Vajra Yoga Mahasiddha Reunion
Menla, New York - May 30 - June 05, 2025
With Michele Loew, Robert A.F. Thurman, Dr. Robert Svoboda, Krishna Das, and Nina Rao
Don't miss your chance to join in the second reunion of this usually far-flung all-star team of teachers and practitioners of Indic yogic sciences and spiritualities!
This fun and edifying weeklong study and practice immersion is an aspiring annual tradition—the looming kaliyuga notwithstanding—bringing together Dr. Robert Svoboda, Krishna Das, Nina Rao, Michele Loew, and Prof. Robert Thurman, with brief appearances by Parvaty Baul (in person) and Lopön Chandra Easton (via livestream).
About The Retreat
A stand-alone hybrid Ayurveda/Bhaktiyoga/Vajrayoga retreat, the Mahasiddha Reunion explores the little-known common origins and philosophical and practical relationships between Ayurvedic healing science, Bhakti yoga, Indo-Tibetan Vajrayoga, and Hathayogic tantric science.
You will leave this retreat physically energized, personally inspired, and connected with a growing community of students who are looking to go deeper in their spiritual evolution, yogic studies, and life-enhancing practices.
Early Morning Sessions
The Vajrayoga practice streams will be navigated by expert yogini, Michele Loew, as she covers a broad spectrum of yogic practices that are most beneficial when practiced together. Through movements strung together on the thread of the breath, we will bring the brilliant core of the central axis out through the forms of the postures, turning them into mudras of feeling and expression so that our practice is an ever-deepening source of inspiration.
Nina Rao will lead discussions of the sacred feminine, focusing on Tara, the Woman Buddha and Devi - the Hindu Goddess in many forms. Nina will also lead the group in mantra chanting and singing kirtan. Finally Bob Thurman will present a session on the "Rājayoga"-like tantric science dimensions of the Vajrayoga innovation.
Afternoon Sessions
Svoboda, Thurman, and Krishna Das will lead lively discussions presenting the vast and amazing teachings of some notable Indian mahasiddha adepts.
The first westerner ever to graduate from a college of Ayurveda and be licensed to practice Ayurveda in India, Svoboda will deploy his realized Ayurvedic vision to present some of the main teachings of the late, extraordinary Indian Aghori, Vimalananda, with whom he spent many years studying in the 70s and 80s.
Kirtan chant-master Krishna Das will bring to life the spiritual presence and powerful inspiration of his renowned guru Neem Karoli Baba (Mahārāji) to join in several of these discussions and will of course also lead some devotional chanting!
Thurman will channel the teachings of his Gurus, the Ven. Geshe Wangyal Rinpochey, Kyabjey Ling Rinpochey, and H. H. the Dalai Lama, grounding them in teachings from the famous Indian master Vimalakirti, later Indian and Tibetan tantric siddhas, giving special emphasis to female siddhas and the female Buddha and Goddess Noble Tara, with the assistance of Nina Rao, the virtuoso specialist in Tara bhakti Lopön Chandra Easton, zooming in on the holy 21 Tara Emanations.
Parvaty Baul, who has studied closely with two Baul gurus of the previous generation, will share her practice of chanting, dancing, performing and teach the essence of this specialized devotional practice.
Evening Sessions & Special Fire Pujas
Our evening sessions will consist of all-faculty discussions on the Vimalakirti Sutra, Bhagavat Gita, and other seminal Indian texts, with students encouraged to offer many questions, alternating with kirtan chant-master Krishna Das leading some devotional chanting!
Svoboda and Thurman will also lead special Fire Pujas in the central field of Menla's campus, with all students participating. This puja is a powerful way to heal and energize our planetary mandala and celebrate the eventual triumph of the total liberation and enlightenment of all beings (including ourselves!) in a gorgeous setting.
Space is very limited for the in-person option, so it is best to sign up early for this amazing opportunity to study and practice with some of the best minds and hearts in these fields!
