2013⁄14 - · pdf filewelcome located on paradise island in the bahamas, on one of the...

2013⁄14Expand your horizons

2013⁄14

Dear friends,

I offer my heartfelt blessings to you from the Yoga Retreat in the Bahamas. It is my pleasure to present the 2013–2014 program, designed with great care to allow you to go deeper on your spiritual path; to expand your heart, your mind, and your horizons; and to discover the joy of our unity and the beauty of our diversity.

This program is inspired by the vision of our Guru, Swami Visnudevananda, who left a profound and complex legacy. As the years pass, it becomes ever more clear that his mission to help humanity was based on deep wisdom and insight. To him, the source of our human suffering came from the level of our consciousness and the remedy involved a shift of consciousness that would uplift humanity into higher dimensions. He foresaw this shift, which is taking place at this time, but he also knew that like all transformations, it could be painful and difficult. His work was to ease the pain, sooth the transition, and help humanity move forward towards a bright future. He did so by training yoga teachers, conducting peace missions, and teaching humanity about the four paths of yoga and the yoga of synthesis.

Swamiji also recognized that some souls incarnated with the purpose of helping mankind in this transition, including many yogis, saints, spiritual leaders, healers, scientists, sacred artists, and musicians. He made it a point to find those individuals, to invite them to our ashrams and centers, and to ask them to share their knowledge, their wisdom, and their light. His vision was to bring them together so they could interact with one another and let their light truly shine.

In next season’s program, we bring together previously skeptical scientists who awakened to new truths and ground-breaking researchers investigating the nature of reality; we gather rabbis, priests, lamas, and swamis to debate on the ultimate goal of the spiritual path; we invite Ayurvedic healers, Chinese doctors, herbalists, shamans, and physicians to share their vision of health and vitality; and we welcome cantors, gospel choirs, Sufi singers, and kirtan groups to share the ecstasy of devotional singing. Through these gatherings, we continue the mission of Swami Visnudevananda to help humanity on its karmic journey.

I invite you to participate in these events of light, beauty, and wisdom and to contribute by bringing in your own light. We are privileged to be alive at this time, a time that yogis, mystics, scientists, and spiritual leaders recognize as the most special and unique in the history of humanity and planet Earth. Join us, and be part of this truth.

Wishing you a wonderful, fulfilling, and shining year ahead!

Om shanti, Om peace,

Swami Swaroopananda

Director

A Message from Swami Swaroopananda

2 Our Lineage 3 Ways to Visit 4 About Us 6 The Well-Being Center

8 The Yoga Vacation Program 10 Yoga Teacher Training Course 12 Advanced Yoga Teacher Training Course 14 Programs with Swami Swaroopananda 16 Foundation Yoga Courses

18 November to June Programs 98 Summer–Fall 2014 Previews

100 Join Our Online Community 101 Professional Accreditation 102 Residential Study Programs

104 Plan Your Visit 106 Registration and Rates 108 Teacher and Presenter Index 110 Program Guide

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Our LineageThe Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat follows an unbroken lineage of teachers who practice the classical yogic wisdom of Swami Sivananda, which was introduced to the West by his disciple, Swami Vishnudevananda. We are part of an ever-growing international organization of Sivananda ashrams and centers, with the mission to share peace, health, and joy through yoga.

Swami Sivananda (1887-1963)

A venerated saint of modern times, Swami Sivananda is the inspiration behind the International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres. Following a brilliant career as a medical doctor, Swami Sivananda renounced worldly life and established the Sivananda Ashram and Divine Life Society in Rishikesh, India.

He became one of the most prolific yoga teachers who has ever lived, authoring more than 300 books. Although he rarely left Rishikesh, Swami Sivananda’s teachings quickly spread worldwide, continuing to deeply touch and transform the lives of many to this day.

Swami Vishnudevananda (1927-1993)

Swami Vishnudevananda trained under Swami Sivananda in all aspects of yoga for ten years, becoming a world authority on yoga. In 1957, Swami Sivananda sent Swami Vishnudevananda to spread the teachings of yoga in the West, where he founded and directed the International

Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres and created the first Yoga Teacher Training Course to empower individuals to be ambassadors of peace through Swami Sivananda’s yoga teachings. A tireless campaigner for world peace and a master of Hatha Yoga and Raja Yoga, he authored the now classic books The Complete Illustrated Book of Yoga and Meditation and Mantras.

2 www.sivanandabahamas.org

WelcomeLocated on Paradise Island in the Bahamas, on one of the finest beaches in the world, the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat is a true oasis of calm and natural beauty, and offers a unique combination of a traditional ashram and a modern yoga retreat. Visit by yourself, come with a friend, or bring your whole family—our staff will welcome you and be happy to assist you during your stay with us. There are three ways to visit:

Take a Yoga Vacation YVP Rest, relax, and recharge. The Yoga Vacation Program offers the perfect balance between activity and leisure time. Enjoy daily yoga classes and silent meditation sessions. Expand your horizons with mid-day workshops and inspiring evening talks. Treat yourself to a healing session or a private yoga class. Take quality time alone or connect with others. Offered year-round; see pages 8 and 9 for more information.

Learn, Train, Get Certified C PT Explore a topic of interest through one of our course offerings with leading teachers, authors, and guides. Or gain new skills and certifications through highly-respected professional trainings to expand your career as a yoga teacher, healer, health-care professional, counselor, or yoga practitioner. Complemented by morning and evening practices and events at the ashram, you’ll experience a full learning immersion. Choose from a wide variety of date-specific offerings; see pages 18–99.

CEU Many of our courses and trainings are approved for Yoga Alliance credits and/or Continuing Education Units (CEUs). See page 101 for professional accreditation information.

Join the CommunityJoin the Residential Study Program and become part of the ashram community. Live a spiritual life, meet like-minded people from all over the world, and experience the joy of selfless service. See pages 102–103 for details.

3Welcome

About UsThe Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat provides you with an optimal environment for spiritual growth, healing, and relaxation. Experience the full benefits of a physical, mental, and spiritual transformation as you retreat from the stressors and distractions of your life to discover a healthier, happier you.

The TempleThe main temple is an inviting semi open-air structure built on a spot rich with spiritual energies. Two additional temples elevate the spiritual vibration of the ashram, both with grace and beauty. Several daily pujas (rituals) are conducted either by our Tantric priest from India or by the senior staff.

The SettingPractice yoga on spacious platforms located amongst the swaying palms of the garden, or facing the clear blue water of the Caribbean. Take a break on the white sand beach or enjoy the shade of the tropical gardens. Relax amidst colorful flowers that bloom throughout the gardens and the beautiful bird songs that fill the air.


Boutique, Bookstore, and Health HutIn our cozy, welcoming Boutique, Bookstore and Health Hut, you can find an inspiring book and music selection and get your favorite yoga gear or souvenirs, including something special from our new line of organic cotton t-shirts and traditional attire and accessories brought from India. Share a snack with some friends or take a private break and delight yourself with a selection of natural products, freshly squeezed juices, and a variety of freshly baked delights from the Health Hut. The Boutique is open on a regular schedule from December to June and on a smaller scale during the rest of the year.

Stay in Touch While Away Free wireless Internet is available throughout most of the grounds. A Skype phone is also available (a Skype account and balance are required, and it is suggested that you set one up online prior to your arrival). Cellular coverage (via the local Bahamian carrier) is available as well.

AccommodationsPleasant and simple lodgings include a choice of rooms overlooking the ocean, or comfortable garden cabins. We offer a variety of accommodation options, ranging from self-pitched tents to luxurious beachfront suites, allowing you to spend your time with us in the way that is optimal for you. See pages 106–107 for accommodation options and rates. Visit our website for further details about our accommodations accompanied by photographs.

MealsEnjoy a variety of delicious and nutritious vegetarian meals made with loving care according to yogic dietary principles for a healthy and calm body and mind. Savor the flavor of freshly baked bread, homemade granola, and breakfast spreads. Nourish your body with hearty soups and bean, lentil, and vegetable dishes. Make your own salad with our raw vegetables buffet, and relax with daily herbal tea. Have your meal in the company of other yogis and vacationers by the ocean, in the garden, or in the dining area.

5About Us

The Well-Being Center

Take time between workshops and yoga classes to nourish yourself through healing treatments and consultations with our skilled practitioners. An integral component of holistic living, our services are designed to bring your body and mind into balance and nurture natural health.

Services offered:

Ayurvedic Consultation Ayurveda is an ancient system of holistic living that teaches us how to balance our daily life based on our individual physical and mental constitution. An Ayurvedic consultation is a two-hour meeting with an Ayurvedic practitioner who will explore your unique constitution, evaluate the signs and causes of actual or potential imbalances, and design a treatment plan specifically for you.


To make an appointmentFrom December 1 to May 31

Call 1-242-363-2902 Email [email protected]

From June 1 to November 30Email [email protected]

WelcomeLalita Devi, Director of the Well-Being Center, is a Clinical Ayurveda Specialist, panchakarma specialist, and Sivananda Yoga teacher. A graduate and former faculty of the California College of Ayurveda, she teaches Ayurveda workshops and trainings internationally and also runs the Ayurveda Center at the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Ranch in New York. Lalita’s background includes herbalism, aromatherapy, polarity therapy, Reiki, and trauma-resolution therapy.

Ayurveda Body TreatmentsBliss Therapy consists of abhyanga (a balancing warm oil body massage), followed by shirodhara (streaming of warm oil over the forehead and scalp) or nasya (a facial using gentle heat and application of oil to the nasal passages), bhasti (localized retention of oil), and Ayurvedic facials.

PanchakarmaPanchakarma is the traditional Ayurvedic method to cleanse, balance, and rejuvenate the body, mind, and spirit. Following your initial consultation, an experienced Ayurvedic practitioner will customize a series of daily personalized treatments and practices for you, and offer you follow-up practices to use at home for rejuvenation and continued balance.

Therapeutic MassageTherapeutic massage supports general health, increases circulation, releases stress, and enhances the immune system. It can relieve muscle strain, aches, and pains. Experienced therapists in energy and bodywork modalities will customize the massage for you to have a relaxing and rejuvenating experience.

Thai Yoga MassageThai Yoga Massage is a bodywork treatment that relieves muscular tension, improves circulation, boosts the immune system, and balances the body energetically to facilitate mind-body integration.

Contact usThe Well-Being Center is open from December to June. We recommend scheduling treatments in advance to ensure availability.

7The Well-Being Center

The Yoga Vacation Program was designed by Swami Vishnudevananda to ensure that real relaxation and rejuvenation are achieved on all levels: body, mind, and soul. Based on five simple principles—exercise, breathing, relaxation, healthy diet, and positive thinking and meditation—the Yoga Vacation Program offers you the ideal way to take a real break from your everyday life. Whether you are new to yoga or a well-established practitioner, the Yoga Vacation Program will bring you back into balance.

The flow of your dayMorning Start the day at 6 am with the serenity of early morning meditation, joyful chanting, and a spiritual talk. Energize your body while preserving the meditative mood with an 8 am yoga class. Brunch will await you at 10 am.

Mid-day Create your own optimal afternoon schedule. Take an experiential workshop, attend a lecture, or enjoy a healing art session.* Relax on the beach, take a swim, or enjoy a snorkeling experience. Have a snack break in the Health Hut, meet new and old friends, or read a book in the garden.

Afternoon Start the third part of the day with a 4 pm yoga class and feel your body achieve its maximum flexibility. Observe as your breath gets calmer and your mind clearer in the serenity of your afternoon practice. Dinner will await you after the class. Take an early evening walk on the beach and enjoy a beautiful sunset.

Evening Join the evening satsang at 8 pm and let the company of positive, like-minded people uplift you. Meditate, chant, and enjoy a lecture by a world-renowned presenter, devotional music, or dance performance. Drift to sleep fulfilled and inspired.

* Healing arts sessions are available through the Well-Being Center; view menu of services on pages 6–7.

The Yoga Vacation Program


During your stayWe welcome more than 200 distinguished presenters each year through our Yoga Vacation Program. They are spiritual teachers of different traditions, scientists, healers, religious leaders, authors, and musicians, each one a jewel in their discipline.

These presenters offer experiential workshops, musical events, spiritual teachings and rituals, holiday programs, special events, and participate in symposia on important topics. These programs form an integral part of your Yoga Vacation Program experience and vary based on the dates of your stay.

Look for programs marked YVP in the Calendar of Events (pages 18 to 99) to see what’s happening when you plan to stay with us—or to plan your

stay to coincide with a particular program or presenter.

Please Note: All Yoga Vacation Programs are open to all guests. See pages 106–107 for Yoga Vacation Program rates. Healing arts sessions are not included.Families with children are welcome; see page 105 for information about children at the Yoga Retreat.

9The Yoga Vacation Program

www.sivanandabahamas.org

The Sivananda Yoga Teacher Training Course (TTC) is a profound learning experience that will transform you on all levels. Drawing from the teachings of an ancient lineage while integrating modern aspects of the practice of yoga, the TTC offers a unique opportunity for immersion in an authentic and comprehensive study of all aspects of yoga practice. In addition to providing teacher trainees with an in-depth knowledge and practice of classical yoga, Swami Vishnudevananda, who created the TTC as part of his global peace initiative, structured it in such a way that it will offer a unique opportunity for each trainee to undergo personal transformation and find inner peace. Thus, the TTC empowers graduates to become peaceful and self-controlled leaders and citizens of the world. You too can become a yogi, a teacher, and a leader. The TTC is open to anyone with a sincere desire for knowledge and personal growth. It fulfills the requirements for the RYT-200 certification by the Yoga Alliance. Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are also available to graduates of the TTC.

Sivananda Yoga Teacher Training

CoursePT 200-HOUR CERTIFICATION

Take your yoga the next step.

Dates:

December 4–31, 2013January 4–31, 2014 February 3–March 2March 5–April 1 April 4–May 1May 5–June 1

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Curriculum• Learn how to competently and confidently

teach a 2-hour Sivananda Yoga class; gain versatile teaching skills including teaching beginners, intermediate, and advanced classes; explore different techniques to teach children’s, adaptive, and prenatal yoga.

• Find greater flexibility and comfort in your practice of asanas (postures); discover how to energize the body and calm the mind through the practice of pranayama (breathing); maintain physical and mental purity through the practice of kriyas (cleansing); learn how to nourish your body and make your body and mind fit for the practice of yoga with classes on yogic diet and nutrition; study the mechanics and innumerable benefits of the practice of yoga on the body and mind through a focused study of human anatomy and physiology.

• Learn meditation techniques and theory; enhance your concentration abilities and learn to dive deep within and find peace in silence.

• Open your heart and find your true voice through the practice of chanting; connect with the Divine and your higher Self through the repetition of mantras.

• Become part of the community and purify your heart and mind through Karma Yoga (the practice of selfless service).

• Immerse yourself in the timeless teachings of the Bhagavad Gita; discover your true nature and be inspired to develop a steady and joyous yoga practice through the study of ancient yogic scriptures; gain a precious understanding of the inner workings of your mind through yoga philosophy and psychology.

Testimonials “Best experience I have ever had! I have grown not only intellectually but spiritually as well. I highly recommend Sivananda TTC!”

—Joy Higgans

“Thank you for everything. It was a wonderful TTC course. My journey has deepened spiritually, emotionally, physically, and mentally. Sivananda TTC offered everything I resonated with. It was a privilege to be a part of this lineage.”

—Patti Saar

“I really enjoyed the program and I don’t want to leave. This feels like home to me.”

—Josh Mosely

PracticalitiesCourse Books The Complete Illustrated Book of Yoga by Swami Vishnudevananda and the Bhagavad Gita with commentary by Swami Sivananda. These books are available for purchase at our boutique and at Sivananda centers worldwide.

Course FeeTent Space $2,400 (please bring your own tent) Dormitory or Tent Hut $3,290Rates include tuition and accommodations.Please contact our reception office for single or double accommodation options and prices.

For registration process, a detailed curriculum, information about the daily schedule, arrival and departure, and other useful information, please visit our website. For all other inquiries, please contact our reception office.

11Sivananda Yoga Teacher Training Course

Advanced Yoga Teacher Training

CourseJanuary 4–31, 2014

PT 500-HOUR CERTIFICATION


Curriculum• Hatha Yoga Advanced variations

and prolonged holding of the asanas (postures); advanced pranayama (breathing), mudras (energy seals), and bandhas (energy locks).

• Jnana Yoga Study of Vedanta philosophy, including study of Jnana Yoga theory and Vedantic meditation techniques.

• Sanskrit Sanskrit alphabet and correct pronunciation and spelling of mantras and hymns.

• Raja Yoga An in-depth study of Patanjali Yoga Sutras.

• Bhakti Yoga The nine modes of Bhakti and the five attitudes (Bhavas) of devotion.

• Karma Yoga Karma Yoga as an inner attitude of selfless service.

PracticalitiesCourse Book Meditation and Mantras by Swami Vishnudevananda (available for purchase at our boutique and in all Sivananda centers worldwide).

Course Fee See TTC course fees on page 11. Students registering simultaneously for the TTC and the ATTC (500-hour Yoga Alliance Certification) will receive a 10% discount on the total tuition for both courses.

PrerequisiteGraduation from the Sivananda Yoga Teacher Training Course or Integral Yoga Teacher Training Course (Please contact our reception if you are a graduate from another teacher training program.)

For registration, a detailed curriculum, information about the daily schedule and other useful informa-tion, visit our website. For all other inquiries, please contact us by e-mail or phone.

The Advanced Yoga Teacher Training Course (ATTC) is taught by senior staff members of the Sivananda organization, who are highly experienced practitioners and teachers. It fulfills the requirements for the Yoga Alliance RYT-500 certification.

Designed to deepen and expand the knowledge and practice of certified yoga teachers, the ATTC is a 4-week immersion into advanced yogic practices. Whether you are an active yoga teacher or a certified yoga teacher who would like to strengthen your own practice, the ATTC offers the ideal training for you. Through in-depth work, both physically and mentally, the ATTC will provide you with valuable tools to advance your physical practice, take your Self-study (Swadhyaya) to the next level, and create a distinguished teaching practice. Once you establish your practice on a firmer and broader base, your advanced teaching skills and teaching confidence will naturally flow and manifest as an increase in teaching opportunities.

Advanced Yoga Teacher Training Course 13

Programs with Swami

SwaroopanandaC March 16–26

Advanced Bhagavad Gita Course Tuition: $490. Add 12 nights’ accommodation

The Bhagavad Gita is a superb exposition of the synthesis of all paths of yoga. Its teachings are filled with deep philosophy and practical advice for all life situations. It offers a source of help for human beings to solve the ever-present problems of birth and death: pain, suffering, fear, bondage, love, and hate. Swami Swaroopananda will take us into the timeless teachings of the Bhagavad Gita, continuing the teachings from last year’s course and starting instruction from chapter seven. Students who did not participate in last year’s course are welcome to attend and are advised to read chapters one through six of the Bhagavad Gita with Swami Sivananda’s commentary.

C April 23–May 3Advanced Raja Yoga Course Part IV, Kaivalya PadaTuition: $490. Add 12 nights’ accommodation

Join us as Swami Swaroopananda takes us on a journey of exploring the Royal Path to Enlightenment, the path of Raja Yoga. Focusing on the “Kaivalya Pada,” the fourth and final chapter of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali Maharishi, Swami Swaroopananda will inspire and grant knowledge to lead us through the last stage of the Raja Yoga path, in which the practitioner attains final liberation and, free from attachments and sorrows, basks in the inner light of the Self. Participation in courses I–III is not a prerequisite for taking this course.

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YVP Questions and Answers on Yoga and Spiritual LifeJoin us for an evening of Q&A with Swami Swaroopananda. Ask anything you ever wanted to know about yoga practice, philosophy and the spiritual path. The answers are steeped in rare wisdom and deep understanding of the teachings and practice of yoga. Swami Swaroopananda is renowned for his clear, concise, and complete answers. While presented in simple terms, his answers are illuminating and hold within them vast knowledge. He dispels doubts and fears, clears troubled minds, and inspires the listeners to strive and advance on the spiritual path and become better citizens of the world.

Dates:

December 28 January 28 February 20 March 30 April 21 May 29

Swami Swaroopananda is a senior disciple of Swami Vishnudevananda. A practicing yogi from a very young age, Swami Swaroopananda has dedicated his life to the practice and teaching of yoga. He taught in Yoga Teacher Training Courses around the world and is currently teaching advanced yoga philosophy courses and lectures internationally. He is Director of the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat and Acharya (spiritual

director) for the Sivananda centers and ashrams on the West Coast of the United States, the Middle East, and the Caribbean. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres.

15Programs with Swami Swaroopananda

www.sivanandabahamas.org

C Yoga for Beginners5-day tuition: $220. Add 6 nights’ accommodation Weekend tuition: $150. Add 4 nights’ accommodation

Embark on your journey into the practice of yoga in a beautiful, nurturing environment. Discover the Five Points of Yoga for health and inner peace: proper exercise, proper breathing, proper relaxation, proper diet, and positive thinking and meditation. Learn the basic Sivananda asana sequence and immerse yourself in guided practice and theory studies. You will gain many tools for continuing your practice at home.

5-day Course Weekend December 1–5 November 29–December 1 January 5–9 March 28–30 February 2–6 May 30–June 1 March 1–5 April 6–10 May 4–8

Foundation Yoga Courses

Taught by senior yoga teachers and staff members of the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat.

C Intermediate YogaTuition: $220. Add 6 nights’ accommodation.

Ready to take your yoga practice to the next level? Under the guidance of our experienced teachers, you will enjoy the perfect opportunity to expand and advance your practice, establishing it on a broader base. Explore variations on the 12 basic postures, and learn advanced yoga asanas. Get a practical and theoretical introduction to meditation, positive thinking, Ayurveda, and the yogic diet.

5-day CourseJanuary 19–23 February 7–11 April 21–25 May 18–22

Start and establish a practice.


C Positive Thinking5-day tuition: $220. Add 6 nights’ accommodation.Weekend tuition: $150. Add 4 nights’ accommodation

Discover simple, practical tools for entertaining positive and creative thoughts that contribute to vibrant health and a peaceful, joyful mind. Exploring thoughts, their nature, and how they create your reality, you will learn how to identify the habitual thought patterns that prevent you from fulfilling your highest potential. By applying practical methods of self-inquiry, imagery, and positive affirmations, you will acquire tools for cultivating a higher state of mind that will result in a more harmonious, peaceful, and successful life.

5-day Course Weekend November 24–28 December 20–22 March 23–27 January 17–19 May 25–29 May 9–11 June 16–20

C Advanced YogaTuition: $220. Add 6 nights’ accommodation.

Develop a more precise and focused asana practice. Learn more variations, and deepen your knowledge of yoga philosophy and lifestyle. Discover the joy and tranquility that follow a practice of steady and comfortable postures. This course is tailored for people at an intermediate level of yoga practice who would like to expand and diversify their pranayama and asana practice.

5-day Course February 12–16

C Introduction to Meditation 5-day tuition: $220. Add 6 nights’ accommodation Weekend tuition: $150. Add 4 nights’ accommodation

Embark on a journey into your inner self. Learn concentration and meditation techniques and take your first steps towards attaining a calm and blissful mind. You will practice sitting postures, deep relaxation, breathing exercises, concentration, and methods of introducing positive suggestions in the subconscious mind. An introduction to the philosophy and psychology of the practice of meditation will complement the experiential practice. You will gain inspiration and strength for developing your practice of meditation, while you are here and at home.

5-day Course Weekend December 15–19 November 1–3 March 9–13 December 6–8 June 9–13 January 24–26 February 21–23 May 23–25

17Foundation Yoga Courses

NovemberC November 5–9

Introduction to Sivananda YogaSylvie Boisclair (Saraswati) Tuition: $200 Add 6 nights’ accommodation.

