5.0
Verified
return to the heart
I had another wonderful weekend retreat with Irina Devi at Menla - one of my favorite retreat places !
The Life-Force Academy Immersion
Cameron's Staff Pick
Top Rated
The Life-Force Academy Immersion
4.8056 reviews
375 Panterkill Road PO Box 70 Phoenicia, NY 12464 United States
October 7 - 11, 2026
About this Retreat
Your Guides
Jai Dev Singh is a renowned teacher of Kundalini Yoga. He is the visionary founder of Life- Force Academy (LFA), a global school for the yogic arts, with students in over 120 countries. His pioneering work encompasses multifaceted training on Kundalini Yoga, Ayurveda, and Yogic Astrology, forming the cornerstone of LFA's substantive approach to dharma practice.
With an innate talent for guiding individuals on the path to harnessing their vital magnetism, Jai Dev's teachings transcend mere instruction; they inspire the awakening of a joyful mind and the cultivation of a genuine sense of purpose.
Learn more about Jai Dev: www.JaiDevSingh.com
Details of this retreat
THE IMMERSION EXPERIENCE
There is nothing quite like an LFA Immersion. It is potent, transporting, intelligent, a little bit of hard work, and incredibly fun. By the end, you will not want it to stop.
The first task is to drop the mind below the choppy surface into the deeper water where bliss lives. The mind wants to keep its ordinary patterns, so this takes some persistence at first. The early sessions gather a great force of energy in what the yogis call the central channel. The life-force activates, the body becomes blissful, and the mind enters the ocean of intuitive consciousness. We feel ourselves again. We sense what our lives are truly about. A joy rises.
It is not thinking. It is not philosophizing. It is knowing.
From here we weave a dharma vision for our lives, one that carries us into the future with depth, courage, and joy, while still holding all the ups and downs that are sure to come. This is deep, beautiful work that builds a vitality strong enough for these times.
Whether you are with us in person or through our virtual Dharma Cloud, you are never quite the same afterward. The immersion is short enough to fit into a real life, and substantial enough to leave a lasting mark. You come out happier, shinier, and brighter than when you began.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Every session blends teaching and kriya practice. You will move your body, get in shape relative to your age and body, and leave thoroughly revitalized. Whatever your experience level, it meets you where you are.
The tools come from classical yoga and have been used for hundreds, sometimes thousands of years. The LFA approach to Kundalini Yoga is rooted in the ancient line of Raj Yoga and endlessly fresh in its modern application. The kriya practices are a dynamic blend of:
Asana. The postures of Kundalini Yoga that build strength and flexibility and open the channels of life-force for healing, revitalization, and inner bliss.
Pranayama. Breathwork and concentration that generate magnetism, draw the mind into its meditative power, and fill the practitioner with pleasure.
Naad. Mantra and sound technology that purify the dense subconscious patterns blocking clarity and joy. Sound is our primary vehicle from the finite realm into the boundless infinite field.
Mudra. Energetic seals that direct the life-force and amplify the powers of heart and mind, opening the flow of energy in body and mind.
All of it is woven together with inspiring dharma teachings and the extraordinary sound experience unique to the Life-Force Academy.
THE LFA SOUND EXPERIENCE
Nobody does live music yoga quite like the Life-Force Academy. The LFA sound has been crafted for over twenty years and has produced some of the most iconic sound experiences in a yogic context to date. In person or from the virtual cloud, the music is the primary vehicle that carries us into the bliss realms.
NOTE TO LFA MEMBERS & COURSE OWNERS: Email support@jaidevsingh.com to receive your $700 per-person discount.
