5.0
Verified
return to the heart
I had another wonderful weekend retreat with Irina Devi at Menla - one of my favorite retreat places !
Alchemy of Oneness: Sacred Dance & the Third Force
Cameron's Staff Pick
Top Rated
Alchemy of Oneness: Sacred Dance & the Third Force
4.8056 reviews
375 Panterkill Road PO Box 70 Phoenicia, NY 12464 United States
July 30 - August 2, 2026
About this Retreat
Your Guides
Banafsheh Sayyad, MFA, Choreography and MA, Chinese Medicine, is a master sacred dancer, choreographer, and visionary teacher of spiritual embodiment whose life’s work is devoted to helping people activate greater health, awareness, and resilience through conscious movement. Internationally acclaimed for her pioneering fusion of spirituality and sensuality, she is the founder of Dance of Oneness®, a Divine Feminine lineage of healing and transformation uniting Sufi whirling, Persian dance, flamenco, mysticism, and Taoist wisdom.
Banafsheh’s forthcoming book, Dance of Oneness (St. Martin’s Essentials, March 2026), invites readers to rediscover the body as a portal to presence, vitality, and joy. Drawing from her own awakening through dance that transmuted the pain of exile from Iran, Banafsheh weaves Rumi’s poetry, feminine mysticism, and embodied healing into a radiant call to live as a channel of love and light. Born in Iran, she defied cultural taboos to create a feminine expression of Sufi whirling, transforming dance into a pathway of liberation, divine communion, and activism.
Through her non-profit Dance of Oneness and her transformative teachings, Banafsheh has inspired thousands across the world to awaken, embody love, and dance the divine into being.
Details of this retreat
Discover how compassionately weaving paradoxes together creates a third force — one that initiates ecstatic embodiment, healing, and transfiguration, a profound spiritual process Sufi mystics described as the alchemy of the heart, Rumi called the meeting place beyond opposites, and modern quantum physics understands as emergence through coherence and superposition.
At a time when our world feels fractured by uncertainty, polarization, and power-over politics, Alchemy of Oneness: Sacred Dance & the Third Force answers the soul’s longing for sovereignty, soulful expression, peace, and wholeness. This 4-day sacred dance retreat invites you into ecstatic embodiment as a path to unity and your deepest calling — where body and spirit, energy and form, stillness and wildness are compassionately unified through movement, intention, and presence. Held on the luminous land of Menla Retreat Center in New York, whose natural beauty and high-frequency field gently support transfiguration, this retreat becomes a crucible for the birthing of your divine humanity.
Here, paradox is not resolved by choosing sides, but by allowing a coherent third force to emerge — born when opposites meet in coherence. Through sacred dance, you’ll alchemize inner divides and awaken the third force, awakening renewed vitality, embodied clarity, emotional release, spiritual and creative freedom, and a visceral sense of belonging in your body and our world that becomes prayer in motion and medicine for all.
Drawing from Banafsheh’s book, Dance of Oneness: Embody Love & Luminosity to Transform Your Life, a methodology for spiritual embodiment through sacred dance including Sufi whirling that inspires healing, awakening, and transformation, you’ll be initiated into a feminine embodiment lineage and practices, and new dance sequences grounded in sacred sensuality, communion with the Beloved, mystical poetry, modern and ancient science, and Divine Feminine wisdom.
Experience freedom and the joyful feeling of coming home to yourself like never before as you connect with the Divine, embrace your authenticity, and embody love as the antidote to pain, blocks, isolation, stagnation, and disconnect.
