Find your way to the Pocono mountains of Pennsylvania and embrace Ashram living at Arsha Vidya Gurukulum. From June 19-22, 2025, embrace a weekend of Iyengar Yoga, Ayurveda, Yoga Sutra studies, sound healing and more at this year’s Annual Summer Solstice Retreat.
The Summer Solstice Retreat has been hosted at Arsha Vidya Gurukulum for over 20 years and we look forward to sharing this special weekend with you again.
Hosted by Kathleen Wright – Garden of Yoga, Nancy Preston, Carol Nace – Bodhi Ayurveda, Chandralehka (Jill) Forger and Karena (Katie) Walker
WELCOME TO ARSHA VIDYA GURUKULUM
Arsha Vidya Gurukulum (AVG) is a Vedanta retreat center located amongst the Pocono Mountains in Saylorsburg, PA. Tucked away on 100 acres of partially wooded land, 100-acre, AVG offers a secluded and serene location to experience Ashram living. Immerse yourself with sacred daily temple rituals, vegetarian meals, yoga hall, hiking trails, bookstore, shopping and more.
The Yoga Hall is a well-equipped Iyengar studio with rope walls, wooden blocks, blankets, belts and specialty props. We will have exclusive access to the Yoga Hall for the entire weekend.
The Summer Solstice Retreat is an unique opportunity to experience the spiritual ways of living at an Ashram.
Along with asana practices, Ayurveda discussions, yoga sutra discussions, chanting and sound meditations, you’ll also have ample time for hiking the Shanti Trail, shopping the bookshop and gift shop, Temple Ceremonies and reflection time. We welcome all levels of experience and knowledge in all the sessions.
Celebrate the summer solstice with us at this sacred place.
On this sacred weekend, you’ll experience…
- Daily Iyengar Yoga Sessions with Yoga Sutra Discussion and Chanting in each class starting with a yoga sutra with interpretation, chanting and then weaved into the asana practice.
- Afternoon Restorative Yoga Sessions on Friday and Saturday are a combination of pranayama and yoga restorative poses.
- Interactive Ayurveda discussions that inspire a new way to practice diet and lifestyle.
- Deeply relaxing Sound Bath and Experiential Instruction with singing bowls surrounding you and orchestrated for a deep sense of relaxation and healing.
- Vegetarian Indian Meals that are blessed, also known as Prasad.
- Rediscovering YOU through relaxation, shopping, hiking the shanti trail, temple ceremonies and journaling.
Your Investment: $500 Entire Weekend |$300 Saturday & Sunday | $30 Individual Classes
Lodging reservations are separate and managed through Arsha Vidya Gurukulum.
SOUNDS AMAZING – LET’S GET ME REGISTERED!
DAILY ITINERARY
June 19th
| 5:00 PM | Welcome Session | Yoga Hall |
| 5:30 – 7:00 PM | Asana with Sutra/Chanting introduction | Yoga Hall |
| 7:00 PM | Dinner | Dining Hall |
June 20th
| 7:15 AM | Breakfast | Dining Hall |
| 8:30 – 9:30 AM | Ayurveda | Yoga Hall |
| 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM | Asana with Sutra/Chanting introduction | Yoga Hall |
| 12:30 – 4:00 PM | Lunch and Free Time | Dining Hall |
| 4:00 – 5:30 PM | Restorative Yoga/Pranayama with Chanting | Yoga Hall |
| 6:15 – 7:30 PM | Dinner | Dining Hall |
| 7:30 – 8:30 PM | Singing Bowls Sound Bath | Yoga Hall |
June 21st
| 7:15 AM | Breakfast | Dining Hall |
| 8:30 – 9:30 AM | Ayurveda | Yoga Hall |
| 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM | Asana with Sutra/Chanting introduction | Yoga Hall |
| 12:30 – 4:00 PM | Lunch and Free Time | Dining Hall |
| 4:00 – 5:30 PM | Restorative Yoga/Pranayama with Chanting | Yoga Hall |
| 6:15 – 7:30 PM | Dinner | Dining Hall |
| 7:30 – 8:30 PM | Singing Bowls Instructional Experience | Yoga Hall |
June 22nd
| 7:15 AM | Breakfast | Dining Hall |
| 9:00 – 11:30 AM | Asana with Sutra/Chanting introduction | Yoga Hall |
| 12:30 PM | Lunch and Departure | Dining Hall |
Lodging Options
Lodging at Arsha Vidya is modest and clean. You have the option of sharing a room with a roommate or having privacy by booking a single reservation.
