2025 Spring Retreat: Awakening to Wellness — A Journey of Movement, Breath, Meditation & Nature
Last Chance
2025 Spring Retreat: Awakening to Wellness — A Journey of Movement, Breath, Meditation & Nature
560 Drumheller Ln, Shipman, VA, USA
April 9 - 13, 2025
About this Retreat
Geshe Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche, founder and spiritual director of Ligmincha International, is one of only a few masters of the Bön Dzogchen tradition presently living in the West. An accomplished scholar in the Bön Buddhist textual traditions of philosophy, exegesis, and debate, Tenzin Rinpoche completed a rigorous11-year course of traditional studies at the Bönpo Monastic Center (Menri Monastery) in India, where he received his Geshe, degree. In 1992 Tenzin Rinpoche founded Ligmincha International in order to preserve and introduce to the West the religious teachings and arts of the ancient Tibetan Bön Buddhist tradition. Fluent in English, Rinpoche is known for his clear, lively, and insightful teaching style and his ability to make Tibetan practices easily accessible to the Western student. He is a highly respected and beloved teacher to students throughout the United States, Mexico, and Europe. In addition to Ligmincha International’s affiliates in the United States, Rinpoche has established centers in Central and South America, Europe and India.
Rinpoche is the author of 10 books: Wonders of the Natural Mind, in which he presents the view and practice of the Bön Dzogchen teachings; and The Tibetan Yogas of Dream and Sleep; Healing with Form, Energy, and Light: The Five Elements in Tibetan Shamanism, Tantra, and Dzogchen; Unbounded Wholeness; Tibetan Sound Healing; Tibetan Yogas of Body, Speech and Mind; Awakening the Sacred Body; Awakening the Luminous Mind; The True Source of Healing; and Spontaneous Creativity.
Dr. Tawni Tidwell is a distinguished contributor to the intersection of medicine and Tibetan Buddhist practices. As the first Westerner to be certified as a Tibetan doctor alongside a PhD in anthropology, Dr. Tidwell skillfully bridges traditional Tibetan and contemporary medical worlds. She is deeply committed to holistic health, dedicating her career to the synthesis of cross-cultural medical insights. Dr. Tidwell’s unique expertise offers deep insights into integrated healthcare approaches, making her a leading voice at the forefront of wellness practices.
Dr. Daniel Lewin is a licensed psychologist, a sleep and circadian researcher and a board certified sleep clinician. His career focus has been improving public awareness of sleep and circadian health and sleep disorders outcomes. Recently, he has focused on integrating his expertise in sleep medicine with yoga, mindfulness and psychedelic assisted psychotherapy to develop innovative approaches to understand sleep health and sleep behavior in the context of spiritual and cultural practices. Danny has published more than 50 papers and chapters, provided sleep and circadian training to hundreds of healthcare providers and directed an NIH funded sleep laboratory. He has given hundreds of lectures throughout the US and internationally, and chaired sleep-health symposia at scientific meetings.
Dr. Liu received her medical degree from Hunan Medical University in Changsha, China. After completing her residency training in Internal Medicine at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), She joined on as faculty at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston and had a successful 22-year career at the largest cancer center in the world. With her extensive patient care experience and continued efforts to keep abreast of emerging medical research, she became cognizant of the impact that lifestyle has on cancer risks, treatment response, and disease progression. She developed a passionate interest in the areas of nutrition and physical fitness in cancer patients and found herself discontinuing medications much more frequently than prescribing them. She counseled cancer patients on how their lifestyle choices impact their overall treatment plan and well-being. She firmly believes that prevention is the best medicine. Integrating science and lifestyle is her practice motto. The establishment of her clinic, Integrative Medicine Clinic-Houston, will allow her the opportunity to serve a broader community. Dr. Liu hosts an educational channel - Integrative Medicine Perspective where she talks about various integrative medicine topics.
Details of this retreat
In spring the world is born anew. By connecting to the rhythms and patterns of nature, we step into our own well-being. Join us for our Spring Wellness Retreat (April 09-13), “Transforming Life and Health Through Nature, Movement, Breath and Meditation”, an invitation to bring awareness into the patterns of our daily life for reflection, renewal and transformation.
Over these rejuvenating four days, Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche and special guests Tawni Tidwell, Dr. Danny Lewin and Nick Polizzi will share ancient methods alongside modern research and scientific findings focused on spiritual, mental and physical well-being. This retreat is designed to help you uncover your inner source of well-being and transcend self-imposed limits, empowering you to engage with life in creative, inspired, and joyful ways. We will explore techniques to release stress, decrease anxiety, rebalance energy, deepen inner peace, and reconnect to ourselves and the world. Be empowered to make healthier choices that bolster your wellness on every level!
The retreat, held at Serenity Ridge and online via Zoom*, is highly interactive and participatory. With meditative techniques to enhance our wellbeing and self-awareness, restoring, energizing and healing our whole being through nature, and exploring ways to use sleep, food and self-care to enhance our quality of life and our overall health, this event is intended for everyone, whether you have experience in meditation and wellness or are just beginning your journey!
If you also would like to register for the Tibetan Yoga Retreat with Alejandro Chaoul, please register by clicking here. Those registered for both retreats will have a complimentary night's stay at Serenity Ridge on April 13-14.
