Step Into The River of Change...
About Us
Welcome to Crystal Dragon Retreats, where transformation awaits! Immerse yourself in the serenity of our riverside venue, nestled in the picturesque Green Mountains of Vermont. As a tranquil site, we offer an idyllic space for retreats and clients seeking rejuvenation.
With the capacity to accommodate 1 to 20 participants, our retreats ensure a personalized and intimate experience. Savor the delights of organic, locally sourced cuisine prepared by our talented chefs, who are dedicated to nourishing your body and soul.
Explore a diverse range of movement classes guided by expert practitioners, allowing you to discover new pathways to wellness. Our healing modalities provide a holistic approach to detoxification, leaving you feeling revitalized and restored.
Join us at Crystal Dragon Retreats, and step into the river of change for an extraordinary journey of self-discovery and growth. Let nature's embrace and our dedicated team create a memorable and transformative experience for you.
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"Enlightenment is not a change into something better or more, but a simple recognition of who we truly are."
– Richard Rudd
Your Host And Concierge
Brenda Stoeke
As a Magical Moments Facilitator, Brenda is a revolutionary catalyst that will transform the way you think about yourself, abundance, and illness. She uses her Master’s in Spiritual Psychology, Germanic Healing Knowledge (Practitioner Certification), The Emotion Code (Practitioner Certification), and Quantum Human Design (Specialist Certification) to create a revolutionary shift in your mind, body, and spirit connection.
This process removes all forms of struggle whether it is physical, mental, or emotionally based suffering. Brenda transforms what isn’t working into a manageable process of change. She creates clarity to recover from physical issues and provides avenues of self-value to change your relationships and financial picture. Plus you gain clarity of what your true purpose is.
Brenda specializes in and has many years of experience in facilitating positive change in your life that will bring you lasting harmony, abundance, and bliss!
Yoga Instructor
Paul Menard
Yoga Instructor & Shiatsu Practitioner E-RYT 500, YACEP, AOBTA-CP
Paul Menard began studying yoga in 2002 and has maintained a passionate practice ever since. His background in classical dance gives him profound appreciation for the intricacy of the form that yoga affords.
His elegance and grace shines though his postures and the execution of his teaching. Paul’s interest lies in a more spiritual yoga practice. As such, he feels blessed to share his passion with his students at Crystal Dragon Retreats.
In addition to yoga, Paul has a fervor for education. He completed his master’s degree in Adult Education and Training in early 2011 to complement his career as a workplace learning and development professional.
He has completed the 300-hour advanced yoga teacher certification program and is pursuing additional professional credentials as an educator.
Paul is excited to connect his love of education and passion for yoga at Karuna.
Reform Body Coach
Felicia Leighton-Ibbotson
​Felicia Leighton-Ibbotson holds a B.A. in Dance and a M.A. in Dance/Movement Therapy. After over a decade of teaching as a movement educator, her passion for an ever deeper understanding of the moving body led her to complete the STOTT Pilates curriculum and obtain her STOTT Pilates certification. Soon after she also became certified as a Pelvic Floor Specialist through the Center for Women's Fitness.
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Felicia served her local community with an intimate Pilates studio for over 4 years. She then felt the desire to serve a wider population. Along with that, she gained a deep understanding of the uniqueness of each individual body. That became the foundation for her Reform Body Coaching which seeks to improve function, strength, balance and flexibility.
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"Throughout my life, as my body's complaints and injuries presented themselves, I remember panicking and thinking that whatever was "wrong" couldn't be corrected. I've gone on to prove to myself that by addressing my body in the right way, I have more power to change it for the better than anyone else. And so it has become my passion to help others in this way . . ."
Yoga Instructor
Susan Cuda
After her first Yoga class, Susan knew that yoga would play a huge role in her life. She closed her custom window treatment business that she owned for 25 years to become a yoga teacher. She then began her 200 hr Vinyasa teacher training..
The following year, she participated in Restorative Yoga Teacher Training. Restorative Yoga is a therapeutic practice that allows the mind to synchronize with the body through stillness. It is specifically a way to restore peace and release stress.
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Susan's yoga journey had her still searching for an active practice that was more grounding. After several Hatha Yoga workshops with Mark Kinder, Susan knew that she found her personal practice.
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Susan went on in 2012 to become certified to teach children’s yoga. She was subsequently certified as a Thai Yoga Level one Teacher and as a Reiki Level 2 Practitioner. She now teaches in multiple locations in Stillwater, Saratoga Springs, Bakkston and at the Green River Inn.
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To date Susan has 1500+ hours of teaching experience. She also continues her education to deepen her knowledge and understanding of the human body. With expanded awareness she can better guide students towards healing and personal growth.
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Courage is not the towering oak that sees storms come and go; it is the fragile blossom that opens in the snow.
– Alice Mackenzie Swaim –
Human Design Specialist
Lisa Sparhawk
Lisa is a self-development consultant who took the opportunity to evaluate and address the roadblocks in her own life that were preventing her from living the life she always wanted.
Through this process, Lisa taught herself how to overcome obstacles and challenges, which led to a journey of self discoveery and personal growth. Eventually she was able to experience a complete transformation of mind, body, and soul.
Lisa's prior experience as a vocational school assistant director and educator helped her to discover early on that she had an amazing ability to help students overcome a wide variety of personal struggles.
Lisa has developed a unique and customized approach that employs techniques derived from several systems. Her broad knowledge in the Human Design allows her to provide deep insight into each person's individual gifts and traits.
Through the application of the the Human Design model, people are able toi redirect energy and find balance in personal and professional relationships, but most importantly, the relationship with themselves.
