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8th Annual Meditation and Yoga Retreat
WOMEN'S FALL YOGA AND MEDITATION RETREAT
FINGER LAKES, NY
October 24 - 26, 2025
Set your inner compass with yoga, meditation and an extraordinary nature immersion in the Rochester Finger Lakes region.
This all-inclusive women's retreat is about embracing our own inner landscape…the mind, the emotions, the spirit… and aligning with the Peace belonging to our authentic Self.
Our retreat date was purposely selected because the following weekend in November, the time “changes.” The clocks “fall back” one hour, and our days suddenly become shorter, and the nights feel longer. This is this season for going inward, expanding consciousness, and embracing all that we are.
During the 6-weeks between November 2nd and December 21st… it is human nature to seek solitude, to journey inward and rest. This desire follows the path of nature. However, this is also the holiday season, therefore we are invited to parties, events, there is shopping to do…etc.
This retreat offers you the opportunity to set your inner compass at the beginning of the season so you may stay in balance during the peak season of fall, waiting for more Light to come on December 21st, and enter the New Year...AWAKE.
Costs and Inclusions
Each Retreat is Limited to 22 guests
$595 per person
Includes EVERYTHING > Accommodations, all meals, instruction and more!
DEPOSIT $145 to hold your space
ONLY $495 deposited February 21, 2025
INCLUSIONS:
* 2 Nights shared room lodging with private bath
* All healthy meals…let us know your diet requirements
* All bedding, linens, towels…etc.
* Daily yoga
* Daily meditation
* Wisdom Teachings
* Fire ceremony
* Mindfully guided Nature Hike
* Energy Healing
* Deluxe Retreat Packet with all teachings and trainings
* Welcome Gift
How to Register
You may register below online using Paypal, credit card, or debit card.
Or call the Retreat Host, Melinda Johnston at 585-672-5250.
Check payments are also accepted.
Mail to:
BUDDHI INSTITUTE
1400 Winton Road N.
Suite 102-A
Rochester, NY 14609
Space is available on a first come, first serve basis.
Upon registration, you will be contacted to discuss any dietary requirements you may have. In addition to standard healthy meals, we can accommodate vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, and dairy free diet plans.
Deposits are non-refundable after September 10, 2025
Final payment is due September 24, 2025.
What to Expect
Profound Inner Peace
Expect to be overcome with inner peace and tranquility. Really!
When I first drove out to the location 4 years ago for a hands-on inspection...as soon as my car was within 300 yards of the property, I immediately felt “cradled” inside a realm of perfect peace. This location is alive with it.
Peace will become you the moment you arrive. The entire property boasts over 200 wooded acres, a beautiful gorge, and over a mile of shoreline on Owasco Lake.
The Retreat Center
Our retreat house is enormous, with 2 floors, 2 wings, a full kitchen, 2 porches, a gazebo, meeting area, and private library. But its location right on the water’s edge provides the constant, soothing sound of the waves gently rolling to shore…another element for experiencing blissful waves of incoming peace.
Your time here is yours to enjoy. Below is a suggested schedule of activities. Come to all…come to none…it’s your choice.
Authentic Spiritual Immersion
During this retreat, I will offer several meditation sessions, spiritual wisdom workshops, and light restorative yoga for those who wish to deepen their practice. Nevertheless, you are welcome to hike off on your own, draw, paint, knit…reflect…or pray on your own.
Your peace is my peace. However, our meals will be provided by the Center, so we will need to follow their meal time schedule. Any diet can be accommodated…vegetarian, gluten free…dairy free, etc.
Accommodations
Huge luxury Guest House!
We retreat in a Guest House called the Galilee. It is the renovated, former summer home of the Case Family. The history of the building melds beautifully with hotel-style accommodations, creating an ideal place for our group.
We have an in-house library, which features an unmatched view of Owasco Lake and it is a cozy place to enjoy a book. Galilee also has a large living room that is open to use, and will be the main location for our group discussions.
