Transformative Weekend Yoga Retreat with LUMINOUSbody at Menla

Join LUMINOUSbody for a transformative weekend yoga retreat set in the serene Catskill Mountains at Menla Retreat and Dewa Spa in Phoenicia, NY, taking place October 30–November 1, 2026. This immersive yoga retreat event in Phoenicia brings together world-class teachers to guide you through an integrated journey of movement, breath, and energy cultivation. Whether you're a dedicated yogi or exploring wellness for the first time, this retreat offers a rare opportunity to step away from daily demands and reconnect with your inner vitality.

Mingtong Gu, a renowned Chinese Qigong master and founder of the Chi Healing Institute, leads this yoga retreat with a unique fusion of ancient energy practices and contemporary wellness science. His approach bridges thousands of years of Taoist healing tradition with modern understanding of how energy moves through the body. Combined with LUMINOUSbody's signature yoga methodology, this retreat creates a holistic experience that goes beyond physical postures to awaken and harmonize your deeper life force—what the ancients called "chi" and modern practitioners recognize as pranic energy.

What to Expect

Picture yourself arriving at Menla on a crisp autumn afternoon, greeted by the sight of mountain peaks and the aroma of incense drifting through peaceful hallways. Your weekend unfolds through a carefully sequenced blend of morning yoga sessions, afternoon Qigong practices, meditation, and restorative spa time. You'll move from invigorating flows that build strength and heat, to gentle stretches that release tension, to standing Qigong forms that teach your body to sense and direct energy.

Each day begins before sunrise with grounding breathwork and meditation, followed by dynamic vinyasa or Hatha yoga classes that warm your muscles and calm your mind. Afternoons feature Mingtong Gu's signature Qigong instruction—ancient Chinese energy practices that complement Western yoga beautifully—combined with workshops on holistic wellness. Evenings invite you to slow down through yin yoga, sound baths, and guided relaxation in Menla's acclaimed Dewa Spa, where Himalayan treatments deepen your retreat experience.

By Sunday afternoon, you'll leave this yoga retreat event in Phoenicia renewed, grounded, and carrying practical tools for sustaining this elevated state at home. The integrated curriculum ensures that whether you're focused on flexibility, strength, stress relief, or spiritual growth, your needs are met with intention and expertise.

About the Artists

Mingtong Gu is a master of Chinese Qigong and founder of the Chi Healing Institute, dedicated to preserving and modernizing ancient Taoist energy practices. His teachings elegantly translate complex energetic concepts into accessible, practical techniques that students feel immediately. As a guiding force behind this yoga retreat, Mingtong brings 40+ years of lineage training and a gift for helping Western students understand how Qigong complements their existing yoga practice.

Venue & Location

Menla Retreat and Dewa Spa sits nestled in the heart of Phoenicia, NY—a charming mountain village in the Catskills about 90 minutes from New York City. The retreat center is designed as a sanctuary, with rooms overlooking forests and streams, communal spaces that encourage quiet reflection, and the acclaimed Dewa Spa offering Himalayan salt treatments, massages, and therapies that extend your yoga retreat experience. The setting naturally supports deep rest and transformation; you'll find yourself surrounded by natural beauty, wholesome vegetarian meals, and an atmosphere of genuine care.