Way of the Sword
with Damien Echols
Jan
22 - 24
A Three-Day, Two-Night Workshop with Damien Echols
Damien Echols spent nearly two decades on death row for a crime he didn't commit. He emerged from solitary confinement with a disciplined practice of inner alchemy, chronicled in the New York Times bestseller Life After Death and his latest, Alchemy of the Broken Blade.
This retreat is where that philosophy becomes action. Each day opens and closes with a short talk on the Great Work: what it is, and how to accomplish it in your own life. In between, you'll train the mind through sitting and active meditation, then take that awareness into motion by learning a Tang Soo Do sword form, practiced as a moving meditation that cuts through distraction and anchors you in the present.
Not a weekend for collecting ideas, but for living them. Open to all levels, no martial arts experience required.
TICKET TYPES
-
All-inclusive package - meals, full access to the Hutton Brickyards grounds, and your choice of accommodations. A limited number of spots are available. Reserve yours now.
-
This includes everything - meals and full access to the Hutton Brickyards grounds - but excludes accommodations.
“An idyllic place for leisurely pursuits.”
— Vogue
“Exactly what I needed to disconnect and unwind.”
— The Zoe Report
What’s Included
-
The 100-acre property includes private riverfront cabins and the historic Edgewood mansion.
All rooms have free wi-fi, a coffee machine, apothecary bath amenities, mini-fridge, wine opener, and in-room safe.
-
Farm-to-table meals are prepared by Chef Edward Harder, a Le Cordon Bleu graduate who leads the kitchens at both of Hutton’s seasonal restaurants: Aster, a modern French steakhouse, and River Pavilion, an open air space on the Hudson River specializing in wood-fired seafood.
Seasonal dishes spotlight local ingredients and purveyors.
Sample Menu -
Each program is led by an expert teacher who is a leader in their field with a substantial following.
The multi-day experience follows a custom schedule with breaks for meals, free time, naps, and local exploration.
-
Experience a curated selection of activities designed for relaxation, adventure, and connection. Enjoy world class Hudson Valley hiking trails on site, campfire hangouts and community, and spa treatments and sauna sessions.
Riverview King Cabin
Edgewood Suite
Itinerary
-
Each participant receives the sword they'll train with and take home during an opening presentation ceremony. The retreat begins with a traditional Daruma blessing to watch over the weekend ahead.
-
The morning opens with a short reading, a Korean sword chi gung form, and basic warm ups. The afternoon moves into practice, pairing foundational strikes with beginning footwork.
-
The final morning returns to the chi gung warm up, then focuses on reviewing and practicing everything learned over the weekend. The retreat closes with a final reading and the completion of the Daruma blessing.
Overnight Rates
All-inclusive package - meals, full access to the Hutton Brickyards grounds, and your choice of accommodations. A limited number of spots are available. Reserve yours now.
$1384
starting price per person
plus tax
SINGLE OCCUPANCY ROOM
$1210
starting price per person
plus tax
DOUBLE OCCUPANCY ROOM
2 guests required
Commuter Pass
This includes everything - meals and full access to the Hutton Brickyards grounds - but excludes accommodations.
$825
price per person
plus tax
Group sizes are intentionally kept small
Farm-to-table meals by Chef Ed Harder
Know Before You Go
-
Winter on the Hudson runs cold and clear, with river winds that mean business. Pack real layers and boots that can handle snow.
Clothing: A warm winter coat, sweaters or fleece for layering, thermal or long-sleeve tops, comfortable pants (leggings layer well under them), warm sleepwear, and a dinner outfit if you're feeling fancy.
Footwear: Insulated waterproof boots for snowy paths, warm socks and extras, and shoes for indoors. (Cozy cabin slippers are provided in every room!)
Accessories: A warm hat, gloves or mittens, a scarf, sunglasses for snow glare, a small bag, and a water bottle.
Outdoor Gear: Phone charger, camera, binoculars for winter birdwatching, and a thermos for something hot by the river.
Personal Care: Moisturizer and SPF lip balm (winter air is drying), sunscreen for bright days, toiletries, and hand sanitizer.
Health & Comfort: Any personal medications, pain relievers, hand and toe warmers if you run cold, and snacks for the trail.
-
Kingston is just under two hours from New York City, making it an easy weekend escape. Hop in the car and take the scenic drive up the Hudson Valley via the NY State Thruway, or leave the driving to Amtrak - trains run regularly from Penn Station to the Rhinecliff, with the ride taking about 90 minutes to two hours. Either way, you'll trade city streets for river views in no time.
Address: 132 Lindsley Avenue. Kingston, NY 12401
-
Complimentary on-site parking is included with your stay.
On-site gem cart service is available to help transport your luggage from the parking area to your cabin. An electric vehicle charging station is also provided on the property.
-
Dogs are welcome in our cabins!
Please note that Edgewood Mansion is a pet-free space, and dogs are not permitted inside actual program sessions.
Community + Connection
The difference at Hutton Wellbeing is scale. At the big retreat centers you can be one of a hundred in the hall; here, programs are kept intentionally small, closer to a dinner party than a conference. You're never watching from the back row. Teachers share the same tables at meals, questions get answered by name, and the strangers from Friday's welcome dinner are usually the reason people come back.
The place does its part. Sessions meet in a century-old brick pavilion, meals are served with the river in view, and evenings end around the fire. In winter and spring the property runs at its quietest, which means a small group has the riverfront, the trails, and the saunas nearly to themselves.
Small groups, real time with teachers
Cabins with walls of glass to the river
100 riverfront acres of nature and trails
The historic 1873 Edgewood Mansion
Farm-to-table meals by Chef Ed Harder
Waterfront saunas, massage by appointment
Two hours north of New York City
The Gift of Wellbeing
Imagine your loved one escaping to our Hudson Valley oasis, indulging in an all-inclusive package of nutritious meals, invigorating movement, and soothing spa treatments.
Space is limited, so don't miss out! Contact us to purchase a Hutton Wellbeing gift certificate. Click the contact button below or email us at info@huttonbrickyards.com.
Contact
For questions or booking assistance, email us at info@huttonbrickyards.com or fill out the following form.