We Are the Luckiest: The Surprising Magic of a Sober Life

We Are the Luckiest is a weekend sober retreat at the Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, led by bestselling author Laura McKowen and Eric Johnson, CEO of The Luckiest Club. It is for anyone who has stopped drinking, is questioning their relationship with alcohol, or is simply curious about what a life without it might hold.

Sobriety can be the greatest gift you never asked for. It can also be lonely, confusing, and hard to do alone. This healing retreat puts you in a room full of people who get it and have walked the walk.

What to Expect

The weekend moves between talks, workshops, and movement, with honest conversation and connection at its center. Together you explore what it really means to be one of the luckiest, the tools and practices that sustain a sober life through all its seasons, and how to build and lean on community as a genuine source of strength. You also look at the unexpected joys, freedoms, and revelations that sobriety makes possible, and at a renewed sense of purpose for the road ahead.

Whether you are newly sober, years into your path, or wondering if alcohol is getting in your way, you are welcome here.

The days follow Kripalu's usual rhythm. Arrival begins with check-in at 2:00 pm, a Kripalu Yoga class from 4:45 to 6:00, dinner, and a first program session from 7:30 to 9:00 in the evening. Full days start with Kripalu Yoga from 6:30 to 7:45 am, followed by silent breakfast, then program sessions from 9:00 to 11:30 am and 1:30 to 4:00 pm, with lunch between them. Evening brings another yoga class and dinner. On the final morning there is yoga, silent breakfast, a closing session from 9:00 to 11:00, and lunch before departure. Actual times may vary, and a schedule is provided at check-in.

About Laura McKowen

Laura McKowen is a bestselling author known for her honest writing and teaching about life without alcohol. At this retreat she leads the talks, workshops, and movement alongside Eric Johnson.

About Eric Johnson

Eric Johnson is the CEO of The Luckiest Club, a sober community. He co-leads the weekend with Laura McKowen, bringing a focus on community, purpose, and the practical side of sustained sobriety.

The Setting

Kripalu sits on 300 acres in Stockbridge, in the Berkshires of western Massachusetts, and guests have access to the grounds throughout the stay. Accommodations are intentionally simple, meant to help you unplug and feel grounded. You can choose a private room, single or double occupancy, or a shared community-style dorm that fosters connection with other participants. Rooms are ready by 4:00 pm, and a luggage room is available if you arrive earlier. Three nutritious meals are served each day, and breakfast is taken in silence.

Before You Go

The program is designed for people who are sober or sober curious, and is open to participants 18 and older. No movement or yoga experience is required, and the retreat welcomes people at every stage of their sobriety. It is offered in English. Please bring a journal and pen.

Your stay includes accommodations, three meals a day, more than ten daily yoga and movement classes, all program sessions and workshops, and access to the Kripalu grounds and facilities. Healing Arts sessions and items from the Kripalu Shop and Cafe are not included. Room check-out on the last day is 10:00 am, and you may stay on campus for workshops until 2:00 pm. A livestream option is also available for those who cannot attend in person.