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Handpan, Yoga and Sound Bath Retreat
July 11, 2025 - July 13, 2025
Handpan, Yoga and Sound Bath Retreat
Friday, July 11 – Sunday, July 13
REGISTER
Move through yoga sequences accompanied by live handpan music and immerse into meditation with the hypnotic sounds of Himalayan singing bowls. Learn and/or sharpen your handpan skills in our two-day program of workshops designed for both beginners and intermediate players. Recharge in the sauna, swim in the pond, enjoy nature walks and take in the sun, while our chef prepares a delicious selection of healthy meals to complement your rejuvenating experience at Peace Temple.
Beginner Level Handpan Workshop
This class is designed for those that are meeting the handpan for the first time.
- Saturday class: We will explore the history of handpan from the beginning to the art it is today. We will also learn how to make clear and clean sound, basic rhythm and groove structure and basic chord progressions for our composition.
- Sunday class: Applying chords to compositional structure and playing in a group.
Intermediate Level Handpan Workshop
This class is designed for those who have prior experience with the instrument and are already familiar with the basics of handpan playing.
- Saturday class: We will learn first part of our composition which includes chord structure and variety of melodic fills.
- Sunday class: We will take our composition a step further by learning how to harmonize as well as exploring solo variations.
The workshops will conclude with a collaborative performance by both the beginner and the intermediate groups.
Retreat schedule
Friday
- 4:00pm – 5:00pm – Landing/Arrival
- 7:15 pm – Dinner
- 9:00 pm – Opening Fire Ceremony, Live Handpan Concert, drum circle
- 11:00 pm – Rest
Saturday
- 9:00 – 10:15 am – Gentle yoga/meditation with live handpan
- 10:30 – 11:30 am – Breakfast
- 11:30 am – 1:00 pm – Personal time
- 1:00 – 3:00 pm – Handpan Workshops: Beginner level & Intermediate level (Handpans will be provided)
- 3:00 – 4:00 pm – Lunch
- 4:00 – 6:00 pm – Sauna or personal time, great for swimming, hiking, reflecting
- 6:00 – 7:15 pm – Evening yoga/meditation
- 7:30 – 8:30 pm – Dinner
- 9:00 – 10:30- pm – Gong and Singing Bowls sound bath
- 11:30 pm – Rest
Sunday
- 9:00 – 10:15 am – Gentle yoga/meditation live handpan
- 10:30 – 11:30 am – Breakfast
- 1:00 – 3:00 pm – Handpan Workshops: Beginner level & Intermediate level (Handpans will be provided)
- 3:00 – 4:00 pm – Lunch
- 4:00 – 5:00 pm – Closing circle and sharing
- 5:00 pm – Departure
Facilitators
Marina Sobol – Musician / Handpan / Handpan NYC / Teacher
Marina Sobol is one of the founders of the Handpan NYC Community. From the moment Marina held this instrument for the first time she knew that she will become a lifelong student of this art form. Since then Marina has helped organize various handpan workshops and retreats. Marina’s participation in plant medicine ceremonies has highly influenced her handpan musical journey. She weaves her voice into her compositions, incorporating songs from various traditions and backgrounds. Marina teaches beginner level handpan, somatic voice practice and psychedelic/plant medicine integration/harm reduction.
Felix Vasserman – Musician / Handpan / Handpan NYC / Teacher
Felix Vasserman is one of the founders of the Handpan NYC Community. His passion for the instrument made it possible to bring this new magical sound to everyone who was touched by it either by encounter in Yoga class or simply hearing it for the first time on the streets of NYC. Felix has been learning from New York’s best handpan artists Miguel Santamaria and Adam Maalouf since 2015, and is a part of New York’s one and only Pangea handpan ensemble and Serene Vibrations duo. Felix has taught mixed level handpan workshops since 2019 and continues to advance his playing and teaching skills.
