One of my last pre-pandemic trips was a lovely long weekend spent at the Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health in the Berkshire Mountains of Massachusetts. Kripalu is one of the oldest, biggest and best known wellness retreat centers in the country. Founded by Amrit Desai as a traditional guru-disciple yoga facility, it’s evolved into a place with something for every kind of seeker.

I participated in a snowshoeing mindfulness program when I visited. But other people were there for courses on tai chi, yoga, relationships and for their own personal retreats. I’m so glad I got the chance to, because who knows when we’ll be able to travel again?

Kripalu Connect

However, Kripalu is working hard to rise above the pandemic, serving its aficionados and stay afloat by offering a new virtual on-demand wellness forum. I know, it’s not the same as really being there, and you’re probably as sick of screens as I am. But if you’re open to online wellness, Kripalu has some of the country’s best teachers. It’s also an extremely organized nonprofit organization. When I visited in snowy January, the efficient staff had checked 500 people in that afternoon. They also set out buffets for hundreds of people three times a day, every day. So this is an organization that I have no doubt can make its online platform work, and work well.

Kripalu Connect features course content in yoga, Ayurveda, meditation, breathwork, outdoor mindfulness, cooking and nutrition. If you’re a veg home cook, Kripalu’s online cooking classes will probably be especially fun and useful.

Featured presenters include Chef Jeremy Rock Smith – author of Kripalu’s immensely popular cookbook (and seen on Chopped!), Erin Casperson – Dean of the School of Ayurveda and Micah Mortali – Director of Outdoor Education and programming and author of Rewilding; Meditations, Practices and Skills for Awakening in Nature. 

You can try a 7-day free trial of Kripalu Connect. If you like it, the subscription cost is $19.99 per month.