classes
    • Driving Map
    • FAQ
    • Guest Agreement
    • Making the Most of Your Week
    • Overview
    • Packing List
    • Your Perfect Day
  • Eco-Activities
    • Overview
    • Community
    • Water
    • Energy
    • Recycling
    • Buildings
    • Landscaping
    • Farm and Food
  • Contact Us
    • Overview
    • United States
    • Mexico
    • Brochure Request
    • E-mail Us
  • Overview
  • Events Calendar
  • Learning
  • Entertainment
  • Fitness
Events Calendar -- great specialty week themes, entertainment, and presentations... every week

Each week at the Ranch offers a unique experience.

Our Specialty Weeks are week-long health and fitness programs held in addition to regular classes. Visiting instructors (the finest in their fields) are dedicated to enriching your mind/body/spirit experience.

Special Presentations include evening events, guest lecturers, arts and crafts classes, workshops, concerts and more. Some of the individuals who have graced our podium and/or led workshops include Dean Ornish, Larry Dossey, Jean Achterberg, Molly Ivins, Gail Sheehy, Graham Spanier, Amory Lovins, Erica Jong, Naomi Wolf, Madeleine Albright, Steve Thomas, Jane Fonda, Pepper Schwartz, Beverly Whipple, Ruth Westheimer, Mona Golabek, Roger Ebert, Jerry Brown, Arianna Huffington, Linda Wertheimer, Sandra Day O’Connor, Ken Dychtwald, Robert Butler, Bill Moyers, Larry Grobel, Dan Wakefield, Marion Nestle, Marion Burros, Alice Waters, Max Frankl, Swami Veda, Henry Louis Gates, Jr., and Clodagh. Each week brings someone new and exciting, a tradition dating well back to the early days of the Ranch—a time best-known for the lectures of the late Professor Edmond Szekely, and the frequent visits of author/philosopher Aldous Huxley.

Our special programs are free of charge (but some classes, such as wreath making and “prayer arrows”, have a small materials charge), and we encourage you to enjoy as many as possible during your stay.

Click on the dates below to see detailed information regarding each week's theme and special presenters. Please note that the information and schedules are subject to change (although this is rare) without notice. Although many of our guest presenters spend an entire week with us, those with busy schedules may come only briefly. In order not to miss a presentation that is important to you, check the weekly events calendar as soon as you arrive.

In addition to our guest presenters, Ranch co-founder Deborah Szekely gives an inspiring evening talk each week (schedule permitting) followed by a question and answer period. These warm and informal talks take place almost every week, and are a mix of philosophy, history, and inspiring observations on how to live the “longer healthier life.”

 


Click date below to see complete presenter bios and program descriptions

Aug 28, 2010
  • Ballet Week | Roni Mahler
  • Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Visiting Teacher Tanya Holland
  • Rancho Reads & Writes 2010 | L. Levine, K. Kamen Goldmark, S. Barry, & J. Delbourgo
  •   – Conversation with the Author | Kathi Kamen Goldmark and Leslie Levine
  •   – From Concept to Bookshelf | Sam Barry
  •   – Writing for Magazines, Newspapers and Yourself | Leslie Levine
  •   – Publishing in the Digital Age | Joëlle Delbourgo
  • Sex Education for Grown Ups | Debra Haffner
Click date below to see complete presenter bios and program descriptions

Sep 04, 2010
  • Labyrinth Week | Karen R. Cross
  • Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Visiting Teacher Pam Anderson
  • A String and a Prayer | Eleanor Wiley
  • Boot Camp for Writers | Sandy Dijkstra
  • Amazing Oceans of Life | Mark Hixon
  • Get In On the Act | Jerry Whiddon
Click date below to see complete presenter bios and program descriptions

Sep 11, 2010
  • Pilates Week | Madeline Black
  • Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Visiting Teacher Sarah Copeland
  • Sensuality and Sexuality | Beverly Whipple, Ph.D.
  • Put Some Snap Into Your Snapshots – Bring Your Camera! | Susan & Neil Silverman
  • Conquering Procrastination and Living Life to the Fullest | Neil Fiore
  • The New Left in Latin America: How New? How Left? | Richard Feinberg
Click date below to see complete presenter bios and program descriptions