Gain access to the wisdom and transformative power of the Sivananda Yoga lineage. This course will introduce you to the daily routine, basic practices, and philosophy of yoga as taught by Swami Sivananda. One of his foremost disciples, Swami Vishnudevananda, condensed the teachings into the 5 Points of Yoga: proper exercise, proper breathing, proper relaxation, proper diet, and positive thinking and meditation. Learn about and experience each of these and leave with tools to continue your practice at home.

Z Course book: Yoga, Mind and Body, published by Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre.

Sylvie Boisclair (Saraswati) is a lifelong dancer who found yoga while searching for a body-mind practice that also provided spiritual guidance. An instructor in the Sivananda Teacher Training

Course, she is known for her ability to assist students in improving inner attentiveness.

YVP November 8–10Healing Chronic PainThe Mind-Body SyndromePaul Epstein Pain is an integral part of our lives. Learn how to relate to pain mindfully and compassionately, with unconditional presence. Acquire tools to avoid the development of feelings of resentment and anger toward pain. Together, we will explore the mind-body connection and how biography becomes biology. By employing skillful means and practicing understanding, intention, and effort, you will embark on a healing journey as you work through old conditioned patterns to unlearn pain.

Paul Epstein, ND, is a naturopathic physician, mind-body therapist, and mindfulness meditation and yoga teacher. Focusing on behavioral medicine, stress, and lifestyle counseling, Dr.

Epstein lectures and presents workshops throughout the United States.

C November 1–3Introduction to MeditationDevelop a personal meditation practice. Page 17.


YVP November 1–3Karma Yoga: Love in ActionSwami Brahmananda Often translated as “selfless service,” Karma Yoga is the yoga of action. One of the four paths of yoga, Karma Yoga purifies the heart and mind; in forgetting yourself and serving others out of love, you discover new depths of love and joy within you. Failure is impossible: the outcome of Karma Yoga is always success in gaining spiritual progress. You’ll learn the spiritual foundations of Karma Yoga, connect with an inner desire to serve, practice selfless service, and reflect on your experiences.

YVP November 4–7 Cultivating VairagyaThe Practice of Non-Attachment We are all looking for happiness, but according to the teachings of yoga, we usually fail to obtain it because we are looking in the wrong place. We think that through more wealth, more entertainment, more objects, we will become happy. But yoga teaches us that happiness is within, that it is our own nature. The way to gain happiness is to let go of our attachments to external objects and false identifications. By letting go of the false, we are left with the truth of our own essential nature.

Swami Brahmananda is Manager of the Yoga Retreat and senior staff member of the Sivananda organization. A long-time practitioner of yoga, he regularly teaches yoga

philosophy and meditation for the Teacher Training Course as well as meditation immersion courses.

PT November 9–17Ayurveda Body Treatments Certification CourseLalita Devi Tuition: $890 Add 10 nights’ accommodation.

Designed especially for massage therapists, Ayurveda practitioners, and yoga teachers and practitioners, this 9-day course offers training in four treatments: abhyanga, traditional oil massage; shirodhara, the pouring of oil on the forehead; nasya, the introduction of oil into the nasal passages; and svedana, gentle heat therapy. You will learn about health and disease from an Ayurvedic perspective and experience the treatments as a spiritual practice for both giver and receiver. More information online.

Z Two hands-on experience days in Ayurvedic body treatments (November 18 and 19); Tuition: $50/day plus accommodation.

Lalita Devi bio on page 7.

YVP November 10–13Create Your Sacred SpaceIntroduction to Vastu ShastraOlga Mandodari Sokolova (Narayani) Vastu Shastra is a 10,000-year-old Indian practice of designing and constructing buildings to influence peace and prosperity by means of design. Learn the basic concepts of Vastu Shastra, or the workings of Divine Space and the Absolute Time manifesting into matter. Explore the direct link between the energies of the cosmos, Earth, the home, and the human form, and acquire tools to apply the principles of Vastu Shastra when designing your living environment.

Olga Mandodari Sokolova, MS, certified Vastu Shastra consultant, studied at the International Institute of Mayonic Science and Technology in Chennai, India, under Dr. V. Ganapati

Sthapati, a renowned traditional architect of Southern India who used Vastu principles in his projects.

19 YVP C PT Page 3

Thai Yoga MassageKam Thye ChowTuition: Each individual training $535; add 7 nights’ accommodation. Any two: $945; add 14 nights’ accommodation. 1, 2, and 3 together: $1,400; add 21 nights’ accommodation. All four together: $1,800; add 28 nights’ accommodation.

Thai Yoga Massage is an ancient system of yoga therapy that combines yoga postures with touch technique. It promotes deep relaxation and healing, improves circulation, boosts the immune system, balances the body energetically, and facilitates mind-body integration. As a therapeutic practice, it is a dynamic form of yoga for the practitioner as well as the recipient.

Gain a strong foundation in the key elements of Thai Yoga Massage and learn how to perform a full 90-minute customized session (and an expanded 2-hour session in Level 2). Level 3 will teach you practical methods of applying Ayurvedic knowledge to deepen the therapeutic

quality of your practice, including a new 60-minute protocol customized to the recipient’s body-type (Vata, Pitta, or Kapha), while Level 4 deepens knowledge and experience for creating personalized 4-session wellness programs for individuals.

Z Visit website for full information.

Kam Thye Chow pioneered a methodology that combines Thai Yoga Massage with its yogic and Ayurvedic roots. He is founder of the Lotus Palm School in Montreal and the author of several books, including Thai Yoga Therapy for Your Body Type: An Ayurvedic Tradition.

Level 1: November 10–15 February 9–14 May 18–23

Level 2: November 17–22 February 16–21 May 25–30

Level 3: February 23–28

Level 4: March 2–7

PT Yoga Therapy Practitioner Program Levels 1, 2, 3, and 4

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YVP November 11–15Stress and Weight Management Katie Papo (Ambika) Join us for a motivating and inspirational week of workshops exploring links between stress and weight management. You are warmly invited to de-stress, explore relationships with food, and engage in exercises that facilitate self-care, introspection and healing. Relax in a tropical paradise and learn practical methods to take home to support your successful and healthy lifestyle.

Katie Papo (Ambika) is a Sivananda Yoga teacher who designs and leads customized wellness programs, specializing in holistic approaches to lasting and effective

weight management. She has empowered hundreds of people to transcend limiting behavior and adopt healthy lifestyles.

C November 11–14Advanced Asana PracticeSylvie Boisclair (Saraswati) Tuition: $140 Add 5 nights’ accommodation.

Take advantage of this opportunity to learn intricate, more advanced asanas and receive the guidance you need to progress into a steady and comfortable practice. Visualization, meditation, and positive thinking will also be taught and practiced to allow for longer and steadier holding of the postures. Join a highly experienced Sivananda Yoga teacher and teacher trainer and discover a whole range of new possibilities in your practice.

Z Course book: The Complete Illustrated Book of Yoga, Swami Vishnudevananda.

Sylvie Boisclair (Saraswati) bio on page 18.

YVP November 13–16The Yoga of DevotionPracticing Bhakti YogaSwami Brahmananda Bhakti Yoga, known as the Yoga of Devotion, is a time-tested method of transforming emotion to devotion, which is a heightened energy of divine love. Considered the shortest way to attain lasting bliss, Bhakti Yoga connects yoga practitioners with their hearts, make them loving and compassionate in daily life. Through chanting of the Divine names and immersion in stories, we will create a celebration of the divine glories, opening our hearts to deep peace.

Swami Brahmananda bio on page 19.

C November 14–17Gracious Living 4-Day Liquid DetoxGrace Van Berkum Tuition: $360 Add 5 nights’ accommodation.

This 4-day cleanse is designed to detox your body in a gentle and nourishing way. Enjoy alkalinizing juices, detox smoothies, and cleansing gazpachos, combined with nutrition discussions, yoga, breathing exercises, meditation, and relaxation. The cleanse will help reduce inflammation, cleanse the internal organs, recalibrate the taste buds, reset the appetite, and clear the mind. Gracious Living recipes are included. We’ll end the detox with a special raw-food graduation dinner. More online.

Grace Van Berkum is a registered holistic nutritionist, Sivananda Yoga teacher, certified personal trainer, and raw and vegan recipe creator. Passionate about the healing powers of

live foods and yoga, she regularly teaches at the Yoga Retreat.

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YVP November 14–18Yoga Therapy for Stress Reduction Nora Benian (Sundari) Learn how to relieve tension, stress, and stagnant energy and address injuries, chronic pain, and restlessness by working with acupressure points and massaging main energy lines (meridians, sen lines, or prana nadis). Moving through specifically selected yogic postures, incorporating breathing exercises, and following Ayurvedic and Thai Yoga Massage principles, you will practice freeing the flow of the precious life force and feel vital and serene.

Nora Benian (Sundari) bio on page 23.

C November 16–20Yoga for Home PracticeEstablishing a Daily Spiritual RoutineSylvie Boisclair (Saraswati) Tuition: $200 Add 6 nights’ accommodation.

Many of us are motivated to practice yoga, meditation, and other spiritual practices while we are on retreat, but find it difficult to have a regular practice while we are at home. Come learn how to combine yoga with your daily routine and learn tips and insights that will help you discover the discipline you need. We will explore Swami Sivananda’s 20 Spiritual Instructions, which will give you a firm foundation for a steady spiritual routine, and point you toward calm, peace and lasting happiness.


YVP November 18–20Healing the Light BodyExploring Shamanic MedicineTheodore Tsavoussis Explore shamanic body-mind medicine, a transformational approach to healing. Discover how to shed your worn-out stories, break free from the grip of fear and unfavorable heritages, drop your limiting roles and beliefs, and discover the original wounds that derailed your destiny. Bring balance back to your mind, body, and soul and you’ll walk through life as a fully conscious being, bringing light, peace, and beauty to everyone around you.

Theodore Tsavoussis earned professional certification in energy medicine from the Four Winds Healing the Light Body program. He traveled to numerous sacred sites

in the Amazon and the Andes, where he worked with indigenous shamans. He practices energy medicine in Nassau, Bahamas.

YVP November 15–17Understanding Your Ayurvedic ConstitutionThe Key to Health and Well-BeingMarisa Laursen (Sri Devi) Learn the basic principles of Ayurveda, the oldest system of medicine in the world and the sister science to yoga. Ayurveda is based on the laws of nature, and is considered to be a direct reflection of the healing wisdom inherent in life itself. In simplest terms, Ayurveda is the wisdom that explains what conditions are necessary for each of us to thrive. By learning about your Ayurvedic constitution, you become empowered to take charge of your own health.

Marisa Laursen (Sri Devi), CAS, AYT, is a graduate and a senior member of the faculty of the California College of Ayurveda. She is a Sivananda Yoga teacher

and has an active Ayurvedic clinical practice in Chino, California.


C November 19–22Gracious Living Raw Vegan Holiday CourseGrace Van Berkum Tuition: $350 Add 5 nights’ accommodation.

Learn special raw, vegan dishes that are perfect for holidays and celebrations. Together we will prepare and enjoy delicious, nutrient-dense, raw soups, salad dressings, patés, dips, entrées, side dishes, and desserts that are surprisingly easy to make. All foods will be wheat-, gluten-, sugar-, dairy-, and soy-free. We will also discuss the many benefits of raw and vegan foods and you’ll take home a recipe book for your next special occasion. Make this a unique, healthy, and detoxifying holiday. More online.

Grace Van Berkum bio on page 21.

C November 18–22Ayurvedic NutritionThe Art of Conscious EatingMarisa Laursen (Sri Devi) Tuition: $475 Add 6 nights’ accommodation.

Embark on a personal journey to understand what type of diet is right for you. You will learn all of the fundamental principles of Ayurveda and how to use food as a source of health and healing in your life. You will also learn that health is based not only on what you eat but also on how you eat. By enjoying our meals together, we will practice healthy eating habits that will promote better digestion and health. More online.

Marisa Laursen (Sri Devi) bio on page 22.

YVP November 19–23Restorative Yoga and Healing TherapiesNora Benian (Sundari) What better time of the year to learn how to restore yourself regularly with practices that reduce pain, increase strength and vigor, and develop a positive outlook! You’ll explore restorative prop use for maximum release and comfort, self-healing techniques, working with acupressure points, breathing exercises, meditation, and visualization. This program is perfect for those wanting to learn to relieve stress and tension as well as those working through injuries, chronic pain, and restlessness.

Nora Benian (Sundari), DIHom, is a Sivananda Yoga teacher, yoga therapist, and Thai Yoga Massage practitioner. She believes in self-development with ease and uses yoga therapy

along with counseling techniques to help people come into alignment, build strength, and open energetically.

YVP November 20–23Living a Divine LifeSwami Brahmananda Learn how to become the architect of your own fate and the master of your own destiny. Explore core spiritual values for living a divine life, summarized by Swami Sivananda as “Serve, love, give, purify, meditate; adapt, adjust, accommodate; be good, do good, be kind; practice self-restraint, equanimity, self-reliance; do what you believe in and believe in what you do; be practical; realize thyself.” Tap into the power and vast ocean of knowledge within you and be free.


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YVP November 21–24Introduction to Dreamwork for Spiritual PracticeRodger Kamenetz, Moira Crone, Kezia Kamenetz Learn to think in images, the language of dreams. Over these days, we will explore the topics of dreams in the West from Genesis to Jung, interpretation vs. revelation, the case of the disappearing dream, the gifts of the dream for spiritual practitioners, and the dynamics of the dream world from archetypes to past lives. You will be introduced to a 3-stage dreamwork process and have a chance to discuss and engage your own dreams through “string work,” where dreams are acted out by the group.

Rodger Kamenetz is an award-winning poet and author of the international bestseller The Jew in the Lotus and 9 other books. A retired distinguished professor of English and

Religious Studies, he now works with people who seek spiritual direction through their dreams.

Moira Crone has been practicing dreamwork since 2002. Professor Emerita and former director of Louisiana State University’s MFA program, her latest novel, The Not Yet, was

nominated for the Philip K Dick Award in 2013 for best science fiction novel of the year.

Kezia Kamenetz has been a student of Marc Bregman and Archetypal Dreamwork since 2009 and working with individuals since 2012. She is an experienced social-justice organizer,

hosts a community radio show, and participates in Theater of the Oppressed productions.

C November 22–24Gentle Yoga Pre-Holiday RetreatStacie Dooreck (Saraswati) Tuition: $290 Add 4 nights’ accommodation.

Enjoy a restful and stress-free yoga retreat as you get ready for the holiday season ahead. Everyone is welcome: those new to yoga, practitioners wanting a gentle yoga experience, and people of all ages and stages of health. We will learn and practice with modifications that make the postures accessible to all, and explore specific postures and breathing practices to calm the mind and bring healing energy to the body. Yoga teachers looking for ideas on teaching mixed-level/ability classes are also welcome. More online.

Stacie Dooreck (Saraswati) is a certified Sivananda instructor, is certified in Integral Gentle Yoga, leads the Chair Yoga teacher trainings at the Sivananda ashram, and has been

implementing yoga programs in health clubs, senior homes, corporations, and hospitals since 1994.

C November 22–24Perfect Your Balancing PosturesSylvie Boisclair (Saraswati) Tuition: $110 Add 4 nights’ accommodation.

Balancing postures can be a source of great relaxation once perfected, yet many find them challenging to master as they require refined technique. Come learn how to reach a steady and comfortable asana when practicing balancing postures. Individual adjustments, exploration of postures’ anatomy, guided imagery, and positive reinforcement techniques will be used to deepen your sense of balance. In the process, you will also develop better concentration and willpower.



YVP November 24–30Thanksgiving Celebration and Family ProgramDiscover the Joy in GratitudeSwami Brahmananda and ArjunaCelebrate Thanksgiving in the joyous company of like-minded people. Immerse yourself in a blissful mood of gratitude. Experience the cultivation of positive feelings and appreciation that are the essence of this holiday. This program will include a vegetarian Thanksgiving feast prepared by Arjuna, a professional vegetarian chef, as well as silent walks on the beach, sunrise meditations, yoga classes, and a variety of workshops. You will return home uplifted and energized in body, heart, and soul.

C November 24–30Sivananda Yoga Teacher RenewalSwami Brahmananda, Shyam, Mohini A Karma Yoga-based program: no tuition fee ap-plies and participants pay half the rate on tent or dormitory accommodations (see page 102).

Meet other Sivananda-trained teachers, reestablish connection with the tradition, and enjoy the ashram environment. This renewal program gives you the opportunity to strengthen your practice and address various challenges in your classes within the ashram’s supportive environment. Enjoy workshops, yoga classes, spiritual guidance, and the joy of Karma Yoga (3 hours daily). We’ll also discuss starting a Sivananda-affiliated yoga center. Return home refreshed with new tools for your practice and teaching.


Arjuna is a direct disciple of Swami Vishnudevananda and director of the Sivananda-affiliated yoga center in Gatineau, Quebec. He has been a professional vegetarian cook for 25 years and has taught family yoga programs for many years in Sivananda centers and ashrams.


Shyam and Mohini are founders and directors of Yoga Warehouse, an affiliated Sivananda Yoga center in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Highly experienced practitioners and charismatic teachers, Shyam and Mohini are also instructors in the Sivananda Yoga Teacher Training Course.

C November 24–28Positive ThinkingChange the way you think. Page 17.

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YVP November 24–December 1

Turning to the Mystics for Guidance on the Spiritual PathSwami Brahmananda, Mirabai Starr, Sister Greta Roningen, Amir Vahab, Suba Ramesh Parmar

Celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday in the sacred space of the Yoga Retreat, discovering the spiritual truths of the mystics. In every religion and spiritual tradition there are mystics, those who are dedicated to the spiritual path and who attain transcendent experience.

Their life stories and teachings can offer encouragement and guidance for those who are walking the spiritual path. Come hear their stories, listen to their teachings, and learn how to become

established in your own spiritual practice and experience profound states of peace, love, and contentment. Through lectures, experiential workshops, dance performances, and sacred music concerts, you will get a glimpse of the bliss that the mystics describe.


C November 26–29Fine-Tune Your Yoga PracticeSylvie Boisclair (Saraswati) Tuition: $140 Add 5 nights’ accommodation.

Yoga asana is described as “stiram sukam,” steady and joyful. The secret for getting the most benefit out of your asana practice is to be able to develop both steadiness/stability in your practice and at the same time, joy, bliss, and relaxation while holding the posture. This course will teach you how to attain these two components and get the most physical, mental, and spiritual benefit from your asanas. Come realign, fine-tune, and rejuvenate your yoga practice.


PT November 26–30Restorative Yoga Teacher TrainingNora Benian (Sundari) Tuition: $390 Add 6 nights’ accommodation.

Restorative Yoga is a very gentle yoga practice designed to calm the nervous system and create overall health in the body. In this training, you will learn a full series of restorative postures and the use of well-placed props, complemented with gentle stretching, breathing, and meditation. Through direct experience, teaching practice, and feedback, you leave with the ability to confidently teach a primary series of restorative poses as well as incorporate them into your own practice. More information online.


C November 29–December 1Yoga for Beginners WeekendImmerse yourself in the basics of yoga. Page 16.

Swami Brahmananda is Manager of the Yoga Retreat and senior staff member of the Sivananda organization. A long-time practitioner of yoga, he regularly teaches yoga

philosophy and meditation for the Teacher Training Course as well as meditation immersion courses.

Mirabai Starr writes fiction, creative non-fiction, and contemporary translations of sacred literature, including writings by Christian mystics. She teaches philosophy and

world religions at the University of New Mexico, Taos, and speaks widely on inter-spiritual dialogue.

Sister Greta Ronningen is a professed member of the Community of Divine Love —an Episcopal monastery in the Benedictine tradition in California—and a chaplain for incarcerated men,

women, and girls. A yoga practitioner of 35 years, she teaches about women mystics.

Amir Vahab, a peacemaker and virtuoso, is one of New York’s most celebrated and distinguished composer-vocalists of Sufi and folk music. His music maintains traditional and mystical

sensibilities, drawing the listener’s attention to the spiritual dimension of existence.

Suba Ramesh Parmar is an award-winning dancer of the South Indian Bharatanatyam dance style. She is known for grace and dynamism in her expression and movement

and performs regularly at Sivananda Yoga centers together with her gifted daughter Madhu Parmar.

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YVP December 1–4 Christian Models of Contemplation and MeditationFather William Meninger The journey to union with God is the journey of contemplation. Learn and experience the practices of Christian contemplative meditation, a 2,000-year-old spiritual pathway. From Origin to Augustine to Aquinas to John of the Cross to Thomas Merton, great mystics have left us in their writings the rich fruits of their experiences of union with God. Together, we will follow them, and contribute our own spiritual wisdom to this living tradition.

Father William Meninger, OCSO, is one of the founders of the Centering Prayer movement and has been teaching contemplative prayer since 1974. He is based at St. Benedict’s

Monastery in Snowmass, Colorado, and has authored many books, including The Loving Search for God.

C December 1–5Yoga for BeginnersAn immersion in the basics of yoga; see page 16.

C PT December 4–31Yoga Teacher Training CourseTake your yoga the next step. Page 10.

YVP December 5–8 The Yoga of Sleep Sacred and Scientific Practices to Heal SleeplessnessRubin NaiminDeep, refreshing sleep is the cornerstone of well-being and an essential foundation of spiritual practice. Research has linked sleep problems and dream loss to depression, obesity, and other serious illnesses. Through engaging discussion as well as experiential practices, learn how to address insomnia and improve the quality of your sleep based on an integrative body, mind, and spirit approach to sleep and dreams.

Rubin Naiman, PhD, is a psychologist and leading expert in integrative and holistic approaches to sleep and dreams. A clinical assistant professor of medicine at the University

of Arizona’s Center for Integrative Medicine, he is the author of Healing Night.

December


C December 6–8Introduction to Meditation WeekendDevelop a personal meditation practice. Page 17.

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Divine CreativitySacred arts programs with Mavis GewantYVP December 3–5Yantra PaintingTransformation through Sacred FormImmerse yourself in the joy of sacred painting. Learn how to paint yantras, geometric patterns that Vedic astrologers have used for ages as tools to help create balance, give strength, and calm the energies of the karmic cycles represented in one’s astrological chart. You will be guided to choose your own yantra, and chant a bija (seed) mantra while painting the sacred designs, connecting with the power inherent in their geometry.

YVP December 6–8Chakra ImmersionPainting, Chanting, and Understanding Sacred CentersDiscover the imagery of the chakras, our psychic energy centers, where the interaction between higher consciousness and our desires is played out. Through the lens of the Tantric tradition of sacred arts, you will experience these subtle centers of transformation through painting and visualization, and learn the imagery, colors, elements, deities, and mantras associated with each chakra.

YVP December 9–11Painting Planet MandalasAccording to Indian astrology, the energy released by the orbiting planets affects our lives and can be directed and harnessed to improve our well-being. Mandalas, or sacred circular energy patterns, reflect our inner nature. By working with specific colors and mantras, this meditative painting practice will connect you to the deeper energies of the

planets, creating more harmony, peace, and energy in your life. You will also enjoy a basic overview of Indian numerology.

Mavis Gewant, MA, is a sacred artist, educator, doula, and practitioner of Vedic astrology. She learned the ancient techniques of yantra and silk deity painting from Tantric master Dada Shri Harish Johari, and illustrated his book Planetary Meditation Kit.

C December 7–11 (5-day)Tuition: $400. Add 6 nights’ accommodation.

C December 7–16 (10-day)Tuition: $750 Add 11 nights’ accommodation.

Yoga and Integrative Weight LossKatie Papo (Ambika) Beginners welcome! Move into your new year feeling light, refreshed, and rejuvenated. These immersions offer an authentic, holistic, and lasting approach to weight loss through yoga as well as healthy, satisfying lifestyle changes. Participants of all physical capabilities and levels are warmly welcomed to these heart- and mind-opening programs that delve into concepts of weight loss and self-care at deep levels.

