Deerfield Spa is just what I need. I have been here a couple of times before and this place never…read moredisappoints. It is cozy and cute with an excellent staff and all nice people. It is nestled in the Pocono Mountains...with beautiful views every where you look. They offer hiking, yoga, ti chi, weight lifting classes, boxing classes, pool classes, aerobic classes and stretch classes along with pampering services. The food is amazing and they have an outside pool. I can't wait to come back...it maybe next month.

A hidden treasure in the Poconos. We had read and researched many Destination spas and are thrilled…read morewe found Deerfield just 2 1/2 hours away. This place is clean and rustic. Our room in the annex is fantastic. We love the feel of the Poconos. The dress attire here is chill and comfort. There are 2 gyms so be sure to bring plenty of exercise clothes. The all inclusive food are served portion controlled, healthy and delicious.

OMG--what a treasure…read more My wife and I are longtime devotees of wellness and spiritual retreats. Over the years we've stayed at Kripalu in Lenox, the Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, Spirit Rock in California, Ann Wigmore in Puerto Rico, Hippocrates in West Palm Beach, 10,000 Waves in Santa Fe, Gurney's in Montauk, Pura Vida in Costa Rica, Dreams Tulum in Mexico, and Plum Village in France. We've been around the block. Just two hours from Brooklyn, Sanivan delivered some of the best food we've ever eaten--anywhere. Breakfasts of French toast, porridge, or eggs laid each morning by the hens in the backyard were followed by sumptuous vegetarian lunches and evening smoothies made with homemade cultured yogurt and berries. The result: eight pounds lost in eight days, without hunger or deprivation. Sanivan is run by Saniye and her husband Ivan, who have made it their life's work to transmit the wisdom of wellness through living it fully and sharing it generously. Saniye does all the cooking, and Ivan is a master ballroom dance teacher and gifted body practitioner, expert in shiatsu, deep tissue, reflexology, and Raindrop therapy. During our eight-day stay, we learned tango, salsa, and merengue, and each received extraordinary bodywork in a beautifully designed spa with radiant floors and heated massage tables. Each day Ivan foraged through the surrounding farm country, sourcing pristine ingredients for Saniye to prepare. Meals were taken beside a kitchen window overlooking a bird feeder alive with activity; during a snowstorm, two deer wandered right up to the glass to nibble fallen seed. Sullivan County revealed itself as a hidden wellness and farm-to-table oasis, with a burgeoning "hickster" scene centered nearby in Livingston Manor. At Sanivan, we ate astonishingly fresh, vibrant food while two feet of snow blanketed the ground. Even in the heart of the blizzard, a local farmer arrived with a sack of organic, greenhouse-grown sprouts--three varieties, still alive with vitality. In a strange and wonderful way, the experience felt more exotic than a tropical retreat. From 1910 to 1970, this area was a thriving Borscht Belt resort region--Hurleyville is where Mel Brooks got his start--before falling into decades of dormancy. Today, it's reemerging as a sophisticated hub for self-starters and adventurers. Two blocks from Sanivan, a Parisian woman and her partner, former Park Slope residents, have opened a gourmet café and are expanding into a farm-to-table restaurant. Nearby, a Kundalini yoga studio operates out of a picturesque red barn. Within 20 minutes are a constellation of small mountain towns experiencing a quiet-edge renaissance: Mountaindale, Smallwood, Cochecton, Parksville, Jeffersonville, White Lake, and Narrowsburg. Add to that a deep fly-fishing culture centered on the Beaverkill River in Roscoe and Livingston Manor, where the sport took hold in the late 1800s and drew generations of New Yorkers seeking the outdoors. As a history buff, I found the layered cultural and communal life of the region endlessly fascinating. Every moment felt exploratory and alive. We're Brooklynites always in search of rest and healing, and discovering that kind of joy so close to home felt like a gift. We'll be back in the spring to swim in the Sanivan saltwater pool and watch farm country wake from its long winter sleep. Addendum from Shoshana (Noel's wife): I'm in wholehearted agreement with everything shared above. I would only add how deeply appreciative we were of our time with Saniye and Ivan--both are genuinely curious, caring, and fully engaged in their respective paths of healing work. It was a joy to spend time together in thoughtful conversation, while also feeling their sensitivity to our need for quiet and alone time, especially during the gentle detox we experienced. Having both a sauna and a gym in the house was an enormous support, and we made grateful use of them throughout our stay.

Sanivan provides a wonderful and intimate retreat experience…read more The food (mostly consisting of fruits and vegetables from Sanivan's gardens, whole grains, and vegan proteins) is out of this world. The owners are not just accommodating, they are also trained in the healing arts. You will leave Sanivan feeling as though your body, mind and spirit have been transformed and rejuvenated. This is a three bedroom "bed and breakfast" experience, and includes three meals a day. The spa treatments, sauna, and cold plunge pool will invigorate and recharge your system. Give yourself the gift of a Sanivan retreat experience. You won't regret it .

