Cameron's Staff Pick

Woman's Strength and Ancestors Retreat for Women

Name: Woman's Strength and Ancestors Retreat for Women
Start: 2026-11-06
End: 2026-11-08
Location: Menla
Rating: 4.75

4.7516 reviews

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

November 6 - 8, 2026

About this Retreat

Your Guides

Elizabeth

Larisa

Elizabeth Pyjov

Over 12 years of experience teaching meditation Facilitator for international and national retreats B.A. Harvard College, Romance Languages and Literatures ‍Certification Stanford Medical School, Neuroscience, Philosophy, Pedagogy of Compassion J.D. Harvard Law School MTS Harvard Divinity School, Theology Degree New York City Bar Well-Being Committee Member Faculty at Loyola University Chicago Elizabeth, JD, MTS is a meditation teacher, facilitator, scholar, theologian, lawyer, writer, and published poet who holds three Harvard degrees, speaks five languages, and has designed over thirty different programs for happiness, energy, connection, and resilience. She holds three Harvard degrees, speaks five languages, has lived in seven countries, and has taught over 10,000 people resilience, mental strength, and happiness. Elizabeth also studied neuroscience at Stanford Medical School and brings brain science to every program she designs and facilitates. Her past experience includes working as an Investment Funds attorney at Sidley Austin, human rights work at the United Nations, and investigations for the New York Attorney General’s Office. She has taught at Stanford, Harvard, Columbia, NYU, the Library of Congress, The Carlyle Group, Deutsche Bank, the New York Appellate Court, and top law firms and financial institutions. Elizabeth enjoys facilitating retreats worldwide, helping organizations build a more compassionate culture everyday and helping individuals find their own unique path to happiness. This work is the greatest privilege of her life.

Larisa Forman

Larisa Forman has been practicing yoga for 20+ years and teaching in the Boston area for over 10 years. Larisa leads workshops and immersions both nationally and internationally, leads a 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training at The Yoga Loft, is a frequent presenter at The Nantucket Yoga Festival, and her yoga class was chosen as a part of "The ideal wellness day in Boston" by Well+Good.

Larisa is a yoga innovator blending the deeply traditional with the latest developments in fitness science, combining the Western obsession with the physical body and the Eastern approach to the Mind/Body/Spirit connection. Larisa received her 200H with PranaVayu Yoga founder David Magone in Boston and her 500H with her beloved guru Sri Dharma Mittra in NYC. Larisa is a Sanskrit enthusiast and loves meditation. Sharing these ancient techniques with the modern-day practitioner brings her tremendous joy :)

Details of this retreat

This autumn, you are invited to connect to ancestors and your female strength in new, deeper ways.

The goal of the retreat is to come away feeling all the support of your female line. We'll also access inner calm and build a community of women.

Elizabeth Pyjov (15 years of experience teaching these practices) will facilitate and Larisa Forman (voted best yoga teacher in Boston) will teach a very gentle mindful movement session each day.

Come for the meditation and ancestors practices, stay for the forest walks and nourishing food, and end up sending compassion to all those who went before you! You'll leave the retreat feeling energized, peaceful and authentic.

What to look forward to:

Ancestors practices that empower you
Meditation
Practicing gentle yoga
Taking forest walks
Lighting candles for our ancestors
Reaching new levels of acceptance
Getting incredible strength from the past
Healing the family tree
Growing in compassion
Enjoying each other’s company
Eating three healthy meals a day
Cultivating self-compassion
Accessing deep relaxation

Schedule:
Friday, November 6 (Check-in Day)

3 pm Arrive, check in, and explore the property
3:30 - 5 pm First yoga and mindful movement practice
5 - 6 pm Official welcome session and introduction to the retreat and each other
6 - 7 pm Dinner
7:30 pm Candlelit ancestors practice and survey of ancestors practices across traditions

Saturday, November 7

7 - 8 am Gentle yoga, stretching and movement practice
8 - 9 am Breakfast
9:30 - 11:30 am Woman's Strength practices
11:30 am - 12:30 pm Free time to visit the vintage country barn or move your body in the fitness facility. Perhaps time alone to meditate, nap, create, or journal
12:30 - 1:30 pmLunch
2 - 3:30 pm Optional group hike or time for spa treatments
3:30 - 6 pm Ancestors meditation practice: healing the family tree
6 - 7 pm Dinner
7:30 - 8 pm Gentle 25-minute yoga practice for excellent sleep

Sunday, November 8 (Check-out Day)

7am: Gentle stretching and movement practice
8am: Breakfast
9am: Time to pack and check-out
10:15am: Last practice for gathering strength from you family line.