Sep 18, 2010
  • Pilates and Gyrokinesis®: A Fun Fall Full Moon Week | Tannis Kobrinsky
  • Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Visiting Teacher Robin Asbell
  • Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta: Gluten Free | Carol Fenster
  • Dream On: Exploring Your Dream World | Veronica Tonay, Ph.D.
  • Sensuality and Sexuality | Beverly Whipple, Ph.D.
  • Cultivating Community Through Creative Action | Erin Lee Gafill
  • Better Family Photos – Bring Your Camera | Tom Birmingham
Click date below to see complete presenter bios and program descriptions

Sep 25, 2010
  • The Bar Method | Kate Kuo
  • Best Movies So Far this Year | Roger and Chaz Ebert
  • Aerobics with Soul® | Maria Nhambu
  • Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Visiting Teacher Deborah Schneider
  • Are You SPENT? | Frank Lipman, M.D.
  • Love Cycles | Linda Carroll, M.S.
  • Secretariat: Pure Heart, The Rise Of An American Sports Icon | Bill Nack
Click date below to see complete presenter bios and program descriptions

Oct 02, 2010
  • A Breath of the Himalayan Yoga Tradition | Swami Veda Bharati
  • — Michele Hebert
  • — Mehrad Nazari, Ph.D.
  • Kitran | Ragani
  • Yoga and Holistic Health Series | Dale Buegel, M.D.
  • Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Visiting Teacher George Geary
  • Love Cycles | Linda Carroll, M.S.
Click date below to see complete presenter bios and program descriptions

Oct 09, 2010
  •          Couples Week         
  • Inspiration: Yoga and Writing | Phyllis Pilgrim and Irene Borger
  • Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Visiting Teacher Marie Simmons
  • Put Some Snap Into Your Snapshots – Bring Your Camera! | Susan & Neil Silverman
  • CatchFire: Physical, Mental, and Emotional Energy | Peter McLaughlin
Click date below to see complete presenter bios and program descriptions

Oct 16, 2010
  •          Couples Week         
  • Broadway Week | Larry Lane and Shelley Estes
  • Broadway Cabaret | Rebecca Luker, Howard McGillin and Joseph Thalken
  • Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Visiting Teacher Jill Nussinow
  • Adventures on Wall Street | John Olson
  • Food Markets of the World | Paulette Mitchell
  • Make Your Own Alebrije | Lauren Sherman
Click date below to see complete presenter bios and program descriptions

Oct 23, 2010
  • Fitness Walking | Linda Warren
  • Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Visiting Teacher Maureen Clancy
  • Concert | Martha Aarons, flute and Miles Graber, piano
  • Prime for Life: Functional Fitness for Ageless Living | Randy Raugh
Click date below to see complete presenter bios and program descriptions

Oct 30, 2010
  • Kundalini Yoga | Ramona May
  • Courage in Relationships | Marilyn J. Mason, Ph.D.
  • Concert | Martha Aarons, flute and Frances Renzi, piano
  • The Joy of Writing | Lynne Kaufman
Click date below to see complete presenter bios and program descriptions

Nov 06, 2010
  • Pilates Week | Kim Krausher
  • Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Visiting Teacher Jill Melton
  • Breaking the Communication Barrier | Abe Wagner
  • Journal Your Way to Better Decisions | Sally Stich
  • An Evening of Gershwin | Lan O'Kun
Click date below to see complete presenter bios and program descriptions

Nov 13, 2010
  • Healing Power of Sound with Crystal Bowls | Susana Moore and Les Garfinkle
  • Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Visiting Teacher Alisa Barry
  • Your Next Calling: From Inspiration to Results | Carolyn Ingram and Leslie Gebhart
  • Dance Performance | Eveoke Dance Theater
Click date below to see complete presenter bios and program descriptions

Nov 20, 2010
  • The Bar Method | Laura Stein
  • Pilates Week | Cathleen Murakami
  • Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Visiting Teacher Marie Simmons
  • The Power of Purpose: A Year of Living Purposefully | Richard Leider
  • Transformational Sound Healing | Susie Self
  • Mandalas | Susie Self
  • All Gershwin Concert | Tom Barabas
Click date below to see complete presenter bios and program descriptions

