A stretch in the Catskills

Scribner’s Lodge was a grand-dame hotel in the 1900s and a motor lodge with an indoor ‘swimming’ grotto’ in the Sixties; these days it’s a Nordic-flavoured, mod-country cool retreat in a lush, leafy bit of the the Catskills. It’s gloriously remote location makes it a serene spot for bending, stretching and meditating with YFBP founders Heather Lilleston and Katelin Sisson.

Flex kittens

Heather and Katelin don’t regard themselves as glowing Earth mothers – they’re regular people, who happen to enjoy yoga. With an eccentric, not adhering too strictly to the rules approach, they’re ‘bad’ simply because they like to spice things up a bit… Newbies are warmly welcomed.

It’s an approach that’s earned praise from Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar and Vanity Fair, but it could also be their penchant for breathtakingly beautiful locations and their bad-ass soundtrack, which swaps singing bowls for Outkast, Cat Power and Led Zeppelin.

Scribner’s Lodge

In June the Catskill’s dons its emerald finery; Scribner’s Lodge’s rooms all have furnished balconies and there’s a fire pit-warmed terrace from which to admire the natural wonders. Indoors, there are moody landscape prints by Emily Johnston, wall hangings by Catskill Kiwi and fireplaces to get cosy by, snuggling up amid cushions by Odd Bird. 

This may be a health retreat, but there’s no harm in peeking at the cocktail list; the Beyond the Pines, with lapsang souchon, ginger, lemon and honey – and a dash of Scotch – is practically a juice cleanse…

Your first yoga class with Katelin and Heather starts at 6pm. It entails vinyasa-style movements, with a focus on proper alignment and therapeutic stretching. Classes last from 60 minutes to two hours, and your dedication is rewarded at 8pm, when your welcome drink is served.

At 8.30pm, gather for dinner in Prospect Restaurant for a three-course, family-style feast of mod-Catskills cuisine… (Never fear, gluten-dodgers and vegans, you’ll be well fed too.)

Rise just after the sun at 7am, when coffee and tea flows and light bites are laid out to ready you for more flexing at 9am, when Katelin and Heather put you through your poses for two hours.

At 11am there’s a hearty family-style brunch, after which guests are at leisure to explore the hotel and surroundings. We recommend a brisk hike through the lush surroundings; ask staff to point you in the direction of the most eyecatching trails. Check the hotel’s calendar for in-house events to crash, too.

At 3:30pm, a light afternoon tea is served, chased with another yoga session at 5pm. A three-course, family-style dinner is served at 8.30pm, and come evening you can tell tales around the fire pit while nursing a local craft brew.

Kickstart the day at 7am with coffee, tea and snacks in readiness for yoga at 9am. Fuel up for the drive back home with eggy dishes, yoghurt and granola or smoked salmon at an 11am brunch. Guests of YFBP get a free late check-out till 1pm.

If you want to get bendy amid the Catskills' bucolic beauty, submit an enquiry below or give the Smith24 Team a call on +1 800 464 2040 from the US, +44 (0)330 100 3180 from the UK.

• You agree to the Terms & Conditions 
• Full prepayment will be taken when booking.
• YFBP ask that you fill out a form to ascertain your level of experience when booking.
• If you have any queries before arrival, the Smith24 Team can be contacted at any time of day.
• Mr & Mrs Smith need to share your name and email address with YFBP; you’ll receive a countdown email with further details, including your arrival-flight number, departure information and packing tips.
• Please note that transport to and from the Catskills is not included in the package rate. Upon booking you agree that you have read and agree to these terms.