Both the 5-day and 10-day retreats include beach walks, exercise and yoga classes, daily lectures and discussion, mindful eating practices, and guided experiences for stress-reduction, meditation, breathing exercises, introspection, and creative expression. With yoga teacher and weight-management specialist Ambika, you will be compassionately guided to break through old patterns, heal your relationship with food, and create permanent changes to your way of living.

Nourished, strengthened, and empowered in a beautiful Caribbean setting, you’ll return home with fresh habits and perspectives. More online.

Katie Papo (Ambika) bio on page 21.

YVP December 8–11Food as a Spiritual PathDaniele Giovannucci Food is one of the most powerful ways we relate to the people around us, to the planet, and to ourselves. Joining a world leader in the conversation on food, hunger, and sustainable development, we will discover that our journey has nothing to do with diets or calories—it is about relatedness, about discovering the faces of hunger in the world, and about the choice to release self-centeredness. Together, we will seek a genuine connection with this profound part of the spiritual path.

Daniele Giovannucci is president of the Committee on Sustainability Assessment, a global consortium of institutions advancing innovative ways to understand and manage

the sustainability of our food systems. Since 1992, he has taught and worked in more than 30 countries.


C December 8–12Yoga for Healthy BonesBeata Barnard (Savitri-Devi)Tuition: $300 Add 6 nights’ accommodation.

This course offers a complete program to promote healthy bones and overall well-being. For everyone interested in healthy aging as well as people with osteoporosis, the course includes yoga and Ayurveda theory and practice along with elements of recreational therapy. Through lecture, discussion, and practice, you will learn how well-being depends on the inner architecture and function of the bones, and experience a safe yoga practice that improves balance and strength (following individual assessment).

C December 13–17Yoga for Osteoporosis Teacher TrainingTuition: $400 Add 6 nights’ accommodation.

Yoga teachers working with older people can easily use yoga for the process of healing osteoporosis and maintaining healthy bones. Based on Swami Vishnudevananda’s 5 Points of Yoga, this training takes a holistic approach to osteoporosis and teaches you how yoga addresses the bones most susceptible to fracture; how to perform postures to increase bone mass density; and how to assess individual needs and prescribe and adjust postures for students at any level of practice. Advance your skills as a yoga teacher.

Beata Barnard (Savitri-Devi) is a Sivananda Yoga teacher with more than 20 years’ experience and a recreation therapist trained at Sunnybrook

Health Science Center Hospital in Toronto. Her comprehensive yoga system improves balance, endurance, and strength for people with osteoporosis.

YVP December 10–12Vedantic Meditation The Practice of Self-InquiryBrahmachari ShankarLearn Advaita Vedanta philosophy and experience a variety of meditation techniques. Vedantic philosophy asserts that we live in ignorance—that we see the world in a distorted way, and therefore we suffer. This philosophy states that the end of ignorance is also the end of suffering, and that the root of ignorance is our ignorance regarding our own selves. Meditation then becomes a tool for Self-analysis; we learn to introvert and probe our inner world and, ultimately, get to know our True Self.

Brahmachari Shankar is a senior staff member of the Yoga Retreat. Well-versed in scriptures and fluent in Sanskrit, he spent three years in India with Swami Chaitanyananda, a senior

disciple of Swami Sivananda, and teaches and gives talks on yoga philosophy and practice.

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YVP December 12–15Harmonizing Our Lives with Mantras, Ragas, and VoiceKarnamrita Dasi Gain a deeper understanding of the power of sound vibration and learn simple ways to introduce sound practices into your daily life. We’ll explore and experiment with the basic concepts of ragas (a classical music tradition of India) and the harmonizing gifts that they offer, as well as uncover the healing potential inherent in Sanskrit (and the secrets to its pronunciation). Come awaken to the depth and intimacy of your own voice.

Karnamrita Dasi grew up surrounded by Vedic teachings in an ashram community in West Virginia’s Appalachian Mountains. She studied Indian classical music in India for 10 years and sings worldwide, offering the blessings handed down by her teachers.

YVP December 12–15Healing through Deep Relaxation Weekend Retreat Molly Asebey-Birkholm (Madhavi)Enjoy a deeply nourishing start to your holiday season. Connect with true inner peace and soothe your body and mind through enjoyable practices for self-renewal. Thursday: Learn and experience how yoga and meditation heal. Friday: Explore the healing effects of Yoga Nidra, which can be used for insomnia, pain, trauma, and anxiety. Saturday: Uncover the peace inside of you, where healing naturally unfolds. Sunday: Create a spiritual diary and learn how to bring yoga into everyday life.

Molly Asebey-Birkholm (Madhavi) is an advanced Sivananda Yoga teacher and Integrative Restoration (iRest) instructor. Co-founder and director of the Yoga Center of Key

Biscayne, she leads retreats and workshops on yoga for trauma and has worked extensively with war veterans.

YVP December 15–19The Yoga of the Vision of the Cosmic FormTeachings on the 11th Chapter of the Bhagavad GitaSwamini Pramananda (Ammaji)Join us for five days of inspirational teachings with Swamini Pramananda, as she shares her deep knowledge of yoga philosophy and experience. We will focus on the 11th chapter of the Bhagavad Gita and the Cosmic Form of the Lord, shown by Lord Krishna to his devotee Arjuna. This rare vision of God was granted to Arjuna not because of his study or austerity, but because of his burning desire to behold the Lord’s Cosmic Form, to know the Infinite. Open to all spiritual seekers.

Swamini Pramananda (Ammaji) bio on page 34.

C December 15–19Introduction to MeditationDevelop a personal meditation practice. Page 17.


YVP December 16–19Yoga and Self Thai MassageNora Benian (Sundari)Soothe tired feet, ease a headache, and release tension from the face, shoulders and neck, back, hips, arms, and hands. This workshop fuses a spectrum of techniques: acupressure, therapeutic yoga, breath work, and energy-line massage. Learn how to find acupressure points and release blockages in energy flow. Relax deeper than ever before and learn to channel the life force through congested areas of the body. Discover ways to create better mobility in the joints and increase overall flexibility.


YVP December 17–19Adapting Sivananda Yoga to Your BodyKrishna DasIf you find yoga practice difficult due to limiting conditions such as sickness, injury, obesity and other physical realities, this is the program for you. In these experiential workshops, we will explore adaptations to the 12 basic postures of a Sivananda Yoga class. You will receive personal guidance and discover which modifications are just right for you. As a result, yoga will become more accessible and beneficial to your life—or to your students.

Krishna Das is a physical therapist and Sivananda Yoga teacher (RYT-500). He is a senior staff member at the Yoga Retreat and teaches in the Yoga Teacher Training Course. He has

taught for more than 15 years, including gentle yoga to seniors.

YVP December 19–22Kirtan with RaganiRagani Join a participatory, cross-cultural musical experience as you take an inspirational journey into the world of kirtan. Discover the transformational energies of ancient Hindu chants, opening your heart to the Divine and connecting to the eternal that lies within us all. Ragani, known for her heartfelt vocals, inspiring stories, and sense of humor, will share the devotional practice of kirtan and offer unique insights and inspirations into the world of yoga.

Ragani is an award-winning artist who leads Milwaukee’s Kirtan with Ragani, the largest independent kirtan scene in the US. At age eight, Ragani met the yoga master Swami Rama, who personally trained her in yoga sciences, meditation, and Eastern music.

YVP December 20–21Secrets of AyurvedaAncient Yogic Medicine for Healing Body and MindLalita Devi and Isvari Yoga and Ayurveda emerge from the same Vedic tradition in India. Meaning the “science of life,” Ayurveda is one of the world’s oldest healthcare systems, with proven self-care practices for health and well-being. Join two gifted teachers and learn Ayurvedic healthy-living tools and concepts, discover your personal constitution, identify imbalances, and create easy daily routines to restore inner balance. You’ll return home inspired and empowered to apply new wisdom in your life—or your students’.

Lalita Devi bio on page 7.

Isvari is a graduate of Vasant Lad’s Ayurvedic Institute, a Sivananda Yoga teacher and a practitioner for the Well-Being Center at the Yoga Retreat and the Sivananda Ashram Yoga

Ranch in New York.

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Unity in Diversity: Let the Light ShineSwami Swaroopananda is a senior disciple of Swami Vishnudevananda. Director of the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat Bahamas, and Acharya (spiritual director) of the Sivananda centers and

ashrams in the US West Coast, the Middle East, and the Bahamas, he is also a member of the Sivananda organization’s Board of Directors.

Swamini Pramananda (Ammaji) is a senior disciple of Swami Dayananda Saraswati. She has been teaching Vedanta, Sanskrit, and Vedic heritage for many years. She is the founder of

the Purna Vidya Ashram and spends most of her time in retreat, only leaving her solitude to teach.

Rabbi Mitchell Chefitz, currently Scholar-in-Residence at Temple Israel of Greater Miami, has been described as pushing the envelope of American Judaism. A natural

storyteller, he is the author of two novels, including The Seventh Telling: The Kabbalah of Moshe Katan.

Venerable Thupten Phuntsok, a student of Lobsang Tharchin Khen Rinpoche, has received teachings from many prominent Tibetan lamas and participated in several Mind

and Life Institute conferences held by the Dalai Lama and Western scientists. He is an ordained member of the Gelugpa Sangha.

Christmas & New Year Symposium

According to yoga philosophy, the one God or Ultimate Reality manifests as a multiplicity of names, forms, shapes, and colors. “Unity” and “diversity” are one and the same and their essence is our own essence: pure existence, pure consciousness, and pure bliss. Join us for a gathering of spiritual leaders, mystics, and musicians from the world’s major spiritual traditions and gain a direct glimpse of this truth.

During this special time of the year just after the winter solstice, when people worldwide are engaged in religious and spiritual traditions and preparations for a hopeful new year, you are invited to an experience of wisdom, love, and compassion. Through talks, concerts, spiritual practices, discussions, and more, you will participate in breaking down superficial barriers and experience the underlying unity in our diversity.

Come welcome the New Year in a celebration of light, truth, and peace.

YVP December 22, 2013–January 1, 2014


Ed McGaa (Eagle Man) was born on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota and studied under Sioux holy men Chief Eagle Feather and Chief Fool’s Crow. He served as a

decorated fighter pilot in Vietnam, became an Oglala Sioux lawyer, and is the author of seven books.

Krishnan Namboodiri is a Tantric priest from South India, trained in the classical tradition of mantras (sacred sounds), pujas (prayer ceremonies), homas (fire rituals), and

yantras (sacred geometric designs). He is the Yoga Retreat’s resident priest, regularly performing special rituals.

Emily Markides, PhD, teaches at the University of Maine as adjunct faculty on issues concerning peace and the environment. She has written about women healers, poetry and

community, world peace, and spirituality, and taught courses in Peace Studies.

Gaura Vani began studying sacred music in Vrindavan, India at the age of 6. Today, he shares the gifts of devotional song throughout the world,

performing extensively with his kirtan ensemble. His albums

include Nectar of Devotion and Ten Million Moons.

Kyriacos C. Markides, PhD, a professor of sociology at the University of Maine, has been researching Christian saints, mystics, and healers for the last 30 years. He is the author of several

books on Christian spiritualty, including The Mountain of Silence and Inner River.

Kabir Helminski is a sheikh of the Mevlevi Order of Sufis. Author of three books, he travels the world with his wife, leading workshops and presenting at conferences on Sufism,

Rumi’s teachings, and the application of traditional Sufi principles to modern life.

Camille Adams Helminski is cofounder of the Threshold Society with her husband, Kabir Helminski. An author and translator, with The Light of Dawn, she became the first woman

to translate a substantial portion of the Koran. She is writing a book about women in Sufism.

Snatam Kaur is a beloved artist from the Sikh tradition who transforms traditional chants into contemporary sounds that appeal

to the modern ear and awaken ancient yearnings in the soul. She tours the world, singing, teaching, and offering concerts dedicated to peace.

Unity in Diversity: Let the Light Shine

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YVP December 20–22 Prana in Life EnhancementDale Buegel Delve into the energies of life to facilitate balance on physical, emotional, and energetic levels. We will learn to work with the pranas in postures, breath, and meditation, developing skills in directly sensing the flows and blockages of energy within ourselves. Medical doctor Dale Buegel, who has taught yoga and meditation for 40 years in settings including teacher trainings and medical practices, will guide you through unique yoga experiences for restoring balance and enhancing life.

Dale Buegel, MD, has 40 years’ experience teaching yoga disciplines. Integrating extensive training in medicine, bodywork therapies, and energetic medicine, he is known for

teaching skillful mastery of yoga postures, breathing techniques, and meditation.

C December 20–22Positive Thinking WeekendChange the way you think. Page 17.

YVP December 23–24Office YogaNora Benian (Sundari)If you work at a desk, this form of yoga can be a great pick-me-up and tension reliever. As an antidote to the tense muscles, shallow breathing, and weakened circulation and concentration of long days at a desk, you will learn yoga postures, breathing techniques, meditation, and relaxation techniques you can do in a chair. Ideal for office settings, you will feel relaxed, revived, and rejuvenated!



YVP December 27–January 3, 2014Family Holiday Program For ages 4-10.

Tara Rachel Jones (Omkari) and Sandrine Remy (Sanatani) Take time to practice yoga and rejuvenate yourself while your children enjoy time with Omkari and Sanatani, two loving and creative teachers with years of experience working with children. A popular annual program, there are special yoga classes, chanting, crafts, Karma Yoga, and lots of games and fun. A structured yet flexible schedule allows children to make new friends, be creative, and participate in the life of the community in their own way.

Z Additional material fee of $70 for arts and crafts supplies. See Children’s Rates on page 105.

Tara Rachel Jones (Omkari), MEd, RCYT, is a Sivananda Yoga teacher and a Montessori teacher. She has worked professionally with children since 1989 and is the author of It’s Time for Yoga.

Sandrine Remy (Sanatani) is a Sivananda Yoga teacher who specializes in yoga for children. With a playful spirit, she teaches in kids camps and family programs at various Sivananda ashrams.

YVP December 27–January 3, 2014Teen Yoga Holiday Program For ages 11–17.

Nora Benian (Sundari)Make friends, be challenged physically and mentally, and plant positive seeds for the future. During this weeklong intensive, teens will learn the foundations of yoga, including history and philosophy, postures, breathing, meditation, and hygiene practices. Fully immersed, they will spend four hours a day learning and practicing yoga, one hour of Karma Yoga service, and attend evening satsangs.

Z A registered adult at the Yoga Retreat must accompany each teen. See Children’s Rates on page 105.

Nora Benian (Sundari) is a Sivananda Yoga teacher, yoga therapist, and Thai Yoga Massage practitioner. She has been teaching yoga to youth and teens since 2007 in private and public schools in Ontario, Canada, with an emphasis on quieting the mind as well as physical fitness.

End-of-the-year family getaway!

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YVP December 29–31Therapeutic Yoga for the Spine, Hips, Legs, and ShouldersNora Benian (Sundari)In yoga, even a small misalignment caused by muscular tension can cause great discomfort. Combining therapeutic sequences and strategic prop placement to meet individual needs, we will learn and practice safe and specific therapeutic postures for spinal health and hip and shoulder mobility. These invite relief from pain and increase energy flow, and can be used preventatively and therapeutically for conditions such as acute and chronic back pain, scoliosis, kyphosis, lordosis, and degenerative disc disease.


YVP December 31–January 2, 2014Mantra RevolutionChanting the Divine NamesGaura VaniAs we turn the page between years, join Gaura Vani for a celebration of divine music and love in the company of fellow spiritual seekers. In the Vedic tradition of chanting the Lord’s name with devotion, your heart will open to the Divine, resulting in the elation and bliss that is the fruit of this Bhakti Yoga path. With his ensemble, Guara Vani will lead us on the wings of kirtan to new heights of devotion.

Gaura Vani bio on page 35.

YVP December 27–29The Heart of ChantingSnatam Kaur Join one of the most inspirational singers of devotional music of the Sikh tradition, Snatam Kaur, as she shares her angelic voice through song along with sacred teachings of yoga. Snatam will be accompanied by the soulful guitar and flute of Todd Boston.

Snatam Kaur is a beloved artist from the Sikh tradition who transforms traditional chants into contemporary sounds that appeal to the modern ear and awaken ancient yearnings in the soul. She tours the world, singing, teaching, and offering concerts dedicated to peace.


JanuaryYVP January 2–5Creating a Yogic LifestyleSilvia San Miguel (Surya)Develop a yogic lifestyle that suits your daily schedule and transform your outlook on work, family, and life in general. Learn how to accommodate a period of meditation at the start of your day, adapt your diet, and take care of yourself physically and mentally by practicing yoga asanas. You will also discover how to recharge yourself through practicing proper relaxation, how to detect stress—and avoid it—through a few simple breathing techniques, and develop a positive thinking mind all day long.

Silvia San Miguel (Surya) is an educator and a certified Sivananda Yoga teacher with diversified teaching experience at Sivananda ashrams worldwide and at her own yoga studio

in Mallorca, Spain. Surya knew Swami Vishnudevananda during the last five years of his life.

YVP January 2–5Working with MindfulnessMirabai Bush Mirabai Bush will teach mindfulness practices adapted for the workplace, including sitting and walking practices to cultivate attention, insight, and a calm, centered presence as well as compassion practices to increase self-awareness and awareness of others. She will share exercises she helped to develop for Google, including mindful emailing and mindful listening, share her experiences in diverse workplaces, and lead discussions on “waking up at work” and being more joyful and happy while working.

Mirabai Bush is Senior Fellow and founding Director of the Center for Contemplative Mind in Society. Co-author with Ram Dass of Compassion in Action: Setting Out

on the Path of Service, she works with organizations to bring contemplative principles to the workplace.

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C January 4–13

New Year’s Cleanse, Detox, and Juice-Fasting Experience

Shivanter Singh (John Barczak), Julian DeVoe, Grace Van BerkumTuition: $490 Add 11 nights’ accommodation.

Cleanse and rejuvenate, invigorate your natural body wisdom, and establish new habits. This intensive program initiates transformation on the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual levels. We begin gradually with a few days of raw food, followed by fruit and vegetable juice fasting, and end with a raw food diet—all supported

PT January 4–31Yoga Teacher Training CourseTake your yoga the next step. Page 10.

PT January 4–31Advanced Yoga Teacher Training Deepen. Study. Advance. Page 12.

C January 5–9Yoga for BeginnersAn immersion in the basics of yoga. Page 16.

by detoxifying herbs and supplements. Yoga classes and beach walks will enhance digestion, elimination, and integration for optimum cleansing and health. More online.

Shivanter Singh (John Barczak) is a certified yoga teacher and Integrative Nutrition counselor. A leading proponent of juicing who has worked with

Joe Cross and Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa, he offers cleanses, classes, and one-on-one sessions for healthy lifestyle strategies.

Julian DeVoe has been working as a cranio-sacral therapy facilitator, Thai Yoga Massage artist, and energy healer for over five years. An advocate for consciousness and

thriving health through mindful eating, yoga, and personal inquiry, he teaches in Nosara, Costa Rica.

Grace Van Berkum is a registered holistic nutritionist, Sivananda Yoga teacher, certified personal trainer, and raw and vegan recipe creator. Passionate about the

healing powers of live foods and yoga, she regularly teaches at the Yoga Retreat.

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YVP January 5–9

Neuroscience and World ReligionsDifferent Practices, Different Brains, Different Spiritualities?Stephen Kaplan, Daniel Drubach, William Waldron, Prantik KunduFor five days we will explore the interface between religious/spiritual practices and the brain sciences. Our speakers will examine some of the different practices that can be found in the world’s religions and explain how contemporary neurosciences understand what is happening in the brains of those who engage such practices. We will not only ask if different religious practices produce different brain states, but we will also ask if these different practices produce different states of mental and spiritual health. Do some practices produce one type of mental/spiritual health and other practices produce others? These discussions may lead us to ask if these diversities of practice and neurological function lead to a diversity of spiritual experiences.

Stephen Kaplan, PhD, is Professor of Religious Studies at Manhattan College, specializing in Indian and comparative religions. He publishes articles in leading journals,

is the author of two books, and is working on a book entitled Advaita Vedanta and the Neurosciences.

Daniel Drubach, MD, is a member of the Behavioral Neurology Division at Mayo Clinic. Author of The Brain Explained, he writes on the neuroscience of music, meditation, language,

and religion, and on how concepts from neuroscience can address existential human questions.

William Waldron, PhD, is Professor of Religion at Middlebury College in Vermont. A recent Fulbright Senior Scholar in Nepal, he is currently researching the relation between

theories of mind in the Yogācāra school of Indian Buddhism and in modern cognitive sciences.

Prantik Kundu is a doctoral candidate studying neuroscience with fMRI technology in collaboration with the Brain Mapping Unit at the University of Cambridge and the

Section on Functional Imaging Methods at the National Institute of Mental Health in Washington, DC.

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PT CEU January 11–16Polarity Therapy and 5-Element Body Work CertificationJohn Beaulieu, Andreas Ledermann, Brigitta Raimann Tuition: $590 Add 7 nights’ accommodation.

Become a certified Polarity therapist. Learn how to work with life energy using bodywork sessions, Polarity Yoga, and sound to balance each of the five elements: ether, air, fire, water, and earth. Valuable on its own or as a complement to massage, yoga, nursing, counseling, physical therapy, and medical practices, the training will emphasize the application of 5-element knowledge in daily life through an understanding of modern stress science and Polarity Therapy. More information online.

John Beaulieu, ND, PhD, is a composer, sound healer, counseling psychologist, board-certified naturopathic physician, and Polarity practitioner. A world leader in the use of

integrative energy medicine for healing, he is also an author, researcher, and professor.

Andreas Ledermann is a naturopath and Polarity Therapy instructor. A teacher of Polarity Therapy, energy medicine, and creative art therapy for 30-plus years, he cofounded

the School of Holistic Naturopathy in Switzerland, and is the author of Polarity Therapy.

Brigitta Raimann is a naturopath and Polarity therapist with 20 years’ experience as a therapist, teacher, and pioneer of natural health and healing arts for women.

She is cofounder of the School of Holistic Naturopathy and the holistic arts GmbH, both in Switzerland.

YVP January 5–31Foundations of Raja YogaSrinivasan One of the four main paths of yoga, Raja Yoga, the science of physical and mental purification and control, is often called the “king of yogas.” It is an exact science that aims at gaining control over all thought waves or mental modifications, allowing the aspirant to unfold the divinity within. Focusing on the yamas (prohibitions) and niyamas (observations), during this month, Srinivasan will take us on an in-depth journey into the theory and practice of Raja Yoga.

Srinivasan is a senior disciple of Swami Vishnudevananda. Director of the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Ranch, he is Acharya (spiritual director) for the Sivananda centers and

ashrams in the Eastern US and a member of the Board of Directors of the International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres.

YVP January 10–11Secrets of AyurvedaLalita Devi and Isvari Learn Ayurvedic tools for healthy living. Page 33.


When several people join together and practice Sankirtan [chanting the Lord’s name], a huge spiritual current, or Mahashakti, is generated. This purifies the heart of the aspirants and elevates them to the sublime heights of Divine ecstasy. —Swami Sivananda, Essence of Yoga

Devotional singing is a widespread practice in religions and spiritual traditions worldwide. Join us as we continue to break barriers and celebrate unity in diversity, this time through music and chant. Join in community and experience the joy of music with performers from various traditions, religions, and cultures.

Come sing your heart open, honor the Divine, and nourish your soul.

YVP January 10–17

On the Wings of EcstasyInterfaith Devotional Singing FestivalDavod Azad, Nirinjan Kaur, Shantala, Jan Kirschner, Tia Pittman, Vishal Vaid

Shantala, the duo Benjy and Heather Wertheimer, leads kirtan worldwide, with soul-stirring vocals and exotic instrumentation creating music with beauty, passion, and reverence. Shantala

performs with many sacred-music luminaries and has recorded numerous CDs, including Jaya! and Ocean of Sound.