I had an amazing time at In Light Retreats! It was a weekend getaway in Berkshire, NY. Everything…read morewas very well organized, every detail was thoroughly thought of. Kristina, owner/organizer made sure everyone was happy and comfortable. I really liked the surprise with the drummers. Upon our arrival to the house we were taken for a little dance which was very energizing and awakening, really what i needed after three hour drive. Food was superb! Healthy, all organic, with juices and wheat grass shots between yoga classes. I definitely recommend In Light Retreats if you are looking for an upscale relaxing getaway where you can make new friends, enjoy delicious food, reconnect with yourself or just enjoy nature around.

I had the most incredible time at the retreat with In Light Retreats! Everything was really well…read moreorganized. Great team of people and very attentive service. Kristina was very nice and took a great care of every detail to make us happy. The program was well balanced full of activities and relaxing time just for myself. I am very new to yoga and yoga classes were structured for beginners as well advanced. I felt comfortable in the classroom and definitely learnt a lot about yoga. I felt great after the retreat physically as well as mentally. The food was very clean and delicious! I would recommend it to anyone who needs a brake from a busy city lives.

I think my boyfriend would agree with me when I describe Stone Oak Tree Farm in one word --perfect!…read moreWe were smiling from the moment we first stepped onto the property to every bit of the weekend. This by far the best Bed & Breakfast that I've been to over the last few years. Stone Oak is a peaceful tree farm and cozy barn that shines the spirit of Christmas. Each room is decorated so nicely. Natalie and Rich were friendly, welcoming and offered us activities nearby (breweries, wineries, cideries, hiking locations), although we spent our evenings by the fireplace sipping on hot chocolate. The breakfast was delicious and just the overall experience has been so positive and perfect. If you're looking for a scenic, relaxing, cozy B&B to stay, look no further. You will not be disappointed. My boyfriend and I were looking for a peaceful and relaxing weekend and we got just that! We can't wait to come back again for another weekend getaway and plan another one with our friends!

What a treasure! Richard and Natalie's beautiful bed & breakfast is located on a beautifully…read moresecluded Christmas tree farm in a "barn" they built themselves. The design is a classic antique American colonial, with materials and decor really complimentary to the local area. Our room was very clean and felt fresh, even with the nice antiqued look. We had control of the AC unit and a nice private bathroom. They also had an incredible shared great room with a fireplace and kitchen/dining area, where breakfast was "serve yourself" the next morning. Natalie put together a really great spread, and we got to enjoy coffee and conversation at the dining table before we left. The whole experience was hospitable, unique, and so peaceful. Being under 2 hours from NYC, we will certainly be back when we need a getaway in the future. Absolutely no complaints.

I went full Yogi this weekend on a 2 day retreat at the Himalayan Institute and it was ohmazing…read more The institute hosts lots of yoga and meditation retreats of different lengths and price points which you can sign up for on their website. The one I chose was $250 for Friday evening to Sunday afternoon. There are several types of accomodations you can choose from, ranging from single beds in a shared bathroom to a lovely 2 bedroom 2 level cottage with a pullout couch and kitchenette and lots of teas. We stayed at a cottage and really liked it. We saw some giant cockroaches by the dorm rooms, so don't come expecting the Four Seasons here. The wifi is spotty in the rooms and basically everywhere except the cafe. Meals are served for only limited times during the day (about an hour and a half) - buffet style and you put your used plates/ bowl/ cutlery into large bins after. For lunch and dinner there are usually a few soups, a main dish (for example baba ganoush and pita, quinoa salad), some rice or grains, a salad bar, some fruit, and an assortment of breads (including a gluten free bread) and everything is vegetarian. For breakfast there was oatmeal and some other grains, yogurt, fruit, a delicious tofu scramble, hard boiled eggs, and a smoothie.The food is surprisingly good and filling but I don't know that I could eat it for more than a few days. Meals are $30 a day which you reserve when you book your accommodation. There is also a black tea and decaf tea always available so bring a travel mug! There is a beautiful new shrine open almost 24 hours for quiet meditation. There is also a sanctuary in the shrine which is open for only an hour before breakfast and dinner. There are small blankets you can grab to sit on and chairs around the altar. If you're feeling like a warrior and want to practice tree pose on a tree, you can take one of the 5 hiking trails around the area. Red is very well marked, blue is well marked until it's not and then you just turn right, walk through 2 holes in fences and you're at a beautiful waterfall! Green is well marked for half of it (around a cute pond) and then you might get lost in the woods (or maybe that's just me). There were a few other trails we didn't get to check out but the reception area has a map with the routes and estimated times. There are daily Hatha yoga classes at the institute that you can attend, a cute cafe, and a great gift shop with awesome clothes, books, jewelery, everything a yogi could ever want! There's also a chocolate factory with daily tours (and samples!) We loved the lemon ginger chocolate. Right next to the chocolate factory is a place called Sound of Music Hill which has beautiful views. You can also book massages (1hr for $80) which is a really great price and very relaxing. There is a small playground for kids too. If you are looking to deepen your yoga practice and get away for a weekend and enjoy nature, unplug, and stay in one place all weekend where you don't have to make any decisions, I can't recommend this place enough.