Nov 27, 2010
  • Powerful Posture: Regaining Your Place In Gravity | Nathan Briner
  • Handwriting Analysis | Lena Rivkin
Click date below to see complete presenter bios and program descriptions

Dec 04, 2010
  • Fitness Dance Week | Ranch Dance Staff
  • Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Visiting Teacher Gary Jenanyan
  • The Positive Power of Hypnosis | Bee Epstein-Shepherd, Ph.D.
Click date below to see complete presenter bios and program descriptions

Dec 11, 2010
  • Iyengar Yoga | Aman Keays
  • An Evening of Mexican Piano Music | Laura Dean
  • The Hidden Dimension of Human Communication | Peter A. Glaser & Susan R. Glaser
Click date below to see complete presenter bios and program descriptions

Dec 18, 2010
  • Spiritual Poetry Week | Phyllis Pilgrim and Susan Duhan Felix
  • Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Visiting Teacher Deborah Schneider
  • Concert | Ensemble Mira
  • Autobiography and the Memoir | Lawrence Grobel
  • Seeing the Possibilities — Bring Your Camera | Pat Harrison
Click date below to see complete presenter bios and program descriptions

Dec 25, 2010
  • Zen Qigong | Robert Rosenbaum
  • Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Visiting Teacher Greg Patent
  • Concert | Ensemble Mira
  • Change Your Mind, Change Your Body | Jody Miller
  • Explore the December Night Sky | John Scott Marrone
Click date below to see complete presenter bios and program descriptions

Jan 01, 2011
  • Triathlon Week | Dean Hinchliff
  • Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Visiting Teacher Robin Asbell
Click date below to see complete presenter bios and program descriptions

Jan 08, 2011
  • Raja Yoga and Meditation | Michele Hebert and Mehrad Nazari, Ph.D.
  • Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Visiting Teachers Vitaly & Kimberly Paley
  • Water & Triathlon H2O | Dr. Jane Katz
  • Handwriting Analysis | Lena Rivkin
  • Improving with Improv | Charlie Allenson
Click date below to see complete presenter bios and program descriptions

Jan 15, 2011
  • Pilates Week | Odile Zelenak
  • Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Visiting Teacher Susan Westmoreland
  • Quest for Inspiration | Leslie McGuirk
  • All Gershwin Concert | Tom Barabas
Click date below to see complete presenter bios and program descriptions

Jan 29, 2011
  • Inspiration: Yoga and Writing | Phyllis Pilgrim and Irene Borger
  • Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Visiting Teacher Martha Holmberg
Click date below to see complete presenter bios and program descriptions

Feb 05, 2011
  • Pilates Week | Jill Winegar
  • The Truth About Sleep | Rubin Naiman, Ph.D.
Click date below to see complete presenter bios and program descriptions

Feb 12, 2011
  • Ashtanga Yoga and Pranayama | Michelle Haymoz
Click date below to see complete presenter bios and program descriptions

Feb 19, 2011
  • Pilates Week | Laurel Silverman
  • Healing Power of Sound | Susana Moore
  • Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Visiting Teacher Becky Selengut
  • All Gershwin Concert | Tom Barabas
Click date below to see complete presenter bios and program descriptions

Feb 26, 2011
  • Prime of Life Yoga | Larry Payne
  • Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Visiting Teacher Jill Melton
  • Make Your Portraits Come Alive | Connie Reider
  • Solution Oriented Dream Decoding | Layne Dalfen
  • Concerts | Robert Naumko
Click date below to see complete presenter bios and program descriptions

Mar 05, 2011
  • Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Visiting Teacher Meredith Deeds
  • The Poker Guys… | Larry and Lenny
  • An Evening of Mexican Piano Music | Laura Dean
Click date below to see complete presenter bios and program descriptions

Mar 12, 2011
  • Hatha Yoga Week | Barbara Kaplan Herring
  • Develop Your Personal Power | Diann Newman
Click date below to see complete presenter bios and program descriptions

Mar 19, 2011
  • Martial Arts Week | Jim Buhisan
  • Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Visiting Teacher Deborah Madison
Click date below to see complete presenter bios and program descriptions

