Best Yoga Retreat Center Worcester Near Me

Kev N: I wouldn’t listen to any negative reviewers as it’s never a good idea to do a retreat with barely any meditation experience. No wonder they did not have a good time. But for those who DO have some insight, I highly recommend this place. Amazing teachers, who care about all their students. Everyone is warmly welcome and that is felt. Great place to obtain deep understanding of the practice

Jeff B: Ideal setting and staff.

Sheo: The perfect location for both beginner and experienced meditators. I highly recommend this center for those who are looking for peace of mind, body and soul. You will learn to see the mind and reality in their true nature.

Maria Whittaker: I am an experienced African American practitioner who successfully completed the IMS 3 month silent retreat in 2017 writing about concerns about my treatment at IMS. It was my first IMS retreat and my fourth long silent retreat.During the first half of this 3 month retreat, my teachers made the following statements to me:1.”I don't care about them;”(referring to the support group of students of color who met regularly during the retreat.) “I assume you are meeting with them.”2. “You don't like it here do you.” Repeated twice during my “teaching” sessions.During the first half of this 3 month retreat my teachers and a retreat staff member also made many jingoistic and demeaning remarks to me about the fact that I had sought psychotherapy in 2014 which I shared on my application..Finally, toward the end of that first half of the full three month retreat, my teachers informed me they had decided to send me home at the end of the first half of the full 3 month retreat despite that IMS had already approved me for the full three months because they (my two teachers for the first half of the full 3 month retreat) were concerned I might have problems during the second half of the retreat due to my history of having sought psychotherapy. They confirmed to me that I had had no problems during the first half, but they were concerned about the second half.They never asked me to see the staff psychiatrist at IMS.The Ethics Committee reversed the teacher's decision and I continued on with my practice. Despite that my teachers never had claimed I had had any problem, the Ethics Committee made my continuation contingent upon my successfully completing the first two weeks of the second half of the long retreat. Again, they did not require me to see the staff psychiatrist at IMS.I completed the entire retreat without any problems just like I had the first part of the retreat.I applied to IMS earlier this year to participate in the second half of this 3 month silent retreat for this year (2019) as I continued to see the benefits of the 2017 retreat continue to roll in. I asked only to participate in the second half of this 3 month retreat as the teacher who made the phone calls to me required. . Shortly after my application I received an email from the IMS ED rejecting my application saying:“Dear Maria,I am writing to let you know that unfortunately IMS is not able to accept your application for a retreat this fall.  We have credited your card with a full refund of $375 today.After the many difficulties you experienced during the 3-month retreat in 2017, your many written communications while on retreat, and the teacher/staff resources necessary to support you during your retreat, we have come to the conclusion that the IMS silent, intensive retreat environment, whether in the 3-month or a shorter retreat, is not suitable for you at this time.If you wish to continue with your insight meditation practice, it might be helpful for you to find a qualified teacher in a community near you and follow their guidance in classes and daily practice situations. They would then be in a position to advise you on best steps to continue to deepen your practice.I am sorry for the disappointment, but hope that I am communicating with you early enough that you can find another fall retreat that supports your ongoing practice.Warmly,Inger”The esteemed ED's remarks are first inaccurate as I experienced no difficulties at all during the 2017 IMS silent retreat, and her decision overruling my teachers' decision to send me home verifies this. As well, my teacher from that second part did infact invite me to participate in the second part of the IMS Silent Retreat in 2018 which I decided not to do as described above. Third, in my recent request to IMS, I asked only to participate in the second half of the IMS silent retreat as instructed by “my teacher.”And then I awoke and realized I had been asleep dreaming the whole time!!!!! Jut like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz! A dream of the mind. In truth, all was divine, perfect!

Sky Otter: Meditation practice taught with excellence and integrity. Thank you deeply.

Karen Sprowal: Heaven on earth🍃 Went to my very first "People of Color" seven day silent retreat Everything about IMS was ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The teachers, teachings, food, staff, accommodations and environmental spaces pure heaven. I'm not a practicing Buddhist, but was able to embrace it all and take it with me back to my every day life in the heart of NYC, highly recommend IMS

Valca Valentine: Yearly retreat always brings me back to my best self. Thanks Sharon S. for your guidance and inspiration. Gina S and DaRa W and Booker and Ruth K and many others are dedicated to supporting retreatants who desire an enhanced path. 🙏🏾

BayBeats831: I have done 2 silent meditation retreats here in the last year, and have 2 more lined up in the next couple of months. The staff are nice, the food is high quality and plant-based, and the rooms are simple but nice. It is the preeminent meditation center, and I highly recommend coming here if you're planning on doing a retreat. They typically have a yoga component as well. PRO TIP: Bring a foam bed cover or something else to give the bed more padding, as the mattresses are very thin and left my back hurting the first retreat I sat there...

Laura Larsen-Stevovich: I've been going to IMS for many years and it has been incredibly helpful to me in my meditation practice. The teachers are exceptional, very knowledgable, extremely helpful...I can't say enough about how appreciative I am for having this place available. In addition, the staff is very caring and so dedicated. This is truly a dharma refuge for anyone on the path. And just one more thing - as a vegetarian, the food is also exceptionally good. My deepest gratitude goes to all who work and teach at IMS.

