The Heart of Being a Teen

The Heart of Being a Teen is a yoga workshop for ages 13 to 17, held on campus at the Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. Led by yoga and wellness educator Missy Brown, it is a three-day program for teens who want tools for self-discovery, emotional regulation and community, offered while a parent or adult attends their own retreat nearby.

What to Expect

The workshop is built around the pressures young people carry today: social media, peer pressure, bullying and academic expectations. Teens are offered a safe, soft space to be themselves, with fun and introspective activities that invite self-discovery. They practice yoga "off the mat" and learn that it is much more than a physical activity. They also journal and enjoy guided relaxation to build self-awareness and emotional regulation. In share circles, they practice mindful communication with their peers.

On opening day, check-in begins at 2:00 pm, dinner is served from 5:30 to 7:30, and the first program session runs from 7:15 to 8:45 in the evening. On the full day, breakfast is silent from 7:30 to 9:00, followed by a program session from 8:45 to 11:30. Lunch runs from 12:00 to 1:30, with another session from 1:30 to 4:15. A family yoga session follows from 4:30 to 5:15, and dinner is from 5:30 to 7:30. On the closing day, the morning session runs from 8:45 to 11:30, and lunch and departure are from 11:30 to 1:30. Times can vary, and a schedule is provided at check-in.

Teens meet for morning and afternoon sessions while their parents attend their own programs. Families are together at mealtimes, in the evenings and overnight.

About Missy Brown

Missy Brown is an E-RYT 500, E-RCYT and YACEP who has dedicated her life to supporting people of all ages to open to their true potential. She teaches through classes and training programs, using creativity and playfulness to bring mindfulness and body-centered practices to life with humor and open-hearted authenticity. She is the president and founder of Deep Play for Kids, LLC, and the creator of Deep Play for Kids and Deep Play for All.

The Setting

The workshop takes place at Kripalu in Stockbridge. Accommodations are intentionally simple and designed to help guests unplug and feel grounded. Options include a private room for solitude and personal space, or a shared, dormitory-style room that fosters community. Rooms are ready by 4:00 pm, and a luggage room is available for earlier arrivals. Three meals are served each day, and breakfast is taken in silence.

Before You Go

No prior yoga or meditation experience is needed. The program suits teens who are new to these practices as well as those with some familiarity, and all activities are adapted to the adolescent stage of development. The program is offered in English.

Teens must be accompanied at Kripalu by a parent or adult who is registered for an R&R Retreat. Teens under 16 are not permitted to attend Kripalu yoga classes or R&R programs outside the scheduled sessions for this program. Teens aged 17 and 16 are welcome at R&R programs when accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Your stay includes accommodation, three daily meals, daily yoga and movement classes, all program sessions and access to the Kripalu grounds and amenities. Healing Arts sessions and items from the Kripalu Shop and Cafe are available for separate purchase. On departure day, check-out is at 10:00 am, and you may stay on campus and take part in workshops until 2:00 pm.