Gather with us for The Bhakti in Taos Thanksgiving Retreat with our dear friends Govind Das, Jacqueline Michelle, Rob And Melissa and Saul David Raye. This is a very special 5-days and 4-night holiday celebration to feed our hearts with daily devotion, community, and practices in the Sacred Valley of Taos, New Mexico.

Showered in Ram Dass' blessings, Taos, New Mexico is a powerful, heartfelt community in Northern New Mexico. Home to the Neem Karoli Baba Hanuman Temple, Taos attracts many devoted hearts who commune on these lands.

Importantly, the Taos Pueblo, the oldest standing Native American village in North America holds a strong center of respect for tending to these lands long before our time.

The combination of the native reverence and mysticism of these lands with Hanuman's devotion and heartfelt selfless service, we invite you to step onto the lands of Northern New Mexico to feed the heart and soul of a true Thanksgiving Gather with our Bhakti Family. Experience the Spirit of Taos, New Mexico while sharing many moments with our friends & family.

We'll practice Bhakti Yoga each day, Sing Kirtan, Chant, Meditate and Give Thanks for this opportunity to gather with one another and ourselves. You'll also have the option to visit the Hanuman Temple, the Native Taos Pueblo, or soak in the local natural hot springs spa!

Lotus Retreats has carefully curated this retreat to combine the beauty of Bhakti Yoga with the potency of the land, all with lush accommodations, private-chef meals & an itinerary that highlights everything you'll want to receive from a retreat week.

Govind Das and Jacqueline Michelle | The Bhakti Yoga Shala

Bhakti Yoga Shala is a west coast bhakti yoga/spiritual community, known worldwide for its devotional programming. After serving Santa Monica for 11 years in person, BYS became an online-only studio in 2020. This has allowed BYS to better serve the global community. 

Govind Das and Jacqueline aim to spread the practice of Bhakti around the world. They follow the teachings of the great saint Neem Karoli Baba, who celebrated all Gods as one. Anyone and everyone is welcome, and we are happy to serve you on your spiritual journey.

In 1989, Govind Das was introduced to the practice of meditation and the spiritual culture of the east. A few years later, while on a road trip, G listened to a Ram Dass lecture. This cassette tape changed the course of his life. Govind Das has since dedicated his life to studying and sharing the practices of Bhakti yoga.

https://bhaktiyogashala.com

Saul David Raye

Saul David Raye has been practicing and teaching yoga, meditation and healing arts for over 30 years. Primarily influenced by his studies in Yoga, Bhakti, Tantra, Thai Massage, Pranic Healing and Shamanism, Saul’s heart-centered approach to has influenced students and teachers around the world. He is able to bring alive the ancient wisdom teachings for modern seekers and create a safe space for people to connect deeply with their own authentic power, spirit and truth. He has taught and performed music at festivals and healing centers around the world and continues to share his work through online programs, teacher trainings, workshops, sacred journeys + retreats &  sacred music.

https://ritamhealingarts.com

Rob and Melissa

Rob and Melissa are kirtan singers and yoga teachers devoted to sharing the heart-opening practices of Bhakti yoga and kirtan, call-and-response chanting. Kirtan with Rob and Melissa is a fresh take on an ancient practice, where Sanskrit chants blend with modern, accessible melodies and lush harmonies to create an atmosphere that has been described as “joyful medicine,” “heart-opening bliss” and “love and devotion materialized!”

When Rob and Melissa first met, neither of them sang kirtan nor practiced Bhakti yoga. By the time they married two years later, love and devotion had become the foundation of their partnership. As these seeds of devotion to each other grew, Rob and Melissa’s Bhakti yoga practice blossomed, as well as the desire to share this love with others. Their music, teachings, and storytelling create a space of comfort, discovery, and deep joy.

Rob and Melissa are based in Seattle, WA, but their music keeps them on the move, sharing kirtan as far away as India, Europe, and Central America. When they aren’t on the road, the couple leads regular kirtans in the Pacific Northwest. In addition to sharing their music at yoga studios and festivals, they teach Bhakti yoga workshops, kirtan trainings, provide live music for yoga classes and lead retreats around the world. Find out more at www.robandmelissa.com 

Rachel Ocean
Rachel Ocean is a passionate yogi, Karuna and Usui Reiki Grand Master, Sound Healer, and certified E-RYT 500 Yoga Teacher with Yoga Alliance. Based in her home of Rishikesh, India, she has studied under Himalayan Masters and is dedicated to guiding both beginners and experienced students back to their true nature.

