Water Week | Craig Stuart

The warm, dry climate of the Ranch has always enticed water lovers to our three outdoor pools. Craig's special summer program includes:

The Wave

Discover how fun and invigorating it is to create wave action in the pool. Harness the power of liquid resistance and experience a body-friendly workout that truly feels good. Our low-impact, shallow water class targets aerobic endurance, muscular strength, balance and flexibility.
M, W, F at 11:00am

HYDRO-FIT Deep Water Training

Deep water training is an ideal non-impact addition to your Ranch week. Use specialized HYDRO-FIT buoyancy and resistance equipment to strengthen and tone your entire body while pushing fat-burning systems into high gear. No swimming skill is required, although comfort in deep water is recommended.
Su, Tu, Th at 11:00am and M, W, at 2:00pm

H2O Pool Pilates

Experience Pilates inspired training in the pool. Use simple buoyancy equipment and water’s natural assistance & resistance to train the deepest muscle layers in your body. Develop core strength for improved posture, balance and coordination.
Su, Tu, Th at 2:00pm

Aqua Ease

Experience soothing exercise in the pool. Ease muscle soreness and body aches as you discover how water provides support, assistance and resistance. Improve balance, enhance flexibility and restore mobility through gentle movement in the water.
Su, Tu, Th at 3:00pm

H2O Sport Conditioning

Learn how to improve physical function and enhance your natural abilities in our playful, deep-water "boot camp" workout. Rediscover your inner child and have fun as you achieve a great cardiovascular, strength, and agility workout that will leave you feeling good, not sore and exhausted.
M, W, F at 10:00am

Swim Conditioning

Improve your stroke technique and enjoy a great swim conditioning workout Our coach is on deck to help you get the most from your swimming experience. All levels are welcome—from beginner to masters level. This class is 30-minutes.
Tu, Th at 12:00noon

Craig is a certified fitness instructor, and the creator and director of HYDRO-FIT in Eugene, Oregon. He presents water workshops nationally and internationally. His innovative workouts range from easy to challenging. On the Web:www.hydrofit.com.

WaterDance and Fluid Presence | Shantam

Shantam will offer two poolside demonstrations this week:

WaterDance: Sub-Aquatic Bodywork

Shantam will demonstrate an advanced form of Aquatic Bodywork which was created in Switzerland in 1987 by Aman Schroeder and Arjana Bruschwiler. In this unique aquatic modality, when the receiver is ready, they wear a nose clip, which allows them to embark on an underwater journey of gravity-free, three-dimensionality and grace. Shantam will emphasize the art of breath connection, following, supporting, encouraging and deepening the participant's natural breathing rhythm, preparing them to seamlessly explore the underwater world whilst knowing that they are safe and supported. Participants often report profound states of consciousness, heightened sensations and a sense of indescribable harmony.

Participants can gather poolside to watch and if they like, bring a bathing suit and come into the water for some experiential learning of basic water-holds after the demonstration.

Fluid Presence™: Introduction to Warm-Water, Holistic Therapy

The essense of Fluid Presence™ is founded on the unconditional healing power of pure presence and the application of Biodynamic Cranial principles in the aquatic environment. There is a world of subtleties; a veritable orchestra of rhythms, pulses and spontaneous movement that comes alive in the witnessing presence and conscious touch of another.
Shantam will emphasize the rapport, trust, presence and sensitive "listening" necessary to provide this profound warm-water holistic therapy. A Fluid Presence™ session may integrate meditative inquiry and somatic guidance to invite the receiver into the direct experience of the subtleties of our inner fluid tides and deep relaxation. A session may also include the receiver being given a nose clip and gently guided under the water in harmony with their breath. Clients often report profound states of consciousness, heightened sensations and a sense of indescribable peace which can be life changing.
Participants can gather poolside to watch and if they like, bring a bathing suit and come into the water for some experiential learning of basic water-holds after the demonstration.

