Welcome to your Silent Awakenings FAQ page!
We are grateful for your patience as we finalize all the necessary details you’ll need to know about your September 25, 2022 retreat at beautiful Tenaya Lodge in Yosemite.
Travel
What airports are close by?
Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite is located 62 miles north of Fresno International Airport (FAT) on California State Highway 41 and 2 miles from the south entrance to Yosemite.
How can I get to the hotel from the airport?
There is no public transit from Fresno after Labor Day weekend. Taxi and ride-sharing services are both available at the airport and recommended. Rental cars are available from all major companies.
Hertz is offering discounted rates for Chopra guests. To book, visit the Hertz Website and select Enter a Promo or Discount. In the box labeled Discount/CDP/Club Code, enter code 2188961, select I am booking this trip for: "Leisure," and hit apply.
Taxi Cabs
Limos & Shuttles
Will there be parking available?
Self-parking is available for no charge. A parking permit is required and will be issued at the time of check-in.
Lodging and Amenities
How do I book my hotel with the Chopra discounted rate?
Contact your Program Consultant for specific details.
What time is hotel check-in?
Standard check-in at Tenaya Lodge is 4:00 pm. The hotel will allow early check-in upon arrival if rooms are available.
What time is hotel check-out?
Stand check-out at Tenaya Lodge is 11:00 am. The hotel will provide storage for your luggage at the valet is needed.
What amenities are available at the hotel?
Meals
What meals are included at this event?
I have food sensitivities. What kind of food will I be able to eat?
All meals will be clearly labeled for easy reference. Please contact your Program consultant if you have specific restrictions. In addition, Tenaya Lodge has detailed procedures in place to ensure safe food preparation to accommodate guests with allergies.
What restaurants are on the property?
What to bring
What should I wear?
Comfortable clothing for meeting spaces and resort wear for activities. We recommend layers as the temperatures can vary in the meeting space and outdoors. You will also want to have clothing for yoga and outdoor excursions on hand if you desire. It is suggested that guests wear white for the closing ceremony on Friday, September 30th.
Do I need to bring a yoga mat?
All retreat guests will be provided a travel yoga mat by Yoga Design Lab at event registration.
COVID-19 Safety Protocols
As always, the health, safety, and well-being of our community are a top priority.
We pay close attention to the evolving nature of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and changes to related guidance from public health organizations, including the CDC, as well as local rules and regulations in effect at the locations our retreats are held. We also recognize that due to the lifting of mask mandates in public spaces, such as airplanes and hotels, more stringent safety requirements that we might seek to enforce at Chopra events regarding COVID would be insufficient to fully control the environment at our events.
Consequently, as of August 10, 2022, we are no longer requiring proof of COVID-19 vaccination or negative testing prior to attendance at Chopra events. In addition, although we highly encourage guests to continue to wear masks indoors at our events, we will not be enforcing a mask mandate unless required by local regulations.
In summary:
• Event guests are not required to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test.
• We will continue to screen event guests for symptoms that may be related to COVID-19 infection and, in the event of resultant concerns, prohibit participation until testing can be conducted.
• We strongly encourage, but will not require, all guests to wear a face mask in indoor event settings.
• We strongly encourage all event guests to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 prior to attending any large gatherings, including Chopra events
Please note that our policies and procedures continue to be based on the current nature of the COVID-19 pandemic and related public health guidance, among other factors. Accordingly, this policy is subject to change. We encourage you to check this page regularly for any changes or updates to the foregoing.
Click here to learn more about Chopra’s Covid-19 protocols.
Get Your Personalized Mantra
Please take the Chopra Meditation Foundations before your retreat. This course can be accessed anywhere, anytime, and takes most people around 3 hours to complete. You will use your mantra for the group meditations at the retreat to deepen your experience.
Here's how to access your Chopra Meditation Foundations Course:
Need some help? Customer Excellence is more than happy to assist. Please email them at support@chopra.com or call 760-494-1688.
Chopra Retreats App
Download the Chopra Retreats App! With the app, you can see the schedule, sign up for breakout sessions, communicate with other guests and talent, view the map, save content, and so much more! The Chopra Retreats app is available in the iOS App Store or Google Play Store. To access the Silent Awakenings retreat in the app, follow these steps:
Additional Resources
We also suggest that you read the following book(s) prior to attending so that you can get the most out of your experience:
What time is event registration?
Early event registration for Silent Awakenings will take place Sunday, September 25th between 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Registration will also be offered Monday, September 26th from 7:00 am to 8:30 am.
What’s included in my ticket?
What event seating is available?
Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis and changes daily.
What is a typical day like?
Your day will follow the basic structure below. Meditations will be led by Deepak and Chopra Certified Instructors.
To learn more about what a typical day would look like, view the schedule on the retreat page.
Are there any additional materials I need to prepare myself for this event?
Paid tuition to Chopra’s Meditation Foundations Course is included as part of Silent Awakenings to enrich both your experience at the retreat and also the quality of your life.
If you have not already received your Primordial Sound Mantra, this course is a supplement to the event and will prepare you to fully understand the teachings offered at Silent Awakenings. If you have already received your Primordial Sound Mantra, you can use this course as a refresher or gift to a friend.
What is Ayurveda?
Ayurveda means “the science of life.” Developed over thousands of years through studying different mind and body types, Ayurveda provides a roadmap to whole-body, personalized health.
The two main guiding principles of Ayurveda are:
Who will benefit from this retreat?
Silent Awakenings is for committed Primordial Sound Meditation practitioners who want to take their meditation and spiritual awareness to a deeper level. A silent retreat isn’t suited for everyone, yet for those who are ready to take a deep inward journey, many gifts await.
Silent Awakenings is perfect for anyone who wants to:
What happens during personal time?
You will have time every day to be alone. You can exercise, write in your journal, walk in nature, or do anything that is nurturing for your experience.
Are there any requirements to attend?
Silent Awakenings is an advanced retreat, limited to guests who have previously attended any Chopra program, workshop, or taken our Primordial Sound Meditation or Chopra Meditation Foundations online course. This is a unique opportunity for an extended experience of meditation, silence, and contemplation that will help you dive deeper and be more present in your life.
We ask that participants fulfill the following prerequisites before coming to Silent Awakenings:
Experiences during meditation and silence vary for each individual. These practices in a retreat setting offer a unique opportunity for growth, healing, and positive transformation. As part of a healing journey, these practices can bring to the surface some challenging thoughts, emotions, and memories or can trigger physical symptoms, especially in the case of past trauma. For the majority of attendees, these experiences can be managed with the support of our staff and teachers. Chopra Global retreats are designed for participants who are mentally and physically stable and not for one-on-one psychological support or acute medical emergencies. They are not a substitute for professional therapy or medical care. If you have pre-existing mental or physical health conditions, please consult with your health care provider or therapist prior to registering for a retreat. In the event of emergency or the need for advanced care during a retreat, guests will be referred to on-site property staff and resources. Chopra Global will not be held liable for any ill effects that occur during a retreat. If you are under the care of a psychiatric professional, we recommend you discuss attendance in the retreat with them to see if it is appropriate for you.
About the Area
What is the local climate like?
Tenaya Lodge is located in Fish Camp, CA just outside Yosemite National Park. Average daily temperatures during the retreat range from a high of 75 degrees to a low of 45 degrees.
What are the highlights of the area?
Where are the nearest hiking trails?
There are several hiking trails on the property. Additionally, hiking trips in Yosemite can be scheduled through the concierge for an additional fee.