Schedule:
Thursday, July 30
3 - 6 pm Arrival and Check-in
6 - 7 pm Dinner
7:30 - 9 pm Welcome Program
Friday, July 31
8 - 9 am Breakfast
10am - 12 pm Morning Program
12:30 - 1:30 pm Lunch
1:30 - 3:30 pm Break
3:30 - 5:30 pm Afternoon Program
6 - 7 pm Dinner
7:30 - 9 pm Evening Program
Saturday, August 1
8 - 9 am Breakfast
10 am - 12 pm Morning Program
12:30 - 1:30 pm Lunch
1:30 - 3:30 pm Break
3:30 - 5:30 pm Afternoon Program
6 - 7 pm Dinner
7:30 - 9 pm Evening Program
Sunday, August 2
7 - 9:30 am Check-out of Rooms
8 - 9 am Breakfast
10 am - 12 pm Morning Program
12:30 - 1:30 pm Lunch & Departure
*Please note this schedule is subject to change.
At a time when our world feels fractured by uncertainty, polarization, and power-over politics, Alchemy of Oneness: Sacred Dance & the Third Force answers the soul’s longing for sovereignty, soulful expression, peace, and wholeness. This 4-day sacred dance retreat invites you into ecstatic embodiment as a path to unity and your deepest calling — where body and spirit, energy and form, stillness and wildness are compassionately unified through movement, intention, and presence. Held on the luminous land of Menla Retreat Center in New York, whose natural beauty and high-frequency field gently support transfiguration, this retreat becomes a crucible for the birthing of your divine humanity.
Here, paradox is not resolved by choosing sides, but by allowing a coherent third force to emerge — born when opposites meet in coherence. Through sacred dance, you’ll alchemize inner divides and awaken the third force, awakening renewed vitality, embodied clarity, emotional release, spiritual and creative freedom, and a visceral sense of belonging in your body and our world that becomes prayer in motion and medicine for all.
Drawing from Banafsheh’s book, Dance of Oneness: Embody Love & Luminosity to Transform Your Life, a methodology for spiritual embodiment through sacred dance including Sufi whirling that inspires healing, awakening, and transformation, you’ll be initiated into a feminine embodiment lineage and practices, and new dance sequences grounded in sacred sensuality, communion with the Beloved, mystical poetry, modern and ancient science, and Divine Feminine wisdom.
Experience freedom and the joyful feeling of coming home to yourself like never before as you connect with the Divine, embrace your authenticity, and embody love as the antidote to pain, blocks, isolation, stagnation, and disconnect.
Schedule:
Thursday, July 30
3 - 6 pm Arrival and Check-in
6 - 7 pm Dinner
7:30 - 9 pm Welcome Program
Friday, July 31
8 - 9 am Breakfast
10am - 12 pm Morning Program
12:30 - 1:30 pm Lunch
1:30 - 3:30 pm Break
3:30 - 5:30 pm Afternoon Program
6 - 7 pm Dinner
7:30 - 9 pm Evening Program
Saturday, August 1
8 - 9 am Breakfast
10 am - 12 pm Morning Program
12:30 - 1:30 pm Lunch
1:30 - 3:30 pm Break
3:30 - 5:30 pm Afternoon Program
6 - 7 pm Dinner
7:30 - 9 pm Evening Program
Sunday, August 2
7 - 9:30 am Check-out of Rooms
8 - 9 am Breakfast
10 am - 12 pm Morning Program
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 King
Deluxe King Room with King Bed and Private Bathroom
Free Phone and Hi-Speed Wifi Internet Access Available
Air Conditioning
This Space is not ADA compliant.
Deluxe King Rooms are Available only in Kathmandu House
* Please note that rates include meals and accommodations
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
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
Standard Double Full - Shared bath (Shared Room)
Deluxe Double Room with Two Full Beds and Shared Bathroom
Free Phone and Hi-Speed Wifi Internet Access Available
Air Conditioning
This lodging type is not ADA Compliant. Please note that due to the stairs we recommend that guests with mobility issues book other accommodations.
Deluxe Double Rooms with Shared Bathrooms are Located in Thimphu
* 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.
Standard Double Twin - Shared bath (Shared Room)
Deluxe Double Room with Two Twin Beds and Shared Bathroom
Free Phone and Hi-Speed Wifi Internet Access Available
Air Conditioning
This lodging type is not ADA Compliant. Please note that due to the stairs we recommend that guests with mobility issues book other accommodations.