Tia Pittman, a singer her entire life, is founder of Soulster Music Group, a nonprofit working with aspiring songwriters, singers, musicians, dancers, and artists. Her voice can be heard on many

recordings in the gospel community and on her own recording, Awesome God.

Vishal Vaid trained in Ghazal music from a young age with his parents, who taught him to “experience it as it comes through you.” He fell in love with both Eastern and Western, ancient and future, his

music weaving cultures, his voice an offering to the Divine.

Davod Azad is an accomplished multi-instrumentalist and vocalist from Azerbaijan. He is a master in Iranian classical music, Azeri folk music, ancient Persian music, and

Persian Sufi music. His music speaks the universal language of love and unity.

Nirinjan Kaur, born into a Sikh family of kundalini yogis, fell in love with sacred chanting at a young age. Her heart-opening voice conveys innocence and devotion, bringing listeners into a state of bliss and

healing. She teaches, performs, and sings around the world.

Jan Kirschner began devotional singing at the age of 10, as a soloist in a professional choir in New York City, where he worked with legendary cantor Leibele Waldman. For the past 18 years, has

been the chazzan (cantor) at Congregation Bonai Shalom in Boulder, Colorado.

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YVP January 14Ayyappa PujaKrishnan Namboodiri Lord Ayyappa, the presiding supreme deity of Sabari Hills, was born out of the union between Mohini (incarnation of Lord Vishnu) and Lord Siva. Worshipping Lord Ayyappa is said to bring contentment and spiritual advancement. Join us for a celebration of Lord Ayyappa with a puja conducted by the ashram’s resident priest, Krishnan Namboodiri.

Krishnan Namboodiri bio on page 35.

C January 15–17Gracious Living Vegan Nutrition RetreatGrace Van Berkum Tuition: $350 Add 4 nights’ accommodation.

This practical and inspiring course is perfect for both the already committed vegan and the curious. Through experiential workshops, we will create several menus composed of sattvic vegan dishes that are energizing and tasty, including main courses, side dishes, dressings, and scrumptious desserts. You will be introduced to the compassionate principles of vegan nutrition and learn creative ways to increase fiber intake and stabilize blood sugar. All foods will be wheat-free, dairy-free, and sugar-free.


YVP January 15–19Healing Your Emotional BodySilvia San Miguel (Surya)Learn how to transform negative thoughts and emotions that lodge in the physical body resulting in dis-ease and suffering. Explore the possibility of breaking free from your past and its old emotional patterns. Discover how your emotional states condition your breathing and how to apply the science of pranayama to re-shape your emotional well-being. Based on the teachings of Swami Sivananda, you will study the causes and remedies of emotions such as sadness, resentment, anger, jealousy, and grief.

Silvia San Miguel (Surya) bio on page 39.

C January 17–19Positive Thinking WeekendChange the way you think. Page 17.

C January 19–23Intermediate YogaExpand and advance your practice. Page 16.


YVP January 17–21The MahabharataThe Greatest Story Ever ToldJeffrey Armstrong Embark on a spectacular adventure with Vedic scholar and storyteller of ancient wisdom, Jeffrey Armstrong, as he brings to life the Mahabharata, India’s greatest epic poem, and leads us through the epic pathways of this 5,000-year-old yoga classic. You will learn, discover, and experience through this rich and layered story that speaks to the physical, psychological

and transcendental realms and reveals the secrets of how good and evil fight eternally on the platform of planet Earth.

Jeffrey Armstrong is a scholar of Eastern teachings who has spent 40 years studying and practicing Vedanta, Raja Yoga, Tantra, and mantra, initiated into these mysteries by masters. He is also the author of several books, including The Spiritual Teachings of the Avatar.

PT CEU January 17–23The Yoga of Sound and Voice TrainingJohn Beaulieu and Silvia Nakkach Tuition: $590 Add 8 nights’ accommodation.

Experience the transformative power of sound and music with two renowned scholars and clinicians. Combining master classes, lectures, devotional chanting sessions, clinics, movement, and music-making, this in-depth training explores various dimensions of healing with sound: the scientific, yogic, creative, and shamanic. These practices promote a state of euphoria, leading to enhanced wellness and greater possibility for accomplishment and success in all aspects of life. More online.

C January 25–26A Practicum on Yoga of the VoiceModalities and Ways to Implement Voice in a Therapeutic SettingSilvia Nakkach Tuition: $150 Add 3 nights’ accommodation.

Pursue your dreams! Gain professional sound healing experience in this empowering practicum focused on integrating sound into your current healing practice—or exploring new career options. You will be guided through five stages of creating the work you love: clarity of intent; openness; completeness and engagement from the mind and heart; ripening of potential; and manifestation and action. You will achieve a new level of excellence in your sound healing skills and practice. More online.

John Beaulieu, ND, PhD, is a composer, sound healer, counseling psychologist, board-certified naturopathic physician, and Polarity practitioner. A world leader in the use of integrative energy medicine for healing, he is also an author, researcher, and professor.

Silvia Nakkach is an award-winning composer and voice-culturist, author, and a pioneer in the field of sound, consciousness, and music shamanism. She is founding director of Vox Mundi School of the Voice and teaches at the California Institute of Integral Studies.

The Yoga of Sound and Voice

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YVP January 20–24Yoga for Stress ManagementSilvia San Miguel (Surya)In this series of workshops, we will study how the stress response works—and how to manage it by detecting early signs such as irritability and impatience. We will employ cognitive approaches as well as ancient yoga techniques such as breath awareness and control. We will also consider how to create a yogic lifestyle as a preventive measure against the “stressed-out” syndrome.


YVP January 23–25Adapting Sivananda Yoga to Your BodyKrishna DasMake yoga more accessible and enjoyable. Page 33.

C January 24–26Introduction to Meditation WeekendDevelop a personal meditation practice. Page 17.

YVP January 23–26Breaking the Habit of Being YourselfJoe Dispenza You are not doomed by your genes or hardwired to be a certain way for the rest of your life. A new science is emerging that empowers all human beings to create the reality that they choose. In these workshops, renowned author and speaker Joe Dispenza shares insights from the fields of quantum physics, neuroscience, brain chemistry, biology, and genetics to show you what is truly possible. You will learn step-by-step tools to make measurable changes in any area of your life.

Joe Dispenza, DC, is a neuroscientist, chiropractor, author, and international lecturer. He is the author of Evolve Your Brain: The Science of Changing Your Mind and the best-selling Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself: How to Lose Your Mind and Create a New One.

YVP January 25–29Mindfulness Meditation for Daily LifeSilvia San Miguel (Surya)Ideally, mindfulness meditation is not something we do, but something we live. In these workshops, we will explore the rationale for taking on or deepening a personal mindfulness practice. You will experience a number of mindfulness exercises that can be easily integrated into your life, such as walking, lying down, eating or listening meditation. You will leave inspired and empowered to live your life in an intentionally mindful way.



YVP January 26–28Sacred Music and SongOpening the Window of the SoulShimshaiJoin heart-centered musician Shimshai as he shares sacred prayers, mantras, and songs from around the world. Through music and chants and their sacred intentions, we have the opportunity to open the window to our soul and see more clearly into the beauty of life and our own true nature. Over these days, Shimshai will teach selected songs, inviting participation, and sharing the history, message, and healing properties of each. Each evening, he will perform stirring traditional and original sacred music.

PT CEU January 26–February 1Cardiac Yoga Teacher TrainingMala Cunningham Tuition: $790 Add 8 nights’ accommodation.

This comprehensive training educates and trains yoga teachers and medical personnel to work with cardiac patients. You will learn how to adapt the basic concepts of yoga and meditation to the special needs of cardiac patients. You will also study the anatomy and physiology of the heart; stress and the psycho-social factors of heart disease; adaptations of yoga postures; how to design cardiac yoga classes; principles of mind-body medicine; and yoga and meditation as mechanisms for healing. More information online.

Mala Cunningham, PhD, is an author and educator of mind-body medicine and health psychology. President of Positive Health Solutions and founder of the renowned training

program Cardiac Medical Yoga, she has taught and practiced yoga and meditation for over 35 years.

YVP January 28Questions and Answers on Yoga and Spiritual Lifewith Swami SwaroopanandaAsk your most important questions. Page 15.

Shimshai performs his unique brand of world spiritual music around the globe. Whether singing Sanskrit mantras, Hebrew prayers, or his original works, he invokes ancestral devotion and a dedication to higher consciousness. His CDs include Live on Maui and True Heart.

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C January 30–February 1ThetaHealing Basic DNA TrainingPetra RakebrandtTuition: $470 Add 4 nights’ accommodation.

The Basic DNA course introduces ThetaHealing® techniques and focuses on activating the 12 strands of DNA within each participant. The heart of this class is the practice of techniques that allow you to change life patterns held in place by core, genetic, historic, and soul beliefs, either self-inflicted or externally imposed. You will learn to identify these beliefs in yourself as well as to practice pulling them for others in the class. Graduates become practitioners of ThetaHealing.

C February 3–5ThetaHealing Advanced DNA TrainingTuition: $470 Add 4 nights’ accommodation.

The Advanced DNA course expands on the basic course to encompass an in-depth understanding of the “Seven Planes of Existence” that surround us. The student will learn how to clear old resentments, vows, and commitments that hold them back and discover how to heal with the “Baby in the Womb” and “Heal the Broken Soul” exercises. Direct transmissions from the instructor will being profound healing and awareness. Experience new and positive feelings and what self-acceptance feels like.

Z Prerequisite: ThetaHealing® Basic DNA

Petra Rakebrandt is a holistic health coach certified with the Institute of Integrative Nutrition, a ThetaHealer practitioner and instructor, a certified

yoga teacher, and a Reiki master. She has a private practice in Guadeloupe and teaches in the Caribbean and US.

YVP January 29–30Courage and CompassionFoundations of the Peaceful Warrior’s WayDan MillmanThe Peaceful Warrior’s Way is comprised of a set of perspectives, principles, and practices stretching between heaven and earth—our highest ideals and the realities of everyday life. In this program, Dan Millman shares the foundations of living a balanced and powerful life in the present moment; enjoyable and illuminating practices for understanding universal/spiritual laws, including balance, choice, presence, action, and surrender; and a life-clarifying consideration of the four purposes of life.

Dan Millman is a former world-champion athlete, coach, martial arts instructor, and college professor. Author of the bestselling Way of the Peaceful Warrior and 15 other books read by millions of people in 29 languages, he teaches worldwide.


YVP January 30–February 2Healing Your Relationship with FoodSasha Loring and Sondra LoringIn a nurturing atmosphere, come learn a range of methods for changing unhelpful thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors regarding food. From the ground of mindfulness, attention training, and self-kindness, this workshop focuses on releasing unhealthy habitual patterns, building the psychological resources needed for change, and practicing mindful eating. Inspiring, practical, and potentially life-changing, you will establish habits of mind and practices to continue your transformation when you return home.

Sasha Loring, Med, LCSW, is author of Eating with Fierce Kindness: A Mindful and Compassionate Guide to Losing Weight. A yoga practitioner of 30 years, she leads mindfulness retreats

throughout the US, and teaches in the Tibetan Buddhist and Vipassana meditation traditions.

Sondra Loring, E-RYT, is a dancer, master yoga teacher, and founder of the Sadhana Center for Yoga and Meditation in Hudson, New York. She will focus on body awakening

through mindfulness and movement for this workshop.

YVP January 31–February 1Cardiac Medical Yoga RetreatMala Cunningham This is a special retreat for people who have heart disease, diabetes, and/or high blood pressure. Research overwhelmingly shows that yoga and mindfulness can positively impact heart disease and overall health. You are invited to come learn and experience this for yourself. Receive important information on the basic concepts of mind-body medicine and Medical Yoga, have high-quality experiences of yoga, relaxation, and mindfulness practices, and return home with a life-changing daily practice.

Mala Cunningham bio on page 47.

YVP January 31–February 4Finding BalanceDeveloping a Practice to Bring Harmony into Everyday LifeMolly Asebey-Birkholm (Madhavi) Take an experiential journey to develop a personalized practice. Day 1: Create your sankalpa (intention) and explore the components of a spiritual practice. Day 2: Learn yogic tips to maintain health (diet, asana, and pranayama). Day 3: Experience the ways mantra and meditation can bring strength, peace, and balance to your life. Day 4: Learn to integrate the yamas and niyamas as well as the study of Vedanta into your spiritual practice; Day 5: Create a spiritual diary to begin fully living the teachings of yoga.

Molly Asebey-Birkholm (Madhavi) bio on page 32.

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YVP February 1–3Quantum Reality and the Spiritual MindLothar SchäferThe spiritual mind is a mind that can search for truths in the non-empirical background of the universe. Join a leading thinker, researcher, and author who has been exploring the nature of reality for many decades. Lothar will share findings from quantum physics that posit a realm of potentiality from which all empirical things and concepts emanate, discuss the nature of that realm, and suggest a simple code of conduct for living in accordance with the order of the universe.

Lothar Schäfer, born in Düsseldorf, Germany, is the author of In Search of Divine Reality and Infinite Potential: What Quantum Physics Reveals About How We Should Live. A retired

professor, he lectures around the world, bringing together science and religious belief.

C February 1–3Adaptive Yoga TrainingLevel 1Krishna DasTuition: $200 Add 4 nights’ accommodation.

Yoga is a powerful tool for promoting healing processes of the body. With the proper adaptations, the practice can become more available and pleasant to people with physical limitations. Come gain practical tools for offering adaptations to the postures of the classic Sivananda sequence, based on a broader understanding of the biomechanics of each one. You will get to know your own body better, and through this will develop enhanced abilities in identifying and accommodating your students’ limitations.

Krishna Das bio on page 33.

C February 2–6Yoga for BeginnersAn immersion in the basics of yoga. Page 16.

February


PT February 2–6Teen Yoga Teacher Training CourseCharlotta Martinus (Chandrika)Tuition: $450 Add 6 nights’ accommodation.

Teen Yoga is a practical, hands-on course that trains you to teach yoga to teens in a school or other environment. It is designed to build your confidence and fill in gaps of knowledge, drawing on the classic wisdom of the Vedantic system of yoga for inspiration and blending it with current research to create a full picture of how best to reach this population. Developed in the UK, this course comes with a comprehensive 85-page manual and provides you everything you need to run a teen yoga course. More information online.

Charlotta Martinus (Chandrika) is a Sivananda-trained yoga teacher, deeply inspired by her travels to India. Based on her experience teaching teens in her hometown

of Somerset, England, she created the Teen Yoga Teacher Training. She runs the yoga and retreat center, Universal Yoga, in Somerset.

YVP February 3–6Practical SpiritualityThe Life and Teachings of Swami VishnudevanandaArjunaLearn the relevance and benefits of yoga philosophy for modern daily life. Drawing from his rich personal experiences, Arjuna, Director of the Sivananda-affiliated yoga center in Gatineau, Quebec, will offer techniques for translating the theories of yoga philosophy into practical tools for everyday life. Arjuna’s approach is dynamic, personal, and inspiring, including many instructive stories from his times with Swami Vishnudevananda, making your study an enjoyable and deeply satisfying experience.

Arjuna bio on page 25.

PT February 3–March 2Yoga Teacher Training CourseTake the next step on your yoga journey. Page 10.

C February 7–11Intermediate YogaExpand and advance your practice. Page 16.

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Joshua Goldstein, Brant Secunda, Moshe Cohen, Elaine Valdov, Amy Weintraub, Linda Graham, Mirabai Ceiba Following Swami Vishnudevananda’s mission of promoting inner and outer peace, we are delighted to host the 7th Yoga for Peace Symposium. Featuring world-renowned speakers who have dedicated their lives to promoting peace among people and nations, inner peace and sustainability, we invite you to join us for this gathering and become inspired to change the world from the inside out.

Joshua Goldstein is an interdisciplinary scholar of war and peace, and author of Winning the War on War: The Decline of Armed Conflict Worldwide, winner of the

2013 Conflict Research Society’s Book of the Year award. He has published many articles and op-ed pieces.

Brant Secunda, a shaman, healer, and ceremonial leader in the Huichol Indian tradition of Mexico, teaches worldwide. Alongside dignitaries including former President

Jimmy Carter, Brant cofounded the Peace University in Berlin. He is coauthor of Fit Soul, Fit Body.

In this symposium, we learn from activists themselves how to contribute to changing the world. Moshe Cohen (Mr. YooWho) will share from his experience as a “clown without borders” and Elaine Valdov from her experience as the founder of “Yogis without Borders.” Brant Secunda will speak to us about protecting the earth and Amy Weintraub will discuss the important work of teaching yoga to those suffering from trauma. Linda Graham will encourage us to bring mindfulness to ourselves and others and Joshua Goldstein will present research showing that contrary to what we think, war and violence are actually declining in the world (so what we are doing is actually working!).

We will learn that in order to help bring peace, we first need to find our own inner peace and joy. And yet, our social engagement is by itself spiritual practice. By helping others, we gain peace and joy. Finally, we will gain a few practical tools to help us develop and carry out our own initiatives.

YVP February 4–11

Yoga for Peace SymposiumChanging the World from the Inside Out


PT CEU February 6–10Yoga for Mood ManagementLifeForce Yoga Practitioner Training, Part A–ExperientialAmy Weintraub Tuition: $450 Add 6 nights’ accommodation.

Learn an evidence-based yoga protocol to help students and clients focus, relax, and have greater access to feeling states. This program for yoga teachers and mental-health professionals weaves ancient yogic wisdom with current findings in neurobiology. You will learn strategies appropriate for clinical settings that safely release chronically held physical tension and repressed emotions, as well as experience yoga techniques as tools for self-care. More information online.

Amy Weintraub bio, see left.

C February 7–16Winter Cleanse, Detox, and Juice-Fasting ProgramManu Dawson, Sita Chaitanya, Petra RakebrandtTuition: $490 Add 11 nights’ accommodation.

Experience a deep cleanse to rejuvenate your body and mind. Page 40.

Manu Dawson bio page 84. Sita Chaitanya bio page 59. Petra Rakebrandt bio page 48.

Moshe Cohen integrates the worlds of Zen and clown, leading workshops and bringing his Mr. YooWho show around the world. As founder of Clowns Without Borders,

USA, he works to bring performances and workshops to refugee camps and conflict zones worldwide.

Elaine Valdov, PhD, is a representative to the United Nations, a peace and human rights activist, a conflict resolution specialist, and the founder of Yoga Peace

Ambassadors and Yogis Without Borders. Elaine served as September 11th director of family relations programs.

Amy Weintraub, MFA, E-RYT 500, is director of the LifeForce Yoga Healing Institute and author of the best-selling Yoga for Depression and Yoga Skills for Therapists.

She has been a pioneering teacher and researcher in the field of yoga and mental health for 20 years.

Linda Graham, MFT, integrates neuroscience, mindfulness practices, and relational psychology in her trainings on resilience and well-being. She is the author of

Bouncing Back: Rewiring Your Brain for Maximum Resilience and Well-Being.

Mirabai Ceiba is a duo consisting of guitarist/singer Markus Sieber and singer/harpist/keyboardist Angelika Baumbach. Their inspiring new style of world devotional music blends mantras from the yoga tradition with

original songs in English and Spanish.

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PT February 9–March 7Thai Yoga Massage Yoga Therapy Practitioner Program Levels 1, 2, 3, and 4Kam Thye ChowLevel 1 February 9–14 Level 2 February 16–21 Level 3 February 23–28 Level 4 March 2–7

Train in an ancient therapy combining yoga postures with touch techniques. Page 20.

YVP February 11–15Explore the Bahamas, Explore Yourself!ArjunaCome and enjoy the beauty and rich heritage of Nassau! This special week of outings, games, and fun activities is offered in combination with the Yoga Vacation Program at a time when many schools have winter breaks. Special family yoga classes will be offered at the Yoga Retreat. With inspiring guides, you will have the opportunity to visit historical places in the Bahamas and, weather permitting, go on a snorkeling trip (some trips will involve an additional cost).

Arjuna bio on page 25.

YVP February 12–16The Royal Path to EnlightenmentTalks on Patanjali Yoga SutrasEdwin BryantThe Yoga Sutras of Patanjali is the classical Indian treatise on the practice of yoga. These talks will consist of a close reading of Patanjali’s original text, focusing on the opening section, wherein yoga is defined and the state of samadhi described. They will also focus on the eight limbs of yoga as covered in the heart of the text. Attention will be paid to the pre-modern commentaries of the text, thus exposing students to the traditional understanding of the practice of classical yoga and its goals.

Edwin Bryant, PhD, is a professor of Indic languages and cultures and teaches Hinduism at Rutgers University. He has published six books on Vedic history, yoga, and the Krishna

tradition, among which is his translation of and commentary on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali.

C February 12–16Advanced YogaExplore, focus, and deepen your yoga. Page 17.


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YVP February 14–16Introduction to Permaculture and SpiritualityBill WilsonThe practice of permaculture (permanent-culture) approaches the world with sustainable, abundant, and integrated ways of living that honor both people and the earth. Come learn how to create landscapes that come alive with beauty and food, how to grow food anywhere, water solutions, low-cost abundance, and more. Learn how to express sacred beliefs in the natural spaces of your life. We can live lightly and well. And we can each make a big difference. Come gain the know-how to begin your own permaculture project.

C February 17–20Essential Permaculture for YogisTuition: $400 Add 5 nights’ accommodation.

Like yoga, permaculture is essentially a spiritual approach to living consciously, harmoniously, responsibly, and healthfully on the planet. This course is a condensed version of the world-recognized 72-hour Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC) course. Focusing on the most essential and useful components of the PDC training, these five days give the beginning and experienced student effective ideas of where and how to apply permaculture thinking and design to their own yard, life, and community.

Bill Wilson, cofounder of Midwest Permaculture with his wife Rebecca and an internationally recognized permaculture teacher and designer, was introduced to permaculture while following his own spiritual journey. He teaches, speaks, and writes widely on permaculture.

C CEU February 14–16Guided Imagery and Creative VisualizationMeditations for Health, Self-Awareness, and JoyJulie Lusk Tuition: $290 Add 4 nights’ accommodation.

Learn about and experience the potency of guided imagery, a powerful mind-body-spirit technique that can be used for deep relaxation, activating natural healing, assisting behavior change, revealing intuition, and unlocking your highest potential. You will learn the principles of guided imagery and creative visualization and explore many types of guided imagery, practicing within the context of the seven major chakras (energy centers) and the five koshas (sheaths).

C February 17–21Transform Stress into Awakened LivingRelax, Reflect, RevitalizeTuition: $320 Add 6 nights’ accommodation.

Maximize your energy and health by transforming tension and stress with simple, practical mind-body tools that really work. Learn how to avoid getting overwhelmed and to address issues such as insomnia, headaches, sickness, worry, and the mental and emotional pain related to stress. Whether you are in the midst of stress or want to be ready for the next cycle, this program will teach you a practical formula you can personalize to transform your stress into awakened living. More online.

Julie Lusk, MEd, is the president of Wholesome Resources and author of 30 Scripts for Relaxation; Imagery and Inner Healing; Yoga Meditations;

Mind-Body Mastery; and numerous guided imagery

and meditation CDs. She leads workshops and offers individual coaching.

YVP February 16–22Beginners Yoga Immersion WeekArjunaImmerse yourself in the basics of yoga and gain a strong foundation for your practice. Receive a step-by-step introduction to yogic postures and breathing exercises. Discover how proper relaxation, meditation, positive thinking, and a balanced diet will support your ongoing yoga practices and a healthy lifestyle. Get the most from yoga classes and meditation at the Yoga Retreat and at home with the solid understanding that you will gain in this program.

