October 15–17, 2027
The Tree of Life
With Chaya Spencer
Yoga Retreat: The Tree of Life
with Chaya Spencer at Lifebridge Sanctuary, Rosendale, NY
Across cultures and throughout time, the Tree of Life has symbolized connection, belonging, and the unfolding of existence. With roots deep in the earth and branches reaching toward the sky, the tree unites the grounded and the transcendent, the ancestral and the emerging.
Join us for a weekend of yoga, nature, reflection, and community as we explore this enduring symbol and its relevance to our own lives. From Yggdrasil, the Norse Tree of Life, to the inverted cosmic tree described in the Bhagavad Gita, with roots above and branches below, we’ll contemplate our connection to the sacred, to one another, and to the mysteries of existence.
Through yoga, meditation, time in nature, and shared inquiry, we’ll explore what it means to be rooted while remaining open to growth and change. What nourishes us? What sustains us through life’s seasons? How do we reach toward new possibilities while staying connected to the earth and one another?
As autumn deepens, the trees of Lifebridge Sanctuary will offer their own teachings on letting go, resilience, transformation, and the beauty of impermanence. Come nourish your roots, expand your branches, and rediscover the connections that sustain us within ourselves and the greater web of life.
Registration Details and Early Bird Discount
Registration is open. Rooms are available on a first come first serve basis.
Rooms have comfortable twin beds, organic bed linens and great views. Spacious living rooms make for a comfortable place to relax, read or play games. Rooms in the Main House are ensuite with 3-4 people per room and first come first serve. Rooms in the Garden House can be single, double or triple and have hallway bathrooms shared by up to four people. If you have friends joining you let Chaya know so she can put you together. Room prices include your full retreat costs. There are no other fees. Room prices are per person.
The Fine Print
There are no refunds after October 1 for any reason, though you may send someone in your place. Refunds are available up until October 1 less a $125 administration fee.
Our Sanctuary
Lifebridge Sanctuary offers a peaceful natural setting for yoga, reflection, and rest. This handcrafted, 12,000-square-foot green facility sits on 95 acres of forest and open space along the northern crest of the Shawangunk Ridge, less than 90 minutes from Shree Yoga. Panoramic views of the Catskill Mountains surround us.
We’ll have the entire sanctuary to ourselves, with comfortable, simple accommodations in the Main House or Garden House, a five-minute walk away. Home-cooked vegetarian brunches and dinners will nourish us throughout the weekend.
Between practices, explore wooded trails, walk the labyrinth, visit the three ponds, relax in a gazebo, gather around the fire pit, or enjoy a book or game in one of the living rooms. Our yoga and meditation sessions will take place in the beautiful Upper Room, where expansive windows bring the surrounding landscape into view.
A weekend to reconnect with nature, deepen your practice, and find nourishment in the beauty of the season and the warmth of community.
Your weekend retreat includes
Schedule is subject to change.
- 5 yoga classes for all levels
- 2 morning meditations
- 4 vegetarian home cooked meals
- Group hike
- Journaling and small group discussions
- Yoga Nidra
- Fire pit gathering with live music
- Free time
Scroll down to see sample schedule and video.
The retreat is for women only.
Testimonials
This retreat exceeded my expectations! If you are seeking nature and nurture with a wonderful community of women, this retreat is for you!
Catherine K.
The Shree Yoga Spring Retreat: Bud to Blossom held at Lifebridge Sanctuary was truly an inspirational, heart-opening experience. Chaya’s teachings provided a warm, safe space to settle and unwind. The beautiful theme inspired all to engage in self-awareness and contemplate opening heart and mind. Through guided meditation and all levels of yoga practice, I felt a sense of renewal to reaffirm my practice and connect with my inner self. In addition, I felt a strong, joyful energy between all attendees as we shared yoga, meditation, food and the natural surroundings of the sanctuary. I can’t wait to go to the Autumn retreat!
Anastasia
Shree Yoga’s fall retreat provided a wonderful escape from our busy lives and an opportunity to disconnect, be present, practice yoga with intention, and be a part of a loving community.
Annie
The retreats offerred by Chaya and Shree are an opportunity for both self-care and community in a beautiful setting
Gina
I look forward each spring and fall to the Shree retreats. Chaya does an amazing job weaving each retreat’s theme into the entire weekend making the asana practices purposeful, the discussions inspiring, and reflections meaningful.
Susan
Thank you so much for an incredible weekend! It was uplifting, thoughtful, and completely rejuvenating in an extremely beautiful setting. I loved the theme of connection and being one with nature. I’m still carrying the peace that I felt there with me through my busy week so far, and my practice will be to keep that with me wherever I am.
Anne Marie
This womens retreat is a healing break from routines in which you can recharge yourself, feel appreciated and included.
Dana
This womens retreat is a healing break from routines in which you can recharge yourself, feel appreciated and included.
Donna
The combination of exploring the theme, so carefully chosen and developed by Chaya, the amazing site and the coming together of this community was perfect.
Mia
Bud to Blossom harvests awareness and acceptance of oneself, surrendering to individual needs, budding and blossoming at each individual’s own, unique pace, and loving your divine self in all aspects. The retreat truly encompasses the awakening of all senses from physical movement , music and taste, to social and emotional meditative connections, to life changing enlightenments. Chaya, you are a gift and blessing to this world and we are the lucky and appreciative ones who are in your light, inspired by you. Thank you for all you are to us and especially to me
Susan
I loved everything about the retreat. I loved the setting of the forest, and even though it was a rainy weekend, I still felt the presence of the trees, and I loved listening to the rain; it was soothing and gentle. Listening to the softness of the falling raindrops helped me to unwind and to open up. I also loved the yoga sessions for a 2 hour stretch, (literally and figuratively) and I appreciated the time to sit and meditate with Chaya’s guidance. I was intrigued by the chanting we did, also guided by Chaya and her magical singing voice. The camaraderie was electric. I think everyone wanted to be there and to be together, and the food was shared with enthusiasm and warmth.
Josephine
It truly was an amazing group of women from different walks of life with a common intention. I liked the balance of activities, quiet time and group time. I love the size of the group. Big enough to be interesting and feel like a group and small enough to get to know people without it being overwhleming.
Sandy
This womens retreat is a healing break from routines in which you can recharge yourself, feel appreciated and included.
Dana
This womens retreat is a healing break from routines in which you can recharge yourself, feel appreciated and included.
Donna
The combination of exploring the theme, so carefully chosen and developed by Chaya, the amazing site and the coming together of this community was perfect.
Mia
Sample Schedule, subject to change
Friday
- 4:30 – 6:00 pm check in. Once you’re checked in, take a hike, walk the labyrinth or chill in the living room
- 6:00 pm Orientation in the Upper Room
- 6:30 pm Dinner
- 8:00 -9:15 pm gentle yoga and yoga Nidra before bed
Saturday
- 8:00 – 8:30 am Meditation
- 9:15 – 11:00 am Yoga
- 11:30 am Brunch
- 12:00 – 4:00 pm Free time – take a hike, walk the labyrinth or chill in the living room
- 2:30 – 3:30 pm optional journaling in the library
- 3:45 pm – 5.00pm Gentle and Restorative Yoga
- 5:30 pm – Dinner
- 7:30 pm Fire Pit Gathering weather permitting
Sunday
- 8:00 – 8:30 am Meditation
- 9:15 – 11:15 am Yoga
- 11:30 am Brunch
- 2:30 – 4:00 pm Yoga
- 4:00 pm Check out and departure
