Vajra Yoga Mahasiddha Reunion 2026
With Dr. Robert Svoboda, Krishna Das, Nina Rao, Dorje Lopön Chandra Easton, Michele Loew, John Campbell and Robert A.F. Thurman
May 28 - June 4, 2026
Join the third reunion of this usually far-flung all-star gathering of teachers and practitioners of Indic yogic sciences and spiritual traditions! This inspiring weeklong immersion, an aspiring annual tradition, brings together Dr. Robert Svoboda, Krishna Das, Nina Rao, Chandra Easton, Michele Loew, John Campbell, and Prof. Robert Thurman for a stand-alone hybrid retreat weaving Ayurveda, Bhakti Yoga, Vajrayoga, and tantric Hatha Yoga.
The Mahasiddha Reunion explores the shared roots and living connections between these traditions through study, practice, discussion, and devotion. Participants leave physically energized, deeply inspired, and connected to a growing community dedicated to spiritual evolution and embodied wisdom.
Mornings focus on integrated Vajrayoga practices led by John Campbell, with breath-centered movement and meditative exploration. Nina Rao and Chandra Easton offer teachings on the sacred feminine, Tara and Devi, along with mantra, kirtan, and devotional practice, while Robert Thurman presents the tantric and “Rājayoga” dimensions of Vajrayoga.
Afternoon sessions feature lively teachings and storytelling led by Svoboda, Thurman, and Krishna Das, drawing from the lives and wisdom of great Indian and Indo-Tibetan mahasiddhas. These include Svoboda’s insights from his decades studying Ayurveda and the Aghori tradition, Krishna Das’s devotional presence inspired by Neem Karoli Baba, and Thurman’s Vajrayana teachings rooted in the lineages of his Tibetan gurus, with special emphasis on female siddhas and the many emanations of Tara, supported by Nina Rao and Chandra Easton
Svoboda and Thurman will also lead special Fire Pujas in the central field of Menla’s campus, with all students participating. This puja is a powerful way to heal and energize our planetary mandala and celebrate the eventual triumph of the total liberation and enlightenment of all beings (including ourselves!) in a gorgeous setting.
Space is very limited for the in-person option, so it is best to sign up early for this amazing opportunity to study and practice with some of the best minds and hearts in these fields!
If you can only attend part of the retreat, you may arrange a partial/prorated registration via our Front Desk at frontdesk@menla.org. Please note that we have a two-night stay minimum. Also, we have a few spots reserved in shared housing for those needing partial scholarships. If you are interested in applying for a partial scholarship, please email frontdesk@menla.org.
Schedule:
Thursday, May 28
- 3 – 6 pm Arrival & Check-in
- 6 – 7 pm Dinner
- 7:30 pm Welcome & Opening Discussion (All Faculty)
Friday, May 29
- 7:30 – 9 am Vajra Yoga Practice (John)
- 9 – 10 am Breakfast
- 10:30 am – 12:30 pm Morning Class (Robert S)
- 1 – 2 pm Lunch
- 2 – 4 pm Free Time for Spa Appointments, Relaxation, or Self-Study
- 4 – 6 pm Afternoon Class (Bob T)
- 6 – 7 pm Dinner
- 7:30 pm Kirtan with Krishna Das
Saturday, May 30
- 7:30 – 9 am Vajra Yoga Practice (John)
- 9 – 10 am Breakfast
- 10:30 am – 12:30 pm Morning Class on the Sacred Feminine: Discussions on Yogini, Dakini, and the Goddess, Stories & Chant (Nina and with Chandra)
- 1 – 2 pm Lunch
- 2 – 4 pm Free Time for Spa Appointments, Relaxation, or Self-Study
- 4 – 6 pm Fire Puja weather permitting (Robert S)
- 6 – 7 pm Dinner
- 7:30 pm Evening Discussion (Bob T, Robert S, KD)
Sunday, May 31
- 7:30 – 9 am Vajra Yoga Practice (John)
- 9 – 10 am Breakfast
- 10:30 am – 12:30 pm Morning Class on Embodying Tara & Chanting (Chandra Easton & Nina Rao)
- 1 – 2 pm Lunch
- 1:30 – 4 pm Free Time for Spa Appointments, Relaxation, or Self-Study
- 4 – 6 pm Afternoon Class (Robert S)
- 6 – 7 pm Dinner
- 7:30 pm Kirtan with Krishna Das
Monday, June 1
- 7:30 – 9 am Gayatri Mantra Veda Class & Recitation (Nina)
- 9 – 10 am Breakfast
- 10:30 am – 12:30 pm Morning Class (Robert S)
- 1 – 2 pm Lunch
