Archive for the ‘Ashram’ Category
Kashi Atlanta | Urban Yoga Ashram
Posted: April 18, 2019 at 12:47 am
The core of Kashi Atlantas mission is education, service and healing, with living roots in the spiritual teaching of gurus Ma Jaya Sati Bhagavati and Neem Karoli Baba. Kashi Atlanta fulfills its mission through yoga, service and loving spiritual community. The body, mind and spirit are nourished in a safe, caring environment that encourages real healing and spiritual growth.
Voted Best Yoga in Atlanta annually since 2000, Kashi Atlanta offers ongoing instruction in alleight limbs of Classical Yoga, including asana, meditation, pranayama, mudra and mantra. Yoga classes are offered in several different styles and levels vary from beginner to advanced.
Class offerings also include pranayama and guided meditation, as well as a class devoted todeeper Spiritual Growthand Meditation. A broad spectrum of practitioners is represented, and each is encouraged to grow in awareness as they progress.
The ashram is open throughout the day for meditation.
Kashi Atlanta is an extension of Kashi Ashram in Sebastian, Florida. Established in 1977 by Ma Jaya Sati Bhagavati, Kashi is an interfaith community of people working and living together on a path of conscious, intentional spirituality. The grounds of Kashi are, in fact, a temple, and great care is taken to maintain an environment that supports and nurtures the spiritual growth of its visitors and residents.
Kashi Atlanta Ashrammaintains four residential houseswhere satsang live and work together in spiritual community. Kashis founder, Ma Jaya, teaches that the fastest way to liberation (or happiness)is through the practice of Karma Yoga, or selfless service.
Kashi Atlanta is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization offering weekly opportunities for volunteersto practice Karma Yogathrough our Street Meals, KidsArt and other service programs.
Office Hours:Monday Thursday: 9:00 am 2:00 pm and 5:30 7:45 pmFriday: 9:00 am 2:00 pm and 4:00 6:15 pmSaturday: 9:30 am 2:30 pmSunday: 9:30 am 1:00 pm and 4:00 6:30 pm
2018 Best Yoga Studio: Kashi Atlanta2018 Best Yoga Instructor: Swami Jaya Devi
Kashi Atlanta is registered as a charitable organization with Amazon Smile. Every time you shop, you make a donation of 0.5% of your purchase amount.
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The Ashram | Calabasas | Program | Food | California The …
Posted: at 12:46 am
In a world of distractions and constant change,The Ashrams program is set up to let you reconnect to yourself, while empowering each guest to find their inner and outer strength to climb any mountain.
Youll transform the body, mind, and soul as you immerse yourself each day in our simple but effective program.
Start your days with a sunrise yoga class in our geodesic dome, then set out for a challenging hike through the natural, unspoiled mountains that hug the Pacific Coast. Guests will enjoy participating in fun and invigorating fitness classes including strength training, functional movement work and our signature activity; pool volleyball. Delight and rejuvenate your body with a daily sports massage and in the evenings, enjoy restorative yoga and various lectures including meditation, breath work and body/mind discussions.
Each activity is specially designed to not only tone and balance your body, but to help you create a new awareness and relationship with yourself, your loved ones, and the world around you.
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The Ashram | Calabasas | Program | Food | California The ...
Yoga Class in Dubai | Yoga Ashram | Yoga Studio in Dubai JLT
Posted: at 12:46 am
Yoga is an ancient practise of body, mind and spirit harmony that has travelled down centuries through the East. Amidst todays need for the generation to reconnect with it-self to find a sense of meaning, purpose and joy, yoga is a natural, non-intrusive and holistic path to wellbeing.
Whenever we feel helpless about situations, overwhelmed with life or stressed out by work, we announce that we should go to an ashram!
AnAshramis a peaceful and tranquil place where people rest, energize the mind and rejuvenate the spirit, as well as learn new skills. The idea of escaping to an ashram to be undisturbed by messy stress, is no longer something out of this world. You need not surrender your modern lifestyle and no need to hike to the Himalayas or a secluded forest.
Yoga Ashram is therefore a place where you can find your inner peace. At Yoga Ashram we offer Yoga sessions for all levels and Every Body. Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced Practitioners are most welcome to join our various Hatha, Vinyasa, Yin and Alignment Classes. Kids and Teens Yoga, Breathing and Meditation Classes and Workshops to Better Ones Practise are there too.