Schedule
Wednesday, October 7
3 - 6 pm Check-in and Registration
6 - 7 pm Dinner
7 pm Evening Program
Thursday, October 8 - Saturday, October 10
5 - 7:30 am (Optional) Sunrise Sadhana: Early Morning Yoga & Meditation
8 - 9 am Breakfast
9:30 am - 1 pm Morning Session
1 - 2 pm Lunch
2 - 3 pm Free Time
3 - 6 pm Afternoon Session
6 - 7 pm Dinner
7:30 pm Evening Program
Sunday, October 11
5:00 - 7:30 am (Optional) Sunrise Sadhana: Early Morning Yoga & Meditation
7-11 am Check-out of Rooms
8 - 9 am Breakfast
9 am - 12:30 pm Morning Session
Final Class Ends at 12:30 pm
12:30 - 1:30 pm Lunch and Departure
* Please note that the schedule is subject to change at any time.
There is nothing quite like an LFA Immersion. It is potent, transporting, intelligent, a little bit of hard work, and incredibly fun. By the end, you will not want it to stop.
The first task is to drop the mind below the choppy surface into the deeper water where bliss lives. The mind wants to keep its ordinary patterns, so this takes some persistence at first. The early sessions gather a great force of energy in what the yogis call the central channel. The life-force activates, the body becomes blissful, and the mind enters the ocean of intuitive consciousness. We feel ourselves again. We sense what our lives are truly about. A joy rises.
It is not thinking. It is not philosophizing. It is knowing.
From here we weave a dharma vision for our lives, one that carries us into the future with depth, courage, and joy, while still holding all the ups and downs that are sure to come. This is deep, beautiful work that builds a vitality strong enough for these times.
Whether you are with us in person or through our virtual Dharma Cloud, you are never quite the same afterward. The immersion is short enough to fit into a real life, and substantial enough to leave a lasting mark. You come out happier, shinier, and brighter than when you began.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Every session blends teaching and kriya practice. You will move your body, get in shape relative to your age and body, and leave thoroughly revitalized. Whatever your experience level, it meets you where you are.
The tools come from classical yoga and have been used for hundreds, sometimes thousands of years. The LFA approach to Kundalini Yoga is rooted in the ancient line of Raj Yoga and endlessly fresh in its modern application. The kriya practices are a dynamic blend of:
Asana. The postures of Kundalini Yoga that build strength and flexibility and open the channels of life-force for healing, revitalization, and inner bliss.
Pranayama. Breathwork and concentration that generate magnetism, draw the mind into its meditative power, and fill the practitioner with pleasure.
Naad. Mantra and sound technology that purify the dense subconscious patterns blocking clarity and joy. Sound is our primary vehicle from the finite realm into the boundless infinite field.
Mudra. Energetic seals that direct the life-force and amplify the powers of heart and mind, opening the flow of energy in body and mind.
All of it is woven together with inspiring dharma teachings and the extraordinary sound experience unique to the Life-Force Academy.
THE LFA SOUND EXPERIENCE
Nobody does live music yoga quite like the Life-Force Academy. The LFA sound has been crafted for over twenty years and has produced some of the most iconic sound experiences in a yogic context to date. In person or from the virtual cloud, the music is the primary vehicle that carries us into the bliss realms.
NOTE TO LFA MEMBERS & COURSE OWNERS: Email support@jaidevsingh.com to receive your $700 per-person discount.
Schedule
Wednesday, October 7
3 - 6 pm Check-in and Registration
6 - 7 pm Dinner
7 pm Evening Program
Thursday, October 8 - Saturday, October 10
5 - 7:30 am (Optional) Sunrise Sadhana: Early Morning Yoga & Meditation
8 - 9 am Breakfast
9:30 am - 1 pm Morning Session
1 - 2 pm Lunch
2 - 3 pm Free Time
3 - 6 pm Afternoon Session
6 - 7 pm Dinner
7:30 pm Evening Program
Sunday, October 11
5:00 - 7:30 am (Optional) Sunrise Sadhana: Early Morning Yoga & Meditation
7-11 am Check-out of Rooms
8 - 9 am Breakfast
9 am - 12:30 pm Morning Session
Final Class Ends at 12:30 pm
12:30 - 1:30 pm Lunch and Departure
* 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 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
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.
