“It’s almost impossible to find the words to describe what an amazing person, healer, and teacher Gina is. I’ve been going to her meditation classes weekly for about six months and have missed a total of 2 classes out of that time – for someone who has trouble keeping the same routine for 2 days, that should tell you something. Gina’s classes are transformative and rejuvenating, helping you connect with parts of yourself you didn’t know you had lost touch with. What I love is that her classes are for everyone – from people who think meditation is not for them to experienced meditators. It’s a different style but so utterly simple you can do it from day one. She always emphasizes connection to your body and your inner wisdom – day one you will walk away with new tools, helpful in whatever life situations you’re up against. I really can’t recommend Gina’s classes enough. If you have any trauma, if you struggle with anxiety, depression or any chronic illnesses, you HAVE to come. I feel blessed, honored, and grateful more than I will ever be able to express for the healing that Gina’s innate wisdom, skill and leadership has brought into my life.” — Alana Nur, MHS, Healthcare Policy Consultant, Sausalito, CA

“The day long workshop I attended with Gina reminded me of the incredible inner resources within me. Gina helps to tap those resources and gives guidance on how to make the most of what arises. Her feet are planted firmly on the ground, and she possesses a warm and hearty sense of humor. She has a valuable gift and is willing to share it!” — Karen Palamos, LMFT, San Francisco, CA

“The retreat was truly extraordinary! I had the opportunity to strengthen my bond with my soul and discovered a sense of tranquility, connection, and groundedness that I hadn’t felt in a long time, if ever. The journeys, the unconditional acceptance, the trust, the laughter, the music – it was all incredibly healing. Gina artfully organized the event with her spot-on intuition, fostering deep transformation for all participants. I’m confident that everyone left with newly polished inner gems. If you’re contemplating it, take the plunge! A new world awaits on the other side.” — Paula Stockamp, Peoria, AZ

“Hardly will one find a practice that leads oneself to such wonder, self-growth, and self-fulfillment than the one Gina offers here. The development of one’s consciousness, soul, or whatever term of art you prefer is not a practice well understood or experienced in the sciences of today, but is extraordinarily rendered simple and powerful to experience through these methodologies here. A bountiful frontier of wisdom, healing, self-connection, and self-mastery exists at the edges of our comfort if we dare enough to explore.” — Jeff Hale, Software Engineer, Polymath, Philosopher, San Francisco, CA

“It was my first experience of full-on receiving the benefits of Gina’s work. And I have returned to my life with a whole sense of spaciousness, where there was clogged-ness. I highly recommend this retreat. Gina’s work is the most powerful work on the planet. I have spaciousness in my body and my psyche and in my etheric body, that I’ve never had before. I’ve been stuck with certain patterns and issues. I’m here today, completely unstuck and unbelievably grateful for the fabulous food we had; and Gina Vance’s extraordinary work.” — Leslie Lawton, Novato, CA

it’s been definitely a really positive experience. Over the last couple days, I’ve noticed just much more calmness and peace and just kind of going with the flow, more openness. There’s just a level of honesty and support here. It’s been an amazing experience. —Matt Walsh, Danville, CA

“I came to this retreat, really looking for connection and five days of really checking in with myself and getting some clarity. But what unfolded was something so much bigger than that. Each, journey that we did and each healing and interaction with each other, as we dropped in, the connection really built. I was able to do some healing that I so yearned for, for so many years. It just naturally unfolded in the intimacy of the group, and the trust that was built over the five days was just so beautiful. I will definitely return for the next one.” — Michelle McKayla, Sausalito, CA

“Being in an environment where I wasn’t judged at all, and was given the opportunity to be my complete authentic self, is something I don’t think I’ve experienced before, and I feel as if a window of my soul was opened. It was profoundly healing. I have noticed I have this desire to authentically express myself now in a way that I can’t (and don’t want to) ignore.” — Alison Diefenbach, Concord, CA

“I never felt such a feeling of community, clarity, connectedness, celebration, communication and change in any previous retreat that I’ve attended. No one was excluded or left behind and everyone had each other’s back! It was empowering with nourishment that came in many forms. Thank you so much for the opportunity to experience the retreat!” — Joann Blaska, Modesto, CA

“This has been one of the most amazing retreats I’ve been on. I loved how I was able to connect on a Soul level with the other participants, and to share deeply enriching experiences. Gina expertly held the container for the five days, and was supported by all of us, creating opportunities to have profound inner world journeys.” — Jean-Pierre Weingarten, Mill Valley, CA