YVP February 23–March 1Deeper into the 5 Points of YogaLearn how to maximize energy and health by bringing yoga into your daily life. Discover and experience Swami Vishnudevananda’s guidance on the 5 Points of Yoga: proper exercise, proper breathing, proper relaxation, proper diet, and meditation and positive thinking. Find out how practice and a vegetarian diet can invigorate your life. Increase your vitality with yogic postures and breathing techniques. Learn to manage stress and calm the mind through proper relaxation, positive thinking, and meditation.

Arjuna is a direct disciple of Swami Vishnudevananda and Director of the Sivananda-affiliated yoga center in Gatineau, Quebec. He has been

a professional vegetarian cook for 25 years and has taught family yoga programs for many years in Sivananda centers and ashrams.

YVP February 16–18Living a Life That MattersRoshi Bernie Glassman and Roshi Eve Myonen Marko How do we live a meaningful life? In their own special, engaging, and humorous way, Roshi Bernie Glassman and Roshi Eve Myonen Marko will share spiritual teachings and personal stories, including reflections on their experiences of living as homeless people during street retreats and social activism projects such as the Bearing Witness project. Join these two distinguished and charismatic spiritual leaders to get inspired to take action and make your life matter to you and to others.

Roshi Bernie Glassman, PhD, is a world-renowned pioneer in the American Zen movement and founder of Zen Peacemakers. He is a spiritual leader, author, and businessman, and teaches

at the Maezumi Institute and the Harvard Divinity School.

Roshi Eve Myonen Marko is a founding teacher of the Zen Peacemaker Order and resident teacher at the Montague Farm Zendo. She cofounded Peacemaker Circle International and has

written and edited numerous articles about Zen Peacemakers.


YVP February 19–20Awakening the Mystic Within OurselvesMatthew Fox

Mystics offer us an alternative perception from that of everyday Western culture. Instead of leading with rationality and differences, the mystic leads with intuition and unitive

experiences. In this program, spiritual maverick Matthew Fox takes us into the teachings of Einstein, Hildegard of Bingen, Adrienne Rich, Julian of Norwich, Father Bede Griffiths, Thomas Berry, and Meister Eckhart among others for inspiration and guidance. Importantly, we also learn age-old practices to awaken the mystic within ourselves.

Matthew Fox is an acclaimed theologian who has spent the last 40 years advocating for a creation-centered spirituality of compassion and justice and re-sacralizing of the earth. He has written more than 30 books, including The Coming of the Cosmic Christ and Christian Mystics.

YVP February 21–23The Yoga of Chant Retreat Krishna Das Nourish your heart, inspire your mind, and uplift your spirit through chant, music, and devotion. Krishna Das shares the heart of his spiritual practice and beliefs through his concerts and workshops, using the power and joy of chanting to lead you into your inner heart space. Join one of the foremost devotional singers in the world for evening kirtan concerts and afternoon workshops with chanting, musical accompaniment, and teachings on Bhakti Yoga, the yoga of devotion.

Krishna Das, a disciple of Neem Karoli Baba, chants and teaches at yoga centers all over the world. He has taught with Ram Dass, sung for many saints and yogis, made numerous pilgrimages to India, and created many CDs, including Pilgrim Heart and Live on Earth.

YVP February 20–21 Secrets of AyurvedaLalita Devi and IsvariLearn Ayurvedic tools for healthy living. See page 33.

YVP February 20Questions and Answers on Yoga and Spiritual Lifewith Swami SwaroopanandaAsk your most important questions. Page 15.

C February 21–23Introduction to MeditationDevelop a personal meditation practice. Page 17.

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PT February 23–25Introduction to Teaching Yoga to ChildrenMira Binzen Tuition: $280 Add 4 nights’ accommodation.

Share your love of yoga with children. Drawing from current child-development principles, you will learn how to turn the ancient science of yoga into the fun, appealing, age-appropriate stuff kids love. You will gain a deeper understanding of yoga and acquire many tools and techniques for bringing the benefits of yoga to children through postures, breathing, visualization, sound and movement, games, stories, and more. Previous yoga experience is helpful but not required. More online.

PT February 26–28Share the Practice of Yoga Nidra with ChildrenTuition: $280 Add 4 nights’ accommodation.

Learn and practice techniques for sharing Yoga Nidra, or “yogic sleep,” with children through stories, art, and games. Through this enjoyable anxiety-reducing practice of relaxation, meditation, and visualization, children develop the ability to induce a sense of deep relaxation to help clear the mind, re-pattern thoughts and memories, and reduce anxiety. Through the practice of Yoga Nidra, you can help children learn better, expand their imaginations, and eliminate negative behavioral patterns.

Mira Binzen, RYT-500, is a Sivananda Yoga teacher and a yoga therapist. A highly experienced teacher of children’s yoga, she holds a degree in child psychology and is the founder of Global Family Yoga, an organization that focuses on child development through yoga.


YVP February 23–25Depression and AnxietyYogic Perspectives and RemediesSita ChaitanyaThe yogis teach us that depression and anxiety are due to separation from our true nature. Reconnect with your essential Self and alleviate depression and anxiety—the leading causes of disability among people 15 to 44—as you experience specific asanas, breathing practices, dietary guidelines, and guided relaxation and visualization techniques that help. You will also explore positive thinking methods and meditation. Take home valuable tools to stay in a deeper communion with your essential Self.

Sita Chaitanya is a direct disciple of Swami Vishnudevananda, and senior staff of the Yoga Retreat. A dynamic teacher who uses her own personal experience

and much humor in her teachings, she is also an artist who practices and teaches sacred art as a pathway to healing and meditation.

YVP February 24–27Quantum ActivismAmit Goswami

There is a genuine paradigm shift occurring in science, away from the material toward the primacy of consciousness. Discover the

transformative aspects of quantum physics, such as nonlocality (communicating without signals); discontinuity (taking quantum leaps without going through intermediate steps); and tangled hierarchy (the capacity for causally circular relationships). Learn how we can use these quantum principles to guide ourselves and our societies toward creativity, conflict resolution, and the energies of love.

Amit Goswami, PhD, is a retired professor of theoretical physics at the University of Oregon in Eugene. A visionary thinker, he has written many popular books based on his research, including The Self-Aware Universe and How Quantum Activism Can Save Civilization.

C February 24–27Developing Greater Awareness in Asana PracticeKrishna DasTuition: $200 Add 5 nights’ accommodation

By increasing awareness to the different body parts, as well as to the body as a whole, you can experience great improvement in your asana practice. This course includes background theory followed by detailed emphasis on one or more asanas and some of their variations. We will explore how different parts of the body are aligned in relation to each other and with gravity. Using this awareness, we will gradually and safely advance into more challenging postures. Come discover new potential!


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YVP February 27–March 2Yoga Psychology and the Transformation of EmotionsUma Krishnamurthy

YVP February 28Maha SivaratriKrishnan Namboodiri Maha Sivaratri, the night of Lord Siva, is one of the most sacred nights on the yogic calendar. We will celebrate this auspicious night with homas and pujas (traditional ceremonies) conducted throughout the night by Krishnan Namboodiri, the ashram’s priest. Senior staff will lead us in continuous Siva chants from dusk until dawn. In the morning, we will gather to enjoy a variety of prasad (food offerings).

Krishnam Namboodiri bio on page 35.

With a deep and practical approach, Uma Krishnamurthy will introduce the basic concepts of yoga psychology, drawing from the work of Patanjali and other sources of ancient yogic wisdom. She will present and discuss her own work on the psychology of transformation, in particular, methods of transforming negative emotions into positive ones. Together, we will take up the subject of planetary evolution in terms of Sri Aurobindo’s philosophy and discuss how to develop the four supreme positive emotions.

Uma Krishnamurthy, MD, was exposed to spiritual teachers and yoga philosophy from early childhood and is formally trained in classical Indian dance. A psychiatrist

by training, she conducts workshops worldwide, and is the author of an upcoming book on yoga psychology.


C March 1–5Story Quest Writing Course Jeffrey DavisTuition: $450 Add 6 nights’ accommodation.

At the core of every spiritual story is a quest. This course is for aspiring and veteran writers who want a fresh take on stories. Learn how yearning, attitudes, and world views provide powerful heart lines for your story or book’s structure. Discover organic shapes that best reflect your story. Experience Yoga as Muse practices of mindfulness and mild movement that help you center your attention, actively daydream, and draft new content. Receive encouragement and feedback through facilitated share circles.

Jeffrey Davis is author of two poetry collections and The Journey from the Center to the Page: Yoga Philosophies & Practices As Muse for Authentic Writing. He works with scholars,

creatives, and best-selling authors to apply the art and science of purposeful creativity.

C March 1–5Yoga for BeginnersAn immersion in the basics of yoga. Page 16.

YVP March 2–6Creating a Yogic LifestyleSilvia San Miguel (Surya)Transform your time—and your outlook. Page 39.

PT March 2–7Thai Yoga Massage Level 4Kam Thye Chow Combine yoga postures with touch therapy. Page 20.

March

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PT March 1–7Warriors at Ease Training Levels 1 and 2Teaching Yoga in a Military SettingMolly Asebey-Birkholm (Madhavi), Pat Lillis-Hearne, Annie Okerlin Tuition: $790 Add 8 nights’ accommodation.

Learn to teach a therapeutic yoga class to any segment of the military community, with relevant support as needed. Topics covered include the key distinctions between “yogic culture” and “military culture” and why they matter; trauma-sensitive teaching guidelines and precautions; as well as yoga asana sequence protocols and modifications for specific military populations, addressing physical and/or psycho-emotional challenges. More information online.

Z Minimum 200-hour yoga or meditation teacher training certification required.

Molly (Madhavi) Asebey-Birkholm, one of the cofounders of Warriors at Ease, is an advanced Sivananda Yoga teacher and certified Integrative Restoration instructor who

taught yoga and meditation for four years at the US Department of Veterans Affairs to over 1,000 veterans.

Pat Lillis-Hearne, MD, MPH, is an oncologist and Kripalu-certified yoga instructor, well-versed in complementary medicine. She served 30 years in the military, including combat

experience in Operation Iraqi Freedom, and retired from the Army Medical Department in 2010.

Annie Okerlin is the president and founder of the Exalted Warrior Foundation, which has helped to implement adaptive yoga programs at major military medical and veterans

hospital facilities nationwide. She is the owner of Yogani Studios in Tampa, Florida.

YVP March 3–5Steps on the Path to HealingJoyce Hawkes and Helen Folsom Explore how spirit and science meet in the body and mind. See the beauty of your deep cellular structure revealed through the electron microscope and the effects of healing meditation on your neurons through brain-wave testing. Join healing facilitators Joyce Hawkes, a biophysicist who had a near-death experience, and Helen Folsom, musician and hypnotherapist, as they empower your journey on the path to vibrant health.

C March 6–9The Waters of HealingA Course in Cell-Level Healing Tuition: $350 Add 5 nights’ accommodation.

Join Joyce Hawkes and Helen Folsom and explore the depths of our healing nature in this new 4-day course. Looking within, both through powerful micrographic images of cells and through time-honored spiritual practices, we will explore the healing nature of our physicality and our minds. We will touch the heart of stillness in meditation, sing ourselves to new levels of wholeness, and deepen our ability to be of service to one another through the refined techniques of Cell-Level Healing. More online.

Joyce Hawkes, PhD, is a biophysicist and cell-biologist who received a National Achievement Award. A near-death experience in 1984 caused her to embark on extensive

exploration of indigenous spiritual and healing traditions, incorporated into her book Cell-Level Healing.

Helen Folsom, MA, CHT, healing facilitator, altered-states therapist, and musician, is certified by the Institute for Therapeutic Learning in Seattle, Washington, as an advanced

practitioner. She is author of the award-winning children’s book series Runt Farm.


YVP March 9–10LuminosityDancing the Body Sacred, A Transcendent Spiritual PracticeAndrea Mantell SeidelJoin artist/scholar Andrea Seidel for an exploration of how the practices of diverse sacred world dance and ritual traditions bring the body and mind into a harmonious connection with nature, the cosmos, and the Divine. A DVD and lecture will illuminate how this unity happens. An experiential workshop will include improvisational exercises, natural movements, and creative visualizations drawn from sacred ritual dance practices, offering access to the transcendent, revelatory experience at the heart of every religious tradition.

Andrea Mantell Seidel, PhD, is a professor of religious studies and dance at Florida International University, and a certified yoga teacher in the Sivananda tradition. She

lectures, leads workshops, and performs at conferences, festivals, and universities internationally.

C March 9–13Introduction to MeditationDevelop a personal meditation practice. Page 17.

YVP March 6–9Yoga and Heart Health A Cardiologist’s Perspective on Ancient and Modern HealingStephen Sinatra

Recent research has shown that yoga is beneficial for a number of cardiovascular issues. It further shows how aspects of modern living can be harmful to our health. Cardiologist Stephen Sinatra exposes the myths

of modern medicine’s approach to heart disease, including the effects of man-made electromagnetic fields and outdated notions of “good” and “bad” cholesterol—and shares the secrets of a healthy heart through these four days of experiential workshops and lectures.

Stephen T. Sinatra, MD, FACC, FACN, CNS, CBT, is a board-certified cardiologist and assistant clinical professor of medicine at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine. He is founder of heartmdinstitute.com and author of The Great Cholesterol Myth and other books.

PT March 5–April 1Yoga Teacher Training CourseTake your yoga the next step. Page 10.

C March 7–11Yoga for Healthy BonesBeata Barnard (Savriti Devi)This course offers a complete program to promote healthy bones. Page 31.

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YVP March 9–13

Near-Death Experiences and Life-After-Death ConferenceNathan Katz, Raymond Moody, Eben Alexander, Rabbi Arthur Seltzer, Samani Unnata Pragya With the extraordinary advances in medical technology, many more people are reporting having had near-death experiences. We have all heard about people seeing a white light or angelic beings, or seeing their bodies in the treatment room from perspectives that are physically impossible. What do these experiences mean? Do they actually provide information about what happens after death? Is there life after death? Are we this physical body or are we a soul that continues to exist even when the physical body ceases to exist? Guided by spiritual teachers and medical professionals, we will explore these questions from the perspectives of religion, neuroscience, and psychology. We will leave with an understanding that will help to lessen our fear of death and the grief we experience upon the death of loved ones.

Nathan Katz, PhD, is Distinguished Professor in the School of International and Public Affairs and Director of the Program in the Study of Spirituality at Florida International

University. He is a pioneer in the field of Indo-Judaic studies and the author of 14 books.

Raymond Moody, MD, PhD, is a psychiatrist, sought-after speaker, and the author of 11 books. Life After Life, his critically acclaimed book about near-death experiences, sold 13 million

copies worldwide and inspired a surge of scientific interest in the field.

Eben Alexander, MD, is a neurosurgeon and the author of Proof of Heaven, the story of his own near-death experience. Chairman of Eternea, he speaks worldwide to promote the

power of love, encourage research, and to reconcile medical science with spirituality.

Rabbi Arthur Seltzer has been a student and teacher of Kabbalah for 30 years and maintains a practice in oriental medicine, naturopathy, and Kabbalistic and energy

healing in Cape Town, South Africa. He also directs Mystical Cloister, a center for Kabbalistic learning.

Samani Unnata Pragya is a Jain nun presently serving as an assistant professor at Jain Vishva Bharati Institute in India and a visiting professor in the Department of

Religious Studies at Florida International University, specializing in Jain philosophy and comparative religion.


PT CEU March 12–15Yoga Nidra Teacher Training CourseThe Art of Conscious Deep Relaxation and HealingMarc Halpern (Siva) Tuition: $425 Add 5 nights’ accommodation.

Yoga Nidra is the art of conscious deep relaxation that allows you to begin to experience the flow of prana in your physical and subtle bodies. You can then identify and release blockages to the flow of prana, and, ultimately, bring healing of the body and mind and the expansion of consciousness. During this course, students will experience Yoga Nidra and learn how to teach it to others. Topics covered include the history, physiology, science, and practice of Yoga Nidra. More information online.

Marc Halpern (Siva), DC, CAS, PKS, is a chiropractor and Sivananda Yoga teacher and founder and president of the California College of Ayurveda. He is the author of Healing Your Life: Lessons on

the Path of Ayurveda and two textbooks.

C March 12–16Yoga for Osteoporosis Teacher TrainingBeata Barnard (Savriti Devi)Advance your skills as a yoga teacher. Page 31.

YVP March 12–16Healing Your Emotional BodySilvia San Miguel (Surya)Learn to transform negative thoughts and emotions. Page 39.

YVP March 14–20Godly GossipSwami Atmananda Join us for a series of talks on how to experience God in this life, both outside and inside yourself. Discover that God’s presence is not limited to the transcendental realm or the heavens, but rather it is here and now wherever you are, at all times.

Swami Atmananda is one of the few living direct disciples of Swami Sivananda. He is a simple Swami who resides in the US, practicing and teaching yoga and Vedanta philosophy.

C March 14–22Accessible YogaTeaching Yoga to Students with DisabilitiesJivana Heyman Tuition: $890 Add 10 nights’ accommodation.

Yoga practice is available to everyone. We will explore the many ways that yoga practice can be modified for students with disabilities, physical challenges, and seniors. This can range from teaching gentle yoga classes, to teaching entire classes in a chair or in a bed. A large part of the program is dedicated to the study and teaching of yoga philosophy, which includes how to prepare and present a public talk. Gain confidence and skills that prepare you to teach in almost any setting. More online.

Jivana Heyman, eRYT500, is director of the Integral Yoga Institute of San Francisco, California, and an Integral Yoga Minister. Trained in the gurukula yoga tradition, Jivana has

worked with Dean Ornish’s program and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

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YVP March 16–19

Classical Indian Music and Dance Festival G.S. Sachdev, Swapan Chaudhuri, Aashish Khan, Aruna Narayan, Labonee Mohanta, Shyam KaneJoin us for an uplifting and inspirational experience of classical Indian music and dance, as renowned masters come together to share with us their musical gifts and messages. This is a rare opportunity to listen to and watch masters of classical Indian music and dance, who have practiced all their life and obtained perfection, each on their own instrument.

Come be inspired by the unique sounds and rhythms of Indian music and experience music as a doorway to the harmony, love, and hope in our hearts.

G.S. Sachdev is a recognized master of the bansuri (North Indian flute) and one of the world’s premier performers on this traditional instrument. His pure and classical approach

instills tranquility and carries listeners beyond the mind into deep meditation.

Swapan Chaudhuri is considered one of the top masters of tabla in the world, developing his skill through years of accompanying Ali Akbar Khan and other leading musicians of India. He is the Director of Percussion at Ali Akbar College of Music in California.

“Music kindles love and infuses hope. It has countless voices and instruments. It elevates, inspires, strengthens, and invigorates. … Music melts the hardest hearts ... If at all there is anything in this world which can change the heart of a man in a very quick time, that is music and dance.”

—Swami Sivananda, Bliss Divine


C March 16–26Advanced Bhagavad Gita CourseSwami Swaroopananda Dive deep into yoga philosophy and wisdom through the timeless teachings of the Bhagavad Gita. Page 14.

YVP March 17–21Yoga for Stress ManagementSilvia San Miguel (Surya)Address stress before it begins. Page 46.

PT CEU March 17–29Ayurvedic Yoga Therapist CertificationMarc Halpern (Siva) and Marisa Laursen (Sri Devi) March 17–29 (yoga teachers and healing arts practitioners) Tuition: $995 Add 14 nights’ accommodation

March 21–29 (Ayurvedic practitioners)Tuition: $795 Add 10 nights’ accommodation.

This certification course trains yoga teachers and Ayurvedic practitioners to provide personalized yoga therapy programs and to conduct dosha-specific yoga classes and individual sessions. The course curriculum includes the diagnosis of constitution (prakruti) and the current state of the doshas (vikruti). Students will study the energetics of each asana and pranayama through an understanding of the nadis, chakras, and vayus of the body. Certified Ayurvedic Yoga Therapists play an integral role in the healing process of their students and can work by themselves or alongside Ayurvedic practitioners, medical doctors and other health-care professionals. More online.

Marc Halpern (Siva) bio on page 69. Marisa Laursen (Sri Devi) bio on page 22.

YVP March 21–22Secrets of Ayurveda Lalita Devi and Isvari Learn Ayurvedic tools for healthy living. Page 33.

Aashish Khan is a renowned master of the sarod, a famous North Indian string instrument. He was initiated into North Indian classical music at the age of five by his grandfather, the legendary Acharya Baba Allauddin Khan.

Aruna Narayan is the daughter of renowned sarangi maestro Pandit Ram Narayan, from whom she learned to play the ancient bowed instrument of Northern India, considered very difficult to master. She teaches in Toronto, Canada, and performs internationally.

Labonee Mohanta, (left) trained by kathak maestro Pandit Chitresh Das since the age of eight, offers powerful displays of both dance and music. Well-known for amazing audiences with her lightning spins, she brings mesmerizing movements and fiery footwork to the stage.

Shyam Kane has been a tabla player for more than 30 years. He trained under the guidance of great tabla maestro Ustad Zakir Hussian, and has performed worldwide and accompanied such great artists as Ustad Ali Akbar Khan and Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia.

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Ayurveda, the traditional healing system of India, is attracting worldwide attention as awareness of its effectiveness and potential as a healing art grows. As the practice and teaching of yoga continues to expand and gain acceptance throughout society, people have become increasingly interested in its sister science and the uniquely effective approach to health and well-being that it offers.

We are pleased to welcome a group of the top experts in the field of Ayurveda, individuals who have helped to spread awareness of this ancient knowledge and educated tens of thousands of individuals worldwide through their lectures, workshops, and writings. We will consider the causes of disease from an Ayurvedic perspective and explore the application of Ayurvedic principles and practices for particular conditions and life stages.

C March 23–27Positive ThinkingChange the way you think. Page 17.

C March 27–29Sacred Art CourseExpress Divine InspirationSita ChaitanyaTuition: $320 Add 4 nights’ accommodation.

Connect to your sacred inner space, where images and symbols arise and inspiration and healing reside. Sacred art has existed throughout human history. Inspired by the beauty of creation, it has also been used for deepening spiritual practice and for healing. We will work with the sacred art form of the mandala, applying special techniques and exploring simple materials to harness the energy and light within, reach higher levels of concentration, and bring peace and joy to the mind and heart. More online.

Sita Chaitanya bio page 59.

The First Annual Sivananda Ayurveda Conference

Marc Halpern (Siva), Maya Tiwari, Robert Sachs, Melanie Sachs, Sarita Shrestha

The Healing Side

YVP March 23–27YVP March 21–22The Yoga of SoundRussill Paul

Allow the sacred power of sound to bring you fully alive during two days of high-energy chanting and devotional bliss. Through mantra recitation and ecstatic kirtan, you will experience the transformative power of sound on the core of your being. Russill Paul will be

accompanied by The Bhakti Boys, a duo of devotional musicians who play traditional Indian percussion instruments. Together they will create a kirtan experience that you will never want to end.

Russill Paul is considered a leading authority in the sonic applications of yoga. Trained in India as monk and yogi as well as in Sanskrit chanting and Indian music, he is the author of The Yoga of Sound and producer of several bestselling yoga chant albums.

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Join us for a week of inspired teachings about health and well-being as these teachers explore the healing of the body and the healing of the mind.

Marc Halpern (Siva), DC, CAS, PKS, is a chiropractor and Sivananda Yoga teacher and founder and president of the California College of Ayurveda. He is the author of Healing Your

Life: Lessons on the Path of Ayurveda and two textbooks

Maya Tiwari is a spiritual teacher praised by the Parliament of World Religions for her work in fostering wellness, peace, and interfaith understanding. Founder

of Wise Earth School of Ayurveda and Mother Om Mission, she is an expert in Ayurveda and Vedanta.

