Yoga travel has recently had the pleasure of visiting the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Heath, located in the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts. Well known for the diversity of its programs, Kripalu is the nation's largest yoga and holistic retreat center. Over 600 different kinds of retreats, workshops, and yoga programs are available at this expansive haven for yoga travel.
Kripalu and the neighboring town of Lenox offer a quiet and relaxing getaway from the metropolitan cities of the Northeast. The facility itself overlooks the beautiful Lake Mahkeenac which can be enjoyed for kayaking in the summer and ice fishing in the winter. The center is surrounded by lush forest, providing a lovely reacquantance with nature through amazing hikes, sledding, or a quick walk for crisp mountain air.
Lenox, MA is a charming boutique town with interesting shopping and plenty of good eateries. We recommend Bistro Zinc and its amazing crab cakes. For those who might want a getaway from the getaway, the Normal Rockwell Museum, Tanglewood Music Center (acclaimed summer home of the Boston symphony orchestra), and a few family ski resorts are a quick drive away. While the surrounding areas of Kripalu are lovely in themselves, the real treat lies within the Kripalu building. Really there isn't much reason to ever leave. We only left twice in our 30 day stay.
When staying at the Kripalu center, you have access to at least 3 yoga classes per day (ranging from gentle to vigorous intensity) as well as numerous specialized programs that occur throughout the year. Check the schedule to coordinate your trip with the course you are interested in. The programs include offerings of yoga for specialized goals such as re-centering, Ayurvedic certification, meditation, pranayama, and yoga dance. Kripalu also offers an amazing one month happinesslifetime.com yoga teacher training intensive. To add, many yoga-celebs often come by Kripalu as teachers, such as Rodney Yee, Shiva Rea, Robert Thurman, and Krishna Das.
Across the board, reviews always give their highest regards to the quality of Kripalu's yoga classes. Kripalu Yoga emphasizes the flow of prana, practicing compassionate self-acceptance, developing witness consciousness (observing the activity of the mind without judgment), and bringing the lessons learned on the mat into daily life. In a Kripalu class, each student learns to find their own level of practice on a given day by looking inward. Postures include some typical Hatha yoga poses with an emphasis on alignment. Many classes are based on Kripalu Hatha style, however Vinyasa flow classes are also available.
Yoga Travel Tip: Be sure to ask the concierge if there are any gentle student-assisted classes available during your stay (usually on Thursdays). In these classes, about 12 happinesslifetime.com yoga teacher training students come in and offer feel good hands-on assistance to the class. You'll leave feeling like you just had an hour massage.
Kripalu's senior teachers have been practicing yoga since the 1970's when the group was an ashram. The wisdom of their guru, Swami Kripalu, has been preserved as can be seen in the quality of the classes at the center.
The Kripalu center's healing arts boasts a variety of encompassing modalities for health and relaxation. Considered to be somewhat pricey yet well worth the money, the healing arts offerings include traditional massage, acupressure, shiatsu, Thai massage, energy work, facials, and Ayurvedic therapies.
The Kripalu building itself is a renovated Jesuit church. Many have said that it could use a bit of polishing to bring it into the new era of spa style decor. Amenities at the Kripalu center include a sauna, whirlpool and fitness center. The buffet style cafeteria is renown for its healthful yet extremely tasty offerings. Using mostly locally grown products and organics, the chefs have come up with amazing ways to make delicious yet guiltless meals. Be sure not to miss the squash lasagna. For those with a macrobiotic palette, there is a "basic bar" in the back which includes items like tofu, tempeh, quinoa, and other simple foods.
The sleeping accommodations at Kripalu are simple and minimalistic. Options vary from single bedrooms to dormitory style bunks. Many people complain about the lack of luxury at Kripalu considering the price. We felt like the simplicity offered by the accommodations reminded us of how little it takes to achieve happiness. One reviewer suggested, "if what you're looking for is a five star experience... go to a five star spa."
Prices can be somewhat expensive. For R&R retreats, nightly rates start at $181 for a weekend dorm style room and $249 for a single. This includes three daily meals and access to as many, or as little, of the yoga classes you would like to attend.
Our final say about Kripalu, and the main reason that we recommend this yoga travel retreat, is the atmosphere of the facility. Kripalu style yoga is very compassionate and honors the true authenticity found within each person. Not after long will you experience this shedding of the ego and join in on the genuine happiness carried through the halls. Leave your cell phone in the car, don't even think about checking your email, and immerse into this loving experience.
Matt C. Elmore is a Certified Yoga Instructor, Internet Marketer, and Electrical Engineer. His passions include health, love, the pursuit of happiness, yoga, dance, and travel.
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