An Unexpected Oasis

Exclusively for Your Private Group

Book a private morning retreat with Inner Story Retreats at The Japanese Garden in Van Nuys, CA for your group of up to 20 participants.

Available on Saturdays at 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, the retreat includes a wellness program led by certified sound therapist and Yin yoga facilitator Diana Osberg.

You’ll have exclusive access to a beautiful 6.5 acre Japanese garden, with time to walk and meditate prior to and following the wellness program.

Soothing Sounds of Nature

in a Traditional Shoin

At the far end of the lake at the base of a waterfall, you’ll find the Shoin – where your group will gather for the wellness program.

Here in this traditional, open-air building, you’ll delight in the sounds of flowing water and songbirds and feel the gentle breeze from the lake.

Breathing, Yoga & a Soundbath

for a Deeply Relaxing & Restorative Morning

Diana will lead your group in a mindfulness practice and a series of restorative Yin yoga poses with sound therapy, using crystal singing pyramids and a crystal tuning fork.

The wellness program concludes with a heavenly soundbath. You’ll be immersed in the deeply healing vibrations of crystal and Tibetan singing bowls, gongs, and other sacred instruments.

Waterfalls throughout the garden delight the senses and add symbolic meaning in the garden. The three levels of the waterfall symbolize Heaven, Man, and Earth. The three states of water represented are falling, flowing, and still. “Be soft in your practice. Think of the method as a fine silvery stream, not a raging waterfall. Follow the stream, have faith in its course. It will go on its own way, meandering here, trickling there.” ~ Sheng Yen

You may discover some of the tranquil meditation spots, like this one (pictured), tucked away in the trees on a gentle knoll. Follow the Plover Bird path, with its stones arranged in this shore bird’s flight pattern, and it will lead you to a wisteria-covered arbor with benches. A sukiya style arbor overlooking the lake, was designed as a place to rest, meditate, and view the garden.

The Shoin Building will be our home for the wellness program. At the far end of the lake, it adjoins the teahouse and projects over the lake at the base of a waterfall.

Shoin was the residential dwelling developed for aristocrats, upper class monks, and samurai during the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries.

Here’s the space inside the Shoin where your group will gather and share a healing practice, a place where gentle breezes from the lake lift the spirit, where the sounds of flowing water and songbirds delight the soul, where you can connect with your highest, best self and open yourself up to the person you know you are. This is traditionally a place of community where you can share your Divine spirit.