The Wisdom of the Turning

Name: The Wisdom of the Turning
Start: 2026-12-31
End: 2027-01-03
Location: Dharmakaya Center for Wellbeing
Rating: 5

5.0014 reviews

Up to 20 in group

Dec 31, 2026 - Jan 3, 2027

Retreat Highlights

Celebrate the New Year in a Peaceful Environment
Letting Images Speak — Follow your intuition as you discover and choose images that speak to you, then transform them into your own SoulCollage® cards.
Time to Create — Enjoy spacious, nourishing time to collage, both in community and on your own, allowing your creativity to unfold at its own pace.
Writing from the Soul — Explore reflective writing prompts inspired by poetry therapy and other creative and contemplative practices.
Listening to Your Cards — Read from, dialogue with, and journal alongside your cards, discovering the stories, feelings, and wisdom they hold.
Sharing & Group Process — Experience the power of witnessing and being witnessed as we share from our cards and explore what emerges through the group.
Movement & Embodiment — Begin and renew your connection with yourself through yoga, Qi Gong, and gentle somatic practices.
Time in Nature — Step outside for moments of quiet reflection, mindful walking, and connection with the natural world.
Community Meditation — Gather in stillness and presence through shared meditation, creating a grounded and supportive container for the weekend.

About this Retreat

Your Guides

Heidi

Marci

Heidi Leabman, LCSW

Heidi is a somatic and trauma psychotherapist, yoga teacher, and SoulCollage® Facilitator with more than three decades of experience accompanying individuals and couples through life's challenges, transitions, and moments of transformation. She is passionate about creating spaces where people can slow down, listen inward, and reconnect with the deeper parts of themselves. Heidi discovered SoulCollage® many years ago and was captivated by its invitation to explore the inner world through image, intuition, creativity, and play. Since then, she has led SoulCollage® workshops and courses, bringing the same steady, compassionate presence to her groups that she brings to her psychotherapy practice — helping others find safety, insight, and possibility in the midst of change. Learn More: https://www.heidileabman.com/

Marci Wenn, LCSW, RYT

Marci Wenn believes healing happens in the spaces between words — and in words themselves, especially the phrases in poetry that carry meaning for us. Both SoulCollage® and poetry therapy have taught her how image and language can surprise us, meeting us with a curiosity and depth we didn't know we were reaching for. A licensed clinical social worker with a heart for the expressive arts, she is a SoulCollage® Facilitator, Registered Yoga Teacher with qigong training, therapeutic journal therapist, and poetry therapist in training, always curious about the many ways we can listen to ourselves more deeply — through image, breath, movement, and language alike. Marci has taught yoga and woven qigong into her classes, cultivating a warm, embodied presence that she carries into every space she holds. She believes each of us already carries the wisdom we're looking for — and she loves nothing more than helping others turn toward it, gently and with an open heart.

Details of this retreat

A New Year's SoulCollage® Retreat
RETREAT BY INVITED PRESENTER
As one year closes and another opens, we stand at a threshold — a turning point rich with reflection, release, and renewal. This retreat invites you into that liminal space through SoulCollage®, a contemplative practice of creating intuitive collage cards that reveal the many facets of the Self. Through image, breath, movement, and word, we'll explore what wants to be released from the year behind us and what wisdom wants to guide the year ahead.

Woven together with Yoga and Qigong to ground the body, poetry therapy to give voice to the unspoken, and somatic practices to listen to what the body already knows, this retreat offers a full-circle experience of turning inward before turning toward what's next.
No prior experience with SoulCollage®, Yoga and Qigong, poetry, or movement is necessary — only a willingness to turn, pause, and listen.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Opening circle: naming the threshold — what are we turning from, and toward?
SoulCollage® card-making sessions exploring themes of release, resilience, and emerging wisdom
Yoga and Qigong practices to center the body and cultivate present-moment awareness
Poetry therapy sessions using guided prompts and shared reading to give language to transition
Somatic exercises for tracking sensation, discharging held tension, and honoring the body's own timeline of change
Small-group card readings and reflective dialogue, speaking from your cards with SoulCollage®'s signature "I am the one who..." practice
Time in nature, offering its own quiet counsel on cycles, seasons, and turning
Quiet time and journaling space for personal integration
A closing ritual to carry forward an intention, image, or word for the year ahead

