Berkshire Yoga Festival 2026: Full Schedule

9:00am EDT

Thursday June 11, 2026 9:00am - 12:00pm EDT

Limited Capacity seats available

What is kundalini anyway? How can we have an embodied experience in a safe and supported way? These are the themes that will be explored as we journey through spinal suppleness, mantra meditation, connection and community. The whole point of this immersion is to have a lived experience of your beauty, grace and perfection. No self improvement required, simply show up as you are.

Presenters

Jeannie O'Neill

M.ED, E-RYT500, Yoga Farm Ithaca

Jeannie has a master's degree in education specializing in contemplative pedagogy and transformative curriculum design. She is a 500E-RYT Vinyasa and Kundalini Yoga Teacher, Mindfulness Meditation instructor, a Yoga Alliance Continuing Education Provider, and an Ayurvedic health... Read More →

Thursday June 11, 2026 9:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Burbank Room 37 Corey Rd, Hancock, MA 01237, USA

Intensive

Style Kundalini
Schedule Spotlights Personal Growth & Transformation, Yoga Philosophy & Wisdom Traditions

8:30am EDT

Intro to Vedic Pujas

Friday June 12, 2026 8:30am - 9:30am EDT

Clark Room, Country Inn

Limited Capacity seats available

Description to Come

Presenters

Tobias Meinecke

Tobias Meinecke is a film maker and devotee of Sri Sakthi Amma, a teacher and Narayani Avatar living in South India. www.narayanipeedam.org

As as devotee Tobias has been creating and hosting Pujas, or sacred ceremonies, for over 15 years all over the world. The Yagam or "Fire Ceremony" is typically offered at night while the Abisheikim or "Liquid Puja" is offered in the mornings. During the puja's there are hundreds of... Read More →

Friday June 12, 2026 8:30am - 9:30am EDT
Clark Room, Country Inn 37 Corey Rd, Hancock, MA 01237, USA

Lecture/Talk

Schedule Spotlights Yoga Philosophy & Wisdom Traditions

10:00am EDT

Living Symbols and Inner Practices: Bhūta Śuddhi and Cakra Sādhana – Anāhata Cakra

Friday June 12, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am EDT

Crane West

Limited Capacity seats available

We all have the recurring experience of frustration and suffering - from different causes, and at different levels of intensity - throughout our daily lives. In response to this recurring experience, we seek to release suffering and find fulfillment outwardly and, as a result, become entangled in what the Ancients called the ‘world of name and form’. This misguided seeking perpetuates the recurrence of unresolved issues, frustrations, tension, and suffering that we all experience throughout our lives.

Deep methods of Inner Practice evolved in the tradition of Tantric Laya Yoga through which we can break this recurring cycle, realize our true nature, actualize our innate potentials and, ultimately, become free. These methods of practice relied on complex symbol systems.

In this series of three classes, we will explore two of the most important symbol systems, the methods of practice evolved to work with them and, finally, how to integrate these symbols and methods into our personal practice.

In this first 90-minute session of the series, we will
- Explore the cakra symbol system as a “microcosmic” map that reveals both our dysfunctional patterns and our innate untapped potentials.
- Introduce the methods of Bhūta Śuddhi and Cakra Sādhana
- Work with these methods in a practice focused on the Anāhata Cakra

Presenters

Gary Kraftsow

Gary Kraftsow has been an innovator in the transmission of yoga for health, healing, and personal transformation for over 40 years. He began his study of yoga in India with T.K.V. Deśikācar in 1974 and received a Viniyoga Special Diploma from Viniyoga International in Paris, France... Read More →

Friday June 12, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am EDT
Crane West 37 Corey Road, Hancock, MA, USA

Yoga

Style Yoga & Lecture
Schedule Spotlights Yoga Philosophy & Wisdom Traditions

10:30am EDT

Embodied Mindfulness: The Yoga of Singing for Health and Wellness Workshop

Friday June 12, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am EDT

Doc Maynard Pavillion

Limited Capacity seats available

Discover the voice of your soul in this transformative workshop with internationally touring world music artist, teacher, and author Girish.

Science is proving what ancient cultures and our inner wisdom already knows: your voice can become one of the most powerful agents of transformation in every facet of your life. Sharing his own experience as a sound healer, musician, yogi, and former Hindu monk, Girish offers tools and practices to find and express your true voice in this interactive and inspiring workshop.