The First Annual Sivananda Ayurveda Conference

Robert Sachs, LCSW, runs, with his wife, Melanie, Diamond Way Ayurveda, the foremost promoter of Ayurveda in the spa and beauty industries. A student of Indian and Tibetan

spiritual and healing traditions for 40-plus years, he is the author of nine books.

Melanie Sachs is one of the foremost authorities representing Ayurveda to the spa industry, and has practiced and taught in the field since the mid 1990s. Her book, Ayurvedic Beauty

Care, is a standard for those interested in natural and conscious body care.

Sarita Shrestha is renowned in Nepal as their first female Ayurvedic physician. Also trained in allopathic medicine, acupuncture, and yoga therapy, she specializes in obstetrics and

gynecology, and provides free healthcare to thousands of people in India and Nepal.

The Healing Sideof Yoga

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C March 29–April 2Modified YogaSharing the Practice with EveryoneCatherine Gillies (Kumari) Tuition: $200 Add 6 nights’ accommodation.

In this experiential course, students learn how to appropriately modify and adapt yoga postures to offer a variety of classes for beginners, seniors, and those with special needs. Students will learn about the essentials of yoga while also gaining an understanding of deeper practices such as breath control (pranayama) and meditation. The morning session includes foundational training in modified yoga practices while the afternoon session will focus on teacher training.

Catherine Gillies (Kumari) is a direct disciple of Swami Vishnudevananda, and has been teaching Sivananda Yoga for 30 years. She is founding director of the Sivananda-affiliated yoga

center in Gatineau, Quebec, where she offers specialized services in yoga therapy and healing.

C March 28–30Yoga for Beginners Weekend An immersion in the basics of yoga. Page 16.

YVP March 28–30Yoga and PermacultureVedic Ecology in PracticeSwami OmkaranandaCome learn practical strategies for sustainable living through the connection between yoga and permaculture. The goal of yoga is to reconnect ourselves with our divinity. Permaculture reminds us that we are an inseparable part of the natural world. In this program, we will demystify permaculture and learn its three core values and the 12 principles. We will review the Vedic teachings, and explore how we can express the teachings of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras through the practice of permaculture in our daily lives.

Swami Omkarananda is the director of the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Center in Los Angeles and has 20 years’ experience teaching yoga, meditation, and positive thinking. Originally from

Australia, she is passionate about bringing together sustainability, permaculture, and spirituality.

YVP March 28–30Kirtan and the Bhakti MandalaHealing through ChantDavid Newman (Durga Das)Join us for a blissful weekend exploring the healing power of kirtan and the ageless teachings of Bhakti Yoga (the yoga of devotion). David Newman (Durga Das), joined by his wife, Mira, will guide us on an inspirational journey into the wisdom of the heart and the joys of devotional chanting. Through kirtan chanting, sacred song, and devotional yoga, they will help you open your heart and become empowered on your divine path.

David Newman (Durga Das) is a kirtan chant artist, sacred singer-songwriter, and a practitioner and educator of Bhakti Yoga. His CDs include Lotus Feet: A Kirtan Revolution, Soul Freedom, Leap of Grace, Love Peace Chant, Into the Bliss, and most recently, To Be Home.


C March 30–April 8Conscious Strategies CleanseShivanter Singh (John Barczak) and Julian DeVoe Tuition: $490 Add 11 nights’ accommodation.

Cleanse and rejuvenate! In a safe and supportive environment, you will invigorate your natural body wisdom and establish new healthy lifestyle practices. High-frequency foods, herbal supplements, yoga, and meditation will aid in this transformation. Health-coaching and nutritional talks will allow for deeper personal inquiry and practical approaches for long-term success. We begin gradually with a few days of raw foods, followed by fruit and vegetable juice fasting, and end with a raw-food diet. More online.

Shivanter Singh (John Barczak) and Julian DeVoe bios on page 40.

YVP March 30Questions and Answers on Yoga and Spiritual Lifewith Swami SwaroopanandaAsk your most important questions. Page 15.

YVP March 31–April 2Positive Thinking for Inner TransformationSwami OmkaranandaEveryone wants to be positive and happy. Yoga teaches us that it is our true nature, and yet we struggle with stress and negativity in our busy, fast-paced lives. Drawing from yoga psychology and philosophy, this program will give you numerous practical tools for empowering yourself and improving everyday life. There will be workshops on the power of thoughts, how to be in the present, how to turn negative feelings and thoughts to positive feelings, and how to manage stress and respond positively to challenges.

Swami Omkarananda bio on page 70.

YVP March 31–April 4Overcome Pain with Yoga and KnowledgeNeil PearsonPain is a universal human experience. Yet few take the time to think about pain. Is it inevitable? Does it differ based on its kosha of origin? Would we understand pain better if we compared it to other troublesome human experiences, like love? Through this series of talks and workshops, Neil Pearson will teach effective pain-care techniques based on an integrated view of yoga and Western science, as well as people’s successful experiences transforming chronic pain.

Neil Pearson, PT, MSc, RYT500, is a physical therapist, yoga therapist, and clinical assistant professor at the University of British Columbia, Canada. He teaches therapeutic

yoga, works with people with complex pain problems, and offers a Pain Care Yoga certification program.

C March 31–April 4Ayurvedic NutritionThe Art of Conscious EatingMarisa Laursen (Sri Devi)Discover how to use food as a source of health and healing. Page 23.

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AprilYVP April 2–4Digestion and the MindThe Key to Health and Longevity John Douillard

In this illuminating series, we will consider just how important the digestive tract is—80 percent of the body’s immunity comes from it! You will learn how to balance and repair the microbial cells in your digestive

tract as well as troubleshoot hidden imbalances in digestion and reset your digestive strength. Techniques from Ayurveda will help to free the mind from stress and imbalance. We will also explore the epidemic of pre-diabetes and how changing how, when, and what you eat can protect you.

John Douillard, DC, directs the LifeSpa Ayurvedic Retreat Center in Boulder, Colorado. Trained in Ayurveda in India, he has written six books, including The 3-Season Diet, produced numerous health-related DVDs and CDs, and offers a free video newsletter.

C April 3–5Yoga for Back CareCatherine Gillies (Kumari) Tuition: $130 Add 4 nights’ accommodation.

This back-care program offers relief for acute and chronic back conditions, various means to maintain a strong back and posture, and practices to prevent difficulties before they develop. You will enjoy a daily modified hatha yoga class that introduces specific back-care exercises and also teaches you how to modify the basic yoga postures to relieve and support the healing of a variety of conditions. A daily workshop will highlight principles and attitudes that support healing.

Catherine Gillies (Kumari) bio on page 70.


YVP April 3–5Yoga Is for EveryoneBringing Yoga to All PopulationsStacie Dooreck (Saraswati) Yoga is a path for healing, optimal wellness, mental peace, transformation, and spiritual growth. It is very adaptable and can be done anywhere and any time. Learn in these workshops how you can do 5 or 10 minutes of yoga at the office, home, or while traveling, and feel the benefits immediately. Learn to do and share yoga in ways that are practical and useful and ways to merge yoga into your daily lifestyle. Yoga is for everyone!

Stacie Dooreck (Saraswati) bio on page 24.

PT April 4–May 1Yoga Teacher Training CourseTake your yoga the next step. Page 10.

C April 3–7Yoga for AllNirmala and SatyadevTuition: $200 Add 6 nights’ accommodation.

If you have a vision of doing something positive for the world right now, the best thing you can do is spread the philosophy and practices of yoga. Why? Because yoga allows us to experience the interconnectedness of life. The main goal of this course is to empower students to massively propagate yoga in the world in a sustainable way. Rather than focusing on the “outer” structure of a yoga teacher, we will focus on Swami Sivananda s main teachings to “serve, love, give, purify, meditate, and realize.” More online.

Z For yoga teachers and those who plan to become one.

Satyadev and Nirmala are advanced Sivananda Yoga teachers (RYT 500) and instructors in the Teacher Training Course. In 2005, with the goal of promoting peace in their city and the world, they founded Atman Yoga, the school through which they massively spread the teachings of yoga and lifestyle in Medellin, Colombia, once known as one of the most violent cities of the world. They do this by offering all classes on a donation basis, teaching yoga in public parks for hundreds of people, organizing huge yogic peace events, and other efforts.

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YVP April 5–9

Meditation As a Path to EnlightenmentAn Interfaith SymposiumTulku Sherdor, Rabbi Ted Falcon, Swami Brahmananda, Alan Godlas (Abd al-Haqq), Pastor Don Mackenzie

The practice of meditation is prescribed as part of the spiritual practice within most major religions and spiritual traditions. Join us and learn from prominent spiritual leaders from Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, and Sufism about the theory and practice of meditation. Gain knowledge and skills for deepening your own meditation practice and for developing a calm and peaceful mind.

Tulku Sherdor is the executive director of Blazing Wisdom Institute. He has studied Buddhist philosophy and practiced meditation since 1981. He is a heart disciple of the crazy wisdom

master Orgyen Kusum Lingpa, and an enthroned reincarnate lama at a monastery in Tibet.

Rabbi Ted Falcon, PhD, founded two meditative synagogues in the US. Active in interfaith work, he holds a doctorate in psychology and is author of A Journey of Awakening: Kabbalistic

Meditations on the Tree of Life. His work focuses on universal Jewish spiritual teachings.

Swami Brahmananda is Manager of the Yoga Retreat and senior staff member of the Sivananda organization. A long-time practitioner of yoga, he regularly teaches yoga philosophy and

meditation for the Teacher Training Course as well as meditation immersion courses.

Alan Godlas (Abd al-Haqq), PhD, has been involved in traditional Sufi practice and its academic study for 40 years. He has been authorized to teach in the Naqshbandi and Shadhili lineages and is

the founder of Sufis Without Borders, an international online community of Sufis.


Pastor Don Mackenzie, PhD, devotes himself to interfaith work since retiring as minister of University Congregational United Church of Christ in Seattle. He is a graduate

of Macalester College, Princeton Theological Seminary, and New York University.

Meditation kills all pains, sufferings, the three kinds of taapas (fevers) and the five kleshas (sorrows). Meditation gives the vision of unity. …Meditation is an aeroplane that helps the aspirant to soar high in the realms of eternal bliss and everlasting peace.

—Swami Sivananda, Essence of Yoga

PT CEU April 6–8Chair Yoga TrainingStacie Dooreck (Saraswati) Tuition: $290 Add 4 nights’ accommodation.

Learn how to make yoga accessible to seniors, those with disabilities or limited mobility, the chronically ill, Alzheimer patients, pre- and post-surgery patients, and those recovering from injuries. Acquire tools to offer modified yoga postures in chairs, chair modifications in mixed-level classes (standing and sitting), and private Chair Yoga sessions, as well as breathing, chanting, and meditation in chairs. Also learn the business and marketing of Chair Yoga in your community. More information online.

Stacie Dooreck (Saraswati) bio on page 24.

YVP April 6–9Healing the Aching HeartLiving with Grief and LossCatherine Gillies (Kumari) Transform your depression, grief, trauma, and anxiety. Learn how to honor your life experiences by working in sacred space to heal wounded aspects and reconnect with your deepest self in a supported environment. This nurturing retreat includes daily adapted hatha yoga classes as well as workshops on other aspects of yoga, including meditation, mantra, breath work, and relaxation; creative exploration and expression; and healing trauma through ceremony.


C April 6–10Yoga for BeginnersAn immersion in the basics of yoga. Page 16.

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YVP April 9–11Ocean of Devotion Ecstatic Kirtan RetreatGina Salá and Daniel PaulDiscover the pleasure and power of your voice as a direct path to open to grace, ease, love, and joy. In this special sound immersion, you will experience simple and effective ways to nurture peace of mind and heart through mantra, and deepen into the natural bliss of who we are through Bhakti Yoga (yoga of the heart), kirtan (chant) and Nada Yoga (yoga of sound). You may also discover your power to learn, create, share, and lead chants and songs in several cultural styles. No experience needed.

Gina Salá has been chanting since her childhood in an ashram in the tradition of Swami Sivananda. With a repertoire spanning 23 languages, she offers kirtans, workshops, and retreats internationally. She also teaches classical Indian singing, Sanskrit mantra, and harmonium.

Daniel Paul bio on page 83.

C April 9–11Gentle Yoga RetreatStacie Dooreck (Saraswati) Tuition: $290 Add 4 nights’ accommodation.

Immerse yourself in three days of gentle yoga to restore body and mind. Everyone is welcome: those new to yoga, practitioners wanting a gentle yoga experience, and people of all ages and stages of health. We will learn and practice with modifications that make the postures accessible to all and explore specific postures and breathing practices to calm the mind and bring healing energy to the body. Yoga teachers looking for ideas on teaching mixed-level/ability classes are also welcome. More online.

Stacie Dooreck (Saraswati) bio on page 24


YVP April 10–12Yoga for Calming Panic and Anxiety Catherine Gillies (Kumari) Regain the power to shift out of states of fear and anxiety. You will learn straightforward and practical ways to immediately calm and anchor yourself no matter where you are. These positive actions will allow you to take charge of your life and become a happier person. We will draw upon yoga practices that include specific exercises and breathing, deep relaxation methods, and right attitude teachings. You will enjoy a modified Hatha Yoga class daily as well as a workshop.


YVP April 11–12Secrets of AyurvedaLalita Devi and Isvari Learn Ayurvedic tools for healthy living. Page 33.

C April 11–14Advanced Asana PracticeSylvie Boisclair (Saraswati)Tuition: $140 Add 5 nights’ accommodation.

Discover a whole range of new possibilities. See page 21.

YVP April 11–13What Is Nirvana and How Do We Get There?Geshe Michael Roach The word “nirvana” brings up many different ideas. Is it some strange place where we are happy all the time, without a care for the problems of the rest of the world? In this program, we will explore what nirvana really is—and practical ways of getting there. We will learn about the theory and practice of nirvana based on ancient teachings. We will see that nirvana is actually a very engaged state of being, where we are in total happiness but serving the world at the same time.

Geshe Michael Roach is the first American to have been awarded the degree of Geshe, or Master of Buddhism, after more than 20 years of study in Tibetan monasteries. A prominent

international teacher, philanthropist, scholar, and musician, he is author of The Diamond Cutter.

C April 13–17Seniors Yoga RetreatCatherine Gillies (Kumari) Tuition: $180 Add 6 nights’ accommodation.

Welcome seniors! Enjoy morning yoga classes that include chair yoga, back care, and joint care, as well as an introduction to the principles of appropriate practice and lifestyle (including balance, strength, and fall prevention). Afternoons offer an adapted Hatha Yoga class called Softening the Edges. You will learn how to modify the basic postures of a Sivananda Yoga class to meet the needs of your maturing body and explore the path to an enhanced connection to the inner voice of Spirit.


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Swami Swaroopananda is a senior disciple of Swami Vishnudevananda. Director of the Yoga Retreat, and Acharya (spiritual director) of the Sivananda centers and ashrams in the US West

Coast, the Middle East, and the Bahamas, he is also a member of the Sivananda organization’s Board of Directors.

John Perkins is a New York Times bestselling author, winner of the John Lennon/Yoko Ono Peace Prize, and founder and board member of Dream Change and the Pachamama Alliance.

His books on indigenous cultures include Shapeshifting and The World Is As You Dream It.

YVP April 13–21Easter and Passover Symposium and Celebration

Yoga and Sacred Healing Swami Swaroopananda, John Perkins, Richard Panico, Manjula Spears, David Crow, Stephan Schwartz, Master Ou Wen Wei, Marilyn Rossner, Brett Bevell Swami Sivananda taught that health is a positive state. It is not simply negation of disease. It is our birthright, and is as natural as being born. Learn how to experience your radiant health and vitality as we explore healing modalities from various traditions and their connection to spirituality, including Ayurveda, Chinese medicine, yoga therapy, shamanism, herbalism, Buddhism, Reiki, acupuncture, and Remote Viewing. Participate in experiential workshops and meet world-renowned healers and therapists, some of whom will offer private healing sessions and consultations.

Spring is a season of rebirth and renewal, a holy time for many, when individuals of diverse faiths and beliefs engage in spiritual practices and rituals that hold great meaning and opportunities for healing. Come discover healing on all levels—body, mind, and spirit.

Richard Panico, MD, is a board-certified psychiatrist of 42 years with more than 20 years’ experience using yoga-based mind-body therapies in the treatment of chronic illness. A

longtime yoga practitioner, he is a principal trainer and teacher for Integral Yoga.

Reverend Manjula Spears, a principal trainer for Integral Yoga’s teacher trainings, is founder of the therapeutic yoga programs at Athens Regional Medical Center Mind/Body Institute

and the Loran Smith Center for Cancer Support. She is a kirtanist and student of Ayurveda.


David Crow is an acupuncturist and herbalist of 30-plus years and author of In Search of the Medicine Buddha, about his studies of Tibetan and Ayurvedic

medicine. He is founder of the essential-oil company Floracopeia and cofounder of the Learning Garden in Los Angeles.

Stephan A. Schwartz has been studying the nature of consciousness for 40 years and is the author of Remote Viewing. A remote-viewing researcher, he is

the Senior Samueli Fellow of the Samueli Institute and a columnist for Explore: The Journal of Science and Healing.

Master Ou Wen Wei is a qigong master and originator of the Pan Gu Shen Gong system, which he has successfully used to heal people suffering from cancer, heart

disease, and other chronic conditions. He is the author of seven books, including Pan Gu Mystical Qigong.

Marilyn Rossner, PhD, is cofounder of the International Institute of Integral Human Sciences, and founder-president of the Spiritual Science Fellowship of Canada.

An internationally prominent intuitive, she is a retired professor of special care counseling.

Brett Bevell is a Reiki master, poet, performance artist, and author who regularly teaches at Omega Institute in New York. His books include Reiki for Spiritual Healing;

America Needs a Buddhist President; and his most recent, Energy Healing for Everyone.

YVP April 14Passover Seder CelebrationSwami Swaroopananda Join us for a traditional celebration of the Passover seder with Swami Swaroopananda. Enjoy a delicious vegetarian feast, a reading of the Haggada, chanting of Passover chants, and teachings from Swami Swaroopananda on the main historical and spiritual components of Passover and their relationship to yogic principles.

YVP April 20Easter Sunrise Service Swami Swaroopananda, Bishop Trevor Williamson, Marilyn Rossner Celebrate a beautiful Easter morning with us in paradise! Listen to traditional stories and receive messages of hope and faith from Swami Swaroopananda, Marilyn Rossner, and Bishop Trevor Williamson of the Trinity Full Baptist Church of Nassau, Bahamas. There will also be traditional Easter chanting by the choir of Trinity Full Baptist Church.

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PT April 15–24Ayurveda and Yoga Wellness Counselor CertificationSwami Sitaramananda and Catherine O’Neill (Durga Leela)Tuition: $1300 Add 11 nights’ accommodation.

This is a thorough, foundational course in Ayurveda as the health-care component of the yoga tradition. It is based on the books and distance-learning programs of David Frawley and taught in the Sivananda Yoga tradition. There are no prerequisites, and it qualifies a person to serve as an Ayurvedic lifestyle counselor who can assess someone’s Ayurvedic constitutional type and guide them toward balance through daily health regimens and lifestyle recommendations based on Ayurvedic principles. More information online.

Swami Sitaramananda bio on page 82.

Catherine O’Neill (Durga Leela) is a clinical Ayurvedic and panchakarma specialist, trained at the California College of Ayurveda and in Kerala, India. A Sivananda-trained yoga teacher

(RYT-500), she is director of the Ayurveda programs at the Sivananda Yoga Farm.

C April 18–20Meditation Intensive WeekendSwami SitaramanandaTuition: $200 Add 4 nights’ accommodation.

Move to another level in your yoga practice by understanding the connection between prana, mind, emotions, and body and establish yourself in the fundamental techniques of classical yoga meditation. Identify personal obstacles to the transcendental state of bliss that meditation promises through self-examination, introspection, and dialogue with a teacher. Learn to be free from the mind’s ups and downs, both working with it and detaching from it and prepare your mind for a positive and successful life.


YVP April 21–28Spring Family Holiday Program Tara Rachel Jones (Omkari) and Sandrine Remy (Sanatani) Celebrate this spring season with your family in paradise. Children will enjoy a wide range of activities, including short introductory asana classes designed specifically for young people, chanting, crafts, Karma Yoga, and lots of games and fun. Parents will enjoy free time to practice, rest, and enjoy the Yoga Retreat’s programs and activities.

Z See Children’s Rates on page 105.

Tara Rachel Jones (Omkari) and Sandrine Remy (Sanatani) bios on page 37.


C April 23–May 3Advanced Raja Yoga CoursePart IV, Kaivalya PadaSwami Swaroopananda Explore the Royal Path to Enlightenment. Page 14.

YVP April 21Questions and Answers on Yoga and Spiritual Lifewith Swami SwaroopanandaAsk your most important questions. Page 15.

YVP April 22–25The Descent of GraceTeachings on the Hanuman ChalisaSwami ShantanandaJoin delightful teacher Swami Shantananda and celebrate the glories of Lord Hanuman through the teachings of the Hanuman Chalisa. Lord Hanuman, the devoted servant of Lord Rama and Sita, and the embodiment of devotion and might, has kindled the light of devotion and service in the hearts of many. The Hanuman Chalisa tells the story of his heroism and Divine virtues, making him a role model for spiritual aspirants, and the Hanuman Chalisa a guide for leading a spiritual life.

Swami Shantananda has dedicated his life to mission work and Vedantic teachings. He is presently the resident Acharya of Chinmaya Mission centers in New Jersey, Pennsylvania,

and New York. His talks are filled with wonderful insights into life.

C April 19–22Healing through Mystical QigongMaster Ou Wen Wei Tuition: $390 Add 5 nights’ accommodation.

Based on simple yet powerful techniques, Pan Gu Shen Gong (PGSG) is a mystical qigong system that uses the power of the universe for healing. Learn the three primary aspects of PGSG with its originator, Master Ou Wen Wei, including:

• The Moving Form, to promote health by strengthening of the life-force

• The Non-Moving Form, to strengthen the nervous system and intuitive ability

• The Healing Skill, to provide healing treatments to others

There will also be a special class on developing spiritual vision.

Master Ou Wen Wei bio on page 79.

YVP April 20–24Yoga Therapy WeekManjula SpearsLearn the therapeutic applications of yoga practice and how yoga can be used to heal from different health conditions. Explore specific yoga therapy techniques for healing back pain, joint aches, and others. This program with Manjula Spears, a leading instructor in the field of yoga therapy, benefits both beginning and advanced yoga practitioners, as well as yoga teachers who wish to incorporate yoga therapy into their teaching.

Reverend Manjula Spears bio page 78.

C April 21–25Intermediate YogaExpand and advance your practice. Page 16.

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YVP April 25–29

Yoga of Recovery SymposiumSwami Sitaramananda, Catherine O`Neill (Durga Leela), Robert Johnson, Tommy RosenThe Yoga of Recovery symposium brings together pioneers in the field of spirituality, yoga, and recovery to address the important issue of addiction, often a tragic and costly result of having lost contact with meaning and spirituality, as individuals and as a society.

Bringing together well-respected teachers from science and spirituality, the symposium offers a truly holistic perspective on how to heal and overcome our own addictive or self-destructive behaviors, as well as heal the pain of having loved ones suffer from addiction. Speakers will discuss perspectives on addiction from the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual levels, investigating the root causes and reasons for our compulsions, attachments, and addictive imbalances from medical, yogic, and Ayurvedic perspectives. Join us for an exploration of practical, cutting-edge teachings on addiction, recovery, and personal transformation.

Robert R. Johnson, DO, serves as the medical director for the Amen Clinics, Inc. He is board-certified in psychiatry and addiction medicine and has done research on

psychopharmacology, depression, and physical illnesses that produce psychiatric symptoms.

