As we enter the Year of the Fire Horse, we are invited to light the fire of joy with compassion, harnessing this bold, transformative energy to move forward with purpose, heart, and fearless authenticity.

Join friends of Tibet House US | Menla for an 18-year tradition as our community gathers in person to ring in the New Year in the magical, secret valley of the Medicine Buddha. Over five inspiring days, we’ll practice, pray, and play together—through teachings, breathwork, yoga, astrology, devotional chanting, and more. Let’s release limiting patterns and set powerful intentions for manifesting our dreams for the year ahead—all while sharing in much-needed joy and celebration.

We kick off this year’s retreat with an unforgettable kirtan experience featuring Krishna Das, Nina Rao, and crew.  Michele Loew will lead daily morning yoga sessions, and Paul Bloom will guide afternoon Qi Gong classes. Arjun Bruggeman will offer an afternoon of rhythmic sound. Krishna Das and Nina Rao will also offer additional kirtan and join several dynamic group conversations. Bob Thurman will share Dharma teachings alongside John Campbell—with more special guests to be announced soon!

Master astrologer and astronomer Alexander Mallon returns with his renowned Astrological Forecast for 2026, introducing the basics of reading a chart and offering insights into the energetic patterns shaping our personal and collective futures. He’ll also provide expert consultations and lead a group chart-reading session sure to inspire all but the most steadfast skeptics.

On New Year’s Eve, we’ll enjoy our beloved annual group sound bath with Woodstock’s Sage Academy of Sound—a powerful sonic meditation followed by a festive late-night celebration and countdown at the Nalanda Conference Center, complete with refreshments and community connection.

Together, we will recharge, reflect, and realign—ready to face the challenges of our time with fiery joy, clear vision, and compassionate action, manifesting the highest good for ourselves, our communities, and our world in 2026.

We encourage you to register early—space is limited!

REGISTER HERE

Krishna Das • Nina Rao • Robert A.F. Thurman • Michele Loew • John Campbell • Paul Bloom • Alexander Mallon • Lea Garnier • Arjun Bruggeman

The Heart of the Path with Krishna Das and Nina Rao ~A week-long retreat of chant, workshops, discussions, and music with Krishna Das and Nina Rao.

This retreat is a wonderful opportunity to immerse in the practice of chant in all its forms – call-and-response kirtan, chanting of long-form prayers to the goddess, the Hanuman Chalisa and more, as well as practice of japa or veda mantra recitation. In addition, we have the opportunity to sit with Krishna Das as he offers an open forum for Q&A and discussions of whatever might be on your mind! Many have found great solace in just hanging out together and sharing in our intentions, challenges, and doubts.

In addition, Krishna Das and Nina will be accompanied by Arjun Bruggeman on tabla, who has been playing with them for almost two decades. Arjun will offer his own ‘rhythmic sound and mantra’ journey – an immersive sound journey where rhythm and mantra become the bridge between the outer world and the vast, uncharted depths of the inner self. Through the primal power of percussive instruments—frame drum, tabla, kalimba and hang drum—we create a pulsing, textured soundscape that gently dissolves the surface noise of the mind, guiding you into a deep state of presence and release.

DETAILS & REGISTRATION

Join Krishna Das and friends for a weekend retreat of yoga, chanting, and devotional heart-opening practices. This is a wonderful opportunity to spend time with a group of dedicated seekers and immerse yourself in practices, teachings, and discussions.

Over this retreat weekend, Krishna Das will lead nightly kirtan with accompanying musicians, and guide us during afternoon workshops with discussions and Q&A.

Nina Rao will lead morning chant sessions.

We will take a Rhythmic Sound Journey with Arjun Bruggeman.

To help you transition into retreat mode, there will be a Gentle Yoga Class on Friday Afternoon – 4:15-5:30 PM ET – gentle yoga will settle us into the heart space. There will also be daily morning practice through the weekend.

READ MORE AND REGISTER FOR THE RETREAT

Join Nina Rao for this transformational offering where you will learn traditional ancient chants:

Feb 11: Veda Chanting for Clarity
Nina will share her practice of chanting of the profound Gāyatrī mantra as she has learned in the ancient continuing lineage of her teacher from South India. We will learn the pronunciation, intonation, and practice japa (repetition) of this powerful mantra. Bring your mala. This practice will be in traditional recitation form without musical accompaniment. No experience is necessary.

Feb 12: Prayer to the Goddess:
Through music and mantra, we will invoke the divine in her feminine form as the Great Mother by singing traditional prayers and kirtan. Nina will share stories from her guru Sri Siddhi Ma. No experience is necessary.

Feb 13: Chanting the Hanuman Chalisa:
The Hanuman Chalisa is a sacred 40-verse devotional hymn recited for hundreds of years in India to the Hindu monkey god Hanuman. Together we will chant the Chalisa along with musical accompaniment and discover how this ancient practice is still relevant to us today.

Schedule:

Wednesday
12:00–1:30pm Workshop
Evening satsang concert

Thursday
12:00–1:30pm Workshop
Evening satsang concert

Friday
12:00–1:30pm Workshop

REGISTER HERE

** This program will be followed by a three-day event, The Yoga of Chant with Krishna Das. We invite you to stay for both!

This retreat is an invitation to rediscover the essence that already lives within you. Through the practice of Yoga, meditation, Kirtan, and ancestral therapies such as dance and ice bathing, we will immerse ourselves in a space of connection, gratitude, and healing. Finding that link between mind and heart, raising our energy to its highest potential— with special guest, Nina Rao.

YOGATMA is a space known for its comprehensive approach to yoga, going beyond the physical practice of asana on the mat, including all aspects that make up genuine practice: asana, pranayama, meditation, chanting, maximum compassion and a deep connection with the inner self.

25% OFF early bird offer if purchased before December 15, 2025.

READ MORE AND REGISTER FOR THE RETREAT