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IGNITING 2026: Light the Fire of Joy through Compassion - Annual New Year’s Dharma, Pranayama, Yoga, Kirtan & Astrology Celebration
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Cameron's Staff Pick iconCameron's Staff Pick

IGNITING 2026: Light the Fire of Joy through Compassion - Annual New Year’s Dharma, Pranayama, Yoga, Kirtan & Astrology Celebration

4.6411 reviews
Date
December 27, 2025 - January 1, 2026

About this Retreat

Details of this retreat

As we enter the Year of the Fire Horse, we are invited to light the fire of joy with compassion, harnessing this bold, transformative energy to move forward with purpose, heart, and fearless authenticity.

Join friends of Tibet House US | Menla for an 18-year tradition as our community gathers in person to ring in the New Year in the magical, secret valley of the Medicine Buddha. Over five inspiring days, we’ll practice, pray, and play together—through teachings, breathwork, yoga, astrology, devotional chanting, and more. Let’s release limiting patterns and set powerful intentions for manifesting our dreams for the year ahead—all while sharing in much-needed joy and celebration.

We kick off this year’s retreat with an unforgettable kirtan experience featuring Krishna Das, Nina Rao, and crew. Robert Thurman will share wisdom and Dharma teachings alongside our lovely guests. Michele Loew and John Campbell will lead daily morning yoga sessions, while Paul Bloom will guide afternoon Qi Gong classes. Elizabeth Pyjov will bring us into meditative spaces, and Arjun Bruggeman will offer an afternoon of rhythmic sound. Krishna Das and Nina Rao will also share additional kirtan and participate in several dynamic group conversations.

Master astrologer and astronomer Alexander Mallon returns with his renowned Astrological Forecast for 2026, introducing the basics of reading a chart and offering insights into the energetic patterns shaping our personal and collective futures. He’ll also provide expert consultations and lead a group chart-reading session sure to inspire all but the most steadfast skeptics.

For our New Years Eve celebration on December 31st, we’ll enjoy our beloved annual group sound bath with Woodstock’s Sage Academy of Sound—a powerful sonic meditation.

Following this performance, we are incredibly honored to welcome world-renowned performance artist Marina Abramović, whose groundbreaking work has inspired generations to engage with art, presence, and consciousness in radical new ways. Marina will guide participants through The Art of Presence, drawing on her sixty years of artistic practice in performance art. In this session, she will illuminate the history and transformative power of long-duration performances, exploring how they deeply influence both the performers and the audiences who experience them.

The evening will conclude with a guided meditation led by Elizabeth Pyjov and Menla’s Managing Director, Lynn Schauwecker, followed by a countdown at the Nalanda Conference Center and a festive late-night celebration, complete with refreshments and opportunities for community connection.

Together, we will recharge, reflect, and realign—ready to face the challenges of our time with fiery joy, clear vision, and compassionate action, manifesting the highest good for ourselves, our communities, and our world in 2026.


We encourage you to register early—space is limited!
THIS PAGE IS FOR IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE REGISTRATION. TO REGISTER FOR ONLINE/VIRTUAL ATTENDANCE, PLEASE CLICK HERE




Schedule

Saturday, December 27

3 - 8 pm Arrival & Check-in
6 - 7 pm Dinner
7:30 pm Welcome with Michele Loew & Kirtan with Krishna Das, Nina Rao & Friends

Sunday, December 28

7 - 8 am Vajrayoga Asanas with Michele Loew
8 - 9 am Breakfast
9:15 - 10:45 am Morning Class with Elizabeth Pyjov
11 am - 12:30 pm Prayers for the Goddesses Durga, Lakshmi, Saraswati and Tara with Nina
12:30 - 1:30 pm Lunch
1:30 - 4 pm Free Time for Spa Treatments, Astrology Consultations, Relaxation, etc
1:45 - 3:15 pm Qi Gong with Paul Bloom
2 - 3:30 pm Rhythmic Sound Journey with Arjun Bruggeman
4 - 5:30 pm Afternoon Teaching with Robert Thurman
6 - 7 pm Dinner
7:30 pm Kirtan with Krishna Das, Nina Rao & Friends

Monday, December 29

7 - 8 am Vajrayoga Asanas with Michele Loew
8 - 9 am Breakfast
10 am - 12 pm Morning Class with Elizabeth Pyjov
12:30 - 1:30 pm Lunch
1:30 - 4 pm Free Time for Spa Treatments, Astrology Consultations, Relaxation, etc
1:45 - 3:15 pm Qi Gong with Paul Bloom
4 - 5:30 pm Afternoon Class with Robert Thurman and Krishna Das
6 - 7 pm Dinner
7:30 pm Kirtan with Krishna Das, Nina Rao & Friends