Tommy Rosen is a certified vinyasa flow and Kundalini Yoga teacher with 20 years’ experience helping others overcome addictions. He is one of the pioneers in the field of yoga and recovery,

which utilizes yoga and meditation to help people to move beyond addiction.

Swami Sitaramananda is Director of the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Farm in Grass Valley, California, and a direct disciple of Swami Vishnudevananda. She has many years of experience

teaching meditation, yoga philosophy, and positive thinking throughout the world.

Catherine O’Neill (Durga Leela) is founder of Yoga of Recovery, a program that integrates Ayurveda and yoga with recovery tools for a holistic approach to addiction. An advanced

Sivananda Yoga teacher, she is a practical, down-to-earth teacher who has worked on her own path of recovery.


YVP April 28–May 1

Awakening BhaktiChanting RetreatJai Uttal and Daniel PaulRide on the wings of kirtan and feel whole and free. Join Jai Uttal and Daniel Paul as they invoke a space of prayer and heartfelt expression and invite us to tune our voices and hearts to that which is sacred. Jai will share and demystify some of the secrets of the ecstatic songs of ancient India and show us that with

just a little understanding of music and rhythm and a lot of self-acceptance, we all can sing and lead and share our hearts with others. We will let the practice of chanting become our teacher, guiding us home.

Jai Uttal is a pioneer in the world of kirtan music and has led kirtans around the world for more than 30 years. A sacred music composer, recording artist, multi-instrumentalist, and vocalist, he has recorded many albums, including Monda Rama and Kirtan Kids.

Daniel Paul is a tabla player and vocalist and Jai Utall’s principal accompanist. He earned his degree in the classical music of India from the Ali Akbar College of Music in California and currently teaches in Hawaii.

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PT CEU April 30–May 9Yoga of RecoveryCertification for CounselorsCatherine O’Neill (Durga Leela) and Swami SitaramanandaTuition: $750 Add 11 nights’ accommodation.

Combine Ayurveda and yoga with traditional recovery tools for a more holistic approach to addiction and self-destructive behaviors. The course offers tools and a comprehensive approach to wellness, emotional sobriety, and sustained spiritual development using Ayurveda and yoga as extension therapies to any 12-step work. This course is designed for yoga teachers and health professionals who work with people recovering from addiction, and for people with personal histories or family members with histories of addiction. More information online.

Catherine O’Neill (Durga Leela) and Swami Sitaramananda bios on page 82.

C April 25–May 29Essentials of Yoga and VedantaPractice and PhilosophySwami SitaramanandaTuition: $290 Add 6 nights’ accommodation.

In this intensive 5-day course, Swami Sitaramananda will help us become aware of the relationship between our conflicts and sufferings and mistakes in thinking. Through classes that include theory and coaching sessions, you will be exposed to different methods of self-inquiry and ways to progress. You will learn the true meaning of Vedantic discrimination, detachment, tranquility and peace, self-control, faith, and mental balance, and learn to ask the right questions as a seeker after truth. More online.


C April 27–May 6Spring Cleanse, Detox, and Juice-Fasting ProgramManu Dawson, Sita Chaitanya, Grace Van BerkumExperience a deep cleanse to rejuvenate your body and mind. Page 40.

Manu Dawson is a certified Yoga Nutrition Therapist and practicing clinical nutritionist in New York City and has guided hundreds of people in detoxification protocols. He is a disciple

of Swami Satchidananda, who was a direct disciple of Swami Sivananda.

Sita Chaitanya bio on page 59. Grace Van Berkum bio on page 21.


MayYVP May 2–4Yoga of RelationshipsSwami Sitaramananda The Yoga of Relationships will shed light on the most fascinating and difficult topic of human relationships and love. In addition to stories and spiritual teachings, these talks will include the theories and practices of Bhakti Yoga. If you’ve ever had relationship disillusions and disappointments, come discover a path to true fulfillment and wisdom.


YVP May 2–4A Science of BeingExploring the Mysteries of ConsciousnessPeter Russell

What is consciousness? How does it arise? Does consciousness create reality? Can science and spirituality be reconciled? Contemporary science that shows that the fundamental

essence of the cosmos is not matter but mind. Peter Russell, a leading thinker on consciousness and contemporary spirituality, will lead participants through a journey of inner exploration, addressing these questions and others, and showing how spiritual awakening is a natural part of evolution, opening us to our true nature.

Peter Russell has degrees in theoretical physics, experimental psychology, and computer science and studied meditation and Eastern philosophy in India. A fellow of the Institute of Noetic Sciences, his books include The Global Brain, Waking up in Time, and From Science to God.

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C May 4–8Yoga for BeginnersAn immersion in the basics of yoga. Page 16.

PT May 5–June 1Yoga Teacher Training CourseTake your yoga the next step. Page 10.

YVP May 8–9Secrets of AyurvedaLalita Devi and IsvariLearn Ayurvedic tools for healthy living. Page 33.

C May 8–10Gracious Living Raw Food RetreatGrace Van BerkumTuition: $350 Add 4 nights’ accommodation.

Raw foods make you feel alive! During this retreat, we will prepare and enjoy delicious raw soups, salad dressings, patés, dips, entrées, and desserts. We will discuss the ways in which raw foods affect your body, mind, and spirit, and promote good health, increase energy levels, boost metabolism, and make your attitude towards life more joyful and positive. Come gain a fresh and natural approach to eating—and take home a recipe book to inspire your raw foods practice at home. More online.


C May 9–11 Positive Thinking WeekendChange the way you think. Page 17.

YVP May 6–8The Sacred Music of IndiaGuy L. Beck Learn the art of meditation on Nada-Brahman (sacred sound) through Nada Yoga techniques and discover the structures of classical Indian ragas and their relationship to the paths of Bhakti (devotion), Tantra (immanent awareness), and Nada Yoga. Emphasizing voice culture and production of the pure note, we will experience an aesthetic sense of the concept of rasa and an appreciation of the structure and beauty of a rāga (melodic pattern) and the tāla (rhythmic cycle). Prior musical

ability is not required!

Guy L. Beck, PhD, spent six years studying Hindustani vocal music in India and was the first American to perform at a Hindustani classical music conference. He has been teaching, researching, and writing on Hinduism and music for 30 years and has released two CDs.


YVP May 7–9

Sacred SoundsA Weekend of Classical Indian Music & DanceExperience the power of music as a form of yoga. Classical Indian music is intended to purify the heart and carry the listener, on the wings of sound and rhythm, to a state of devotional ecstasy. Join us for this weekend of classical Indian music and dance and discover this ancient way of attaining bliss.

G.S. Sachdev is recognized worldwide as a master of the bansuri (North Indian flute) and is one of the premier performers on this traditional instrument. His pure and classical approach instills tranquility and carries listeners beyond the mind into deep meditation.

Pooja Goswami, PhD, was born into a musical family and received her early vocal training in Hindustani classical music from her father Sri. Surendra Goswami. She holds a doctorate in music and has taught courses in Indian music and culture. She performs internationally.

Farah Yasmeen Shaikh has been training with Pandit Chitresh Das since 1996. Her performances include seven tours throughout India, numerous lecture demonstrations, and national and international touring. She is a senior instructor at the Chhandam School of Kathak.

Nitin Mitta is one of the most accomplished tabla players of his generation, with a reputation for technical virtuosity, spontaneity, and sensitivity to melodic nuances. He has with some of India’s most celebrated classical musicians and travels.

A. Pavan has studied tabla with several masters over the years and presently trains with Ustad Shabbir Nisar, the illustrious son and disciple of Ustad Shaik Dawood Khan. He currently serves on the advisory board of the Indian Music Society of Minnesota.

Clockwise from far left: Farah Yasmeen Shaikh, G.S. Sachdev, Pooja Goswami, Nitin Mitta, A. Pavan

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YVP May 10

The Healing Powers of Creative Life EnergyVianna StibalThetaHealing is a method of meditation and prayer that utilizes the fundamental creative life energy of the universe to perform physical and emotional healing. A loving, inspiring, and compassionate speaker and teacher, Vianna Stibal will share her knowledge and the amazing personal healing story that led to ThetaHealing.

C May 12

ThetaHealing Rhythm for Finding Your Perfect WeightVianna StibalTuition: $175. Add 2 nights’ accommodation.

This isn’t just a weight loss class. It is about finding a real rhythm for your mind, body, and spirit while tapping into your inner beauty and love for yourself through your own dreams and desires. Taught by the founder of ThetaHealing, it contains Vianna Stibal’s secrets to weight loss and life. Hint: it’s not about who weighs how much; it’s about being comfortable in your own body.

PT May 11–13

ThetaHealing Basic DNA Training Guy StibalTuition: $500. Add 4 nights’ accommodation.

Basic DNA training introduces ThetaHealing techniques and focuses on activating the 12 strands of DNA within each participant. The heart of this class is the practice of techniques that allow you to change life patterns held in place by core, genetic, historic, and soul beliefs, either self-inflicted or externally imposed. You will learn to identify your own beliefs as well as to practice pulling them for others. Graduates will become practitioners of ThetaHealing (ThetaHealers).

ThetaHealing® Programs with Vianna and Guy Stibal

PT May 14–16

ThetaHealing Advanced DNA TrainingGuy StibalTuition: $500. Add 4 nights’ accommodation.

This training expands on the teachings in the Basic DNA Training to encompass an in-depth understanding of the Seven Planes of Existence. Students will learn how to clear old resentments, vows, and commitments that hold them back. Prerequisite: ThetaHealing Basic DNA Training.

PT May 13–15

The Planes of Existence Viana StibalTuition: $1,000. Add 4 nights’ accommodation.

The Planes of Existence is the wellspring of philosophy that is behind all the classes and books of ThetaHealing. In this course, Vianna Stibal will take you into dimensions beyond this universe—to what she believes to be the beginnings of life itself. This course is only open for ThetaHealing Masters/Certificate of Science and is a prerequisite to DNA 4.

Vianna Stibal pioneered the healing method now known as ThetaHealing based on her experience of curing herself from lymphatic cancer in 1995, after the universe revealed this

technique to her. She is the author of five books, including Go Up and Seek God.

Guy Stibal is a senior ThetaHealing practitioner and teacher. Vianna’s husband and her partner on the ThetaHealing journey, he has been involved with developing ThetaHealing

trainings and publishing Vianna’s books, and offers training worldwide.


YVP May 11–15

The Ultimate GoalEnlightenment, Salvation, Self-Realization, or Something Else?Swami Medhananda Puri, Daniel Matt, Father Joseph Mitchell, Lama Rodney Devenish, Imam Jamal RahmanIn the wide, colorful spectrum of spirituality, each tradition describes an ultimate goal, upon which its devotees focus and toward which they aspire. How do these various goals relate to one another? Are they identical, or do they differ somewhat—or do they conflict with one another? In this interfaith symposium, five teachers from the world’s great religions will each present the ultimate goal, as it is formulated within their own tradition: Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism.

Swami Medhananda Puri is a distinguished, traditional teacher of Vedanta. In 1979, he joined the Kailash Ashram in Rishikesh, where he was initiated into the ashram’s monastic order

and has served as acharya at times. His students have now become acharyas, teaching worldwide.

Daniel Matt, PhD, is one of the world’s leading authorities on Kabbalah, the Jewish mystical tradition, and is currently translating the Zohar, the masterpiece of the Kabbalah. His books

include God and the Big Bang: Discovering Harmony between Science and Spirituality.

Father Joseph Mitchell, CP, is executive director of the Earth and Spirit Center in Louisville, Kentucky. He is a Catholic priest and member of the Passionist religious order. Fr. Mitchell leads

retreats in Christian spirituality, meditation, the new cosmology, and environmentalism.

Lama Rodney Devenish (Karma Kunzang Palden Rinpoche) is one of the three spiritual directors of the Dharma Fellowship of His Holiness the Gyalwa Karmapa. Trained in the

Kagyu School of Tibetan Buddhism, he is cofounder of a meditation retreat center, The Hermitage.

Imam Jamal Rahman is cofounder and Muslim Sufi minister at the Interfaith Community Sanctuary in Seattle and adjunct faculty at Seattle University. Imam Jamal

is a spiritual counselor who has a passion for interfaith work and travels and teaches internationally. His books include The Fragrance of Faith: The Enlightened Heart of Islam.

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C May 11–17Yoga of Recovery RetreatCatherine O’Neill (Durga Leela) Tuition: $450 Add 8 nights’ accommodation.

This retreat for people in recovery draws parallels between the wisdom of yoga, Ayurveda, and the daily practical tools used by members of 12-step programs. Experience practices that support health and well-being, including meditation, chanting, yoga postures and breathing, a vegetarian diet, and participation in service work. Topics covered include the root causes of addiction from a multidimensional perspective, training the mind, and the cultivation of sattva (peace and serenity). More online.

Catherine O’Neill (Durga Leela) bio on page 82.

YVP May 16–21Bhakti Yoga RetreatRadhanath Swami and Gaura Vani Listening to the stories of the Lord, thinking on Him day and night are both sure remedies for the misery called the cycle of birth and death.

—the Srimad Bhagavatam

Immerse yourself in Bhakti, the yoga of devotion, with Radhanath Swami as he brings to life ancient Hindu stories. These stories are designed to evoke Divine love and endless devotion in

our hearts, leading the way to true peace and happiness. Talks will be accompanied by devotional chanting with Gaura Vani.

Radhanath Swami is an inspiring storyteller and kirtan leader who teaches devotional wisdom around the world. He resides in Mumbai, India, where he is involved with humanitarian activities, and is the author of The Journey Home: Autobiography of an American Swami.

Gaura Vani bio on page 35.

C May 18–22Intermediate YogaExpand and advance your practice. Page 16.

PT Thai Yoga Massage Kam Thye Chow

Level 1 May 18–23Level 2 May 25–30

Combine yoga postures with touch therapy. See full training description on page 20.


YVP May 19–21The Yoga of WisdomTeachings from the VivekachudamaniBrahmachari ShankarThe Vivekachudamani is one of the most important scriptures attributed to the renowned Hindu philosopher Adi Shankaracharya. It deals with a variety of topics relating to the life and practice of a spiritual seeker in a unique and direct way. During this program with gifted teacher and storyteller Brahmachari Shankar, we will touch the most important topics in a way that will give us practical tools for our daily spiritual lives.

Brahmachari Shankar bio on page 31.

YVP May 22–24Vedanta in Daily LifeSwami Medhananda PuriVedanta points to one’s identity with the rest of humanity. Rightly understood and acted upon, it leads to the experience of oneness with all existence. Practicing Vedanta in daily life means feeling oneness with other beings, performing duties without attachment, and being filled with joy. This practice does not necessitate substantial changes in one’s life circumstances, but it requires a change of vision. Discover the beauty of the gospel of Vedanta as explained by a gifted teacher.

Swami Medhananda Puri bio on page 89.

C May 23–25Introduction to Meditation WeekendDevelop a personal meditation practice. Page 17.

C May 25–29Positive ThinkingChange the way you think. Page 17.

C May 20–24Meditation Immersion CourseSwami Brahmananda Tuition: $350 Add 6 nights’ accommodation.

To achieve lasting happiness and absolute peace, we must first know how to calm the mind, to focus, and eventually to transcend the mind. By turning the mind inward, we can deepen our concentration and attain a state of meditation. Come learn about the nature of the mind, how to develop concentration and inner stability, and overcoming obstacles in meditation. Be guided in basic meditation techniques, experience chanting and mantras, and get inspired to establish a daily meditation practice. More online.


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YVP May 23–25Sacred SoundChanting the Divine NameThe MayapurisFive hundred years ago, a tradition of sacred music broke out of the strict confines of Indian temples and danced onto the streets of the city of Mayapur. Today, The Mayapuris continue that revolution by invigorating mantras and songs of old with their own global experiences. This weekend, they will lead us on a heart-opening adventure into the core of devotional yoga through their unique kirtan chanting. Each member will also offer a unique workshop on the Art of Kirtan and Bhakti Yoga.

The Mayapuris are an electrifying band of young drummers and dancers who hail from the American South, Sweden, Columbia, and India and who perform worldwide, weaving together dance, song, spoken word, and irresistible rhythms. Their debut album, Mridanga, reached the top of iTunes World Music Chart.

YVP May 25–29Work and SelfTalks from the Bhagavad Gita and UpanishadsPaul SherbowThe wisdom imparted by Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita, echoing the earlier teachings of sages in the Upanishads, directs us towards the immortal Self through the process of yoga. We will examine the paths of Karma, Bhakti and Jnana through the three sections of the Gita in which these are described, supplemented by extracts from the teachings of Patanjali in the Yoga Sutra. Special attention will be focused on the meanings of the various Sanskrit terms, enriching our understanding of these sacred texts.

Paul Sherbow is on the faculty of the Religion Department at Rutgers University, where he lectures on Hinduism and Hindu philosophy. A longtime practitioner of

yoga, he also teaches yoga philosophy for teacher training courses around the US and internationally.


PT Adaptive Yoga TrainingKrishna Das

May 26–28 Level 1Tuition: $200. Add 4 nights’ accommodation.

May 29–31 Level 2Tuition: $200. Add 4 nights’ accommodation.

Yoga is a powerful tool for promoting healing processes of the body. With the proper adaptations, the practice can become more available and pleasant to persons with various physical capabilities. Learn how to offer adapted postures, based on a broader understanding of the biomechanics of each posture of the classic Sivananda class. In the process you will get to better know the biomechanics of your own body, and through this personal experience, you will develop better abilities to identify and accommodate limitations in the practice of others.

The emphasis for the Level 1 Course will be on gaining practical tools for offering adaptations to students and the basic principles of biomechanics for basic understanding of those adaptations.

The Level 2 Course will focus on deepening the adaptations from Level 1 and their understanding. Additional emphasis will be placed on the biomechanical principles.


May 29Questions and Answers on Yoga and Spiritual Lifewith Swami SwaroopanandaAsk your most important questions. Page 15.

YVP May 30–June 1Songs of the BelovedAtmarama DasaPrepare to be uplifted! Experience the beautiful devotional singing of Atmarama Dasa as you join in a jubilant kirtan experience, using music and sound to praise the Divine. This ancient Bhakti Yoga practice, the yoga of devotion, purifies the mind and opens the heart to a state of bliss through the spiritual vibrations of ancient Sanskrit mantras. Through call-and-response chanting, you are guided into the pure joy and bliss that lies within.

Atmarama Dasa is devotional singer and composer of sacred music who resides in Vrindavan, India, the holy dham of Lord Krishna. His unique style and sincere desire create an

atmosphere of profound spiritual vibration. His CDs include On the Way to Krishna and Radha Govinda.

C May 30–June 1Yoga for Beginners WeekendAn immersion in the basics of yoga. Page 16.

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JuneYVP June 2–5Principles of AlignmentRefining Asana PracticeSteven WeissWhen practiced with the awareness of alignment, asanas provide great therapeutic value. Come learn subtle yet essential alignment principles that keep asana practice safe, while adhering to yogic philosophy and advancing the form with elegance. Lectures and classes will explore the fundamentals of alignment used in all asana and yoga therapy. Working alone and with partners, you will learn basic yoga therapy techniques that can be used for individual or one-to-one assists and can be immediately put into practice.

Steven Weiss, MS, DC, RYT has more than 30 years’ experience as a holistic chiropractor and nutritionist. He teaches anatomy, alignment principles, yoga

therapeutics, and nutrition for yoga teacher trainings around the United States and Asia, and is author of The Injury-Free Yoga Practice.

C June 3–7Introduction to Sivananda YogaSylvie Boisclair (Saraswati)Learn the basic practices and philosophy of the Sivananda lineage. Page 18.

YVP June 5–8The Healing Power of Hatha YogaLaurier-Pierre DesjardinsDiscover the secrets of the functional anatomy of Hatha Yoga. Learn what happens in your body physically and energetically when you practice yoga postures. Explore the biomechanics of the postures and how to increase your strength, flexibility, and vital energy through yoga practice.

Laurier-Pierre Desjardins, DO, is a professor of osteopathy and an experienced Kriya Yogi. He teaches the functional anatomy of Hatha Yoga and the biomechanics of asana

(yoga posture) and pranayama (breathing techniques) internationally, and is the author of Principles of Yoga Therapy.


YVP June 5–8The Joy of Sivananda KirtanJim Gelcer (Siva)Join us for a weekend of kirtan concerts and afternoon singing workshops. Jim Gelcer (Siva) will teach you the words and melodies of the Sivananda daily chants and more, while providing translations and explanations in this fun and informative workshop. Together with accompanying musicians he will offer participatory kirtan concerts focusing on the beautiful chants of the Sivananda tradition.

Jim Gelcer (Siva) is a Sivananda Yoga teacher and a kirtan leader who infuses life and spirit into the ancient chants. Blending the flavors of modern and ancient melodies

and opening a heart space of depth and emotion, he shares the celebratory essence of kirtan.

C June 9–13Introduction to Meditation Develop a personal meditation practice. Page 17.

YVP June 9–12Yoga and Aromatherapy to Relieve Stress, Anxiety, and DepressionAira Guevara (Rukmini)Learn how to use the healing powers of essential oils to promote relaxation, calm the mind, and release blockages. Through experiential sessions of theory and practice, you will learn simple techniques for using aromatherapy in your daily life, including baths, easy diffusing techniques, and the traditional practice of inhaling the oil. You will make your own aromatherapy eye pillow and sample essential oils that address different conditions. Each workshop ends with a deep relaxation session.

Aira Guevara (Rukmini) is a Sivananda Yoga teacher with a special interest in integrating yoga and essential oils for therapeutic purposes. She has spent more than a decade

studying and practicing aromatherapy and shares her synergistic healing method in workshops in the US.

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YVP June 13–15Yoga for the SpineBack Awareness WorkshopMike PyfromThe spine plays a key role in the preservation of good health and a youthful look and feeling. By taking proper care of your spine you maintain an optimal flow of energy throughout your body, keeping both your body and mind in good balance. In this program you will learn the connection between the spine, the mind, and the spiritual path; how to use movement and breathing for achieving balance and harmony, and several simple techniques to loosen and release your spine and re-balance and renew your body and mind.

Michael Pyfrom, DC, is a chiropractic doctor and Sivananda Yoga teacher. He integrates the ancient wisdom of yoga with modern science and the concepts of chiropractic

medicine in his chiropractic clinic in Nassau, Bahamas.

YVP June 15–19The Power of AsanasMaria Fernanda Tresslar (Parvati)Using the Sivananda asana practice (with variations), we will explore how each asana provides a portal to healing the body, mind, and spirit. Each area of the body holds onto certain emotions and memories, and these attachments can lead to pain and illness. Learn where in the body you hold emotions and how to bring consciousness to your practice. Daily topics include: grounding and finding balance; releasing the past and grief; opening your heart, and integrating body, mind, and spirit for a balanced life.

Maria Fernanda Tresslar (Parvati) is a Sivananda Yoga teacher (RYT-500) and a graduate from Miami Yogashala, Green Monkey Yoga studios, and the Pilates Physical Mind Institute. A

competitive gymnast for 13 years, she has also danced for dance companies in Colombia and in the US.


YVP June 23–27Writing from the Spirit Virginia Frances SchwartzUnleash your creative self—learn how to fuse yoga with writing. Enjoy daily freewrites in the garden with easy yoga poses, breathwork, meditation, and intention. Build a yogic writing practice that allows your stories to find their way onto the page without judgment. Writing from a spiritual perspective increases our awareness of original mind and develops patience, persistence, and self-acceptance (ahimsa). Our time together also includes discussions and sharing of work with gentle critique.

Virginia Frances Schwartz is a Sivananda Yoga teacher who currently teaches creative writing at UCLA Extension online using a spiritual approach. The author of seven YA novels,

she has trained adults and children in the writing process for more than 25 years.

