Welcome to
Table of Contents
Contents 1 Important Information 3 Dining at Kripalu 4 Amenities at Kripalu 6 Healing Arts 7 FAQ 8 Kripalu Yoga Classes 10 Retreat Center Etiquette 11 About Kripalu
Welcome. Kripalu is a yoga-based retreat center providing experiential education for the whole person: mind, body, spirit, and heart. Our dynamic curriculum of programs, retreats, and outreach activities is designed to help people heal, transform, and grow. During your stay, we invite you to explore and enjoy everything Kripalu has to offer. Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational center whose mission is to empower people and communities to realize their full potential through the transformative wisdom and practice of yoga. Kripalu速 is a registered trademark of Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health. All rights reserved.
Rev. December 2015
• Your room is guaranteed by 4:00 pm. For your convenience, you may start enjoying our facility and amenities on your day of arrival at 2:00 pm. • Welcome Sessions are offered at 6:45 pm on Friday and Sunday evenings. If you are arriving midweek, our Front Desk Staff is happy to provide you with an orientation. • Your program schedule, provided at check-in, lists the start time and location of your program sessions. • Please wear your name tag for entry into programs, classes, and meals.
Important Information
Arrival and Departure
• Checkout is at noon. Please recycle your key and name tag holder by dropping them at the Front Desk or the Annex key drop as you leave. An official checkout is not required.
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Important Information
House Phones Located throughout the buildings for your convenience. Front Desk/Guest Services (24 hours) ext. 3165 Campus Safety ext. 3230, 3590 Healing Arts Scheduling ext. 3165 Development Office ext. 3170 Luggage Room (24 hours) Store your luggage here before your room is available on arrival day, or on departure day, if you stay past noon. Hospitality Needs If you need additional bedding or towels, please see the Front Desk. Guest Kitchen A small kitchenette is located on the Fourth Floor (across from the elevator). All food items placed in the refrigerator must be labeled. Laundry Coin-operated washers and dryers are located on the Lower Level. Laundry soap is provided.
Internet The Kripalu Cafe offers complimentary wireless Internet access. Please refrain from using electronic devices in other areas of the retreat center. Wireless Lounge (24 hours) Located on the First Floor between the Annex and Shadowbrook, the Wireless Lounge is a discreet space to use phones and other devices, and offers worktables and comfortable seating areas, with computers available for guest use.
Between 10:00 pm and 6:00 am, all exterior doors— except the main and Annex entrances—are locked.
While vacations offer a break from regular routines, retreats are about slowing down and dropping into a deeper experience of who you are. Your time at Kripalu is about self-discovery. It’s a time to practice mindfulness, nurture yourself, and explore new ways of living. Cell Phone-Free Zone Silent use of electronics is permitted on the First Floor only. All other use is limited to the Wireless Lounge, phone booths, and private guest rooms. Quiet Hours Quiet hours are from 10:00 pm to 5:30 am. Please be considerate of other guests during this time. In dormitory rooms, we ask that you turn overhead lights off by 9:30 pm and bed lights off by 10:00 pm. Please do not set alarms for earlier than 5:30 am.
Main Line
Breakfast
• Breakfast features an egg dish,
• The Buddha Bar offers simply
• Lunch and dinner feature an
• Gluten-free breads are available
7:00–8:30 am Monday–Friday 7:00–9:00 am Saturday and Sunday 7:00–9:00 am Summer Lunch 11:30 am–1:30 pm Sunday–Friday 11:30 am–2:00 pm Saturday 11:30 am–2:00 pm Summer Dinner 5:30–7:00 pm Sunday–Thursday 5:00–7:30 pm Friday and Saturday 5:00–7:30 pm Summer
Please always wear your name tag and shoes in dining areas.
hot and cold cereals, and a specialty dish (pancakes, scones, muffins, etc.) array of both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options. Whole grains, fresh vegetables, and legumes form the foundation of our menus, with organic poultry, fish, and dairy products offered as optional protein sources.
• Fresh fruit and homemade
breads are available at every meal, along with peanut butter, jelly, and rice cakes.
