Balancing Strength and Ease

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Balancing Strength and Ease

A Yoga & Meditation Retreat

Registration for this event has closed

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

Program Calendar
Registration Closed

Balancing Strength and Ease

A Yoga & Meditation Retreat
June 4—7, 2026

Registration for this event has closed

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

Program Calendar

Highlights

  • A 4-day / 3-night retreat focused on rest, renewal, and integration
  • Gentle restorative yoga and guided relaxation
  • Breathwork and meditation to support mental clarity and emotional balance
  • Spacious time for quiet reflection, nature, and total rejuvenation

Overview

In the midst of busy schedules and a fast-paced world, cultivating balance, equanimity, and inner calm requires both intention and skill. This retreat offers a clear, accessible approach to developing those qualities through systematic practice, guided relaxation, and time for integration. Finding balance does not require force or strain, but rather the right tools, consistent practice, and supportive conditions. With these tools, finding equanimity can be much easier than you might expect!

This four-day, three-night retreat provides the space to unwind, reconnect, relax, and integrate. With an extra day beyond the typical weekend, you will have time to explore the complementary relationship between strength and ease—supporting renewed energy, nervous system balance, and a more sustainable sense of well-being.

This retreat includes daily yoga, breathwork, meditation, and guided relaxation, along with time in nature, nourishing vegetarian meals, and the serene atmosphere of the Himalayan Institute’s 400-acre campus. Together, these elements create an environment that supports both restoration of power and relaxation into vitality.

The whole retreat was everything I expected, and I got to meet great people with whom I am still in touch as of today. Luke, you have given me inspiration that will help me go through my grief and healing process and I thank you so much for that.

Elisabeth G., Labor Day Weekend 2025

For someone who has been primarily focused on modern postural yoga, Luke’s retreat was an accessible and thoughtful introduction to the deeper practices of the tradition. Luke’s guidance was clear, professional and practical. At the end, I felt perfectly equipped to bring specific meditation practices home and integrate them into my normal routines.

Sarah G, Sept 2025

Luke Ketterhagen

Luke’s entire adult life has been dedicated to helping others and living a healthy lifestyle. After graduating magna cum laude from Marquette University with a degree in biomedical sciences, Luke immersed himself in the studies and practices of the Himalayan Tradition through residential programs at the Himalayan Institute....
See Full Bio and Upcoming Events

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
June 4—7, 2026
Duration
4 days, 3 nights

$299 per person + accommodations

Registration

Dates
Thursday, June 4, 2026 @ 7:00 pmSunday, June 7, 2026 @ 12:00 pm
Tuition
$299 per person + accommodations
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