Permission Granted: The Sacred Art of Self-Care

Permission Granted: The Sacred Art of Self-Care is a women's spirituality retreat at Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, led by Renée Trudeau, a transformational teacher, author, spiritual mentor, and master retreat facilitator. It is a weekend of restorative self-renewal for women at every life stage, especially those in transition who are asking what is uniquely theirs to do. The invitation is to do less, rest deeply, and learn the art and science of self-care.

What to Expect

The weekend is built around slowing down. Renée Trudeau teaches why regenerative rest is key to sustainable living, and the program invites you to practice it rather than only hear about it. Themes include self-acceptance, finding your voice, trusting your intuition, and feeling more aligned and alive. You will explore creativity and joy, tend to your soul through ritual, playful movement, and song, and look at the "goddess life" as a way of finding your sweet spot among work, play, and rest.

The practices are gentle and varied: nature-based creative writing, meditative exercises, and stillness, including yoga nidra. Time with like-hearted women of all ages is part of the offering, a chance for authentic connection as you try new ways of being.

The rhythm is simple. The retreat opens on the first afternoon, with check-in beginning at 2:00 pm, a Kripalu Yoga class from 4:45 to 6:00, dinner, and an evening program session from 7:30 to 9:00. Full days begin with Kripalu Yoga from 6:30 to 7:45 am and a silent breakfast. Program sessions run from 9:00 to 11:30 in the morning and 1:30 to 4:00 in the afternoon, with lunch between them. An optional book signing follows at 4:15, then another yoga class and dinner. On the final morning there is yoga, silent breakfast, and a closing session from 9:00 to 12:00, followed by lunch and departure. Times can shift, so check the guest boards or the schedule you receive at check-in.

About Renée Trudeau

Renée Trudeau is a transformational teacher, author, spiritual mentor, and master retreat facilitator. She leads this program as a restorative self-renewal experience just for women, centered on the power of slowing down and regenerative rest.

The Setting

Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health sits in Stockbridge, in the Berkshires of western Massachusetts. Its accommodations are intentionally simple, meant to help you unplug and feel grounded. Choose a private room for solitude, a semi-private room shared with one other guest, or a dormitory-style room if you want connection with other participants. Rooms are ready by 4:00 pm, and a luggage room is available if you arrive earlier.

Three nutritious meals are served each day, with vegetarian and vegan options and other dietary accommodations available on request. Breakfasts are silent. Guests also have access to the Kripalu grounds.

Before You Go

This retreat is for those who identify as women, at all life stages. No prior yoga experience is needed, and the program welcomes both newcomers and women with established yoga or meditation practices. Teachings and practices are offered with modifications, so you can meet them where you are. The program is taught in English.

Tuition covers all program sessions and teachings, more than ten yoga classes over the weekend, three meals a day, and access to the grounds. Accommodation is a separate cost based on room type. Healing Arts sessions and purchases from the Kripalu Shop and Cafe are extra.

On departure day, room check-out is at 10:00 am, and you may stay on campus and join workshops until 2:00 pm.