Grounded in Joy: A Summer Solstice Retreat

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Grounded in Joy: A Summer Solstice 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

Grounded in Joy: A Summer Solstice Retreat

June 19—22, 2025

Registration for this event has closed

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

Program Calendar

Join Maura and Candace for a four-day summer solstice retreat designed to cultivate the energies of both groundedness and joy, two elements that help sustain us through all the seasons of our life. Step away from the everyday and immerse yourself in a shared, uplifting experience!

Through a variety of different practices and their unique approaches, Candace and Maura will expertly guide you to places inside yourself that support transformation and the expansion of your own brilliance, while also fostering a deep connection with the natural world and the vibrant community that gathers together. Leave feeling refreshed, invigorated, and more fully alive.

Expect a balance of practices: both flow and restorative yoga plus the creative explorations of journaling and dance coupled with the nourishing experiences of nature, eating freshly prepared food, and being together.

The Himalayan Institute is a world-leader in the field of yoga, meditation, spirituality, and holistic health. Located just outside the Poconos on over 400 acres of natural land, the retreat center is focused on conscious simplicity, a place where your mind can be free from distractions as you enjoy the beautiful and peaceful surroundings. The mission of the Himalayan Institute is to inspire, educate, and empower all who seek to experience their full potential. Choose between shared rooms, private suites, or guest house accommodations.

Thursday, June 19 — Sunday, June 22, 2025
Check-in 4pm, Check-out 2pm

Retreat Tuition: $529
✨ $429 Early Bird Pricing, Save $100 by April 19 ✨

Accommodations Not Included In Retreat Tuition. Booked Separately HERE.

Weekend Includes

• 3 Nights, 4 Days
• 2x Daily Yoga, Movement + Meditation Practices
• Access to Additional Yoga Classes with Himalayan Institute Staff
• Evening Bonfire on the Sound of Music Hill
• Guided Hikes — From Easy to Moderate
• Ritualized Solstice Practice
• Farm to Table Outdoor Dinner
• Honesdale Roots + Rhythm Festival
• Moka Chocolate Tour
• All Meals — Freshly Prepared, Ayurvedic Food to Support Optimal Wellness

Full itinerary will be sent out 30 days in advance.

Maura Manzo has been leading retreats for 15+ years. She is known for curating unique and meaningful experiences. Candace Stevens is a master of inner space, guiding into realms that tap into your wild, creative self. Maura and Candace have been friends and colleagues for nearly two decades, having completed their very first teacher training together many moons ago. This is their first retreat collaboration.

Maura Manzo

Maura brings over 15 years of teaching experience to her workshops and trainings. Her classes are creative, challenging, and breath-centered. She is also a retreat leader known for curating unique experiences for her students that land them back into the center of themselves. Maura has trained extensively with Off the Mat i...
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Candace Stevens

Candace Stevens, RYT-500, has been teaching yoga since 2010 and draws from numerous lineages: from dynamic, creative, free-flowing sequencing from Shiva Rea, to mindful, grounded, trauma-sensitive practices from Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, Candace employs an eclectic approach with the intention of best meeting the needs of the...
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 19—22, 2025
Duration
4 days, 3 nights

$529 per person + accommodations $429 Early Bird Pricing, Save $100 by April 19

Registration

Dates
Thursday, June 19, 2025 @ 4:00 pmSunday, June 22, 2025 @ 2:00 pm
Tuition
$529 per person + accommodations $429 Early Bird Pricing, Save $100 by April 19
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