Awakening to Wellness

A Journey of Movement, Breath, Meditation & Nature

with Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche and special guests

April 9 – 13, 2025

In-person & Online

Description

In spring the world is born anew. By connecting to the rhythms and patterns of nature, we step into our own well-being. Join us for our Spring Wellness Retreat (April 09-13), “Transforming Life and Health Through Nature, Movement, Breath and Meditation”, an invitation to bring awareness into the patterns of our daily life for reflection, renewal and transformation.

Over these rejuvenating four days, Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche and special guests Tawni Tidwell, Dr. Danny Lewin and Nick Polizzi will share ancient methods alongside modern research and scientific findings focused on spiritual, mental and physical well-being. This retreat is designed to help you uncover your inner source of well-being and transcend self-imposed limits, empowering you to engage with life in creative, inspired, and joyful ways. We will explore techniques to release stress, decrease anxiety, rebalance energy, deepen inner peace, and reconnect to ourselves and the world. Be empowered to make healthier choices that bolster your wellness on every level!

The retreat, held at Serenity Ridge and online via Zoom, is highly interactive and participatory. With meditative techniques to enhance our wellbeing and self-awareness, restoring, energizing and healing our whole being through nature, and exploring ways to use sleep, food and self-care to enhance our quality of life and our overall health, this event is intended for everyone, whether you have experience in meditation and wellness or are just beginning your journey!

If you also would like to register for the Tibetan Yoga Retreat with Alejandro Chaoul, please register by clicking here. Those registered for both retreats will have a complimentary night’s stay at Serenity Ridge on April 13-14.

*Note that the online retreat will not have access to all outdoor activities

Our Presenters

Geshe Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche

Geshe Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche is a celebrated teacher and author recognized for his profound knowledge of the Bon Tibetan Buddhist tradition. Born in Tibet and trained by respected masters, Rinpoche established the Ligmincha Institute to share the transformative teachings of Bon. Known for making ancient spiritual practices accessible to the modern world, he guides students towards self-realization and healing through meditation and mindfulness. With a warmth and clarity that resonates globally, Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche empowers individuals to unlock their inner potential and embrace a life of joy, compassion, and wisdom. 

Tawni Tidwell, TMD, Ph.D. 

Dr. Tawni Tidwell is a distinguished contributor to the intersection of medicine and Tibetan Buddhist practices. As the first Westerner to be certified as a Tibetan doctor alongside a PhD in anthropology, Dr. Tidwell skillfully bridges traditional Tibetan and contemporary medical worlds. She is deeply committed to holistic health, dedicating her career to the synthesis of cross-cultural medical insights. Dr. Tidwell’s unique expertise offers deep insights into integrated healthcare approaches, making her a leading voice at the forefront of wellness practices.

 

Dr. Danny Lewin, Ph.D

Dr. Daniel Lewin is a licensed psychologist, a sleep and circadian researcher and a board certified sleep clinician.  His career focus has been improving public awareness of sleep and circadian health and sleep disorders outcomes.  Recently, he has focused on integrating his expertise in sleep medicine with yoga, mindfulness and psychedelic assisted psychotherapy to develop innovative approaches to understand sleep health and sleep behavior in the context of spiritual and cultural practices. Danny has published more than 50 papers and chapters, provided sleep and circadian training to hundreds of healthcare providers and directed an NIH funded sleep laboratory.  He has given hundreds of lectures throughout the US and internationally, and chaired sleep-health symposia at scientific meetings.

 

Nick Polizzi

Nick Polizzi has spent his career directing and producing feature length documentaries about natural alternatives to conventional medicine. Nick’s current role as executive producer of the docuseries “Healing Kitchen: Let Food Be Thy Medicine” and “Remedy: Ancient Medicine for Modern Illness” stems from a calling to honor, preserve, and protect the natural healing knowledge and earth-based medicines that our ancestors passed down to us. 

 

Registration

The Spring Retreat begins the evening of Wednesday, April 9 and ends on Sunday, April 13 at 12:45 p.m. NY time, followed by lunch for those at Serenity Ridge.  Participate in person at Serenity Ridge Retreat Center in Shipman, Virginia or online via Zoom.

Our days include:

  • Sunrise meditation (weather permitting)
  • Tibetan yoga (for all levels of mobility) or walking  
  • Meditation instruction appropriate for beginners and experienced meditators
  • Connecting to the elements of nature through forest bathing and nature walks, river and stream access, sky gazing and evening bonfires
  • Time for journaling and reflection 
  • Presentations by experts in health, wellness and sleep full of actionable information 
  • Delicious plant-based meals
  • Guided relaxation
  • Ancient Tibetan practices for better sleep and relaxation
  • Intermittent fasting (optional)
  • Cold plunges (optional)
  • More to be announced!

2025 Serenity Ridge Spring Retreat Schedule

All events are scheduled in Eastern Standard Time (New York).

Wednesday April 9, 2025

4:00 – 6:00 PM
Onsite registration / Check-in
6:00 – 6:45 PM
Dinner
7:00 – 8:00 PM
Welcome and opening teaching with Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche

Thursday April 10, 2025

6:30 – 7:00 AM Sky Gazing
7:00 – 8:00 AM Walking with Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche
9:30 – 10:45 AM Teaching / Practice with Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche
11:00 – 12:30 PM Retrieving the Elemental Essesnces from Nature with Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche
1:00 – 1:45 PM
Lunch
2:00 – 3:45 PM
Walking / Forest Bathing / Sky Gazing
4:00 – 4:30 PM
Sleep Dessert / Break
4:30 – 6:00 PM
Presentation: Sleep with Dr. Danny Lewin
6:15 – 7:00 PM
Dinner
7:15 – 8:30 PM
Hormey – Bonfire

Friday April 11, 2025

6:30 – 7:00 AM
Sky Gazing
7:00 – 8:00 AM
Walking with Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche
9:30 – 10:45 AM Teachings / Practice with Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche
11:00 – 12:30 PM
Retrieving the Elemental Essences from Nature with Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche
1:00 – 1:45 PM
Lunch
2:30 – 3:45 PM Walking / Forest Bathing / Sky Gazing
4:00 – 4:30 PM
Sleep Dessert / Break
4:30 – 6:00 PM
Presentation: Tibetan Wellness with Dr. Tawni Tidwell
6:15 – 7:00 PM
Dinner
7:15 – 8:30 PM
Hormey – Stargazing

Saturday April 12, 2025

6:30 – 7:00 AM
Sky Gazing
7:00 – 8:00 AM
Walking with Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche
9:30 – 10:45 AM Teachings / Practice with Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche
11:00 – 12:30 PM
Retrieving the Elemental Essences from Nature with Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche
1:00 – 1:45 PM
Lunch
2:30 – 3:45 PM Walking / Forest Bathing / Sky Gazing
4:00 – 4:30 PM
Sleep Dessert / Break
4:30 – 6:00 PM
Presentation: Food with Nick Polizzi
6:15 – 7:00 PM
Dinner
7:15 – 8:30 PM
Hormey – Bonfire

Sunday April 13, 2025

6:30 – 7:00 AM
Sky Gazing
7:00 – 8:00 AM
Walking with Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche
8:00 – 8:15 AM Break
9:30 – 10:45 AM
Final Teaching / Practice with Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche
11:00 – 12:45 PM
Panel / Q&A / Sharing
1:00 – 1:45 PM
Lunch