Lisa Annese is an author, motivational speaker, teacher, sound therapist and owner of The Space by Lisa Annese, a spiritual healing and retreat center in Wyckoff, NJ. As a divorced woman, single mother and hearing loss advocate (supporting the needs of her son who has permanent hearing loss), she has chosen to dark into light in her own life, embrace challenges as lessons, and forever change the narrative of her future and that of her family. In her first book, I Am Light, Lisa openly shares stories from her path about finding her own light as an opportunity to educate and help others to do the same for themselves. Learn more about Lisa’s service offerings, retreats, workshops, events and more at lisaannese.com or on Instagram @ lisaannese.
Alica Fuks has been a Spiritual Healer and Clairvoyant for over 20 years. At the age 23, she experienced clinical death and in her Near-Death Experience (NDE) she observed her many past lives and communicated with angels of heaven. NDE brought her closer to God and she developed mediumship abilities. Among other modalities, she is Reiki Healer, Integrated Energy Therapy Practitioner, Reconnective Healing and The Reconnection Practitioner. She developed her own method of Past Life Healing/Regression in combination of energy work to remove emotional and mental blocks by uncovering past traumas and releasing them from subconsciousness. Alica also formed a Spiritual Painting Class, a very unique session to free up the energy flow within. This painting class was inspired by channeling from angles and masters, for anyone wanting to unleash their inner energy that each chakra has to offer.
Details of this retreat
Join Lisa Annese and Alica Fuks this spring for an empowering retreat designed to support and guide you on your manifestation journey.In the tranquil setting of the beautiful Menla Resort & Spa, you’ll learn how to make conscious choices and align your actions with your spiritual path and destiny. This retreat offers a safe and nurturing environment where you can connect deeply with your soul and trust your intuition, all while being surrounded by the majestic elements of nature. Through past life regression and future life progression, you'll gain insights from your soul's journey to align with your highest potential and manifest your best future.We look forward to sharing this special time of growth and self-discovery as we honor your authenticity and celebrate your spiritual essence. Together, we’ll explore how to embody the beauty of who you are and reflect it into your world.Our retreat schedule includes guided past life/future life regression, sound healing, yoga and meditation, hiking, bonsai class, manifestation ceremony, evening sound bath, reflections, affirmations and more. There will also be free time for spa appointments, resting, reading, booking private treatment with your retreat guides, hiking Menla's woods, delicious plant-based meals and deep connection with yourself and the other participants at the retreat.
8 - 9 am Breakfast
9:30 - 10:30 am Kundalini Yoga, Meditation & Gong Bath
10:45 am - 12:15 pm Bonsai Class: Plant the Seed of Manifestation
12:30 - 1:30 pm Lunch
1:30 - 6 pm Free Time (Spa Treatments, Reading, Hiking, Explore Menla etc.)
6 - 7 pm Dinner
7:30 - 9:30 pm Past Life Regression/ Future Life Progression & Sound Healing
Sunday, April 19
7 - 11 am Check-out of Rooms
8 - 9 am Breakfast
9:15 am - 10:00 am Morning Hike & Affirmations
10:15 am - 11:15 am Kundalini Yoga, Meditation & Gong Bath
11:15 - 12:00 pm Reflections & Closing Circle
12:30 - 1:30 pm Lunch
12:30 - 2 pm Free Time / Departures
*Please note that the schedule is subject to change at any time.
Getting Here
Menla, 375 Panterkill Road PO Box 70 Phoenicia, NY 12464 United States
Accommodation
Deluxe Queen
Deluxe Queen Room with Queen Bed and Private Bathroom
Free Phone and Hi-Speed Wifi Internet Access Available
Air Conditioning
All Rooms in Lhasa are Handicap-Accessible, Including Four Rooms with Wheelchair Accessible Showers.
Deluxe Queen Rooms are Available in Lhasa Inn and Kathmandu House
* Please note that rates include meals and accommodations
Deluxe Double (Shared Room)
Deluxe Double Room with Two Full Size Beds and Private Bathroom
Free Phone and Hi-Speed Wifi Internet Access Available
Air Conditioning
All Rooms in Lhasa are Handicap-Accessible, Including Four Rooms with Wheelchair Accessible Showers.
Deluxe Double Rooms with Private Bathrooms are Located in the Lhasa Inn
* Please note rates include meals and accommodations.
This booking is for one bed in a double shared room: We May Assign You a Roommate if You Do Not Register with One.
Customer Reviews
4.75 out of 5.0 average rating
5.0
Verified
An amazing experience, as always!
