Cameron's Staff Pick iconCameron's Staff Pick

The Life-Force Academy Immersion

4.805 reviews
Location icon
375 Panterkill Road PO Box 70 Phoenicia, NY 12464 United States
Date
December 18 - 21, 2025

About this Retreat

Your Guides

Details of this retreat

Life-Force Academy at Menla

This is an in-person, multi-day immersive yoga retreat that will give you the energy, inspiration and momentum to live the life of creativity and purpose that you were designed for. Join Jai Dev Singh and the Life-Force Academy this fall at the majestic Menla Mountain Retreat in the Catskill Mountains of upstate New York.

Over this five-day journey, you and inspired community members from around the world will be guided through:
- Transporting practices that will infuse your mind and body with energy and vitality
- Blissful meditations to connect to the energy of your heart and purpose
- Dharma teachings that will chisel your mind and inspire your life's deeper energy

All surrounded by the majesty and beauty of Menla - the "garden of the Medicine Buddha" - one of the great homes of Tibetan Buddhism in the West.

The long-lasting transformative effects that an event like this can have on your body and mind cannot be understated. You have the potential to level up your yoga and meditation practice and unlock deeper levels of clarity, confidence, and purpose... not to mention all of the beautiful people you will meet along the way!

Surrounded by the epic beauty of the Catskill Mountains and the warmth of a global community of dedicated and welcoming practitioners, we will go deep into the heart of these ancient yogic teachings and unlock the innate power, wisdom, and compassion contained at the very nucleus of our being -- it is truly an unforgettable experience.










Schedule


Thursday, December 18th

3 - 6 pm Check-in and Registration
6 - 7 pm Dinner
7 pm Evening Program

Friday, December 19 - Saturday, December 20

4:30 - 7 am (Optional) Sunrise Sadhana: Early Morning Yoga & Meditation
7 - 8 am (Optional) Kundalini Yoga Basics
8 - 9 am Breakfast
9:30 am - 1:00 pm Morning Session
1 - 2 pm Lunch
2 - 4 pm Free Time
4 - 6 pm Afternoon Session
6 - 7 pm Dinner
7:30 pm Evening Program




Sunday, December 21




4:30 -  6:30 am (Optional) Sunrise Sadhana: Early Morning Yoga & Meditation
7 - 8 am (Optional) Kundalini Yoga Basics
7-11 am Check-out of Rooms
8 - 9 am Breakfast
9 am - 12:30 pm Morning Session

Final Class Ends at 12:30 pm


12:30 - 1:30 pm Lunch and Departure

* Please note that the schedule is subject to change at any time.

Getting Here

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

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

4.80 out of 5.0 average rating

5.0
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Invaluable retreat
In the beautiful valley of Menla, Dr James supports learning such profound inner yogas that are honestly priceless. His depth of experience and ability to speak to it is profound and impactful. Every time I’ve learned and trained with James I come off feeling continued inner conviction and confidence. Especially in approaching and navigating the space of difficult emotions. I will continue to train and attend retreats when I can.

5.0
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The Reconnection Retreat; Nuturing the soul through the 5 elements of nature
As the retreat leader of this particular retreat I want to express how Divine the setting was. There is a natural levity on the property that can’t be explained , only felt.

All of the thoughtful spaces were just so amazing to hold presence for those magical “ Menla moments” that seem to organically occur there.

The staff is beyond accommodating. The food delighted the senses and nourished our bodies. The housing accommodations felt warm and welcoming like a sweet embrace that lingers in the memories.

I still find my face with a random smile through the days after as my thoughts drift back again and agin to the place called Menla.

5.0
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Reconnection Retreat
Menla is such a magical place. This retreat weekend was pure magic. Everything from the mountains, the air, the food, the people, the energy felt so grounding and healing. You can literally feel the peace the moment you arrive.

I reconnected with myself in a way I really needed. The sound of the river, the trails, the beautiful spaces… it’s like time slows down there. The rooms were cozy, the food was delicious (and made with so much love), and the whole vibe was just nourishing for the soul.

If you ever get the chance to visit Menla or join a retreat there do it. It’s one of those experiences that stays with you long after you leave. The spirit of Naga the Dragon was with me even before arriving there.

4.0
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Weekend retreat stay
The property is on a beautiful, peaceful location.
Nature is all around and sometimes a little too close but you are literally surrounded by woods.

The food was really good and I liked the buffet style and fruit basket.

The gift shop although small had a nice selection of items and I purchased a few fun items.

Since the dining area was on the opposite side of the site from the convention center, a lot of students drove back and forth on the property. I chose the walking paths to get around.  


5.0
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Lovely
I had a fascinating and enlightening experience during an “Energy squared Reiki,” class at Menlo this past week. The grounds, rooms, facilities amenities and spa at Menla were all beautiful, clean, and peaceful. The food was delicious and nourishing. I can say only good things about both Menla and the program I attended, and would wholeheartedly recommend both.

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