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Top Rated

Awakening the Wisdom of the Body

Name: Awakening the Wisdom of the Body
Start: 2026-09-24
End: 2026-09-27
Location: Menla
Rating: 4.84

4.8477 reviews

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

September 24 - 27, 2026

About this Retreat

Your Guides

Bobbie

Details of this retreat

A Somatic Yoga & Movement Retreat

Nestled in the healing landscape of Menla in the Catskills, Awakening the Wisdom of the Body is a four-day somatic yoga and movement retreat with Bobbie Ellis and Karin Weinstein. Through gentle movement, breath awareness, guided rest, and creative exploration, participants are invited to slow down, listen deeply, and rediscover the body’s innate intelligence.

This retreat offers a supportive environment for cultivating ease, resilience, and vitality. With time for practice, reflection, and restoration, you’ll leave with practical tools and embodied insights that can be woven into daily life.

Schedule:

Thursday September 24

3 - 6 pm Arrival and Check-in
6 - 7 pm Dinner
7:30 - 9 pm Welcome Program

Friday September 25

7 - 8 am Early Morning Gentle Movement and Embodied Meditation
8 - 9 am Breakfast
9:30am - 12 pm Morning Practice
12:30 - 1:30 pm Lunch
2:30 - 5:30 pm Afternoon Practice
6 - 7 pm Dinner
7:30 - 9 pm Free time

Saturday September 26

8 - 9 am Breakfast
9:30 am - 12 pm Morning Practice
12:30 - 1:30 pm Lunch
2:30 - 5:30 pm Afternoon Practice
6 - 7 pm Dinner
7:30 - 9 pm Evening Practice and Embodied Celebrations

Sunday September 27

6 - 8 am Check-out of Rooms
8 - 9 am Breakfast
9:30 am - 12 pm Morning Practice and closing circle
12:30 - 1:30 pm Lunch & Departure

*Please note this schedule is subject to change.

Getting Here

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

Accommodation

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.

Customer Reviews

4.84 out of 5.0 average rating

Deborah • Sep 02, 2026

5.0

Verified

Past life regression and sound healing

It was my first time here at Menela and it was wonderful. I love the energy of the land. The people are so nice. I Took advantage of the spa and had a relaxing and incredible massage. The retreat was amazing with Lisa and Alicia facilitating the weekend events. I recommend this oasis and gem in the Catskill area.. planning to return next year when Lisa Annise organizes her yearly women retreat. Great recharge to head back into September .

Lina • Sep 02, 2026

4.0

Verified

Lovely location with beautiful views and a peaceful feeling

I came as part of a retreat with a plus size wellness group and loved the Menla campus. The space felt peaceful and was so wonderfully green and bright. There were stars everywhere in the sky at night. Wild animals were everywhere - I saw bunnies, deer, turkeys, chipmunks, all sort of birds.

I loved being there, getting to feel connected to nature, and to catch up on reading.

There was food every day offered by Menla staff. Good quality, though very high fiber. Worth considering bringing a beano tablet with you.

Staff had some awkward moments. My group was definitely treated with the sense that we were a fat camp (we were not) and talks were very gendered, even though I am nonbinary I was lumped in with women and sacred womanhood talk.

The Spa was wonderful - big showers, the robes fit my plus size body, no one was weird about my body. I got a wonderful and super relaxing facial and I took a salt bath which was wonderful. The tub might not be well suited for a very tall person but I am 5'2 and so I fit perfectly fine.

We had a bonfire, which was so nice. They offered smores supplies. Loved it.

Overall a wonderful experience. I would love to come back.

Anonymous • Aug 30, 2026

5.0

Verified

Beautiful grounds filled with nature

A clean, well-run, peaceful place to stay with nature all around (birds, bunnies, deer, and more)

Glory • Aug 26, 2026

5.0

Verified

A beautiful place to disconnect and reconnect

Menla was the perfect setting for our women’s retreat. Surrounded by beautiful nature and so much peace, it gave us the space to slow down, disconnect from everyday responsibilities, and simply be present. I left feeling refreshed, grateful, and more connected to myself. Such a beautiful and special experience…. And the food was absolutely amazing!!

AMY • Aug 20, 2026

5.0

Verified

Energy Medicine retreat.

What struck me most about our Menla retreat was the energy of the LAND. Serenity. Peacefullness and sheer beauty of the place held me, and also, the natural wildlife.. abundant. Safe. Peaceful. The following important highlights was the loving preparation of beautiful food which of course supported our practice. I was in the Dragon living accomodation and found the surrounding forrest and trail access to be superb. I also enjoyed walking in the gardens and admiring all that was growing there.

Awakening the Wisdom of the Body

About this Retreat

Your Guides

Bobbie Ellis and Karin Weinstein

Details of this retreat

Getting Here