Digital Detox Upstate Retreat

In today’s society, we rely heavily on technology. Quite easily we become conditioned to keeping our digital devices within arm’s reach at all times and can even find comfort knowing that we have “the world at our fingertips” at all times, in all places. While this can be a great blessing to connect us as a global community, we run the risk of losing touch with our inner world, with nature, and with the simplest but often most profound connections of one on one, distraction free, human interaction. 

At the start of our weekend, we will all set our devices aside and leave them aside throughout the entire three nights and days together. No emails, no midnight YouTube searching, no social media, no selfies (But, if it’s not on social media, did it really happen?…..we will find out!)

We will have daily yoga asana classes, morning meditation and sanga, regular kirtans and storytelling, nature hikes, fresh plant-based meals prepared each day, and plenty of time to connect with each other as well as personal time for ourselves. We hope you will take the opportunity to unplug in order to recharge and experience life in a completely new yet inherently human way. 

• 3 nights shared accommodation
• Plant-based meals provided. Dinner upon arrival + 3 meals per day Friday & Saturday + breakfast and lunch on Sunday 
• Daily yoga asana classes
• Kirtans and dharma talks
• Nature hikes 

• Transportation to and from retreat location is not included

• By Bus
  Take Shortline Hudson Bus service between New York City (Port Authority) and Monroe, NY (Millpond Pkwy, Monroe Terminal, Monroe, NY), approximately 1 hour 20 minutes ride. Bus Schedule. Then take a taxi to Ananda Ashram, a 10 minute ride.
• By Train
  Take New Jersey Transit to Harriman, NY (with change over in Secaucus, NJ).
  Train Schedule. Then take a taxi to Ananda Ashram.

Refund window closes 30 days prior to start date; all monies forfeited thereafter. Credit card processing fees apply. Any monies paid to the retreat are non-transferrable.

Kishor Chandra is a yoga teacher, bhakti practitioner, and kirtan leader. Always seeking deeper truths and a higher purpose Kishor moved to India when he was 21 years old. There he lived in ashrams and studied the ancient yogic philosophy of the Vedas and yoga asana under the tutelage of master yogis. Since then he has travelled all over the world and refined his yoga asana teachings with a focus on healing injuries. Having suffered many himself Kishor is passionate about sharing an asana practice that is both transformative, well informed, and sustainable. With over 1000 hours of training Kishor’s signature blend of Katonah Yoga®, Vinyasa, Functional Mobility, and Advanced Asana helps students reach their yoga potential in a safe and sustainable way. Kishor leads workshops, trainings, and retreats all over the world but his home base is the Bhakti Center where he serves as the Yoga Director. He has studied under the guidance of master teachers His Holiness Radhanath Swami, Kulavadhuta Satpurananda, Dr. Gajendra Kumar, Raghunath Cappo, Jaya Jagannath das, Dana Flynn, Abbie Galvin, Nevine Michaan, Benjamin Sears and others.

Brinda Kumari (Susan Hu) is an E-RYT® 500, YACEP®, and founder of an RYS® 200 based in NYC. Born and raised in Shanghai, she has always been searching for the deeper meaning and purpose of life beyond the body and the mind. After obtaining two master’s degrees in Media and Journalism and working in marketing/communications for over seven years, she listened to her inner calling to share the teaching of yoga and became a yoga and meditation teacher. Brinda believes when you take the time to care for yourself with genuine self-love and live an aligned life, you have the power to heal yourself and the world around you. She has been assisting Yogi Charu and teaching in over 30 yoga and meditation teacher trainings. Brinda was initiated into the Brahma Madhava Gaudiya Sampradaya as a disciple of HH Radhanath Swami.

With over 2,000 training hours, Brinda’s teaching style is very nourishing, grounding and uplifting with a focus on breathing and the relationship with Self. As a senior lead teacher at the Bhakti Center, she offers different styles of yoga classes, workshops, and trainings both one on one and in group settings. Her style includes Hatha, Vinyasa, Yin, Restorative, Yoga Nidra, Prana Nidra, Pranayama, Prana Vidya Healing, Chakra Meditation and other yoga and meditation techniques. Brinda also leads local and international retreats and offers Ayurveda self-care treatment and consultation.