Is this retreat focused on personal healing or learning to teach qigong to others?

Based on Mingtong's mission through the Chi Healing Institute, this retreat emphasizes personal healing and spiritual development—you're there to shift your own energy and deepen your practice. If you're interested in becoming a qigong teacher, this would be a foundation-building step, but the primary aim is your own transformation and grounding.

What should I know about Menla's location in Phoenicia, and how accessible is it for someone without a car?

Menla is in the Catskills near Phoenicia, NY, which is rural—having a car is practical for arrival and departure, though you can reach it via bus or car service from NYC (roughly 2 hours). The retreat center itself is self-contained with lodging and meals, so once you arrive, you won't need to leave the grounds for the three-day program.

Does Mingtong work with trauma or chronic health conditions, or is this more general wellness?

Mingtong's Chi Healing Institute specifically bridges energy healing with modern wellness, and qigong has roots in addressing both physical and energetic blockages, but this retreat description frames it as a "reset" rather than clinical treatment. If you have a specific health concern or trauma history, contact the organizers before registering to confirm whether this retreat's approach will serve your needs.

yoga-retreat

Autumn Reset: A Grounding Yoga Retreat in the Catskills at Menla

Hosted on menla.org

Date

Oct 22 – Oct 25, 2026

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Location

Menla Retreat and Dewa Spa

Phoenicia, NY

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At a Glance

Duration

4 days

Description

Escape the chaos of autumn's transition and reconnect with yourself at Autumn Reset: A Grounding Yoga Retreat in the Catskills, taking place Thursday, October 22, 2026, at the serene Menla Retreat and Dewa Spa in Phoenicia, NY. This transformative yoga retreat event in Phoenicia brings together ancient wisdom and modern wellness practices, featuring renowned Qigong master Mingtong Gu, who will guide you through energy cultivation techniques rooted in thousands of years of Chinese healing tradition. Whether you're seeking grounding during seasonal transition or a deeper connection to your body and breath, this yoga retreat in Phoenicia offers a sanctuary for renewal.

The retreat creates an intimate atmosphere where East meets West, blending traditional yoga practice with complementary healing modalities. Phoenicia's mountain backdrop and Menla's tranquil setting provide the perfect environment for inner work and self-discovery. Attendees from all backgrounds gather to slow down, breathe deeply, and reset their nervous systems as the natural world transitions into fall.

What to Expect

Arrive at Menla's peaceful grounds nestled in the Catskill Mountains, where you'll be welcomed into a community of practitioners united by intention. The day flows with guided yoga sessions, Qigong instruction, meditation, and sacred time for reflection—each element carefully sequenced to deepen your practice and calm your mind.

You'll experience grounding poses that reconnect you with earth energy, pranayama (breathwork) techniques to settle the nervous system, and Mingtong Gu's signature Qigong teachings that teach you to cultivate and circulate chi, your vital life force. Between sessions, enjoy nourishing meals, walk the retreat grounds, and absorb the crisp autumn air. By the day's end, you'll leave feeling centered, resourced, and ready to carry this calm energy back into your daily life.

The retreat balances structure with spaciousness—expect both guided instruction and unscheduled time to rest, journal, or simply be. This yoga retreat event emphasizes personal pace, honoring where each attendee is in their practice and healing journey.

About the Artists

Mingtong Gu is a world-renowned Qigong master and founder of the Chi Healing Institute who has spent decades bridging ancient Chinese energy practices with contemporary wellness science. His teachings introduce students to the fundamentals of chi cultivation, meditation, and energetic healing—methods that complement yoga beautifully and deepen your capacity for self-regulation. Mingtong's compassionate, accessible style makes complex energy work approachable for both beginners and experienced practitioners.

Venue & Location

Menla Retreat and Dewa Spa sits on 43 acres of pristine forest in Phoenicia, a charming mountain village in Ulster County, roughly two hours from New York City. The property features beautiful studio spaces, a full-service spa, organic gardens, and cozy accommodations surrounded by hiking trails and natural beauty. Parking is available on-site; the venue is accessible by car, and it's close to local transit hubs for those traveling from the city. The mountain setting amplifies the retreat experience—crisp autumn air, golden foliage, and the sound of streams create an naturally grounding atmosphere.

Venue

Menla Retreat and Dewa Spa

375 Pantherkill Rd, Phoenicia, NY 12464, USA

Phoenicia, NY, USA

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Common Questions

FAQs

Mingtong brings qigong—a Chinese energy cultivation practice distinct from yoga—which focuses on directing chi (life force) through specific movements, breathwork, and meditation rather than physical poses. His approach integrates Traditional Chinese Medicine principles with modern wellness, so you're learning to work with your body's energy systems in ways most Western yoga classes don't address. Over three days in the Catskills, you'll get immersive training in his Chi Healing Institute methods, not a one-hour class.

Mingtong is known for teaching foundational qigong and breathwork practices that don't require prior experience, but this is a retreat, not a beginner workshop, so there will be depth and progression across the three days. You should expect to learn core energy-cultivation techniques you can build on, but come prepared for sustained practice and some physical commitment—it's not a gentle introduction.

Mingtong's method combines slow, deliberate qigong movements with pranayama (breath control) and seated meditation to cultivate and circulate chi. His classes emphasize internal awareness over external performance, so you'll spend time both moving mindfully and sitting in stillness, learning to sense energy flow in your body. Expect a balance of active practice and introspective work rather than vigorous flowing sequences.

Menla is a Tibetan Buddhist retreat center with its own spa and healing infrastructure, which aligns with Mingtong's holistic approach—the environment itself supports the energy work and grounding you'll be doing. October's autumn timing connects to traditional Chinese seasonal practices around gathering energy inward as nature shifts, making it an intentional choice for a "reset" rather than arbitrary scheduling.

Nearby Stays

Where to Stay

Hotels near Menla Retreat and Dewa Spa, PhoeniciaCompare prices on Booking.com

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Autumn Reset: A Grounding Yoga Retreat in the Catskills at Menla

Description

What to Expect

About the Artists

Venue & Location

Menla Retreat and Dewa Spa

FAQs

There's more where this came from.

Discover More Artists

Find More Events

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Autumn Reset: A Grounding Yoga Retreat in the Catskills at Menla

Description

What to Expect

About the Artists

Venue & Location

Menla Retreat and Dewa Spa

FAQs

There's more where this came from.

Discover More Artists

Find More Events

List Your Own Event