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YOGIC LIFESTYLE RETREAT: A Weekend Immersion into Yoga, Meditation, Ayurveda, Nature

Name: YOGIC LIFESTYLE RETREAT: A Weekend Immersion into Yoga, Meditation, Ayurveda, Nature
Start: 2026-11-12
End: 2026-11-15
Location: Menla
Rating: 4.85

4.8596 reviews

Phoenicia, NY 12464, USA

November 12 - 15, 2026

About this Retreat

Your Guides

Sue

Details of this retreat

Weekend Immersion into Yoga, Meditation, Ayurveda, Nature
In a world spinning faster than our nervous systems can track, what does it actually mean to be well?
The ancient traditions of Meditation, Yoga and its sister science of Ayurveda offer ancient wisdom to our modern lifestyle - practices that balance, heal and transform mind and body to uplevel your health, reduce stress, strengthen your immune system and soothe your spirit. Learn how to integrate these practices into your life. More than a retreat or escape from life, this is about remembering how to fully and vibrantly live it. You will emerge inspired and renewed.
Join Sue Bonanno—yoga teacher of 25+ years, founder of Soulspace Meditation & Wellbeing, and Certified Ayurveda Instructor for an immersive introduction to the yogic lifestyle. Together we will follow the rhythms of nature, engage in foundational yogic and meditative practices, eat nourishing food and rest deeply. We will exist among the mountains and trees on sacred land in the serenity of Menla’s 330-acre private nature reserve. Sitting at the head of a breathtaking glacial valley, it’s one of the most beautiful parts of the Catskills. Deluxe accommodations and a world-class spa add comfort and ease.
This 3-night experience includes:
Yoga: Energizing vinyasa flow sessions to awaken the body, alongside candlelight restorative and yoga nidra practices to deeply relax and restore.
Meditation: Silent mantra and mudra meditation to steady the mind, expand awareness, and cultivate inner stillness.
Ayurveda: Detoxification & Rejuvenation: Learn practical, time-tested tools to balance your system through daily rituals, sensory awareness, and alignment with nature’s rhythms.
Sound Healing: Experience the subtle yet powerful effects of breathwork and crystal alchemy bowl sound bath to regulate the nervous system and harmonize your energy.
Nourishment:Enjoy vibrant, organic meals, designed to support vitality, paired with inspiring views, warm fires, and a peaceful, grounding environment.
In-Depth Teachings: Explore the foundations of yogic philosophy, including the 8-limbed path, along with accessible teachings on yoga, meditation and Ayurveda that you can carry into daily life.
Connection & Integration: Spend unstructured time walking in nature, hiking a trail, journaling, resting, enjoying an herbal tea or optional spa treatments (booked separately). Evenings invite deep, restorative sleep in cozy, tranquil accommodations.

Schedule
Thursday November 12

3 - 6 pm Arrival and Check-in
4:30 - 5:30 pm Opening Group Session
6 - 7 pm Dinner
7:30 - 9 pm Evening Session

Friday November 13
7am Meditation

8 - 9 am Breakfast
10 am - 12 pm Morning Session
12:30 - 1:30 pm Lunch
1:30 - 5 pm Free time
5 - 6 pm Afternoon Session
6 - 7 pm Dinner
7:30 - 9 pm Evening Session

Saturday, November 14

7am Meditation
8 - 9 am Breakfast
10 am - 12 pm Morning Session
12:30 - 1:30 pm Lunch
1:30 - 4 pm Free time
4 - 5:45 pm Afternoon Session
6 - 7 pm Dinner
7:30 - 9 pm Evening Session

Sunday, November 15

7 - 11 am Check-out of Rooms
7 am Meditation
8 - 9 am Breakfast
10 am - 12 pm Group Session
12:30 - 1:30 pm Lunch & Departure

*Please note that the schedule is subject to change at any time.

Getting Here

Menla, Phoenicia, NY 12464, USA

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.

Economy Premium Single - Shared Bath

Standard Premium Single Room with a Queen or Full Bed and Shared Bathroom Up to 10 guests share two large bathrooms. Each bathroom has two shower stalls and two toilets. A phone is not available but high-speed WiFi is available in the room Phone Access Available in Upper Level Of Conference Center. All calls are free of charge This Lodging Type is not ADA Compliant. * Please note rates include meals and accommodations.