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Yoga Class in Dubai | Yoga Ashram | Yoga Studio in Dubai JLT
Asaram – Wikipedia
Posted: March 30, 2019 at 9:46 am
Asumal Sirumalani Harpalani, known as Asaram Bapu by his followers, is a religious leader (Godman) in India.[2] Starting to come in the limelight in the early 1970s, he gradually established over 400 ashrams in India and abroad and was popular among politicians and common people for his religious discourses (pravachan).[1] In April 2018, Asaram was found guilty of rape of a minor girl and is currently serving life imprisonment for the sexual assault in Jodhpur.[3][4][5]
He was mentioned in a list of fake sadhus released by Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad, the apex organisation of Hindu Sants (saints) and Sadhus (ascetics) in India.[6]
Asaram was born on 17 April 1941, in the Berani village of the Nawabshah District in British India (Present-day Berani Town is located in Jam Nawaz Ali Tehsil of Sanghar district Sindh Pakistan), to Menhgiba and Thaumal Sirumalani.[7] His birthname was Asumal Thaumal Harpalani[8][9] or Asumal Sirumalani.[10][11]
Following the partition of India in 1947, he and his family moved to Ahmedabad, then part of the former Bombay State in India, now Gujarat, leaving behind their immovable assets in Sindh. The family moved to Ahmedabad, where Asaram's father founded a coal and wood selling business.[1] Asaram ran this business for a short time after his father's death.[12]
According to Sant Asaram Bapuji ki Jeevan Jhanki, an autobiography published by his ashram, Asaram received his formal education at Jai Hind High School, up-till class III, when his father died. He had a series of escapades to ashrams which started with running away to an ashram in Bharuch at the age of 15, eight days before his scheduled wedding to Laxmi Devi, which though finally happened.[11] The book also mentions Lilashah as the spiritual guru, who accepted him as her disciple and named him Asaram on 7 October 1964, in one of his escapades.[11]
Sources have described him to be involved in a variety of professions ranging from selling liquors[8] and tea[10] to repairing cycles[9], prior to his establishment as a religious leader.
Asaram and Laxmi Devi have two children, son Narayan Sai and daughter Bharti Devi. Their son Narayan Sai works with Asaram and is also mentioned in the Akhada's List of fake religious leaders.[13][2] Sai is also imprisoned in the same prison awaiting trial.[14]
According to Sant Asaram Bapuji ki Jeevan Jhanki, Asaram returned to Ahmedabad on 8 July 1971. On 29 January 1972, he built a hut at Motera, then a village on the banks of the Sabarmati.[11] Although his official biography doesn't mention it, Asaram also lived in Motera's Sadashiv Ashram for two years, before setting up his own hut adjacent to it.[15] He converted his hutment into an ashram in 1973, starting with 510 followers. In 1981 and 1992, the Indian National Congress-led state government allotted the ashram 14,515 m2 land. In 1997 and 1999, the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government allotted it 25,000 m2 for expansion.[11] Asaram had few followers in the beginning, but the numbers increased as local politicians became his devotees.[16] By 2013, Asaram had 400 major and minor ashrams in India and abroad, with numerous followers.[16]
Asaram has organized spiritual discourses all over India, whence his disciples are accorded diksha (initiation by a guru) by him. Around 20,000 students visited his satsang in Ahmedabad in December 2001.[17][18][19]
Asaram's Yoga Vedanta Seva Samiti (YVSS), organizes a Matri Pitri Poojan Divas ("mother-father worship day") on 14 February, as a form of protest against Valentine's Day, which is supposedly symbolic of a Western cultural invasion.[20][21][22] Asaram's proposal was supported by many prominent Indian politicians including union ministers and President Pranab Mukherjee.[23]
In 2015, the Government of the Chhattisgarh state institutionalized the practice, and directed all schools to observe Matru-Pitru Diwas ("mother-father day") every year on 14 February.[24]
A number of Asaram's ashrams have faced legal challenges, on grounds of illegal encroachment. Multiple state governments has razed ashrams to reclaim lands, that was illegally encroached upon including by forgery of documents.[11][25][15][11] There have been multiple pending cases and investigations into Asaram's Samitis for reasons of illegal encroachment.[26]
By 2008, 40 of Asaram's ashrams had gurukuls (residential schools) attached to them. The death of four boys at two of these Ashrams in 2008 led to allegations of black magic being practiced there.[11]
On 3 July 2008, two boys went missing from Asaram's residential school (gurukul) in Motera (Gujarat).[16] On 5 July 2013, the boys' mutilated bodies were found on the banks of the Sabarmati river near the Ashram. The parents alleged that the police harassed them and refused to register a complaint against Asaram or the ashram administration.[16] The incident led to public agitations, with allegations that the boys had been sacrificed by Asaram and his followers for black magic.[27]
