The Full Scope of Yoga

The Full Scope of Yoga is a yoga retreat at the Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, led by Rodney Yee and Colleen Saidman Yee. It blends philosophy, asana, breathwork, and meditation across a long weekend, and it welcomes students of all levels, from newcomers to experienced practitioners. If you are looking for a yoga retreat in the Berkshires that pairs two long-time teachers with a full, structured day of practice, this is built for that.

What to Expect

The program follows the circadian rhythms of the body, so the days move between movement, stillness, study, and rest. The aim is to help you become more present, release tension, and feel more alert. You will explore ways to focus and quiet the mind, align your practice with your body's natural rhythms, and take in the wider essence of what yoga offers. Colleen Saidman Yee often speaks of transitions between poses as metaphors for transitions in life, and that attention to the "in-between" runs through the weekend.

The schedule is steady. On the opening day, check-in begins at 2:00 pm, followed by a Kripalu Yoga class from 4:45 to 6:00, dinner, and an evening program session from 7:30 to 9:30. Each full day begins with Kripalu Yoga from 6:30 to 7:45 am and a silent breakfast, then a program session from 9:00 to 11:30. After lunch there is a second session from 1:30 to 4:00, another Kripalu Yoga class at 4:45, and dinner. On the closing day, the morning class, silent breakfast, and a program session from 9:00 to 11:00 lead into lunch and departure. Times can shift, and the schedule given at check-in has the final details and room locations.

About Rodney Yee

Rodney Yee has given some 40 years to yoga, with a particular emphasis on the Iyengar tradition. He began in the 1980s by studying the human body closely, and over time his inquiry widened to mind and spirituality. His path to wholeness started in high school gymnastics and continued through philosophy and physical therapy studies at U.C. Davis and U.C. Berkeley. He left college to pursue dance, performing with the Oakland Ballet Company and the Matsuyama Dance Company of Tokyo. Today he is known for his practical, inquisitive approach and for offering yoga tools and mindful practices that help people find peace.

About Colleen Saidman Yee

Colleen Saidman Yee has practiced yoga since 1984 and taught since 1998. She founded Yoga Shanti in Sag Harbor, New York, which opened in 1999, and The New York Times has called her "The First Lady of Yoga." With her husband Rodney Yee and longtime teachers, she developed the Yoga Shanti method, rooted in the Iyengar and Ashtanga traditions. It honors yoga's heritage while responding to modern, western bodies and minds, and it aims to be welcoming and safe for everyone, from beginners to senior teachers. In her classes, students are never asked to contort or push past healthy limits. They are invited to practice a pose "any amount."

The Setting

Kripalu sits in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, and your stay includes access to the Kripalu grounds. Accommodations are intentionally simple, meant to help you unplug and feel grounded. Options include private rooms for solitude, shared rooms for connection, and community-style dormitory sleeping. Rooms are ready by 4:00 pm, and a luggage room is available if you arrive earlier. Three meals are served daily in the Kripalu dining hall, with breakfast taken in silence.

Before You Go

No prior experience is required, and instruction is offered in English. Your registration includes ten or more daily yoga classes, three meals a day, program sessions with both teachers, access to the grounds and facilities, and your accommodation. Healing Arts sessions, purchases from the Kripalu Shop and Cafe, and private instruction outside group classes are not included. On departure day, room check-out is at 10:00 am, and you may stay on campus and take part in workshops until 2:00 pm. A livestream version of the program is also offered for those who cannot travel.