Meditation on how to access centeredness and inner peace through ancestors practices.
Talk on how to access the strength of our ancestors.
We'll end with a formal retreat closing.

12:30pm: Lunch

*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

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.

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

Customer Reviews

4.75 out of 5.0 average rating

Helen • Jan 22, 2026

5.0

Verified

An amazing experience, as always!

Menla impresses me year after year. The feeling is like none other. Spiritual, safe, calm, even when the outer world is chaos. The staff are not just friendly, but make Menla feel at home and the event seamless, no matter the weather or obstacles that seem to pop up. My members had an incredible experience. We will continue to come back year after year to host the retreat in this magical place!

Amit • Jan 04, 2026

5.0

Verified

An Awesome Retreat Experience for mind and body

I went into IGNITING 2026: Light the Fire of Joy through Compassion at the Menla Institute thinking it would be “nice.” It ended up being so much more than I expected - one of those retreats that leaves you feeling genuinely lighter, more grounded, and strangely energized in the best way.

Food: Truly ah-mazing. Since it was vegan and gluten-free, I was expecting it to be… fine. Instead, everything was full of flavor, thoughtfully prepared, and satisfying. And the desserts at dinner? Honestly, a highlight on their own.

Dr. Bob Thurman: The star of the show. Every one of us LOVED his talks. He’s wildly knowledgeable, sharp, and somehow manages to make profound teachings feel totally alive and accessible. Also: he is hilarious. We were completely locked in listening to him - equal parts learning and laughing.

Yoga (Michele Loew): I loved Michele’s classes. She guided the whole group through a beautiful sequence - warm-up, deep stretching, and meditation - in a way that felt supportive and skillful. Her Yoga Nidra was especially powerful, and having Arjun join for the sound bath made it even more immersive.

Krishna Das: Forever the best. He’s the reason we showed up - and he delivered that heart-opening magic he always does. What I didn’t expect was how much I’d also love Michele and Dr. Thurman. This retreat wasn’t just “Krishna Das + extras” - it felt like a complete, beautifully balanced experience.

Marina Abramović: What a soul. Hearing her story - where she came from, what she endured, and how she continues to transform - was deeply moving. She carries a kind of strength and honesty that makes you reflect on your own life in a meaningful way.

Gratitude: Special thanks to Piotr for the tech setup. He was fantastic - calm, capable, and it made everything run smoothly.

Overall, this retreat felt like a real New Year reset - a blend of dharma, movement, music, and reflection that actually lands in your body and your life. I left with more joy, more clarity, and a very full heart.

Song • Jan 04, 2026

5.0

Verified

Delighted and Ignited!

Everything was wonderful. The lodging, (Eva's cabin), the amazing food, and especially, everyone who works there, soul food on every level. Michelle's yoga and yoga nidra were unexpected highlights for me. She is emobodied wisdom. Can't imagine this retreat without her. I loved yoga with John Campbell of course--it would be wonderful to have both!!! Like she could do morning and he could have afternoon offering? The yoga nidra and soundscape were very powerful and transformational. Of course, Bob Thurman is a delight and central. The kirtan was so nourishing and pure pleasure. I am just awed by the experience that was created. Divine abundance. The part that couldn't be "controlled" of course by Menla, is the other retreaters--and my fellow passengers were so wise, funny, earnest, kind, considerate, adult--exactly who would be drawn to such an event, at that time, as I had hoped. Did I mention how amazing Michelle is :-)?

Stephanie • Jan 02, 2026

5.0

Verified

Menla is a warm supportive space for personal growth and transformation

Everyone at Menla is devoted to provided a supportive space for personal growth. I am deeply grateful. And, the food is delicious.

Gabriela • Dec 25, 2025

5.0

Verified

Healty Place with nice peoples and magical nature. Rejouvinate and

Rejuvenating and restorative.Well equipped. Excellent food. Competent staff.

Woman's Strength and Ancestors Retreat for Women

About this Retreat

Your Guides

Elizabeth Pyjov

Larisa Forman

Details of this retreat

Getting Here