A CID probe, ordered on the behest of the High Court of Gujarat rejected the claims of practice of black magic.[28]
The Narendra Modi-led Gujarat state government set up the Justice D.K. Trivedi Commission to probe the deaths in the Motera ashram.[29] In 2009, Asaram's followers organized a rally, protesting against their alleged harassment by the Gujarat police. The protest turned violent, and over 200 supporters of Asaram were arrested after they attacked and injured 20 policemen.[30]
According to the CID report, no evidence of black magic practice was found in Asaram's Ashram.[31]
In January 2013, while addressing a gathering of his followers, Asaram reportedly said that the victim of the 2012 Delhi gang rape was as guilty as her rapists: "The victim is as guilty as her rapists She should have called the culprits brothers and begged before them to stop This could have saved her dignity and life. Can one hand clap? I don't think so."[32] He also reportedly opinionated against harsher punishments for the accused in the Delhi rape victim case, as he felt that the law had the potential to be misused.[33][34]
The comments were widely criticized.[35]
Asaram denied the accusations and stated that his statement had been distorted and misrepresented.[36]
In August 2013, a 16-year-old girl accused Asaram of sexually assaulting her on the night of 15 August at his Manai ashram in Jodhpur on the pretext of exorcising her from evil spirits, though ashram inmates called such molestations "samarpan".[37][38] The girl's parents, who were disciples of Asaram, filed a complaint with the police in Delhi, and a case was registered after the medical examination of the girl confirmed sexual assault.[39] The issue was discussed in Indian Parliament and a strict action was demanded.[38]
When Asaram did not appear for interrogation by 31 August, Delhi Police booked him under multiple non-bailable sections of IPC.[40] Asaram remained inside one of his ashram(s) in Indore and avoided arrest while clashes broke out between his disciples and the journalists and policemen.[41] Eventually, the Jodhpur police arrested him on 1 September 2013 from his ashram,[37][42] and flew him to Jodhpur, where he is imprisoned.[43]
Asaram has dismissed the girl's allegations[44][45]and went on to claim impotency as an alibi, which was subsequently rejected after he passed the Potency test.[46][47] He has since been in jail and has been denied bail 12 times.[48][49][50][51] He was charged under Sections 342, 376, 506 and 509 of the IPC, as well as under Section 8 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) and sections 23 and 26 of the Juvenile Justice Act.[43] The family of the victim alleged of receiveing threats from Asarams followers to drop the charges against him.[43]
On 25 April 2018, Asaram was pronounced guilty of the rape charges and imprisoned for life with a fine of 5 Lakh to be paid to the victim.[51] Two of his associates were awarded 20 years imprisonment.[52][53][54] Asaram and other co-accused have appealed in the High Court against conviction[55]. On 29th September 2018, Rajasthan High Court suspended the sentence of one of the co-accused Shilpi.[56] On 30 October 2018, Rajasthan High Court admitted the appeal against the conviction of Asaram.[57]
In December 2013, Asaram's son Narayan Sai was also arrested on charges of rape, after two sisters from Surat alleged that he and his father had raped them in Asaram's ashram during the mid-2000s.[58] The elder sister accused Asaram of repeated sexual assaults during 19972006 at the Motera ashram. The younger sister accused Narayan Sai of sexually assaulting her during 20022005 at the Surat ashram. One of the sisters also alleged that Asaram's wife and daughter helped the two men exploit the girls.[59]. The trial in this case is currently in progress.[60]
From 201415, there have been numerous attacks against various witnesses in the Asaram case.[15][61][62][63][64][65] Amrut Prajapati, a former aide of Asaram, who had turned against him, was shot and killed on 23 May 2014, after multiple prior attempts.[11][16][66][67][68] Another former associate Akhil Gupta who was the prime witness in the Surat rape case, was shot and killed on 11 January 2015.[69][70][71] Mahindra Chawla, his ex-follower and prime witness in Surat rape case narrowly missed an attempted murder.[60]
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11 Top Rishikesh Ashrams for Yoga and Meditation
Posted: at 9:46 am
Rishikesh, along with Mysore, is one of the most popular destinations for yoga in India. There are numerous ashrams, and numerous styles of yoga and meditation, to choose from. Hence, it's important to investigate which best meets your needs. Find out about some of the top Rishikesh ashrams and what they teach in this article.
