IMMERSING BERKSHIRE: A Holistic Retreat

Immersing Berkshire Retreat itinerary with enhanced flow, deeper intention, and poetic touches – ready to share with participants with the beautiful nature, art, culture, holistic healing

Activities or workshop changing according to season and accessibility among lake, waterfall, hiking, birds watching, swimming, skiing, pottery, painting, gardening, farm festivals etc.

Menus also changing according to season and what the group need to eat to get betters.

PRE-RETREAT

• Receive:
  📿 A small pouch with Berkshire soil.
  ✨ Packing list including: journal, swimsuit, "one small curiosity" to share
  📖 Pre-reading: one poem about Berkshire

Day 1: Saturday – Arrival & Awakening

8:00 AM | Gathering Roots

• Meet at LotusHeals (40th St, NYC). Minibus departs promptly.
• Journey Tea Ceremony: Sip herbal tea with roasted nuts and boiled eggs, fresh edamame and snacks etc.
• Journal Prompt: "What do you hope to release this weekend?" (Write & tuck into a shared intention jar.)

11:00 AM | Farm Market Connection

• Explore GB Farm Market (taste local honey and food, pick one seasonal item that "calls to you”).
• GB Town Exploration: Optional choice by your own 
  • Bookshop: Find a sentence in a random book that speaks to you.
  • Gift Shops: Happy Bershire etc 
  • Art Gallery: Find one piece of art you like and take a picture

1:00 PM | Nourished Roots

• Lunch with TCM specialist prepared meals, Menu following at the end of program
• Mindful Eating Practice: First bite in silence, noticing flavors.

3:00 PM | Water Wisdom

• Lake or waterfall : Optional swim, lakeside meditation, or "Wading Reflection" (stand in shallow water, ponder: "What needs to flow freely in me?”).
• Taiji/Qigong ("Flying Crane" sequence to open energy).

6:00 PM | Self-Serve Supper: 

Menu following at the end of program

Shared picnic with market finds.

7:00 PM Sharing Circle and Open talk

• Sound Bath & Guided Journey: Imagine roots growing from your feet, wings from your back.
• Sharing Circle: "Share an adventure that changed you—or one you’re ready to begin.”

9:00 PM | Lodge in Farm Hotel

• Sleep Ritual: Lavender sachets, whispered "Let go…" as bells chime.

Day 2: Sunday – Deepening & Flight

7:00 AM | Dawn’s Gift

• Breakfast: Self serving at farm lodge, Menu following at the end of program
• Nature Walk: Listen for birdcalls; note one sound that resonates.

9:30 AM | Summit Ascent

• Hike Monument Mountain:
  • Pause at Vista: "What do you see now that you couldn’t from below?" (Journal or share.)
  • Sound Chanting: Om- Ahhh-Home
• Ritual: Take a mini stone from Berkshire, leave your intention in the jar.

1:00 PM | Earth’s Feast

• Lunch: Menu following at the end of program

3:00 PM | Wandering Wonder in Berkshire Botanic Garden

Duration: 1.5-2 hours | Style: Self-guided “choose-your-own-adventure"

🌿 Garden Allies: finding one kind of seed you want to plant next ⏳ Timing: Late afternoon golden light for photography

🚶 Flow: Guests can re-enter after for deeper solo time, or walk around Lotus water fountain. 

5:00 PM: Healing Session with Sohini/Lotus: "Wings Unbound"—breathwork to release tension, energy healing for lightness.

6:00 PM | Dinner: Menu following at the end of program

• Closing Circle: "What seed will you take home? What thought will you bring back?" Pass a talking stick.

9:00 PM | Bell-Lit Dreams

• Bedtime: Star gaze from the porch; bells ring or sound bath to lull you into rest.

Day 3: Monday – Return with Renewal

7:30 AM | Minibus to NYC:  On bus breakfast tea, nuts, eggs, snacks etc

Suggestion:

• Confirm dietary needs for meals. Please let us know some special needs or food allergy.
• Packing list (e.g., journal, swimsuit, scarfs or foldable ponchos , sturdy hiking shoes, reusable water bottle).

"The mountains are calling, but the heart answers first."

Retreat Menu两日静修菜单设计与营养建议

Theme:Digestive Support and eliminate waste;Cleanse heat-dampness;Hydration & Yin-Nourishing

Day 1 (Saturday)

Lunch (主餐)

• 蒸鱼 (Steamed Fish) – Light ginger-scallion seasoning
• Side Dishes (自助小菜)
  • 木耳姜蒜炒西芹百合 (Wood Ear Mushroom, Celery & Lily Bulb Stir-fry)
  • 冬瓜排骨汤 (Winter Melon & Pork Rib Soup)
  • 米饭 (Steamed Rice (white, brown or red) with Farro
• 甜品：绿豆西米枸杞红糖汤 (Mung Bean, Tapioca Pearls, Goji & Red Can Sugar Dessert)

Breakfast/Dinner (自取)

• Multi-Grain Salad (Quinoa, millet, roasted veggies, sesame dressing)
• 甘麦大枣枸杞山药粥 (Sweet Wheat, Red Dates, Goji & Yam Congee)
• Fresh Edamame (Lightly salted)
• Roasted Nuts (Almonds, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, flaxseeds )
• Soft-Boiled Eggs
• Seasonal Fruit Platter (5 types, e.g., apple, kiwi, berries or cheers, pear, papaya, HuoLongGuo, GuiYuan)

Day 2 (Sunday)

Lunch (主餐)

• 三文鱼 (Grilled/Salmon) – Light soy-mirin glaze or steamed with herbs
• Side Dishes (自助小菜)
  • 苦瓜炒蛋 (Bitter Melon stir-fried with eggs,garlic)
  • 清蒸南瓜 (Steamed Pumpkin)
  • 米饭 (Steamed Rice (white, brown or red) with Farro
• 甜品：银耳莲子百合大枣汤 (Snow Fungus, Lotus Seeds, Lily Bulb & Red Date Soup)

Breakfast/Dinner (Self Serving 自取)

• Repeated Healthy Options (Same as Day 1 for consistency):
  • Multi-Grain Salad / Congee / Nuts / Eggs / Fruits

Notes for Balance & Wellness

1. Protein Variety: Fish, eggs, nuts, and legumes (edamame) cover plant/animal sources.
2. Digestive Support and eliminate waste: Pumpkin, Bitter melon, wood ear, and winter melon eliminate waste support weight loss.
3. Hydration & Yin-Nourishing: Both desserts (绿豆汤, 银耳汤) cool the body and replenish fluids.
4. Self-Serve Flexibility: Guests can adjust portions to their needs.