At first this place can seem a bit intimidating. Upon check in, you do not receive a room key. The…read morelevel with rooms are all "Whisper Zones" and it's a been dark and Recently attended a yoga retreat here for a weekend and had a great experience.. everything was very clean, food was good, although not a ton of options and sometimes not enough of a good thing but I'm not complaining. It is what it is. The small cafe within served up some wonderful teas, lattes and green juices. Over all, every one I encountered were helpful and kind..

We visited Diana's place for a sound healing experience in the salt cave. We were on a Girl's…read moreweekend for my birthday and a few of us went. We had a wonderful experience. The shop is super cute and the sound guided meditation was so relaxing and insightful, definitely will be back! May make it a yearly trip if not more!

Love this place so much. I have been going back for years for the salt cave, candles, sage and…read morecrystals. Just visiting there makes the day feel more special!

This wellness center is a very peaceful and serene place. You can join one of the scheduled…read moreprograms, or just have your own personal meditation and mindfulness retreats. The place is well kept, clean, and the staff pays attention to details and cares for the guests. Friendly and dedicated staff. The food which can be either vegetarian or vegan, is well made, tastes great, and several dishes to choose from each day. I would recommend this meditation retreat place for anyone looking to recharge their spiritual batteries, as well as find new insights in their spiritual journey.

I had a wonderful stay at Dharmakaya. Its a beautiful facility and campus. The staff was amazing…read moreand super hospitable. I loved the fresh farm to table vegetarian food. I hope to visit again in the not too distant future to check out their interesting yoga, Tibetan Buddhism, and meditation programs and nearby hiking trails. This is such a lovely refuge for rest, relaxation, serenity, contemplation, meditation, learning etc. Thank you!

I went here for an extended retreat - what a phenomenal, life-changing experience, and so wonderful…read moreto connect with such a vibrant and openly loving community. I would highly recommend a Shalom Mountain retreat to anyone seeking an opportunity to do some deep transformational work with themselves. This place is a true gem!

Came to a breath work ceremony while staying nearby at the Inn at Tyler Hill…read more What an amazing experience! It is hard to describe in words.

The person that runs this place is an absolute phony who ridiculously calls himself a shaman. It's…read moreall a lie. He claims the land is "pesticide free" yet strangely has an entire shed filled with insecticides and pesticides and herbicides. Says he doesn't use harmful cleaning chemicals but look under the cabinets and he has all the same crap as everywhere mixed in with better products. Lack of hygiene everywhere. Essential oils with mold growing on the bottle, something I've never seen. Not at all as advertised. Fake. Insincere scam.

When first I learned that Susun Weed, the herbalist who wrote my first actual herbal called…read more"Healing Wise," offers apprenticeship opportunities to women, I knew without a doubt that I wanted to attend. I bookmarked her website and decided that I would like to go the following summer. And then when I started the graduate folklore program at the University of Oregon, placing emphases on herbalism and other forms of natural healing, female archetypes, and foodways, I suddenly realized that my apprenticeship with Susun could also offer me an opportunity to immerse myself in my studies for school! A win-win if I ever heard of one! Naturally, I had little idea of what to expect, and hence I embarked upon this adventure having read snippets here and there of "fierce teacher" and "yelling" and "demanding pace" and delving into strong emotions throughout. In fact, my challenging phone conversation with Susun a week before I would board a plane in Eugene, OR, bound for Albany, NY, happened during a hormonal and difficult moment and I hung up the phone in tears realizing that my apprenticeship had thus already begun. As for the apprenticeship, itself - I believe words, alone, cannot fully capture or convey the essence of such a rare, raw, and real experience. Magic, Truth, Healing, Realizing, Feeling, Depth, Wisdom, Women, Power, Music, Nourishment, Energy, Source, Earth... Also delicious foods, lovely lands, playful goats, flirtatious and fearful (depending on which one you encounter) geese, gorgeous cats, magickal festivities, the moon, the sun, the stars, the rocks, the trees, the fierce and generous and genuine teachers... And yes, yelling and screaming are permitted. So are hugging and dancing and crying and laughing and singing and playing. We are there to experience the gamut of what is possible. Susun's, to me, was a sort of time away from time, a place away from place, a sacred liminal space, a safe cocoon for growth, development, and metamorphosis. I was challenged and I was strengthened. I wanted to leave, then I wanted to stay, and now I want to return again. Susun is always with me, and I would recommend an apprenticeship with her to any and every woman I know in a heartbeat! xoxoxo

I learned amazing life lessons during my time as Susun Weed's live-in apprentice. Her land is…read moresacred, beautiful, and I had many magical experiences there. She is an encyclopedia of knowledge on the plants and health in general. I am blessed I was able to learn from such a powerful, brilliant teacher of the Old Ways.