Discover and express your true voice and reclaim the healing potential that resides there. Girish will share several enjoyable and practical techniques, based on his decades of sound healing experience, that you can incorporate into your daily life. You will discover what 21st Century neuroscience reveals about these practices, many based on ancient yogic teachings, and learn new and inspiring ways to support and open your voice. You will discover unique, liberating methods to clear old patterns that block your natural expression and fulfillment. You will feel how opening your voice leads to powerful transformation in every dimension of your life.

Presenters

Girish

Girish is an internationally touring world music artist, teacher, and author. He began his music career as a jazz drummer, spent five years as a monk in a Hindu monastery, returned to music as a session tabla player on more than a hundred world music albums, and for the past twelve... Read More →

Friday June 12, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am EDT
Doc Maynard Pavillion

Meditation & Pranayama

Schedule Spotlights Yoga Philosophy & Wisdom Traditions, Personal Growth & Transformation, Teacher's Path, Studio Partner Picks

2:00pm EDT

Embracing Abundance: An Introduction to the Mantras of Sri Sukta

FILLING

Friday June 12, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm EDT

Crane West

Limited Capacity filling up

The Sri Sukta is a sacred cluster of sixteen mantras dedicated to the Divine Mother as the source of abundance, nourishment, and sustaining power in the universe. Far more than prayers for material well-being, these awakened mantras align consciousness with the subtle forces that support wholeness, vitality, and inner prosperity.

In this immersive workshop, Ishan Tigunait will introduce the Sri Sukta within its yogic and spiritual context, exploring how mantra functions as a living force rather than a symbolic chant. Participants will learn one mantra from the Sri Sukta in depth, including its meaning, energetic quality, and proper pronunciation. Through practice, Sri Sukta becomes a direct experience of inner abundance that naturally expresses itself outward into the world.

This session is accessible to practitioners of all levels and is especially meaningful for those interested in mantra, the Divine Feminine, or cultivating a more supportive and nourishing inner landscape.

In this session, we will explore:
● The purpose and spiritual significance of the Sri Sukta
● How mantra works to awaken abundance and nurturance
● The meaning, sound, and practice of one Sri Sukta mantra
● How inner prosperity becomes the ground for outer fulfillment

Participants will leave with a lived experience of mantra practice and a deeper understanding of abundance as a spiritual and embodied reality.

Presenters

Ishan Tigunait

Himalayan Institute

Growing up at the Himalayan Institute, Ishan Tigunait received his first spiritual lessons from Swami Rama of the Himalayas, and has continued his spiritual education for the past 30 years under the guidance of his father, Pandit Rajmani Tigunait. Ishan serves as Executive Director... Read More →

Sponsors

Himalayan Institute

Friday June 12, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm EDT
Crane West 37 Corey Road, Hancock, MA, USA

Lecture/Talk

Schedule Spotlights Yoga Philosophy & Wisdom Traditions, Studio Partner Picks

4:30pm EDT

Tantra Sadhana — Doorway to Inner Freedom & Abundance

Friday June 12, 2026 4:30pm - 5:30pm EDT

Doc Maynard Pavillion

Limited Capacity seats available

Scriptures proclaim, “You are the creator of your destiny.” We have the ability to identify and choose the path that leads to true freedom and abundance. This is what tantra sadhana is all about. There are numerous tantric practices: some complex, some straightforward; some enticing in the beginning and perplexing at the end.

In this keynote, Pandit Tigunait shares the time-tested practice of tantra vidya which is sweet and insightful right from the start, and fulfilling at each step of our progress. This practice is based on his latest book, Sri Sukta: Tantra of Inner Prosperity.

This presentation will enable you to gather the tools needed to confront and conquer the forces of uncertainty, fear, and confusion sweeping across both our inner and outer worlds.

