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Embodied Self: A Yoga and Internal Family Systems Retreat

Name: Embodied Self: A Yoga and Internal Family Systems Retreat
Start: 2026-09-17
End: 2026-09-20
Location: Menla
Rating: 4.84

4.8477 reviews

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

September 17 - 20, 2026

About this Retreat

Your Guides

Donna

Maddi

Donna Farchione, MS, MA, CCC-SLP, LMFT, RYT-500

Donna creatively integrates clinical expertise, somatic wisdom, and heartfelt presence into her work as a therapist, yoga teacher, and retreat facilitator. A Speech Pathologist (M.S.) and Marriage and Family Therapist (M.A., LMFT), Donna has spent her career walking alongside people on their journeys toward healing and wholeness.

A natural teacher, Donna has led 200-hour yoga teacher trainings and served as an adjunct instructor in the Communication Sciences & Disorders department at Syracuse University. The founder and former owner of Glow Yoga & Juice Bar — home to a beloved yoga community — she ultimately sold it after nearly a decade to pursue her deepest calling: working alongside her daughter to guide people through healing through movement and inquiry. She is passionate about yoga, IFS, and building community.

Donna maintains a private practice as an Internal Family Systems (Level 1) therapist, has completed the IFS Healing Circles workshop with Chris Burris and the transformative course The Sacred Nervous System: A Relational Pathway for Self and IFS, and is currently in training to become a Certified Somatic IFS Practitioner. Her work weaves together the wisdom of IFS, the healing power of movement, and a deep reverence for the mind-body-spirit connection — creating space for participants to come home to themselves.

Maddi Farchione, PA-C, RYT-500

Maddi is a gifted facilitator whose warmth and passion for community transform every space she enters. A Physician Assistant, Life Coach, and experienced Yoga Teacher (RYT-500), she brings a rare breadth of expertise to her work. A natural teacher in every sense, Maddi has led 200-hour yoga teacher trainings and served as an adjunct instructor at her alma mater, Le Moyne College, teaching in their Physician Assistant Master's program.

At the heart of everything she does is a belief that each person already holds within them everything they need to create a life of intention and purpose. Her unique background — spanning medicine, coaching, and yoga — allows her to meet people holistically, bridging the wisdom of the body with the clarity of the mind.

When she's not leading retreats, teaching or coaching, Maddi is busy embracing her most cherished role as a mom to two young boys — a balance that speaks to the very wholeness and joy she inspires in others.

Details of this retreat

Meet yourself here. This three-night retreat is an invitation to turn toward your inner world with curiosity, structure, and care.

Through a carefully woven blend of Internal Family Systems-guided self-inquiry, group healing circles, and yoga, you will develop a real and intimate relationship with the parts of yourself that have been waiting to be heard. This isn't passive relaxation. It's active inner work — the kind that creates shifts you can feel weeks, months, and years later.

Deep work doesn't have to be heavy work. We've found that the most profound shifts often arrive not through struggle, but through play, laughter, and a spirit of gentle curiosity. You'll leave with more than memories. You'll leave with a new way of seeing yourself — and the tools to keep going.

Schedule:

Thursday September 17

3 - 4:30 pm Arrival and Check-in
4:30 - 5:45 Welcome circle
6 - 7 pm Dinner
7:30 - 9 pm Evening program and yoga

Friday September 18

8 - 9 am Breakfast
9:30 am - 12 pm Morning Program and yoga practice
12:30 - 1:30 pm Lunch
3 - 5:30 pm Afternoon Program
6 - 7 pm Dinner
7:30 - 9 pm Evening Gathering

Saturday September 19

8 - 9 am Breakfast
9:30 am - 12 pm Morning Program and yoga practice
12:30 - 1:30 pm Lunch
3 - 5:30 pm Afternoon Program
6 - 7 pm Dinner
7:30 - 9 pm Sound healing

Sunday September 20

7-9:30 am Check-out of Rooms
8 - 9am Breakfast
9:30am - 12pm Morning Program and yoga practice
12:30 - 1:30pm 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 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

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

4.84 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.

Embodied Self: A Yoga and Internal Family Systems Retreat

About this Retreat

Your Guides

Donna Farchione, MS, MA, CCC-SLP, LMFT, RYT-500

Maddi Farchione, PA-C, RYT-500

Details of this retreat

Getting Here