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Sadhana Mandir was founded in 1966 by Swami Rama, author of Living with the Himalayan Masters, and many other renowned spiritual books. Meditation, in the 5,000 year old Himalayan Tradition, is the focus of the teachings at this ashram. It has a quiet garden setting on the banks of the Ganges River, but away from the hustle and bustle of Rishikesh. Various retreats are offered, including weekend retreats and longer 10-day retreats.
Swami Rama Sadhaka Grama was founded by Swami Veda Bharati, a disciple of Swami Rama. This "village of spiritual seekers" offers meditation instruction in the Himalayan Tradition, and is also a highly regarded center for scientific research into yogic meditation. Accommodations, limited to 100 guests at a time, are provided in very comfortable self-contained cottages. There's a daily schedule of activities including meditation, breathing, and Hatha yoga.
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Meaning "Land of Flowers", Phool Chatti ashram was founded in the late 1800s (yes, it's old!) and is located in a peaceful natural setting upriver from Laxman Jhula. The ashram is renowned for its frequent seven day yoga and meditation program. The teachings focus on the full spectrum of the yogic path and ashram life, not just asanas (postures). Students will get to experience meditation, breathing (pranayama), cleansing, chanting, mauna (silence), puja (worship), kirtan (sacred singing), and other important aspects of the yogic path. There are opportunities for meditative walks among nature as well.
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Located a short walk up the hill from Anand Prakash, the compact Himalayan Yog Ashram was established in 2012. It will appeal to students who want to experience the complete yogic lifestyle in a personalized setting, and is ideally suited to those looking for a transformational experience. The program consists of a combination of postures, breathing, meditation, spiritual teachings, and wholesome organic Ayurvedic food. However, it's less about postures and more about going on an inner journey. Ayurvedic healing programs for detoxifying and stress are offered as well. There are only six guest rooms, each with private bathrooms. Stays of six, 13, 20, or 27 nights are possible. As well as the teachings, guests praise this ashram for its delicious food, serene environment, and welcoming hosts. Read reviews on Tripadvisor.
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Sivananda Ashram Fremantle Western Australia
Posted: February 9, 2019 at 4:44 am
Sivananda Ashram Beacon Yoga Centre has been serving the Western Australian community for more than 40 years.
Our Ashram has been the matrix of yoga in Western Australia since 1976 when it was founded by the great Indian sage and yogi Swami Venkatesananda.
Assisting the physical, mental and emotional wellbeing of the many thousands of people who have attended its yoga classes, meditation workshops, live-in retreats and a multitude of other wellbeing activities over that time.
It is a beehive of spiritual activity. Every week it offers more than twenty classes in the practice and study of yoga and meditation as well as a variety of other courses and workshops.
Our ashram's meditation hall, vast library and residential buildings are accessible to members of the public who would like to gain an experience of what this amazing centre has to offer and to all who wish to avail themselves of its peace and serenity.
Set on half an acre, high atop a hill in Beaconsfield the ashram also offers residential accommodation for those who wish to live the yogic lifestyle whether short or long-term.
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Sabarmati Ashram – Wikipedia
Posted: August 22, 2018 at 6:42 pm
Sabarmati Ashram (also known as Gandhi Ashram, Harijan Ashram, or Satyagraha Ashram) is located in the Sabarmati suburb of Ahmedabad, Gujarat, adjoining the Ashram Road, on the banks of the River Sabarmati, four miles from the town hall. This was one of the residences of Mahatma Gandhi who lived there for about twelve years along with his wife Kasturba Gandhi.
It was from his base here that Gandhi led the Dandi march also known as the Salt Satyagrahaon 12 March 1930. In recognition of the significant influence that this march had on the Indian independence movement the Indian government has established the ashram as a national monument.
Gandhiji's India ashram was originally established at the Kocharab Bungalow of Jivanlal Desai, a barrister and friend of Gandhi, on 25 May 1915. At that time the ashram was called the Satyagraha Ashram. But Gandhi wanted to carry out various activities such as farming and animal husbandry, in addition to other pursuits which called for the need of a much larger area of usable land. So two years later, on 17 June 1917, the ashram was relocated to an area of thirty-six acres on the banks of the river Sabarmati, and it came to be known as the Sabarmati Ashram.
