Last Chance

“Changing Aging” for Women 50ish and Beyond

Name: “Changing Aging” for Women 50ish and Beyond
Start: 2025-03-20
End: 2025-03-22
Location: Dharmakaya Center for Wellbeing
Rating: 5

5.0013 reviews

191 Cragsmoor Road, Cragsmoor, New York 12566, USA

Up to 15 in group

March 20 - 22, 2025

Retreat Highlights

Intimate setting with personal access to the teacher
Interactive sessions with question and answer periods
Shamatha and guided meditations
Delicious all-vegetarian meals with locally sourced ingredients
Option to extend stay on Personal Retreat
Extensive library of dharma books
Expansive wooded grounds with beautiful paths, flora and fauna

About this Retreat

Your Guides

Anne

Heather

Anne Sussman

Anne Sussman is a certified Mindfulness and Meditation Instructor. She helps her students create a fluency in mindfulness, empowers individuals to be compassionate listeners, and shares techniques for living in high vitality. She is the founder of the Mindfulness Meeting Place, a virtual studio that meets students wherever they are, helping them develop a calm mind, focused attention and greater well-being. Anne offers instruction to individuals, small groups, and organizations. She is a 2015 graduate of the McLean Meditation Institute, and a certified trainer of the MMI-Mindful program. Her mindfulness education courses, tailored to companies large and small, are designed to increase productivity and focus, while decreasing stress and anxiety. Anne is the author of The Bliss Buddy Project—How Sharing Gratitude Increases Joy, in which she explains how and why gratitude practice can be life-changing, then offers a simple way to practice. Since 2013, she has paired strangers and encouraged them to share daily ‘bliss moments’, which is a powerful way to magnify happiness. Anne has been practicing meditation since 2009 and has seen first-hand the transformative qualities of mindfulness. She is also passionate about alleviating food insecurity: 10% of all profits are donated to Anne's local food pantry, The Interfaith Food Pantry of the Oranges. She is also a sustaining donor to the non-profit Buy from a Black Woman, supporting Black women entrepreneurs, and ConBody, a foundation that helps those formerly incarcerated by training them and finding viable work/housing options. www.MindfulnessMeetingPlace.com What Her Students Say

Anne is a thoughtful, wise, authentic and kind teacher. She makes meditation accessible with loving support. Practicing with her as my teacher has been life changing.
I found hope and tools to find spirit and balance.
I found a bit of myself, which I was searching for and it strengthened my meditation practice and understanding thanks to Anne and the Center.
The combination of Anne's teachings and the mindful beauty of the center created one of the most loving, restful and personal meaningful retreat experiences I've ever had.

Heather Berg

Heather Berg, a certified Yoga, meditation, and Buteyko Breathing Method Instructor based in South Florida, has been exploring various ancient yoga and meditation traditions since 1991. In 2012, she began teaching full-time, creating holistic yoga sessions. Heather is dedicated to fostering self-awareness in her clients, encouraging them to become discerning practitioners capable of integrating information independently. Leading private and group classes, including Hatha, Yin, Restorative, Yoga Nidra, and Stand-Up Paddleboard yoga, she is a sought-after instructor at festivals, corporate events, therapy groups, and retreats worldwide. Introduced to the Buteyko Breathing method in 2020, Heather pursued training with Dr Buteyko’s protégé, Patrick McKeown. Now she infuses this functional breath practice, witnessing positive transformations in her own health as well as among her clients. Heather also developed the corporate wellness program "Practice to Pause," leveraging evidence-based mindfulness tools for enhanced well-being. Heather prioritizes listening to individual goals and circumstances, guiding others to thrive through the transformative combination of movement, breathwork, and meditation. Learn more about Heather at www.soulgardenyoga.com.

Details of this retreat

RETREAT BY INVITED PRESENTER
We live in a society that offers us only the “Declinist Paradigm” for aging. It’s time to change that! As Women, we are often defined by our roles in relation to others: mother, wife, daughter. But many of those roles begin to change as we age. When these external ways of defining ourselves begin to shift, spiritual practice can help uncover what we know to be true, that our soul is eternal. Let’s age with grace, joy and resilience, even in the face of the change that inevitably comes.
Anne is an inspiration as a teacher and a friend. She motivates me to be the best version of myself, and to work on my practice. Going with her to the beautiful Dharmakaya Center was just what I needed!
DUAL PROGRAM: Pair with Anne's program, Journey Within Silent Retreat, March 22-25, and save 20% off both programs if you register by January 15. REGISTER HERE

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
Now over 65, Anne Sussman is happier and feels better in her body than ever before. The best can be yet to come for you. too. Throughout this weekend you will connect with other women 50-ish and beyond. Together, you will:

Meditate, including Guided Meditations
Experience a “Life Review” journey
Engage in small and large group discussion and sharing
Create vision boards
Journal
Practice gentle yoga and movement

Anne Sussman is a graduate of “Wise Aging” taught by the late Rabbi a Rachel Cowan, founder of “The Institute for Jewish Spirituality “ in New York City

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

Intimate setting with personal access to the teacher
Interactive sessions with question and answer periods
Shamatha and guided meditations
Delicious all-vegetarian meals with locally sourced ingredients
Option to extend stay on Personal Retreat
Extensive library of dharma books
Expansive wooded grounds with beautiful paths, flora and fauna

OPEN TO ALL
There are no prerequisites for this program; it is appropriate for all women 50 years young and beyond. Come alone or bring a friend.

SCHEDULE
(subject to change)

Thursday, March 20

3:00 PM
Check in begins

4:00 PM
Welcome and Introduction

Initial Discussion

6:00-7:00 PM
Dinner

7:15-9:15 PM
Evening Program

Guided Meditation

Gentle Yoga

Friday, March 21

7:30-8:00 AM
Morning Salutations and Meditation, optional

8:00-8:45 AM
Breakfast

9:00-11:00 AM
Morning Learning and Meditation

12:00-1:00 PM
Lunch

1:30-3:00 PM
Afternoon Learning and Meditation

3:30-4:45 PM
Gentle Yoga

4:45-6:00 PM
Personal Reflection

6:00-7:00 PM
Dinner

7:30-8:15 PM
Evening Learning and Meditation

Saturday, March 22

7:30-8:00 AM
Morning Salutations and Meditation, optional

8:00-8:45 AM
Breakfast

9:00-10:30 AM
Vision Boards

10:30-11:00 AM
Gentle Yoga

11:00 AM-12:00 PM
Sharing Circle

Closing Circle

12:00-1:00 PM
Lunch

1:00 PM
Checkout and Departure

Read More

Schedule

7:30-8:00 AM Morning Salutations and Meditation, optional
8:00-8:45 AM Breakfast
9:00-11:00 AM Morning Learning and Meditation
12:00-1:00 PM Lunch
1:30-3:00 PM Afternoon Learning and Meditation
3:30-4:45 PM Gentle Yoga
4:45-6:00 PM Personal Reflection
6:00-7:00 PM Dinner
7:30-8:15 PM Evening Learning and Meditation

Note: Schedule is approximate and may change

Dharmakaya Center for Wellbeing, 191 Cragsmoor Road, Cragsmoor, New York 12566, USA

Directions

CAR. You will find a link for driving directions on our website. The parking lot is immediately to your left when you enter the Center grounds. You may drive up and drop your luggage at the Welcome Center, but may not leave your car unattended there; someone will be happy to shuttle you back down to the parking lot.

TRAIN. From Newark, La Guardia and Penn Station, you can take the Metro North train into Middletown, New York, approximately a 30-minute drive from the Center. For teachings, retreats and other special events, we will provide van service at set times. Otherwise, please take a taxi from the train station to the Center.

BUS. From New York City, you can take the Shortline Bus into Ellenville, New York, approximately a 15-minute drive from the Center. For teachings, retreats and other special events, we will provide van service at set times. Otherwise, please take a taxi from the train station to the Center.

PLANE. Newark, La Guardia and Stewart Airports all offer convenient services. From Newark or LaGuardia you can complete your trip by train; from Stewart you may rent a car or take a taxi service. Read More

Accommodation

Our two residence halls offer a simple, peaceful environment that supports your retreat experience, with rooms for those on both personal and solitary retreats. Each room has a meditation cushion and zabuton. Rates include breakfast, lunch and dinner with the resident community, as well as towels and housekeeping. All guests are welcome, but not required, to join the daily meditation and other activities (although separate tickets are required for all ticketed events). • Our junior suites have a double bed, private bath, private terrace, a refrigerator and ample room for practice. • Our private rooms have a double bed and room for private meditation, with a shared bath. Rooms may be shared by those in a committed relationship.