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

Letting Images Speak — Follow your intuition as you discover and choose images that speak to you, then transform them into your own SoulCollage® cards.
Time to Create — Enjoy spacious, nourishing time to collage, both in community and on your own, allowing your creativity to unfold at its own pace.
Writing from the Soul — Explore reflective writing prompts inspired by poetry therapy and other creative and contemplative practices.
Listening to Your Cards — Read from, dialogue with, and journal alongside your cards, discovering the stories, feelings, and wisdom they hold.
Sharing & Group Process — Experience the power of witnessing and being witnessed as we share from our cards and explore what emerges through the group.
Movement & Embodiment — Begin and renew your connection with yourself through yoga, Qi Gong, and gentle somatic practices.
Time in Nature — Step outside for moments of quiet reflection, mindful walking, and connection with the natural world.
Community Meditation — Gather in stillness and presence through shared meditation, creating a grounded and supportive container for the weekend.

OPEN TO ALL
There are no prerequisites for this program; it is appropriate for all—and ideal for:

Anyone seeking a reflective, embodied way to close one year and open another
Those curious about SoulCollage®, expressive arts, or somatic practices
People in a season of transition, grief, or new beginning
Retreat-goers wanting a balance of stillness, movement, creativity, and connection

SCHEDULE
(subject to change)

Thursday, December 31

3:00 PM
Check-in begins

6:00-7:00 PM
Dinner

7:00-9:00 PM
Opening Circle: Gathering, Grounding & Setting Our Intentions

9:00 PM
New Year's Toast

10:00 PM
Lights out on campus

Friday, January 1

7:00-8:00 AM
Morning Meditation

8:00-9:00 AM
Breakfast

9:15-11:30 AM
Letting the Images Speak: Choosing Images & Creating Our Cards

12:00-1:00 PM
Lunch

1:30-2:45 PM
Listening to the Cards: Writing Prompts, Reflection & Group Sharing

3:00-4:00 PM
Time to Wander: Nature, Rest, Free Time or Continued Collaging

4:00-5:00 PM
Deepening the Conversation: Exploring & Working with Our Cards

5:00-5:45 PM
Yoga, Qi Gong & Somatic Practice

6:00-7:00 PM
Dinner

7:15-10:00 PM
Opening to Creativity: Playful Exploration & Creative Practices with Our Cards

10:00 PM
Lights Out

Saturday, January 2

7:00-8:00 AM
Morning Meditation

8:00-9:00 AM
Breakfast

9:15-11:00 AM
Following the Images: Continued Collage & Card Making

11:00 AM-12:00 PM
Exploring the Suits: An Introduction to the SoulCollage® Suits

12:00-1:00 PM
Lunch

1:30-2:45 PM
Seeing Through Another’s Eyes: Partner Sharing with Our Cards

3:00-4:00 PM
Time to Wander: Nature, Rest, Free Time or Continued Collaging

4:00-5:00 PM
The Poetry of the Cards: Poetry Therapy, Reflection & Creative Writing

5:00-5:45 PM
Coming Home to the Body: Somatic Practice

6:00-7:00 PM
Dinner

7:15-10:00 PM
A Night of Creative Exploration: Collaging, Card Reading & Partner Work