It is believed that this is one of the ancient ashram sites of Dadhichi Rishi who had donated his bones for a righteous war. His main ashram lies in Naimisharanya, near Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. The Sabarmati ashram is sited between a jail and a crematorium, and Gandhi believed that a satyagrahi has invariably to go to either place. Mohandas Gandhi said, "This is the right place for our activities to carry on the search for truth and develop fearlessness, for on one side are the iron bolts of the foreigners, and on the other the thunderbolts of Mother Nature."
While at the ashram, Gandhi formed a tertiary school that focused on manual labour, agriculture and literacy, in order to advance his efforts for the nation's self-sufficiency. It was also from here that on 12 March 1930, Gandhi marched to Dandi, 241 miles from the ashram, with 78 companions in protest at the British Salt Law, which increased the taxes on Indian salt in an effort to promote sales of British salt in India. It was this march and the subsequent illegal production of salt (Gandhi boiled up some salty mud in seawater) that spurred hundreds of thousands across India to join in, either in the illegal production, buying or selling of salt. This mass civil disobedience in turn led to the jailing of some 60,000 freedom fighters by the British Raj over the following three weeks. Subsequently, the government seized the ashram. Gandhi later asked the Government to give it back but they were not willing to do this. He had by then already decided on 22 July 1933 to disband the ashram, which then became a deserted place after the detention of so many. Then local citizens decided to preserve it. On 12 March 1930 Gandhi had vowed that he would not return to the ashram until India had gained independence. Gandhi was assassinated on 30 January 1948.[1]
The ashram now has a museum, the Gandhi Smarak Sangrahalaya. This had originally been located in Hridaya Kunj, Gandhi's own cottage in the ashram. Then in 1963, having been designed by the architect Charles Correa, the museum was built. The Sangrahalaya was then re-located into the well-designed and well-furnished museum building and was inaugurated by Jawaharlal Nehru, Prime Minister of India on 10 May 1963. Memorial activities could then continue.
Other buildings and sites within the ashram are:
With prior appointment from The Secretary, Gandhi Ashram Preservation and Memorial Trust, a walking tour can be organised. This 90-minute guided tour starts with a slide show and ends at the Library. The tour visits the following places:
Gandhi Sangrahlay - Inside Corridors
Gandhi Sangrahlay - Outside
Warli Art at Sabarmati Ashram
Warli Art at Sabarmati Ashram
Beautiful view from the door of Gandhi's house
Vinobha Kutir on the shore of Sabamati river
Gandhiji's Charkha and table
Gandhiji's Chappal and Spectacles
Enlarged replika of Mahatma Gandhi's signature in different languages
The stone writings in front of Maganlaal Gandhi's kutira Hrudaya Kunja at sabaramati ashram, Ahamadaabad
Artifacts used by Mahatma Gandhi and Kasturabaa Gandhi at Sabarmati Ashram, Ahamadaabad
Media related to Sabarmati Ashram at Wikimedia Commons
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Yogini Winter Ashram
Posted: August 12, 2018 at 8:41 pm
Into the Heart of DurgaFebruary7 16, 2019
Yogini InitiationFebruary17 March 1, 2019
A Yogini is a woman devoted to a life lived with totality of heart,with fierce truth, with compassion and unconditional love.She is an instrument of awakening in the worldby her fearless commitment to show up authentically and generously,for her own radiant embodiment of loveas well as for the healing of all sentient beings.
Earth is home and so is infinity.
~Chameli Ardagh
Perhaps you have felt it for a while, that it is time.Time for that leap of no return. Time to step into the Real.Time to let Her have you.All of you.
Perhaps you have felt it as a call, a whisper, a roar.As an undertow pulling on you from the inside of the inside.We are many who hear the call, sister.We are many being pulled at from the deep.
Perhaps also you have felt the pain of holding back,felt the skin hardened by doubt.Felt the unbearable pain of turning your back on Herachingly beautiful face.
In February 2019we will gather once again, in the Yogini circle, in the sacred foothills of the Himalayas,to honor Her, to love Her, to sing to Her, to celebrate Her in all the ways she creates Herself through us,as living, embodied, warmblooded women ~ as Yoginis!
You can come for all21 days, or come for just one of the retreats. There will be two parts. The first 9 days will be a journey Into the Heart of Durga, open to Yoginis with some experience with Awakening Women and feminine embodiment practices.The second retreat will be a 12 day Yogini Initiation Retreat, open for more experienced and committed practitioners within the Awakening Women Yogini circle.
Every living being perceives subject and object,but the Yogini resides in their union.~ Vijnanabhairava Tantra
Follow the trail of rose petals,follow the scent of the mountains and water.Follow the sounds of ecstatic prayers,of roars of truth, of tears liberated at last.Follow the calling from the deep warmth of you,and take the seat that has been prepared,that has been waiting ~ for you.
