
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.”
- NIA® Shamantra and Drumming | Saffire Bouchelion
- Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Chef Emeritus Michel Stroot
- Writing Workshop | Shelley Harrison Rae
- CatchFire: Physical, Mental, and Emotional Energy | Peter McLaughlin
- Fourth of July Fiesta!
- Swim Week | Dr. Jane Katz
- Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Chef Emeritus Michel Stroot
- Love's Four Journeys | Linda Carroll, M.S.
- Concert: Peace by Piece | Caron Dale
- Piano Concerts | Lara Downes
- Inner Wealth: The Secrets of Positive Psychology | Arlene Matthews
- Mindful Yoga | Ann-Marie Ahye
- Soul Motion | Vin Marti
- Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Visiting Teacher Amelia Saltsman
- Writing Your Way Out of a Crisis | Katherine Ellison
- An American Pops Concert | Elena Durán, flute, with Betty Woo, piano
- Point of Impact — Bring Your Camera | Pat Harrison
- Water Week | Craig Stuart
- Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Visiting Teacher Kitty Morse
- Locating the Writer in Everyone | David Milofsky
- Sex Over 40 | Debra Haffner
- Tour of the Universe and Star Party | Don Weisbrod
- Jazz Piano | Joel Camche
- Quest for Inspiration | Leslie McGuirk
- Life, Creativity, and Good Manners: A Conversation | Alex von Bidder
- Water Week | Craig Stuart
- Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Visiting Teacher Marie Simmons
- A Musical Potpourri | The Boone Sisters
- How to Write About Your Life | Susan Crandell and Sarah Mahoney
- Love's Four Journeys | Linda Carroll, M.S.
- Essential Healing: Finding Wholeness in a Broken World | Michael Lerner
- Jazz Piano | Joel Camche
- Himalayan Yoga Week
- A Breath of the Himalayan Tradition with Swami Veda Bharati
- Kirtan | Ragani
- Yoga and Holistic Health Series | Dale Buegel, M.D.
- Contemporary Dance Week | Henry Daniel
- Pilates, Gyrotonic® and Gyrokinesis Week | Diane Daniel
- Writers' Week | Dan Wakefield, April Smith, and Anne Simpkinson
- Handwriting Analysis | Lena Rivkin
- A Letter from Ranch co-Founder Deborah Szekely
- Himalayan Yoga Week
- A Breath of the Himalayan Tradition with Swami Veda Bharati
- Kirtan | Ragani
- Yoga and Holistic Health Series | Dale Buegel, M.D.
- Ballet Week | Roni Mahler
- Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Visiting Teacher Gary Jenanyan
- Sculpting Class | Marianne Groh
- A Letter from Ranch co-Founder Deborah Szekely
- Couples Week
- Dance Week 2009 | Demetreous Hill
- Herbal Renaissace Week | Luna Rose
- The Wondrous World of Dreams Revealed | Denise Linn
- Change Your Mind, Change Your Body | Jody Miller
- Flute Concert | Elena Durán
- Ta'i Chi and Qigong Week | Kevin M. Sullivan
- Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Visiting Teacher Chris Prosperi
- Taking Care of Your Health | Stan Bassin, Ed.D.
- Trekking Back Through Time… Back to the Basics | Marilyn Mason
- The Positive Power of Hypnosis | Bee Epstein-Shepherd, Ph.D.
- Music for Flute and Piano | Brice Martin and Natalie Dalschaert
- Labyrinth Week | Eve Eschner-Hogan
- Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Visiting Teacher Pam Anderson
- Dream On: Exploring Your Dream World Veronica Tonay, Ph.D.
- The Joy of Anusara Yoga | Jennifer Fox and Paul Gould
- Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Visiting Teacher Mary Karlin
- Rancho Reads & Writes 2009 | Leslie Levine, Kathi Kamen Goldmark and Sam Barry
- Conquering Procrastination and Living Life to the Fullest | Neil Fiore
- Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Visiting Teacher Marie Simmons
- Aerobics with Soul | Maria Nhambu
- Chamber Concert | David Shostac, David Speltz, and Connie Kupka
- Performance | Eveoke Dance Theatre
- Self Expression through Digital Photography — Bring Your Camera | Lynne Harty
- Broadway Week | Larry Lane and Shelley Estes
- Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Visiting Teacher Peggy Knickerbocker
- Sexuality and Your Health | Pepper Schwartz, Ph.D.
