I'm writing this as a concerned parent after my daughter attended a 10-day Vipassana retreat at…read moreDhamma Dhara. Before attending, she was loving, connected, and in close contact with our family. After the retreat, there was an immediate and complete cutoff in communication with all of us--something entirely out of character and deeply painful. The staff were kind when I reached out, and I respect that many benefit from this practice. However, I don't believe there is enough awareness about how intense 10 days of silence and deep introspection can be, especially for someone already going through major life changes. When such a drastic shift happens so suddenly, it raises real concerns about vulnerability, influence, and lack of support during reintegration. Families should be aware and prepared for possible unexpected changes. If my daughter ever reads this: you are loved, missed, and always welcome back

I wish I knew about this 10 years ago even 20 it was intense, but so life-changing... So well…read moreorganized... The food was great even though I don't particularly like vegetarian vegan food. It was wonderful... And thankfully previous students had clean very well, and the place was spotless. I will go back and serve on a course... Try and get the time to go and do this. You will be thankful.

It's difficult to find the words to describe AMI. A school? A philosophy? A community? The site is…read morea wonderful place where a philosophy is taught by the institute's founders within a community. There are classes in a variety of topics related to the study of yoga science and meditation, and opportunities for practicing it. All of this in the midst of the beauty of one of the founders' amazing artwork. The basic 6-week Learn to Meditate course is life-changing, though there is a shorter Saturday morning intro class, as well. Experience it yourself! Tonight I enjoyed one of the monthly Friday "Dinner & a Movie" evenings. A delicious catered vegetarian meal (this one Italian) and a film with discussion (this one "A Little Chaos," with Kate Winslet) with a nice group of people. Very enjoyable!!

American Meditation Institute is a wonderful place for learning meditation. I have been a student…read moreat the institute through distance learning and once a year conferences for the past three years. Learning to practice meditation using the teaching has transformed my life and lowered my stress levels significantly. I recommend that everyone at least take the beginning meditation course as a starting point. Meditation is good for everyone but it takes discipline and persistence. Being a part of the institute gives you support to keep learning and growing. Namaste!

What a beautiful experience I'm so glad we happened upon the event. We need more of this in the…read moreworld. Hannah was wonderful and the live music so soothing. Everyone should meditate and the world would be a better place. I believe the Saratoga location has a guided meditation the 3rd Monday of every month. Lots of other healing services offered. Thanks Hannah!

From the owner: We are best known in the Adirondacks for reiki sessions and trainings, sound healing, meditation…read moreand high frequency healing art. We offer over 100 classes a year.

Just returned from my second retreat last weekend and now I definitely need to write a review!…read more Let's start with the food (because I arrived starved). Dinner the first night was soup, salad and bread- very light and all vegan. The meals go from completely bland to amazing Indian food that tastes so good, you'd think you ordered out. But yes, I went to bed hungry the first night-- because I arrived on an empty stomach. Lesson learned! But that night, I slept on a full sized bed in a room with two people. Peace Village provides extra blankets, bath towels and soaps upon request. It's like a hotel somehow, but donation-based! They really are looking out for your comfort and safety! The schedule is strict, almost like a monastery. In fact, they invite you to think of the place as an ashram. I spent most of my retreats taking lecture notes in a room called "The Inspiration Hall." The lecturers are content heavy and that can be a bit tedious to listen to-- But you're there to learn so much in such a short period of time! My only suggestion would be to loosen up the hourly schedule, so that there is more time for freedom- exploring, meditative walks in the trails/gardens/ponds, and journaling! There was one speaker named "Rena" from the "April 2019 Inner Power, Inner Peace" retreat who was so captivating when she spoke, I hung onto every word she verbatim but forgot to take notes! It's a bit tough for me to share a room with strangers but I love everything that Peace Village stands for; Google "Brahma Kumaris." If you don't have the means to make financial contributions, there is no pressure. I opted to buy books and CDs galore in the bookstore to show my appreciation. You can also help clean and set up meeting rooms and meal spaces. Most importantly, check the weather before you arrive because it's colder in the mountains- less oxygen and all. It was a sunny day in Manhattan when I left to Peace Village. But when I arrived, the retreat center looked like the set of a Stephen King thriller. See pictures

I am a woman. I was groped twice by one of the visiting Brahma Kumari spiritual leaders while…read moreattending a retreat at Peace Village. Peace Village leadership did nothing. While most people around seemed to think this man was charming (and the Peace Village staff kept emphasizing what an honor his visit was), I got a bad vibe from him right away. Something about him seemed off. For example, he made sexist jokes yet came off as too people-pleasing at the same time. ("If you're a man, you know the wife is the boss. You don't wanna get on their bad side, amirite? Ha-ha.") I didn't like him. I tried to avoid him, but when were separated out for small group activities, he groped me twice. Once on the buttocks, once on the thigh. There were witnesses who saw this. We were surrounded by other attendees but separated from the other Peace Village leaders. He thought he chose his perfect opportunity. I walked out of the room immediately, very shaken, and told one of the female staff members what happened. She seemed to believe me, and hugged me because I was so upset. But later that day, she said she talked to this man, and he denied having touched me at all. He said I "must have misunderstood." Furthermore, she said, there are very strict rules for Brahma Kumaris about men and women interacting; so it was "impossible" that he would have even stepped too close to me, let alone touched me. If there was any doubt in my mind, it was gone at this point. He literally assaulted me twice, and I had other people who corroborated this. And then he lied about touching me. I came to Peace Village looking for an opportunity for self-improvement. Instead, I got unwanted sexual touching and an organization that closed ranks to protect its powerful. Can you imagine how scary it is to be trapped in a place with no cell service and not even a bus out for two days? I strongly recommend you avoid Peace Village. And more broadly, be suspicious of organizations that segregate roles by gender and require celibacy of their leaders--unfortunately, it seems to be a situation and hierarchy ripe for exploitation.

I first came to Buffy for personal training after my son was born in 2003. She helped reintroduce…read moreme to my abdominal muscles. Since then I have seen her as a Feldenkrais practitioner for postural issues and injuries. I love to Crossfit and I was having sore knees. Buffy helped me so much and brought an awareness that I still carry with me into workouts. When my son was diagnosed with developmental dyspraxia I knew Buffy could help him integrate his reflexes. Her rapport with my son was so sweet & he really looked forward to going. If you check her education you would be pleasantly surprised that she's as smart as Spock! She's got a passion for the physical and emotional body. She can certainly help you with yours.

Buffy is vivacious, focused, and devoted to helping her clients. She is a positive person who…read morealways maintains a can-do spirit. With each Feldenkrais lesson I have received from Buffy, I have benefited and improved my well-being.

I just did an overnight retreat at Sky Lake, "Listening to Silence" with Roger Guest. When it was…read moreover I felt like I was walking on air. The lodge is so peaceful, the rooms so cozy, the natural surroundings so beautiful and the people incredibly warm and welcoming. They have a number of intersting events, retreats available and it is incredibly affordable. I arrived with a broken ankle and they did everything they could to accomodate me and they did t with such grace and patience. Take the time to check their website.They offer so many variations on the "retreat" theme. This is the perfect place to go if you need a break from the noisey, turbulent world we live in.

I participated in the retreat "Listening to Silence" with teacher Roger Guest. Roger is an…read moreexcellent teacher. It was a profound benefit to me. It was a short event, all day Saturday and part of Sunday. We had a very small group which afforded me the opportunity to ask questions. I enjoyed my fellow attendees , the organization, and the food provided. Sky Lake is a beautiful location, very peaceful and quiet. I commuted. Lodging is available.