10:00 PM
Lights Out

Sunday, January 3

7:00-8:00 AM
Morning Meditation

8:00-9:00 AM
Breakfast

9:15-10:00 AM
Bringing It Together: Time to Complete Cards & Reflections

10:00-11:00 AM
Taking It Home: Integrating the Practice into Daily Life

11:00-11:45 AM
Gallery Walk: Witnessing & Celebrating Our Cards

11:45 AM-12:00 PM
Closing Circle: Reflection, Gratitude & Farewell

12:00-1:00 PM
Lunch

1:o0 PM
Checkout and Departure

Schedule

7:00-8:00 AM: Morning Mediation
8:00-9:00 AM Breakfast
9:00 AM-12:00 PM: Program
12:00-1:00 PM: Lunch
1:30-3:00 PM: Program
3:00-4:00 PM: Free Time
4:00-5:00 PM: Program
5:00-6:00 PM: Yoga, Qi Gong & Somatic Practice
6:00-7:00 PM: Dinner
7:15-10:00 PM Program
10:00 PM Lights Out

Note: Schedule is approximate and may change

Getting Here

Dharmakaya Center for Wellbeing

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.

Venue & Amenities

A/C in Rooms

Free Wifi

Spa

Sauna

Pool

Towels

Free Parking

Kitchen

Tour Assistance

Hot Tub

Coffee/Tea

Cafe

Restaurant

Fitness Center

Yoga Studio

Housekeeping

Bicycles For Rent

Perched atop a wooded hillside in the hamlet of Cragsmoor, the Dharmakaya Center for Wellbeing is surrounded by 90 acres of forest. The Center opened in 2017 and was purpose built to support retreats. With only 20 bedrooms, our retreats are small, keeping the retreat experience intimate. People regularly comment both on the cleanliness of the buildings and on the total sense of peace that envelopes you when on campus.

Meals

Menu Types

Vegan

Vegetarian

Pescetarian

Ayurvedic

Includes Meat

Organic

Gluten Free

Dairy Free

Nut Free

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.

What's Included

New Year's Eve Celebration
Comfortable accommodations with queen bed in every room
All linens
Three delicious, farm-fresh vegetarian meals a day
Tea station, fruit bowl, and nuts always available
Large Meditation Hall and private Meditation Room
Extensive library of dharma books
Cozy chairs and fireplace
90-acre campus with walking trails and outdoor meditation spots
Fire pit
Outdoor practice pavilion

What's Not Included

Travel to the Center

Customer Reviews

5.00 out of 5.0 average rating

Anonymous • Dec 01, 2025

5.0

Verified

Above and beyond

I was amazed how much care and effort the people who work/volunteer there put into what they do. Food was delicious and healthy, accommodations and facilities sparkling clean, the area is so beautiful and you can enjoy it by doing small hikes on the trails. I've learned a few new things about mediation techniques that I look forward to applying to my practice.

Thank you so much for this incredible experience of peace and tranquility.

Catherine • Dec 14, 2024

5.0

Verified

thanhgiving retreat

hello

My retreat was great met alot of interesting people from everywhere as far as Brazil and China most people were from New Jersey. The food was great. I was in the yoga class on a chair and then decided I wanted to sit on the mat i miss and landed on the floor. There was so many people that just jumped out to help me. The place is very peaceful it feels like one big family. Catherine Asaro

Laura • Feb 01, 2023

5.0

Verified

Peace in a comfortable environment

From the moment I arrived I was impressed with how peaceful and immaculate the entire facility is. The rooms had exactly what I needed with a comfortable bed and pillows, meditation table and cushions, and a desk. Towels were provided as well. Vegetarian meals were delicious. I was able to immerse myself in the silent meditation retreat and focus on deepening my practice. This is a perfect place for me and I’m already planning my next retreat.

Anonymous • May 18, 2022

5.0

Verified

Beautiful spot

Dharmakaya Center is a beautiful & peaceful spot. Highly recommend! The center is immaculate and well maintained. Great staff and facilities.

YELENA • Nov 10, 2021

5.0

Verified

Amazing place Amazing experience

If you are looking for a place to unwind and grow spiritually while eating the best food this place is for you. Brand-new beautiful facility, super friendly stuff and relaxing atmosphere - I don’t know the better way to spend a weekend. I enjoyed my stay and I’m coming back!

The Wisdom of the Turning

Retreat Highlights

About this Retreat

Your Guides

Heidi Leabman, LCSW

Marci Wenn, LCSW, RYT

Details of this retreat

Schedule

Getting Here

Directions