Explore the Foundations of Yoga Life

Explore the Foundations of Yoga Life is a yoga retreat in the classical Sivananda tradition, led by Atmajyoti Chaitanya at Sivananda Ashram Yoga Farm in Grass Valley, California. It is a gentle, slower-paced week for anyone who wants to build a steady yoga practice, whether you are new to yoga or returning to it, and whatever your health history. You can come for the full week, for the weekend only, or for whichever days suit your calendar.

What to Expect

The retreat is organized around the five aspects of the Sivananda system: proper exercise, proper breathing, proper relaxation, proper diet, and positive thinking with meditation. These make up the "yogic lifestyle" that is lived day to day at the ashram, and the retreat lets you practice them together rather than one at a time.

Asana classes move at an unhurried pace. Postures are introduced one by one, with their benefits, demonstrations and adaptations, and the teachers offer personal guidance. The classes combine stretching, strength, relaxation and conscious breathing (pranayama), with an emphasis on concentration and on feeling the movement of prana.

Each day begins and ends with satsang: guided meditation, mantra chanting and a talk on health and yoga-related topics. Afternoon workshops cover the benefits of asana practice, the benefits of pranayama, three levels of relaxation, balancing your diet, techniques of positive thinking, improving your concentration, and what meditation is.

The recommended daily schedule runs like this:

- 6:00 to 7:30am: satsang
- 8:00 to 9:45am: asana class
- 10:00am: vegetarian brunch
- 11:00am: karma yoga
- 12:00pm: nature walks
- 1:00 to 2:30pm: workshop on the foundations of yoga life
- 2:30 to 4:00pm: free time
- 4:00 to 5:45pm: asana class
- 6:00pm: vegetarian dinner
- 7:30 to 9:00pm: satsang

About Atmajyoti Chaitanya

Atmajyoti Chaitanya is a graduate of the Sivananda Yoga Teachers' Training Course (2017), the Advanced Teachers' Training Course (2019) and the Sivananda Yoga Health Educator Training. A devoted Hatha yogini, she shares the classical teachings of yoga with enthusiasm, depth and authenticity.

The Setting

The retreat takes place at Sivananda Ashram Yoga Farm, a rural ashram in Grass Valley, California, where nature walks and karma yoga are part of the day. Meals are vegetarian and freshly prepared onsite.

Accommodation ranges from bringing your own tent, with separate areas for women and for men, to shared or private rooms in Om Cabin, Siva Cabin and Krishna Cabin, up to the Deluxe Shanti rooms. Many rooms have twin beds and can be booked privately, with a friend, or as a shared dorm with another guest. Deluxe Shanti also offers a queen bed with a futon for private stays or married couples. The tent option is the lowest-cost choice.

Check-in is at 2:00pm. Arriving by 4:00pm lets you join the first asana class, followed by dinner at 6:00pm, a welcoming orientation at 7:00pm and satsang at 7:30pm. Check-out is at 12:00pm, and you are welcome to stay on the grounds for the afternoon afterward.

Before You Go

There are no prerequisites beyond a sincere desire to learn classical yoga. All levels of experience and all health conditions are welcome.

Your stay includes accommodation in the room type you choose, vegetarian meals, asana classes, satsangs, the afternoon workshops and personal guidance from the teaching staff. Travel to the ashram, books and boutique items are not included. Books such as Essentials of Yoga Practice & Philosophy by Swami Sitaramananda and Yoga: Your Home Practice Companion can be ordered at check-out.

Pack slip-on shoes, loose comfortable clothing, writing materials, a meditation shawl or blanket, a yoga mat, a sitting cushion, a water bottle and a flashlight. The ashram boutique stocks books and other materials.