Menla

What an incredible weekend and experience at Menla!! I took a Yoga Nidra workshop and it was fantastic.
Michelle is an incredible teacher, she offers so much wisdom, insight and love.
Menla is my absolute favorite place for retreats.
The surroundings are gorgeous, the food is delicious, the staff is incredible and I have enjoyed so many wonderful weekends/retreats. Get a treatment at the spa, it is divine.
There is no better place to retreat, reset and renew.

My retreat experience at Menla was wonderful.

The teacher was knowledgeable, loving, deeply committed to the path, well-spoken, prepared, and generous with course materials and the overall transmission.

The property, all of the meals, and rooms were handled with care and intentionally set.

The spa facility was gorgeous, but my experience with the practitioners were that they needed more training, to truly support guests. I was told I could have a bath and choose between three types. I was very excited to book in the bath that had local junipers from the area. The next day, leading up to this bath I excitedly told sangha this was what I was heading into, to steep in a bath with elements from the local forest, and how special that could be. When I showed up to my appointment, I was told that bath was actually not available and I should choose between two others. It was frustrating to choose one the day before, and show up 24 hours later to find out that type should not have been offered - I wished the staff had reached out to me at least several hours before, to tell me. I was also supposed to have a massage and was told by the front desk that I could customize that 60 minutes however I wanted on the day, however when I arrived at the session my therapist had a very anxious energy and when she asked about my requests I said I would like some reflexology in my hands and feet during the Swedish massage session, integrated in. She scolded me, saying she would touch my hands and feet but that if I had wanted any reflexology I should have booked the 90 minutes session she offered. I thought perhaps I misunderstood and I gave benefit of the doubt, trying to explain again to her I only wanted reflexology integrated at parts during, but then she told me this again stating I should have booked another reflexology session and she was only going to touch my hands and feet during - once I realized she was very caught up in another story... I quickly cancelled the massage, not wanting to get on the table with this sort of energy exchange. And I left the property to go take my flight home. The next day, I booked a massage at a wellness center in California, and that person provided the combo massage with reflexology, and with ease, very simply without any issues, as I had received with many other gifted massage practitioners countless times across other spas over the years…

To sum it up, Menla itself is a wonderful place, beautifully designed, intentionally curated, the food was prepared with so much love and intention, and the teachers gifts far surpassed anything I could have ever hoped for. I think there is room to improve the spa building experience, however the rest of the experience is wonderful, and I would absolutely return again. It is very special indeed, I felt truly held by the land and the teachings.

I really enjoyed my stay at menla. I slept well and I liked the classes. The grounds were beautiful too. It reminded me of college. I liked the food and the people were nice too. I think it’s a great place to go if you want to unplug and get away from it all.

The serenity and beauty of a winter retreat can't be understated. The staff were kind and helpful and the food was amazing.
I had a Thai massage in the yurt that was exceptional. My room as cozy and comfortable in the conference center building- everything you need. The hot tea station was much appreciated.

This was my second visit to Menla and it did not disappoint. The accommodations are lovely and comfy, the food is delish, the staff super friendly and the grounds are simply breathtaking. The retreat, Healing with the Elements: Breathwork, Yoga & Nervous System Reset, and the programs led by Sheila and Jackie were amazing and a little life-changing :)
I spent the whole weekend filled with peace and serenity. I cannot wait to go back!
Colleen R.