Buddha Bar
prepared vegan legumes, grains, vegetables, soups, and an assortment of condiments. next to the Buddha Bar.
Sandwich Bar The Sandwich Bar offers homemade bread, wraps, organic and nitrate-free cold cuts or tuna, homemade spreads, fresh vegetables, and a panini grill.
Dining at Kripalu
Mealtimes
Silent Dining
Breakfast is always a silent meal. (The Kripalu Cafe and the Front Terrace—weather permitting—are available for conversation.) The Silent Dining Room is available for quiet contemplation at all meals.
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Amenities at Kripalu
Get Outside Front Terrace The panoramic view from the Front Terrace is one of the best in the Berkshires. Please refrain from speaking on your phone here. Lakefront A beautiful beach for summer sunbathing and swimming, Kripalu’s lakefront is also an inspiring and peaceful spot in spring and fall. Labyrinth Located across the south driveway on the way to the lake, the Labyrinth encourages introspective walking meditation. Meditation Garden Swami Kripalu’s Meditation Garden is a quiet, reflective, and peaceful oasis offering a breathtaking view of the Stockbridge Bowl.
Camperdown Elm Located below the lawn of the former Shadowbrook Mansion, this tree is a horticultural gem and natural wonder. East Drive A one-mile walk on a flat, paved road. Along the way, you’ll find part of the foundation of the original Shadowbrook Mansion building and the old gatehouse. Hiking, Walking, and Jogging A trail map can be found at the back of this Guest Guide. Additional information is available at the Front Desk.
Sun Room (24 hours) Beautiful views, cozy chairs, and couches for silent reading, writing, and reflection. Fourth Floor. Lobby Lounge (24 hours) Relax, meet a friend, and take in the views. First Floor across from the Front Desk. Personal Yoga Space (24 hours) Fourth Floor, East Wing. Fitness Room 6:00 am–10:00 pm First Floor. Meditation Room (24 hours) We invite you to take advantage of this quiet room for meditation. Please respect this space by removing your shoes before entering, maintaining silence, and doing only sitting meditation. Fourth Floor.
Sauna 5:00 am–10:00 pm Men’s and women’s sauna facilities are located on the Lower Level. Clothing is optional. Towels are provided. Kripalu Shop 10:00 am–8:00 pm The Kripalu Shop offers a wide selection of books, music, clothing, and products to support your retreat experience.
Amenities at Kripalu
Stay Inside
Kripalu Cafe 8:00 am–9:00 pm, Monday–Thursday 8:00 am–10:00 pm, Friday–Sunday Organic coffee and tea, cold beverages, and healthy snacks. First Floor (across from the Kripalu Shop). Evening Activities Please check the Information Boards located on the First and Second Floors.
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Healing Arts
Healing Arts One-on-one healing arts sessions— including Ayurvedic consultations and treatments, bodywork, and energy work—are powerful allies on the path of growth and transformation. Our Healing Arts services are designed to bring body, mind, and spirit into wholeness. To make an appointment while you are here, stop by the Front Desk or dial extension 3165 from any house phone. Children and Teens Healing Arts has certain services available to children and teens with written consent of a parent or guardian. Parent/guardian must remain in the treatment room during the session. For more Healing Arts information please visit the Front Desk.
Please evacuate using the nearest exit and follow instructions from our Campus Safety team and other Kripalu staff members. Evacuation maps are posted in all guest rooms and public areas. What do I do in case of a medical emergency? Dial 911 or call Campus Safety at 413.448.3230, or extension 3590 from any house phone. There are no on-site medical services at Kripalu. Which activities and locations are open to children? Children and teens of all ages are welcome, though those 17 and under must be supervised and accompanied at all times by a parent or guardian who is also on-site at Kripalu. Kripalu YogaDance®, offered every day from 12:00–1:00 pm, is a fast-paced and lively experience that’s fun for the whole family. Children may participate under the supervision of a parent or guardian. We suggest that children under the age of 5 be held or closely supervised.
Guest yoga classes are open to teens ages 16 and 17 when accompanied by a parent or guardian. Special Kripalu family yoga classes might be offered during your stay. Please check your program schedule for availability.
