Embodied Presence

An in-person 4.5 day journey into the practices of Tibetan Yoga and Meditations to Expand the Mind and Open the Heart

Registration for this program closes on Friday, August 21 @ 12:00 pm MT.

Retreat Details 

• Teachers: Justin Kirkwood and Eliza Bishop
  
• Dates: August 27 – August 31, 2026.
• Arrivals & Departures: Students arrive between 2:30-5:00 pm on August 27 and depart the morning of September 1 after a full day of programming on August 31. If driving themselves, students may choose to depart after the closing session on August 31, ending around 6:30 pm.
  • A note on Shuttles to and from the Bodhi House:
    • Arrival Shuttles- The final arrival shuttle to the Bodhi House departs from MSO at 3 pm on August 27. Please arrive at the Missoula Airport by 2:30 p.m. at the latest to ensure you can make the 3:00 p.m. departure for Bodhi House.
    • Departure Shuttles- Shuttles will depart on September 1 around 9:00 a.m.
• Location: Namchak Retreat Ranch in Hot Springs, Montana
• Format: In-Person  
• Food: Vegetarian

About this Retreat

Join us for 4 ½ days of Kum Nye Tibetan Yoga and meditations for settling into deeper sensitivity and awareness of our minds, bodies, and feelings. This will help us experience our non-dualistic nature and expand our natural capacity for healing, peace, love, and compassion. Each day will consist of sessions of Tibetan Yoga, chanting, meditations on loving-kindness and compassion, daily outdoor activities, and space for integration within community. All of this will support us in fully embodying our wishes for peace, love, ease, and joy.

It feels so good to set beings free. Therefore, we will share in a life release practice of returning some earthworms to their natural habitat in the fertile soil.  Practicing compassion in this way resonates with our inner goodness and helps the sprout of our enlightened hearts to blossom. All are welcome to participate in this optional, life-giving activity during the retreat.

A copy of Tarthang Tulku Rinpoche’s book Kum Nye – Tibetan Yoga is included in the ticket cost and will be given to each participant at the retreat.

This is an in-person only program and will not be recorded.

Who Is This Retreat Suited For? 

This program is open to anyone — from beginners curious about meditation to seasoned practitioners seeking to deepen their awareness. No prior experience in yoga or Buddhism is required.

Schedule

Thursday – August 27, 2026 

• 2:30 – 5:00 pm Rolling arrival at the Bodhi House and settle in
• 5:30 – 6:30 pm Dinner
• 7:30 – 9:00 pm – Opening Circle plus Tibetan Yoga and Meditation to relax and have a restorative rest
• 10:00 pm – Noble Silence

Friday – August 28, 2026 

• 7:15-8:15 am – Tibetan Yoga Morning Practice
• 8:30-9:15 am – Breakfast
• 10:00 -11:00 am – Intro talk on expanding the mind (bodhicitta)
• 11:15 – 12:15 pm – Nature Hike
• 12:30- 1:15 – Lunch
• 1:15 – 2:00 pm – Free time + Karma Yoga
• 2:00 – 3:30 pm – Tibetan Yoga
• 3:45 – 4:45 pm – Meditation to expand the mind/loving kindness
• 5:00 – 5:30 pm – Chanting Om Ah Hum
• 5:30 – 6:30 pm – Dinner
• 7:00 – 8:00 pm – Tea and cookies and sharing
• 8:30 – 9:00 pm – Silent Meditation
• 10:00 pm – Noble Silence

Saturday – August 29, 2026 

• 7:15-8:15 am – Tibetan Yoga Morning Practice
• 8:30-9:15 am – Breakfast
• 10:00 -11:00 am – Meditation to expand the mind/compassion
• 11:15 – 12:15 pm – Nature Hike
• 12:30- 1:15 – Lunch
• 1:15 – 2:00 pm – Free time + Karma Yoga
• 2:00 – 3:30 pm – Tibetan Yoga outdoors if weather permits
• 3:45 – 4:45 pm – Meditation to expand the mind/sympathetic joy
• 5:00 – 5:30 pm – Chanting Om Ah Hum
• 5:30 – 6:30 pm – Dinner
• 7:00 – 8:00 pm – Tea and cookies and sharing
• 8:30 – 9:00 pm – Silent Meditation
• 10:00 pm – Noble Silence

Sunday – August 30, 2026 

•  7:15-8:15 am – Tibetan Yoga Morning Practice
• 8:30-9:15 am – Breakfast
• 10:00 -11:00 am – Meditation to expand the mind/equanimity
• 11:15 – 12:15 pm – Nature Hike
• 12:30- 1:15 – Lunch
• 1:15 – 2:00 pm – Free time + Karma Yoga
• 2:00 – 3:30 pm – Tibetan Yoga
• 3:45 – 4:45 pm – Meditation to expand the mind/boundlessness
• 5:00 – 5:30 pm – Chanting Ah
• 5:30 – 6:30 pm – Dinner
• 7:00 – 8:00 pm – Tea and cookies and sharing
• 8:30 – 9:00 pm – Silent Meditation
• 10:00 pm – Noble Silence

Monday – August 31, 2026 

• 7:15-8:15 am – Tibetan Yoga Morning Practice
• 8:30-9:15 am – Breakfast
• 10:00 –10:30 am – Bringing it into our lives ( short talk on the attitudes of the 6 perfections)
• 10:45 – 12:15 pm – Life release in the Guru Rinpoche welcome park
• 12:30- 1:15 – Lunch
• 1:15 – 2:00 pm – Free time + Karma Yoga
• 2:00 – 3:30 pm – Tibetan Yoga
• 3:45 – 4:45 pm – Bringing it into our lives (meditating/journaling on the attitudes of the 6 perfections)
• 5:00 – 5:30 pm – Chanting Om Ah Hum
• 5:30 – 6:30 pm – Dinner
• 6:30 pm – Some students who drove themselves may depart post-dinner, and those with flights in the morning will stay to shuttle out at 9am the following morning.

