Oct 7 - Oct 11, 2026 | Menla Retreat Center, Catskills, NY
There is nothing quite like an LFA Immersion. It's potent, transporting, intelligent, a bit of hard work, and incredibly FUN. By the end, you won’t want it to stop. The joy and love unleashed is very real. For that though, you have to first get inside the experience. You have to drop the mind's energy down below the surface level where the waves are always choppy. This is the hardest part of an immersion. The mind wants to continue its ordinary patterns. But if it does, the deeper space of bliss will continue to allude you. At first, shifting the mind's energy takes persistence. Thus, in the first couple of sessions, you will be guided through a series of practices and teachings which gather a great force of energy in the what the yogis call the ‘central channel’. The life-force activates, the body becomes blissful, and the mind enters into the ocean of intuitive consciousness. A wonderful shift takes place. We can feel ourselves once again, we sense what our lives are truly about, a joy rises. It’s not thinking. It's not philosophizing. It’s knowing. Here, we weave a beautiful tapestry — a dharma vision for each of our lives that empowers us to live into the future with depth, courage and joy — while still allowing for all of the ups and downs our lives will inevitably encounter. It is not a fluffy thing. It is deep, beautiful work that builds a vitality which can stand the test of these times. Whether you are with us in person, or journeying with us via our virtual dharma cloud, you are never quite the same after an LFA Immersion. This immersion is short enough in length that for most folks, if they really want to, they can carve out the time to do it. On the other hand, the immersion is long and substantive enough to deliver true, lasting transformation. At the end of the day, that's what we all want. To come out happier, shinier, and brighter than when we began.
Nobody does the live music yoga experience quite like the Life-Force Academy. The LFA sound has been crafted for over twenty years, and has produced some of the most iconic music and sound experiences in a yogic context to date.
Whether in person, or from the virtual cloud, the music and sound experience of an LFA immersion is the primary vehicle which transports us into the bliss realms.
What To Expect At A Life-Force Academy Immersion
Engage in active yoga sessions throughout the day, seamlessly blended with uplifting dharma teachings.
Experience teachings that are approachable, easy to follow, adaptable to all levels, and thoroughly enjoyable.
Whether you're a complete beginner or an experienced yogi, this event is designed for you.
Savor healthy, fresh, and organic vegetarian meals that energize and delight.
Join a remarkable group of individuals, where a close-knit community forms naturally.
Immerse yourself in the stunning beauty of Menla Mountain Retreat Center, nestled in the heart of New York’s scenic Catskill Mountains.
Menla is a hidden oasis set in a secluded valley beside an enchanting stream in the heart of the Catskill mountains. Featuring spiritual and wellness retreats as well as exclusive getaways, our world-class Dewa Spa offers one-of-a-kind experiences. A truly unique venue and a project of Tibet House US – the Dalai Lama’s cultural center in North America – Menla is a modern resort and destination spa surrounded by thousands of acres of unspoiled wilderness. Inspired by the ancient Buddhist kingdom of Tibet, we strive to keep alive knowledge handed down for centuries. Immerse yourself in the magic of our pristine mountain forests. Explore hiking trails, encounter wildlife, and discover a rich tapestry of wellness experiences and activities. This includes workshops with renowned teachers, yoga, meditation, Tibetan healing therapies, massages, bodywork, and so much more.
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Discover the ancient restorative therapies of Tibet at Dewa, Menla’s world-class healing spa and one of the few places in the West where you can experience the Tibetan KuNye massage. In addition to Eastern modalities, Dewa offers a full menu of Western spa treatments. The expertise of our carefully selected therapists is unmatched. We provide access to a full complement of amenities including a seasonal outdoor swimming pool, Finnish & Infrared saunas, steam rooms, a relaxation lounge, medicinal garden, and serene private hiking trails.
Designed around fresh locally and seasonally sourced ingredients, including produce harvested from the on-site organic garden, Menla's buffet-style dining features protein-balanced plant-based dishes. Our Executive Chef and her team bring a creative flair to dishes that are as delicious as they are nutritious. Menla’s wellness cuisine is centered around healing foods, sourced primarily from the Menla garden and local farms with an eye toward seasonal and organic fruits, vegetables, grains, and legumes. Our guests consistently rave about the high quality and memorable tastes of our meals. Be sure to check out some of our sample menus!
There's no doubt—the sound current is a key element of what makes Life-Force Academy so powerful. This isn’t just live music; it’s a transformative sound healing journey that recalibrates every level of your being. Experience the magic of the Life-Force Academy sound current live, featuring Salif Bama Kora on Kora, Jared May on Bass, and Devon Ashley on Percussion. It’s more than a performance—it’s an immersion into deep, restorative healing through sound.
You are invited on an adventure of a lifetime. Many journeys require traveling a great distance. This one you take from your own home, wherever you are in the world. All you need is to carve out the space in your calendar for it to happen. Invite a friend or family member to journey with you (it’s an amazing experience to share with another), or simply do it on your own accord in the privacy of your own mind and heart.
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**Includes food & lodging
Tuition for the in-person gathering runs $2,316 to $3,991. If you're part of the Life-Force Academy family, $700 comes right off with your student code. It's already sitting in your inbox.
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