Vajra Yoga Mahasiddha Reunion 2026

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Hours

Mins

Vajra Yoga Mahasiddha Reunion 2026

May 28 - June 04, 2026

Join the third reunion of this usually far-flung all-star gathering of teachers and practitioners of Indic yogic sciences and spiritual traditions! This inspiring weeklong immersion, an aspiring annual tradition, brings together Dr. Robert Svoboda, Krishna Das, Nina Rao, Chandra Easton, Michele Loew, John Campbell, and Prof. Robert Thurman for a stand-alone hybrid retreat weaving Ayurveda, Bhakti Yoga, Vajrayoga, and Tantric Hatha Yoga.The Mahasiddha Reunion explores the shared roots and living connections between these traditions through study, practice, discussion, and devotion. Participants leave physically energized, deeply inspired, and connected to a growing community dedicated to spiritual evolution and embodied wisdom.Mornings focus on integrated Vajrayoga practices led by John Campbell, with breath-centered movement and meditative exploration. Nina Rao and Chandra Easton offer teachings on the sacred feminine, Tara and Devi, along with mantra, kirtan, and devotional practice, while Robert Thurman presents the tantric and “Rājayoga” dimensions of Vajrayoga.Afternoon sessions feature lively teachings and storytelling led by Svoboda, Thurman, and Krishna Das, drawing from the lives and wisdom of great Indian and Indo-Tibetan mahasiddhas. These include Svoboda’s insights from his decades studying Ayurveda and the Aghori tradition, Krishna Das’s devotional presence inspired by Neem Karoli Baba, and Thurman’s Vajrayana teachings rooted in the lineages of his Tibetan gurus, with special emphasis on female siddhas and the many emanations of Tara, supported by Nina Rao and Chandra EastonSvoboda and Thurman will also lead special Fire Pujas in the central field of Menla's campus, with all students participating. This puja is a powerful way to heal and energize our planetary mandala and celebrate the eventual triumph of the total liberation and enlightenment of all beings (including ourselves!) in a gorgeous setting.Space is very limited for the in-person option, so it is best to sign up early for this amazing opportunity to study and practice with some of the best minds and hearts in these fields!If you can only attend part of the retreat, you may arrange a partial/prorated registration via our Front Desk at frontdesk@menla.org. Please note that we have a two-night stay minimum. Also, we have a few spots reserved in shared housing for those needing partial scholarships. If you are interested in applying for a partial scholarship, please email frontdesk@menla.org.THIS PAGE IS FOR IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE REGISTRATION. TO REGISTER FOR ONLINE/VIRTUAL ATTENDANCE, PLEASE CLICK HERE

Schedule:

Thursday, May 28

3 - 6 pm Arrival & Check-in

6 - 7 pm Dinner

7:30 pm Welcome & Opening Discussion (All Faculty)

Friday, May 29

7:30 - 9 am Vajra Yoga Practice (John)

9 - 10 am Breakfast

10:30 am - 12:30 pm Morning Class (Robert S)

1 - 2 pm Lunch

2 - 4 pm Free Time for Spa Appointments, Relaxation, or Self-Study

4 - 6 pm Afternoon Class (Robert T)

6 - 7 pm Dinner

7:30 pm Kirtan with Krishna Das

Saturday, May 30

7:30 - 9 am Vajra Yoga Practice (John)

9 - 10 am Breakfast

10:30 am - 12:30 pm Morning Class on the Sacred Feminine: Discussions on Niguma Yogini, Dakini, and the Goddess, Stories & Chant (Nina Rao and with Chandra Easton, and Michele Loew)

1 - 2 pm Lunch

2 - 3:30 Stories and Sound Journey with Arjun Bruggeman

2 - 4 pm Free Time for Spa Appointments, Relaxation, or Self-Study

4 - 6 pm Fire Puja weather permitting (Robert S)

6 - 7 pm Dinner

7:30 pm Kirtan with Krishna Das

Sunday, May 31

7:30 - 9 am Vajra Yoga Practice (John)

9 - 10 am Breakfast

10:30 am - 12:30 pm Morning Class on Embodying Tara & Chanting (Chandra Easton, Genevieve Walker, and Nina Rao)