- 1:30 – 3:30 pm Free Time for Spa Appointments, Relaxation, or Self-Study
- 3:30 – 6 pm Afternoon Storytime and Q&A (KD)
- 6 – 7 pm Dinner
- 7:30 pm Evening Discussion (Bob T, Robert S, KD)
Tuesday, June 2
- 7:30 – 9 am Vajra Yoga Practice (John)
- 9 – 10 am Breakfast
- 10:30 am – 12:30 pm Morning Class on Tibetan Medicine and Ayurveda (Bob T & Robert S)
- 1 – 2 pm Lunch
- 2 – 4 pm Free Time for Spa Appointments, Relaxation, or Self-Study
- 4 – 6 pm Afternoon class on Sacred Feminine with Chandra, Nina & Michele
- 6 – 7 pm Dinner
- 7:30 pm Kirtan with Krishna Das
Wednesday, June 3
- 7:30 – 9 am Vajra Yoga Practice (John)
- 9 – 10 am Breakfast
- 10:30 am – 12:30 pm Morning Class Michele Loew: 10th century Female Mahasiddha Niguma and her yoga lineage and practices
- 1 – 2 pm Lunch
- 1:30 – 2:30 Sound Journey with Arjun
- 2:45-3:45 Meditation with Chandra Easton
- 4 – 6 pm Fire Puja 2 weather permitting (Bob T)
- 6 – 7 pm Dinner
- 7:30 pm Kirtan with Krishna Das
Thursday, June 4
- 7 – 11 am Check-out of Rooms
- 7:30 – 9 am Vajra Yoga Practice (John)
- 9 – 10 am Breakfast
- 10:30 – 12:30 pm Closing Discussion (Full Faculty)
- 1 – 2 pm Lunch & Departure
*Please note that the schedule is subject to change at any time.
About the Leaders
Dr. Robert Svoboda
Dr. Robert Svoboda was the first Westerner to graduate from a college of Ayurveda and be licensed to practice Ayurveda in India. During and after his formal Ayurvedic training, he was tutored in Ayurveda, Yoga, Jyotish, Tantra and other forms of classical Indian lore by his mentor, the Aghori Vimalananda. He is the author of […]
Learn more about Dr. Robert Svoboda
Krishna Das
Krishna Das is a Grammy-nominated chant artist and has sung with people all around the world for over 35 years. His music offers the practice of chanting mantras– mostly in the Indian tradition, with some Buddhist and Gospel infusions. By sharing his life experiences on the path in his book Chants of a Lifetime, and workshops with people […]
Learn more about Krishna Das
Nina Rao
Nina Rao learned traditional chants from her grandfather in a village in south India when she was nine years old. The chants quietly stayed with her until she rediscovered chanting with Krishna Das in New York in 1996. For many years Nina has been Krishna Das business manager and assistant, and accompanies him musically. In […]
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Dorje Lopön Chandra Easton
Dorje Lopön Chandra Easton is a teacher, author, and translator of Tibetan Buddhism. She has taught Buddhism and Yoga around the world since 2001 and co-translated Sublime Dharma: A Compilation of Two Texts on the Great Perfection, published in 2012. In 2015, she was given the title of senior lead teacher, Dorje Lopön (Varjāchārya), by […]
Learn more about Dorje Lopön Chandra Easton
Michele Loew
Michele Loew is an international yoga teacher & practitioner of Hatha & Tibetan Yogas & the co-founding director of the Vajra Yoga School of Comparative Buddhist & Indic Yogic Studies where sheco-teaches with Professor Robert A.F. Thurman at Menla & abroad. She has taught, practiced, & studied avidly since 1998, and continues to run her […]
Learn more about Michele Loew
John Campbell
John Campbell has been practicing yoga and meditation for over thirty years. In 2002 he became one of the few instructors worldwide to be recognized as a Certified Teacher by the Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute in Mysore in southern India. He currently runs the Vajra Yoga program for Tibet House in New York City. A […]
Learn more about John Campbell
Robert A.F. Thurman
Robert Thurman is Professor of Indo-Tibetan Buddhist Studies at Columbia University as well as co-founder and President of Tibet House US and it's Menla Retreat & Spa. A world-wide lecturer on Tibetan Buddhism, activist for the plight of the Tibetan people, translator of Buddhist texts, and writer of popular Buddhist books. He recently has been awarded […]
Learn more about Robert A.F. ThurmanCategories : Menla Co-Sponsor, Menla Retreat (all retreats), Menla THUS, Vajra Yoga