Retreat & Renewal

Retreat & Renewal is a yoga and meditation retreat at Drala Mountain Center, a Shambhala Buddhist mountain retreat center in Red Feather Lakes, Colorado. It is made for anyone who wants a few days of rest, quiet and gentle structure, whether for stress relief, spiritual nourishment or simply time away. No prior yoga or meditation experience is needed. Melissa Lago, a Visiting Instructor in Yoga Studies at Naropa University, leads the yoga and meditation.

What to Expect

The retreat combines guided meditation, mindful movement, restorative and invigorating yoga, periods of silence and time for contemplation. The pace is unhurried, with room to settle the body and quiet the mind.

Participants arrive in the afternoon and check in at the Guest Services Cabin. An orientation comes before dinner, which is a chance to meet the others informally. The full days follow a steady rhythm:

- Breakfast in the morning, then a yoga class from 9:00 AM
- Guided meditation before lunch
- A guided walk to the Great Stupa of Dharmakaya at 2:00 PM
- A second yoga class late in the afternoon
- Dinner at 6:00 PM

On one of the evenings there is a social gathering. The final morning begins with a guided hike around the land, followed by yoga, meditation and a last lunch before departure around midday. Free time is built in for hiking, resting or simply taking in the stillness.

About Melissa Lago

Melissa Lago holds an MA and an MDiv and is a Visiting Instructor in Yoga Studies at Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado. She was introduced to yoga as a child, at home and at the Oak Grove School in Ojai, California, which was founded by Jiddu Krishnamurti. As a teenager she dedicated herself to the study of Ashtanga Yoga.

The Setting

Drala Mountain Center sits in the mountains near Red Feather Lakes, at high elevation. The grounds include hiking trails and the Great Stupa of Dharmakaya, which participants can visit on the guided walk or on their own. Guests are also welcome to explore before the retreat begins or to extend their stay.

Lodging is chosen at checkout and includes two nights:

- Dormitories: Gender-segregated rooms for seven or eight people, with a shared bathroom and shower stalls down the hall.
- Monk Rooms: Private rooms with a bed, closet, large window and desk, using a shared bathroom.
- Single and Double Rooms: More space, a dresser and closet, and an attached three-quarter bathroom with toilet, sink and shower.
- Junior Suites: A queen bed, desk, dresser, closet, sitting area and a private bath with a tub.

Breakfast, lunch, dinner and drinks are included, with vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options.

Before You Go

All experience levels are welcome, including complete beginners. The retreat is taught in English. Included are two nights of lodging, all meals and beverages, the yoga classes, the guided meditation sessions, the orientation and welcome dinner, the evening gathering, and access to the grounds, trails and Great Stupa. Extra nights can be added at 50% off. Transportation to and from the center is not included, so plan your own way to Red Feather Lakes.