Life-Force Academy
Immersion Menla 2026
A 5-day Kundalini yoga, meditation, and live sound journey with Jai Dev — held at Menla Retreat Center, a hidden oasis in New York's Catskill mountains.
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The Life-Force Academy Immersion Experience
There is nothing quite like an LFA Immersion. It's potent, transporting, intelligent, a bit of hard work, and incredibly FUN. By the end, you won't want it to stop. The joy and love unleashed is very real.
For that though, you have to first get inside the experience. You have to drop the mind's energy down below the surface level where the waves are always choppy. This is the hardest part of an immersion. The mind wants to continue its ordinary patterns. But if it does, the deeper space of bliss will continue to elude you.
At first, shifting the mind's energy takes persistence. Thus, in the first couple of sessions, you'll be guided through practices and teachings that gather a powerful current of energy into what yogis call the "central channel." The life-force activates, the body becomes blissful, and the mind enters the ocean of intuitive consciousness.
Here, we weave a beautiful tapestry — a dharma vision for each of our lives that empowers us to live into the future with depth, courage, and joy. It is not a fluffy thing. It is deep, beautiful work that builds a vitality which can stand the test of these times.
Music That Transports You
Nobody does the live music yoga experience quite like the Life-Force Academy. The LFA sound has been crafted over more than twenty years. Some of the most iconic music in the world of yoga came out of these immersions.
At an immersion, the music is the vehicle. It's what carries us into the bliss realms.
Simrit is here with us at Menla. Her voice has been the soundtrack of the Life-Force Academy from the very beginning, and most of the recordings you know come straight out of sessions like these, Simrit and her band playing live in the room.
The music you've practiced to at home was made in a room like this one. To be there when the sound is actually made, moving through everyone at once, is a different thing entirely. The first note lands in your chest, and you feel it for days.
Jai Dev
Jai Dev is the founder of the Life-Force Academy and one of the world's most sought-after teachers of Kundalini yoga, meditation, and the science of the subtle body. For over twenty years he has led immersions, trainings, and pilgrimages that guide practitioners into the direct experience of the inner life.
His signature blend of kriya, mantra, and live sound has become a hallmark of the LFA experience — potent, joyful, and deeply transformative, whether you're a seasoned yogi or brand new to the practice.
5 Days of Powerful Transformation
*Session times are subject to change.
Arrival Day · Wednesday, October 7
Check-in and Registration
3:00 – 6:00 PMGuests are free to arrive anytime after 3pm Eastern Time.
Dinner
6:00 – 7:00 PMLocally sourced, plant-based meal.
Opening Ceremony
7:30 PMWe gather and begin together, with live music from Simrit and her band.
Full Days · Thursday, October 8 – Saturday, October 10
Sadhana: Early Morning Yoga & Meditation
5:00 – 7:30 AMWelcome the day with a powerful early morning practice.
Breakfast
8:00 – 9:00 AMLocally sourced, plant-based meal.
Morning Session
9:30 AM – 12:30 PMTeachings and practice with Jai Dev.
Lunch
12:30 – 1:30 PMLocally sourced, plant-based meal.
Free Time
1:30 – 3:30 PMTake a hike or a nap, get a massage, relax & enjoy.
Afternoon Session
3:30 – 6:00 PMPractice, sound, and integration, carried by live music from Simrit and her band.
Dinner
6:00 – 7:00 PMLocally sourced, plant-based meal.
Evening Program
7:30 PMLive music and inspirational evening activity. (Guests and Sessions TBD)
“I have made quantum leaps in spirit. The clarity which comes from the practice and guidance has made great advancement possible. Mind, body & spirit transformation.”
“These events truly have to be experienced to be appreciated. To immerse in Kundalini teachings with Jai Dev, music with Simrit and her band, alongside so many beautiful people, surrounded by nature, what could be better? All that, and I leave with a deep shift in awareness every time. Worth every penny.”
“Coming to the retreat is like coming home to myself. I love the way everything flows. It's always a good crowd and the spirit and culture of the LFA team makes me want to be part of it every time.”
What To Expect At A Life-Force Academy Immersion
Five days of active practice, live music, dharma, and deep community — held in one of the most breathtaking retreat centers in North America.
Dynamic Daily Practices
Engage in active yoga sessions throughout the day, seamlessly blended with uplifting dharma teachings.
Inclusive for Everyone
Teachings that are approachable, easy to follow, adaptable to all levels, and thoroughly enjoyable.
No Experience Required
Whether you're a complete beginner or an experienced yogi, this event is designed for you.
Nourishing Cuisine
Savor healthy, fresh, and organic vegetarian meals that energize and delight.
Like-Minded Community
Join a remarkable group of humans, where a close-knit community forms naturally.
Breathtaking Surroundings
The stunning beauty of Menla Mountain Retreat Center, in the heart of the Catskill Mountains.
The Five-Day Arc
Setting Our Intention
We begin our journey by setting our intention for how we would like to transform over the course of our journey. Serenaded by the transcendent sound of the SIMRIT project, we begin to awaken our inner dynamic power to bring this intention to life.