Presenters

Pandit Rajmani Tigunait, PhD

Himalayan Institute

Pandit Rajmani Tigunait, PhD, is a modern-day master and living link in the unbroken Himalayan Tradition. He is the successor to Sri Swami Rama of the Himalayas, and the spiritual head of the Himalayan Institute. As the author of numerous books, including his autobiography Touche... Read More →

Sponsors

Himalayan Institute

Friday June 12, 2026 4:30pm - 5:30pm EDT
Doc Maynard Pavillion

Lecture/Talk

Schedule Spotlights Yoga Philosophy & Wisdom Traditions, Studio Partner Picks

8:00am EDT

The Net That Catches: Jalandhara Bandha and the Art of Quieting the Mind

Saturday June 13, 2026 8:00am - 9:30am EDT

Crane East

Limited Capacity seats available

This embodied practice explores the technique of Jalandhara Bandha: “the net that catches." This subtle yogic energetic seal gathers scattered attention and stabilizes the mind. Through accessible movement, lunar-informed breathwork, and guided meditation, this practice gently quiets mental overactivity and supports nervous system regulation. Woven with contemplative INSIGHT inquiry, participants experience how steadiness arises not through effort, but through alignment, containment, and listening. This is a practice of calm power, inner coherence, and the relief of being held from within. Suitable for all levels.

Presenters

Kevin Courtney

Kevin Courtney is a meditation guide, INSIGHT facilitator, and teacher working at the intersection of ancient contemplative traditions, modern neuroscience, and embodied transformation. With decades of experience in yoga, meditation, breathwork, and subtle energy systems, his work... Read More →

Saturday June 13, 2026 8:00am - 9:30am EDT
Crane East 37 Corey Rd, Hancock, MA 01237, USA

Yoga

Schedule Spotlights Yoga Philosophy & Wisdom Traditions

2:00pm EDT

Living Symbols and Inner Practices: Devatā Yoga – Lakṣmī

Saturday June 13, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm EDT

Crane East

Limited Capacity seats available

We all have the recurring experience of frustration and suffering - from different causes, and at different levels of intensity - throughout our daily lives. In response to this recurring experience, we seek to release suffering and find fulfillment outwardly and, as a result, become entangled in what the Ancients called the ‘world of name and form’. This misguided seeking perpetuates the recurrence of unresolved issues, frustrations, tension, and suffering that we all experience throughout our lives.

Deep methods of Inner Practice evolved in the tradition of Tantric Laya Yoga through which we can break this recurring cycle, realize our true nature, actualize our innate potentials and, ultimately, become free. These methods of practice relied on complex symbol systems.

In this series of three classes, we will explore two of the most important symbol systems, the methods of practice evolved to work with them and, finally, how to integrate these symbols and methods into our personal practice.

In the second session of the series, we will
- Explore the symbolism of the Vedic Gods and Goddesses as “macrocosmic map” that reveals what the Ancients called our Divine Human Potentials.
- Introduce the methods of Devatā Yoga
- Work with this methods in a practice focused on the Mahā Lakṣmī

Presenters

Gary Kraftsow

Saturday June 13, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm EDT
Crane East 37 Corey Rd, Hancock, MA 01237, USA

Yoga

Style Yoga & Lecture
Schedule Spotlights Yoga Philosophy & Wisdom Traditions

4:00pm EDT

✴️ Saraswati — Key to the Treasure Trove of Tantra

Saturday June 13, 2026 4:00pm - 5:30pm EDT

Doc Maynard Pavillion

Limited Capacity seats available

At the heart of the tantric tradition stands Saraswati, the radiant embodiment of knowledge, intuition, and the hidden currents of wisdom that guide every seeker. In the esoteric teachings of the Durga Saptashati, she is revealed as the gatekeeper to the vast treasury of tantra vidya, and the one who holds the key to unveiling the deeper nature of reality. Known as maha maya and yoga nidra, Saraswati illuminates the many layers of human experience, from the most ordinary to the most sublime, and shows us how to move skillfully between them.

In this transformative session, you will explore this multifaceted divinity not as a symbol, but as a living force that unlocks access to the true heart of tantra. You will also learn the meaning and practice of a rare and sacred Saraswati mantra, preserved in both the Vedic and tantric traditions, and discover how this mantra opens the doors to clarity, creativity, and inner awakening.

From this vantage point, this session expands into the wider world of tantra itself—a tradition that, for millennia, has offered a priceless trove of techniques to support and accelerate our spiritual growth. Yet today it is often overshadowed by confusion and sensationalism. Some encounter rituals, mantras, kundalini, and chakras; others become absorbed in deities and mystical practices.