Tentative Schedule (New York Time)
Link to your local time zone
Wednesday, April 9
4:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m. Onsite registration/Check-in
6:00 p.m.–6:45 p.m. Dinner
7:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m. Welcome and Opening Teaching
Thursday-Saturday April 10-12
6:30 a.m.–8:00 a.m. Morning Practice & Walk
8:15 a.m.–9:00 a.m. Breakfast
9:30 a.m.–10:45 a.m. Teaching/Practice
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Retrieving the Elemental Essences from Nature
1:00 p.m.–1:45 p.m. Lunch
2:00 p.m.–3:45 p.m. Walking/Forest Bathing/Sky Gazing
4:00 p.m.–4:30 p.m. Break/Sleep Desert
4:30 p.m.–6:00 p.m. Presentation
6:15 p.m.–7:00 p.m. Dinner
7:15 p.m. –8:30 p.m. Hormey/Bonfire
Sunday, April 13
6:30 a.m.–8:00 a.m. Morning Practice & Walk
8:15 a.m.–9:00 a.m. Breakfast
9:30 a.m.–10:45 a.m. Final Teaching/Practice
11:00 a.m.–12:45 p.m. Panel/Q&A/Sharing
1:00 p.m.–1:45 p.m. Lunch
Over these rejuvenating four days, Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche and special guests Tawni Tidwell, Dr. Danny Lewin and Nick Polizzi will share ancient methods alongside modern research and scientific findings focused on spiritual, mental and physical well-being. This retreat is designed to help you uncover your inner source of well-being and transcend self-imposed limits, empowering you to engage with life in creative, inspired, and joyful ways. We will explore techniques to release stress, decrease anxiety, rebalance energy, deepen inner peace, and reconnect to ourselves and the world. Be empowered to make healthier choices that bolster your wellness on every level!
The retreat, held at Serenity Ridge and online via Zoom*, is highly interactive and participatory. With meditative techniques to enhance our wellbeing and self-awareness, restoring, energizing and healing our whole being through nature, and exploring ways to use sleep, food and self-care to enhance our quality of life and our overall health, this event is intended for everyone, whether you have experience in meditation and wellness or are just beginning your journey!
If you also would like to register for the Tibetan Yoga Retreat with Alejandro Chaoul, please register by clicking here. Those registered for both retreats will have a complimentary night's stay at Serenity Ridge on April 13-14.
Tentative Schedule (New York Time)
Link to your local time zone
Wednesday, April 9
4:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m. Onsite registration/Check-in
6:00 p.m.–6:45 p.m. Dinner
7:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m. Welcome and Opening Teaching
Thursday-Saturday April 10-12
6:30 a.m.–8:00 a.m. Morning Practice & Walk
8:15 a.m.–9:00 a.m. Breakfast
9:30 a.m.–10:45 a.m. Teaching/Practice
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Retrieving the Elemental Essences from Nature
1:00 p.m.–1:45 p.m. Lunch
2:00 p.m.–3:45 p.m. Walking/Forest Bathing/Sky Gazing
4:00 p.m.–4:30 p.m. Break/Sleep Desert
4:30 p.m.–6:00 p.m. Presentation
6:15 p.m.–7:00 p.m. Dinner
7:15 p.m. –8:30 p.m. Hormey/Bonfire
Sunday, April 13
6:30 a.m.–8:00 a.m. Morning Practice & Walk
8:15 a.m.–9:00 a.m. Breakfast
9:30 a.m.–10:45 a.m. Final Teaching/Practice
11:00 a.m.–12:45 p.m. Panel/Q&A/Sharing
1:00 p.m.–1:45 p.m. Lunch
Getting Here
Serenity Ridge Retreat Center, 560 Drumheller Ln, Shipman, VA, USA
Accommodation
Commuter w/Teachings + All Meals
Ensures your space at all teachings and practices. Includes all available meals
Commuter w/ Teaching + Lunch Only
This option ensures your space to all the teachings and practices. This will also include lunch for all days of the retreat.
Tent Site
Leveled tent site, access to dormitory bathroom/shower facilities, and includes all meals.
Single Room w/shared bath
1-person room with twin bed, with shared bathroom down the hall. Includes all meals.
3rd Floor Single Room w/semi-private bath
3rd floor single room with 1 twin bed; bathroom shared with 2 other rooms on the same floor down the hall. Includes all meals
Double Room (2 Twin beds) w/shared bath
Bed in a double room with 2 twin beds, bathroom down the hall. Includes all meals.
3rd Floor Double Room (2 Twin beds) w/semi-private bath
3rd Floor double room with 2 twin beds; bathroom shared with 2 other rooms on the same floor. Includes all meals
3rd Floor Queen Bed Room w/semi-private bath
Room 305 - This room has one queen sized bed on the 3rd floor. The 3rd floor shares a bathroom with rooms 301 (single room) and 303 (double room). Includes all meals
Private Queen+Twin Room w/ensuite bath
Private room with one queen-sized bed and one twin bed, plus its own bathroom. Includes all meals
Private Queen/Queen Room w/ensuite bath
Room with two queen-sized beds, plus its own bathroom. Includes all meals
3rd Floor Queen/Twin Room w/ Ensuite bath
A 3rd floor private room with one queen-sized bed and one twin bed, plus its own bathroom. Includes all meals
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
Meals
Menu Types
Vegan
Vegetarian
Pescetarian
Ayurvedic
Includes Meat
Organic
Gluten Free
Dairy Free
Nut Free
