4-Day Silent Retreat for Inner Stillness, Renewal, and Moonlit Practice

Silence is not emptiness. It is a space where the body can soften, the mind can settle, and the deeper self can be heard again. Over four days, we will use the tools of yoga, pranayama, meditation, Yoga Nidra, mindful eating, and nature immersion to help you move from outward habit into inward presence.

The New Moon supports this inward movement. It is a natural time to listen, release what has become heavy, and plant intentions for the next cycle of life. At Still Mountain, the wide Sierra Nevada sky, oak woodlands, and nearby Sequoia forest become part of the practice.

Silence is not empty. It is where the heart begins to listen.

Silence Is Introduced Gently
The retreat includes guided practices, quiet meals, nature walks, and self-study time so silence feels supported, not forced.

Nature Holds the Practice
Oak woodlands, open sky, and forest bathing create a living container for rest, reflection, and nervous system calm.

The Body Leads the Way
Gentle movement, breathwork, and Yoga Nidra help the mind settle through the body rather than through effort alone.

The New Moon Gives Rhythm
The retreat follows the inward current of the New Moon, a time for intention, renewal, and quiet beginnings.

Guided by Practitioners Who Live the Work

This retreat is held by teachers rooted in lived practice, not performance. Kristin English brings decades of devotion to yoga, Vipassana meditation, natural movement, and the study of the body. Her work is grounded in service, presence, and the wisdom of nature.

Deepak Swarup shares from his own path of healing and conscious living. His work at Still Mountain is shaped by Yogic sciences, pranayama, meditation, and the belief that daily lifestyle choices can support a more peaceful and healthy life.

* Guided silent meditation and concentration practices.
* Pranayama and breath awareness to steady the mind and prepare for stillness.
* Gentle yoga and movement practices that reconnect attention with the body.
* Yoga Nidra and guided relaxation for deep rest.
* Sound bathing and simple sensory practices that support inward listening.
* Silent meals with mindful eating practices.
* Forest bathing in nearby Sequoia forest and quiet time on Still Mountain oak woodlands.
* Night walks and meditation under the wide Sierra Nevada sky, weather permitting.

Under the New Moon, we pause, soften, and begin again.

Supported By Nature

For many people, silence can feel intimidating at first. Nature makes the doorway gentler. The trees, open sky, moonlight, and quiet paths give the mind something simple and honest to return to. During the retreat, we will spend time outdoors in silence, practicing awareness while walking, sitting, breathing, and listening.

We will also forest bathe in a nearby Sequoia forest and spend ample time on Still Mountain’s oak woodlands. This is not a hike to complete. It is a slow return to the senses. The forest becomes a teacher of patience, rootedness, and presence.

The New Moon as a Quiet Beginning

The New Moon is traditionally a time for moving inward, setting intentions, and listening for what wants to grow next. In this retreat, the moon is not treated as a spectacle. It is a rhythm. It reminds us that rest, darkness, and silence are part of renewal.

Under the mountain night sky, we will reflect on inner and outer nature, allowing silence to become less of an idea and more of an experience.

Yogic Eating in Silence

Meals are part of the practice. At each nourishing organic vegan meal, you will be invited to slow down, notice, taste, breathe, and eat with awareness. In silence, eating becomes less automatic. It becomes a simple way to return to the body and receive nourishment fully.

What You May Notice After the Retreat

* A quieter relationship with your own thoughts.
* More comfort with stillness and silence.
* A steadier connection between breath, body, and attention.
* A deeper appreciation for mindful eating and simple daily rituals.
* A clearer sense of what you want to release or begin.
* More spaciousness before reacting to stress.

When the outer noise settles, the inner path becomes clear.

Always with you

A Lived Experience of Silence
Not just a concept, but a felt sense of quiet carried through practice, meals, movement, and nature.

New Moon Reflection
A clearer intention for the next season of your life.

Nature-Based Rest
A direct experience of how silence in nature can support the nervous system.

Simple Daily Practices
Breath, movement, and awareness tools you can continue at home.

Mindful Eating Tools
A quieter way of relating to food, nourishment, and digestion.

A Path for Deeper Practice
The option to extend into two additional nights of quiet practice with minimal guidance.

Optional 5-Night / 6-Day Extension

Guests who want to continue the practice may extend for two additional nights after the main retreat. These days are quieter and more spacious, with two guided classes each day, mealtimes, and ample room for personal silence, walking, rest, and self-guided practice.

Please register for the 3-night retreat first, then contact us to discuss the extended stay so we can help shape it with care.

This Retreat May Not Be the Right Fit If

You are looking for a highly social vacation-style retreat.
You do not want periods of silence during meals, practice, or personal time.
You are seeking intensive cathartic processing or medical treatment.
You need a schedule filled with constant activity and entertainment.

Still Mountain Wellness Retreat is the public-facing name of Vedanta Spiritual & Holistic Retreat, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Retreat fees support participant wellbeing, land care, and the continuation of this sanctuary.

Remember to Pack these

Comfortable clothing for yoga, meditation, and gentle movement.
Warm layers for cool mornings and evenings in the mountains.
Comfortable walking shoes for nature walks and forest bathing.
A shawl, wrap, or light blanket for sitting in meditation and on Forest floor.
A journal and pen for reflection.
A reusable water bottle.
Any personal medications, supplements, or necessary health items.
Toiletries and personal care items.
A flashlight or headlamp for evening walks.
A book for quiet reflection, if desired.
An open heart and willingness to slow down.

We encourage you to bring only what supports rest, simplicity, and inward practice. This retreat is a chance to step away from unnecessary distractions and return to the quiet presence of the New Moon, the land, the breath, and yourself.

Gallery

What's Included

Daily Schedule

Meet your Teachers

Healing · Mindfulness · Yoga

Kristin English

Kristin brings intuitive guidance and a gift for holding space for deep personal transformation.

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Yoga · Pranayama · Breathwork

Deepak Swarup

Land steward and long-time practitioner Deepak Swarup established Still Mountain as a practical refuge from modern stress. Grounded in his roots near the Ganges and a strictly vegan, Sattvic lifestyle, his approach offers straightforward tools for quiet reflection and lasting mental peace.

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