FRIENDS OF FUNGI FORAGING: FALL WEEKEND RETREAT

Escape to the serene Catskills for Friends of Fungi Foraging: Fall Weekend Retreat, a transformative wellness retreat event in Phoenicia designed to reconnect you with nature, spiritual practice, and community. Held September 18–20, 2026, at the acclaimed Menla Retreat and Dewa Spa, this fall wellness retreat weaves together Kundalini yoga, sacred mantra practice, and guided mushroom foraging to create a holistic weekend experience. Led by the gifted Kundalini yoga and mantra teacher Jai Dev Singh—rooted in the authentic lineage of Yogi Bhajan—this wellness retreat offers both seasoned practitioners and curious newcomers a chance to deepen their spiritual practice while grounding themselves in the seasonal magic of the Hudson Valley.

The energy of fall permeates every element of this Phoenicia retreat. You'll move through mornings of dynamic Kundalini yoga, afternoons exploring the forest floor for medicinal and culinary fungi, and evenings immersed in devotional music and sacred chanting led by Jai Dev Singh. The combination of physical movement, breathwork, mantra, and nature connection creates a uniquely nourishing experience that honors both ancient wellness traditions and the wisdom of the natural world. Whether you're drawn to wellness retreats for spiritual growth, physical renewal, or simply a mindful escape from daily life, this fall weekend delivers on every level.

What to Expect

Your fall weekend retreat begins with arrival and settle-in on Friday evening, where you'll meet fellow participants in the serene mountain setting. Saturday unfolds with early-morning Kundalini yoga classes that awaken your energy through dynamic postures, breathwork (pranayama), and sound vibration. Between sessions, expert guides lead small groups into the surrounding forest, teaching identification of edible mushrooms, medicinal fungi, and sustainable foraging practices—you'll return with baskets of seasonal treasures and deep nature connection.

Evenings are reserved for sacred ceremony. Jai Dev Singh leads immersive mantra sessions and kirtan—call-and-response devotional music that opens the heart and stills the mind. You'll experience the transformative power of chanting ancient mantras while bathed in candlelight and the acoustic warmth of traditional instruments. Between structured programs, you'll have free time to rest in the spa, journal, walk the grounds, or simply sit in silence among the turning leaves.

By Sunday, you'll return home grounded, inspired, and carrying the subtle shifts that only a true wellness retreat can offer.

About the Artists

Jai Dev Singh is a Kundalini yoga and mantra teacher with deep roots in the authentic lineage established by Yogi Bhajan. His dynamic classes combine powerful asana sequences, transformative breathwork, and sacred sound to awaken inner vitality and spiritual consciousness. With his warm presence and precise instruction, Jai Dev Singh creates space for students at all levels to experience the profound benefits of Kundalini practice and the healing vibration of mantra.

Venue & Location

Menla Retreat and Dewa Spa sits nestled in the heart of Phoenicia, New York—a charming mountain village in the eastern Catskills known for its natural beauty, creative community, and wellness culture. The retreat center combines traditional Tibetan-inspired architecture with modern amenities, offering peaceful grounds, meditation halls, and a full-service spa. Surrounded by forest and hiking trails, the Phoenicia location is both accessible (about 2 hours from New York City) and remote enough to feel like a true escape. Ample parking is available on-site; public transit options connect to the region for those traveling without a car.