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Program Calendar
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Roots to Stillness
Meditation and Forest Bathing: Cultivating Calm in a Chaotic World
June 5—7, 2026
Registration for this event has closed
Check out our various upcoming programs—we're sure there's something to inspire you
Program CalendarWe are living in challenging times that compel us to find ways to calm our nervous systems, rest our minds, and heal our spirits. Join us for two days of stillness and connection where we step away from the noise and find inner peace. Through a combination of yoga techniques and time outdoors we will build resilience and be better equipped to move forward with clarity and ease.
Together we will:
- Explore breathing, relaxation, and meditation practices that can help focus the mind and bring reprieve from stress and anxiety.
- Learn how to integrate meditation and develop a yoga lifestyle.
- Apply the techniques of shinrin yoku — forest bathing — to access the healing properties of nature.
- Make nature an ally in our health and wellness activities.
All scheduled retreat activities:
- Welcome and orientation.
- Saturday morning program based on the essential elements of meditation and an intro to forest bathing.
- Saturday afternoon forest bathing experience.
- Saturday evening gathering and prelude of the prayers of the Yoga Tradition.
- Sunday morning sunrise fire with group prayers, and final program of meditation with closing transition for returning home.
- A homemade tote bag perfect for carrying your journal, books, and water bottle.
- Daily opportunities for communal prayer.
Susan West Montgomery
Susan is a Kripalu–Outdoor Mindfulness Guide providing outdoor mindfulness excursions in the Washington, DC region and beyond. She specializes in developing customized excursions at historic and cultural sites where she can deepen the mindfulness experience by layering in the nature-culture connection. To learn more visit h...
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Donna Mattucci
Donna is a Himalayan Institute certified Yoga & Meditation teacher whose practice and teaching extends over 30 years in Buffalo, NY. Her Masters in Education and professional career as a teacher enable her to conduct yoga classes with clarity, structure, and effective communication. She recently returned from study at t...
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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.
$249
per person + accommodations
Early Bird Discount: Register by May 1st and save $50 on tuition
Early Bird Discount: Register by May 1st and save $50 on tuition
Registration
Dates
Friday, June 5, 2026 @ 4:00 pm–Sunday, June 7, 2026 @ 4:00 pm
Tuition
$249 per person + accommodations
Early Bird Discount: Register by May 1st and save $50 on tuition
Early Bird Discount: Register by May 1st and save $50 on tuition
Campus Info
Need Help?
Call us: (570) 253-5551