1 - 2 pm Lunch

1:30 - 4 pm Free Time for Spa Appointments, Relaxation, or Self-Study

3 - 3:15 pm Clear Light Lullabies with Genevieve Walker and Noah Hoffeld

3:30 - 5:30 pm Afternoon Fire Puja Class Robert T (weather permitting)

6 - 7 pm Dinner

7:30 pm Kirtan with Krishna Das

Monday, June 1

7:30 - 9 am Gayatri Mantra Veda Class & Recitation (Nina)

9 - 10 am Breakfast

10:30 am - 12:30 pm Morning Class (Robert S)

1 - 2 pm Lunch

1:30 - 3:30 pm Free Time for Spa Appointments, Relaxation, or Self-Study

3:30 - 6 pm Afternoon Storytime and Q&A (KD)

6 - 7 pm Dinner

7:30 pm Evening Discussion (Robert T, Robert S, KD)

Tuesday, June 2

7:30 - 9 am VajraYoga™ Practice (John)

9 - 10 am Breakfast

10:30 am - 12:30 pm Morning Class on Tibetan Medicine and Ayurveda (Robert T & Robert S)

1 - 2 pm Lunch

2 - 4 pm Free Time for Spa Appointments, Relaxation, or Self-Study

4 - 6 pm Afternoon class on Sacred Feminine with Chandra Easton, Nina Rao, and Michele Loew

6 - 7 pm Dinner

7:30 pm Evening Discussion (Robert T, Robert S, KD)

Wednesday, June 3

7:30 - 9 am Vajra Yoga Practice (John)

9 - 10 am Breakfast

10:30 am - 12:30 pm Morning Class Michele Loew: 10th century Female Mahasiddha Niguma and her yoga lineage and practices

1 - 2 pm Lunch

2:45 - 3:45 Meditation with Chandra Easton

4 - 6 pm CLASS (Robert S)

6 - 7 pm Dinner

7:30 pm Kirtan with Krishna Das

Thursday, June 4

7 - 11 am Check-out of Rooms

7:30 - 9 am Vajra Yoga Practice (John)

9 - 10 am Breakfast

10:30 - 12:30 pm Closing Discussion (Full Faculty)

1 - 2 pm Lunch & Departure

*Please note that the schedule is subject to change at any time.

ABOUT THE TEACHERs

Dr. Robert Svoboda

Dr. Robert Svoboda was the first Westerner to graduate from a college of Ayurveda and be licensed to practice Ayurveda in India. During and after his formal Ayurvedic training, he was tutored in Ayurveda, Yoga, Jyotish, Tantra and other forms of classical Indian lore by his mento...

Krishna Das

Krishna Das is a Grammy-nominated chant artist and has sung with people all around the world for over 35 years. His music offers the practice of chanting mantras– mostly in the Indian tradition, with some Buddhist and Gospel infusions. By sharing his life experiences on the pa...

Nina Rao

Nina Rao learned traditional chants from her grandfather in a village in south India when she was nine years old. The chants quietly stayed with her until she rediscovered chanting with Krishna Das in New York in 1996. For many years Nina has been Krishna Das business manager and...

Dorje Lopön Chandra Easton

Dorje Lopön Chandra Easton is a teacher, author, and translator of Tibetan Buddhism. She has taught Buddhism and Yoga around the world since 2001 and co-translated Sublime Dharma: A Compilation of Two Texts on the Great Perfection, published in 2012. In 2015, she was given the t...

Michele Loew

Michele Loew is an international yoga teacher & practitioner of Hatha & Tibetan Yogas & the co-founding director of the Vajra Yoga School of Comparative Buddhist & Indic Yogic Studies where sheco-teaches with Professor Robert A.F. Thurman at Menla & abroad. She has taught, practi...

John Campbell

John Campbell is a Dharma and yoga teacher, Mysore yoga school graduate, initiate of senior Tibetan Lamas, and graduate of Columbia University Buddhist Studies. He is a senior Certified teacher in the Ashtanga Yoga lineage of southern India, and a practitioner-teacher of Tibetan ...

Robert A.F. Thurman

Robert Thurman is Professor of Indo-Tibetan Buddhist Studies at Columbia University as well as co-founder and President of Tibet House US and it's Menla Retreat & Spa. A world-wide lecturer on Tibetan Buddhism, activist for the plight of the Tibetan people, translator of Buddhis...