Let me wash your hands in rosewater.Let me hold your shoulders until they relax a little.Exhale, amazing one.It is retreat time.
With infinite love,
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Sivananda Canada
Posted: August 5, 2018 at 11:43 am
Full description :Adapted yoga poses can physically and mentally help prepare women for childbirth. This course will teach you how to adapt a yoga practice to each stage of pregnancy, to ensure a safe and enriching practice for mother and baby. You will learn about benefits of yoga in pregnancy and how to modify asanas for the changing body. We will introduce special poses, breathing exercises, and relaxation techniques that will help to prepare women for a smooth delivery and explore how meditation and relaxation practices can help parents to welcome their new children. Throughout the course, the emphasis will be on how to build a safe and supportive environment in the classroom and support students emotionally through their pregnancy journey. The goal of the course is to give yoga teachers guidelines for teaching yoga to pregnant women. We will cover Swami Vishnudevanandas 5 basic Points of Yoga as applied to teaching yoga to pregnant women.
*15 hr Continued Education Certificate with Yoga Alliance upon completion.
If you would like to take the full 2 week Sivananda Adapted Yoga Teacher Training that includes the following courses:
Adapted Yoga AsanasYoga Asanas According to AyurvedaTeaching Yoga for Kids and TeensChair YogaPrenatal Yoga
Please click here for more information and registration options.
Daily schedule :Wednesday:Check in is at 15:00
Regular Ashram daily schedule
Thursday and Friday:6 am Morning Satsang8 am Yoga class10 am Brunch11 am Karma Yoga1 pm Course session4 pm Prenatal yoga class6 pm Dinner8 pm Satsang
Saturday:6 am Morning Satsang8 am Yoga class10 am Brunch11 am Check out of the room1 pm Course session3.30 pm to 6 pm Prenatal yoga class
**The course ends on Saturday August 11th at 6 pm. Please plan to depart a day after the course dates if needed. Please refer to the check in/out times.
Teacher :Sarada has been part of the Sivananda organization as a karma yogi and teacher for over 20 years, in South America, Canada and Europe. She is a kind and compassionate teacher, offering her vast knowledge of yoga to a wide variety of students. Currently residing in Germany, she also teaches classes for kids / teens with special needs.
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What is the Ashram? | Svaroopa Yoga and Meditation
Posted: July 22, 2018 at 7:43 pm
Since ancient times, the Sanskrit word ashram names the place where the Guru lives. The Ashram houses the Gurus physical being, as well as the shakti, the divine energy of Grace, that flows through the Guru. If you have spent any time with Swami Nirmalananda, you have experienced this current of shakti. While it is present in everything that exists, it is stronger and more concentrated in a yogi who has dedicated herself to serve in this way. The deeper Swamiji takes her own practice, the stronger the shakti flows through her. The Ashram serves as a place to house it, to nurture it, and to plant it on the physical plane. As a visitor you will feel it, perhaps when you first enter, or after youve been there for a while, or even after you leave. Swamiji wants us to consider the Ashram our home, as well as hers.
If you are enrolled in a Svaroopa Yoga & Meditation course in Pennsylvania, you will likely be invited for lunch at the Ashram. The house appears from the outside like any other large suburban home in the neighborhood. Youll be greeted at the door with a traditional arati, a waving of a candle flame, and a dot of sacred ash on your forehead. These honor your inherent Divinity, which is the that which Swamiji bows to in herself and in her Guru.
Upon entering, youll remove your shoes and coat, and be invited to walk through the downstairs rooms, which are filled with photographs of our lineage and murtis (divine statues), all to invoke your profound and deep experience of your own Self. Youll sit in the meditation room for a few minutes with Swamiji and participate in the lunchtime japa, mantra repetition, one of our three daily sessions that Ashram residents share with Swamiji.
Lunch is in the sunny dining area off the kitchen, and consists of a vegetarian meal, served by ashram chefs who follow Ayurvedic cooking guidelines. Swamiji eats with her guests, making sure everyone is well fed. After a delicious dessert, she presents you with a blessed gift of a rudraksha bead (sacred bead).
Yes! Swami Nirmalananda encourages those who are committed to the exploring the deeper science of the Self to deepen their practice and experience of the Self. If we have available space, you may apply for residency. We also have a B&B program so that visitors may experience the gifts that the Ashram offers.
Click here for a residency application.
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