Lodging + Meals 

Participants will enjoy nourishing meals prepared on-site, including:

• 5 dinners 
• 4-5 breakfasts (depending on whether driving or flying- see schedule & shuttle info)
• 4 lunches 
• Snacks & tea

What is Kum Nye Tibetan Yoga?

Pronounced “koom nay,” consists of gentle massage, breathing, postures and movement exercises that heal body and mind by releasing blockages and allowing an unobstructed flow of energy. Designed by Tarthang Tulku Rinpoche specifically to help Westerners release stress, Kum Nye promotes deep relaxation, so that students can ease naturally into meditation with clear awareness and an open heart. Kum Nye is based on Tibetan medicine and Buddhist body-mind disciplines.

What are the Benefits of Kum Nye?

Even a brief acquaintance with Kum Nye exercises can reduce stress and offer a host of additional benefits such as enhanced sensitivity to body, breath, and mind and a fuller understanding based on direct experience of emotions, thoughts, sensations, and feelings without the necessity of labeling them. As stress melts away, sensory awareness is reawakened, the chatter of thoughts is stilled, and body, breath, and mind come into greater attunement so that one can live an embodied, joyful, and awake life.

As Tarthang Tulku Rinpoche says “The deep relaxation produced releases a vibrant, intense flow of feeling that renders all experiences richer, healthier, and more beautiful.”

Sliding Scale Pricing Structure:

Our intention is to make this offering financially accessible to all, so we offer a tiered fee structure. Please choose whichever level works best for you. No one will be turned away due to a lack of funds. If you would like to apply for financial assistance to attend this offering, please reach out to our Community Steward, Kate (kmorris@namchak.org).

The in-person ticket price for this retreat also includes a shuttle* from Missoula Airport (MSO) to Bodhi House at Namchak Retreat Ranch in Hot Springs, Montana, meals, and lodging.

• Supported – For those with limited financial resources who will benefit from participating in the retreat.
• Suggested – For those with sufficient financial resources who can pay for the experience without difficulty.
• Sponsored – For those with the financial resources and the desire to support access for others.

In-Person Tuition Options

• Supported Room -$300
• Suggested Room -$500
• Sponsored Room -$700

Logistics & Transportation:

• A shuttle to and from the Bodhi House from the Missoula airport will be provided on Thursday and Tuesday.
• Please plan to arrive in Missoula, MT by 2:30 pm on Thursday, August 27, at the latest.
• Shuttles: Please note that the first shuttles back to Missoula will not arrive at the ranch before 9:00 am. We recommend scheduling return flights accordingly. We will provide a shuttle on Thursday and Tuesday, departing at 9:00 AM and going to the Missoula Airport (90-minute drive).
• If you need to catch an early morning flight, you’ll need to book a private shuttle with MSO Shuttle. Their one-way fare is approximately $309, and they can be contacted directly for scheduling. You can also rent a car from the Missoula airport upon your arrival to accommodate your flight schedule. 
• Lodging (small individual rooms with a twin-sized bed at the Bodhi House), food, and a shuttle are included in the retreat price.
• If you have questions or concerns about shuttle timing, feel free to reach out to Meggan at mquigley@namchak.org

Inbound Shuttles to the Namchak Retreat Ranch:

• Shuttle 1 will depart at 1 pm from Missoula on Thursday afternoon, August 27th.
• Shuttle 2 will depart at 3:00 pm from Missoula on Thursday afternoon, August 27th.

Outbound Shuttles to the Missoula, MT Airport 

• Shuttles will depart from the Bodhi House at 9 am on Tuesday, September 1st.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to be a practicing Buddhist to attend this retreat?
No, no experience is required. Beginners will find a safe environment to start their journey while advanced practitioners can further deepen and develop their practice.

How is this a beneficial program for an advanced Buddhist practitioner?
It is fundamental to have a practice that unites body, breath, and mind. Kum Nye Tibetan Yoga is the perfect preliminary to higher yogic practices. Blocked energy needs to be released and recirculated to allow a rich and fuller experience of open and free awareness. These practices effortlessly relax us into non-duality.

If I am attending in person, what do I bring?
Wear comfortable clothes for meditation and movement practices and make sure you have some warm clothes for an outdoor walk and practice, weather depending. Also, bring a notebook, pen, and water bottle.

Is previous meditation experience required to take this course?
No, anyone is welcome to join, from beginners to advanced meditators.

If I miss a session, will I have access to the recording?
This retreat will not be recorded. Come share presence.

What do I do after the retreat?
Without guilt allow an integration of these practices into your daily life, as they are not separate. Do your best to not get caught up in the “doing” of these practices, but more the presence they give to your life.

COST: $300-$700

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ADDRESS:

55615 Garcon Gulch Road Hot Springs Montana 59845 United States.