Pandit Tigunait, drawing on a thousand-year lineage of tantric masters, will cut through this modern jungle of misunderstanding to reveal the rich and sublime essence of tantra. You will learn how to discern which aspects of the tantric tradition resonate most deeply with you, how to navigate common pitfalls with confidence, and how to follow a path that leads directly to inner fulfillment and true freedom.

Presenters

Pandit Rajmani Tigunait, PhD

Himalayan Institute

Sponsors

Himalayan Institute

Saturday June 13, 2026 4:00pm - 5:30pm EDT
Doc Maynard Pavillion

Community Event

Schedule Spotlights Yoga Philosophy & Wisdom Traditions, Personal Growth & Transformation

4:30pm EDT

✴️ Is Yoga Anti-War?

Saturday June 13, 2026 4:30pm - 5:00pm EDT

Clark Room, Country Inn

Limited Capacity seats available

In this global moment of war, chaos, and destruction, yoga practitioners might feel inclined to turn to yoga philosophy for ethical guidance and a broader understanding of the moral implications and relationship between yoga and war. While it is common and tempting to turn to “ahimsa” as a foundational tenet of yoga philosophy and thus regard yoga as inherently non-violent and anti-war, such interpretations offer simplistic readings of yoga philosophy.

So what does yoga philosophy say about war, from a historic and contemporary standpoint? I believe that nuancing our understanding of yoga philosophy with respect to war strengthens both our capacity to turn to yoga as a moral compass and our impact when we wish to harness yoga's power toward more liberatory purposes. In this half lecture, half participatory workshop session, I invite you to join me in a dialogue on the politics of yoga, war, and empire; and in a commitment to strengthen our collective movement toward liberation of all beings.

Presenters

Sheena Sood

Healer, Activist, Scholar

Sheena Sood, PhD (she/her) is an Assistant Professor of Sociology at Delaware Valley University, and a Philly-based activist, yoga practitioner, and healing justice visionary. Sheena earned her yoga certifications at Kailash Tribal School in McLeodganj, India. Her research, “Omwashing... Read More →

Saturday June 13, 2026 4:30pm - 5:00pm EDT
Clark Room, Country Inn 37 Corey Rd, Hancock, MA 01237, USA

Community Event

Schedule Spotlights Yoga Philosophy & Wisdom Traditions

8:00am EDT

✴️ Healing Breath, Revealing Mind: An Introduction to Vishoka Meditation

Sunday June 14, 2026 8:00am - 9:30am EDT

Crane East

Limited Capacity seats available

Vishoka Meditation is a classical yogic approach to meditation that uses the subtle dimension of breath as a doorway into the mind’s natural state of clarity, joy, and inner radiance. Rooted in the Himalayan Tradition and drawing source wisdom from the YogaSutra and the Lotus Sutra, this practice offers a comprehensive yet accessible pathway toward a sorrow less state of awareness—one that does not bypass life’s challenges, but transforms our relationship to them.

In this workshop-style session, Ishan Tigunait will introduce the foundations of Vishoka Meditation, weaving together guided practice and philosophical context. Participants will learn essential techniques that unite the subtle aspect of the breath with the mind’s power of awareness, revealing a deeper and more luminous dimension of consciousness already present within us.

This session is well-suited for both newer meditators and experienced practitioners seeking a clear, grounded, and systematic approach to meditation.

In this experiential session, we will explore:
● The purpose and essential experience of meditation in relation to yoga practice
● How breath awareness reveals our healing potential, and helps us bridge body and mind
● How an embodied experience of prana is the self-revealing dimension of mind
● Key principles that make meditation accessible, sustainable, and joyful
● How Vishoka Meditation practice supports emotional resilience and inner stability

Participants will leave with a felt sense of the practice and a deeper understanding of how meditation can become a source of clarity, healing, and inner nourishment.

Presenters

Ishan Tigunait

Himalayan Institute

Sponsors

Himalayan Institute

Sunday June 14, 2026 8:00am - 9:30am EDT
Crane East 37 Corey Rd, Hancock, MA 01237, USA

Community Event

Schedule Spotlights Personal Growth & Transformation, Yoga Philosophy & Wisdom Traditions

8:30am EDT

The Inner Axis: Qigong, Meditation, and Embodied Spiritual Integration

Sunday June 14, 2026 8:30am - 9:30am EDT

Doc Maynard Pavillion

Limited Capacity seats available

This integrative practice weaves grounding Qigong with subtle meditation to explore the meeting point of matter and spirit. We begin with slow, accessible Qigong forms that cultivate the water and earth elements, building stability, rootedness, and energetic containment. From this grounded foundation, we transition into silent meditation, inviting a felt ascent into ether and spirit without leaving the body behind. Expect integrated calm focus and the quiet lift of embodied spirit. Suitable for all levels.

