Catskill Mountain Retreat

A Journey Through Ancient Healing Arts

October 12th – 15th 2026

Menla Retreat Center | Phoenicia, NY

Earth, Breath & Sound is a transformative retreat designed to help you slow down, reconnect, and nourish your body, mind, and spirit through ancient healing practices woven together with the wisdom of the seasons.

Autumn reminds us of the beauty of letting go. The retreat will blend indoor sanctuary spaces with outdoor nature immersion — allowing the mountains, trees, earth, and changing season to become part of the healing. As the trees release what they no longer need, we are invited to do the same.

Release old patterns.
Clear stagnant energy.
Create space for transformation
Return to our authentic essence.

Through Qigong, Tai Chi, Yin Yoga, meditation, breathwork, and immersive sound healing, you will be guided into a deeper relationship with your own energy, creating space for healing, renewal, and inner balance.

Return to the Wisdom Within

The experience of this retreat with Gopi at Menla created space for me to come back to my true self without judgement or limits. It was a balance of community, connection with nature, with others (who I would not typically connect with) and with myself, filled with movement, reflection and sharing – all on beautiful land that felt safe yet unknown. It was an experience I will take with me always. Thank you for setting the tone and leading us with openness, love, peace and kindness.

– Stephanie, Retreat Guest • Fall 2025

The Rhythm of Restoration

Earth, Breath & Sound comes to life through a thoughtfully curated blend of ancient healing practices. Together, they invite you to ground into the earth, awaken the breath, and reconnect with the wisdom that already lives within you.

Qigong — The Art of Energy Cultivation

Qigong is an ancient Chinese practice meaning “energy work” — a practice of harmonizing breath, movement, awareness, and life force energy. For centuries, Qigong has been practiced as a way to support the body’s natural ability to restore balance and vitality. Through gentle flowing movements, breath practices, and meditation, Qigong invites us to:

• Release tension and stress
• Improve energy flow and vitality
• Calm the nervous system
• Cultivate inner strength and resilience
• Create harmony between body, mind, and spirit

Tai Chi — Moving Meditation

Experience the graceful, grounding movements of Tai Chi, a practice that blends mindfulness, balance, breath, and flowing movement. Practiced indoors and outdoors, surrounded by the beauty of autumn, Tai Chi becomes a moving meditation with the Earth as your teacher. Tai Chi encourages:

• Presence and focus
• Balance and stability
• Relaxation through movement
• Connection to the natural rhythms of life

Healing Sound Bath

Sound can heal and guide you inward, helping you connect with emotions, insights, and peace that live beneath the surface. Sound creates a deeply immersive experience, inviting the body and mind into relaxation, meditation, and energetic renewal. Experience the healing vibrations of:

• Tibetan singing bowls
• Crystal bowls
• Gong
• Tuning forks
• Intuitive sound frequencies and expressions of percussion instruments
• Voice and chanting

Yin Yoga — Deep Rest & Renewal

Yin Yoga invites us to soften, surrender, and listen inward. Through long-held, supported postures, we work with the body’s connective tissues while creating a meditative space for reflection and restoration. Inspired by Traditional Chinese Medicine, our Yin practices may incorporate:

• Meridian awareness
• Seasonal energy themes
• Acupressure points
• Breathwork
• Somatic healing techniques

Move With the Season

Featured Experiences

Daily Yoga Practice — Tai Chi, QiGong, Hatha, Yin

As the day begins, we awaken the body’s natural healing intelligence through a gentle blend of yoga, Qigong, Tai Chi-inspired movement, vitality breathing, and meditation.

Connection Circle: “What Lights You Up?”

Drawing from Kundalini-inspired practices, this connection circles invites you to awaken your life force energy, clear energetic stagnation, and reconnect with your truth – igniting the inner fire of transformation while cultivating the courage to express your authentic voice.

Forest Bathing

Forest bathing, or shinrin-yoku, is a Japanese practice of immersing yourself in nature by mindfully engaging all your senses. It involves quietly strolling, sitting, or observing the woods to disconnect from technology, reduce stress, and improve overall well-being

Experience Sacred Connection

The retreat was more than I could have imagined!  You were both so nourishing, open, giving, and kind as you gently encouraged us to take risks while giving us a safety net to fall back on.  Through your kindness you provided us a safe space to share and find ourselves. Menla was a wonderful choice!  The beauty was part of the experience and the food was delicious!  So happy to have been able to be part of this wonderful journey with you!

Sharon, Retreat Guest • Fall 2025

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All-Inclusive Accommodations

Nestled in the Catskill Mountains, enjoy vibrant fall foliage, nourishing seasonal meals, steam room access, peaceful hiking trails, and cozy Tibetan-inspired lodging.

Memorable Meals Included

Menla’s buffet-style dining features protein-balanced plant-based dishes, including locally and seasonally sourced ingredients and produce harvested from their on-site organic garden. Their Executive Chef and team bring a creative flair to dishes that are as delicious as they are nutritious.

Menla’s wellness cuisine is centered around healing foods, sourced primarily from the Menla garden and local farms with an eye toward seasonal and organic fruits, vegetables, grains, and legumes.

Reserve Your Room Today

Retreat Leaders

The Magic Of Menla

Menla is a 501(c)(3) non-profit retreat center and health spa dedicated to bringing authentic Tibetan mind-body healing arts and sciences to the West.

Founded by Tibet House US, Menla offers a unique sanctuary where ancient wisdom meets modern wellness. Set on 320 acres of pristine forest, Menla provides a tranquil environment for personal growth and transformation. Guests can enjoy beautifully appointed accommodations, a world-class healing spa, and a variety of outdoor activities. The center’s mission is to foster holistic well-being through retreats, workshops, and educational programs that integrate Tibetan healing traditions with contemporary practices.

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Retreat Details

Dates

October 12th – 15th, 2026

Location

Menla Retreat & Dewa Spa
375 Pantherkill Road, Phoenicia, NY 12464
Transportation not included. Please arrange your own ride.

Price & Accommodations

Choose from a selection of comfortable shared rooms or private rooms, each designed to provide a peaceful retreat experience:

Individual Room with a Private Bath: $1,997 per person
Couples Room with a Private Bath: $1,487 per person

Individual Room with a Shared Bath: $1,656 per person
Shared Room with a Shared Bath: $1,520 per person

Nonrefundable deposit of $500 to reserve your spot. All meals included with accommodations. 

Retreat must be paid in full by September 8th, 2026. If you have a balance, your credit card will automatically be charged on September 8th, 2026. 

Arrival & Departure

Check-In: 3:00-4:30pm upon arrival date
Check-Out: 12:00pm on departure date

*Please note that the schedule is subject to change.

Your Retreat Awaits

Contact Us

For more questions, contact us at shannon@gopiyogacenter.com. We look forward to hearing from you.