“Gina’s SMGI® retreat was a wonderful, transformative experience. I felt well taken care of the entire time. Gina created a safe and supportive space that made me comfortable getting uncomfortable….where vulnerability, open sharing, and true transformation occurs. I came away with additional insights, deep healing, and clarity for my next best steps. My favorite and most helpful parts of the retreat were the inner guided journeys – personally experiencing the impact as a recipient was healing both physically and emotionally. My severe body pain was minimized from a level 10+ to a 3, and with each following day improving more. Thank you Gina for an experience I’ll always remember.” — Kathy Z., Charlotte, N.C.

“This SMGI® retreat has been the most enriching retreat experience I have ever had, and I suspect ever will. Through curated journeys, experiences in and with nature, musical participation, and other shared experiences with an amazing group of individuals, I have returned to the world with a new wealth of insight that is simultaneously magical and practical. I carry all of this with me moving forward to inform my life on so many, many levels, professionally and personally. Thank you so very much Gina and Chef Jean-Pierre for such a transformative advantage.” — Keri Briones, Sausalito, CA

“I got a lot more than I was expecting. I got something substantial. Something profound. Something big—that touched core parts of me. Perhaps changed me. — Sanjeev Balarajan, Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, MA, AMFT

“I have just had one of the most incredible experiences of my life. I have spent time with Gina and her crew and her visitors, and it has been so beautiful, so life-changing, so important. I really hope others will follow in her footsteps and listen to her words and her music because it is just incredible. It is life changing.” — Mary Ann Maggiore, coach, consultant, author, educator and public speaker

“I am forever grateful to you for the miracles that occurred in my life during and especially after our group sessions ended. The benefits manifested tenfold after our group meetings ended as I continued using and strengthening the skills you taught me. It’s been a privilege to get to know you and share our sacred truths. Please keep doing what you are doing, because we need more light and love and miracles in our world.” — Amy G., Mind-Body Sills Group Participant, Hughson, CA

“I took a class from Gina to deal with some transition issues. She is amazing.” — Eddy Cash-Dudley, attorney, Kamuela, HI

“At the beginning of our meeting, my stress level was 900 on a scale of one to ten. Now it’s a negative three.” — R.K., Homeless Veteran, Salvation Army Transitional Living Program, Modesto, CA

“Gina is a caring facilitator and great beacon of light for this Earth. Her work has helped me reconnect to my body and relight the fire of my personal passions. Anyone who works with her can feel her overwhelming enthusiasm for life and the betterment of it; both personally and collectively.” — Dr. Gunnar Emery, Los Gatos, CA

“The idea of sitting still and silent, clearing the mind of thoughts, might send some active Marinites — especially those of us who carry running shoes in our car and a running “to-do” list in our heads — into a small panic attack. But settle into one of the comfy floor seats for Gina Vance’s “Guided Journey” meditation class at Soulstice Mind and Body Spa in Sausalito, and the worries drift away; follow her clear, comforting instructions and somewhere along the way you’ll realize that not only are you meditating, but — shocker! — you are enjoying it.” — Kirsten Jones Neff, taken from Marin Magazine, Feb 2019 issue

“I love Gina’s class. She guides us gently to find inner wisdom in places that are unexpected and often hard to reach. Give it a try and be amazed!” — Minna Sivola, Certified Sound Practitioner, Oakland, CA

“When Gina visited our transitional program and lead a Health Rhythms Drumming class it really had a great impact on our residents. They came into the group feeling anxious, reserved, and uncomfortable with the unknown. Gina was able to take measure of their stress levels before the class started and then again afterwards. The results were amazing! Almost all of the residents stress levels went down! It was amazing to see their eyes brighten up. The stress melted away and I was able to see some of the residents smile and laugh for the first time.” — Sara Boring, Dir. Veterans Affairs Transitional Program at The Salvation Army, Stanislaus County, CA

“Very quickly Gina establishes a safe container for the group. Each journey I’ve done, I’ve left feeling recharged, energized, integrated, and the kind of qualities I get from a very long practice meditation. It accelerates my own inner work through the experience of seeing other people’s inner process simultaneously to mine.” — Karen Saura, Mindful Rhythms Trauma Informed Education, Fairfax, CA

“Great tools to use with self and others. Gina has a great style and is very skilled in her craft.” — R. Peck, MFT