Between vacations, events, and the usual work and life requirements, if your summer was as busy as it was for most of us, you might be craving a bit of a reset as you start to think about settling back into your routine. One way to do that: A wellness retreat.
And we don’t just mean heading to the spa for an hour-long massage. Instead, these multi-day retreats—all of which are located in New York or Connecticut—focus on different facets of wellness, with most including accommodation options as well as all your meals. To that end, here’s some ideas to consider if you want to…
…do yoga
Fall Ashtanga Yoga & Yin Practices Retreat
Head to the Catskills from October 6 through 9 to take part in this immersive yoga retreat. With a focus on from yoga (of course), there are additional activities like nature walks, workshops like “Exploring the Body: finding ease in physical body” and “Environmental Escape: quieting down outside noise to connect with our senses,” and more. Hosted by Newburgh-based Newburgh Yoga Shala—owner Bibi Lorenzetti and teacher Alex Tse are leading—the retreat includes your stay in a nine-bedroom house as well as chef-prepared vegan meals.
…find some silence
The Middle Path to Living Awareness: A Silent Retreat
To tune out the noise—in silence—attend this mindfulness-centered silent retreat at the 48-acre Copper Beech Institute in West Hartford, which runs from Oct. 27 through 29. As they explain, “By cultivating a curious, warm-hearted approach to whatever arises, we can discover inside ourselves the middle path toward being awake in our lives.” The stay includes a private room and meals, too. Prefer something shorter? If meditation is already part of your wellness practice, you can opt for the half-day silent retreat on Oct. 22.
…focus on mindfulness
Healing With Horses: A Mindfulness Retreat to Build Connection, Compassion & Courage
Speaking of mindfulness, this Sept 10 through 15 retreat focuses on that—with the help of horses from 13 Hands Equine Rescue. Led by mindfulness teacher Jennifer Cohen Harper, you’ll interact directly with the horses on the farm, including grooming, supporting, and walking them (there’s no riding) as well as attending various mindfulness workshops on the campus of the Rhinebeck-based Omega Institute. If you stay on Omega’s campus, meals and activities, like tennis, are also included.
…be in nature
Nurture Your Nature
With 300 acres to take in, if you’re looking to be surrounded by nature, you may want to try this three-day retreat that’s being held at Tibet House US-affiliated Menla retreat center in Phoneicia, NY. The retreat itself, which is run by Manlius, NY-based Vyana Yoga and goes from Oct. 2 through 5, will feature activities like yoga, journaling and even a bonfire on the last night. Vegetarian meals are included and there’s time built in to the schedule to enjoy the on-site spa, trails, and other amenities.
