The ukulele has surged in popularity in recent years, offering an accessible way to bring music-making into the lives of people around the world.

Whether you're new to the ukulele or have been playing it for years, this retreat offers the opportunity to deepen your musical journey and have fun with the playful and meditative teaching style of Stu Fuchs. Stu blends mindfulness and breathwork with music-making practice, cultivating joy and relieving stress.

The retreat focuses on:

• Listening deeply to the present moment in order to approach music-making from a more joyful, nonjudgmental, and relaxed perspective
• Nurturing the mind-body connection and cultivating the intuitive musician within you
• Accessing a more relaxed technique so you can enjoy playing for longer

Ukulele Zen is a unique method that weaves music study with mindful movement and accessible practices from the Plum Village tradition of the late Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh.

Stu also shares his own unique practices that he's personally used for more than 30 years of music study and professional performance around the world. Ergonomic techniques for strumming, singing, and picking melodies are shared along with powerful practices that can help you reach your goals and make your practice a refuge of peace.

Who Should Attend? This retreat is open to those new to the ukulele and those skilled—no experience with yoga or meditation is required.

You are guided through songs and nourishing practices to improve your ukulele skills, cultivate more relaxed hands, and a clear mind. You learn and practice foundational skills while playing, and sing easy and uplifting songs in a joyful atmosphere of music.

Through playfulness, deep listening, and relaxed attention, you get “off the page a bit” and develop your intuitive music-making skills.

Please note: Workshop begins Sunday at 8:00 p.m. No experience with yoga or meditation is required.

Please complete this questionnaire prior to the start of the course. The information given will be used by the faculty to help plan the course.

"Stu is really good at creating a comfortable space where people can explore music and expand their skills naturally. There is no forcing, only encouragement and a clear and joyful path forward. I was blown away by the blazing energetic community you facilitated—I felt like I came 'home' to the heart of where music really comes from."
— Mary T. Author and Ukulele Enthusiast