Begin Again: A New Year Mindfulness Retreat for a Fresh Start

Begin Again is a New Year mindfulness retreat and meditation retreat at the Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. It is led by meditation teacher and Kripalu faculty member Larissa Hall Carlson, and it is made for anyone who wants to start the year with more clarity, intention and ease. Newcomers and experienced practitioners are equally welcome.

The weekend blends mindfulness meditation, contemplative practices, gentle breathwork and restorative relaxation. The aim is simple: quiet mental chatter, replenish your energy and make room for deeper insight.

What to Expect

Larissa guides a range of mindfulness experiences, some quiet and some hands-on:

- Body scan meditations that rest the body and refresh the mind
- Breathwork and pranayama practices for mental clarity and inner balance
- Mindful coloring to encourage creativity, presence and calm
- Contemplative jigsaw puzzling as a practice of focus and reflection
- A collaborative sand mandala that explores impermanence, beauty and connection
- Research-based mindfulness techniques that cultivate clarity, contentment and purposeful intention

The retreat runs for a weekend, from an opening afternoon through a closing day. On the first day, check-in begins at 2:00 pm, followed by a Kripalu Yoga class from 4:45 to 6:00, dinner, and an evening program session from 7:30 to 9:00.

The full day starts with Kripalu Yoga from 6:30 to 7:45 am and a silent breakfast. Program sessions run from 9:00 to 11:30 am and again from 1:30 to 4:00 pm, with lunch in between. Another yoga class at 4:45 and dinner close the day.

On the final morning there is yoga, silent breakfast and a program session from 9:00 to 11:00, then lunch and departure. Times may shift slightly, so check the guest boards or the schedule you receive at check-in.

About Larissa Hall Carlson

Larissa Hall Carlson is a meditation teacher and a member of the Kripalu faculty. She teaches yoga and mindfulness, and here she brings both contemplative and creative approaches to the practice, from breath and body awareness to coloring, puzzling and the shared making of a sand mandala. Her intention for this retreat is that you leave refreshed, grounded and equipped with practical tools for bringing mindfulness, joy and resilience into daily life through the year ahead.

The Setting

Kripalu is a yoga and wellness center in Stockbridge, in the Berkshires of western Massachusetts. Its accommodations are intentionally simple, meant to help you unplug and feel grounded. You can choose a private room for solitude or a community dorm for connection with other participants. Rooms are ready by 4:00 pm, and a luggage room is available if you arrive earlier. On departure day, check-out is at 10:00 am, and you are welcome to stay on campus and take part in workshops until 2:00 pm.

Three nutritious meals are served each day, with breakfast taken in silence. You also have access to the Kripalu grounds and facilities.

Before You Go

No prior meditation or yoga experience is needed. The program is taught in English.

Tuition includes all mindfulness and meditation sessions, more than ten daily yoga and movement classes, three meals a day and access to the grounds. Accommodation is selected separately. Healing Arts sessions and items from the Kripalu Shop and Cafe are available for purchase, and travel is your own to arrange. Yoga teachers earn 8 Yoga Alliance Continuing Education Credits for attending.