Easter Weekend: Renewal and Creativity (Family Friendly)

This Easter weekend yoga retreat at Sivananda Ashram Yoga Farm in Grass Valley, California, is built around the themes of transformation and renewal, and it welcomes families. Guests practice classical Sivananda yoga with Swami Divyananda, Maha Lakshmi, C-IAYT, RYT 500, and Atmajyoti Chaitanya, and the weekend also makes room for baking cookies, an Easter egg hunt and time among the trees. It suits beginners and returning practitioners alike.

What to Expect

The weekend moves to the ashram's daily rhythm, which blends body, mind and spirit through satsang (meditation, chanting and a yoga talk), asana and pranayama classes, nature walks and workshops.

Friday is for arriving. Registration runs from noon to 4pm, an open yoga class follows from 4 to 6pm, then dinner at 6pm and satsang at 7:30pm.

Saturday begins early with satsang from 6 to 7:30am: silent meditation, chanting and a lecture. An open yoga class runs from 8 to 10am, followed by brunch at 10am and karma yoga at 11am. The Easter cookie baking workshop is at noon and another workshop at 2pm. From 3 to 4pm there is free time and nature walks, then a second open yoga class from 4 to 6pm, dinner at 6pm and evening satsang at 7:30pm.

Sunday repeats the morning satsang and open yoga class, with brunch at 10am. The Easter egg hunt is at 11am, and ashram nature hikes begin at noon.

Workshop topics include absorbing prana from the garden and trees, drawing inspiration from the heart, a labyrinth walk, a hands-on session playing with nature, an Ayurveda cooking workshop, kirtan singing and bhakti, prana and meditation, and the purpose of life and yoga philosophy.

About Swami Divyananda

Swami Divyananda is a yoga teacher from Vietnam and a sannyasin in the Sivananda tradition. She began practicing yoga at 20 and completed her teacher training course in 2016, the Sivananda Yoga Health Educator Training in 2020 and the advanced teacher training in 2022. She has also completed five Sadhana Intensive courses.

About Maha Lakshmi, C-IAYT, RYT 500

Maha Lakshmi has taught classical yoga for many years and graduated from the Sivananda Yoga Health Educator Training in 2020. She is a student of Ayurveda, a practitioner of the Four Paths of Yoga, and a dedicated student of Swami Sitaramananda.

About Atmajyoti Chaitanya

Atmajyoti Chaitanya completed the Sivananda Yoga Teachers' Training Course in 2017, the Advanced Teachers' Training Course in 2019 and the Sivananda Yoga Health Educator Training. A devoted Hatha yogini, she shares the classical teachings with enthusiasm, depth and authenticity.

The Setting

The retreat takes place at Sivananda Ashram Yoga Farm, on Ballantree Lane in Grass Valley, in the Northern California foothills. Accommodation ranges from bring-your-own tents (listed for male guests) to Om, Siva and Krishna cabins with two twin beds, some booked privately or with a friend and some shared with another guest. Deluxe Shanti rooms with two or three twin beds suit friends or families. Meals are vegetarian.

Before You Go

There are no prerequisites beyond a sincere desire to learn classical yoga. Classes are taught in English. Check-in is at 2:00pm, and 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 8:00pm. Check-out is at 12:00pm, and guests are welcome to stay on the grounds for the afternoon.

Every room option includes two vegetarian meals, two yoga classes and two satsangs, along with the cookie workshop, egg hunt, listed workshops and nature walks. Tuition for the Siva Wellness Center is separate from accommodation.

Bring slip-on shoes, loose comfortable clothing, writing materials, a meditation shawl or blanket, a water bottle and a flashlight. Yoga mats and sitting cushions are not provided, so bring your own. Books and other materials can be ordered from the ashram's online boutique.