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.
Standard Double Twin - Shared bath (Shared Room)
Deluxe Double Room with Two Twin 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 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.
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.
Camping
Camping
Campers Have Access to Bathrooms with Showers in Lower Level of Conference Center.
Menla Has Six Wooden Camping Platforms by the Pantherkill Stream (First Come First Serve). If All Platforms are Full or You Prefer Not to Use One, There is Also Camping Space in a Small Field by the Stream.
Accommodations Fee Includes All Meals.
Phone and High Speed Wi-Fi Available in Upstairs of the 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
Commuter
Commuters
Menla Encourages Members of the Community to Participate in Our Wonderful Programs!
Includes Meals, Public Phone, Public Computer, and Wi-Fi Internet Available in Lhasa Inn.
Accommodations Fee Includes All Meals.
Customer Reviews
Verified
5.0
Verified
Impeccable kitchen...beautiful surroundings
The lovely girl who cleaned my room, Amy, literally MADE my entire trip. She was so kind.
The scenery is magnificent, the landscape supreme, the food was AMAZING, cleanliness was top notch.
Everybody at Menla was extremely helpful and nice, with the exception of one person who shall remain nameless.
The scenery is magnificent, the landscape supreme, the food was AMAZING, cleanliness was top notch.
Everybody at Menla was extremely helpful and nice, with the exception of one person who shall remain nameless.
4.0
Verified
This is a special place
I attended Menla for a Therapist Ketamine retreat. There were approximately 35 attendees and 8-10 faculty. The buildings and the grounds are stunning and do what they set out to do..... force you to relax! The conference center offered so much space and ability for smaller groups to break out. I was fortunate enough to stay in a deluxe room which had stunning and peaceful decor and a very comfortable bed.
The Menla staff was welcoming and helpful.
I was disappointed with the meals. I live in the SF Bay area and am fortunate to have access to very high quality and thoughtful vegetarian food. I found the meals to be Okay but not delicious. I should mention that our group didn't have breakfast. I did appreciate the creative beverage offerings and constant access to fresh fruit - the apples were yummy!
The Menla staff was welcoming and helpful.
I was disappointed with the meals. I live in the SF Bay area and am fortunate to have access to very high quality and thoughtful vegetarian food. I found the meals to be Okay but not delicious. I should mention that our group didn't have breakfast. I did appreciate the creative beverage offerings and constant access to fresh fruit - the apples were yummy!
3.0
Verified
Nice place, kind staff, pricey, food was not good, not enough
The cabin was comfortable, and the shared areas were nice. The food, however, was extremely limited—mostly beans and vegetables, essentially a $2 meal with no meat or chicken. After one hour of being served, most of the food was gone and not replenished, so arriving around 1 p.m. meant finding almost nothing left. Beans can also trigger gas and discomfort, and the Indian dishes were too spicy, causing bloating. For the price of the stay, the meals felt inadequate.
Staff should wait until meetings are finished before moving items or making accommodations. The trail signs were also confusing and unclear; improving them would make a big difference.
Staff should wait until meetings are finished before moving items or making accommodations. The trail signs were also confusing and unclear; improving them would make a big difference.
5.0
Verified
Breathing in the Heart of Nature
I've visited the center twice, in June 2025 and June 2026, and both times I found it restful, peaceful, and a place to feel at one with nature, with many opportunities to swim, walk, and hike without leaving the center. It's a great place for meditation, reflection, care, and nourishing food. I had a spa session with Nitty, a Reiki practitioner with over 30 years of experience, and it was better than expected. While there, I saw many animals and birds, and a woman using the Cornell University bird app was able to identify 37 species in one sitting on the patio of the main building. The staff is very friendly, and the spa center with a swimming pool is the most luxuriously built of all the buildings. The biggest luxury I've found in Menla is silence.
Last Chance