Mar 26, 2011
  • Feldenkrais® Week | Betsy Ingalls
  • Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Visiting Teacher Lynne Rossetto Kasper
  • Seeing the Possibilities — Bring Your Camera | Pat Harrison
  • Focus on Golf | Bee Epstein-Shepherd,Ph.D., Seth Epstein, JayDee Cutting, MBA
Click date below to see complete presenter bios and program descriptions

Apr 02, 2011
  • Pilates Based Sculpting Techniques | Norma Shechtman
  • Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Visiting Teacher Chris Prosperi
  • What is Inside Shines Out: Poetry | Myra Klahr
  • Love Cycles | Linda Carroll, M.S.
  • Cultivating Community Through Creative Action | Erin Lee Gafill
  • Better Family Photos – Bring Your Camera | Tom Birmingham
Click date below to see complete presenter bios and program descriptions

Apr 09, 2011
  • Spirit Week: Yoga and Everyday Mindfulness | Phyllis Pilgrim and Elana Rosenbaum
  • Building Bone Health in Today's World | Stan Bassin, Ed.D.
Click date below to see complete presenter bios and program descriptions

Apr 16, 2011
  • Swim Week | Dr. Jane Katz
  • Bird Week | Joe Sweeney, Phil Pryde, and Neil Solomon
  • Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Visiting Teacher Marie Simmons
Click date below to see complete presenter bios and program descriptions

Apr 23, 2011
  • The Joy of Anusara Yoga | Jennifer Fox and Paul Gould
Click date below to see complete presenter bios and program descriptions

Apr 30, 2011
  • The Spirit of Yoga | Phyllis Pilgrim and Michele Hebert
  • Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Visiting Teacher Denise Vivaldo
  • Bridge Table Wisdom… | Betty Ann Kennedy
  • Photography Programs — Bring your Camera | Gary Harmatz
  • Writing What You Don't Know | Irene Borger
  • Don't Bite Your Tongue: How to Foster Rewarding Relationships… | Ruth Nemzoff
Click date below to see complete presenter bios and program descriptions

May 07, 2011
  • Pilates Week | Conni Ramsey
  • Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Visiting Teacher Diane R. Worthington
  • Breaking the Communication Barrier | Abe Wagner
Click date below to see complete presenter bios and program descriptions

May 14, 2011
  • Ta'i Chi and Qigong Week | Kevin M. Sullivan
  • Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Visiting Teacher Jill Silverman Hough
Click date below to see complete presenter bios and program descriptions

May 21, 2011
  • Pilates and Gyrokinesis | Cathie Murakami
  • Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Visiting Teacher Alisa Barry
  • Photography Programs — Bring your Camera | Gary Harmatz
Click date below to see complete presenter bios and program descriptions

May 28, 2011
  • Self- Discovery Through Journal Writing | Rita D. Jacobs, Ph.D.
Click date below to see complete presenter bios and program descriptions

Jun 04, 2011
  • Pilates Week | Karen Sanzo
  • Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Visiting Teacher Georgeanne Brennan
  • World Environment Day Fair | Laura Silvan
  • Reading Frida Kahlo: How Does Her Art Speak? | Renee Sandell, Ph.D.
Click date below to see complete presenter bios and program descriptions

Jun 11, 2011
  • Fitness Walking | Linda Warren
  • All Gershwin Concert | Tom Barabas
Click date below to see complete presenter bios and program descriptions

Jun 18, 2011
  • Joy of Anusara Yoga | Jennifer Fox and Paul Gould
  • Folklore and Stories: A Window into the Soul | Rabbi Michael R. Zedek
  • A Musical Potpourri | The Boone Sisters
  • Love Cycles | Linda Carroll, M.S.
Click date below to see complete presenter bios and program descriptions

Jun 25, 2011
  • Swim Week | Dr. Jane Katz
  • Writers' Week | Madeleine Blais, Les Standiford and Ellen Sussman
Click date below to see complete presenter bios and program descriptions

Jul 02, 2011
  • Mindful Yoga | Ann-Marie Ahye
  • Seeing the Possibilities — Bring Your Camera | Pat Harrison
Click date below to see complete presenter bios and program descriptions

Jul 09, 2011
  • Soul Motion | Vin Marti
  • Quest for Inspiration | Leslie McGuirk
Click date below to see complete presenter bios and program descriptions

