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Top Rated

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: 4.84

4.8477 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

7 - 8 am Gentle stretching and movement practice
8 - 9 am Breakfast
9 - 11 am Time to pack and check-out
10:15 am - 12:30 pm: 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.

12:30 - 1:30 pm Lunch and 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

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

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.

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.

Woman's Strength and Ancestors Retreat for Women

About this Retreat

Your Guides

Elizabeth Pyjov

Larisa Forman

Details of this retreat

Getting Here