Slow Yoga and Qigong Relax and Restore

Imagine a weekend where your body finally lets go of the tension it's been holding since January. Where the constant hum of daily demands quiets into genuine rest. The Slow Yoga and Qigong Relax and Restore retreat, held at the serene Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health in Stockbridge, MA, is designed precisely for this: to counteract accumulated stress through a carefully woven blend of gentle movement, restorative postures, and calming meditation.

This isn't a vigorous vinyasa flow or an intense challenge. Instead, led by Kripalu faculty Ken Nelson, martial artist and qigong master John Haggerty, and facilitator Lesli Lang, the weekend honors the principle that true transformation happens in stillness as much as in motion. You'll move through accessible qigong sequences that restore mobility and vitality, sink into yin yoga poses that release deep tension in the hips and spine, settle into restorative poses that calm your nervous system, and drift into yoga nidra—a guided meditation where profound rest unfolds naturally. Walks in nature complement the indoor practice, grounding you in the peaceful Stockbridge landscape.

Whether you're recovering from burnout, seeking tools to manage chronic stress, or simply ready to pause and restore, this retreat meets you exactly where you are. No prior experience needed.

What to Expect

Over the weekend, you'll move through a gentle progression of practices that prioritize accessibility and integration into daily life. Morning and afternoon sessions blend qigong flowing movements with yin and restorative yoga, building a rhythm of activation and release. Teachers guide you into poses slowly, giving your fascia and nervous system time to unwind rather than forcing depth. Yoga nidra sessions offer a state of profound rest—halfway between waking and sleeping—where your body remembers how to truly relax. Walking meditation invites you into the natural beauty surrounding Kripalu, bringing mindfulness into movement through nature.

The atmosphere is unhurried and supportive. Teachers emphasize that there is no "perfect" pose—only your authentic experience. You'll leave with a toolkit of practices you can weave into your ordinary life: qigong sequences for morning vitality, restorative poses for evening wind-down, and the embodied understanding that restoration is not a luxury but a necessity.

Venue & Logistics

The retreat takes place at Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, a renowned sanctuary nestled in the Berkshires. The weekend begins Friday, September 4, 2026. Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing. Bring a yoga mat if you have one (Kripalu provides them). The retreat is designed for all bodies and experience levels; modifications are offered throughout. Kripalu's accommodations and vegetarian meals are available as add-ons.