The 2nd Floor is the location of our bedrooms and is the most luxurious place to stay on site. Almost all of the bedrooms feature their own full baths and a beautiful view. Pillows and blankets are included with each room. The building features a piano, kitchenette, two gas fireplaces, and two covered porches. The larger of which has been updated for extended use in colder seasons with a transparent vinyl enclosure and propane patio heater.
The campfire circle is located a short distance off the south porch, along the shore of Owasco Lake.
The Rooms
The rooms in the retreat house are dorm style. All beds are twin size, and rooms have either 2, 3 or 4 beds and private bathroom. So, we will have roommates during this retreat!
If you need a roommate, we will help you pair up with someone perfect. All towels, pillows, and linens are provided, so no need to bring that with you, unless you have a favorite blanket that you can’t live without! : ) All the bedrooms are upstairs and have been recently renovated. Expect a peaceful night’s sleep.
Plenty of "Space"
For night-owls…there are several parlors downstairs that you may enjoy late night discussions, or reading in the library.
We also have a full kitchen so feel free to bring your favorite snacks, a bottle of wine to share, and of course marshmallows for so more's.
You are free to join the activities below, or go off on your own to journal, hike, pray, meditate...peace is yours to discover!
SAMPLE DAILY SCHEDULE
Dates: Octobe 24-26, 2025
Friday
Arrive by 5 pm
6:00 pm – Dinner
8:00 pm – Welcome and Opening Circle
Saturday
7:30 am- Optional sunrise yoga / meditation
8:30 am – Breakfast
10:00 am- Light Yoga and Meditation
11:00 am – Spiritual Wisdom Group
12:30 pm – Lunch
1:15 pm – Free Time
3:30 pm- Mindfulness Hike
5:00 pm – Evening Reflection
6:15 pm – Dinner
8:00 pm – Fire Ceremony and Wisdom Circle
Sunday
7:30 am- Optional Sunrise Yoga
8:30 am – Breakfast
10:00 am- Light Yoga and Meditation
11:00 am – Sound Bath and Circle and Closing
12:30 pm – Lunch
1:15 pm – Depart
Inclusions
* 2 Nights shared room lodging with private bath
* All healthy meals…let us know your diet requirements
* All bedding, linens, towels…etc.
* Daily yoga
* Daily meditation
* Wisdom Teachings
* Fire ceremony
* Mindfully guided Nature Hike
* Energy Healing
* Deluxe Retreat Packet with all teachings and trainings
* Welcome Gift
Please call Melinda Johnston for more details or to register: 585-672-5250
TRIP LEADER
Melinda Johnston, M.Msc.
International Author, Inspirational Speaker, Spiritual Philosopher and Coach, Intuitive Healer, Wellness Consultant
Melinda has over 30 years of study and practice in religious culture, practical philosophical, metaphysical sciences and understanding for the historical “webs” of human history, which have impacted most of our modern religions and spiritual practices.
She has created a variety of alternative methods for celebrating life and seeing the “sacred” in simplicity. Her knowledge offers students and clients a unique insight into mindful inner dialogue, which in turn honors and expands one’s innate wisdom and allows for one’s perfect state of wellness to exist.
Because she is well versed in multiple facets of religious and sacred philosophy, including the Eastern philosophies of Buddhism and Vedanta, Metaphysical consciousness, and the Science of Yoga, her gentle teaching method allows one’s self knowledge to expand to deeper level, naturally.
As owner of the Buddhi Institute her goal is to teach practical methods and programs that incorporate mindfulness, along with other ancient wisdom, for the integration of mind and spirit so a sense of complete wellness arises almost effortlessly into one’s day to day living.
Her teaching process is simple, kind, nurturing, and Absolute. From personal experience, and in years of guiding others, she knows:
“We all have this wisdom within. Each of us have the Inner Guru that is waiting to Awaken