What comes to mind when I say "yoga retreat"? Is it some glammed-up getaway to an exotic locale where a bunch of selfie-seeking beautiful people go to share "good vibes only" and "get your flow on"? This is not that story.

I've long been interested in Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health, an educational retreat center located in Western MA, about 4 hours away from my home in Rochester NY. I was extremely fortunate to identify a program that offered me a professional development opportunity for both my full-time job as a psychologist and my side passion as a yoga teacher. Titled LifeForce Yoga and Internal Family Systems: New Tools to Bring Balance to Your Life, the program brought together Amy Weintraub, founder of LifeForce Yoga a developer of extensive resources in the area of Yoga for Depression, and Laura Schmidt, an IFS therapist known for providing consultation support to other IFS professionals. 

The program was interesting and engaging, but it is the Kripalu experience itself I want to focus on here. Thinking of a retreat as "a place of privacy or safety: refuge," Kripalu epitomizes this definition. The setting is a secluded location in the Berkshire Mountains, with virtually all public rooms overlooking the small lake south of the expansive property. In addition to the extensive outdoor trails, labyrinth, meditation gardens, and beach, there are numerous indoor spaces designed for reflection and introspection. The vibe is quiet and contemplative, from silent breakfasts to the norm of the solo guest. The locally sourced, seasonal and Ayurvedic-based meals are both nourishing and delicious. Multiple daily yoga classes are open to everyone; additional workshops and outdoor activities are available to those attending for a Retreat & Renewal stay. Available for an added fee, Healing Arts offer optional enhancements. Every single aspect of Kripalu is designed to nourish both body and mind - and it succeeds, magnificently.

Was this a life-changing experience? Honestly, no. Was it a refreshing, much-needed break from the endless treadmill of daily life? One hundred percent YES.

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