- Shared Bath: $60/double occupancy; $100/single occupancy
- Private sleeping quarters with two twin beds, a shared bath with a second unit is accessible by the hallway between the two suites.
- Private Bath: $75/double occupancy; $125/single occupancy
- Private sleeping quarters with two twin beds and a private bath accessible from the room.
- Deluxe Room: $100/double occupancy; $200/single occupancy
- Larger room with private bath, option for full or queen bed.
- Suite: $100/triple occupancy; $150/double occupancy; $300/single occupancy
- An apartment style room with three twin beds, private bath and small kitchenette and living space.
Once you register, we will contact you regarding your room reservation selection and possible roommate options.
Accommodations are a separate cost and can be paid for when arriving at Arsha Vidya Gurukulum.
Other things to know….
These are some things that are not included in your reservation fee…
- Your round-trip travel costs and arrangements from home to AVG. See FAQs below about flights to the area and Ground Transportation options.
- Personal, medical or trip cancellation insurance (highly recommended!)
- Between-meal snacks and beverages are allowed on the grounds (except meat or alcohol). There is a small natural food store a few miles away.
- Tips and gratuities for staff, such as housekeeping and cooking.
YOUR RETREAT LEADERS
Kathleen Wright, Garden of Yoga, Certified Iyengar Teacher and Yoga Therapist
Kathleen began her formal studies of Yoga in 1974 under the direct guidance of Swami Veda Bharati of the Himalayan Tradition. She began teaching in 1976. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Movement Education from the University of Minnesota, and is a 1983 graduate of the Iyengar Yoga Institute of San Francisco’s two-year state-certified vocational teacher training program. She studied many times in Pune, India with the Iyengar family, including B.K.S. Iyengar and Geeta Iyengar. Recently she attends classes with Abijata Iyengar and lectures with Prashant Iyengar, Professor Edwyn Bryant and Ramanand Patel. She has helped host the Iyengar’s on visits to the United States during national and regional conventions. She continues to work with community efforts to spread the Light of Yoga.
Nancy Preston, Certified Iyengar Yoga Teacher and International Yoga Therapist
Nancy has studied Yoga, Sound & Vedanta with Ramanand Patel, Pandit Mukesh Desai & Swami Dayananda Saraswati. She has traveled several times to Rishikesh, India to study with these esteemed teachers and has also traveled to Pune, India to study with the Iyengars. Nancy has a love for Sanskrit, Vedic Chanting and Yoga Philosophy- they are entwined in her classes. She is grateful to the many teachers that have been supportive and generous with her. She loves to share what she has learned from her teachers, students, and personal practice. Nancy believes that the same principles in asana practice can guide us toward conducting our daily lives in harmony. That is the gift of yoga.
Carol Nace, Bodhi Ayurveda, Certified Ayurveda Practitioner, Chef and Ayurveda Bodyworker
Carol embraced Ayurveda as a lifestyle and career 20 years ago. She continues to be inspired by the classic teachings as taught by Vaidya Rama Kant Mishra, Patricia Layton, Divya Alter and Ayushakti. Her mission is to inspire health conscious communities to cook flavorful and healthy Ayurvedic meals as an enlightened act of self-care and self-love. Through Ayurveda cooking instruction, wellness coaching, retreats and workshops, she can support you in creating a personalized meal plan and lifestyle that Enlightens the Wellness Within YOU.
Katie Walker,
Chandralekha (Jill) Forger, Iyengar Yoga Teacher, Chanting and Meditation instructor
Jill has studied meditation and yoga in India, Australia and New York since 1980. Her teaching of Iyengar Yoga teaching experience includes being a founding teacher of Iyengar Yoga at the New York Iyengar Yoga Institute. She’s a retired Columbia University administrator, where she also taught Iyengar Yoga there for 15 years. She is currently training as a Gestalt therapist and teaches outdoor dance and self-inquiry meditation.
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