Riyaaz Retreat 2025 by Pallavi Kathak Gurukul
191 Cragsmoor Road, Cragsmoor, New York 12566, USA
August 14 - 17, 2025
Retreat Highlights
- Intimate setting with personal access to the teacher
- Interactive sessions with question and answer periods
- Shamatha and guided meditations
- Delicious all-vegetarian meals with locally sourced ingredients
- Option to extend stay on Personal Retreat
- Extensive library of dharma books
- Expansive wooded grounds with beautiful paths, flora and fauna
About this Retreat
Guru Pallavi Degwekar is an accomplished Kathak expert and Guru with 30 years of experience in performing and teaching. An internationally acclaimed artist, she has performed at numerous festivals in India and the U.S. Carrying forward her Guru, Asha Tai Joglekar’s, legacy, she has developed a unique style incorporating elements from the Lucknow, Jaipur, and Banaras gharanas.
She is the founder of Pallavi Kathak Gurukul, dedicated to preserving Kathak in its authentic form. In 2022, she launched Riyaaz Retreat to unite dance practitioners for a holistic, immersive learning experience. Her vibrant and charismatic presence makes learning under her guidance unforgettable!
Details of this retreat
RETREAT BY INVITED PRESENTER
Detach from worldly concerns as you immerse yourself in the world of dance. This is a rare opportunity to study with a master guru in a hands-on, immersive experience, while also meditating and connecting with nature.
This choreography intensive with the legendary Pallavi Degwekar Shaikh will help dance lovers understand and finesse the subtle nuances of technique and expression. Investing four days of quality time in your art is an effective way to connect with and understand your guru’s teachings—an essential step in perfecting your craft. It is also helpful to those who are approaching exams—and joyful for those who simply want to celebrate the art form.
This retreat follows a holistic approach to learning through:
Guided practice sessions to refine technique
Group discussions on various thought provoking topics
Morning meditation to build endurance and focus
Individual feedback to support personal progress
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
For the fourth year, our Kathak retreat will be led by Guru Pallavi Degwekar, a versatile and accomplished Kathak expert. This program will offer dance lovers a chance to immerse themselves in the blissful world of dance, providing a retreat from daily distractions as you explore the deep relationship between dance and music.
Guru Pallavi Degwekar will be teaching a unique new choreography, which will be demanding yet an absolute treat for the soul. This structured and immersive Kathak (North Indian Classical Dance) training includes Riyaaz techniques and an in-depth understanding of all the material that will be taught. The program is rigorous and intense to cultivate a meaningful experience. However, all participants are welcome and encouraged to listen to their own bodies and take breaks when needed.
Through this retreat, you will experience:
Physical and mental discipline—the importance of consistency in practice
Isolated techniques for developing strong Tatkaar, proper body alignment, graceful posture, and how to effectively express one’s self
New unique choreography: A Taal Presentation (Rhythmic Cycle)
Students will be able to perform this piece for exams & performances (with due credit, acknowledgment, and permission of Guru Pallavi Degwekar); audio tracks will be provided
Deeper awareness of rhythm, expression, and movement
Inspiration and motivation from an immersive learning experience
A sense of artistic community with fellow dancers
A renewed sense of energy and purpose.
With 4 days of dedicated learning under your Guru Pallavi Degwekar's guidance, this program is a valuable opportunity to deepen your understanding of the art form. Investing this quality time will help you absorb your Guru’s teachings, an essential step in your journey toward becoming a well rounded dancer.
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
Intimate setting with personal access to the teacher
Interactive sessions with question and answer periods
Shamatha and guided meditations
Delicious all-vegetarian meals with locally sourced ingredients
Option to extend stay on Personal Retreat
Extensive library of dharma books
Expansive wooded grounds with beautiful flora and fauna
PREREQUISITES
This program is designed for intermediate/advanced level Kathak students/practitioners. A minimum of 4 years previous training is required.
