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Yoga, Deep Restoration and Loving Kindness Retreat

Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health, Lenox Massachusetts

Sunday, October 20-Sunday October 27

with Trip Leader, Susan Mathis

Join Susan Mathis on an epic week of yoga, meditation, study, and deep restoration at our first alleyCat group pilgrimage to Kripalu. Relax into the retreat atmosphere and restore yourself through daily yoga and meditation while drinking in Fall on the beautiful grounds of Kripalu while partaking of nurturing meals. Supported by powerful teachers, yoga practice and study will guide you into the heart of yoga. Choose from a 5-day Yoga and Deep Restoration Retreat with Jennifer Reis or a 5 day R & R Retreat, each followed by a weekend of The Practice of Loving Kindess led by Sharon Salzberg and Stephen Cope. Find deep connection to the roots of yoga at Kripalu and experience transformation, growth and restoration.

In addition to the program selected, registrants may participate in early morning, noon and afternoon yoga classes as well as a variety of other quality offerings at Kripalu. Shared accommodations and private rooms are available for this experience. As dorm and shared housing is a priority, early registration is encouraged. Those choosing dorm accommodations will be housed with others in the group and shared rooms can specify roommates. The group may travel together or independently under the guidance of Susan as she takes you to her spiritual home. Find out more about this retreat and registration by contacting susan or by calling her at 573-864-4132 .  Pre-register through the link below and Susan will contact you with specific details on how to register through Kripalu

Don’t miss this opportunity to visit the spiritual center of the Kripalu tradition and experience the powerful essence of Kripalu Yoga. Reset and renew at Kripalu this October. 

Retreat programming begins at 7:00p Sunday, October 20 and ends at Noon Sunday, October 27

Pre-Register Here for More Details at No Cost or Commitment

Kripalu Trip – Kripalu Retreat Option 1

Sunday-Friday Yoga and Deep Relaxation Retreat Led by Jennifer Reis
Friday-Sunday The Practice of Loving Kindness Retreat led by Sharon Salzburg & Stephen Cope

October 20-27, 2019

Kripalu Trip – Kripalu Retreat Option 2

Sunday to Friday: R & R Retreat Led by Kripalu Center Faculty
Friday-Sunday The Practice of Loving Kindness Retreat led by Sharon Salzburg & Stephen Cope

October 20-27, 2019

What is Included:

• 3 amazing organic and locally grown meals per day
• Twice Daily Gentle, Intermediate or Vigorous Kripalu Yoga Classes
• Outdoor Guided Hikes and Activities-morning and afternoon
• Access to the spa, lake, hiking trails, labyrinth and grounds
• Kripalu Evening Program
• R & R Only Workshops and Programs for R & R Registrants

Restorative Yoga

What is not included:

• Bodywork and Ayurvedic treatments
• Transportation from airport (Shuttle Available or Group Car Rental can be arranged)
• Airfare 

Registration is done through Kripalu Registration 866.200.5203. Specify the group trip alleyCat Yoga Pilgrimage to Kripalu

Please read the Retreat Options through the links below. An additional program option is available for teachers and advanced asana students. 

Kripalu Trip – Kripalu Retreat Option 1

Kripalu Trip – Kripalu Retreat Option 2

Learn More and Pre-Register for More Information by registering below. There is No Cost or Commitment to Pre-Register. Susan will contact you personally and provide more details.

Register for alleyCat Trip to Kripalu: Pre-Registration for Information

“How are you? Are you ok? How are you feeling. “

I’m not an “ok-er”. I’ve come to know this about myself. As philosophical as I am, as much as What Does It All MEAN tends to drive my life I see I am also I realist and a practical person.  

I am NOT ok. Yet of course, I am OK in that way that only someone who knows that All is Well can know. But I also know that the Susan part of me is not ok. I hope that is ok with you because I’m just into being real. If you need me to be like perfect or always ok then don’t read this. (and I’m also ok with the fact that this might not be ok with you).

Everything has changed now. And of course everything is always changing but everything has REALLY changed. And I’m angry. And I’m sad. And I’m grateful. And I’m ecstatic. And I’m afraid. And I am not afraid of anything. And I’m curious. And I just want everything to go back to how it was.

Brave people grieve. Vulnerable people grieve. All people grieve. Do you see the pattern here?

Grief is a walk on the line between acceptance and attachment, letting go of yesterday just enough to accept and live today yet never letting go of the joy of flying through the sea, the wonder of your child reaching for your hand the first time, the sweetness of love given by your partner who knew you at your core and loved you exactly as you are—all of your amazing, neurotic, wonderful, ok-ness even if you never put the toilet paper back on the holder. Read More »

This class begins with 30 minutes of restorative yoga poses which help unwind and release stored tension in the body in a gentle and supportive way. A strong focus on the breath cultivates a calm, open and introspective experience and settles the mind. We build on this foundation, using Pranayama (breathing exercises), to consciously direct, focus and balance our energy. These practices are preparation for a deep meditation in the last 15-20 minutes of class. Using these techniques we enhance our awareness of our own deep knowing and develop a sense of equanimity, an ability to stay open and engage in the reality of every moment no matter what life brings. 

The 8 Limbs of Yoga were written down by Patanjali over 2000 years ago in the Yoga Sutras. Previously, the yoga techniques were passed down orally from yoga guru to disciple. The Sutras (meaning ‘thread’ in sanskrit) are a collection of 196 short statements on the theory and practice of yoga.  In essence, the sutras are an outline of the teachings of yoga. Each sutra requires contemplation to unpack the depth of its meaning from its simplicity. Many commentaries have been written which attempt to illuminate the sutras and if you are interested I suggest looking to one of these commentaries for more exploration. The following is a incomplete and simplified version of the The 8 Limbs of Yoga from my humble, pragmatic perspective.

1st Limb: Yamas (Restraints)

2nd Limb: Niyamas (Observances)

The Yamas and Niyamas, the ethical precepts for Yoga, are the foundation for all of the other yogic practices. Rather than view them as a way to judge right from wrong, they can be used for guidance on how to live a yogic life, where we consider which actions will support love and connection.

3rd Limb: Asana (Postures)

The 3rd Limb is the what most people identify with yoga, the physical postures. The postures help ground us into the experiences of our body, anchor us to the present moment and revitalize the flow of energy, relieving stagnate or constricted energy in the body.

Read More »