Loneliness: Understanding and Healing the Disconnection

A transformative four-day retreat at Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health

December 9–12, 2025

About The Retreat

In a world where about one-third of people report feeling deeply disconnected, this immersive retreat offers both insight and practical tools to understand and heal loneliness.

Whether you live alone day after day or find your relationships feeling empty and unfulfilling, chronic loneliness—both objective and subjective—can seriously impact physical and emotional health.

Join Sarah and Dr. J.W. (Terry) Freiberg for a compassionate, research-informed experience that blends science, self-reflection, yoga, and mindfulness to support deeper connections in your life.

“Loneliness is not an emotion like happiness or anger. It’s a sensation like hunger or thirst..”

J.W. Freiberg, Author & Speaker, www.thelonelinessbooks.com

Who This Retreat Is For

Those curious about the epidemic of loneliness in modern society
Individuals personally struggling with persistent disconnection
People seeking to deepen their understanding of human connection
Anyone looking to enhance their relationships and social connectivity
Yoga practitioners of all levels (no prior experience required)

What You'll Experience

Understanding Loneliness

Explore the neurological and social causes of loneliness through engaging discussions and evidence-based research.

Self-Assessment

Assess the quality of your relationships using guided questionnaires and reflective exercises.

Narrative Exploration

Read real-life case stories and practice producing a narrative of your personal patterns of connection and disconnection.

Yoga Practices

Learn and practice yoga techniques to reduce stress and foster calm, present centeredness that enhances connectivity.

Meditation

Experience meditation practices that support emotional resilience and create the foundation for authentic connection.

Practical Strategies

Develop concrete tools to monitor your connectivity and build a more connected, fulfilling life.

❤️

Meet Your Guides

Dr. J.W. (Terry) Freiberg, PhD, JD

A social psychologist whose perspective on the epidemic of loneliness is animated by the Relational School of psychiatry. Dr. Freiberg perceives mental health as being closely related to an individual's capacity to create and maintain rewarding interpersonal relationships.

Sarah Greco, C-IAYT, ERYT500, YACEP

With over 20 years of experience in wellness and yoga, Sarah has worked with Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy as a lead faculty trainer and Dean of Students for their IAYT-accredited yoga therapy training program. At this retreat, Sarah brings her expertise in yoga and meditation practices that foster connection and healing.

The Yoga & Meditation Experience

How Yoga Addresses Loneliness

Under Sarah's guidance, you'll experience how yoga can:

Reduce the physical symptoms of stress that often accompany feelings of isolation
Create a deeper connection to your own body and emotional experience
Cultivate presence and mindfulness that enables more authentic relationships
Build confidence in social settings through embodied awareness
Provide tools for self-regulation during moments of disconnection or anxiety

Meditation Practices for Connection

The retreat includes specialized meditation techniques that:

Foster compassion for self and others
Quiet the inner critic that often hinders connection
Develop awareness of relational patterns
Create space for authentic engagement
Build resilience in the face of rejection or disconnection

Note: All practices are suitable for all levels, including complete beginners.

Daily Schedule

Morning

Start each day with gentle yoga and meditation led by Sarah, designed to create a foundation of presence and embodied awareness.

Mid-Morning

Engage in interactive workshops with Dr. Freiberg exploring the science of loneliness, with opportunities for reflection and discussion.

Afternoon

Participate in guided exercises to assess personal patterns of connection and disconnection, with time for journaling and personal integration.

Late Afternoon

Experience specialized yoga practices with Sarah focused on themes of connection, belonging, and emotional resilience.

Evening

Close each day with restorative yoga and meditation practices that integrate the day's learnings and prepare you for restful sleep.

In addition to the retreat programming, you'll enjoy full access to Kripalu's daily yoga classes, three all-natural meals per day, and beautiful grounds for reflection and renewal.