Inner Sanctuary at Menla

Discover profound transformation at Inner Sanctuary at Menla, an immersive yoga retreat experience designed to reconnect you with your body's natural healing energy. Taking place Friday, October 2, 2026, at the serene Menla Retreat and Dewa Spa in Phoenicia, NY, this yoga retreat event in Phoenicia brings together ancient wisdom and contemporary wellness practices. Led by renowned Qigong master Mingtong Gu, this intimate gathering invites you to step away from daily pressures and enter a sanctuary where energy healing, breathwork, and mindful movement create lasting shifts in your physical and spiritual well-being.

This yoga retreat event in Phoenicia offers more than a typical yoga class—it's a full sensory journey into the Chi Healing Institute's transformative methodology. Mingtong Gu's approach bridges centuries-old Chinese energy practices with modern wellness science, making ancient techniques accessible to contemporary practitioners of all experience levels. In the tranquil Catskill Mountains setting, you'll find yourself held by expert guidance, supportive community, and the natural healing power of the location itself.

What to Expect

Upon arrival, you'll be greeted with calm intention and guided into a state of presence. The day unfolds with carefully sequenced sessions that blend gentle yoga movement, standing qigong practices, and energy cultivation techniques. Each element builds upon the last, creating a natural progression that opens your body, settles your mind, and awakens your capacity for deep healing.

Expect to experience grounding breathwork that anchors you in the present moment, flowing movements that release stored tension, and stillness practices that allow chi (life force energy) to circulate freely through your meridian pathways. You'll sense your energy body awakening, tingling sensations in your hands, and a profound sense of calm settling through your entire being. Whether you're sitting in meditation, moving through flowing sequences, or standing in qigong postures, every moment is designed to facilitate inner sanctuary—that sacred space within yourself where true healing happens.

Between sessions, you have space to journal, walk the retreat grounds, or simply rest. The day concludes with integration practices that help anchor your experience, leaving you renewed and equipped with tools for sustained wellness.

About the Artists

Mingtong Gu is a Chinese Qigong master and founder of the Chi Healing Institute who has dedicated decades to bridging ancient energy practices with modern wellness science. His unique methodology teaches students worldwide how to access their body's innate healing intelligence through specific breathwork, movement, and meditation techniques. Mingtong's compassionate approach and scientific grounding make complex energy concepts immediately practical and transformative.

Venue & Location

Menla Retreat and Dewa Spa sits nestled in the natural beauty of Phoenicia, a picturesque village in the Catskill Mountains of upstate New York. This dedicated wellness sanctuary provides the perfect container for deep retreat work, with serene grounds, comfortable accommodations, and a full-service spa. The location itself—surrounded by forest, flowing water, and mountain stillness—amplifies the healing work, making Phoenicia an ideal yoga retreat destination.

The venue offers ample parking and is approximately two hours from New York City. Whether you're local or traveling, the peaceful mountain setting creates immediate distance from urban stress and accelerates your ability to drop into sanctuary.