Return to the Lodge: A Weekend of Renewal

Name: Return to the Lodge: A Weekend of Renewal
Start: 2026-08-28T00:00:00.000Z
End: 2026-08-30T22:00:00.000Z
Location: Phoenicia
Rating: 4.8

1/3

Description

Step away from the pace of daily life and enter a sacred weekend devoted to reflection, purification, and renewal. Set amid the deep forests and peaceful mountains of the Catskills, this retreat offers space to reconnect with the elements, your inner wisdom, and the living rhythms of the Earth. At its center is the sweat lodge ceremony, one of the oldest forms of prayer and purification practiced by Indigenous peoples of North America. Often described as a return to the womb of Mother Earth, the lodge invites humility, intention, and transformation.

Inside the warmth of the lodge, heated stones hold the energies of fire and water as songs, silence, and shared intention support a process of release and renewal. Throughout the weekend, participants will be gently prepared for the ceremony through teachings on intention, connection with nature, and the deeper meaning of this ancient practice. In the time between ceremonies, there will be opportunities for quiet integration, walks on Menla’s sacred land, rest, contemplation, and optional treatments at the Dewa Spa.

The experience may be grounding, profound, and deeply restorative. Many describe the lodge as a place where burdens soften, clarity arises, and a renewed sense of connection begins to unfold—to oneself, to community, and to the natural world. Whether you are new to this tradition or returning to deepen your relationship with it, this retreat offers a supportive setting to enter the lodge with respect, humility, and openness. Gather in circle, honor the elements, and return to the lodge for a weekend of renewal.

Schedule:

Thursday, August 27
3 - 6 pm Arrival and Check-in
6 - 7 pm Dinner
7:30 - 8:30 pm Welcome Circle

Friday, August 28
8 - 9 am Breakfast
9:30 am - 12 pm Guided Hike
12:30 - 1:30 pm Lunch
1:30 - 4:30 pm Free time for Relaxation and Spa
4:30 - 6 Afternoon Circle
6 - 7 pm Dinner
7:30 Evening of rest, relaxation and journaling.

Saturday, August 29
7am morning fast and lodge preparation
8 - 12 Sweatlodge
12:30 - 1:30 pm Lunch
1 - 4:30 Free time for Relaxation
4:30 - 6 Afternoon Circle
6 - 7 pm Dinner
7:30 Sound Healing Journey with Jennifer Muir

Sunday, August 30
7 - 11 am Check-out of Rooms - (Please check out by 9:30am before the morning program begins)
8 - 9 am Breakfast
9:30 am - 12 pm Yoga with Alison Sinatra
12:30 - 1:30 pm Lunch & Departure

Please note that this schedule is subject to change at any time.

Teachers

Lynn Schauwecker

Lynn Schauwecker brings more than 25 years of experience in healing traditions grounded in Indigenous wisdom and in respectful collaboration with Indigenous communities around the world. Her path became even more profound in 2003, when time spent in the Amazon rainforest led to an apprenticeship with Grandmother Flordemayo, opening the door to deeper learning, connection, and service. Through her long-standing dedication,...

Jennifer Muir

Jennifer Muir is a Tibetan Tones practitioner, contemplative caregiver, and a keeper of sacred space, bringing a deeply compassionate presence to her work. For many years, she has supported people navigating addiction and mental health challenges, offering care rooted in patience, empathy, and mindful attention. More recently, her path has expanded into supporting those facing death and dying, where her...

Alison Sinatra

With more than 25 years of experience, Alison Sinatra has devoted her life to teaching yoga and creating healing retreats and spaces for women. Her work is centered on helping people reconnect with Spirit and remember a deeper sense of belonging within themselves and the world around them. Alison’s approach is shaped by her studies with Indigenous traditions from North and...