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.
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.
Meals
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.
Vegetarian Options available upon request
Seasonal dishes spotlight local ingredients and purveyors.
Workshop & Activities
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.
Onsite Amenities & Spa
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.
Itinerary
Friday
Each participant receives the wooden 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.
3:00 – 5pm – Arrival
5:30 – 7pm – Dinner
7:30 – 9pm – Workshop
Saturday
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.
8:00 – 8:45am – Breakfast
9:30 – 12noon – Workshop
12:00 – 3pm – Lunch & Break
3:00 – 5pm – Workshop
6:00 – 7:30pm – Dinner
Sunday
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.
8:00 – 8:45am – Breakfast
9:00 – 11am – Workshop
Lunch to go
Way of the Sword: Cutting Through Illusion
January 22, 2027 @ 8:00 am - January 24, 2027 @ 5:00 pm
Hutton Brickyards
132 LINDSLEY AVE.
Kingston,
NY
12401
United States
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+1 (845) 514-4853