Tuesday, December 30

7 - 8 am Vajrayoga Asanas with Michele Loew
8 - 9 am Breakfast
10 am - 12 pm Morning Class with Michele Loew
12:30 - 1:30 pm Lunch
1:30 - 4 pm Free Time for Spa Treatments, Astrology Consultations, Relaxation, etc
1:45 - 3:15 pm Qi Gong with Paul Bloom
4 - 5:30 pm Afternoon Class with Robert Thurman
6 - 7 pm Dinner
7:30 pm 2026 Astrology Forecast with Alexander Mallon

Wednesday, December 31

7 - 8 am Vajrayoga Asanas with John Campbell
8 - 9 am Breakfast
10 am - 12 pm “Magic Hat” Public Astrological Chart Readings with Alexander Mallon
12:30 - 1:30 pm Lunch
1:30 - 4 pm Free Time for Spa Treatments, Astrology Consultations, Relaxation, etc
1:45 - 3:15 pm Qi Gong with Paul Bloom
4 - 5:30 pm Afternoon Class with Robert Thurman & John Campbell
6 - 7:30 pm Special New Year’s Dinner
8 - 9:30 pm Group Sound Bath with Sage Academy of Sound
9:45 - 11 pm Marina Abramovic Session: The Art of Presence
11 pm - 12 am New Year's Meditation, Intention-Setting, Countdown and Celebration with Elizabeth Pyjov and Lynn Schauwecker

Thursday, January 1

7 - 11 am Check out of Guest Rooms
7 - 8:30 am Qi Gong with Paul
8 am - 7 pm 108 Hanuman Chalisas with Nina Rao, KD & Friends: All Day from Tibet House US in NYC (virtual offering)
8:30 - 9:30 am Vajrayoga Asanas with John Campbell
9:30 am Coffee, Tea and Danishes at the Conference Center
9:45 – 11:15 am Closing Talk with Robert Thurman and John Campbell
11:30 - 1:30 Brunch & Departure
1:30 - 4:30 pm Individual Astrology Consultation with Alexander Mallon by Appointment

*Please note that the schedule is subject to change. 

Getting Here

Location icon Menla

Accommodation

Deluxe King

Accommodation
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

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.

Standard Single - Shared Bath

Accommodation
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)

Accommodation
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)

Accommodation
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

Accommodation
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

Accommodation
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)

Accommodation
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 Triple - Shared Bath (Shared Room)

Accommodation
Standard Triple Room with Three 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 triple shared room: We May Assign You Roommates if You Do Not Register with others.

Economy Quad - Shared Bath (Shared Room)

Accommodation
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.

Commuter

Accommodation
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

4.64 out of 5.0 average rating

2.0
Verified logo
Disappointment with facilities (again)
I have been to Menla several times and I always enjoy the programming, food, and staff. I had a wonderful facial this weekend and a lovely women's retreat. However, the boiler broke in the building where I was staying and was moved to a dorm facility with the bathroom down the hall (not what I had booked). Unfortunately, this was not the first time that there was a problem with the room that I had planned on staying and had to be moved, which leads me to the conclusion that there is not great oversight of the facilities and I now expect there to be a problem coming in.

5.0
Verified logo
Wonderful magical place!
This is such an amazing place, there are no words to express how wonderful it is to spend time at Menla. The conference facilities are amazing, the food is incredible, the staff kind and helpful; the cabins are so perfect.

5.0
Verified logo
Beautiful
A beautiful sanctuary in the mountains to catch your breath. Great programming & community

5.0
Verified logo
Amazing!
What a tender, clean, wonderful space. One can feel the thoughtfulness and contemplative consideration given to each and every detail. The room felt that it was always mine, like I was coming home to a place I've known well, in that it felt so welcoming and open. Beautiful!

5.0
Verified logo
awesome in all ways
Beautiful location, extraordinary staff, teachers, spa healers, food--accommodations lovely.

Select your options

Available Dates
December 27, 2025 - January 1, 2026

  • Deluxe King

    $3,205.00
    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

    $2,600.00
    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)

    $2,245.00
    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

    $2,360.00
    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)

    $2,090.00
    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)

    $1,985.00
    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

    $2,190.00
    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

    $1,920.00
    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)

    $1,870.00
    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 Triple - Shared Bath (Shared Room)

    $1,815.00
    Standard Triple Room with Three 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 triple shared room: We May Assign You Roommates if You Do Not Register with others.

  • Economy Quad - Shared Bath (Shared Room)

    $1,745.00
    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.

  • Commuter

    $1,220.00
    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.

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