A Breath of the Himalayan Tradition | Swami Veda Bharati

Authentic Ashram Yoga Study Comes to Rancho La Puerta

Throughout our regular fitness and activities program for the month of August, Rancho La Puerta is proud to announce that it will host “A Breath of the Himalayan Tradition”—a yoga ashram with Swami Veda Bharati and his highly acclaimed international faculty. All Ranch guests will have access to many of Swami Veda’s daily lectures, as well as some of his faculty’s yoga classes. Please click here for full program description.

(Mahamandaleshwar) Dr. Swami Veda Bharati, a disciple of Swami Rama of the Himalayas, taught Patañjali’s Yoga-sūtras for the first time at the age of 9, which led to a lifetime of extensive traveling and lecturing. Since 1947, he has been promulgating the Yogic and Vedic knowledge in numerous countries.

Pilates Week | Laura Penn Gallerstein

Laura Penn Gallerstein, owner of Moving Spirit Studio in Escondido, CA, has taught dance and mind-body courses to Ranch guests since 1989. Laura helped developed and taught the first Pilates classes at both Rancho La Puerta and The Golden Door. She also developed one of the first Pilates classes for pregnant women, as well as advanced courses for Pilates instructors. Laura's training has included intensive study with world-renowned Master Pilates instructors in London and New York City. She holds a BA in Dance and Movement from Towson State University. In addition to Pilates and dance, Laura has studied and taught yoga, meditation and energy medicine, and has a black belt in the martial arts. As a result of knowledge gained during 25 years in the body-mind field, Laura is a highly intuitive and insightful instructor, very dedicated to her students. As you participate in her classes, you will enjoy a unique blend of Pilates and body/mind consciousness, in an enjoyable, peaceful and relaxed environment.

Matthew Murray (Visiting Cooking Teacher, La Cocina Que Canta)

Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay area, Matthew Murray is currently the Chef de Cuisine for the highly acclaimed "girl and the fig" restaurant in downtown Sonoma, California. His career has included working in several kitchens in California, Minneapolis, Minnesota and Nashville, Tennessee. For the past eight years, Chef Murray has focused his cuisine on locally procured, organic and seasonal fare. He says, “The bounty of Sonoma County has been my constant inspiration.” In recent years, Chef Murray has added his love of teaching to his repertoire. He has been a guest chef instructor at Ramekins Culinary Center in Sonoma; Epcot Center in Orlando, Florida; and Draeger’s Gourmet Food and Wine Market in San Mateo, California.

Matthew offers two hands-on culinary experiences, 3.5 hours each, during which you will enjoy preparing your own meal along with fellow cooks. Also, learn from our visiting teacher during a demonstration class (tastings included). These activities take place at La Cocina Que Canta. You also will have the opportunity to harvest produce you use from our organic garden, Tres Estrellas. Transportation will be provided.

For more information and registration, please click here.

Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Creative Chef Jesús González

La Cocina Que Canta’s Creative Chef Jesús González teaches classes on a weekly basis, as well as representing Rancho La Puerta’s culinary center at culinary events far and wide. An at the Golden Door for 14 years, working side by side with famed spa chef Michel Stroot. A native of Mexico City, Jesús joined the culinary team at Rancho La Puerta as Creative Chef in 2004 where, along with co-founder Deborah Szekely, he completely revised the spa menu. He is known for the resort's organic, modified-vegetarian menu (which also features fresh seafood), and he regularly receives accolades from guests and food writers alike. An experienced culinary teacher, his hands-on classes offer a fun experience, delicious food and new cooking techniques.

Chef Jesús offers hands-on cooking classes during which you will enjoy preparing your own meal along with fellow cooks, and a demonstration class with tastings included. Classes take place at La Cocina Que Canta. You also will have the opportunity to harvest produce you use from our organic garden, Tres Estrellas. Transportation will be provided.

For more information and registration, please click here. information. And we anticipate that Saturday classes will begin soon. These classes will be open to guests and one-day visitors alike, and should be of special appeal to San Diegans who wish to visit the farm and culinary center for "a day in the garden."

Mask and Hamsa Hand-Making; Storytelling; Collage as Story | Lynn Hazan

Mask and Hamsa Hand Making
A popular hands on activity: Create your own mask or hand sculpture using your own face or hand as a base. We use strips of plaster casting and make a mold in practically no time. Working with a partner, (we can match you) you take turns to design your artwork. The hamsa is the hand of luck common to middle eastern culture.

Day one: make your mask/hamsa. Day two: make a mask/hamsa and/or decorate your original art work using paints, beads, feathers, ribbons and your imagination.

Bring the Ranch home and enjoy your new look! Dress casually. No fee or talent needed.

Storytelling

Stories from the Heart that Touch the Soul: Lynn Hazan, Professional Storyteller, Writer and Drama facilitator will entertain you with an international array of stories and folk tales, including her own. Lynn has entertained at the Ranch for over 16 years. She draws her material from global trips and humanitarian projects in Ethiopia, former Soviet Union, Israel, Germany, England and the Czech Republic. Snuggle up in front of the fireplace and let Lynn’s voice take you on a worldwide journey. Special treats are also in store!

Collage as Story

Let your creative juices flow in this fun and relaxing workshop. Want to use the creative arts to help you on a journey while you are at the Ranch and beyond? We supply all the materials to help inspire you…magazines, ads, stickers, graphic images, glue, scissors and paper. Perhaps you see yourself in a new light, have an idea or vision or simply want to put images and thoughts together. The collage will be the personal expression of your story. No artistic ability is needed. Just come!

Lynn Hazan, storyteller, performer and educator is a leading speaker on storytelling, ethnic identity/family history and the use of the narrative in business. She has performed at the Ranch since 1991. Lynn has traveled in search of stories in such countries as Ethiopia, former Soviet Union, Israel, Germany, England, Czech Republic, Peru, Ecuador, Galapagos Islands and the south Pacific. Audiences are energized by Lynn’s warm, enthusiastic and fun approach. She also conducts workshops on personal journeys, corporate storytelling, and how to incorporate stories into social action projects. She was honored as Chicagoan of the Year by the Chicago Jewish News for her relief and advocacy work on behalf of Ethiopian Jewry. Hazan’s story, A Taste of Honey, A Taste for Love is featured in “Chosen Tales: Stories told by Jewish Storytellers.” The Faces Haunt, the account of her humanitarian trip to Ethiopia appears on the JUF website. The Four Daughters and other selections are published in the Project Kesher hagaddah. She also writes the Career Insider, a regular column for Ragan Communications. A native of Montreal, she earned her master’s degree from Brandeis University and her bachelor’s degree from McGill University.