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Tibetan Yoga Wellbeing: Heart Practices, Life-Force & Longevity

Name: Tibetan Yoga Wellbeing: Heart Practices, Life-Force & Longevity
Start: 2026-11-12
End: 2026-11-15
Location: Menla
Rating: 4.84

4.8477 reviews

375 Panterkill Road PO Box 70 Phoenicia, NY 12464 United States

November 12 - 15, 2026

About this Retreat

Your Guides

Alejandro

Mauricio

Alejandro Chaoul, PhD

Alejandro Chaoul, PhD, is the Scholar and Founding Director of the Mind Body Spirit Institute at the Jung Center of Houston, where he brings Tibetan yogic practices for helping health-care professionals flourish by reducing stress and burnout, and improving health and resilience while nourishing the human spirit. Since 1995, he has been teaching Tibetan meditation and Tibetan yogic practices under the auspices of the Ligmincha Institute in various parts of the United States, Latin America, and Europe. Alejandro is also adjunct faculty in the Integrative Medicine Program, at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, where since 1999, he has conducted research using mind-body techniques with cancer patients, and gave group and individual meditation classes for cancer patients and their support system, as part of the Integrative Medicine Center. He also holds an adjunct faculty position at the University of Texas Medical School’s McGovern Center for Humanities and Ethics, where he teaches medical students in the areas of spirituality, complementary and integrative medicine, and end of life care. Alejandro Chaoul is the author of Chod Practice in the Bon Tradition and Tibetan Yoga for Health and Wellbeing, Tibetan Yoga: Magical Movements of Body, Breath & Mind, and has also published in the area of religion and medicine, medical anthropology, and the interface of spirituality and healing. He has recently been recognized as a Fellow at the Mind & Life Institute.

Mauricio Obón Dent, M.D.

Mauricio Obón Dent, M.D. is Cardiology Director at Hospital Metropolitan in San José, Costa Rica. He was trained at the prestigious Texas Heart Institute, Baylor College of Medicine from 2006 – 2013. Dr. Obón is board certified in internal medicine, clinical echocardiography, and cardiology, as well as interventional cardiology, performing minimally invasive procedures in heart valve repair, heart attack treatment, and repair of cardiac pathologies. A fellow of the American College of Cardiology, his main research focus is structural heart disease, primary prevention, and longevity. Dr. Obón currently lives in Costa Rica with his wife and three children.

Details of this retreat

Menla, the Land of the Medicine Buddha, welcomes you to a four-day retreat exploring the sacred life-force practices of Tibetan Yoga (Tsa Lung Trul Khor), woven together with contemporary insights into heart health and longevity.

Through gentle movements, breath retention, and meditative awareness, these ancient practices invite you to experience the subtle body as a living mandala of channels and chakras. As the vital winds (prana, chi, or lung) begin to awaken and flow more freely, a deeper sense of vitality, balance, and inner spaciousness naturally emerges.

Guided by Alejandro and Mauricio, participants will learn and practice methods that nourish both body and mind while also exploring clinical research and real-world applications that bridge these timeless teachings with modern health science.

As Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche shares, these practices are “a wonderful support for all spiritual practitioners.”

All are welcome who wish to reconnect with the healing power of breath, movement, and awareness—and to cultivate greater well-being, clarity, and freedom.

Schedule:

Thursday, November 12

3 - 6 pm Arrival and Check-in
6 - 7 pm Dinner
7:30 - 9 pm Welcome Program

Friday, November 13

7 - 8 am Early Morning Program
8 - 9 am Breakfast
9:30 am - 12 pm Morning Program
12:30 - 1:30 pm Lunch
1:30 - 2 pm Break
2 - 5:30 pm Program
6 - 7 pm Dinner
7:30 - 9 pm Evening Program

Saturday, November 14

7 - 8 am Early Morning Program
8 - 9 am Breakfast
9:30 am - 12 pm Morning Program
12:30 - 1:30 pm Lunch
1:30 - 2 pm Break
2 - 5:30 pm Program
6 - 7 pm Dinner
7:30 - 9 pm Evening Program

Sunday, November 15

7 - 11 am Check-out of Rooms
7 - 8 am Early Morning Program
8 - 9 am Breakfast
9:30 am - 12 pm Morning Program
12:30 - 1:30 pm Lunch & Departure

*Please note this schedule is subject to change.

Getting Here

Menla, 375 Panterkill Road PO Box 70 Phoenicia, NY 12464 United States

Accommodation

Deluxe King

Deluxe King Room with King Bed and Private Bathroom Free Phone and Hi-Speed Wifi Internet Access Available Air Conditioning This Space is not ADA compliant. Deluxe King Rooms are Available only in Kathmandu House * Please note that rates include meals and accommodations

Standard Single - Shared Bath

Menla Private Queen Room with Queen Bed and Shared Bathroom Public Phone and Hi-Speed Wifi Internet Access Available This lodging type is not ADA Compliant Private Queen Rooms with Shared Bathroom are Available in Thimpu House, Panther Cottage and Potala House * Please note that rates include meals and accommodations

Standard Double Full - Shared bath (Shared Room)

Deluxe Double Room with Two Full Beds and Shared Bathroom Free Phone and Hi-Speed Wifi Internet Access Available Air Conditioning This lodging type is not ADA Compliant. Please note that due to the stairs we recommend that guests with mobility issues book other accommodations. Deluxe Double Rooms with Shared Bathrooms are Located in Thimphu * 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.

