Tahoe Somatic Retreat Experience

By Sonja Sutherland

Sonja Sutherland and Peter Wright co-lead Tahoe Somatic Retreats. Join them in October (still "Indian Summer" here) for Closeness and Distance: Exploring Relationships to the Spaces Around and Within Us.

It's a beautiful, crisp morning and I awaken with the early rays of sun to the fresh smell of the Tahoe terrain. I look out of my window. The lake is calm and clear as glass, beckoning to me. I walk down to the boathouse and climb into a kayak. Lake Tahoe's vastness, both in depth and breadth is awe-inspiring. Not far from our retreat is the deepest point of Lake Tahoe—over 1500 feet. I glide out and sit quietly in my kayak, trying to imagine this depth below me. It is truly hard to fathom. I look up and while still aware of the immense body of water below and around me, I take in the clear blue sky which extends as far as I can see above me. Along my horizon are the snow peaked Sierras. I take a deep breath and close my eyes. I feel the depth and expanse around and within me. I am filled with gratitude. What a way to begin the day. Soon all the others will awaken and we will continue our weekend retreat.

For the last few years, Peter Wright and I have been leading somatic weekend retreats twice a year in Tahoe at this beautiful, rustic lakefront estate. Our workshop approach, integrating Feldenkrais, somatic psychology and aikido practices around a central theme, is unique. Each of these three disciplines lends a distinct yet complimentary perspective to our work. Our retreat location is an environment conducive to slowing down, listening to and nurturing our own rhythms and movements so we can form relationships with greater awareness and intimacy.

At day's end, after leading and participating in our workshop, I enjoy sharing a scrumptious home-cooked gourmet vegetarian meal with the participants. After dinner we all chat, enjoying each other's company. Peter and I discuss the day's experiences and plan for the morning. The moon is glimmering on the lake, the stars are out. It's time to soak in the hot tub. I gaze up into the expanse of the universe, appreciate my surroundings and gather my thoughts to prepare for tomorrow.