Sanctuary: Spiritual Grounding for Queer and Trans Folks

Sanctuary is a yoga retreat for queer and trans-identified people at the Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. Led by social justice educator and yoga teacher Jacoby Ballard and yoga educator and artist Ro Grace, it offers a weekend of spiritual grounding, creative movement, rest and community. The program was featured in Yoga Journal's The Best Yoga Retreat Trends of 2023.

The retreat is open to queer and trans-identified individuals only, and all yoga experience levels are welcome.

What to Expect

The days are built around contemplative practice, nourishing yoga and creative movement. Together you explore lovingkindness as a form of fierce protection, and look at how queerness can radicalize a spiritual practice. The teaching also takes up cultural appropriation, honoring yoga's roots through authentic practices. The aim is freedom of movement and expression, and a way to connect with your own sources of spiritual grounding.

The rhythm 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 a first program session from 7:30 to 9:00 in the evening. Each full day begins with Kripalu Yoga from 6:30 to 7:45 am, then a silent breakfast. A program session runs from 9:00 to 11:30, and lunch follows. A second session runs from 1:30 to 4:00, and another Kripalu Yoga class from 4:45 to 6:00 comes before dinner. On Thursday there is also an evening session from 7:00 to 9:00. On the closing day, yoga and silent breakfast are followed by a final session from 9:00 to 11:00, then lunch and departure.

About Jacoby Ballard

Jacoby Ballard is a social justice educator and yoga teacher, and a Kripalu Visionary. His offerings here bring together yoga, contemplative practice and attention to justice and belonging for queer and trans people. He is also associated with the Kripalu program "Community as Sanctuary: Reflections on 20 years of Queer & Trans Yoga."

About Ro Grace

Ro Grace is a yoga educator and artist on the Kripalu faculty. Ro brings creative practice and movement into the retreat, supporting the emphasis on expression and play alongside rest.

The Setting

Kripalu is a yoga and health center in Stockbridge, in the Berkshires of western Massachusetts. Accommodations are intentionally simple, meant to help you unplug and feel grounded. Options include private rooms for those seeking solitude and community-style dorms for those who prefer connection.

Kripalu also offers Gender Expansive Dorms, created to give trans, nonbinary and genderqueer or gender non-conforming guests, along with LGBTQIA+ guests and allies, a sense of belonging. Guests who choose these dorms agree to live with and welcome guests of any gender identity. Rooms are ready by 4:00 pm, and a luggage room is available if you arrive earlier. Check-out on the last day is at 10:00 am, though you can stay on campus and take part in workshops until 2:00 pm.

Before You Go

No prior knowledge of yoga and no particular physical ability is required. The retreat is taught in English.

Registration includes more than ten yoga classes over the stay, three nutritious meals a day, program sessions and access to the Kripalu grounds. Accommodation is a separate cost. Healing Arts sessions, items from the Kripalu Shop and cafe purchases are also extra. Actual times may vary, so check the schedule you receive at check-in for details and room locations.