Come spend one of the most amazing weekends of your life in the serene sanctuary of Menla Mountain Retreat Center, nestled in a 320-acre valley in New York's Catskill Mountains. Imagine yourself on a mountain retreat, starting your day being led through flowing Yoga practice and meditation with Angela and Jessica. Menla Mountain Retreat offers wondeful yoga studios, a meditative sanctuary, a vintage barn, a rejuvenating spa, extensive hiking trails, tennis courts and a swimming pool, all of which you will explore and enjoy throughout our stay. Reconnect to your truest self, and embrace the ultimate in a spiritual experience. Angela Strynkowski and Jessica Saraswati of A Jewel in the Lotus, have all combined their talents to offer you this unique and inspirational Yoga Retreat. Daily Pranayama will clear the mind, meditation will renew your energy, Flowing Yoga will stimulate circulation, Clean food will invigorate the body.
Leave your stress behind for this 3 day/3 night retreat and witness the Catskill Mountains in their full Autumn glory!
THE TRIP WAS AMAZING! We all have the pictures on our Heart's and in Our Mind. The group included:
Angela, Cathy (my mom), Louise (my friend, neighbor and massage therapist to our group), Garrett (her husband and HUGE help to us all at the secluded beach resort where we stayed), Alana (their daughter who was 3 years old at the time), Diane (mother), Christina (daughter), Karyn & Cary , Diana & Jack, Robin, Catlyn, and Linda.
Each morning we woke up in our “eco-tent” which was overlooking the ocean from the mountainside on the island of St. John. After enjoying a cup of tea or coffee made in our own kitchen, Yoga and Meditation with Angela was next.
Each day, after breakfast, was a different adventure! Some days we took our Jeeps down the mountain to a secluded beach. On another day we sailed to White Bay Jost Van Dyke... one of the top ten beaches in the world! Then there was the day we left Cruz Bay, St. John, after a bit of shopping, in our professionally captained powerboats. We rode along the south coast of Tortola, BVI. Our first destination was the Baths of Virgin Gorda, one of the Natural Wonders of the World, where Angela decided to follow some people up a 35 foot rock to jump off into the water (holy cow was that scary!) On the ride back from Virgin Gorda, we snorkeled The Indians (a premiere snorkel destination in the Caribbean) and The Caves off of Norman Islands (inspiration to Treasure Island, the novel). Of course a day of shopping and lunch in downtown St. John was necessary. There were free days to snorkel, swim, kayak, sun and hike as well at various beaches on St. John.
St. John is also known for its beautiful sunsets; a perfect way to end each day filled with beauty and wonder. A group of 18 people... plus her Mom... Joined Angela for a Journey to the Jewel of the Self and to the Jewel of the Virgin Islands. The Journey, began June 7th 2008 and ended June 14th... Although it continues.
Included was “Angela’s” Vinyasa Yoga over looking the Caribean and Atlantic Ocean, Adventure, Natural Beauty, Boating and Sailing, Eco-lodging, and everything the Sea and Sand of the virtually untouched American Virgin Island of St. John had to offer.
Retreat package included: housing, activities, excursions, nearly all meals, Jeep rentals, Yoga and Meditation. The comfortable high-tech tent-cottages, slept six, however we only grouped 3 people per cottage. By personal request, and varying fees, attendees had private or double rooms.
The cottages had basic facilities with a kitchen stocked by Angela (and her long time student and friend Tom #1) for breakfast and some lunches. Dinner was on site at the restaurant. We had gourmet dinners prepared by a private chef with our private dining area over looking the Ocean. The cottages had running water, private toilets and solar heated showers, solar powered electric and spectacular views. Concordia is a secluded location overlooking Virgin Islands National Park and the Ocean. On the property there is a fresh water pool, as well.