Commuter

Our Commuter Fee covers the costs of all meals during your retreat and the use of all our facilities. Read More

Private Room: Single

This comfortable room has a double bed and ample room for meditation. It is outfitted with a desk and small table suitable for a meditation object; it shares a bath with one or two other rooms. All rooms are furnished with linens, pillows, blankets, coverlets, and towels, as well as a meditation cushion and zabuton. The room rate includes three delicious vegetarian meals each day; in addition, there is a tea station on every hall. Read More

Private Room: Couple

This registration fee is for two people. This comfortable room has one double bed, and may be shared by couples in a committed relationship. With ample room for meditation, it features a desk and small table suitable for a meditation object. All rooms are furnished with linens, pillows, blankets, coverlets, and towels, as well as a meditation cushion and zabuton. The room shares a bath with one or two other rooms. Room rates include three delicious vegetarian meals each day (6 total meals for a couple room); there is also a tea station on each hall. Read More

Junior Suite: Single

These large rooms have one double bed, a private bath, private terrace, a refrigerator and ample room for practice. Each room has a small table suitable for a meditation object and a meditation cushion and zabaton, as well as a desk and an armoire. Room rates include three delicious vegetarian meals each day; there is also an in-room tea station. Read More

Junior Suite: Couple

This reservation fee is for two people and includes three delicious vegetarian meals each day (6 total for a couple). This large room has one double bed, which may be shared by couples in a committed relationship. In addition, it has a private bath, private terrace, a refrigerator and ample room for practice. Each room has a small table suitable for a meditation object and a meditation cushion and zabaton, as well as a desk and an armoire. Read More

Venue & Amenities

A/C in Rooms

Free Wifi

Spa

Sauna

Pool

Towels

Free Parking

Kitchen

Tour Assistance

Hot Tub

Coffee/Tea

Cafe

Restaurant

Fitness Center

Yoga Studio

Housekeeping

Bicycles For Rent

Perched atop a wooded hillside in the hamlet of Cragsmoor, the Dharmakaya Center for Wellbeing is surrounded by 90 acres of forest. The Center opened in 2017 and was purpose built to support retreats. With only 20 bedrooms, our retreats are small, keeping the retreat experience intimate. People regularly comment both on the cleanliness of the buildings and on the total sense of peace that envelopes you when on campus. Read More

Meals

Menu Types

Vegan

Vegetarian

Pescetarian

Ayurvedic

Includes Meat

Organic

Gluten Free

Dairy Free

Nut Free

Ancient wisdom describes food as a source of prana, or life force. The Dharmakaya Center for Wellbeing was founded on the premise that nourishing food is integral to wellbeing. Our chefs are passionate about creating meals that are both flavorful and healthy. We use the freshest, most nutritious, least processed foods available; when possible our ingredients are organic and locally sourced. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included in your accommodation fee. To promote good health, we serve delicious, varied, nutritious vegetarian food, with options at every meal. All our meals are served on a buffet, with ingredients listed next to each dish, enabling guests to avoid dairy, as well as glutens, nuts and other allergens. Read More

What's Included

Comfortable accommodations with queen bed in every room
All linens
Three delicious, farm-fresh vegetarian meals a day
Tea station and fruit bowl always available
Large Meditation Hall and private Meditation Room
Extensive library of dharma books
Cozy chairs and fireplace
90-acre campus with walking trails and outdoor meditation spots
Fire pit
Outdoor practice pavilion

What's Not Included

Travel to the Center

Customer Reviews

5.00 out of 5.0 average rating

Catherine • Dec 14, 2024

5.0

Verified

thanhgiving retreat

hello

My retreat was great met alot of interesting people from everywhere as far as Brazil and China most people were from New Jersey. The food was great. I was in the yoga class on a chair and then decided I wanted to sit on the mat i miss and landed on the floor. There was so many people that just jumped out to help me. The place is very peaceful it feels like one big family. Catherine Asaro Read More

Laura • Feb 01, 2023

5.0

Verified

Peace in a comfortable environment

From the moment I arrived I was impressed with how peaceful and immaculate the entire facility is. The rooms had exactly what I needed with a comfortable bed and pillows, meditation table and cushions, and a desk. Towels were provided as well. Vegetarian meals were delicious. I was able to immerse myself in the silent meditation retreat and focus on deepening my practice. This is a perfect place for me and I’m already planning my next retreat. Read More

Anonymous • May 18, 2022

5.0

Verified

Beautiful spot

Dharmakaya Center is a beautiful & peaceful spot. Highly recommend! The center is immaculate and well maintained. Great staff and facilities. Read More

YELENA • Nov 10, 2021

5.0

Verified

Amazing place Amazing experience

If you are looking for a place to unwind and grow spiritually while eating the best food this place is for you. Brand-new beautiful facility, super friendly stuff and relaxing atmosphere - I don’t know the better way to spend a weekend. I enjoyed my stay and I’m coming back! Read More

Debra • Sep 03, 2021

5.0

Verified

fantastic experience

I was in a wonderful art work shop and it was amazing. Accommodations where beautiful. Food was delicious and fantastic.
Beautiful grounds lovely walking experience. . The staff was delightful. Read More

“Changing Aging” for Women 50ish and Beyond

Retreat Highlights

About this Retreat

Your Guides

Anne Sussman

Heather Berg

Details of this retreat

Schedule

Getting Here

Directions