TRAVEL REVIEW: Kripalu Center for Yoga + Health

The highest spiritual practice is self-observation without judgment.

-Swami Kripalu

Aversion and desire, these are major themes we work with as yogis, right? I found it rather ironic that ever since my first solo retreat journey to Kripalu in Stockbridge, MA  every second thereafter I felt consumed with plotting my return.

I even wished I never went to begin with so that I didn't know how amazing it was and my agony would be averted. But my desire to return lured me back to dreaming of my second visit. 

Every minute I wasn't there simply reminded me that I was in fact, elsewhere. Maybe this sounds silly, but it's true. I became irritated with myself and thought that going on this yoga retreat actually ruined my yoga practice by putting a huge speed bump in the rather smooth interactions I'd come to know and savor on my mat. 

Then I knew better.

This was all part of the practice. Built into the very nature. Outside of the asana and pranayama, I found practical real world lessons to engage as a yogi. To embody the breath off the mat. I'm not going to say that I wasn't irritated by it but I did what any normal person would do - I read compulsively about it to get my fix for 11 long months until I found my way back. 

Back at my "home" yoga studio, I was poking through the library. It's hard for me to practice next to the library because I get very distracted by the books and want to read and borrow them all. Sometimes I do it for the challenge. Other times, I stay away. By this point I had been working with my longing to return to Kripalu for about three months when I found myself lurking around my studio's library. 

A book I'd seen before but never looked too closely at seemed to grab me and I flipped through it and oddly noticed the word "Kripalu." Wait, what? This shall do as a holdover. 

The book was Yoga and the Quest for the True Self by Stephen Cope. Cope had lived and served at Kripalu for a decade and this particular book was all about his journey there and some of his experiences while in residence. It was as if I could smell the hallways and was transported into the group meditations. 

I was so elated to have this book and wondered if this was a good thing or a bad thing. I couldn't shake my desire to return but now I was just traveling there mentally through Cope's words. I decided that it didn't matter because the book was too good and it was big and long. It would satisfy my desire for now. I'd worry about what it all means later. 

Cope's words carried me through until I found my way back. I'd devoured 3 (oh goody, there's more publications!) of his books in the time between my Kripalu visits. I'd also return home with another of his books after my second visit, just to keep my desires at bay. 

So what exactly is it? What makes this place so very special? 

The magic in that answer is unique to each visitor who makes their way there.

Let me tell you a little bit about the place, I'll show you around. And then I'll tell you why it was special to me personally.

My first trip there was over a weekend. It was enjoyable but very busy. You could tell who was there to see a famous speaker and who was there to be quiet and alone. I felt jealous of the woman who said she had been there since Tuesday and it was much quieter.

Since I was working weekends at Nightlight Astrology, my only option was weekdays this time. Sean was all set to handle the kids. I was free to head north towards the Berkshires! 

The first trip I rented the "Standard twin" (with shared hall bath). It worked fine and was super cute! Reminded me of my college days. Showers were clean and there is a sink in my dorm room so that was nice. Super quaint but with a pastel accent wall. What more could you need?

This time, since rates are lower mid week, I paid the same but technically upgraded to a "Classic" twin, which gave me two twin beds and my own private bathroom in the room. That was SO GOOD. The bathrooms are old and it is very obvious this building used to be an old Jesuit Monastery. But it was clean and in my room, so I have no complaints.  (This is the room pictured in this post). 

Sleep here is a bit funny for me, which is odd because I'm an excellent sleeper no matter the location. I hypothesize that because the energy in the building is so intense and everyone is bringing and working through so much, as a highly sensitive person, it makes it a little harder for me to settle into sleep. I knew this the second time going into it, so I tried to do more physically exhausting yoga to tire myself out. It worked well. 

Let's get into some of the personal reasons why this place is so special. 

I didn't drive until I was an adult, and a mother, at 28 years old. Driving long distances was something I never really thought I'd do. Now, in my 40s, I've shaken most of that fear and making this 4 hour drive through North Jersey chaotic traffic and beyond through the breathtaking Catskills and into the Berkshires was an incredibly fulfilling solo journey. 

There was even an earthquake and a shaky, windy bridge that terrified me, but I found my way. Twice.

There is something elusive about time inside of Kripalu. I liked that. Technology is discouraged and not allowed in public areas and I think that helped me unhook from being timebound. I actually missed some planned activities because of it and found my way to other things that were just as meaningful. 

It's the kind of place where you know amazing classes are happening but the mountains want to be stared at too. Sometimes you just sit and stare. It's magical. 

Losing track of time had me wondering about flow states and also how the time of the year we are born in lives within each of us and how we express ourselves. I pondered this when I was met with the sun dial just outside the Labyrinth. (It's windy and cold out there in both March and April!)

The sign upon entering the Labyrinth invites you to state an intention.

One of my absolute favorite features of the décor are giant posters in the stair wells with quotes - ranging from Swami Kripalu to Dolly Parton. I look forward to them several times a day. 

Beware: the gift shop is amazing and the book selection is out of this world. They also have a stellar assortment of paper garlands - many are moon themed. The astrologer and Cancer Sun in me was overjoyed!!

Swami Kripalu taught that self-acceptance and non-judgment were the highest spiritual practice. I'm no stranger to turning the sword inward. But I also know I'm not alone in that regard. 

We all need this reminder. How special that there is an entire center with it's sole intention to support all who enter the door in their spiritual journey of self-acceptance. 

xo,

Marjorie