Customer Reviews

4.85 out of 5.0 average rating

Gloria • Oct 08, 2026

5.0

Verified

A Great Retreat Experience

The staff was very friendly and accommodating. The grounds are so tranquil and beautiful and the facilities were very clean. My only suggestion for improvement is to provide a more private dressing area after taking a shower.
Many of the attendees I spoke with felt the same way. Thank you!

Jeannine • Oct 07, 2026

5.0

Verified

Quiet, peaceful, relaxing and rejuvenating

Menla is a wonderful location to attend a retreat or create your own retreat. The forest location is rejuvenating all on its own, but then you add in the delicious food, kind staff, and relaxing bedrooms, and you certainly can find yourself unwinding. I signed up for a yoga retreat, not knowing the instructors or anyone in the class. Most attendees in my retreat were already friends or followers of the instructors, but that didn't affect the quality of the experience for me. You can be a solo retreatant and have an amazing experience there. I also was concerned about the shared bathroom experience as the rooms with private baths were all sold out, but it was never an issue and the bathrooms were pristine. Lastly, I also scheduled spa services and found the practitioner to be very skilled and professional. The spa is a lovely place to spend the day drinking tea, reading books, lounging, and enjoying the small sauna areas. The 10-headed shower was delightful! If you are looking for a beautiful and natural setting, Menla is the perfect place to go!

Michelle • Oct 05, 2026

5.0

Verified

A wonderful week

A magical time in the Catskills! The grounds were stunning, the facilities were great and the food was very, very good. Also, the staff were friendly and helpful. I loved my time there. The only disappointment was the spa, in that I had two appointments cancelled. I understand that staffing issues happen but I felt the level of service was not comparable to the rest of the facility although I did go on a guided hike and it was great.

Linda • Oct 05, 2026

5.0

Verified

ASKing age for roombooking

I was there with a retreat. When booking, it asks for my age and my preference (female or male) for my bathroommate, since I am in a single room and share a bathroom with another person. I chose to share with a female. First, I shared the bathroom with a couple. I didn't realize I would be sharing my bathroom with two other people, and that one of them would be male. At one point, as I was leaving the bathroom, I accidentally ran right into the male with just a towel on. Because of personal reasons, this was very challenging . Second, asking for a person's age when booking a room should be optional, or not asked at all. I can see that I was profiled and was in housing with people around my age and order. This could have been totally by coincidence.

Overall, I found the property and the experience to be wonderful. All the staff are truly loving and caring. Thank you!

Christopher • Oct 02, 2026

5.0

Verified

Amazingly tranquil space for a retreat with great amenities

Just got home from another amazing retreat at Menla.

The lecture hall is such a great space and the audio / visual people do such an amazing job of stage managing the room with multiple cameras and mics that it makes for a great educational tool to be able to go back to such a well produced recording after. The room is large, with comfortable seating and environment.

The food in the dining hall in the Main Inn building is vegetarian and is awesome, even for omnivores like myself - didn't miss the meat at all for the week.

My room this time was in the same building as the lecture hall and was very nicely done and comfortable with an armoire, queen bed, desk and chair. My previous room had a sink and mirror, this one did not. But that was fine. Previous room in another building shared a bathroom with one other room, this one shared a bathroom with 10 other rooms, but it was a multi person bathroom with two shower stalls, two sinks and one toilet stall for men. So with a mix of genders in the rooms, you only share with about half the rooms. It worked out well. Finally, I used the recommended car service to go to and from the resort and it worked out great. The only issue with that is that the roads around campus are gravel and so if you get dropped at the Inn and walk to the Convention Center like I did with a roller bag, that can be a longish, bumpy walk while most people would be driving. No biggie, just something to keep in mind.

The spa is also amazing. The retreat I was at gave you ample free time to explore the resort and surrounding areas for hikes, etc. I got two awesome massages and the steam room and sauna in the men's room were very nice along with an automated shower that had several massage settings to choose from as well.

All in all, a great educational experience at Menla with one of my favorite Buddhist teachers, with great accommodations, great food, and great people in a beautiful setting in the Catskill Mountains of New York.

YOGIC LIFESTYLE RETREAT: A Weekend Immersion into Yoga, Meditation, Ayurveda, Nature

About this Retreat

Your Guides

Sue Bonanno

Details of this retreat

Getting Here