Shantam BFA, CMT, Master Hypnotherapist & WABA certified Aquatic Bodywork Therapist & Instructor has been practicing, teaching and furthering the development of Aquatic Bodywork therapy since 1994. Well known for training WaterDance (WATA®) and Watsu® therapists worldwide, Shantam's approach is characterized by continuous communion with the breath and an extraordinary ability to connect profoundly with each client on an energetic, physical and emotional level. In 2002, when Shantam was asked by her spiritual teacher, Adyashanti, (www.adyashanti.org), to teach in the Non-Dual tradition, she began combining her rich background in the healing arts with spiritual teaching and mentoring. Shantam has subsequently created Fluid PresenceTM, Warm-Water Holistic Therapy integrating meditative inquiry and somatic exploration as a medium for reawakening to our intrinsic wholeness and interconnectedness with all of life. Shantam provides and teaches Fluid PresenceTM, WaterDance® and various other events, retreats & courses at her home-center PremShala in northern California and worldwide.

Culinary Experiences at La Cocina Que Canta | Kim O'Donnel

Kim O’Donnel is a trained chef, nationally recognized online food personality and longtime journalist. She’s a graduate of the Institute of Culinary Education and The University of Pennsylvania. Formerly of The Washington Post, Kim now writes “Family Kitchen,” a twice-monthly column that appears alternating Wednesdays in USA Today. She’s a regular contributor to Culinate, where she hosts a weekly cooking chat. Kim is the founder of Canning Across America, a collective dedicated to the revival of preserving food. She's at work on “The Meat Lover's Meatless Holiday Table,” scheduled for release in October 2012. Born and raised in the Philadelphia area, Kim presently lives in Seattle with fellow journalist and head dishwasher Russ Walker.

On the web: http://kimodonnel.com/about.html

If anybody can persuade Americans to eat more tempeh, it's Kim O'Donnel. -- The Washington Post

Kim offers three hands-on culinary experiences, 3.5 hours each, during which you will enjoy preparing your own meal along with fellow cooks.Hands-on classes are offered on Tuesday at 11 am and 4 pm and Thursday 4 pm, subject to change. Classes take place at La Cocina Que Canta, our new culinary center. You also will have the opportunity to harvest produce you use from our organic garden, Tres Estrellas.

For more information and registration, please click here.

Self-Discovery Through Journal Writing | Rita D. Jacobs, Ph.D.

A journal asks you to live your life twice, once when it happens and once in reflection.  

Journal writing is an ideal way to express ideas, emotions and creativity as well as a way to heal the self, discover hidden abilities and desires—and, of course, deal with life’s realities. The Ranch is the perfect place to begin a journal practice or resume one that you might have left behind.

Rita D. Jacobs, Ph.D., is the author of "The Way In, Journal Writing for Self-Discovery," "Tommy: The Musical," "A Day in the Life of America," and "A Day in the Life of Canada." She is a widely published journalist whose articles have appeared in The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, PARADE Magazine, Diversion, Frequent Flyer, Glamour, SELF and GRAPHIS, and she is a professor of English at Montclair State University. In the past twenty years she has taught workshops in journal writing nationally and internationally. In Fall 2012, Random House commissioned Rita Jacobs to write 20 columns titled, "From Journal to Memoir" which can be found on their Biographile website.

On the Web: http://www.ritadjacobs.com/

Meditation and the Art of Happiness | Elliott S. Dacher, M.D.

Elliott S. Dacher, M.D. practiced internal medicine for 20 years before pursuing an extensive education in Eastern psychology and practices amongst the wise healers of Asia. Dr. Dacher has published four books, including his last book – “Aware, Awake, Alive” (2012.)  He is a past fellow at the Institute of Noetic Sciences and a past advisory board member of the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. A frequent presenter and seminar leader, his previous books include: “Integral Health: The Path to Human Flourishing” (Basic Books, 2006), “Whole Healing” (Dutton/Plume, 1996), and “Intentional Healing” (Marlowe, 1996). Currently he teaches and counsels individuals seeking a larger health and life.