The Nervous System Reset

Sparking water in glasses with an ice bucket

View of a side table next to a queen bed with sparkling water and books

A Weekend to Feel Like Yourself Again

The Nervous System Reset: A Heartwood at Vassar x MĒNOS Retreat

November 13-15, 2026

If you’ve been moving through life at full speed, this is an invitation to pause. Join us at The Heartwood at Vassar for a gentle weekend of rest, connection, and practical ways to care for your nervous system.

Led by Sarah Mirsini, nervous system educator, meditation teacher, and founder of MĒNOS, you’ll explore how stress shows up in your body and discover simple practices you can return to in everyday life. There’s room here to learn, to be cared for, and to rest without needing to accomplish anything.

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The Experience & Intention

A Weekend to Understand, Practice, and Rest

The Nervous System Reset gives you time to slow down and learn how stress shows up in your own body. This weekend combines clear, accessible teaching with practices you can experience for yourself.

Through guided breathwork and meditation, you’ll practice noticing your body’s signals and finding moments of steadiness. Gentle movement will offer a way to release tension and reconnect with how your body feels. Journaling and guided reflection will help you make sense of what you notice, while sound and a skin ritual to create space for rest and care.

Each practice is an invitation. You can participate at your own pace, and you’ll leave with a personal ritual made up of simple tools you can use at home.

What Awaits You

Nervous System Education & Reflection: Learn how stress responses can affect your energy, sleep, emotions, and sense of connection. Guided journaling will help you recognize your own patterns and what supports you.
Breathwork & Meditation: Experience gently guided practices that help you pause, notice what is happening in your body, and find a steadier rhythm. No prior experience is needed.
Gentle Movement & Sound: Begin Saturday with accessible yoga led by a local instructor, and make space throughout the weekend for grounding movement and restorative sound.
Guided MĒNOS Skin Ritual: Join Sarah for a hands-on botanical skincare practice that invites you to slow down, connect with your sense of touch, and consider the relationship between skin and emotional well-being.
Quiet Healing: On Saturday morning, Dr. Katie Hatt, DO, will lead a two-hour exploration of pain, perception, and the stories our bodies hold.
Personal Ritual Mapping: Before you leave, bring together what you’ve learned through reflection and create a realistic practice to return to in daily life.
Nourishing Meals & Unstructured Time: Share meals at The Salt Line at Vassar, with room between sessions to walk, journal, connect with others, or simply rest.

The Weekend Flow

Friday

Arrive & Soften

Afternoon check-in: Arrive at The Heartwood, settle into your room, and give yourself time to transition out of your usual pace.
Opening gathering & welcome ritual: Meet Sarah and your fellow guests in a welcoming space. We’ll introduce the weekend’s intentions and begin with a gentle practice to help you notice how you’re arriving, without needing to feel any particular way.
Light bites, meditation & sound: Share light bites, then ease into the evening with a grounding meditation and sound experience. This is time to settle, rest, and prepare for a good night’s sleep.

Saturday

Reset & Restore

Morning yoga & breakfast: Begin with slow, accessible movement led by a local yoga instructor. Gentle stretches and intentional breathing will give you space to check in with your body before a nourishing breakfast.
Quiet Healing with Dr. Katie Hatt: Joining us Saturday morning, Dr. Hatt will lead an exploration of pain, perception, and the stories our bodies hold. Her session invites curiosity about how the brain and body respond to our experiences.
Lunch & time of your own: After lunch, the afternoon opens up. Walk the grounds, read in one of our cozy common spaces, meditate, spend time with your journal, or return to your room for a nap. You can also simply listen to what your body needs and follow that.
Dinner & connection: Share a seasonal meal family style and have conversations on your impressions from the day.
Nervous system education & guided skin ritual: Sarah will help you understand how stress can show up in your energy, emotions, sleep, and skin. Through conversation, breathwork, and journaling, you’ll start to recognize your own patterns and explore what helps you feel supported. Through touch and botanical formulas, you’ll be invited to slow down and explore caring for your skin as a moment of connection with yourself.
Winding down for the evening: Tarot reading and closing circle.

Sunday

Integrate & Return

Morning grounding & breakfast: Ease into the day with light breathwork and meditation, followed by breakfast at The Salt Line.
Personal ritual mapping: Reflect on what you noticed over the weekend and choose a few practices—perhaps a breath, a movement, a journaling prompt, or a skincare ritual—that fit into your life at home.
Farewell & departure: Close the weekend together, then leave with space to carry what you’ve learned into the days ahead.

Meet Your Guides

Sarah Mirsini Hjorthol

Founder & Creative Director of MĒNOS

Dr. Katie Hatt, DO

Osteopathic Physiatrist & Founder of Quiet Healing

Private Stay

Private King Guestroom | From $1,400 per person

Ideal for those who crave a personal sanctuary for solo reflection and uninterrupted rest. Includes 2 nights, all retreat programming, meals, and MĒNOS gift kit.

View of a double queen quest room with a desk and chairs

Shared Stay

Double-Queen Guestroom | From $1,000 per person

Perfect for friends or travel partners joining the retreat together. Includes 2 nights, all retreat programming, meals, and MĒNOS gift kit.

Local Experience

Non-Overnight Pass | $795 per person

Designed for Hudson Valley locals who wish to participate in the full program and scheduled meals without hotel stays.

Frequently Asked Questions Everything You Need to Know

Not at all. Every session is gently guided and fully accessible to beginners. You are always encouraged to participate at whatever pace feels comfortable for you.

Absolutely. This experience is designed to feel intimate and welcoming, and many guests attend independently.

Yes. The culinary team at The Salt Line at Vassar will accommodate dietary preferences and restrictions with advance notice.

Bring comfortable clothes you can easily move and rest in, a journal, warm layers for campus walks, and an open mind. A comprehensive packing guide will be sent prior to arrival.

By Train: We are easily accessible from NYC via Metro-North Railroad (Hudson Line from Grand Central Terminal to Poughkeepsie Station, approx. 1 hour 50 minutes) or Amtrak (from Moynihan Train Hall at Penn Station to Poughkeepsie Station, approx. 1 hour 25 minutes). The hotel is a quick 10-minute taxi or rideshare drive (3 miles) from the Poughkeepsie station.
By Car: Located in Poughkeepsie, NY, The Heartwood is roughly a 90-minute to 2-hour drive from New York City (approx. 75 miles) via the Taconic State Parkway or I-84 / NYS Thruway (I-87). Complimentary parking is available on-site for retreat guests.
By Air: The closest commercial airport is Stewart International Airport (SWF) in Newburgh, NY (~35 minutes away). Westchester County Airport (HPN) is ~60 minutes away, and NYC metro airports (JFK, LGA, EWR) are approximately 90 minutes to 2 hours south.

Your Body Has Been Speaking.

This Is Your Time to Listen.

Join us at The Heartwood at Vassar for two nights of rest, ritual, and return. Reserve your place before our limited 20-guest capacity fills.