The Sanctuary

A four-day immersive experience designed to facilitate deep transformation, healing, and integration

October 3 - 6, 2024
Sierra Nevada, California

  • “An experience and environment that cannot be replicated elsewhere. And one that I will engage with for the rest of my life.”

  • “A uniquely beautiful experience that is so much bigger, so much realer than others.”

  • "I got clarity in my head, but also in my heart and soul."

About the experience

The Sanctuary is a transformational experience designed to support you in times of transition, empower you to let go of what no longer serves you, and re-connect you with your intuition.


Our society is fast-paced, disconnected, and transactional – we invite you to step away and reach beyond the surface for authentic answers to your biggest questions.

  • Maybe you’re craving a break from your busyness. Or you've tried to rationalize your way to a more fulfilling life. Or you have an unfulfilled need for authentic connection.

  • We’re a modern version of a tradition our ancestors have engaged in for millennia – venturing bravely into their depths and the wilds to seek guidance.

We combine the best methods for growth and healing with communal ceremony (see details below), pristine nature, and expert facilitation.

  • We invite your whole being – mind, body, spirit, sexuality, ancestral lineages, and cultural identities.


Our facilitation team consists of a licensed clinical psychologist, a sound healer, two certified transformational guides, and 40+ years of collective experience.

The role of ceremony

For thousands of years, humans have entered Holotropic States of Consciousness – non-ordinary states typically accessed through meditation, breathwork, sacred medicines, and other means. You’ll engage in various rituals that allow you to access Holotropic States of Consciousness to…

💡 Remove creative blocks

🔋 Release energies stored in your body

🎭 Highlight patterns of behavior that may not be serving you

🌠 Contact sources of guidance you never thought possible

Please get in touch if you would like to learn more about these rituals and practices.

The program

  • https://thenounproject.com/icon/retreat-6321816/

    4-Day Immersive Guided Retreat

    The center of the program is The Sanctuary Retreat. You will emerge ready to step into your full potential.

  • integration by Shocho from <a href="https://thenounproject.com/browse/icons/term/integration/" target="_blank" title="integration Icons">Noun Project</a> (CC BY 3.0)

    1-Month Integration Support

    Integration is an ongoing process. Group calls will help you integrate insights into your life. Optional ongoing 1:1 support is available too.

  • Community by Wilson Joseph from <a href="https://thenounproject.com/browse/icons/term/community/" target="_blank" title="Community Icons">Noun Project</a> (CC BY 3.0)

    Lifelong Community

    Without a dedicated community, the journey of transformation is impossible. Our community is rich with fellow travelers.


The retreat itinerary

  • Arrive and get settled. Gather for the opening ceremony and meet your fellow attendees in group. Set intentions for the rest of retreat. Connect over the first group dinner. Relax around the fire and get to know each other.

  • Get out of the distraction of the world. Drop into the inner world. Deepen connection, integrating shadow and power. Surface up the real work that needs to be done.

    We will blend deeper connection work with activities to prepare body, mind, and soul for ceremony.

  • The peak of retreat. Journey into the depths of your unknown. Heal wounds. Experience bliss. Open to creativity you never thought possible.

    We will be fully oriented toward guided ceremony work.

    Please get in touch if you'd like to learn more about these rituals and practices.

  • Celebrate the work and connection that was built. Acknowledge each other. Close retreat circle and begin the path of integration.

    Day 4 will involve structured activities focused on nurturing the insights from the journey experience and transitioning focus to the path of integrating the retreat experience into daily life.

    Integration will be supported by The Sanctuary team post-retreat.

What to expect

Outcomes

As a participant, you will:

🥷 Contact, heal, and integrate suppressed shadow parts

🌄 Deepen your relationship with Mother Nature

🏔️ Shed what no longer serves you

🌊 Shift key patterns that keep you stuck

🌱 Connect to your purpose and unique genius

📍 Gain tools to support your lifelong journey

🌍 Integrate into a vibrant community

Prior attendees say…

Your guides

  • Dr. Kelly Yi

    FOUNDER, PSYCHOLOGIST, PhD

    Kelly is a licensed clinical psychologist in California, a psychedelic therapist, and spiritual guide. His PhD is in Transpersonal Psychology and he has over 20 years of experience working with individuals, couples, families and groups at numerous agencies in the San Francisco Bay Area, South Korea, and around the world.

  • Joana Ayala

    FACILITATOR, SOUND & VOCAL ARTIST

    Joana is a group facilitator, artist, and sound practitioner based in Berkeley. She has 7+ years of experience in the wellness and transformational scene. She is a certified sound practitioner and vocal artist. Her dedication lies in crafting spaces where sound becomes a form of medicine and the voice serves as a conduit for healing.

  • Yashas Singri

    FOUNDER, EXECUTIVE & LEADERSHIP COACH

    Yash is an executive & leadership coach who studies the "good life." He is a formal student of ancient philosophy and modern science, with 10+ years of experience working with leaders and teams aligned to pro-social causes. His mission is to bring himself and his clients into greater alignment with presence and inner intuition.

  • Jeremy Scharf

    FOUNDER, SPIRITUAL GUIDE

    Jeremy is a spiritual guide who has 10+ years of experience studying ancient traditions including Zen Buddhism, Theravada Buddhism, and Stoicism. His work weaves together gifts of these traditions with modern science and practicality. He is also a writer, freelance consultant, meditator, yogi, avid hiker, and nature lover.

Investment

Sliding Scale: $800-1,200

Housing options include private, double, and triple rooms. Selection priority based on order of enrollment.

We are committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive space for all who choose to embark on this journey. If you feel called to this experience but the investment is out of your reach or other concerns hold you back, please reach out to explore possibilities.

FAQs

  • Attendees typically include solopreneurs, founders, executives, people in transition, people on sabbatical, and people on paths of self-discovery.

    But there is not one profile we are looking for – our community is rooted in introspection, support, curiosity, presence, and radical honesty. If these values resonate, we’d encourage you to apply.

  • Once you enroll, we'll provide details about when and where to arrive. The retreat experience will run from the evening on Thursday, October 3rd through the afternoon on Sunday, October 6th.

  • The Sanctuary came to life when Kelly met Yash through an Austin-based intentional community. Over the previous years, Kelly and Joana had been co-facilitating retreats, as had Yash and Jeremy. The four of us shared a vision of helping humans connect on the deepest levels, find answers to their biggest questions, and discover the truth of who they are.

    We plan to build a nature-based retreat center and living community, likely in Northern California.

  • Each day will be different. One day will be dedicated to ceremonial rituals – please reach out for more information. Other days will consist of group and individual practices, one-on-one support, and free time. There will also be adequate time for rest and recovery. You'll leave rejuvenated and with an open heart.