Menla, 375 Pantherkill Road, Phoenicia, NY (2025)

10/30/2025

Winter Solstice ClearLight Yoga Nidra Retreat
December 18 – 21, 2025 | Menla, Catskills NY
As the Earth turns inward toward her deepest stillness, we too are invited to rest, renew, and awaken.
Join Michele Loew for a powerful Yoga Nidra and ClearLight Sleep immersion—a journey into the heart of luminous awareness and restorative rest. Over four transformative days, Michele will guide multiple daily sessions of Yoga Nidra, interwoven with teachings on dream yoga and clearlight sleep, exploring the subtle states between wakefulness and the infinite.
This retreat offers:
✨ Deep meditative rest and nervous system renewal
✨ Healing for the body, mind, and heart
✨ A bridge to luminous timeless awareness
✨ Connection with nature and community at the turning of the year
Our retreat culminates on the Winter Solstice, when the Earth herself pauses in stillness. Together, we’ll honor this sacred threshold at 10:02 AM Eastern, aligning our inner journey with the rhythm of the cosmos as Michele guides us into the cave of the heart to bathe in our own clearlight wisdom.
Yoga Nidra not only restores deep rest—it supports hormonal balance, cognitive clarity, emotional regulation, and all the regenerative benefits of true sleep.
25 Yoga Alliance CEUs available, plus practicum credit toward Michele’s 100-hour Yoga Nidra Certification.
Come rest deeply, awaken gently, and enter the Solstice light renewed. Please go to our web site for more information.

10/28/2025

Vajra Yoga is a path of awakening that weaves together the luminous wisdom of Tibetan Buddhism with the embodied depth of Hatha Yoga. Rooted in compassion and awareness, it invites us to experience the body, mind, and spirit as an integrated field of transformation.
From the Tibetan tradition, we cultivate an open heart and clear mind through meditation, visualization, and philosophical insight.
From the yogic tradition, we anchor these realizations through movement, breath, and mindful embodiment.
Together, these streams of practice offer a powerful bridge between inner stillness and active presence—guiding us to meet life’s challenges with resilience, clarity, and joy.
For those who seek to understand how yoga and Buddhism unite in living practice, Vajra Yoga reveals the meeting point of wisdom and embodiment.
Experience Vajra Yoga firsthand with Robert Thurman, John Campbell, and Jaime Bonelli at Menla, December 5–7, 2025. Please visit the retreat section of our web site for more information.

10/27/2025

Discover Alignment & Rhythm Through Yoga and Handpan
Join Marina Sobol and Susan DeRyder for a 4-day retreat blending yoga, music, and inner exploration. Centered on alignment and rhythm, this experience weaves together yoga, handpan, and voice to awaken creativity and balance body, mind, and spirit.

✨ What to Expect:

Daily yoga sessions inspired by the elements—Earth, Fire, Water, and Air—to ground, energize, and restore.
Handpan workshops introducing this unique instrument’s history and hands-on practice (instruments provided).
A Voice Journey session to explore your body as an instrument through breath, sound, and somatic awareness.
No prior yoga, music, or singing experience is needed—just curiosity and a willingness to explore.
Immerse yourself in this creative and restorative retreat where movement, rhythm, and sound become pathways to deeper alignment and expression.
Visit the Retreats section of our website for full details.

10/26/2025

MEDITATION WITHOUT EXPECTATIONS™: THE IMMERSION EXPERIENCE
November 9–13, 2025 | With Annie Weisbrod
Join us for a profound five-day immersion designed to reconnect you with the essence of meditation—free from striving, judgment, or expectation.
Following the success of the 8-week Meditation Without Expectations™ program—experienced by thousands across more than 30 countries—this in-person retreat brings the same integrative approach to life. Rooted in both ancient contemplative traditions and modern science, it draws from physiology, adult learning, and behavioral psychology to cultivate calm, resilience, empathy, and mindful awareness.
Over five days, you’ll journey through guided and silent meditations (including breathwork, mantra, Metta, R.A.I.N., Naikan, Tonglen, and open monitoring), embodied practices (yoga, walking meditation, and forest bathing), energy healing, and restorative reflection. Each day weaves together stillness and movement, structure and spaciousness—with 3 to 9 hours of practice balanced by time in nature, deep rest, and heartfelt community connection.
Whether you’re new to meditation or an experienced practitioner, this retreat offers a gentle return to presence, practical tools for everyday life, and the invitation to meet yourself—just as you are.
Visit the retreat section of our website for more information.

10/23/2025

Discover Alignment & Rhythm Through Yoga and Handpan
Join Marina Sobol and Susan DeRyder for a 4-day retreat blending yoga, music, and inner exploration. Centered on alignment and rhythm, this experience weaves together yoga, handpan, and voice to awaken creativity and balance body, mind, and spirit.

✨ What to Expect:

Daily yoga sessions inspired by the elements—Earth, Fire, Water, and Air—to ground, energize, and restore.
Handpan workshops introducing this unique instrument’s history and hands-on practice (instruments provided).
A Voice Journey session to explore your body as an instrument through breath, sound, and somatic awareness.
No prior yoga, music, or singing experience is needed—just curiosity and a willingness to explore.
Immerse yourself in this creative and restorative retreat where movement, rhythm, and sound become pathways to deeper alignment and expression.
Visit the Retreats section of our website for full details.

