Explore the Foundations of Yoga Life

Explore the Foundations of Yoga Life is a week-long yoga retreat at Sivananda Ashram Yoga Farm in Grass Valley, California. It introduces the classical Sivananda yoga system and is suited to anyone who wants to look after their wellbeing through a balanced daily practice. The retreat is led by Atmajyoti Chaitanya, and it is offered as an add-on program to the ashram's basic yoga vacation.

What to Expect

The Sivananda system rests on five aspects of a healthy and balanced life: proper exercise, proper breathing, proper relaxation, proper diet and positive thinking. The week is built around these. The organizer's guiding line is simple: your sense of wellbeing is the priority, and feeling good has several sides that each need attention.

The retreat runs for eight days, which is the length of the program as it is offered at the ashram. It sits within the ashram's wider schedule, so you can also take part in the community's other offerings during your stay. These include the Sunday afternoon Ashram Sacred Tour, a guided walk followed by an asana and pranayama class and an organic vegetarian meal. Visitors are also welcome at satsang, where the experience combines silent meditation, chanting and a lecture.

Your Teacher

Atmajyoti Chaitanya leads Explore the Foundations of Yoga Life at the ashram. The program is also taught by Karuna Chaitanya at other times of the year. The teacher for your dates is the one named for that session.

The Setting

Sivananda Ashram Yoga Farm is a yoga ashram in Grass Valley, in California's Sierra foothills region. Meals at the ashram are organic and vegetarian, and the daily life of the place is shaped by yoga practice, meditation and chanting. Guests can stay for the retreat itself or for a longer yoga vacation.

Before You Go

This retreat is an introduction to the foundations of yoga life, so it suits people at different stages of practice. The ashram notes that its programs and retreats are optional add-ons to the basic yoga vacation or to a personalized self-healing retreat. For questions about arrangements for your stay, contact the ashram directly.