Heal Your Mind & Body at Dewa Spa
Study with World-Class Teachers
Practice in One of Our Unique Venues
Expand Your Awareness with Meditation
Go Hiking in the Catskill Mountains
Enjoy Delicious Nourishing Farm-to-Table Cuisine
Menla is a Project of Tibet House US,

the Dalai Lama’s Cultural Center in NYC

Grandmother Clara Shinobu Iura

Born in the State of Sao Paulo Brazil, Clara studied philosophy at the University of Sao Paulo. Through her experiences of Clairvoyance and mediumship, she has initiated many teachings from macrobiotics to Umbanda. After helping with the curing of Padrinho Sebastiao, spiritual leader of one of the Santo Daime’s largest churches, she was invited to live and work in Céu do Mapiá a community located in the heart of the Amazon forest. Clara is a founder and principal healer in the Santa Casa a women operated healing center in the Amazon jungle, which serves hundreds of people in the local village as well as thousands of international visitors.

I just returned from an over-night stay at the Menia Retreat Center. During that time, I was very fortunate to have had four services at the beautiful Dewa Spa.All of them were amazing, but I really have to take a few minutes to write about Sarite Sanders who did Craniosacral Therapy and Nicole Bernhardt who provided Extended KuNye Massage.

Both of these women are gifted practitioners who clearly are dedicated to their healing modalities. Sarite is not just a healer but a teacher–a very powerful combination for a true wellness practitioner. She even suggested movement exercises that I could do at home to help with an old injury–one I had not told her about, but that she “felt” as she worked on my body. Both of these women took time to explain what and why they were doing certain things and thus were able to create a very safe environment for healing. Thank you for a truly lovely experience.

Virginia Giordano

“As a residential employee, Menla is a beautiful place to live. Work doesn’t feel like work when surrounded by the natural beauty of upstate New York. The co-workers are all caring and dedicated, and form a community, rather than a workplace. I am grateful to make my home in such an environment of compassion and peace, and to make a living here as well.”

Wyatt Foxe

“Came here for a yoga training for a week and loved my experience here. You are surrounded by nature and feel as if you are in another world.”

Erica A.

View All Testimonials

MENLA