FAQ
What do I do in case of a fire alarm?
The Fitness Room is open to teens ages 16 and 17 when under the supervision of a parent or guardian. The sauna and women’s whirlpool are open to teens ages 16 and 17, who must be supervised at all times by a parent or guardian of the same gender. We ask that children not play in the halls, in the program rooms, or on the stairways, as we strive to maintain a quiet retreat center atmosphere. Swimming at the lake is allowed only with the supervision of a parent or guardian. The Children’s Playroom is on the Second Floor, across from the Dining Hall. Please ensure that your child wears his or her name tag at all times. Does Kripalu provide childcare? Childcare services are available for children ages 5 to 12 only for times when parents’ and children’s program schedules differ. Kripalu does not provide other childcare services. For more information, please see the Front Desk.
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Kripalu Yoga Classes
Yoga classes at Kripalu are led by our team of certified and experienced teachers. We offer different paces for varying levels of yoga practice, so you can find the class that’s right for you. In every class, you are encouraged to adapt the practice for your own needs.
Gentle Yoga For all levels. Experience simple postures, slow, meditative movements to warm and stretch the body, and soothing breathing techniques to release stress and tension. Intermediate Yoga For guests with some yoga experience. Strengthen the body through sustaining more challenging postures and breathing techniques to develop mental focus. Vinyasa Yoga For those interested in a strong, athletic practice. Flow through graceful, powerful sequences that integrate mind, body, and breath.
Kripalu Guest Yoga Class Schedule Daily 6:30 am, 12:00 pm, and 4:15 pm Additional classes are available during the summer season and holiday weeks. Please consult the Information Boards for the most up-to-date schedule. Personal Yoga Space (24 hours) Fourth Floor, East Wing.
Kripalu YogaDance® Classes daily 12:00–1:00 pm Experience Kripalu’s most popular activity. Whether you are brand new to movement, dance, and yoga, or have danced your whole life, Kripalu YogaDance will surprise you with joy.
Kripalu Yoga Classes
Beginner Yoga For guests new to yoga. Learn foundational postures and breathing techniques through clear instruction and a steady pace.
Private Kripalu Yoga instruction is also available. See the Front Desk for more information. 9
Retreat Center Etiquette
Retreat Center Etiquette • The use of electronics is limited to private guest rooms, the Wireless Lounge, or phone booths. Silent use of electronics is permitted on the First Floor.
• Use only natural or unscented products; some guests have chemical sensitivities or allergies. • Please, no beverages or food in program rooms. (Water bottles with caps are permitted.) • Kripalu is a smoke- and flame-free environment. Per the State Fire Marshal, please do
not burn candles, incense, sage, or any other materials on Kripalu property. Kripalu also prohibits the use of any smoke or oral tobacco products, electronic cigarettes, and any other similar devices of any kind, on campus
• S ervice animals are welcome; no other animals, including companion or therapy animals, are permitted in the buildings.
• Remove shoes before entering program rooms.
About Kripalu
Established in 1974, Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health is the largest yoga-based retreat and educational center in North America, with more than 400 employees and interns dedicated to offering more than 700 programs and serving nearly 50,000 guests per year. Kripalu is founded on the teachings of Swami Kripalu (1913–1981), a yoga master renowned for his compassion and the depth of his spiritual practice. Kripalu is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational organization. Contributions are taxdeductible as allowed by the law. Mission To empower people and communities to realize their full potential through the transformative wisdom and practice of yoga.
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Did you know? Kripalu awards $500,000 each year in scholarships to people who otherwise would not be able to participate in our life-changing programs and trainings. The Kripalu Yoga in the Schools program empowers adolescents by providing them with skillful-living tools such as self-management, selfinquiry, and self-care. Benefits include reduced stress, better relationships with peers, and increased focus and confidence. Our retreat center needs continual renewal. In order to keep our programs affordable and accessible, we need your support to maintain and update our facility. Your contribution makes our mission-driven initiatives possible. To make a gift, please contact the Development office at 413.448.3284 or give online at give.kripalu.org.
Please recycle by returning this brochure to the Front Desk.
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