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Strong, Rooted, Connected: Ancestors Fall Meditation Retreat

November 14 - November 16, 2025

Elizabeth Pyjov

Larisa Forman

You are invited to "Strong, Rooted, Connected: Ancestors Fall Meditation Retreat".The goal of the retreat is to help you feel deeply connected to yourself, your practice, your strength, and nature. From there we'll access a deep inner calm and build community. Each day we'll enjoy meditation, compassion practice, and mindful movement.The focus of the retreat is ancestors practice. To grow as people, first, we accept our roots. This is an important part of our psychological and emotional development. Besides, every family line has everything. There is a whole cosmos in the several generations that came before you. Working with your family tree, we heal in relation to the entire world.Your ancestors are always present in your life on some level. Once we accept them, you'll feel strong and confident in ways you cannot imagine. Finally, together we will learn how to keep past family scenarios from repeating. Through this retreat, you'll see that no matter how we look at it, the roots of everything are love.Ancestor practices are so powerful that they are part of every major contemplative tradition: Christian teachings, Jewish rituals, Native American ceremonies, Ancient Chinese practices, and Buddhist philosophy all include ancestor practices.Tapping into that ancient wisdom, you'll reach new levels of centeredness, connection, and inner peace.What to look forward to:
  • Meditating
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  • Taking forest walks
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  • Lighting candles for our ancestors
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  • Sitting there watching the leaves
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  • Reaching new levels of acceptance
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  • Starting to heal the family tree
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  • Growing in compassion
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  • Enjoying each other’s company
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  • Eating three healthy meals a day
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  • Mindfully drinking apple cider
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  • Cultivating self-compassion
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  • Accessing deep relaxation
Join us in upstate New York in the Catskills at Menla Retreat Center during one of its most glorious seasons.After the retreat, you’ll feel new strength running through your body, a sense of fulfillment, and the ability to take on anything!
ScheduleFriday, November 14
  • 3 - 6 pm Arrive, Check-in, and Explore the Property
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  • 4 - 5 pm Optional First Leisurely Hike on a Scenic Trail
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  • 5 - 6 pm Official Welcome Session and Introduction to the Retreat and Each Other
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  • 6 - 7 pm Dinner
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  • 7:30 - 9 pm Candlelit Ancestors Heart Practice and Survey of Ancestors Practices Across Traditions
Saturday, November 15
  • 7  - 8 am Gentle stretching and Movement Practice
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  • 8 - 9 am Breakfast
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  • 9:30 - 10:30 am Walking Meditation, Self-compassion Meditation, and Mindfulness Practice
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  • 10:30 am - 12:30 pm Free time to visit the vintage country barn or move your body in the fitness facility. Perhaps time alone to meditate, nap, create, or journal.
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  • 12:30 - 1:30 pm Lunch
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  • 2 - 3 pm Lecture on Why Patterns Repeat Themselves Generation After Generation
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  • 3 - 4:30 pm Free Time for Spa Treatments or Hiking
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  • 4:30 - 6 pm Ancestors Meditation Practice: Healing the Family Tree
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  • 6 - 7 pm Dinner
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  • 7:30 pm Rest and Restore
Sunday, November 16
  • 7 - 11 am Check-out of Rooms
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  • 7 - 8 am Gentle Stretching and Movement Practice
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  • 8 - 9 am Breakfast
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  • 9 - 10 am Time to Pack and Check-out
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  • 10 am - 12:30 pm Meditation on how to access centeredness and inner peace through ancestors practices. Talk on how to stay rooted moving forward. We'll end with a formal closing practice.
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  • 12:30 - 1:30 pm Lunch & Departure
*Please note that the schedule is subject to change. 

ABOUT THE TEACHERs

Elizabeth Pyjov

Elizabeth Pyjov's goal is to make the world more compassionate by helping people practice self-compassion. She is a founder, CEO, theologian, lawyer, facilitator, published poet, and business school faculty who holds three Harvard degrees, speaks five languages, has lived in seve...

Larisa Forman

Larisa Forman has been practicing yoga for 20+ years and teaching in the Boston area for over 10 years. Larisa leads workshops and immersions both nationally and internationally, leads a 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training at The Yoga Loft,  is a frequent presenter at The Nantucket Y...

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