Terra Howard: I had an absolutely horrific experience doing the six week retreat. We immediately went into silence without any type of safety container created. There was no opportunity to speak with any of the other people attending the retreat before hand or for six weeks and this was psychologically difficult. The short interviews with teachers were often late and short because they were so busy helping all the other yogis. At one point an ambulance showed up and took a girl away to the hospital from a mental break. I feel like a six week retreat in silence is psychologically dangerous and very very wrong for the human brain. This is not evolution this is torture ask a psychiatrist before you go. I did a retreat six years ago and I’m still dealing with the repercussions. It has changed my life in such a very bad way.

cary raditz: A simple three day silent retreat 6 years ago has brought me back again and again for further and longer retreats. Now I spend several months of the year as a working guest, meditating—to be sure—assisting in the kitchen or outside on the grounds gardening, mowing fields, or today: pressing cider from our avenue of apple trees. A wonderful place. Terrific retreat programs, and a highly skilled and cheerful staff. The retreat center and all living facilities are comfortable and aesthetic. I am grateful to have been introduced to IMS.

Chipper 77: Authentic way to peace taught here :)

Wei Wei: A safe haven for contemplative Buddhist teachings and transformational insights.

Julia Finney: lovely place and grounds, wonderful teachers, thoughtful programming, delicious food

Kevin nguyen: Best place to practice and experience Dharma.

Jane Bell: Peaceful, organized, clean, heart centered, helpful organization. I attended a 3 day silent retreat and was very impressed with the entire experience. Thank you!

Bhanu Singh: Hello I want to doing mediation course like vipsna how can i get the information about mediation institute in indore please help me ....thanks ..Bhanu

zihan ma: Just had my first yoga class here everything was so good.Kate teaches really great,really like her style.Try yoga here!

Tom Ciras: Positive:Communication,Professionalism,QualityI couldn't wait to find a 5 Star yoga studio in our beautiful Worcester to stretch out in. Do yourself a favor and check it out...esp if you skate, awesome hip openers

Amanda May: I have been attending zoom classes at Kula Yoga for a couple of months now and it is the best part of my week! I take the Blissful Flow class with Robyn Lilly on Sundays in the comfort of my own home. Her sweet and encouraging voice guides you through gentle poses that build strength in both body and mind. She always offers ways to modify poses to find what feels best for you. My boyfriend has been attending some classes with me with no prior yoga experience and he loves it! Robyn’s classes are very warm and welcoming to everyone and she is truly one of the best yoga teachers I have ever had.

Joe Dolen: Kula Yoga is such an amazing studio and Kate and her staff are the best! All of the instructors are kind, caring and always willing to work with you in order to achieve your mindfulness and fitness goals. Kate has put her heart and soul into helping people and her devotion to her practice shines through. The atmosphere at Kula is beautifully designed and inviting, and the people who attend are truly the nicest you would ever meet. We are so lucky to have this yoga and barre studio in our community! Thanks Kate for all you do!!

Suzanne Waldron: I have been attending Kula yoga and Barre sessions for a year now. My experiences at Kula have been wonderful. Kate and all the instructors are just great.

Laurie Moran: I discovered Kate from Kula at the sprinkler factory doing Sunday classes a year ago. I fell in love with her and quickly joined her studio at Tatnuck Square. She is one of the best yoga instructors I have had in 25 years! She has an unbelievable calmness to her and such a natural teaching ability with gentle, loving guidance... I give Kula my highest recommendation. All ages and genders! Beautiful, clean studio, natural light & lots of classes to choose from. First floor studio is easily accessible with lots of parking. Also try Rachel‘s barre class! Enjoy!

Sophie / Fawn / Lannon: So far my experience at this studio has been great! Everyone has been so welcoming and the classes are not too overcrowded where you feel like you're stacked on top of each other. As someone who gets nauseous in heated environments it's very welcome to find a place that doesn't have almost all heated classes. There is also lots of parking, which is great.

Jessica Rao: Very nice yoga studio. Instructors are thoughtful and make sure yogis of all levels are comfortable. The rise and shine vinyasa is a great way to start the day.

Anabel Gutierrez: Great teachers, yet give it two starts because its very noisy! theres like a church or something in the same building and you cant fully focus because it can get that noisy at times. and the space is a bit small and not easy to see instructor with the all the poles on the place.

Terri Guetti: Today was my first class at KULA Yoga. I’ve taken classes in other studios but the moment I entered I knew I’d found a place that I would return many times. The atmosphere is clean, welcoming and Kate radiates peace and light which made me feel comfortable immediately.

Amanda S: This is the perfect, sweetest studio. Victoria who leads the early morning classes is amazing and strikes an amazing balance with both centering and challenging. Kate and her team are VERY accommodating and have made me feel very much a part of the community. I'm so glad we have a studio on the west side. You should check it out- even if you have never tried yoga before or even if you are expert level! Amazing place

Sara Campbell: Kula Yoga is an amazing studio right in the heart of Tatnuck Square, Worcester. The space is serene and peaceful, with the lighting and sound perfectly paired for an exceptional practice. The owner, Kate, is an extremely knowledgeable professional who listens and aides any student who may need adjustments or questions answered. I have experienced almost all the classes by now and feel that anyone can find a class to suit their level of skill - beginners all the way up! I highly recommend this studio - the best in Worcester!!

Kenton Kline: Positive:Professionalism,QualityThe hot yoga class here is mind blowing!! Feel so great after class is over.