Presenters

Kevin Courtney

Sunday June 14, 2026 8:30am - 9:30am EDT
Doc Maynard Pavillion

Yoga

Schedule Spotlights Personal Growth & Transformation, Yoga Philosophy & Wisdom Traditions

10:00am EDT

Living Symbols and Inner Practices: Bhūta Śuddhi & Cakra Sādhana – Anāhata Cakra

Sunday June 14, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am EDT

Crane West

Limited Capacity seats available

We all have the recurring experience of frustration and suffering - from different causes, and at different levels of intensity - throughout our daily lives. In response to this recurring experience, we seek to release suffering and find fulfillment outwardly and, as a result, become entangled in what the Ancients called the ‘world of name and form’. This misguided seeking perpetuates the recurrence of unresolved issues, frustrations, tension, and suffering that we all experience throughout our lives.

Deep methods of Inner Practice evolved in the tradition of Tantric Laya Yoga through which we can break this recurring cycle, realize our true nature, actualize our innate potentials and, ultimately, become free. These methods of practice relied on complex symbol systems.

In this series of three classes, we will explore two of the most important symbol systems, the methods of practice evolved to work with them and, finally, how to integrate these symbols and methods into our personal practice.

In this 60-minutes session we will explore through lecture, discussion and Q&A how to authentically integrate these symbols and methods into personal practice and daily life.

Presenters

Gary Kraftsow

Sunday June 14, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am EDT
Crane West 37 Corey Road, Hancock, MA, USA

Lecture/Talk

Schedule Spotlights Yoga Philosophy & Wisdom Traditions

2:00pm EDT

Bhakti + Breath: Transformational Breathwork + Chanting with Girish

Sunday June 14, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm EDT

The Sanctuary

Limited Capacity seats available

Join musician, former Hindu monk, and author, Girish, for a deep dive into the healing practices of Bhakti Yoga in this transformational 90 minute journey through Breathwork, Chanting, and a Mantra-infused Restorative Savasana practice.
We'll share an entirely new Breathwork experience in this upcoming session with Girish, diving into the powerful BREATH OF LIFE practice from the monasteries of Tibet, followed by a deeply healing Vocal Yoga session, preparing us for some sweet call-and-response Kirtan before transitioning into a restorative Savasana practice, serenaded with live music and chanting.
Girish is an internationally touring world music artist, teacher, and author. He began his music career as a jazz drummer, spent five years as a monk in a Hindu monastery, returned to music as a session tabla player on more than a hundred world music albums, and for the past twelve years has written, recorded, and performed his own original music and taught Sanskrit mantras and chanting in music festivals and yoga studios all over the world. His seven albums have received critical acclaim from O, The Oprah Magazine, Yoga Journal, and The Guardian, among others. Girish's book, Music and Mantras, continues Girish's mission to share the art of meditation through music and mantra with the world.

Presenters

Girish

Sunday June 14, 2026 2:00pm - 3:30pm EDT
The Sanctuary

Meditation & Pranayama

Schedule Spotlights Personal Growth & Transformation, Yoga Philosophy & Wisdom Traditions

Berkshire Yoga Festival 2026

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Berkshire Yoga Festival 2026

9:00am EDT

Jeannie O'Neill

8:30am EDT

Tobias Meinecke

10:00am EDT

Gary Kraftsow

10:30am EDT

Girish

2:00pm EDT

Ishan Tigunait

Himalayan Institute

4:30pm EDT

Pandit Rajmani Tigunait, PhD

Himalayan Institute

8:00am EDT

Kevin Courtney

2:00pm EDT

Gary Kraftsow

4:00pm EDT

Pandit Rajmani Tigunait, PhD

Himalayan Institute

4:30pm EDT

Sheena Sood

8:00am EDT

Ishan Tigunait

Himalayan Institute

8:30am EDT

Kevin Courtney

10:00am EDT

Gary Kraftsow

2:00pm EDT

Girish

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