Menla Retreat (all retreats)

Friends/Family/Press/Program Staff 2025

Flexible Dates

This is for friends and family. Use the Quick add register button and choose the room and then choose the dates and room type. For friends and family adjust the price for friends and family rate to 50 a night, plus half the cost of meals.

Menla Create-Your-Own Getaway

Flexible Dates

Build a custom escape vacation by choosing activities à la carte. Only two hours from New York City, Menla lies in the heart of the Catskill Mountains. De-stress on more than 300 acres of private wilderness. Unspoiled natural beauty adjoins state land, creating endless opportunities for wildlife spotting and discovering secret hideaways. Let fresh air, light, […]

What’s Love Got To Do With It? The Path of the Bodhisattva

With David Nichtern, Duncan Trussell, Rebecca D’Onofrio, René Fay, Susan Layden, Brittaney Valentino, Noel Coakley and Seth Freedman

April 30 - May 4, 2025

Sometimes the concept of compassion evokes images of passivity or over-accommodating kindness. In reality, compassion encompasses a dynamic spectrum, including the courage to confront challenges and make difficult decisions for ourselves and the greater good. True compassion can also begin with connecting to ourselves—recognizing and meeting our own needs so that we can approach others […]

Deep Space Breathwork and Sound Experience: Journey Within - The Art of Conscious Breathing & Sound Healing

With John Minks and Billy Pinkerton

May 16 - 18, 2025

“Breathwork is not just about breathing; it’s about awakening. Through conscious breathing, you break free from old patterns, releasing limitations and awakening to new possibilities.” Dan Brule Join us for a transformative journey as we explore the art of conscious breathing. Conscious breathing is an empowering practice that allows for self exploration and healing. This […]

Vajra Yoga Mahasiddha Reunion

With Dr. Robert Svoboda, Krishna Das, Nina Rao, Michele Loew and Robert A.F. Thurman

May 30 - June 5, 2025

Don't miss your chance to join in the second reunion of this usually far-flung all-star team of teachers and practitioners of Indic yogic sciences and spiritualities! This fun and edifying weeklong study and practice immersion is an aspiring annual tradition—the looming kaliyuga notwithstanding—bringing together Dr. Robert Svoboda, Krishna Das, Nina Rao, Michele Loew, and Prof. […]

Zero Balancing One: Working at the Interface of Structure and Energy

With Roy Capellaro, P.T. and Ben Fleisher, L.Ac.

June 5 - 8, 2025

The study of Zero Balancing goes beyond learning a body/mind system of therapy. It provides basic theory, information and skills regarding body energy, movement and body structure. We teach how to use energy itself as a working tool, and how to relate subtle touch to the bone, skeleton and bio-fields of the body. This information […]

Friends of Fungi: a Hiking, Foraging, & Mushroom Cultivation Retreat

With John Michelotti, Erwin Karl, Gabriela D’Elia and Aubrey Carter

June 13 - 15, 2025

From the largest living organism in the world to the creation of soil, fungi play an essential role for life on earth. They have been recycling and helping to heal the planet for centuries. Now we can partner with fungi to improve our lives through appreciating the food and medicines this extraordinary kingdom has to […]

Menla Wellness Detox Retreat: A Transformational Rejuvenation Experience

With Jill Pettijohn, Lynn Schauwecker and Anton Sinatra

June 25 - 29, 2025

Are you ready to break free from old patterns? Whether you’re looking to optimize your eating habits or embark on a lifestyle reset, this is your chance to improve your current routine and retreat to Menla for our Wellness and Detox Retreat. Immerse yourself in our four-day program designed to cleanse and rejuvenate your body […]

Clearlight, Nonduality, and Dark Retreat

With Andrew Holecek and Robert A.F. Thurman

June 30 - July 6, 2025

Clearlight or transparency (Sanskrit – prabhāsvarā) is the way enlightened beings describe the indescribable ultimate reality of freedom, which can only be experienced nondually. In the subtle body-mind teachings of various yogas and tantras, and even in the famous Book of Natural Liberation, aka “Book of the Dead,” its doorway is an experience of darkness. We […]

