Returning to Center

A Yoga & Meditation Retreat

Highlights

• A 4-day / 3-night immersion designed to help you restore, reset, and reconnect
• Invigorating morning yoga and soothing evening practices
• Mindfulness and restorative sessions that support clarity and inner peace
• Space for solitude, reflection, and gentle renewal in nature

Overview

As autumn deepens and the air turns crisp, late fall naturally draws us inward. This retreat offers a peaceful setting to return to your inner steadiness, building calm, clarity, and resilience through yoga, breathwork, meditation, and restorative practices. Each session is crafted to help you experience balance and presence in a tangible, embodied way.

Over four days and three nights, you’ll have the time and space to slow down, release tension, and bring body and mind back into alignment. With an extra day beyond a typical weekend, you can settle more fully into the rhythm of practice, giving your nervous system the chance to reset, your energy to replenish, and your sense of equilibrium to deepen.

Your retreat includes daily yoga, guided breathwork and meditation, deep relaxation, time in nature, nourishing vegetarian meals, and the tranquil atmosphere of the Himalayan Institute’s 400-acre campus. Every element is intended to support a steady return to center that you can carry into everyday life.

Testimonials

The whole retreat was everything I expected, and I got to meet great people with whom I am still in touch as of today. Luke, you have given me inspiration that will help me go through my grief and healing process and I thank you so much for that.

Elisabeth G., Labor Day Weekend 2025

What a great weekend that was filled with awesome people, rest, food and of course, you! You taught me more than you know in such a short amount of time. Thank you!

Marta K., November 2025

Luke Ketterhagen

Luke has devoted his adult life to supporting others and living a healthy lifestyle. After graduating magna cum laude from Marquette University with a degree in biomedical sciences, he immersed himself in the studies and practices of the Himalayan Tradition through residential programs at the Himalayan Institute...

Himalayan Institute Retreat Center

For more than fifty years, the Himalayan Institute Retreat Center has welcomed people seeking inspiration and a renewed sense of inner balance. Home to a vibrant community of yogis, it is a place for those who want to study the ancient tradition of yoga and deepen their connection to themselves and the world around them. Whether you come for a weekend retreat, a personal escape, or a longer program, a stay at the Himalayan Institute can support rejuvenation and transformation.

Retreat Center Highlights

Conscious Simplicity

At the Himalayan Institute, simplicity shapes the experience in every way, from the surroundings to the approach to yoga. By reducing distractions, there is more room to strengthen the inner self and quiet the mind. Rooted in authenticity and philosophy rather than frills, the setting supports meaningful personal growth.

Treat Yourself

The Himalayan Cafe serves the Institute’s signature chai, coffee, and homemade cookies and treats on Saturday and Sunday mornings. The 24/7 Tea Lounge offers a selection of herbal teas at any time. On campus, the MOKA Origins Factory is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with handcrafted, ethically sourced chocolate and coffee, plus free tours and tastings on Saturdays.

Sacred Space

The Sri Vidya Shrine is the spiritual heart of the Himalayan Institute. This sanctuary provides an ideal environment for silent meditation and group spiritual practice, a central part of the Himalayan Tradition for thousands of years. Open to seekers of all backgrounds, the Shrine offers a serene place for meditation, quiet reflection, prayer, and contemplation.

Nourishing Meals

Thoughtfully prepared vegetarian meals are designed to nourish body, mind, and spirit. Each of the three daily meals is easy to digest and supports a meditative lifestyle. Sharing meals here also encourages connection, creating both deep nourishment and a sense of community.

Loving Community

The Himalayan Institute welcomes guests from all walks of life. With a mix of short-term visitors, long-term guests, and a vibrant residential community, the atmosphere is warm, inviting, and grounded in kindness, generosity, and service. Friendships often form naturally and can last a lifetime.

Rest in Nature

Nestled in the rolling hills of the Poconos, the Himalayan Institute’s 400-acre campus offers expansive views, scenic hiking trails, and quiet places for reflection. Walking is a favorite activity here, whether along groomed trails or winding paved roads, inviting both movement and mindful presence in nature.