Going away to go within: Vermonters retreat to Kripalu Yoga Center

By Christopher Parker | Special to the Vermont Guardian
photo courtesy of Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health

posted April 28, 2006

When Vermonters go on retreat or take personal-growth workshops, many find their way to Kripalu Yoga Center, an hour over the border in Massachusetts’ Berkshire Mountains.

Kripalu has evolved into the nation’s largest center for holistic healing, yoga, and personal growth. As many as 10 programs can be happening at once, with hundreds of peaceful participants attending sessions or yoga classes or eating in the mostly vegetarian dining hall. The glossy catalog features all the big names on the yoga and self-help circuit, as well as many excellent lesser-known teachers.

“I went because I needed some kind of retreat at that point of my life,” said Kathy Leo of Westminster West. Like many, Leo didn’t sign up for a specific program but participated in ongoing daily yoga classes and short workshops. “I needed time to be quiet and focus on myself and do a lot of yoga and be away from home. I choose Kripalu because it felt like a good mix of quiet meditative energy, and some social time.”

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