Nikolay Ignatyev – Yoga / Meditation Teacher
Nikolay Ignatyev has had the pleasure to learn from many great teachers in his life. At Hunter College, he studied philosophy and religion, graduating with a double major. Both areas of study were philosophically and spiritually inclined and were taught in great depth by his professors, which brought much clarity to his life. In his studies of mystical traditions, Niko was deeply intrigued by the practice of meditation, internal exploration and understanding of one’s being. His desire for experience led him to the practice of yoga. Niko studied with Sri Dharma Mittra for his 200 hour certification and with Jhon Tamayo at Atmananda Yoga Sequence for his 500 hour certification. He started teaching in 2011 and his teaching journey continues to inspire him for more. The state of yoga is a state of natural well-being. The focus of yoga, as he teaches it, is to reclaim this natural state of alignment of one’s being.
Guy Yair Beider – Sound Meditation Facilitator
Guy Yair Beider is a sound meditation facilitator and sound therapy arts educator. He is passionate about providing the audience with healthy sonic nourishment and meditation through deep listening. The miraculous tones the audience is getting immersed into during his sessions belong to antique masterpieces of Himalayan singing bowls hand-picked by him in the Himalayan region. Since 2011 Guy has facilitated hundreds of meditations in yoga studios, martial arts schools, rehabilitation centers and nursing homes. He also has experience working with people with special needs, PTSD and AA groups.
Vladimir Kuperman – Host and the creator of Peace Temple. Vladimir is a leader of Peace Temple, a spiritual retreat center in the beautiful Catskill Mountains, devoted to creating and holding peaceful and inspiring community events, where creativity, spiritual growth, sustainability, respect for nature, and respect for each other are practiced. Besides hosting the retreat, Vladimir leads nature hikes and facilitates Central American Sauna.
To register
You may send the complete payment, or a 50% deposit (the remainder is due one week before the retreat start date) and fill out the form below with the screenshot of your payment.
Early bird cost for this retreat is $450 and includes all meals and camping (bring all your camping gear). Cost will go up to $550 if you register after March 1st.
- Add $50 for a two-night stay in our cozy dorm with a full-size bed (bring your own bedding). If sharing the bed with another participant, the second person pays $25 in addition to the retreat cost. When registering, provide the name of the person you are sharing your accommodation with to help us track available spaces.
- Add $250 for a two-night stay in our private tiny cabin with a queen-size bed (bedding provided). If sharing the cabin, the second person pays $50 in addition to the retreat cost. Cabins are available for a maximum occupancy of two people (please inquire for availability). When registering, please provide the name of the person you are sharing your accommodation with to help us track available spaces. Please note that cabins do not have private bathrooms; bathroom facilities are shared among guests.
Venmo or Zelle full payment OR a 50% deposit to 917 968 3214 to book your spot.
Please use the Friends and Family (keep purchases option turned off) option when making the payment, as avoiding the transaction fees helps us to keep the retreat cost lower for you.
VENMO: https://account.venmo.com/u/Vladimir-Kuperman
You must write in the note part of the payment your full first and last name and email, and clearly specify what this payment is for.
This retreat is not yet sold out.
Refund policy
Peace Temple reserves the right to cancel a retreat at any time. If Peace Temple cancels a retreat, you will receive a full refund. Some retreats may have special cancellation policies; please see individual retreat descriptions.
Unless otherwise stated within program descriptions:
Full refunds are available up to thirty (30) days before your program or stay.
Nonrefundable credit toward a future Peace Temple retreat is available up to fourteen (14) days before your retreat, or you may choose to receive a 50% refund at this time. Credit may be applied to any Peace Temple retreat in 2024-2025.
No credit or refund is available if you cancel within seven (7) days of the retreat; if you do not show up; or if you leave an event early for any reason. No refund will be available if you attend a program and are dissatisfied with its presentation or content.
Fill out the form to complete registration
We will review your registration and get back to you with a confirmation.
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Retreats provide time and peace away from your day to day routines. Going on a retreat helps to re-energize your body and soul, while providing you space to think creatively and time to reflect. If you truly want to be productive and effective in your daily life , then setting aside time to detox your body, being in nature, consider your life’s purpose and your personal values, vision and mission is vital.
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Please write to peacetempleretreats@gmail.com to inquire for details.