Amenities during your stay
Arrival and departure
Attractions
Cell phone use and Internet access
Commuting
Costs and calculations
Dining at Kripalu
Kids at Kripalu
Pets at Kripalu
R&R and Healthy Living programs, theme-based programs, and professional training
Registration
Room sharing
Scheduling your time at Kripalu
Scholarships/work exchange
Smoking
Yoga for beginners
What other amenities are included in my tuition?
Kripalu offers several classes that are open to everyone: morning, noon, and late afternoon Kripalu Yoga as well as noon-time YogaDance®. In addition, there are evening events, which vary nightly and include workshops, meditative chanting experiences, and concerts. You can also stay active in our Fitness Room and keep up with your practice in our Meditation Room, which is open 24 hours a day. Take full advantage of your personal time by relaxing in our beautiful Solarium and other lobbies with their lovely views, walking along our wooded trails, curling up with a book in the cafe or in one of our hallway nooks, or luxuriating in our whirlpools and saunas.
When should I plan on arriving at Kripalu? And what do I do upon arrival?
Our programs generally begin at 7:30 pm on the first date listed with your program description. Check-in begins at 2:15 pm; rooms are guaranteed to be available by 4:00 pm. There is a Welcome Session at 6:45 pm. You are also welcome to attend the 4:15 pm Kripalu Yoga classes. Arrival dinner is also included in your stay, beginning at 5:30 pm and ending at 6:45 pm (7:30 pm on Fridays and Saturdays). R&R stays and Kripalu Healthy Living Programs have more flexible schedules. For more arrival/departure information, view our travel directions page.
When should I plan on departing?
Programs generally end by 11:30 am on the last day and lunch is included in your stay. We kindly request that all departing guests be out of their rooms by noon. If you choose to spend the afternoon here, you may leave your belongings in the Luggage Room.
Are there activities and attractions nearby Kripalu to explore during my free time?
Kripalu lies in the center of an unparalleled collection of world-class cultural attractions. Year-round, you can visit places like the Norman Rockwell Museum, Edith Wharton’s estate and gardens, and the Berkshire Botanical Gardens. During the warmer months, Tanglewood, Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, Shakespeare & Company, and the Berkshire Theater Festival offer must-see performances and productions. And more...
Am I allowed to use my cell phone when I’m at Kripalu? Do you provide access to the Internet?
Many guests choose to leave their cell phones at home or in their cars in order to support their experience of retreat. If you do bring your cell phone, Kripalu offers specific places for their use.
There are no public computers; however, laptops can be used at the Kripalu Cafe where wireless Internet access is available. (Your computer must be equipped for wireless service.)
Can I come to Kripalu as a commuter? If so, is there a special commuter fee?
Most programs have a limited number of commuter spaces available. Like all guests, commuters must register for programs in advance through Kripalu Registration. Some blockout periods apply.
The non-optional commuter fee of $50 per day (for guests not staying at Kripalu) includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily and covers the overhead costs for your use of Kripalu’s amenities and services, including daily yoga and YogaDance classes, evening events, sauna and whirlpool, fitness room, lakefront area, trails, and parking.
How do I calculate the total cost of my stay?
When you find the program on a theme you’d like to attend on our website, scroll down to the bottom of the page where you’ll find all-inclusive per person prices including program tuition, meals, and accommodations.
R&R rates are also all-inclusive, are listed as per person/per night, and can be found by scrolling down the R&R page.
Is your food vegetarian? Are protein options available?
The Kripalu Kitchen uses high-quality, all-natural ingredients to offer an array of nutritionally sound choices at every meal. Whole grains, fresh vegetables, and legumes form the backbone of the menus, with organic poultry, fish, and dairy products as optional protein sources.
Meals are served buffet-style. Fresh salad fixings and a selection of delicious salad dressings are always available, as are our famous freshly baked breads. Additionally, a macrobiotically influenced Buddha Bar offers legumes, brown rice, sea vegetables, and other simply prepared options.
If you have a severe food allergy that can cause a reaction that would require medical attention, please notify our Executive Chef before your arrival at 413-448-3141.
