The Eightfold Path with Kevin Courtney

DHYĀNA | March 9 - 16, 2025

The Eightfold Path | Retreat FAQs

This page is a living resource that will continue to be updated with new and pertinent information as we get closer to arrival. We look forward to welcoming you on this immersive retreat.

Updates have been made to The Retreat Schedule, What to Bring and Spa Bookings as of 2/27.

Emergency Numbers you can give your family while you are in class:

Menla Front Desk - 845.688.6897 - the front desk will have our class schedule and your lodging location if they need to reach you.

My cell - Nico Grae - 505.463.7685 - please give your family my cell in case of emergency. I will be connected to wifi and will be able to receive texts from them so that I can notify you.

Please also take down my cell for your travel day, text or email me if you have any changes in your plans that affect your arrival.

Intake Form Reminder:

Thank you to those who have already completed your intake form. If you haven’t yet, please complete it here: INTAKE Form. This helps us—and Menla—prepare for your arrival.

Arrival Day | Sunday March 9, 2025

  • A reminder check-in opens at 3 pm at Menla Retreat Center in Phoenicia, New York

  • Optional decompression and arrival practice at 4:30 pm, led by Kevin

  • Dinner will be served from 6 - 7 pm

Sacred Space

  • DHYANA  is a completely technology-free retreat - no cellphones, laptops, tablets, etc.

  • Please be aware once arriving into the town of Phoenicia that there is no cell phone service in the surrounding areas or at Menla

  • A designated space will be provided to accommodate necessary phone calls (i.e., parents connecting with children and other needs)

  • Closer to the retreat, we’ll share a phone number at Menla where you may be reached in case of emergency

  • Menla requests no alcohol or smoking on campus

  • Menla has a 10 pm curfew. All participants are asked to be in their rooms by 10 pm and enter into silence until after our morning practice

  • There are no open flames permitted on campus (with the exception of altar candles). Please do not light candles, burn incense, sage, or palo santo on site

Preparing for the DHYĀNA Retreat

  • SUNDAY

    3:00 - 4:30 pm | Check-in

    4:30 - 5:30 pm | Decompression Session - Kevin

    6:00 - 7:00 pm | Dinner

    MONDAY

    8:00 - 9:00 am | Breakfast

    9:30 -12:00 pm | The 360 Emergence Opening Ceremony - Kate

    12:30 - 1:30 pm | Lunch

    3:30 - 5:00 pm | Qi Gong + Yoga Nidra - Kevin

    5:00 - 5:30 pm | DHYĀNA Orientation - All Teachers

    6:00 - 7:00 pm | Dinner

    TUESDAY

    6:30 - 7:30 am | The North Meditation - Kevin

    8:00 - 9:00 am | Breakfast

    9:30 - 12:00 pm | The Earth Practice - Kevin

    12:30 - 1:30 pm | Lunch

    3:00 - 4:15 pm | INSIGHT on Willingness Kevin

    4:15 - 5:30 pm | Make the Sun + Breathwork - Natalie

    6:00 - 7:00 pm | Dinner

    7:30 - 8:00 pm | Evening Meditation - Kevin

    WEDNESDAY

    6:30 - 7:30 am | The West Meditation - Kevin

    8:00 - 9:00 am | Breakfast

    9:30 - 12:00 pm | The Water Practice - Kevin

    12:30 - 1:30 pm | Lunch

    4:00 - 5:30 pm | The 360 Emergence - Erin

    6:00 - 7:00 pm | Dinner

    7:30 - 9:00 pm | Moth Storytelling - Natalie

    THURSDAY

    6:30 - 7:30 am | The South Meditation - Kevin

    8:00 - 9:00 am | Breakfast

    9:30 - 12:00 pm | The Fire Practice - Kevin

    12:30 - 1:30 pm | Lunch

    3:00 - 4:15 pm | INSIGHT on Attention - Kevin

    4:15 - 5:30 pm | Make the Sun + Breathwork - Natalie

    6:00 - 7:00 pm | Dinner

    7:30 - 8:00 pm | Evening Meditation - Kevin

    FRIDAY

    6:30 - 7:30 am | The East Meditation - Kevin

    8:00 - 9:00 am | Breakfast

    9:30 - 12:00 pm | The Air Practice - Kevin

    12:30 - 1:30 pm | Lunch

    4:00 - 5:30 pm | Restorative Yoga - Erin

    6:00 - 7:00 pm | Dinner

    SATURDAY

    8:00 - 9:00 am | Breakfast

    9:30 - 12:00 pm | INSIGHT Quantum Embodiment - Kevin

    12:30 - 1:30 pm | Lunch

    3:30 - 6:00 pm | The 360 Emergence Closing Ceremony - Kate

    6:30 - 7:30 pm | Dinner

    7:30 pm | Bonfire

    SUNDAY

    8:00 - 9:00 am | Breakfast

    9:00 - 11:00 am | Check-out + Safe Travels Home!

    • A small sacred item that you can place on our altar for the week to soak up the energy and blessings of the space. Please refrain from choosing something highly valuable. You will take these items back home with you at the end of the retreat.

    • For The 360 Emergence Closing Ceremony with Kate, you are invited to bring an outfit that feels ceremonial and celebratory for yourself. Something that inspires you and honors the body of work you’ve moved through over the week. This session is still a movement session so keep you ability to dance in mind! There is also no pressure, as with all things on this retreat, it is an offering.

    • Protein snacks if you are unaccustomed to a vegetarian diet

    • A yoga mat that you love! In an effort to reduce the carbon footprint of this retreat, we have chosen not to add more yoga mats in the world. If you have one from a past retreat or a different mat you practice on - please bring it to support your experience. Menla does have mats as well if needed.

