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The Great Sound Escape: A Winter Retreat for Hibernation

Location icon
375 Panterkill Road PO Box 70 Phoenicia, NY 12464 United States
Date
December 11 - 13, 2026

About this Retreat

Your Guides

Details of this retreat

Join Lisa Annese and Michele Marason for a weekend of deep reflection, surrender and a safe sanctuary to hibernate as 2026 comes to completion. Through Tibetan sound healing, mantra, meditation, yoga and sacred ceremony, participants will be guided to honor with gratitude the journey lived thus far and plant blessings of intention as our journey evolves into 2027. Throughout the weekend, Tibetan singing bowls, gongs, tuning forks, mantra practices, and vibrational sound healing will help restore harmony, balance and clear the chakras and energetic blocks allowing our intentions to flow naturally. We will hibernate with deeper intention and self-awareness, remembering who we are and our purpose. Guided by the path of spirit and love, we will plant seeds in your heart to receive abundant blessings for the new year.  The retreat will also include Kundalini yoga, meditation, a cacao ceremony, intention setting, affirmations and free time to enjoy the grounds at Menla, creating a sacred space for reflection, release, and deep connection with yourself and the participants sharing this experience.

“Hibernation is not disappearing. It is preparing." - Unknown



Schedule:

Friday, December 11

3 - 6 pm Guest Check In
6 - 7 pm Dinner
7:30 - 9:30 pm  Opening Circle and New Moon Sound Bath Meditation with Cacao (Yoga Studio)

Saturday, December 12

7:15 - 7:45 am Early Morning Mantra Practice (Yoga Studio)
8 - 9 am Breakfast
9:30 am - 10:15 am Intention Setting Meditation (Yoga Studio)
10:30 am – 12:30 pm Group Sound Therapy to Balance  Chakras & Clear Energetic Connections (Yoga Studio)
12:30 - 1:30 pm Lunch
1:30 - 6 pm Free Time(Private Treatments with Lisa and Michele, Spa Treatments, Garden, Reading, Hiking, Explore Menla)
6 - 7 pm Dinner
7:30 - 9:30 pm Group Discussion & Sound Bath Meditation (Yoga Studio)
7:30 - 9:30 pm Tea Ceremony after Sound Bath Meditation

Sunday, December 13

7 - 11 am Check-out of Rooms
7:15 - 7:45 am Early Morning Mantra Practice (Yoga Studio)
8 - 9 am Breakfast
9:30 – 10:30am Kundalini Yoga, Meditation & Gong Bath (Yoga Studio)
11 am – 12 pm Affirmations & Closing Circle (Yoga Studio)
12:30 - 1:30 pm Lunch
12:30 - 2 pm Free Time / Departure

*Please note this schedule is subject to change.

Getting Here

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

Accommodation

Deluxe Queen

Accommodation
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)

Accommodation
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.

Customer Reviews

4.84 out of 5.0 average rating

5.0
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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 .

4.0
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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.

5.0
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Beautiful grounds filled with nature
A clean, well-run, peaceful place to stay with nature all around (birds, bunnies, deer, and more)

5.0
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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!!

5.0
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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.

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