HEALTH SPAS FOR FITNESS AND FUN

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The center is typically booked several sessions in advance, and facilities limit the number of workshop participants to about 25. Furthermore, although a broad spectrum of people participate in the programs, the guests tend to be in their 30's or 40's, middle class, more often female than male, and — naturally — keenly interested in achieving a more holistic lifestyle.

The peaceful rural setting provided by the surrounding Blue Mountains offers great opportunities for strolling, jogging, biking, and hiking. (Indeed, the Appalachian Trail is well within walking distance of the compound.) A three-acre lake on the property tempts guests with the opportunity to canoe ... and an Olympic-sized pool is open for swimming in the summer and iceskating in the winter! Guests may also make appointments to receive health services from the professional staff. Among those offered are hair analysis for trace minerals, polarity therapy, reflexology (foot massage), yoga therapy, colonic irrigation, facials, deep tissue massage, and psychological counseling.

A typical day's schedule begins at 5:00 a.m., when the guests are gently awakened by the sound of a melodious African instrument. Then, at 5:20, the body-work specialist greets everyone out in the yard for stretching and warmup exercises. Next comes a walk or a jog — depending on each person's preference — followed by an hour of yoga. Breakfast, usually consisting of cooked whole grains and homemade yogurt, is served at 7:30. (Unfortunately, the health center raises little of its own food, but does obtain organically grown produce from a local farmers' market, make its own yogurt and soy food products, and grow its own sprouts.)

After breakfast there are workshops until midmorning . . . then guests are free to keep their various health-care appointments, relax in the sauna or hot tub, enjoy a nap, or walk about the complex. Lunch — the main meal of the day — usually consists of a large green salad, whole grain bread, and a vegetarian casserole. Fresh fruit and herbal teas are always available to the guests, as well. More workshops and/or therapy sessions follow in the afternoon, and a light supper of soup and salad is served at 5:30 p.m. Between the evening meal and bedtime (at 9:00 p.m.), it's often possible to meet with the retreat's founder, Yogi Desai, and listen as he talks, reads from a favorite work, or fields questions.

There is — according to our staffer — a feeling of peace surrounding the center, and it's difficult not to relax in the atmosphere of caring that envelops the place. The Kripalu personnel are supportive of each other and of their guests, who are treated like close family friends.

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