10/22/2025

Vajra Yoga is a path of awakening that weaves together the luminous wisdom of Tibetan Buddhism with the embodied depth of Hatha Yoga. Rooted in compassion and awareness, it invites us to experience the body, mind, and spirit as an integrated field of transformation.
From the Tibetan tradition, we cultivate an open heart and clear mind through meditation, visualization, and philosophical insight.
From the yogic tradition, we anchor these realizations through movement, breath, and mindful embodiment.
Together, these streams of practice offer a powerful bridge between inner stillness and active presence—guiding us to meet life’s challenges with resilience, clarity, and joy.
For those who seek to understand how yoga and Buddhism unite in living practice, Vajra Yoga reveals the meeting point of wisdom and embodiment.
Experience Vajra Yoga firsthand with Robert Thurman, John Campbell, and Jaime Bonelli at Menla, December 5–7, 2025. Please visit the retreat section of our web site.

10/21/2025

MEDITATION WITHOUT EXPECTATIONS™: THE IMMERSION EXPERIENCE
November 9–13, 2025
With Annie Weisbrod
The 8-week version of this transformational program has reached thousands across 30+ countries. This intensive immersion brings the same approach—integrating ancient practices with modern science in physiology, adult learning, and behavioral psychology—proven to reduce stress and cultivate resiliency, empathy, and mindfulness.
In this retreat, we go deeper: guided and silent meditations (deep breathing, 20+ senses, mantra, Metta, R.A.I.N., Naikan, Tonglen, open monitoring), embodied movement (walking, yoga, forest bathing), energy healing, and restorative reflection. Each day balances practice and presence, with opportunities for 3–9 hours of meditation, plus time in nature, stillness, and shared community.
Designed for both newcomers and experienced meditators, this retreat offers renewed clarity, practical tools for daily life, and a chance to connect peacefully with yourself and others—without expectations of how meditation, you, or life “should” be.
Please check the retreat section of our web site for more information.

10/20/2025

Tibetan Sound Healing Journey: Awakening Bodhicitta Through Meditation, Mirth & Music
October 29 – November 2, 2025

With Lama Lhanang Rinpoche, Laraaji, and Arji Oceananda
Join us for a unique retreat blending ancient Tibetan teachings with celestial trance music, laughter, sound baths, and immersive “playshop” experiences. Lama Lhanang Rinpoche, master of the Tibetan Nyingma Longchen Nying-Thig lineage, collaborates with pioneering ambient musicians Laraaji and Arji Oceananda for an unforgettable journey of healing and inner connection.

Retreat highlights include:

*Daily Tibetan yoga and meditation
*Authentic Healing Chöd practice to cut through obstacles and awaken inner wisdom
*Traditional Tibetan Fire Puja to release negative karma and dedicate to world peace
*Meditative trance work supported by celestial soundscapes
*Therapeutic laughter yoga for deep relaxation and inner joy
*Full evening ambient concert with Laraaji and Arji
*Periods of silence for reflection and integration
*Experience a transformative blend of sound, stillness, and sacred ceremony designed to inspire grace, balance, and inner peace.

Please go to the retreat section of our web site for more information.

10/19/2025

IGNITING 2026: LIGHT THE FIRE OF JOY THROUGH COMPASSION
Annual New Year’s Dharma, Pranayama, Yoga, Kirtan & Astrology Celebration
December 27 – January 1, 2026 | Menla, Catskills NY

Ring in the New Year with Krishna Das, who will open the retreat with an unforgettable kirtan and return for multiple evenings of devotional chanting alongside Nina Rao and friends. His presence sets the heart of this gathering as we welcome the Year of the Fire Horse with fearless joy and compassion.

Over five days, join Krishna Das together with Robert A.F. Thurman, Michele Loew, John Campbell, Paul Bloom, Alexander Mallon, Lea Garnier, Arjun Bruggeman, and the Tibet House US | Menla community for a celebration of chanting, Dharma, yoga, Qi Gong, astrology, sound healing, and joyful connection.

Highlights include daily yoga and Qi Gong, Dharma talks with Bob Thurman, astrological insights with Alexander Mallon, rhythmic sound journeys, and our beloved New Year’s Eve group sound bath and festive countdown at Nalanda.

Together, we’ll release limiting patterns, set powerful intentions, and step into 2026 with clarity, compassion, and fiery joy.
Space is limited—reserve early!

Please check the retreat section of our web site for more information.

10/16/2025

What is Vajra Yoga?

Vajra Yoga is a path that unites Tibetan Buddhist wisdom with the embodied practices of Hatha Yoga. Rooted in compassion and awareness, it invites us to explore the body, mind, and spirit as one integrated whole.

From the Tibetan side, we learn to open the heart and mind through philosophy, meditation, and visualization.

From the yogic side, we ground these insights in movement, breath, and embodied presence.

Together, these practices offer tools to meet life’s challenges with resilience, clarity, and joy.

If you’ve ever wondered how yoga and Buddhism can come together to support inner transformation, Vajra Yoga offers a living bridge.

Upcoming opportunity: Experience Vajra Yoga directly with Robert Thurman, John Campbell, and Jaime Bonelli at Menla, December 5–7, 2025.

Menla

10/30/2025

10/28/2025

10/27/2025

10/26/2025

10/23/2025

10/22/2025

10/21/2025

10/20/2025

10/19/2025

10/16/2025

Address

Telephone

Website

Alerts

Contact The Practice

Shortcuts

Share

Category

Tibet in the Catskills