Summer at Sunburst

Daily commuters between Lompoc and Santa Barbara may not feel this way, but the drive along the coast on the CA101 west of Goleta, and then through the rural areas heading toward Lompoc, can be meditative on its own. Even better, Sunburst Sanctuary shows up several miles outside of Lompoc, and tensions seem to fade just by pulling into the grounds with its wide-open spaces and shimmering hills. 

Sunburst has scheduled some special events for two successive Saturdays in July, starting with a Mindful Mixed Media gathering as part of the sanctuary’s Art Series. The one day “mini retreat” from 10 am to 4 pm on July 12 offers an opportunity to connect with your creative spirit surrounded by a supportive community, guided into the art process by creativity coach Kathy Leader. The event, a taste of Leader’s ongoing The Art Process workshops, is suitable for all level of artists, from first-time dabblers to experienced creatives seeking inspiration. The warm, welcoming, and peaceful atmosphere of Sunburst’s meditation and wildlife sanctuary itself supports letting go of all that confines us to find the
spark inside. 

Participants will be invited into accessing the creative voice through guided nature connection meditations and journaling, leading into contemplative guided mixed media and collage art projects – a process most find deeply nourishing, inspiring, and healing. No experience necessary, just a desire to bring your whole self to a like-minded community. The $125 fee includes materials and a vegetarian lunch. Registration deadline is July 8. More info at www.theart-process.com.

Family Fun Day: Relaxing at the Ranch 

The following Saturday, July 19, is Family Fun Day at the ranch at Sunburst, where the whole clan can immerse in nature; reconnect with family, friends, and loved ones; and engage in a wide array of activities. Among the offerings in the 9 am to 7 pm event are interactive gardening experiences for the whole family, encounters with horses as well as hayrides, a picturesque family hike, creating a wishing tree, a themed scavenger hunt and crystal sound bath designed for all ages, and a labyrinth walk for the adults. Dinner, snacks, beverages, and all activities are included for a donation of $55 per person ($40 for ages 3-4, ages 0-2 free), but bring your own lunch. Secure your spot by July 11. 

Create Your Own Sound ‘Bath’

Sunburst’s Art Series continues 1-4 pm on Sunday, July 27, with a Native American Flute Workshop with Al King, Sunburst’s in-house musician and an active member of the community since 1973. The introductory class will guide newbies into the experience of expressing themselves through the instrument, which many have shared has had a huge impact, and most people find that they can easily play it. Participants can bring their own flute or preorder from Sunburst the Butch Hall ‘A minor’ flute, constructed from top quality aromatic Eastern Red cedar, walnut, and cherry woods using the one-piece drilled construction method. Fee is $55. Register by July 23. 

Perseids and Perspectives

For a deeper dive at Sunburst – and an eye on the sky – the first weekend in August brings another Relax Renew Recharge experience at the sanctuary, this one timed for the Perseid meteor showers. Days filled with yoga and guided meditation, guided or self-led hikes through the expansive trails and grounds, and nourishing vegetarian meals lead into evenings gathered together under the stars to watch the Perseid meteor shower in the incredibly dark surroundings at Sunburst. There’s also a healing sound bath in the Redwood Grove. All activities, accommodations, and meals are included for a sliding scale suggested donation of $265-$365. Registration deadline is July 23 for the
August 1-3 event. 

Call (805) 736-6528 or visit https://sunburst.org

Sinking into Sol Seek

Closer to home, Sol Seek Santa Barbara, the yoga studio located across the street from City Hall and De la Guerra Plaza, hosts a couple of special events this month. Embodied Bliss: The Soma Journey, led by 25-year Santa Barbara resident Shannon Stone, is designed to help participants move deeper into their bodies in search of soma – joy, contentment, and happiness. Unlike typical somatic movement practices, this 75-minute event is a meditation-focused experience centered on cultivating the attitude of bliss while maintaining grounding in authentic emotional processing. The Embodied Bliss experience is composed of binaural beats, mantra, guided meditation, and visualization as well as sound immersion. The 4:30 pm gathering on Sunday, July 13, costs $45. 

Natalie Sampila, a certified yoga teacher for 20 years with 1,500 hours of additional training in a wide variety of modalities, leads Sunday Meds at 6 pm on Sunday, July 27. The soulful gathering to breathe, share, and reset in community begins with an optional group check-in to share anything arising in the present moment. Based on what arises, Sampila will then lead a guided meditation and gentle Pranayama (breath work) practice to soothe the nervous system and lift the spirit. Sunday soul medicine is meant to help you feel seen, grounded, and ready for the week ahead. Fee: $30.  

Visit www.solseekyoga.com