Recently, Owning Pink Bloggers Dana Theus and Laurie Erdman trekked to Kripalu where they participated in a weekend writing program led by Nancy Slonim Aronie, and then stayed a few extra days for “retreat and renewal.” For those of you who haven’t been to Kripalu (where Lissa is leading a workshop next month - details below!), we asked them to share their experience.

The Official Deets

Let’s start with the official details. The Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health (as it is officially known) is located in the Berkshire mountains of Western Massachusetts. Suffice to say the setting is beautiful even when it is snowing and raining (which it was when we were there, but which it won’t be when Lissa is!). The physical location is a former Jesuit monastery turned ashram, turned 501(c)(3) educational institution over 30 years ago. Each year it hosts numerous programs on “wellness, Ayurveda, nutrition, fitness, personal growth, relationships, meditation, spiritual practice, professional training, and much more.” In addition to its programs, you can stay for retreat and renewal, taking advantage of the grounds, the amazing food, thrice daily yoga and other classes taught by staff, as well as the weekly Monday night drum circle.

A New Kind of Retreat: Dana’s Story

While we mark the transitions of early life with rituals — everything from baptisms, communions, and bar and bat mitzvahs to graduations — the more subtle, yet profound, awakenings available to those in midlife go virtually unnoticed.

I wanted to change that, so last year I attended my first ever weekend-long all-women’s retreat in honor of my 40^th birthday. It seemed like the perfect way to mark an incredibly significant and exciting milestone with a time of deep contemplation, intention-setting and celebration.