Why is this workshop being held at Menla specifically, and does the location matter?

Menla is a Tibetan Buddhist retreat center in the Catskills with a spa and healing-focused environment—it's a natural fit for Mingtong's work because both traditions (Tibetan Buddhism and classical Chinese energy practice) share deep roots in Eastern philosophy and emphasize healing and spiritual development. The retreat setting allows for immersive practice away from daily distractions, which amplifies the embodied, introspective nature of qigong work.

Does Mingtong teach specific qigong forms or sequences I should study beforehand?

No preparation needed; the workshop will guide you through practices in real time. However, if you want context, Mingtong is known for teaching qigong rooted in classical Chinese systems that cultivate chi through coordinated movement, breath, and intention—forms like standing meditation and flowing sequences are common in his teaching, but this event is designed as a complete introduction to embodied practice.

Is this workshop more focused on physical healing, spiritual development, or both?

Both—and that's central to Mingtong's philosophy. He teaches qigong as a unified system where physical health, energy cultivation, and spiritual awakening are inseparable; the Chi Healing Institute's approach integrates traditional Chinese medicine understanding of the body with spiritual practice, so 'Embodied Awakening' will address healing and consciousness development as one integrated journey.

Embodied Awakening: Coming Home to the Wisdom of the Body at Menla | Sep 15

Name: Embodied Awakening: Coming Home to the Wisdom of the Body at Menla
Location: Menla Retreat and Dewa Spa

About This Event

Description

Embodied Awakening: Coming Home to the Wisdom of the Body is a transformative yoga retreat designed for anyone seeking to deepen their connection to their physical body as a gateway to spiritual wisdom and healing. Taking place Tuesday, September 15, 2026, at the serene Menla Retreat and Dewa Spa in Phoenicia, NY, this yoga retreat event in Phoenicia brings together ancient practices and contemporary wellness science in an immersive mountain setting. Under the guidance of Mingtong Gu, a renowned Chinese Qigong master and founder of the Chi Healing Institute, participants will explore how embodied awareness bridges the gap between modern stress and timeless wellness traditions.

This yoga retreat combines mindful movement, energy cultivation, and somatic awakening in a day-long journey designed to help you return home to your body's innate intelligence. Rather than treating the body as something to be pushed or perfected, you'll learn to listen to its subtle messages, honor its rhythms, and access the profound healing wisdom it holds. The atmosphere is grounded, welcoming, and deeply restorative—perfect for both seasoned practitioners and those new to yoga retreat experiences.

What to Expect

Arrive at Menla as the morning unfolds, and you'll immediately sense the mountain sanctuary's calming embrace. The day begins with a gentle centering circle where you'll meet fellow seekers and set intentions for your practice. From there, you'll move through carefully sequenced sessions that weave Qigong principles with embodied yoga, creating a natural flow between structured teaching and intuitive body exploration.

Each segment builds upon the last, guiding you deeper into sensation and presence. You'll experience guided energy work that awakens dormant vitality, moving meditations that quiet the thinking mind, and restorative practices that anchor new awareness into your tissues and nervous system. Sensory details matter here—the cool mountain air on your skin, the grounding feeling of earth beneath your feet, the soft glow of natural light filtering through retreat spaces.

Throughout the day, you'll receive teachings on how ancient wisdom traditions understood the body as a map of consciousness. Lunch and breaks provide time for reflection, nourishing meals, and informal community connection. By day's end, you'll depart with practical tools for maintaining this embodied awakening in your daily life, a renewed sense of home within yourself.

About the Artists

Mingtong Gu is a Chinese Qigong master and founder of the Chi Healing Institute who has spent decades bridging ancient energy practices with modern wellness science. His signature approach teaches students worldwide how to cultivate, balance, and direct vital life force through simple yet profound techniques accessible to all bodies and ages. Mingtong's gentle mastery creates a safe container for deep transformation, making this yoga retreat event in Phoenicia truly unique in its integration of Eastern energetic principles.

Venue & Location

Menla Retreat and Dewa Spa, nestled in Phoenicia, NY, is a sanctuary designed for healing and renewal in the heart of the Catskill Mountains. The retreat center features serene natural surroundings, comfortable accommodations, and dedicated practice spaces that support deep inner work. Located just a few hours from New York City yet worlds away in atmosphere, Menla offers the perfect balance of accessibility and seclusion for a meaningful yoga retreat experience.

The property includes peaceful gardens, forest trails, and spa facilities that complement your practice. Ample parking is available on-site, and the peaceful energy of the location makes the journey itself feel like part of your awakening. Whether you're a local or traveling from afar, Phoenicia's mountain setting provides the ideal backdrop for embodied transformation.

FAQs

Mingtong's approach is rooted in classical Chinese energy cultivation practices—he teaches qigong as a system for actively working with chi (life force) through specific movements, breathwork, and internal awareness, rather than seated meditation alone. His method bridges traditional Chinese medicine principles with modern wellness science, making the ancient practice accessible to Western students while maintaining its depth; this event at Menla specifically focuses on reconnecting the body's wisdom as a pathway to awakening, which is central to his teaching philosophy.

No; Mingtong is known for meeting students where they are and teaching qigong as an accessible entry point into energy work, not as an advanced-only practice. His approach at the Chi Healing Institute emphasizes that the body's wisdom is innate, so the workshop is designed for genuine beginners to reconnect with that wisdom through guided movement and breathwork, though experienced practitioners will find deeper layers to explore.

Mingtong grew up immersed in qigong philosophy and nature-based practices in China, which means his teaching carries authentic cultural lineage rather than westernized reinterpretation—you'll experience qigong as it's traditionally understood: a practice for cultivating life energy, healing, and spiritual development. His lived connection to these practices informs how he explains the body's energy systems and the philosophical framework behind the movements you'll learn.

This theme reflects Mingtong's core teaching: that the body holds its own intelligence and healing capacity, and that through qigong practice—movement, breath, and energy awareness—you can access that innate wisdom for both physical wellness and spiritual development. Expect guided practices that help you listen to and trust your body's signals, rather than imposing external techniques onto it; it's about reunion, not correction.

Embodied Awakening: Coming Home to the Wisdom of the Body at Menla

Description

What to Expect

About the Artists

Venue & Location

Menla Retreat and Dewa Spa

FAQs

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Embodied Awakening: Coming Home to the Wisdom of the Body at Menla

Description

What to Expect

About the Artists

Venue & Location

Menla Retreat and Dewa Spa

FAQs

There's more where this came from.

Discover More Artists

Find More Events

List Your Own Event