General Event Schedule
Friday, May 30
3 - 6 pm Arrival & Check-in
6 - 7 pm Dinner
7:30 pm Welcome & Opening Discussion
(Bob T, Robert S, KD)
Saturday, May 31
7:30 - 9 am Vajra Yoga Practice (Michele)
9 - 10 am Breakfast
10:30 - 12:30 pm Morning Class (Robert S)
1 - 2 pm Lunch
1:30 - 4 pm Free Time for Spa Appointments, Relaxation, or Self-Study
4 - 6 pm Afternoon Class (Bob T)
6 - 7 pm Dinner
7:30 pm Kirtan (Krishna Das)
Sunday, June 1
7:30 - 9 am Vajra Yoga Practice (Michele)
9 - 10 am Breakfast
10:30 - 12:30 pm Morning Class on the Sacred Feminine: Discussions on Yogini and the Goddess, Stories & Chant (Michele & Nina)
1 - 2 pm Lunch
1:30 - 4 pm Free Time for Spa Appointments, Relaxation, or Self-Study
4 - 6 pm Fire Puja weather permitting (Robert S)
6 - 7 pm Dinner
7:30 pm Evening Discussion (Bob T, Robert S, KD)
Monday, June 2
7:30 - 9 am Vajra Yoga Practice (Michele)
9 - 10 am Breakfast
10:30 - 12:30 pm Morning Class on Embodying Tara (Chandra Easton via livestream) and Chanting Tara Mantra (Nina)
1 - 2 pm Lunch
1:30 - 4 pm Free Time for Spa Appointments, Relaxation, or Self-Study
4 - 6 pm Afternoon Class (Robert S)
6 - 7 pm Dinner
7:30 pm Kirtan (Krishna Das)
Tuesday, June 3
7:30 - 9 am Gayatri Mantra Veda Class & Recitation (Nina)
9 - 10 am Breakfast
10:30 - 12:30 pm Morning Class (Robert S)
1 - 2 pm Lunch
1:30 - 3:30 pm Free Time for Spa Appointments, Relaxation, or Self-Study
3:30 - 6 pm Afternoon Storytime and Q&A (KD)
6 - 7 pm Dinner
7:30 pm Evening Discussion (Bob T, Robert S, KD, Parvaty)
Wednesday, June 4
7:30 - 9 am Vajra Yoga Practice (Michele) and short Gayatri Mantra Recitation (Nina)
9 - 10 am Breakfast
10:30 - 12:30 pm Morning Class on Tibetan Medicine and Ayurveda (Bob T & Robert S)
1 - 2 pm Lunch
1:30 - 4 pm Free Time for Spa Appointments, Relaxation, or Self-Study
4 - 6 pm Fire Puja 2 weather permitting (Bob T)
6 - 7 pm Dinner
7:30 pm Performance by Parvaty and Kirtan with Krishna Das
Thursday, June 5
7 - 11 am Check-out of Rooms
7:30 - 9 am Vajra Yoga Practice (Michele) and Mantra Practice (Nina)
9 - 10 am Breakfast
10:30 - 12:30 pm Closing Discussion (Bob T, Robert S, KD)
1 - 2 pm Lunch & Departure
Additional Details
Please note that there is a two-night stay minimum.
If you can only attend part of the retreat, you may arrange a partial/prorated registration with Menla’s Front Desk.
There are also a few spots left in shared housing for those needing partial scholarships. If you are interested in applying for a partial scholarship or partial registration, please email frontdesk@menla.org.
Please note that the schedule is subject to change at any time.
Your Teachers
Dr. Robert Svoboda
Dr. Robert Svoboda was the first Westerner to graduate from a college of Ayurveda and be licensed to practice Ayurveda in India. During and after his formal Ayurvedic training, he was tutored in Ayurveda, Yoga, Jyotish, Tantra and other forms of classical Indian lore by his mentor, the Aghori Vimalananda.
He is the author of twelve books including Prakriti: Your Ayurvedic Constitution and the Aghora series, which discusses his experiences with his mentor during the years 1975 – 1983 and often speaks on Ayurveda, Jyotish, Tantra and allied subjects in locales across the world.
Krishna Das
Krishna Das is a Grammy-nominated chant artist and has sung with people all around the world for over 35 years. His music offers the practice of chanting mantras– mostly in the Indian tradition, with some Buddhist and Gospel infusions.
By sharing his life experiences on the path in his book Chants of a Lifetime, and workshops with people around the world, participants have found a way to integrate spiritual practices in their lives in a better way with some peace of mind. In 2018, Krishna Das released his 16th album “Peace of my Heart.”
Nina Rao
Nina Rao learned traditional chants from her grandfather in a village in south India when she was nine years old.
In 2007, she recorded the track ‘Nina Chalisa’ on Krishna Das’ CD “Flow of Grace” and in January 2013, she released her debut double-CD album, “Antarayaami – Knower of All Hearts“. She released her second album “Anubhav” in 2018.
Nina regularly leads retreats, kirtan, and chanting of the Hanuman Chalisa, in her hometown of Brooklyn, New York and beyond.
Robert A.F. Thurman
Robert Thurman is Professor of Indo-Tibetan Buddhist Studies at Columbia University as well as co-founder and President of Tibet House US and its Menla Retreat & Spa.
A world-wide lecturer on Tibetan Buddhism, activist for the plight of the Tibetan people, translator of Buddhist texts, and writer of popular Buddhist books.
He recently has been awarded the Padma Shri Award, India’s fourth highest civilian honor for achievement in enriching Indian education and literature. His most recent book is the 300 page graphic novel, Man of Peace: the Illustrated Life Story of the Dalai Lama of Tibet.
Michele Loew
Michele Loew is an international yoga teacher & practitioner of Hatha & Tibetan Yogas & the founding director of the Vajra Yoga School of Comparative Buddhist & Indic Yogic Studies where she co-teaches with Professor Robert A.F. Thurman at Menla & abroad.
She has taught, practiced, & studied avidly since 1998, and continues to run her longtime yoga school and beloved studio, The Yoga Space in Portland, Oregon. She is also on the Board of Tibet House US and is devoted to supporting His Holiness The Dalai Lama’s mission, as well as preserving Tibetan Culture and Dharma.