SCHEDULE
(subject to change)
Thursday, August 14
3:00-4:00 PM
Check in
4:00-6:00 PM
Orientation and Meet and Greet
6:00-7:00 PM
Dinner
7:00-9:30 PM
Program
Friday, August 15 & Saturday, August 16
6:30-7:00 AM
Yoga and Meditation
8:00-8:30 AM
Breakfast
9:00 AM-12:00 PM
Program
12:00-1:00 PM
Lunch
1:30-6:00 PM
Program
6:00-7:00 PM
Dinner
7:15-9:30 PM
Program
Sunday, August 17
7:00-7:30 AM
Breakfast
7:30 AM-12:00 PM
Program
12:00-1:00 PM
Lunch
1:00 PM
Checkout and Departure
Getting Here
Directions
CAR. You will find a link for driving directions on our website. The parking lot is immediately to your left when you enter the Center grounds. You may drive up and drop your luggage at the Welcome Center, but may not leave your car unattended there; someone will be happy to shuttle you back down to the parking lot.
TRAIN. From Newark, La Guardia and Penn Station, you can take the Metro North train into Middletown, New York, approximately a 30-minute drive from the Center. For teachings, retreats and other special events, we will provide van service at set times. Otherwise, please take a taxi from the train station to the Center.
BUS. From New York City, you can take the Shortline Bus into Ellenville, New York, approximately a 15-minute drive from the Center. For teachings, retreats and other special events, we will provide van service at set times. Otherwise, please take a taxi from the train station to the Center.
PLANE. Newark, La Guardia and Stewart Airports all offer convenient services. From Newark or LaGuardia you can complete your trip by train; from Stewart you may rent a car or take a taxi service.
Accommodation
Our two residence halls offer a simple, peaceful environment that supports your retreat experience, with rooms for those on both personal and solitary retreats. Each room has a meditation cushion and zabuton. Rates include breakfast, lunch and dinner with the resident community, as well as towels and housekeeping. All guests are welcome, but not required, to join the daily meditation and other activities (although separate tickets are required for all ticketed events).
• Our junior suites have a double bed, private bath, private terrace, a refrigerator and ample room for practice.
• Our private rooms have a double bed and room for private meditation, with a shared bath.
Rooms may be shared by those in a committed relationship.
Commuter
Our Commuter Fee covers the costs of all meals during your retreat and the use of all our facilities.
Private Room: Single
This comfortable room has a double bed and ample room for meditation. It is outfitted with a desk and small table suitable for a meditation object; it shares a bath with one or two other rooms. All rooms are furnished with linens, pillows, blankets, coverlets, and towels, as well as a meditation cushion and zabuton. The room rate includes three delicious vegetarian meals each day; in addition, there is a tea station on every hall.
Private Room: Couple
This registration fee is for two people. This comfortable room has one double bed, and may be shared by couples in a committed relationship. With ample room for meditation, it features a desk and small table suitable for a meditation object. All rooms are furnished with linens, pillows, blankets, coverlets, and towels, as well as a meditation cushion and zabuton. The room shares a bath with one or two other rooms. Room rates include three delicious vegetarian meals each day (6 total meals for a couple room); there is also a tea station on each hall.
Junior Suite: Single
These large rooms have one double bed, a private bath, private terrace, a refrigerator and ample room for practice. Each room has a small table suitable for a meditation object and a meditation cushion and zabaton, as well as a desk and an armoire. Room rates include three delicious vegetarian meals each day; there is also an in-room tea station.
Junior Suite: Couple
This reservation fee is for two people and includes three delicious vegetarian meals each day (6 total for a couple). This large room has one double bed, which may be shared by couples in a committed relationship. In addition, it has a private bath, private terrace, a refrigerator and ample room for practice. Each room has a small table suitable for a meditation object and a meditation cushion and zabaton, as well as a desk and an armoire.
Meals
Menu Types
Ancient wisdom describes food as a source of prana, or life force. The Dharmakaya Center for Wellbeing was founded on the premise that nourishing food is integral to wellbeing. Our chefs are passionate about creating meals that are both flavorful and healthy. We use the freshest, most nutritious, least processed foods available; when possible our ingredients are organic and locally sourced.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included in your accommodation fee. To promote good health, we serve delicious, varied, nutritious vegetarian food, with options at every meal. All our meals are served on a buffet, with ingredients listed next to each dish, enabling guests to avoid dairy, as well as glutens, nuts and other allergens.
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