Free to Be
Description
A Yoga Family Getaway Weekend
In July, as our nation celebrates its 250th anniversary, we come together for something beautifully simple: shared time. This long holiday weekend offers a gentle retreat from the everyday, inviting you to rest, reconnect, and honor the freedom to be yourself, and the freedom to belong.
This is a yoga family weekend in every sense. Children are welcome. Parents are welcome. Solo travelers are welcome too. The invitation is to arrive as your full self, including the curious, playful inner child who still loves fireflies and starlight. With a light, spacious schedule, there is room for unhurried meals, spontaneous conversation, and time spent outdoors.
Anytime Activities
- Basketball and pickleball
- Kayaking and swimming at Sunset Pond
- Hiking on our four groomed wooded trails
- Walking and bicycling on paved paths (Bring your own bike!)
- Cornhole and lawn games
- Scavenger hunt
- Fellowship and time to relax
Organized Activities
- Fireworks and Bonfire Spectacular on Sound of Music Hill
- Nightly campfires and stargazing
- Vegetarian cookout at Sunset Pond
- Daily yoga and meditation
- Guided hike around campus
- A Fairy Stroll: Over the Creek and Through the Woods
- Satsang with Ishan Tigunait
- Making Art from Nature
- Children Welcome Hour in the Sri Vidya Shrine
- MOKA Origins Factory Tour – Bean-to-bar Chocolate (and coffee!)
- And more to be announced!
As a holiday weekend, this gathering includes fireworks and celebration. It also offers a quieter understanding of freedom. In yoga, freedom is the ability to enjoy life fully while remaining peaceful and steady भीतर? no. Let's rewrite without extra. In yoga, freedom means enjoying life fully while remaining peaceful and steady within. It means we can run, laugh, paddle across the pond, and roast marshmallows, and also sit together in stillness. We can be playful and thoughtful, independent and connected.
This is what Yoga Family is all about: children making new friends, parents finding space to breathe, friends arriving together, and solo travelers discovering belonging in community. Everyone shares meals, stories, and summer evenings under the stars. Come be part of something warm, welcoming, and alive. Here, you are Free to Be.
Note About Family Bookings: To make this retreat as affordable as possible for families, we are offering a single program fee of $108 per family, plus the cost of accommodations. At this time, our online booking system applies program fees per person. To ensure your family is charged the correct rate, please call our Guest Services team at (, and we will be happy to assist you with your reservation.
Accommodation Options
Harmony Cottage
The Harmony cottage is nestled on the edge of the forest within the Himalayan Institute campus. This spacious cottage features a one-bedroom layout with a kitchen, full bathroom with tub and shower. Surrounded by the serene beauty of the Pocono Mountains, the cottage offers a tranquil escape where you can connect with nature. The open-concept living space combines the living area, kitchen, and dining space, providing ample room for relaxation and practice. This cottage includes a work desk with wifi and a single person sofa pullout. The bedroom is a cheerful sanctuary with a full size bed and walk in closet. The well-equipped kitchen includes a dishwasher and a washer and dryer. The bathroom includes a shower & tub.
Ananda Cottage
This cozy cottage offers a one-bedroom layout with a kitchen, bathroom with shower, and wifi. Nestled amidst the beauty of the Pocono Mountains, the Ananda Cottage provides a serene and tucked-away feeling, ideal for those seeking a peaceful escape. The open-concept floor plan offers a convenient flow between the kitchen, dining area, and living space. The bedroom provides a tranquil sanctuary with a comfortable, full size bed and a writing desk near the window. Outside, a private patio allows you to enjoy the serenity of the surroundings.
Guest House Suite
Our chalet-style accommodation features a spacious shared living room area that serves as the central hub for our 4 Private Two-Bedroom Suites. Each suite has a private bath, living room/sitting area, and a kitchenette equipped with a refrigerator (no cooking facilities provided). Additionally, each suite boasts a private bedroom with a full-size bed on the first floor, a pullout couch in the living room, and a roomy loft with a queen-sized bed on the second floor. Our Guest House Suite can accommodate up to 4 adults and 2 small children, making it an ideal choice for families or groups of friends.
Teachers
Organization
Raised at the Himalayan Institute, Ishan Tigunait began his spiritual journey at an early age, receiving his first teachings from Swami Rama of the Himalayas. For the past 30 years, he has continued his study and practice under the guidance of his father, Pandit Rajmani Tigunait, deepening a lifelong commitment to spiritual growth and service. As Executive Director of the Himalayan...
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Brian Fulp has been a key part of the Himalayan Institute community since 1997, contributing to its growth through both vision and technical expertise. He helped guide the organization into the digital era by creating its first website, HimalayanInstitute.org, an important milestone in expanding its online presence. For more than ten years, Brian led the Web Department, where his deep...
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Contact Information
Thu, Jul 2