DDRC is a rare meditation center that offers profound, authentic teachings of Buddhism in a setting…read moreand fashion that is accessible to those who may be unfamiliar. Thank you very much to all of the teachers and volunteers who have worked tirelessly to give us a space for relaxation and training. The teachers at DDRC are monastics from Asia or trained lay practitioners who are experienced in using English to instruct western students. The design of their retreats are comfortable and forgiving while still providing adequate intensity to challenge and inspire growth. (Note for those familiar with meditation: the Chan school from which DDRC issues relentlessly focuses on meditative methods and the usage of the mind, and less on formal strictures and conventions. If you are familiar with retreats in the Zen style, you will probably adjust to the Chan approach quite quickly.) The facilities, especially the meditation hall, are beautiful and modern. The retreat center is located in the tranquil embrace of nature where one normally hears nothing but birdsong and the sound of flowing water, though it is still easily accessible by car. Highly recommended for both those new to meditation and advanced practitioners looking to go deeper.

I cannot recommend this place enough. I recently attended a 3-day beginner's meditation retreat and…read moreall I can say is that is was clear that they wanted nothing from me; they only wanted to see me grow. The purpose of the retreat was to create an environment that would support everyone in their practice and would encourage mindfulness at all times. The retreat was held in silence, which took some getting used to, but was ultimately very effective in creating the ultimate peaceful environment. Because it was a beginner's retreat, there were some conversations held discussion style with the entire group. The retreat was very affordable, especially for students. I wish I could afford to give them more than I did! The food is PHENOMENAL! With an all vegetarian menu, I overate at every meal because of how delicious and healthy everything was. In fact, when I first arrived, I had a cold. After eating such healthy food all weekend, I left feeling refreshed and cold-free. The retreat was led by Rikki Asher and Nancy Bonardi. They were both warm, happy, and wonderful teachers. They shared their wisdom openly, but also respected and learned from anything that those attending were willing to share. There are many details about what type of programs are available on the website. I am looking forward to trying to find another opportunity to spend time on the beautiful campus. I left feeling loved, peaceful, and inspired. I found a direction to take my practice in and I have felt more patient and compassionate toward the people in my life ever since.

I came to cultivate my Buddha mind! What a thrill…read more Kadam Donna and Gen Chogyop teachings " Source of Happiness & Goodness"! I love the teachings, the couscous and property is absolutely blissful!!!

Peaceful and inspiring, the Kadampa Temple is one of the most beautiful meditation spaces in the…read moreUnited States. There are plenty of walking paths and the cafe (and coffee) is excellent and the people there are very friendly and welcoming. I drove 6 hours from Boston to visit and it was definitely worth the trip. Highly recommended!!

Literally the best yoga experience I've ever had! So personal and attentive! Will be attending…read moreagain:)

Gorgeous space, lovely people, a warm community hub for those of us interested in yoga, mediation,…read morespirituality, music, dance, awakening and thoughtful, inspiring conversations. Edmond and Cheryl not only tech yoga and meditation, they also host "Knowledge Cinema" screenings of spiritual teachers on Sundays, and mind-bending movies Friday nights. AND they serve Edmond's incredibly delicious and healthy Ayurvedic (Indian) food over wonderful conversations both nights, pretty much every week. Plus they host Dance Wave (led by eme) on Saturdays at 4pm as well occasional sacred music concerts. All this goodness is by donation and open to all! Note: Their studio is on the 4th floor of the historic Art Mission Theater building. Most people use the stairs; but if you can't walk up 3 flights of stairs, no problem, you use the freight elevator.

I went to this yoga studio pre-COVID on a new member plan, which had reduced priced classes for the…read morefirst month. Overall, I liked the studio and found the class times to be convenient for my schedule. The instructors were great about showing modifications, both easier and more challenging, which I found productive to my own progress. Instructors were really great about answering questions after class (e.g., pigeon pose always cuts off my leg circulation for some reason, despite being hyperflexible, and they helped me find an alternative). I really wanted to love this place, but the main reason I did not go back is because most of their classes are hot yoga, which I really don't like. Personally, the heat does nothing for me besides drench my clothes ~completely~ in sweat (required a towel on my fabric car seats!) and, frankly, has no science to prove any benefits anyway. Plus, in addition to being annoying, it is also a hazard. I tried a lot of things to make the experience less slippery on my mat and nothing seemed to work. I just didn't think it was worth the struggle of trying not to slip and fall in basic poses, which I would not have to waste my time thinking about (and ultimately distracting me from the meditative experience) in a normal class. I also took an aerial yoga class, which was fun to try, but I personally found it pretty uncomfortable (cutting off circulation, digging into my legs despite being pretty thin figured). Just wasn't for me. If you don't mind hot yoga, you'll probably love this place. But if you do, you should choose a different studio (which is honestly hard to find in this area, as many places are hot yoga only).

I don't believe they prioritize inclusivity and welcoming vibes. Today a staff member embarrassed a…read morefellow customer to the point where she left in tears was extremely disheartening. This kind of behavior is simply not acceptable in any establishment, especially one focused on well-being like a yoga studio.

Sometimes you must get away from the chaos to hear the sound of your soul…read more This monastery is in the tradition of the teachings of the famous Vietnamese Buddhist monk, Thich Nhat Hanh. I heard Thay speak almost ten years ago when I was in college on "mindful eating," and his teachings reverberated loudly with my beliefs. Life got busy and only recently have I found my way back to his teachings. I came here for a young adult Spring retreat and it has been one of the best experiences as of late. Despite having to wake up at 5:30 every morning for sitting meditation, I felt extremely rejuvenated and centered after spending a whole week here. If you spend time here (as in overnight), be prepared to eat vegan meals (which are very yummy and most of the dishes have an Vietnamese/Asian twist) and to have modest dorm-style accommodations. We were able to enjoy morning sitting meditations, dharma talks and discouses (Buddha's teachings), walking meditation, dharma sharing and deep relaxation. One of the things I enjoyed most about this retreat was "mindful eating." All meals are eaten in silence and you get to really think about food. Because I wasn't talking or distracted, I could truly taste my food and concentrate on it. I found myself eating less, but feeling more satisfied. Even though I didn't exercise as much at the monastery, I managed to shed a few pounds and I attribute it to the "mindful eating." You may think this is all hoky poky, but the New York Times recently did an article on "mindful eating," so there is some clout to what I am saying here. The monastery is also open on Thursdays and Sundays for "A Day of Mindfulness." So if the city and life is getting to you, this is a perfect getaway to get in touch with yourself and to feel more calm and relaxed. I leave you with this beautiful quote by Thay and hope you get to experience Blue Cliff for yourself! "Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy."

I'm a NYC resident and BCM has become my home away from home where I go to unplug and visit myself…read more Words can't describe the experience of living even for a short time among people (the sisters and brothers) who are 100% committed to their belief in the practices of mindfulness, meditation and veganism and living it 365 days a year. "Healing," "transformational" come to mind. It's an oasis of sanity where the monastic residents (and many of the visitors) "walk the talk."

I had a very holistic experience 2 weeks ago and am going again tomorrow. I met with the…read morepractitioner and talked to her about my own health and goals, and she explained what reiki was and her history with it. She then worked to apply her energy to my chakras to clear them. It was very relaxing. I had my appt at her house, which was beautiful.

Visited this studio while on vacation and I was blown away. The energy and vibe of the space was…read moreexactly what I needed to reset my mood. I love the fact that it's women-owned. The owner was very welcoming and made me feel right at home. Cute boutique in the front as well! Will definitely visit again the next time I'm in town.