Back to Basics Retreat

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Back to Basics Retreat

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Check out our various upcoming programs—we're sure there's something to inspire you

Program Calendar
Registration Closed

Back to Basics Retreat

October 25—27, 2019

Registration for this event has closed

Check out our various upcoming programs—we're sure there's something to inspire you

Program Calendar

When you hear the phrase “back to basics” what comes to mind for you? After visiting the Himalayan Institute, we began assessing this for ourselves. We sat with the inquiry, “What is necessary to be truly content with life as it is … right here, right NOW?”

What do you really need to survive? To thrive? Perhaps it’s a lot less than what society and the media portrays. Even less than what you think, or have been told! Where do you want to spend your time, energy, money, and resources? What does contentment and success look like to you??

Unless you take pause, and explore these questions, you may not be clear on this…

Our yoga practices help us to do just that. Yoga in its simplest form is an exploration. A challenging of what we think we know. Feeling in our minds, bodies, and souls what we really need NOW.

Join us in coming back to the basics…
  • Basic accommodations
  • Basic yoga practices
  • Basic foods that nourish our bodies
  • Time in nature
  • Time with friends to deeply connect, explore, and be yourself

In embracing your authentic self, we will invite you to trust the experience, and to be vulnerable. The process of immersing in a retreat weekend alongside other like-minded individuals will support you in doing so.

Our intention is that you will leave this respite with a clear sense of knowing what is — quite simply — truly important to you!

Denise Orsulak, MPT

Denise is a licensed physical therapist who graduated in 1996 with a master’s degree in physical therapy from Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science (now University of the Sciences in Philadelphia). Denise has worked in a variety of settings as a therapist with individuals across the spectrum from ages 9 months to 104...
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Josette Cicacci

Josette is a licensed physical therapist assistant (PTA) and massage therapist who integrates the practice of mindful breathwork into both her yoga teachings and manually based therapy sessions. She is a Yoga Alliance E-RYT 200. Josette obtained her BS in exercise physiology from Temple University in 2007. She interned, and...
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Himalayan Institute Retreat Center

For more than fifty years, the Himalayan Institute’s Retreat Center has been a gathering place for people seeking inspiration and aspiring to restore inner balance. Home to a vibrant community of yogis, it’s a place for seekers wishing to study the ancient tradition of yoga and to deepen the connection between themselves and the world around them. Whether you visit for a weekend retreat, a personal getaway, or one of our longer-term programs, your visit to the Himalayan Institute will accelerate your personal journey of rejuvenation and transformation.
Free Wifi
400-Acre Campus
On-Site Cafe
Meditation Shrine
Wooded Hiking Trails
Pond with Kayaks
On-Site Wellness Center
Bonfires and Stargazing
Bookstore and Giftshop

Retreat Center Highlights

Sacred Space
The Sri Vidya Shrine is the spiritual heart of the Himalayan Institute. This sanctuary offers an ideal setting for silent meditation and group spiritual practice, a cornerstone of the Himalayan Tradition for thousands of years. Open to seekers of all backgrounds and traditions, the Shrine provides a serene, sacred space for meditation, quiet reflection, prayer, and contemplation.
Nourishing Meals
Our nutritionally balanced vegetarian meals are thoughtfully prepared to nourish body, mind, and spirit. Each of our three daily meals is designed to be easily digestible and to support a meditative lifestyle. Sharing meals here naturally fosters connection, offering both deep nourishment and a sense of community.
Loving Community
The Himalayan Institute welcomes people from all walks of life. With a blend of short-term guests, long-term visitors, and a vibrant residential community, the atmosphere here is warm, inviting, and rooted in kindness, generosity, and service. It’s a place where friendships form naturally, often becoming the kind of connections that feel like family, and last a lifetime.
Rest in Nature
Nestled in the rolling hills of the Poconos, the Himalayan Institute’s 400-acre campus offers breathtaking views, scenic hiking trails, and quiet spaces for reflection and contemplation. Walking is a favorite activity, whether along our groomed trails or meandering paved roads, inviting both movement and mindful presence in nature.
Conscious Simplicity
At the Himalayan Institute, we embrace simplicity in all aspects of life, from our surroundings to our approach to yoga. By minimizing distractions, we create space to strengthen the inner self and quiet the mind. Guided by authenticity and grounded in philosophy rather than frills, we support a path of meaningful personal growth.
Treat Yourself
Our Himalayan Café serves the Institute’s signature chai, coffee, and homemade cookies and treats on Saturday and Sunday mornings. The 24/7 Tea Lounge offers a variety of herbal teas for anytime enjoyment. On campus, the MOKA Origins Factory is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., offering handcrafted, ethically sourced chocolate and coffee, with free tours and tastings on Saturdays.
Date
October 25—27, 2019
Duration
3 days, 2 nights

$250 per person + accommodations

Registration

Dates
Friday, October 25, 2019 @ 7:00 pmSunday, October 27, 2019 @ 12:00 pm
Tuition
$250 per person + accommodations
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