Lotus Retreats is a leading retreat organization and tour group, organizing and hosting retreats in over 10 countries for the last 10 years. Lotus Retreats curates each retreat with everything from onsite support, itinerary building, meal planning, cultural immersions and support throughout the entire journey. Lotus Retreats carefully chooses retreat locations that are in alignment with local traditions, support the land and cultures visited & maintains personal relationships with each retreat property & families. From the Pacific ocean to the Caribbean sea, to the Andes mountains and the Cycladic Greek islands, all the way from the high desert peaks to the Balinese and Hawaiian islands, Lotus Retreats passionately designs itineraries and programs that are tailored to exploring the unique nature, culture, cuisine & communities of each country. All the while holding a transformative, expansive and safe container for each retreat guest to journey through their inner & outer worlds. Lotus Retreats is a loyal global family of Yoga teachers, travelers, seekers, and community leaders who aspire to bring groups together to share the magic and meditation of each retreat week.

www.lotusretreats.com

This retreat will be held at a private, high-desert boutique retreat property with exclusive use for the retreat week. Surrounded by fruiting trees, a walking meditation path, a labyrinth and a fire pit/grill, the retreat property is perfect for grounding into the heart and soul Taos, New Mexico.

There are private and shared accommodations available with private bathrooms and patios.

The property is a family-owned and created retreat center, surrounded by sage, desert brush and blue skies for our souls to journey far and wide in comfortable accommodations.

Immerse yourself in the expansive practices of Bhakti yoga each day with Yoga classes, Kirtans, Satsangs, Breath work, meditations & a Bhakti program intended to deepen your relationship with the divine through song, movement, meditation & community.

Morning Meditation and Mantra: Start each day with a sunrise meditations and chanting

Daily Yoga Practices: Partake in expansive yoga sessions led by your hosts each day to celebrate and awaken the physical & energetic body

Daily Kirtan & Satsang: Gather with our community for daily heart activations through song, Kirtan & music celebration each and everyday!

Daily Workshops: Partake in connective workshops sharing the beauty and heart of Bhakti to expand your heart and knowledge of Bhakti Yoga, chanting and many modalities to the heart -

Ceremony: Honor the sacredness of life on these lands with reverence to many elements. We'll share ceremonial moments with ourselves, the Taos Pueblo, the Hanuman Temple & more -

Taos, New Mexico has preserved and protected its culture and nature in a beautiful way. We will share our favorite parts with you, while making individual recommendations and encouraging you to experience all of the seen & unseen magic of Taos. There are several hikes, hot springs, cultural sites & even a nearby National Forest for you to visit outside of our scheduled Bhakti Yoga Program & Workshops.

We will regularly visit the Neem Karoli Baba Hanuman Temple in Taos for Kirtan, Prasad and meditative moments. Visit one of Ram Dass' favorite places where his ashes were spread once he left his body. A sacred bridge from Hanuman Taos to Hanuman Maui will be highlighted during this retreat.

We will visit the Native Taos Pueblo to explore and support the local culture and living Spirit that flows through the Taos Pueblo. Visit the historic and famous Ojo Caliente Hotsprings for an afternoon soak in the mineral hot springs, outdoor pools with a variety of soothing Spa services, massages, sauna & steam room. 

Additional excursions and recommendations offered:

- Visit the Native American Taos Pueblo to explore Native American Indian culture

- Visit the dreamy Hot Springs along the Rio Grande in the morning...

- Catch sunset from the Rio Grande Bridge!

- River Raft along the Rio Grande

- Explore the famous Earth-ships for inspiration for off-grid living

- Go horseback riding along the Taos Mesa

- Take a hike to William Lake through the Taos Ski Valley 

There are also several art galleries and surrounding towns to explore the Native American offerings!

Along the way, you can also:

Drive the Turquoise Trail from Albuquerque to Taos!

Explore Albuquerque

Visit Sante Fe on the way!

Yoga is a practice not only on the mat, but in the kitchen! Nourishing ourselves from the inside out is a HUGE component to a Lotus Retreats week. Our private chef team will be providing nourishing and nurturing Vegetarian, Ayurvedic meals each day. The kitchen can accommodate any vegan, gluten-free or other dietary requests in advance.

Local & organic New Mexican cuisine will be served throughout the retreat

- Enjoy morning buffets post Yoga practice

- Share Family style dinners in the evening

- & daily desserts for the sweet teeth!

- Juices, teas & water also offered during the week

You're welcome to bring your own snacks & food - most rooms have mini-fridges. Lunches will generally be on your own; after activities and excursions, we'll share recommendations on places to try out in town! Downtown Taos Plaza has several lovely cafes and restaurants.

6:30am - Sunrise Meditation & breath work 

7:30am - Maha Sadhana (Yoga, movement & music)

9:30am - Breakfast

11:00am - Group Activity (Hanuman Temple, Taos Pueblo,  Hot Springs)

Free Time, Lunches in Town

4pm - Heart of Bhakti Workshops

5:30pm - Evening Satsang (Yin/Restorative Yoga, Live Music, Story-telling)

7:00pm - Dinner

8:00pm - Kirtan