Tibetan Yoga for Wellbeing: Working with the Five Elements

With Alejandro Chaoul, PhD

July 10 - 13, 2025

Beginners and experienced students alike are invited to this Tibetan Yoga retreat with master yogin Alejandro Chaoul as he focuses on exploring the different dimensions of the five elements (earth, water, fire, air, and space), in their internal and external dimensions. In this four-day retreat, we will learn, practice, and refine the Tsa lung (channels […]

Circle of Creation Retreat

With Alison Sinatra and Lynn Schauwecker

July 17 - 20, 2025

Join us for the Circle of Creation, a retreat designed to guide women into the sacred depths of their being. Together, we will honor the womb as a place of creation and healing—a source of life that also holds the echoes of past wounds. Through ritual, ceremony, yoga, breathwork, and the power of sisterhood, we will create a space to release, renew, […]

Menla Wellness Detox Retreat: A Transformational Rejuvenation Experience

With Lynn Schauwecker and Anton Sinatra

July 23 - 27, 2025

Are you ready to break free from old patterns? Whether you’re looking to optimize your eating habits or embark on a lifestyle reset, this is your chance to improve your current routine and retreat to Menla for our Wellness and Detox Retreat. Immerse yourself in our four-day program designed to cleanse and rejuvenate your body […]

Cultivating Joy: A Silent, Mindfulness Retreat for Individuals

With Jayne Gumpel, LCSW, Michael G. Burbank and David Gumpel M.A

July 30 - August 3, 2025

Join us at Menla for a gentle, joy inspired, silent retreat consisting of meditation, self compassion, mindfulness and walks in nature. We will begin to gather as a group at 4pm Wednesday for check in and will enjoy our first dinner together at 6pm. Silence will commence around 9:30 pm after the evening introductory session […]

Introduction to Vajra Yoga: Summer Immersion

With Michele Loew and Robert A.F. Thurman

August 7 - 10, 2025

Join us for a weekend of yoga and inspiring meditations and dharma talks with Bob and Michele as we dive into the practices of Vajrayoga. Vajrayoga is Tibet House US’s school of yoga and Indian inner science, teaching the physical and meditative practices common to both Hatha and Buddhist traditions and designed to open your body […]

The Deep Space Experience - Cosmic Forest: A sound, yoga and breathwork retreat

With John Minks and Billy Pinkerton

August 15 - 17, 2025

“A person does not hear sound only through the ears; he hears sound through every pore of the body. It permeates the entire being, and according to its particular influence, either slows or quickens the rhythm of the blood circulation; it either awakens or soothes the nervous system” ― Hazrat Inayat Khan Are you ready […]

Going to Pieces Without Falling Apart: The Best of Buddhism & Psychotherapy

With Mark Epstein, M.D. and Robert A.F. Thurman

August 22 - 24, 2025

For many years, much of Western psychology has promised fulfillment through the building up and strengthening of the ego. We are taught that the ideal is a strong, individuated and confident self, constructed and reinforced over a lifetime. But Buddhist psychology has always counseled a different approach. While the ego has its place, happiness is […]

GROW A NEW BODY: One week of healing, renewal and wisdom

With Alberto Villoldo Ph.D

August 25 - 31, 2025

Lay the foundation for a healthy body that ages slowly and joyfully by combining shamanic energy medicine with cutting-edge neuroscience and biology, detox strategies and power-plant foods you can use to switch on your cells' innate ability to regenerate and repair. Detoxifying your body and upgrading your brain The human body has become a toxic […]

