If there’s one word that personifies a visit to the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health, it’s “connect”. You’ll connect with your mind, body, other people and the world around you. You don’t even need to spend a week detoxing to experience the connections. I spent just one day there and started reaping the rewards immediately.
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Permission to Relax
As I drove up the long, winding driveway to look for the parking lot I saw a sign that read, “You’ve arrived, you can relax now”. That small reminder that I had permission to relax set the tone for the day. All too often in our daily lives we feel pressured to always be busy, whether it’s at home or at work. Spending a whole day relaxing is generally frowned upon and considered lazy. Or just plain impossible because of all the daily needs of caring for family, maintaining a home and keeping food on the table. That’s why it’s so important to set aside time to connect with yourself, and a wellness trip to Kripalu is an excellent way to do it.
The Kripalu Center is located in the small town of Stockbridge, Massachusetts, in the Berkshire Mountains. The town is also home to Norman Rockwell and you’ll find the downtown looks the same as it did when Rockwell lived there in the 1960s and depicted the downtown in his famous painting Main St. at Christmas. The Kripalu Center sits on over 100 wooded acres overlooking Lake Mahkeenac and is surrounded by rolling hills with mountain views. The setting couldn’t be better for a little R&R.
R&R Program
I bought a day pass to take part in the R&R Program. With a day pass you can arrive as early as 6:00 am and stay as late as 9:00 pm. I had access to all the facilities and all activities offered throughout the day. Breakfast, lunch and dinner were also included at no extra cost. Note the multi-day specialty programs are not part of R&R and require separate registration.
Start the Day With a Healthy Meal
I arrived at about 8:00 am to allow enough time for breakfast before the first activity. Breakfast is a silent meal, which seems a little odd at first, but you’ll find it’s an amazing way to connect with your thoughts and set your intentions for the day. Plus, when you’re not busy talking or fooling around with your cell phone (no phones allowed in the dining rooms) you give yourself the ability to eat slower and really enjoy your food. And the food is excellent! Everything is made from scratch with a focus on filling your plate with vegetables. The buffets include meat but it’s not the center of the meal. For breakfast I had the most flavorful and fluffy frittata I’ve ever had. And the fresh baked pumpkin muffin was to die for.
Lunch and dinner are community-style, with seating at long tables so you can meet your fellow yogis and share stories of your day. If that doesn’t seem appealing to you there is a smaller silent dining room where you can be alone with your thoughts. As I mentioned, meals are centered around vegetables and lunch and dinner offer soup, salad and a choice of a couple main entrees. If you have a sweet tooth be sure to visit on Saturday because that’s the day they serve dessert with dinner.
Choose Your Activities
The Kripalu Center is grounded in yoga, so yoga is the primary activity at Kripalu and various types of yoga classes are offered throughout the day. But you won’t find the newer, trendier types of yoga classes. There’s no hot yoga or goat yoga. The classes are more traditional and focused on helping you to slow down, breathe, and focus inward.
Aside from yoga, you’re welcome to participate in other activities. I was thrilled to see a guided hike on the list of available activities. Walking in nature, whether it be along a trail through the woods or hiking a mountain is one of my favorite ways to relax. To me, it’s a form of active meditation (more on that below).
Hiking
It was a cold November morning when I visited Kripalu, but the air was refreshing and the sun provided just enough warmth for the hike. The guides led us through the wooded trails on the Kripalu property and to a beautiful scenic overlook. Though it was a guided hike, the guides didn’t spend the whole time talking or lecturing. It wasn’t a tour, but more of a reminder to be aware of our surroundings. We stopped a few times during the hike and the guides pointed out the simple things that we often overlook, such as the gentle sound of the brook running through the woods and the sound of leaves and branches gently crunching underfoot.
On the walk back to Kripalu we spent a portion of the hike in silence. During this time I started walking with a few thoughts jumping around my mind but in the silence the thoughts quickly faded away and I was left to focus solely on being present with my surroundings. All worries and thoughts melted away and I was left feeling completely calm. And that’s exactly why surrounding myself with nature is one of my favorite things to do.
Returning from the hike, I felt rejuvenated and alive and decided it would be the perfect time to take advantage of the sauna to keep the good feelings flowing. I headed downstairs and changed into my swimsuit in the locker room for a quick 20 minute sauna session before lunch. The sauna is in the basement and it’s not exactly a swanky resort setting but once inside the sauna you won’t notice you’re in the basement. Close your eyes, feel the warmth run over you and you’ll forget about the location as your worries melt away. Connecting at Kripalu is more about how you feel than what you see around you and how much money you pay to stay there.
Try Something New
The great part about the R&R Program at Kripalu is the ability to try something new. There’s no commitment other than an open mind for an hour or so. With that in mind, in addition to a late afternoon yoga class I chose a couple of new-for-me activities to round out the afternoon.
Meditation
After lunch I started with a meditation class. I know this isn’t exactly a groundbreaking thing to do, but I’ve never taken the time to meditate. Or so I thought. I always pictured meditation as just sitting quietly for an extended period of time and focusing on one topic. I was pleased to learn there are many forms of meditation and there is no right or wrong way to do it. Even five minutes of meditation has benefits. Meditation can be active, so I learned that some of the activities I do to quiet my mind, such as taking a walk on a wooded trail or watching the waves roll in at the ocean are considered meditation. The key is to make the activity slow and purposeful. Think coloring books, gardening and knitting.
Shaminism
I freely admit I had no idea what Shamanism is prior to the intro workshop I attended at Kripalu. I didn’t even know people practiced it. Silly me, most of the world practices some form of Shaminism! In the western world we’ve seemingly all but forgotten how to prevent and treat medical issues unless it involves a drug. Shaminism has been around for thousands of years and is not just something you turn to when you’re sick. It’s a way of life focused on using the power of energy, spirits, positive thinking, and the herbs and plants Mother Nature provides. It’s the ultimate way to connect with the world. If you ever get the chance to attend the Introduction to Shamanism at Kripalu I highly recommend it. I was enthralled with how much power energy and positive thinking have.
Or Choose No Activities
This is your day at Kripalu, so feel free to choose to do nothing. If your typical day is endlessly busy this might be a perfect way to connect with yourself. Curl up with a good book and cup of tea in one of the comfy chairs overlooking the mountains. Or get some fresh air by relaxing on the bench just outside the front door or on the beach beside the lake. And don’t forget about the sauna and hot tub.
Whatever you choose to do or not do at Kripalu, just know there are no wrong decisions. Be open minded, willing to learn from others and yourself. Before you know it, the day or weekend will be over and you’ll be planning your trip back. I know I’ll be back!
Bonus Tips
- During the summer months take advantage of the beach at Lake Mahkeenac for swimming and sunning. The sun gets a bad rap but in moderation it’s the best source for Vitamin D. And who doesn’t feel better after a little sunshine?
- The Town of Stockbridge is full of history and artists. Visit the Norman Rockwell Museum for a look at the iconic paintings that captured Americana and graced the cover of the Saturday Evening Post.
- If you don’t want to stay overnight at Kripalu, take a step back in time with a stay at Red Lion Inn in downtown Stockbridge or stay at one of the many inns in nearby Lenox.
- Tanglewood, the home of the Tanglewood Festival Chorus and summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, is just down the street from Kripalu. Make time for a world-class show at Tanglewood while visiting Kripalu.