Menla Retreat Center
Menla is a hidden oasis set in a secluded valley beside an enchanting stream in the heart of the Catskill mountains. Featuring spiritual and wellness retreats as well as exclusive getaways, its world-class Dewa Spa offers one-of-a-kind experiences.
A truly unique venue and a project of Tibet House US — the Dalai Lama's cultural center in North America — Menla is a modern resort and destination spa surrounded by thousands of acres of unspoiled wilderness. Inspired by the ancient Buddhist kingdom of Tibet, Menla strives to keep alive knowledge handed down for centuries.
Immerse yourself in the magic of pristine mountain forests. Explore hiking trails, encounter wildlife, and discover a rich tapestry of wellness experiences — workshops with renowned teachers, yoga, meditation, Tibetan healing therapies, massages, bodywork, and more.
Choose Your Stay
Private
Treat yourself to a private room & journey deeply into yourself at this transformative retreat.
Camping
Sleep under the stars and wake up along the spring-fed creek at one of Menla's amazing campsites.
Shared Rooms
Enjoy this immersion with friends or family members in Menla's shared lodging.
Off-Site
Stay off-site at one of the many local hotels & vacation rentals.
Dewa Spa
Discover the ancient restorative therapies of Tibet at Dewa, Menla's world-class healing spa and one of the few places in the West where you can experience the Tibetan KuNye massage. In addition to Eastern modalities, Dewa offers a full menu of Western spa treatments.
A full complement of amenities: a seasonal outdoor swimming pool, Finnish & Infrared saunas, steam rooms, a relaxation lounge, medicinal garden, and serene private hiking trails.
- Therapeutic Bodywork
- Signature Spa Journeys
- Alternative Wellness Treatments
- Herbal Bath Therapies
Locally Sourced + Plant Based
Designed around fresh locally and seasonally sourced ingredients — including produce harvested from the on-site organic garden — Menla's buffet-style dining features protein-balanced plant-based dishes. The Executive Chef and her team bring a creative flair to dishes that are as delicious as they are nutritious.
Wellness cuisine centered around healing foods, sourced primarily from the Menla garden and local farms with an eye toward seasonal and organic fruits, vegetables, grains, and legumes.
Vegan and gluten-free options available.
“I could sit down next to anyone and find myself deeply felt and heard and understood in conversation. I am also grateful for the integrity of the teachings—feeling safe is imperative to opening your heart and I could feel the trust and openness here. I recognized that giving my all to my passions is a beautiful thing, and that my children and family will benefit from my passions rather than being hurt by them.”
“If you never try, you'll never know. This practice actively puts you in the center of your own transformation. Transforming takes daily effort and awareness. This amazing practice is the catalyst for becoming a better human being, and let's face it… we could all be a better human. Jai Dev and the band are the perfect leaders and containers for this amazing practice.”
“I was very worried about going to my first in-person event. My fears faded when I entered the property and was greeted and welcomed by the staff. I felt the warmth of my fellow participants and the LFA team, which allowed me to be my authentic self. It was truly one of the best experiences of my life, and I am so glad that I did not let my fear keep me from attending!”
Good To Know
Do I need prior yoga or meditation experience?
No. Every immersion is designed to be inclusive and adaptable — approachable for complete beginners while remaining deep enough for experienced practitioners. Come as you are.
When should I arrive and depart?
Guests are welcome to check in any time after 3:00 PM on Wednesday, October 7th. The immersion closes with lunch on Sunday, October 11th, and guests are asked to be off-site by 3:00 PM.
Are meals included? What about dietary needs?
All meals are included — locally sourced, plant-based cuisine from the Menla Kitchen, much of it grown in Menla's on-site organic garden. Vegan and gluten-free options are always available.
What lodging options are available?
Choose from private rooms, shared rooms, camping along the creek, or off-site stays at nearby hotels and vacation rentals. Pricing varies by room type.
Where exactly is Menla?
Menla Retreat Center sits in a secluded valley in the Catskill Mountains near Phoenicia, New York — roughly 2.5 hours north of New York City and easily reachable by car.
What is the cancellation policy?
Registration and cancellation are handled directly by Menla Retreat Center. Full details are available on the Menla registration page.
Secure Your Spot While You Still Can
Immersions at Menla have sold out for the last several years. Early registration is strongly encouraged.
In-Person at Menla
Oct 7 – 11, 2026
Starts at
$1,963*
Includes food & lodging · Range $2,663 – $3,991
- 4 nights of lodging at Menla Retreat Center
- All meals — locally sourced, plant-based cuisine
- 5 days of yoga, meditation & live sound with Jai Dev
- Full access to hiking trails, saunas & meditation halls
- Community, ceremony & the LFA sound experience
Secure checkout via Menla.org
*Life-Force Academy students receive a $700 discount on tuition. If you need the code, email support@jaidevsingh.com.
Attend The Immersion From Home
Eight sessions streamed live from the hall at Menla — plus on-demand replays so you can take the whole event at your own pace. No flights, no lodging, no time off work.