Jul 16, 2011
  • Water Week | Craig Stuart
Click date below to see complete presenter bios and program descriptions

Jul 23, 2011
  • Water Week | Craig Stuart
  • Jazz Piano | Joel Camche
  • Sculpting Workshop | Marianne Groh
Click date below to see complete presenter bios and program descriptions

Jul 30, 2011
  • Egoscue Method | Rick and Theresa Mathes
  • Writer's Week
  • – The Power of Place | Dan Wakefield
  • – All About Editing | Anne Simpkinson
  • – What Makes the Bad Guy Bad | April Smith and Douglas Brayfield, MFT
Click date below to see complete presenter bios and program descriptions

Aug 06, 2011
  • A Breath of the Himalayan Yoga Tradition | Swami Veda Bharati
  • Ballet Week | Roni Mahler
  • What's New with Happiness? | Arlene Matthews
Click date below to see complete presenter bios and program descriptions

Aug 13, 2011
  • A Breath of the Himalayan Yoga Tradition | Swami Veda Bharati
  • Ballet Week | Roni Mahler
  • Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Visiting Teacher Gary Jenanyan
  • Love Cycles | Linda Carroll, M.S.
Click date below to see complete presenter bios and program descriptions

Aug 20, 2011
  • Pilates Week | Rebekah Rotstein
  • Change Your Mind, Change Your Body | Jody Miller
Click date below to see complete presenter bios and program descriptions

Aug 27, 2011
  • Spiritual Poetry Week | Phyllis Pilgrim and Susan Duhan Felix
  • Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Visiting Teacher Chris Prosperi
Click date below to see complete presenter bios and program descriptions

Sep 03, 2011
  • Building Bone Health in Today's World | Stan Bassin, Ed.D.
Click date below to see complete presenter bios and program descriptions

Sep 10, 2011
  • Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Tori Ritchie
  • Writing From the Inside Out | Shelley Harrison Rae
  • Concert | Ensemble Mira
Click date below to see complete presenter bios and program descriptions

Sep 17, 2011
  • Aerobics with Soul ® | Maria Nhambu
Click date below to see complete presenter bios and program descriptions

Sep 24, 2011
  • Healing Power of Sound | Susana Moore
Click date below to see complete presenter bios and program descriptions

Oct 01, 2011
  • Bridge Table Wisdom… | Betty Ann Kennedy
Click date below to see complete presenter bios and program descriptions

Oct 15, 2011
  • Martial Arts Week | Jim Buhisan
Click date below to see complete presenter bios and program descriptions

Oct 22, 2011
  • Hatha Yoga | Shayne and River Morgan
  • Tackling Peace | Tanya Oziel
Click date below to see complete presenter bios and program descriptions

Oct 29, 2011
  • Breaking the Communication Barrier | Abe Wagner
  • Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Visiting Teacher Deborah Schneider
Click date below to see complete presenter bios and program descriptions

Nov 05, 2011
  • Fitness Walking | Linda Warren
Click date below to see complete presenter bios and program descriptions

Nov 12, 2011
  • Tai Chi and Qigong | Cari Shurman
Click date below to see complete presenter bios and program descriptions

Nov 19, 2011
  • All Gershwin Concert | Tom Barabas
Click date below to see complete presenter bios and program descriptions

Nov 26, 2011
  • Inspiration: Yoga and Writing | Phyllis Pilgrim and Irene Borger
Click date below to see complete presenter bios and program descriptions

Dec 03, 2011
  • NIA® | Robyn Maltz and Susie Schoonmaker
  • Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Visiting Teacher Gary Jenanyan
Click date below to see complete presenter bios and program descriptions

Dec 24, 2011
  • Zen Qigong | Robert Rosenbaum
  • Self- Discovery Through Journal Writing | Rita D. Jacobs, Ph.D.
Click date below to see complete presenter bios and program descriptions

Dec 31, 2011
  • Spirit Week: Yoga and Meditation | Phyllis Pilgrim
  • Home | 
  • Contact Info | 
  • Request a Printed Brochure | 
  • View a Brochure Now | 
  • View a Ranch Map | 
  • Privacy Policy | 
  • FAQ | 
  • (800) 443-7565 | 
  • E-Mail Us | 
  • © 2010 Rancho La Puerta