FRIENDS OF FUNGI FORAGING: FALL WEEKEND RETREAT

With John Michelotti, Aubrey Carter, Erwin Karl and Gabriela D’Elia

September 5 - 7, 2025

Join the Catskill Fungi team for a weekend of fun, wonderment and enlightenment as we delve into the forests of Menla, and engage the fungal residents there. Take a hands-on approach to learn how to identify common fungi in the forest. Through using your senses, you will be acquainted with multiple species and confirm your […]

Sacred Bridge: Uniting the Heart of the Amazon and the Peaks of the Himalayas - Wednesday Private Night

With Hushahu Yawanawá, Matsini Yawanawá & Family, Kenewma Yawanawá, Jordão Souza and Tsela Zoksang

October 1 - 2, 2025

Join us for a transformative weekend of prayer, song, dance, and cultural exchange as we bring together the wisdom of the sacred forests and the sacred mountains. This extraordinary gathering unites the Yawanawá people of the Amazon with Tibetan representatives from the Himalayas, weaving their ancient traditions into a shared celebration of life, connection, and […]

Sacred Bridge: Uniting the Heart of the Amazon and the Peaks of the Himalayas

With Hushahu Yawanawá, Matsini Yawanawá & Family, Kenewma Yawanawá, Jordão Souza and Tsela Zoksang

October 2 - 5, 2025

Immerse yourself in a transformative weekend of prayer, song, dance, and cultural exchange as we unite the wisdom of the sacred forests with that of the sacred mountains. This extraordinary gathering unites the Yawanawá people of the Amazon with Tibetans from the Himalayas, blending their ancient traditions in a shared celebration of life, connection, and renewal. In a […]

Sacred Bridge: Uniting the Heart of the Amazon and the Peaks of the Himalayas - Sunday Private Night

With Hushahu Yawanawá, Matsini Yawanawá & Family, Kenewma Yawanawá, Jordão Souza and Tsela Zoksang

October 5 - 6, 2025

Join us for a transformative weekend of prayer, song, dance, and cultural exchange as we bring together the wisdom of the sacred forests and the sacred mountains. This extraordinary gathering unites the Yawanawá people of the Amazon with Tibetan representatives from the Himalayas, weaving their ancient traditions into a shared celebration of life, connection, and […]

Sacred Sound, Silence and Stillness: Rest within Liminal Space

With Jennifer Ryan

October 30 - November 2, 2025

October 31-November 1 marks the midpoint between the Autumn Equinox and Winter Solstice.  This signifies the deepening continuation of turning inward for essential restoration and reflection.  Sacred Sound, Silence and Stillness straddles this significant Celestial and Earth rhythm, balancing the realm of illuminating dreams and quieted grounding.  It is as though this macrocosmic time represents […]

Vajra Yoga 300hr School

With Robert A.F. Thurman

November 14 - 20, 2025

Our 300 Hour Vajra Yoga School course will be held November 14th, 2025 to April 5, 2026. This is a unique Yoga Alliance Certification program sponsored by Menla and Tibet House US that incorporates the classical yogic inner sciences from India and Tibet to give people the tools to have a better life and share […]

Menla Wellness Detox Retreat: A Transformational Rejuvenation Experience

With Jill Pettijohn, Lynn Schauwecker and Anton Sinatra

November 19 - 23, 2025

Are you ready to break free from old patterns? Whether you’re looking to optimize your eating habits or embark on a lifestyle reset, this is your chance to improve your current routine and retreat to Menla for our Wellness and Detox Retreat. Immerse yourself in our four-day program designed to cleanse and rejuvenate your body […]

Rhythms of Balance: Handpan & Yoga Immersion Experience

With Marina Sobol and Susan DeRyder

November 20 - 23, 2025

Discover a transformative experience with Marina Sobol and Susan DeRyder in this 4-day yoga and handpan retreat. The retreat's central themes are alignment and rhythm. To bring these to life, Marina and Susan utilize specific modalities that intricately and beautifully intertwine with each other: yoga, handpan and your our bodies as an instrument Yoga serves […]

THUS NEW YEARS

December 30, 2025 - January 4, 2026