Michael Galyon

New York, NY, USA

This two-day, in-person retreat is an invitation to slow down and step out of the constant movement of daily life. Through guided meditation, experiential teachings, and group inquiry, participants will explore meditation as a lived, embodied practice that supports grounding, clarity, and self compassion.

Rather than striving for a particular state, this retreat emphasizes resting in awareness and meeting whatever arises with presence and kindness.

No. This retreat is open to all levels, including complete beginners. The practices and teachings are accessible and supportive, whether you are new to meditation or have an established practice.

Do I need prior meditation experience to attend?

No. Accommodation and meals are not included. Participants are responsible for arranging their own lodging and meals. Local recommendations will be shared prior to the retreat.

Are accommodations and meals included?

This is an in-person experience designed to support presence and direct engagement. Recording details, if any, will be shared with registered participants closer to the retreat.

Will this retreat be recorded?

Full refund available for cancellations made on or before May 9, 2026.

50% refund available for cancellations made between May 10 and July 7, 2026.

No refunds for cancellations made on or after July 8, 2026.

What is the cancellation or refund policy?

While it is not mandatory, we highly recommend purchasing travel insurance for your peace of mind during the retreat. Having travel insurance can provide coverage for unexpected incidents such as trip cancellations, medical emergencies, lost luggage, and more.

Here are two providers we recommend:

WorldNomads: We often use WorldNomads and have found it to be quite reliable. Their standard plan is comprehensive and should be suitable for most travelers. It covers a wide range of potential issues at a reasonable price.

WorldTrips: This is another provider we've used and recommend, especially if you think you might need to cancel your trip or if you're particularly concerned about baggage delays and similar issues. While their coverage tends to be more expensive, it also provides a broader range of protections, which can be invaluable in the case of unforeseen circumstances.

Do I need to buy travel insurance for the retreat?

We're here to help! If you have any additional questions or need more details about the retreat, please email us at retreats@insighttimer.com, and we'll be happy to provide you with all the information you need.

I have a specific question about the retreat. How can I get more information?

English

Lunch is included. There will be time to get your own breakfast and dinner before and after lectures.

David Gandelman

Boulder, CO, USA

The StarHouse

Boulder, Colorado sits at the base of the Rocky Mountains, known for its dramatic foothills, open spaces, and strong connection to nature. It offers a relaxed, walkable town feel alongside easy access to hiking trails, mountain air, and wide open skies.

3476 Sunshine Canyon Dr, Boulder, CO 80302, United States

Friday – September 11
10:00am – 5:00pm
• Retreat and workshop sessions
• Guided meditation practices
• Teaching on presence and self-compassion
• Experiential and embodied practices
• Group dialogue and integration

7:00pm – 9:00pm
• Evening Session for Meditation Teachers
• Guided meditation
• Teaching, inquiry, and reflection
• Space for questions and discussion specific to teaching and practice

Day 1 – Grounding Into Presence

Saturday – September 12
11:00am – 7:00pm
• Full-day retreat and workshop sessions
• Morning and afternoon meditation practices
• Deeper exploration of presence and self-compassion
• Experiential practices and integration
• Closing meditation and reflections

Day 2 – Cultivating Self Compassion

Each day includes guided meditation practices, experiential teachings, group inquiry, and time for integration and reflection. A detailed schedule will be shared with registered participants.

My recent retreat to Nepal surpassed all of my expectations. Now that I am back stateside, it is surreal to think about the experiences I shared with people who were strangers merely 2 weeks ago that I will now consider to be lifelong friends. David and Jordana attracted a crowd with amazing energy and created a safe space allowing folks to be vulnerable while weaving in humor and joy. It's a tough balance to strike but once achieves, it unlocked limitless potential which was felt by everybody.

From the morning meditations and yoga sessions to the trek through the Himalayas to site seeing and meetings the children at the orphanage, everything was well thought out and executed to perfection. I could not recommend this enough and am already planning my next retreat!

Scott Brennan

Expectations well exceeded! I was of course curious about travelling to Nepal but my expectations were well exceeded as it was a perfect combination of the minute by minute surprise of a brand new country, yet well supported by the brilliant organisation and planning of the organisers. The combination of new people, yoga, meditation, and incredible scenery and the people and animals and plants of Nepal...it is hard to describe just how good it is. But imagine a day of climbing - yes hard but not exhausting - through mountain forests, looking at huge mountains above you, with the great people of your trip and meeting wonderful the new people of Nepal, patting a rooster, and eating well all day and laughing at night, followed by meditation and sleep and then doing it again the next day after some yoga. Absolutely life changing and completely loved it.

Australia

James Roden

I did not know what to expect as I have never done a retreat before, I can now say that it is an awe inspiring experience. There is a lot that happens - trekking, yoga, mediation, talks, joy, laughter, visiting an orphanage, spending time in a monastery and a good dose of self reflection. The deep friendships we formed through these shared experiences has reminded me how much good there is in the world.

Travelling expands your heart and soul... travelling with teachers like David and Jordana takes that expansion to the next level.