Drop it All Retreat
WOMEN'S SUMMER YOGA AND MEDITATION RETREAT
FINGER LAKES, NY
DATES: July 24-26, 2026
A weekend to breathe again.
A weekend to drop everything you’ve been carrying.
DROP IT ALL is a weekend of rest, sunlight, gentle yoga, deep meditation, and the kind of ease that’s been missing from daily life.
This summer retreat is a grounded escape designed for women who need space to soften from all of lives demands, and remember what ease feels like.
Drop it All...come...enjoy good food, silent sunrises on a quiet lake shore, long stretches of unstructured time, and settle into a rhythm that restores your nervous system.
Simplicity. Peace. Spaciousness. Nature does most of the work here. You simply arrive. Let your whole system unwind.
You’ll return home lighter, clearer, and more connected to yourself — carrying a sense of stillness that lingers long after the weekend ends.
Costs and Inclusions
Early Bird Rate $555 >> thru January 30th
- $55 deposit holds your SPOT
- $100 due by February 20th
- $150 due by April 1
- Balance due by May 20th
- Solo Room Upgrade $350
Regular Rate: $725 per person
INCLUSIONS:
Includes EVERYTHING > Accommodations, all meals, instruction and more!
* 2 Nights shared room lodging with private bath. Some larger rooms with shared bath.
* All healthy meals…let us know your diet requirements
* All bedding, linens, towels…etc.
* Daily yoga
* Daily meditation / mindfulness / pranayama training
* Wisdom Teachings
* Bonfire and Celebration Ceremony
* Deluxe Retreat Packet with all teachings and trainings
* Welcome Gift
Our Retreats are limited to 18 participants.
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 for Venmo or other payment options.
Upon registration, you will be contacted to discuss any dietary requirements you may have. We can accommodate vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, and dairy free diet plans.
What to Expect
Sacred Simplicity. Mind-Heart Balance. Coming into Stillness.
Grounding in Nature creates Inner Balance.
Step away from the noise of everyday life and immerse yourself in 900 acres of serene forests, open fields, and tranquil waterfront views. This retreat is a sacred pause—a chance to release emotional and mental blocks, reconnect with your inner wisdom, and allow nature’s healing energy to restore you.
Guided meditation, daily yoga, and profound teachings in sacred wisdom will help you quiet the mind and open the heart. As you walk through sun-dappled trails, breathe in the fresh air, and embrace stillness, you’ll discover the transformational power of presence.
This is your opportunity to reflect, reset, and reclaim balance. Let nature be your teacher. Let stillness be your guide.
Your journey begins here.
Surrounded by Nature
Set on gorgeous Owasco Lake, and surrounded by 200 wooded acres, a beautiful gorge, and over a mile of shoreline. our retreat property offers the perfect setting for peaceful reflection and mindful movement. Whether you prefer a quiet lakeside stroll, a grounding hike through the forest, or simply soaking in the fresh air, nature is here to support your journey.
Take advantage of the beautiful walking trails for deep relaxation, mindfulness, and renewal. Our retreat is designed with flexibility in mind—follow the suggested schedule, or simply let the day unfold naturally.
This weekend is yours to embrace however you choose.
Craft your own "flow"
Throughout the retreat, you’ll have the opportunity to deepen your practice with guided meditation sessions, wisdom workshops, and gentle restorative yoga.
Whether you choose to join in or explore your own path—through hiking, painting, journaling, or quiet contemplation—this space is yours to embrace in whatever way feels right for you.
Meals will be thoughtfully provided by the Center, accommodating all dietary needs—including vegetarian, gluten-free, and dairy-free options—so you can nourish your body while focusing on renewal.
Accommodations
Huge Luxury Guest House!
We retreat in a Guest House called the Galilee, which offers guests a spectacular view of the lake, creating an ideal place for our group.
. Built in 1896 and uniquely designed to fit the contour of the shoreline, The Galilee has a great deal of character and many unique traits.
The main room offers an ideal place for our group wisdom circles or private chats with friends. The library has a beautiful sunrise view of the lake and is perfect for quiet journaling, or for night owls to play board games into the wee hours of the night.
The building also features a piano, kitchenette, two gas fireplaces, and two covered porches. The larger porch 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 the lake.
Rooms are shared, and we’ll happily pair you with a wonderful roommate if you’re coming on your own.
If you prefer your own space, solo room upgrades are available for an additional fee and offered on a first‑come, first‑served basis.
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! : )
The Rooms
Guest rooms are located in the two wings located directly off the main room. These are dorm-room / ZEN style rooms designed in simplicty. On mindfulness retreats...less is more. Sacred Simplicty is the goal.
The South Wing also contains two lounge areas, while the North Wing contains one. The upper level bedrooms have bathrooms en suite, while the lower level rooms share two bathrooms.
Plenty of "Space"
For night-owls…the lounges are perfect for break-away for quiet contemplation or afternoon spent alone reading.
We also have a full kitchen so feel free to bring your favorite snacks, beverages 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: July 24-26, 2026
Friday
Arrive by 5 pm
6:00 pm – Dinner
7:30 pm – Welcome and Opening Circle
Saturday
7:00 am- Free time or optional sunrise yoga
8:30 am – Breakfast
10:00 am- Mindfulness Training
11:00 am – Light Yoga and Meditation
12:00 pm – Lunch
1:15 pm – Free Time
3:30 pm- Mindfulness Nature Hike
5:00 pm – Evening Reflection
6:00 pm – Dinner
7:30 pm – Bonfire and Ceremony
Sunday
7:00 am- Optional Sunrise Yoga
8:30 am – Breakfast
10:00 am- Light Yoga and Meditation
11:00 am – Spiritual Wisdom Circle and Closing
12:00pm – 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
* Life Celebration Ceremony
* Kayaks available for use*
Please call Melinda Johnston for more details or to register: 585-672-5250
Retreat Host
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
Terms and Conditions
Deposit
The $55 deposit is non‑refundable for any reason.
• The remaining $100 of the deposit is refundable up to 90 days before the retreat start date.
• The $150 deposit is refundable non‑refundable once paid.
• After 90 days, the full $155 deposit becomes non‑refundable.
Retreats are held in partnership with the retreat center, and our agreements with them are both strict and time‑sensitive. Each reserved spot represents a financial commitment on my end, which means payments must remain tied to the retreat you register for. For this reason, I’m unable to offer transfers or credits for any cancellations, including those due to illness or emergencies. These boundaries allow me to create a stable, grounded experience for everyone who attends.
Credits & Transfers
Retreat payments cannot be transferred to another retreat, or person.
• No credits will be issued for any reason, including illness, schedule changes, or emergencies.
If the retreat is canceled by the organizer, all payments will be refunded in full.