Cameron's Staff Pick

Eliminating Obstacles Through Reconnection with the Five Elements

Name: Eliminating Obstacles Through Reconnection with the Five Elements
Start: 2026-05-21
End: 2026-05-24
Location: Menla
Rating: 4.78

4.7827 reviews

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

May 21 - 24, 2026

About this Retreat

Your Guides

Bair

Details of this retreat

Rejuvenation & Self-Healing Through Ancient Tibetan Wisdom

This retreat aims at Eliminating Obstacles (Geksel) through reconnecting with the Five Elements, Five Chakras, and Five Inner Lights, which help us to understand our nature and supports us in meeting life’s challenges with clarity, balance, and awareness. Rooted in the wisdom of Tibetan Buddhism and Sowa Rigpa (Science of Healing), participants are guided to explore their unique elemental constitution and to understand how the Five Elements — Space, Wind, Fire, Water, and Earth — guide body, energy, and mind.

Through experiential teachings and meditative practice, this retreat offers an accessible yet profound introduction to Tibetan Medicine, suitable for both experienced practitioners and those new to meditation. The intention is to cultivate a deeper connection with one’s true nature, supporting self-healing and the healing of others, emotional balance, and embodied understanding through the integration of ancient wisdom and contemplative practices.

Thursday, May 21

3 - 6 pm Arrival and Check-in
6 - 7 pm Dinner
7:30 - 9 pm Welcome Program: The Philosophy of Sowa Rigpa

Friday, May 22

7 - 8 am Early Morning Program (Tibetan Yoga)
8 - 9 am Breakfast
9:30 am - 12 pm The Five Elements: Subtle and Gross Elements, Elemental Cycles, and the Five Internal Elements
12:30 - 1:30 pm Lunch
1:30 - 3 pm Break / Integration Time
3 - 5:30 pm The Three Humors
6 - 7 pm Dinner
7:30 - 9 pm Evening Program: Shanglon Practice

Saturday, May 23

7 - 8 am Early Morning Program (Tibetan Yoga)
8 - 9 am Breakfast
9:30 am - 12 pm Discovering Your Body and Mind Constitution
12:30 - 1:30 pm Lunch
1:30 - 3 pm Break / Personal Practice
3 - 5:30 pm Introduction to Eliminating Obstacles Practice
6 - 7 pm Dinner
7:30 - 9 pm Eliminating Obstacles Meditation Practice

Sunday, May 24

7 - 11 am Check-out of Rooms
7 - 8 am Sang Offering to Shanglon
8 - 9 am Breakfast
9:30 am - 12 pm Eliminating Obstacles Practice & Questions
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

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.

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

Customer Reviews

4.78 out of 5.0 average rating

Brianna • Mar 26, 2026

5.0

Verified

Beautiful Retreat

Menla’s grounds are truly special, tucked into the gorgeous Catskill mountains, you truly cannot beat the location. There is a pond, a creek, hiking trails and multiple places to explore. I felt such peace joining this retreat between the beautiful itinerary and the space it was held. Highly recommend a retreat at Menla.

Oliviana • Mar 26, 2026

4.0

Verified

Equinox embodied retreat

I loved my time at menla while attending my retreat. The space is so beautiful and all of the staff is so kind. I also really enjoyed the spa where I was able to get a massage. My room was beautiful as well. I would love to come and stay here again.

Sara • Mar 20, 2026

5.0

Verified

Beautiful and Sacred Visit

The architecture of Kevin Courtney's teachings and the structure of his fellow teachers' offerings was truly brilliant and got us into a place where, by the end, you are as tapped in as you can possibly be.

The beauty and sacredness of the land on which Menla is sits is very much a part of the experience and deeply woven into the fabric.

The grounds, lodging, staff, and delicious meals were all exquisite as well. We felt cared for and held in every way.

Linka • Mar 18, 2026

5.0

Verified

Absolutely Perfect!

I adore Menla Retreat Center. This is my second time attending a retreat at Menla. The land is so peaceful and serene. The staff is lovely, the spa is beautiful, and the food is really good. I truly enjoyed my time here and will visit again!

Katy • Mar 16, 2026

5.0

Verified

Lovely Space

A lovely space to learn, rest and find light. I felt embraced both by nature and the caring staff. The food was delicious and the spa rejuvenating. Thank you, Menla!

Eliminating Obstacles Through Reconnection with the Five Elements

About this Retreat

Your Guides

Bair Manzarkhan, LMT

Details of this retreat

Getting Here