Menla impresses me year after year. The feeling is like none other. Spiritual, safe, calm, even when the outer world is chaos. The staff are not just friendly, but make Menla feel at home and the event seamless, no matter the weather or obstacles that seem to pop up. My members had an incredible experience. We will continue to come back year after year to host the retreat in this magical place!
5.0
Verified
An Awesome Retreat Experience for mind and body
I went into IGNITING 2026: Light the Fire of Joy through Compassion at the Menla Institute thinking it would be “nice.” It ended up being so much more than I expected - one of those retreats that leaves you feeling genuinely lighter, more grounded, and strangely energized in the best way.
Food: Truly ah-mazing. Since it was vegan and gluten-free, I was expecting it to be… fine. Instead, everything was full of flavor, thoughtfully prepared, and satisfying. And the desserts at dinner? Honestly, a highlight on their own.
Dr. Bob Thurman: The star of the show. Every one of us LOVED his talks. He’s wildly knowledgeable, sharp, and somehow manages to make profound teachings feel totally alive and accessible. Also: he is hilarious. We were completely locked in listening to him - equal parts learning and laughing.
Yoga (Michele Loew): I loved Michele’s classes. She guided the whole group through a beautiful sequence - warm-up, deep stretching, and meditation - in a way that felt supportive and skillful. Her Yoga Nidra was especially powerful, and having Arjun join for the sound bath made it even more immersive.
Krishna Das: Forever the best. He’s the reason we showed up - and he delivered that heart-opening magic he always does. What I didn’t expect was how much I’d also love Michele and Dr. Thurman. This retreat wasn’t just “Krishna Das + extras” - it felt like a complete, beautifully balanced experience.
Marina Abramović: What a soul. Hearing her story - where she came from, what she endured, and how she continues to transform - was deeply moving. She carries a kind of strength and honesty that makes you reflect on your own life in a meaningful way.
Gratitude: Special thanks to Piotr for the tech setup. He was fantastic - calm, capable, and it made everything run smoothly.
Overall, this retreat felt like a real New Year reset - a blend of dharma, movement, music, and reflection that actually lands in your body and your life. I left with more joy, more clarity, and a very full heart.
5.0
Verified
Delighted and Ignited!
Everything was wonderful. The lodging, (Eva's cabin), the amazing food, and especially, everyone who works there, soul food on every level. Michelle's yoga and yoga nidra were unexpected highlights for me. She is emobodied wisdom. Can't imagine this retreat without her. I loved yoga with John Campbell of course--it would be wonderful to have both!!! Like she could do morning and he could have afternoon offering? The yoga nidra and soundscape were very powerful and transformational. Of course, Bob Thurman is a delight and central. The kirtan was so nourishing and pure pleasure. I am just awed by the experience that was created. Divine abundance. The part that couldn't be "controlled" of course by Menla, is the other retreaters--and my fellow passengers were so wise, funny, earnest, kind, considerate, adult--exactly who would be drawn to such an event, at that time, as I had hoped. Did I mention how amazing Michelle is :-)?
5.0
Verified
Menla is a warm supportive space for personal growth and transformation
Everyone at Menla is devoted to provided a supportive space for personal growth. I am deeply grateful. And, the food is delicious.
5.0
Verified
Healty Place with nice peoples and magical nature. Rejouvinate and
Rejuvenating and restorative.Well equipped. Excellent food. Competent staff.
Select your options
Available Dates
April 17 - 19, 2026
Select a Room
Deluxe Queen
$1,264.00
Deluxe Queen Room with Queen Bed and Private Bathroom
Free Phone and Hi-Speed Wifi Internet Access Available
Air Conditioning
All Rooms in Lhasa are Handicap-Accessible, Including Four Rooms with Wheelchair Accessible Showers.
Deluxe Queen Rooms are Available in Lhasa Inn and Kathmandu House
* Please note that rates include meals and accommodations
Deluxe Double (Shared Room)
$1,118.20
Deluxe Double Room with Two Full Size Beds and Private Bathroom
Free Phone and Hi-Speed Wifi Internet Access Available
Air Conditioning
All Rooms in Lhasa are Handicap-Accessible, Including Four Rooms with Wheelchair Accessible Showers.
Deluxe Double Rooms with Private Bathrooms are Located in the Lhasa Inn
* Please note rates include meals and accommodations.
This booking is for one bed in a double shared room: We May Assign You a Roommate if You Do Not Register with One.
Cameron's Staff Pick
Verified