    • A travel alarm clock (we will be tech-free, so please don’t plan on using your phone as an alarm, a watch is also nice for seeing the time without having to use your device during the day)

    • Refillable sealed water bottle

    • Comfortable, warm practice clothing, think layers (indoor and outdoor). Phoenicia temperatures in March has highs between 35-47 degrees and lows in the teens to 20’s. There may be snow; please be prepared! In our experience last year, weather changes quickly. We started in snow and ended the week jumping in the lake under the sun!

    • Cozy slippers for indoor wear (no street shoes allowed indoors)

    • Hiking shoes or boots

    • A warm winter jacket

    • A full supply of necessary medications + supplements

    • All necessary toiletries needed

    • Cash for: tips to Menla staff at the end of your stay

    • Credit card for incidentals: Menla asks all guests to provide a credit card at check-in for any purchases made on the property. Cards are not charged unless guests purchase gift shop items, spa services, snacks, or anything else beyond room and board provided

    • And, if you prefer, cash for any Healing Treatments

    • If you are taking the shuttle from town, please bring $5 cash to give to Nico

    • Optional: immune-boosting and internal cleansing supplements and herbs

    • Menla's kitchen is rooted in Vegan cuisine and the week will provide three meals per day in the style of a vegetarian farm-to-table menu. If eggs and dairy are used they will be clearly listed. 

    • Please share any food allergies or special dietary needs through our INTAKE FORM no later than February 5, 2025.

  • In general, most people fly into New York City. From there, Menla is a 2-hour drive from any of the NYC airports.

    Menla is also conveniently 2 hours from Albany International and 90 minutes from Stewart Airport in Newburgh, NY.

  • Menla is conveniently located:

    • 2 hours north of the GW Bridge in New York City by car

    • 3 hours by bus from New York City on Adirondack Trailways to Phoenicia, NY

    • 3.5 hours from Boston by car

    • 2 hours from Albany International Airport by car

    • 90 minutes from Stewart Airport in Newburgh, NY, by car

    You will need to arrange your own ground transportation to and from Menla. New York City flights tend to be less expensive and involve fewer connections

    By bus from NYC, Albany:

    Transportation is readily available from New York City at Port Authority, 625 8th Avenue, where you would board Trailways Bus to Phoenicia.

    The approximate cost of the Trailways bus is $40 and takes 3 hours. Before boarding the bus, you must book this travel with Trailways; (you can do that here).

    Trailways bus will drop you off in the small quaint town of Phoenicia. A shuttle from town to the retreat center can be arranged for $5 cash. (Please email Nico at nico@kevinjcourtney.com to book a shuttle from town to the retreat center.)

    You can also take the Trailways Bus from Albany to Phoenicia, then arrange a shuttle from town to the retreat center with Nico for $5 cash.  (Note:  this option is approximately 2 hours longer than NYC, with a layover and bus change on Trailways. Menla recommends traveling through NYC airports.)

    By car from Stewart Airport

    Ground transportation from Stewart Airport is accessible through either private car service or a rental car (there are no public transportation options available).

    Description text goes here

  • Arrival Day is Sunday, March 9, 2024.

    • Check-in opens at 3 pm at Menla Retreat Center in Phoenicia, New York

    • Optional decompression and arrival practice at 4:30 pm, led by Kevin Courtney

    • Dinner will be served from 6 - 7 pm

    Departure Day is Sunday, March 16, 2024.

    • Breakfast at 8:30 am

    • Check-out by 11 am

    • Guests must vacate rooms and property by 11 am

About Menla

Affectionately known as “Tibet in the Catskills,” Menla is set in a secluded valley beside an enchanting stream in the heart of the Catskill mountains. Just 2-hours from New York City, the magic of 325 private acres of pristine mountain forests provides the perfect backdrop for us to delve into the teachings, quiet the mind, concentrate the breath, and expand.  Discover more about Menla on their website.

  • Dewa Spa

    Menla has a beautiful spa on the property, the Dewa Spa. They offer everything from acupuncture to therapeutic bodywork to energy healing.

    Below is a list of our class breaks and meal times in the day that you may book at the Spa without missing anything!

    • Breakfast Daily: 8:00 am - 9:00 am

    • Lunch Daily: 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm

    • Dinner Daily: 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

    Afternoon Class Breaks(please note that the end of these breaks are actually the time class begins in the afternoon)

    • Monday: 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm

    • Tuesday: 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm

    • Wednesday: 1:30 pm - 4:00 pm

    • Thursday: 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm

    • Friday: 1:30 pm - 4:00 pm

    • Saturday: 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm

  • We ask that you bring a yoga mat you love to this retreat. In an effort to reduce the carbon footprint of this retreat, we have chosen not to add more yoga mats in the world. If you have one from a past retreat or a different mat you practice on - please bring it to support your experience. Menla does have mats as well if needed.

    Additional Props Provided:

    Yoga blocks, straps, blankets, bolsters, meditation cushions and zabutons, as well at back jacks are all available in the practice center.

  • You may request and pick up additional towels at the front desk.

  • It is HIGHLY recommended you bring any amenities, or toiletries you prefer or anticipate needing during the retreat. 

    Bathrooms are equipped with all-natural soap and towels.

Our Approach

We will incorporate Tantric Hatha Yoga, Meditation, Yoga Nidra, Breathwork, INSIGHT contemplative sessions, Sound Healing, The 360 Emergence, storytelling, and both time in community and time in solitude. Each element is offered to help you experience DHYĀNA in a way that feels authentic and empowering.

Simply show up as you are. The experience is designed to serve you, and every component is yours to make your own.

As the retreat approaches, we’ll share additional guidance on preparing your body and mind for the week ahead. For now, please take a moment to absorb these sentiments and allow any insights or questions to arise. We are here to support you.