Deluxe Double Rooms with Shared Bathrooms are Located in Thimphu
* 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
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.
Camping
Camping
Campers Have Access to Bathrooms with Showers in Lower Level of Conference Center.
Menla Has Six Wooden Camping Platforms by the Pantherkill Stream (First Come First Serve). If All Platforms are Full or You Prefer Not to Use One, There is Also Camping Space in a Small Field by the Stream.
Accommodations Fee Includes All Meals.
Phone and High Speed Wi-Fi Available in Upstairs of the 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
Commuter
Commuters
Menla Encourages Members of the Community to Participate in Our Wonderful Programs!
Includes Meals, Public Phone, Public Computer, and Wi-Fi Internet Available in Lhasa Inn.
Accommodations Fee Includes All Meals.
Customer Reviews
Verified
5.0
Verified
Impeccable kitchen...beautiful surroundings
The lovely girl who cleaned my room, Amy, literally MADE my entire trip. She was so kind.
The scenery is magnificent, the landscape supreme, the food was AMAZING, cleanliness was top notch.
Everybody at Menla was extremely helpful and nice, with the exception of one person who shall remain nameless.
The scenery is magnificent, the landscape supreme, the food was AMAZING, cleanliness was top notch.
Everybody at Menla was extremely helpful and nice, with the exception of one person who shall remain nameless.
4.0
Verified
This is a special place
I attended Menla for a Therapist Ketamine retreat. There were approximately 35 attendees and 8-10 faculty. The buildings and the grounds are stunning and do what they set out to do..... force you to relax! The conference center offered so much space and ability for smaller groups to break out. I was fortunate enough to stay in a deluxe room which had stunning and peaceful decor and a very comfortable bed.
The Menla staff was welcoming and helpful.
I was disappointed with the meals. I live in the SF Bay area and am fortunate to have access to very high quality and thoughtful vegetarian food. I found the meals to be Okay but not delicious. I should mention that our group didn't have breakfast. I did appreciate the creative beverage offerings and constant access to fresh fruit - the apples were yummy!
The Menla staff was welcoming and helpful.
I was disappointed with the meals. I live in the SF Bay area and am fortunate to have access to very high quality and thoughtful vegetarian food. I found the meals to be Okay but not delicious. I should mention that our group didn't have breakfast. I did appreciate the creative beverage offerings and constant access to fresh fruit - the apples were yummy!
3.0
Verified
Nice place, kind staff, pricey, food was not good, not enough
The cabin was comfortable, and the shared areas were nice. The food, however, was extremely limited—mostly beans and vegetables, essentially a $2 meal with no meat or chicken. After one hour of being served, most of the food was gone and not replenished, so arriving around 1 p.m. meant finding almost nothing left. Beans can also trigger gas and discomfort, and the Indian dishes were too spicy, causing bloating. For the price of the stay, the meals felt inadequate.
Staff should wait until meetings are finished before moving items or making accommodations. The trail signs were also confusing and unclear; improving them would make a big difference.
Staff should wait until meetings are finished before moving items or making accommodations. The trail signs were also confusing and unclear; improving them would make a big difference.
5.0
Verified
Breathing in the Heart of Nature
I've visited the center twice, in June 2025 and June 2026, and both times I found it restful, peaceful, and a place to feel at one with nature, with many opportunities to swim, walk, and hike without leaving the center. It's a great place for meditation, reflection, care, and nourishing food. I had a spa session with Nitty, a Reiki practitioner with over 30 years of experience, and it was better than expected. While there, I saw many animals and birds, and a woman using the Cornell University bird app was able to identify 37 species in one sitting on the patio of the main building. The staff is very friendly, and the spa center with a swimming pool is the most luxuriously built of all the buildings. The biggest luxury I've found in Menla is silence.
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