Please Note – For the Courses Listed Below: The first date listed is the orientation meeting, which is held in the evening either before or after dinner. Students should try to be at the Ashram by 1 pm. Please check at the Reception Office for the exact timing of the orientation.
Special New Year Spiritual Retreat
Winter 2022: Thursday December 29th, 2022 – Sunday January 1st, 2023
‘Start the New Year as the best version of you!’
Come and celebrate New Year’s on the holy banks of Ma Ganga in the lap of the majestic and sacred Himalayas. Rejuvenate and re-energize yourself to live the New Year to the best of YOU! This Special New Year’s Spiritual Retreat with our resident yogacharyas; Sadhvi Abhaji (Mataji) and Induji Sharma, includes pranayama, yoga asanas, spiritual question & answer sessions, silent and guided meditations, mantra chanting, karma yoga, and Himalayan walks. Many sessions will be led by Pujya Swamiji and Pujya Sadhvi Bhagawatiji. Each day concludes with Ganga havan and aarti at sunset followed by darshan/satsang with Pujya Swamiji and Sadhvi Bhagwatiji. Experience a transformative special New Year’s yagna/havan ceremony on the morning of January 1st to transform and release that which no longer serves you. Come and be in the presence of the living spiritual master and begin the New Year as the new YOU!
Guidelines:
This New Year Retreat is for those who are drawn to rejuvenating and re-energizing their path of Self-discovery, to truly live the New Year as the best YOU possible! Each participant is required to adhere to the following guidelines which are in place to facilitate your transformation. Therefore, by attending this event you agree to:
- Approach the retreat with the understanding that it is not a casual event—it is for those earnestly seeking transformation and/or release of all that no longer serves you.
- Students should be punctual for each class
- Students must not undergo any Ayurvedic or Panchakarma treatment during the retreat
- Students must not attend any other classes during the retreat
- Students should adopt sincere behavior whilst staying at the ashram
- Complete the entire retreat and to attend each and every session without exception.
- All pilgrims are expected to join in the Ganga Aarti (the light ceremony with devotional songs at sunset).
- The pilgrims staying in this ashram are required to observe and adhere to truth, non-violence, self-discipline, and polite etiquette.
- Respect and abide by the code of the ashram for the full duration of the retreat. To learn about all of the ashram’s guidelines, please click here.
- All pilgrims (both men and women) are required to dress modestly and soberly, in a way that shows respect for the tradition of ashram life. We request that no shorts, sleeveless shirts, or other revealing clothing are worn. White clothing is mandatory for yoga classes.
- The following are strictly prohibited: smoking, drinking intoxicants, using drugs, eating egg or other non-vegetarian foods, playing cards, watching television, playing radios/cassette players loudly. We also recommend that you refrain from eating onions and garlic.
- It is prohibited to use playing cards, radios, or TVs.
- Please refrain from picking flowers and littering.
- No pets are allowed.
- No strangers or persons who are not mentioned on the admission form are allowed to be invited or entertained in the rooms.
- It is the pilgrim’s responsibility to keep his/her room clean and tidy. Rooms should always remain in the same condition as when they were assigned.
- While at the retreat, take the divine opportunity to go as deeply as possible. In this way, you make the most of your opportunity and also honour the retreat of other participants.
- Take the opportunity to ask questions to Pujya Swamiji and/or Sadhvi Bhagawatiji that will be helpful to you on your spiritual path. There is no such thing as a “wrong” question! If you would like to submit a question but don’t want to do it in front of others, you can write them down and give them to the sevaks at the ashram.
- In the event that the administration asks the pilgrim to leave, the pilgrim must vacate the premises immediately.
- Please do not oblige anyone by directly providing money, clothes or tips of any kind. This affects the discipline and management of the ashram as well as negatively influences the divine, devoted feeling amongst the individuals here. Whatever help you want to give, please donate it to the office, and it will be distributed where it is most needed.
- Please note that spiritual retreats are not replacements for medical treatment and/or therapy. If you have or are currently dealing with a medical problem, whether it be physical or mental, please ensure that this retreat will be a safe place for you, as well as the other participants.
- By attending this event, you agree to have your image and possibly voice recorded, which could be shared in our publications, videos, websites, and social media. Images of all individuals are treated with respect, and your image and/or voice will never be sold. If you do not want to be photographed/filmed, please write to us or let us know in advance.
Yoga Sutra of Patanjali, with Chanting of Yoga Sutras Chapter 1
Instructions in English
Winter 2022: Sunday December 18th – Thursday December 29th, 2022
Atha yoganushasanam – Now the Discipline of Yoga. This 1st yoga sutra of Patanjali “Atha Yoganushasanam’ establishes the whole purpose, definition and journey of yoga. An essential guide for every seeker, Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras with Chanting empowers you with practical tools to master your mind and breath as you get established in the discipline of yoga. Satsang and chanting of the yoga sutras allows the essence of the yoga sutras to transform the mind and consciousness to achieve clarity in thoughts, words and actions, develop your intuition and discover your inner wisdom to overcome challenges on your journey from self to Self. For a complete practice, we will examine the 8 limbs of yoga with traditional hatha yoga asana and Karma Yoga.
Each day begins with prayers, meditation and Surya Namaskar and concludes with Ganga Havan and Aarti at sunset followed by Satsang with Pujya Sadhvi Bhagwatiji [when she is in the Ashram].
Important Course Information
- It is necessary to understand, read and write English to be able to participate in the yoga courses which are offered in English.
- Certificates for Intensive and YTTC will be issued only on completion of the entire course
- Attendance and punctuality are important factors for self discipline and to receive the certificate for certificate courses.
- Men and women should wear clothing that covers shoulders (no sleeveless shirts), midriff, and calves (no capris, shorts, or short dresses). Ladies should be careful to cover their cleavage. Yoga Students are expected to wear white, a balance of the seven colors and the color of purity. Please avoid wearing tight clothing both for your own comfort and as a sign of respect for the local culture. Additionally, it is customary to remove your shoes before entering buildings or sacred places. If you are not dressed appropriately you may not be allowed to participate in yoga classes or other Ashram activities. Dress code to be maintained during yoga classes, at meal times, in the Ashram grounds, and at Parmarth ghat.
- Make sure to bring your receipt of full payments to the first class that begins early in the morning.
- No classes on Sundays and major Indian/Hindu Holidays.
- The first day is for check in and orientation. Please arrive at the Ashram by 1:00 pm and check with the reception desk for the location and time of the orientation.
- Yoga students are welcome to stay additional days to integrate and deepen their discipline and practice. This is only possible when rooms are available.
Our Yoga Team
Sadhvi Abha Saraswatiji
Dr. Indu Sharma
Ganga Nandini
Tara Maniar
Laura Plumb