- Introduction to Mosaics | Linda Weill
- Details to Come… | Alejandro Sodi, Manuel Camacho
- Martial Arts Week | Jim Buhisan
- Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Chef Emeritus Michel Stroot
- Better Family Photos – Bring Your Camera | Tom Birmingham
- Cultivating Community Through Creative Action | Erin Lee Gafill
- Pilates Week | Cathleen Murakami
- Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Visiting Teacher Rick Bayless
- Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Chef Emeritus Michel Stroot
- Put Some Snap Into Your Snapshots – Bring Your Camera! | Susan and Neil Silverman
- Concert | Debbie Voltura
- Life in Transition… What’s Next? | Natalie Caine
- Couples Week
- Raja Yoga and Meditation | Michele Hebert and Mehrad Nazari, Ph.D.
- Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Visiting Teacher John Ash
- Love's Four Journeys | Linda Carroll, M.S.
- Handwriting Analysis | Lena Rivkin
- Couples Week
- Pilates Week | Rebekah Rotstein
- Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Visiting Teacher Marie Simmons
- Concert | Harold Payne
- Learn to Tango | Elena and Victor Pankey
- Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Visiting Teacher Marie Simmons
- Hiking as Metaphor | Barbara Abrahams and Cy Wakeman
- Packing Light and Easy | Bunny Stoddard
- An Evening of Gershwin and More | Lan O'Kun
- Are You SPENT? | Frank Lipman, M.D.
- Ayurveda Yoga Week | Carla Levy
- Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Visiting Teacher Su-Mei Yu
- All Gershwin Concert | Tom Barabas
- Trekking Back Through Time… Back to the Basics | Marilyn Mason
- Discovering the Stories We Live By | Craig Barnes
- Make Your Portraits Come Alive | Connie Reider
- Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Visiting Teacher Margaret Fox
- Sensuality and Sexual Health | Beverly Whipple, Ph.D.
- Tai Chi and Qigong | Cari Shurman
- Jazz Piano Concerts | Bill Harris
- Qigong Week | Olaf Dietz
- Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Visiting Teacher Suneeta Vaswani
- Sensuality and Sexual Health | Beverly Whipple, Ph.D.
- Concert | Ensemble Mira
- Is Reading Your Passion? | Tina Urman
- Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Visiting Teacher Deborah Madison
- Turning a Journal into a Novel | Peggy Payne
- Introduction to Sacred Sound for Meditation & Healing | Diane Mandle
- Details to come. We’re planning something wonderful!
- Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Visiting Teacher Gary Jenanyan
- Breaking the Communication Barrier | Abe Wagner
- The Lady of Guadalupe Procession
- The Positive Power of Hypnosis | Bee Epstein-Shepherd, Ph.D.
- Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Visiting Teacher Greg Patent
- Self-Discovery Through Journal Writing | Rita D. Jacobs, Ph.D.
- Concert | Ensemble Mira
- Concert | Ensemble Mira
- Iyengar Yoga | Mary Obendorfer
- Iyengar Yoga | Eddy Marks
- Jazz Piano Concerts | Bill Harris
- Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Visiting Teacher Joan Nathan
- Breaking the Communication Barrier | Abe Wagner
- Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Visiting Teacher George Geary
- Love's Four Journeys | Linda Carroll, M.S.
- Self-Discovery Through Journal Writing | Rita D. Jacobs, Ph.D.
- Ta'i Chi and Qigong Week | Kevin M. Sullivan
- Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Visiting Teacher Chris Prosperi
- The Art of Happiness Meditations | Danielle Levi–Alvares
- Focus on Fruits and Vegetables | Russ Parsons
- Love's Four Journeys | Linda Carroll, M.S.
- Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Visiting Teacher Marie Simmons
- Are You SPENT? | Frank Lipman, M.D.
- Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Visiting Teacher Tori Ritchie
- Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Visiting Teacher Barbara Fenzl
- Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Visiting Teacher Joanne Weir
- Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Visiting Teacher Kitty Morse
- Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Visiting Teacher Chris Prosperi
- Writing Workshop | Shelley Harrison Rae
- Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Visiting Teacher Pam Anderson
- Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Visiting Teacher Molly Stevens
- Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Resident Teacher Deborah Schneider
- Are You SPENT? | Frank Lipman, M.D.
- Love's Four Journeys | Linda Carroll, M.S.
- Breaking the Communication Barrier | Abe Wagner
- Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Visiting Teacher Deborah Madison
- Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Visiting Teacher Maureen Clancy
- Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Visiting Teacher Jill Melton
