Cameron's Staff Pick

Creative Transformation: A Yoga Retreat to Rekindle the Joy of Self-Expression

Name: Creative Transformation: A Yoga Retreat to Rekindle the Joy of Self-Expression
Start: 2025-07-24
End: 2025-07-27
Location: Menla
Rating: 4.5

4.502 reviews

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

July 24 - 27, 2025

About this Retreat

Your Guides

Michelle

Natasha

Michelle Douglas

Michelle Douglas discovered yoga by chance at a gym, unaware it would become the catalyst for profound personal transformation. Overcoming years of heartbreak and running from her inner struggles, yoga helped her regulate her nervous system and find inner peace. This journey of healing and growth ignited her passion to teach yoga through a trauma-informed and social justice lens, believing that personal healing creates a ripple effect of collective change. As a senior teacher, Michelle creates a nurturing and empowering space for transformation, offering vinyasa classes that go beyond the pose to include kriya, pranayama, mudra, meditation, and mantra, helping students deepen their practice and embody radical freedom. She also co-leads a 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training and offers specialized programs focused on the Koshas, Kleshas, Chakras, and shadow work, helping both students and teachers expand their awareness and break habitual patterns. She continues to inspire others to embrace their self-healing journeys, reminding them of the resilience and strength that lies within.

Natasha Albornoz

At the end of the first yoga class I ever attended, while dazed, sweaty and blissed out, I said to myself: "I am going to do this for the rest of my life." It's been over a decade, and my love for yoga is as strong as ever, even though my practice has changed and evolved over the years. From my first YTT in 2015, I learned the powerful practice of mantra which I have explored deeper on my own through the years and love to share with others. I also developed a deep appreciation for focusing on alignment in order to create a foundation for a safe and sustainable practice. Subsequent trainings enhanced my appreciation for the stillness and inner work that yoga can offer, and been hugely influential in giving me the tools to understand myself, work though personal blocks, and how to help others through this special practice of yoga. I teach from my heartsoul, with gratitude to all the lineage that brought me here and a mindfulness to offer a safe space for those who join this path. As Ram Dass said, "We are all just walking each other home."

Details of this retreat

You are a creative being, and every moment offers a chance to reconnect with that inherent energy. This retreat is for anyone who feels called to explore their creative flow and rejoice in the freedom to be yourself.

Through yoga, meditation, and intentional creative exploration, we will guide you to reconnect with your imaginative essence. Embrace curiosity, befriend fear, and discover how self-expression can bring depth, purpose, and joy to your life.

Nestled in the serene Catskills, this retreat will open you to inspiration and help you feel more alive, present, and connected to your true Self. Let the universe guide you as you awaken your inner voice, and leave with a renewed sense of wonder and possibility.

Schedule

Thursday, July 24

3 - 6 pm Arrival and Check-in
6 - 7 pm Dinner
7:30 - 9 pm Gentle Yoga and Opening Circle

Friday, July 25

7 - 7:45 am Pranayama, Mantra, Meditation (Optional)
8 - 9 am Breakfast
10:15 am - 12:15 pm Practice
12:30 - 1:30 pm Lunch
1:30 - 3 pm Free Time for Relaxation and Spa
3 - 4 pm Nature walk and Meditation
6 - 7 pm Dinner
7:30 - 9 pm Painting by Intuition

Saturday, July 26

7 - 7:45 am Pranayama, Mantra, Meditation (Optional)
8 - 9 am Breakfast
10:15 am - 12:15 pm Practice
12:30 - 1:30 pm Lunch
1:30 - 6 pm Free Time for Relaxation and Spa
6 - 7 pm Dinner
7:30 - 9 pm Creative Self-Expression Night

Sunday, July 27

7 - 11 am Check-out of Rooms
7 - 8 am Pranayama, Mantra, Meditation (Optional)
8 - 9 am Breakfast
9:30 am - 12 pm Practice, Closing Circle
12:30 - 1:30 pm Lunch & Departure

*Please note that the schedule is subject to change. Read More

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 Read More

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 Read More

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. Read More

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 Read More

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. Read More

Customer Reviews

4.50 out of 5.0 average rating

Anonymous • Oct 03, 2023

4.0

Verified

Weekend retreat stay

The property is on a beautiful, peaceful location.
Nature is all around and sometimes a little too close but you are literally surrounded by woods.

The food was really good and I liked the buffet style and fruit basket.

The gift shop although small had a nice selection of items and I purchased a few fun items.

Since the dining area was on the opposite side of the site from the convention center, a lot of students drove back and forth on the property. I chose the walking paths to get around.

Read More

Marie • Apr 18, 2022

5.0