Economy Single - Shared Bath

Standard Single Room with a Twin Bed and Shared Bathroom Bathroom is Shared with One to Six Other Guests on Your Floor. A phone is not available but high-speed WiFi is available in the room Phone Access Available in Nearby Conference Center and also Lhasa in Business Center. All calls are free of charge. This Lodging Type is not ADA Compliant. * Please note rates include meals and accommodations.

Economy Double - Shared Bath (Shared Room)

Standard Double with Twin Beds and Shared Bathroom The bathroom is Shared with other rooms on the same floor. High-speed Wi-Fi is available in the room. Phone Access Available in Nearby Conference Center and also Lhasa in Business Center. All calls are free of charge. This Lodging Type is not ADA Compliant. * Please note that rates include meals and accommodations * Please note: this is an open door policy room, meaning there are no keys to lock the door (we have lockers you can use at Lhasa if needed) * This booking is for one bed in a double shared room: We May Assign You Roommates if You Do Not Register with others

Economy Quad - Shared Bath (Shared Room)

Standard Quad Room with Quad Twin Beds and Shared Bathroom Accommodations Fee Includes All Meals. High speed Wi-Fi is available in the room. Phone Access Available in Nearby Conference Center and also Lhasa in Business Center. All calls are free of charge. This Lodging Type is not ADA Compliant. * Please note that rates include meals and accommodations * Please note: this is an open door policy room, meaning there are no keys to lock the door (we have lockers you can use at Lhasa if needed) * This booking is for one bed in a quad shared room: We May Assign You Roommates if You Do Not Register with others.

Customer Reviews

4.84 out of 5.0 average rating

Deborah • Sep 02, 2026

5.0

Verified

Past life regression and sound healing

It was my first time here at Menela and it was wonderful. I love the energy of the land. The people are so nice. I Took advantage of the spa and had a relaxing and incredible massage. The retreat was amazing with Lisa and Alicia facilitating the weekend events. I recommend this oasis and gem in the Catskill area.. planning to return next year when Lisa Annise organizes her yearly women retreat. Great recharge to head back into September .

Lina • Sep 02, 2026

4.0

Verified

Lovely location with beautiful views and a peaceful feeling

I came as part of a retreat with a plus size wellness group and loved the Menla campus. The space felt peaceful and was so wonderfully green and bright. There were stars everywhere in the sky at night. Wild animals were everywhere - I saw bunnies, deer, turkeys, chipmunks, all sort of birds.

I loved being there, getting to feel connected to nature, and to catch up on reading.

There was food every day offered by Menla staff. Good quality, though very high fiber. Worth considering bringing a beano tablet with you.

Staff had some awkward moments. My group was definitely treated with the sense that we were a fat camp (we were not) and talks were very gendered, even though I am nonbinary I was lumped in with women and sacred womanhood talk.

The Spa was wonderful - big showers, the robes fit my plus size body, no one was weird about my body. I got a wonderful and super relaxing facial and I took a salt bath which was wonderful. The tub might not be well suited for a very tall person but I am 5'2 and so I fit perfectly fine.

We had a bonfire, which was so nice. They offered smores supplies. Loved it.

Overall a wonderful experience. I would love to come back.

Anonymous • Aug 30, 2026

5.0

Verified

Beautiful grounds filled with nature

A clean, well-run, peaceful place to stay with nature all around (birds, bunnies, deer, and more)

Glory • Aug 26, 2026

5.0

Verified

A beautiful place to disconnect and reconnect

Menla was the perfect setting for our women’s retreat. Surrounded by beautiful nature and so much peace, it gave us the space to slow down, disconnect from everyday responsibilities, and simply be present. I left feeling refreshed, grateful, and more connected to myself. Such a beautiful and special experience…. And the food was absolutely amazing!!

AMY • Aug 20, 2026

5.0

Verified

Energy Medicine retreat.

What struck me most about our Menla retreat was the energy of the LAND. Serenity. Peacefullness and sheer beauty of the place held me, and also, the natural wildlife.. abundant. Safe. Peaceful. The following important highlights was the loving preparation of beautiful food which of course supported our practice. I was in the Dragon living accomodation and found the surrounding forrest and trail access to be superb. I also enjoyed walking in the gardens and admiring all that was growing there.

Tibetan Yoga Wellbeing: Heart Practices, Life-Force & Longevity

About this Retreat

Your Guides

Alejandro Chaoul, PhD

Mauricio Obón Dent, M.D.

Details of this retreat

Getting Here