There is a small kitchenette that has a refrigerator and microwave available for your use.
Can I bring my children?
Kids and families love Kripalu. We have great programs just for kids and for families, too. Child-care services are available only for times when parents’ and children’s program schedules differ. For information about children at Kripalu, visit our Families with Children and Teens page, or call Registration for more information at 866-200-5203.
Can I bring my pets?
Kripalu is not equipped to handle pet housing; click here for several local options.
What’s the difference between attending a Kripalu program on a theme, taking Kripalu Retreat and Renewal, enjoying a Kripalu Healthy Living Program, or enrolling in a Professional Training program?
There are four ways to come to Kripalu as a guest:
(a) Immerse yourself in a program on a theme: Explore a given topic in greater depth, work more closely with a specific presenter, and/or remain with the same group of participants for the length of your stay. A themed program is offered with a specific presenter on specific dates and, usually, are registered for well in advance. A complete listing of these offerings can be found in our catalog and on this website by following the above link.
(b)Take some time for Retreat and Renewal: Enjoy a highly flexible and customizable schedule (2-night minimum) that allows for as much integration time as needed and guides you through explorations of topics related to holistic health, personal growth, healing, fitness, and yoga. R&R workshops and outdoor activities are taught by Kripalu faculty. Besides being able to choose your own dates and length of stay, the entire daily R&R schedule, which begins at 6:00 am and runs until 9:00 pm, is optional. This allows you to participate in as many, or as few, of the R&R classes as you would like. There is also free time built-in to relax in the whirlpool, take a walk, write in your journal, or enjoy one of our nurturing Healing Arts sessions.
(c) Dedicate a full week to creating lasting change for a healthier, more fulfilling life. Kripalu Healthy Living Programs are Sunday–Friday programs offered in Integrative Weight Loss, Fitness Retreat, and Build Your Yoga Practice. Each exclusive program includes a mix of workshops, personal consultations, and fitness and outdoor activities, all taught by Kripalu faculty. Each program includes three Healing Arts sessions specifically selected to compliment your program’s curriculum. During your stay, you will also have full use of our facilities, including sauna and whirlpool, walking trails, cafe and shop, morning and afternoon yoga classes, and three healthy meals a day.
(d) Start a new career as a yoga teacher, massage therapist, or Ayurveda consultant/yoga specialist in one of our residential, immersion professional training programs.
How do I register for a program on a theme or for R&R?
You can call us at 866-200-5203 or 413-448-3152 (for international callers). Or once you have found your program or preferred R&R experience on our website, click the “register now” button, and you’ll be taken through the registration process online.
If I come by myself and register/request a double/shared room, how will you pair me up with another participant?
Guests traveling alone wishing to book a shared room will be paired with someone of the same gender. Rooms with two beds (usually twin beds) are assigned. Read more about our accommodations.
What will my daily schedule be like when I’m at Kripalu?
To get a general sense of a day at Kripalu, visit our
Sample Day schedule. You can also visit our R&R page where you’ll find an R&R monthly workshop schedule, or if you’d prefer a more concentrated focus, you can choose from one of our
Kripalu Healthy Living Programs.
Does Kripalu offer scholarships or work exchange?
Partial scholarships are available (but not guaranteed) to people who demonstrate financial need, and typically cover 40 percent of total costs. Some programs have higher or lower scholarship amounts. Download scholarship information and applications. For scholarship questions, please call the Kripalu Scholarship line at 413-448-3149. We do not offer work exchanges for our programs, but our volunteer program allows you to be supported by the practices of yoga and an inquiry into karma yoga and service.
Can I smoke when I’m at Kripalu?
We maintain a smoke-free building; there is a designated smoking area outside.
If I am new to yoga, how do I choose a yoga program to attend?
Visit our Guide to Styles of Yoga and read about various yoga styles and techniques to get a feel for what you might enjoy. We highly recommend the Kripalu Healthy Living Program Yoga for Health and please check out our yoga calendar as we occasionally offer Kripalu Yoga for Beginners and other similar programs.