YVP June 28–29Energy Applied to HealthCairo RochaThe program will explore the ancient Chinese Medicine’s concept of qi, or vital energy, as the hidden link connecting the physical, mental, and emotional aspects of the body.

Cairo Rocha, OMD, PhD, has been teaching and practicing acupuncture and related natural healing therapies for more than 25 years. He holds doctorate degrees in natural science

and therapeutic counseling and is the author of Anger Goes Up and Mudras: Healing with Vibrant Hands.

C June 16–20Positive ThinkingChange the way you think. Page 17.

YVP June 20–22Sacred Sounds of SanskritSanskrit for BeginnersRam Vakkalanka

Sanskrit is a vibrant language of ancient origins. Learning Sanskrit can be fun and fulfilling, and add richness and authenticity to a yogic lifestyle. The practice of Sanskrit opens channels for the flow of subtle

energies through the mind and body, similar to practice of asanas. This course includes spoken Sanskrit and authentic pronunciation of some mantras and asanas, as well as the Sanskrit alphabet.

Ram Vakkalanka is a Sanskrit expert, yoga philosopher, kirtan singer, and sitar artist. He travels around the globe sharing his deep knowledge of Sanskrit and yoga philosophy at yoga studios, festivals, and retreats.

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CHECK ONLINE FOR PROGRAM DETAILS AND UPDATES

These are beautiful months to come to the Yoga Retreat. The ocean is warm, calm, and crystal blue—the best time for swimming and snorkeling. These months offer a quieter time, providing an opportunity to go deeper into the practice of yoga and meditation, with more staff availability for guidance and to answer questions about yoga and the spiritual path. Join us—and discover inner and outer paradise.

PreviewsJuly, August, September 2014

JulyJuly 3–6Independence Day Special: Cultivate Inner Freedom through the Art of Positive Thinking

C July 6–10Yoga for Beginners

July 6–10Overcome Depression and Anxiety through Yoga

C July 11–13Intermediate Yoga Weekend Retreat: Deepen Your Practice

July 11–13Liberate Your Voice, Liberate Your Heart: The Joy of Kirtan

July 12Guru Purnima: Celebrating the Guru

July 13–17Overcome Anger: The Yogic Way

July 14 Swami Sivananda’s Maha Samadhi: A Celebration for His Life and Teachings

C July 13–17Introduction to Meditation

C July 18–20Yoga for Beginners Weekend

July 18–20The Art of Forgiveness

July 20–24Hatha Yoga Special: Advanced Asana Retreat

C July 20–24Positive Thinking

C July 25–27 Meditation Weekend Retreat

July 25–27Touching Divinity: Study the Lives of Saints

July 27–31The Science of Meditation: Introduction to the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali


AugustAugust 1–3Cultivate Health and Vitality through Yogic Nutrition

August 3–7 Reaching Communion with God: Prayer As a Spiritual Practice

C August 3–7 Yoga for Beginners

C August 8–10 Introduction to Meditation Weekend

August 8–10 Creating a New Starting Point: Introduction to Positive Thinking

August 10–14 Building Your Home Practice

August 15–17 Overcome Fear, Sadness, and Grief through the Practice of Yoga

August 17 Krishna Jayanthi: Celebrate the Playful Side of the Divine

C August 17–21 Positive Thinking

August 17–21 Dive Deep Within: Introduction to Meditation

C August 22–24 Yoga for Beginners Weekend

August 22–24 Yoga’s Secrets for Stress Management

August 24–28 Recharge, Relax, and Rejoice

August 29 Ganesha Chaturthi: A Celebration for Removing Obstables

August 29–September 1 Labor Day Weekend Special: Make Peace with Your Mind: The Conquest of Anger

SeptemberSeptember 1–4 Cultivating Patience: A Key to Overcoming Stress

September 5–7 Yoga at Home: Building your Home Practice

September 7–11 The Science of Life: Introduction to Ayurveda

C September 7–11 Yoga for Beginners

September 8 Swami Sivananda’s Birthday

September 12–14 Depression and Anxiety: Yogic Perspective and Remedies

C September 12–14 Deepen Your Practice: Intermediate Yoga Weekend Retreat

September 14–18 Living a Meaningful Life: Teachings from the Bhagavad Gita

September 19–21 Yogic Tools for Stress Management

C September 21–25Introduction to Meditation

September 21–25 How to be Happy: Tips for Cultivating Contentment

September 24–26 Rosh Ha’shana: Celebrating the Jewish New Year

September 25–October 4 Navaratri: Celebrate the Nine Nights of the Divine Mother

September 26–28 Overcome Fear, Sadness and Grief through the Practice of Yoga

C September 26–28 Positive Thinking Weekend

September 28–October 2 Cultivating Supreme Love: Chanting the Divine Name

C = course; all other programs are part of the Yoga Vacation Program. See page 3.

99Summer Previews

Social NetworksStay connected and receive beautiful photos, inspiring quotes, links to articles, upcoming program highlights, and more.

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• We update our videos regularly. When you subscribe, you’ll find out first when new videos come out. www.youtube.com/sivanandabahamas

e-newsA refreshing monthly publication with:

• Inspiring articles on yoga, healing arts, nutrition, and other topics

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• Highlights of upcoming events.

Subscribe from our homepage www.sivanandabahamas.org

Join Our Online Community

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101

Professional Accreditation

AND CONTINUING EDUCATION

Yoga Alliance AccreditationThe Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat is a Yoga Alliance Registered Yoga School. The Yoga Teacher Training Course and Advanced Yoga Teacher Training Course fulfill the requirements for the Yoga Alliance 200-hour and 500-hour certification, respectively. Other certification courses fulfill the Yoga Alliance requirements for Continuing Education Units and may be used as credit towards RYT-500 accreditation (visit our website for more information).

Open International University for Alternative MedicineThe Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat is affiliated with the Open International University via the International Institute for Integral Human Sciences in Montreal, Canada. By graduating from the Sivananda

Yoga Teacher Training Course or any other certification course at the Yoga Retreat, you can earn credits towards Bachelor (BTC) and Master (MTC) degrees in Therapeutic Counseling and the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Therapeutic Counseling.

Continuing Education Units (CEU) We offer Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for health-care and mental-health professionals, in addition to other professional fields. Please check with your state board of licensure or professional association to determine if a particular program meets their continuing education requirements. Look for the CEU symbol with the program descriptions in this catalog and check our website for the most current information on CEU-approved courses.* A $20 charge applies for each CEU certificate.

Professional Accreditation and Continuing Education

Residential Study Programs

“Karma Yoga, or the practice of selfless service, is the best preparation for the practice of meditation. Without purifying the heart and the mind from selfishness and other negative emotions, success in meditation is not possible. The ashram is the best setting for such a practice. Serving others with joy, in the company of other spiritual practitioners, is a safe way to practice Karma Yoga and eventually attain success in meditation and enjoy the bliss of the spiritual life.” —Swami Swaroopananda

The Practice of Karma YogaOpen your heart to Divine love and discover the bliss of selfless service. Karma Yoga, or selfless service, is the path of action. Find the joy in acting from the purest motivation of service for others and doing your best to carry out your assigned duty. Through this process you will develop a stronger sense of discipline and willpower, purify your heart, and move forward along the path of your spiritual evolution. Experience living as part of a community of like-minded people and receive guidance by senior staff on your quest for self-improvement.


“I have made lasting connections with many people. My spiritual practices have manifested in ways that I never thought possible—having the opportunity to do two hours of yoga daily is such a great blessing. The selfless service that I take part in every day feels as though it is fulfilling a need deep within me to put my work and my intellect into a cause that is truly spreading light and love into the world.” —Trevor

Advanced Karma Yoga ProgramJoin us for a full immersion in ashram life. This program is suitable for yoga teachers and those interested in making a deeper commitment to a spiritual life. Prior interview with the ashram manager is required. The minimum length of stay under this program is three months. No tuition fee applies. For application forms and additional information, please contact us by e-mail or phone.

Karma Yoga ProgramParticipants in this program contribute five hours of selfless service a day. The daily schedule includes mandatory attendance at morning and evening satsangs (meditation, chanting, and lecture) as well as one yoga class. Spiritual guidance and advice is provided by senior staff. In your free time, you can enjoy the beautiful white sand beach and participate in some of the afternoon workshops.

One-month minimum commitment is required. Cost: $899 per month. This price includes accom-modations*, meals, yoga classes, and participa-tion in some of the Yoga Vacation Programs (see calendar of events).

* From mid-November to mid-June: Tent accom-modations only (please bring your own tent); from mid-June to mid-November: Accommodations will be in dormitories (hotel tax will apply).

“The moment I arrived, I felt at home. The energy here is so wonderful, the opportunities to learn are endless, and the people are amazing. The Karma Yoga experience has deepened my practice with the 5 Points of Yoga, and I have been able to take several fantastic courses and workshops. I swim in the crystal blue ocean at least once every day, and it reminds me why I’m here: total immersion.” —Vishnu

“The Karma Yoga program was beautiful, challenging, and educational. I will always cherish the friendships I made and the important lessons I learned. —Mahadevi (Kim)

103Residential Study Programs

Arrival and DepartureStudents in all courses are advised to arrive at least one day before the first day of the course and depart at least one day after the course ends. Courses generally begin in the morning of the first day and end in the evening of the last day. You are welcome to arrive earlier or extend your stay to enjoy the Yoga Vacation Program or another course.

Guests in the Yoga Vacation Program are welcome to arrive and depart at any time, and can attend a whole program or any part of it.

Room check-in time: 3 pm Room check-out time: 11 am

Z Late checkouts. After 11 am, pay a $25 supplement; after 3 pm, full night payment (upon availability).

Plan Your Visit

How to Get HereFly to Nassau International Airport (please contact your local Bahamian Consulate to enquire whether you are required to have a visa to enter the Bahamas).

We’re closer than you think— 3 hours: New York City 1 hour: Miami

At the airport: Take a taxi to our dock at Elizabeth on Bay Marketplace and Marina. The Yoga Retreat’s boat will bring you here; it is about a five-minute ride from the dock. You are welcome to consult with reception about the boat schedule prior to arrival. If you arrive during early morning or late night, call us using a pay phone at 363-2902 to let us know that you are on your way and our boat will wait for you at the dock. Please visit our website for further arrival information.

In the following pages, you will find the information you need for planning a stay at the Yoga Retreat. If you still can’t find what you are looking for, please visit us online or contact us by email or phone. We look forward to your visit!


Special Rates and DiscountsDouble Room for Single Use From June 1–December 15, 2014, all double rooms are offered for single use at 85% of the double full-occupancy price.

Group Accommodation Discounts

10% discount for groups of 10 or more 15% discount for groups of 20 or more

Z Group discounts apply only to accommoda-tion rates and only if all members of the group register and pay together as a group for the same time period.

Tuition Discounts for Senior Citizens Senior citizens 65 years old and over receive a 10% discount on course tuition.

Multiple Courses Tuition Discounts Applies only when you register for two or more courses simultaneously and pay in full upon arrival for the courses:

1 course full tuition 2 courses 5% off tuition for both 3 courses 10% off tuition for all 3

Z Only one type of discount may be taken, including special promotions.

Enhance your stay with body treatments or Ayurveda consultations.

Call us to book a session before you arrive to guarantee availability.

See pages 6 and 7 for more information.

Book an appointment at the Well-Being Center

All speakers and presenters were confirmed prior to publication; however, cancellations may happen with or without notice for reasons that are beyond our control. Some courses are subject to minimum registra-tion. The Yoga Retreat will not be held liable for any cancellations or other changes in the program. Please consult our website or reception office for program updates prior to registering to any program.

What to BringRecommended items include: casual com-fortable clothes, modest clothes (covered legs and shoulders) for meditation and sat-sangs, yoga mat (you may also buy one at the boutique or rent one at reception), meditation shawl (cushions are available for use and for purchase), toiletries, slip-on sandals, cloth-ing for warm days and cool mornings and evenings, rainwear, flashlight, insect repellent, alarm clock, beach towel, bathing suit, and snorkeling equipment. For tent space only, please bring tent, towels, and bedding.

Helpful RemindersIn order to maintain a proper ashram atmosphere, attendance at two daily satsangs and yoga classes is expected. Non-vegetarian food, drugs, alcohol, and tobacco are not permitted on the premises. We also recommend maintaining silence from 10 pm to 8 am daily to ensure a pleasant night’s sleep and peaceful morning satsang for everyone. Sheets and blankets are provided for use in the rooms and tent huts only. There are no safety deposit boxes available—you are responsible for your personal belongings and valuables.

ChildrenFamilies with children are always welcome at the Yoga Retreat as part of the Yoga Vacation Program. We also offer special family, children, and teen programs.

Childrens ratesBaby cots are available for $15 a night. For children staying in their parents’ room only (age at the time of arrival):Under age 5 FreeAge 5–11 50% discount on accommodation rates (including energy surcharge). Yoga Vacation Program fees do not apply (unless otherwise indicated).From age 12 Standard rates apply

Day VisitorsDay visitors are welcome. The Yoga Vacation Program day rate is $45. Please call or visit our website for drop-in pricing of daily activities.

105Plan Your Visit

Choose your program Yoga Vacation Program Course Residential Study Program Yoga Teacher Training Courses (TTC and ATTC)

Accommodation RatesAccommodation rates include two full meals a day (brunch and dinner). The rates below are per person, per night and are listed in US dollars.

Winter Season: November 20, 2013–May 31, 2014

Room Type 1–6 Nights 7–13 Nights 14–20 Nights 21 Nights or more

Tent Space 69 64 61 58Tent Hut 79 74 70 67Dormitory (3 or 4 beds) 84 78 74 71Garden View Double 94 88 83 79Beachfront Double 105 97 91 87Single Room 112 104 98 93Bay View Double with Private Bathroom 116 108 101 96

Beachfront Deluxe with Two Double Beds & Private Bathroom 127 117 111 106

Program Rates

Yoga Vacation Add the following amount to accommodation rate Program November 20, 2013–May 31, 2014 $29 per person per night

June 1–November 19, 2014 $15 per person per night

Course Add tuition fee (listed with course description) to accommodation rate. You may come early or stay after by registering for a day or more of the Yoga Vacation Program.

TTC, ATTC, and These programs’ rates include tuition and accommodation. Residential Please see pages 10 to 13 for Teacher Training Courses and page 103 Study Program for Residential Study Program rates.

Z For children’s rates and special discounts, see page 105.

Registration and Rates

How to Register

1

2 Choose your accommodation option Room Types are listed below; you’ll find photos and more

information about housing on our website.


Deposit To guarantee your reservation, the following deposits are required: $100 for Yoga Vacation and Residential Study Programs; $300 for TTC and ATTC; $150 for all other courses. Deposit amounts are per-person. Balance is due upon arrival.

Payment Methods We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, travelers checks, cash (US dollars) and US certified bank drafts to the name Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat. We do not accept personal checks. All deposits and payments in US dollars only.

Summer Season: June 1–November 19, 2014

Room Type 1–6 Nights 7–13 Nights 14–20 Nights 21 Nights or more

Dormitory (3 or 4 beds) 73 67 63 60Garden View Double 84 78 73 69Beachfront Double 94 87 82 78Single Room 101 93 88 84Bay View Double with Private Bathroom 106 98 92 88

Beachfront Deluxe with Two Double Beds & Private Bathroom 116 108 101 96

Z A 10% hotel tax applies to all rooms. Energy surcharge of $10 per person per night applies. Accommodation rates do not include course tuition or Yoga Vacation Program fee. All prices and discounts are subject to change without notice. Minimum 2-night stay throughout the winter season. Minimum 3-night stay December 22, 2013–January 5, 2014 and February 20–23, 2014.

Choose your accommodation option Room Types are listed below; you’ll find photos and more

information about housing on our website.

Register today Online at sivanandabahamas.org Call us at 1.866.559.5167 (US & CA) /+1.242.363.2902 (8 am to 7 pm EST)

Our reservationists are available to answer any questions.

3

Cancellation PolicyRefunds* are available:• Up to 30 days prior to the scheduled

arrival date—subject to deduction of processing fee**. 30 days or fewer prior to the scheduled arrival date—subject to deduction of the deposit.

Credit Notes*** Apply to cancellation following arrival date. Credit notes will not be issued for the deposit. Any amount in excess of the deposit may be credited as follows: • Yoga Vacation Reservation: A credit note

will be issued in an amount equal to the amount paid for the cancelled portion of your original reservation.

• Teacher Training Course/Advanced Teacher Training Course: A credit note will be issued in an amount equal to the amount paid for the cancelled portion of the course.

• Other Courses: A credit note will be issued in an amount equal to the unused accommodation fees only. No credit or refunds will be given for the tuition amount.

* Refunds will be given solely by way of crediting the credit card used for the applicable payment.

** Processing fee in the amount of US $50 per person will be due in conjunction with any cancellation, in addition to any amount due.

*** Credit notes are valid for two years from the date of issue. Credit notes can be used for booking a Yoga Vacation, a course, or a daily program in the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat, Nassau, Bahamas only (specifically excluding Boutique purchases and Well-Being Center services). Credit notes are personal and nontransferable.

No refund or credit notes will be available if you attend a program and are dissatis-fied with its presentation or content, or due to dissatisfaction with the Yoga Retreat’s schedule or accommodations.

107Registration and Rates

AEben Alexander, 64Arjuna, 25, 51, 54, 56Jeffrey Armstrong, 45Molly Asebey-Birkholm

(Madhavi), 32, 49, 62Swami Atmananda, 65Davod Azad, 43

BBeata Barnard (Savitri-Devi),

31, 63, 65John Beaulieu, 42, 45Guy Beck, 86Nora Benian (Sundari), 22,

23, 27, 31, 33, 36, 37, 38Brett Bevell, 79Mira Binzen, 58Sylvie Boisclair (Saraswati),

18, 21, 22, 24, 27, 77, 94Swami Brahmananda, 19, 21,

23, 25, 27, 74, 91Edwin Bryant, 54Dale Buegel, 36Mirabai Bush, 39

CMirabai Ceiba, 53Sita Chaitanya, 53, 59, 68, 84Swapan Chaudhuri, 66Rabbi Mitchell Chefitz, 34Kam Thye Chow, 20, 54, 61,

90Moshe Cohen, 53Moira Crone, 24David Crow, 79Mala Cunningham, 47, 49

HMarc Halpern (Siva), 65,

67, 69Joyce Hawkes, 62Camille Adams Helminski,

35Kabir Helminski, 35Jivana Heyman, 65

IIsvari, 33, 42, 57, 67, 77, 86

JRobert Johnson, 82Tara Rachel Jones (Omkari),

37, 80

KKezia Kamenetz, 24Rodger Kamenetz, 24Shyam Kane, 67Stephen Kaplan, 41Nathan Katz, 64Nirinjan Kaur, 43Snatam Kaur, 35, 38Aashish Khan, 67Jan Kirschner, 43Uma Krishnamurthy, 60Prantik Kundu, 41

LMarisa Laursen (Sri Devi),

22, 23, 67, 71Andreas Ledermann, 42Pat Lillis-Hearne, 62Sasha Loring, 49Sondra Loring, 49Julie Lusk, 55

DKrishna Das, 57Krishna Das, 33, 46, 50, 59,

65, 93Atmarama Dasa, 93Karnamrita Dasi, 32Jeffrey Davis, 61Manu Dawson, 53, 84Laurier-Pierre Desjardins, 94Lama Rodney Devenish, 89Lalita Devi, 7, 19, 33, 42, 57,

67, 77, 86Julian DeVoe, 40, 71Joe Dispenza, 46Stacie Dooreck (Saraswati)

24, 73, 75, 76John Douillard, 72Daniel Drubach, 41

EPaul Epstein, 18

FRabbi Ted Falcon, 74Helen Folsom, 62Matthew Fox, 57

GJim Gelcer (Siva), 95 Mavis Gewant, 29Catherine Gillies (Kumari),

70, 72, 75, 77Daniele Giovannucci, 30Roshi Bernie Glassman, 56Alan Godlas (Abd al-Haqq),

74Joshua Goldstein, 52Amit Goswami, 59Pooja Goswami, 87Linda Graham, 53Aira Guevara (Rukmini), 95

Teacher and Presenter Index


MPastor Don Mackenzie, 75Emily Markides, 35Kyriacos C. Markides, 35Roshi Eve Myonen Marko,

56Charlotta Martinus

(Chandrika), 51Daniel Matt, 89The Mayapuris, 92Ed McGaa (Eagle Man), 35Father William Meninger, 28Dan Millman, 48Father Joseph Mitchell, 89Nitin Mitta, 87Labonee Mohanta, 67Mohini, 25Raymond Moody, 64

NRubin Naimin, 28Silvia Nakkach, 45Krishnan Namboodiri, 35,

44, 60Aruna Narayan, 67David Newman (Durga Das),

70Nirmala, 73

OAnnie Okerlin, 62Swami Omkarananda, 70, 71Catherine O’Neill (Durga

Leela), 80, 82, 84, 90

PRichard Panico, 78Katie Papo (Ambika), 21, 30Suba Ramesh Parmar, 27Daniel Paul, 76, 83Russill Paul, 68A. Pavan, 87Neil Pearson, 71John Perkins, 78Thupten Phuntsok, 34Tia Pittman, 43Samani Unnata Pragya, 64

Swamini Pramananda (Ammaji), 32, 34

Swami Medhananda Puri, 89, 91

Michael Pyfrom, 96

RRagani, 33Imam Jamal Rahman, 89Brigitta Raimann, 42Petra Rakebrandt, 48, 53Sandrine Remy (Sanatani),

37, 80Geshe Michael Roach, 77Cairo Rocha, 97Sister Greta Ronningen, 27Tommy Rosen, 82Marilyn Rossner, 79Peter Russell, 85

SG.S. Sachdev, 66, 87Melanie Sachs, 69Robert Sachs, 69Gina Salá, 76Silvia San Miguel (Surya), 39,

44, 46, 61, 65, 67Satyadev, 73Lothar Schäfer, 50Stephan A. Schwartz, 79Virginia Frances Schwartz,

97Brant Secunda, 52Andrea Seidel, 63Rabbi Arthur Seltzer, 64Farah Yasmeen Shaikh, 87, Brahmachari Shankar, 31, 91Shantala, 43Swami Shantananda, 81Paul Sherbow, 92Tulku Sherdor, 74Shimshai, 47Sarita Shrestha, 69Shyam, 25Stephen Sinatra, 63

Shivanter Singh (John Barczak), 40, 71

Swami Sitaramananda, 80, 82, 84, 85

Olga Mandodari Sokolova (Narayani), 19

Manjula Spears, 78, 81Srinivasan, 42Mirabai Starr, 27Guy Stibal, 88Vianna Stibal, 88Radhanath Swami, 90Swami Swaroopananda,

14, 15, 34, 47, 57, 67, 71, 78, 79, 81, 93

TMaya Tiwari, 69Maria Fernanda Tresslar

(Parvati), 96Theodore Tsavoussis, 22

UJai Uttal, 83

VAmir Vahab, 27Vishal Vaid, 43Ram Vakkalanka, 97Elaine Valdov, 53Grace Van Berkum, 21, 23,

40, 44, 84, 86Gaura Vani, 35, 38, 90

WWilliam Waldron, 41Master Ou Wen Wei, 79, 81Amy Weintraub, 53Steven Weiss, 94Bishop Trevor Williamson, 79Bill Wilson, 55

109Teacher and Presenter Index

Program GuideWHAT ARE YOU INTERESTED IN?

Ayurveda Programs & TrainingsAyurveda Body Treatments Certification Course, Lalita Devi ................................................... 19

Ayurvedic Yoga Therapist Certification, Marc Halpern (Siva) and Marisa Laursen (Sri Devi) ......................................................................67

Ayurveda and Yoga Wellness Counselor Certification, Swami Sitaramananda and Catherine O’Neill (Durga Leela) ..................... 80

Ayurvedic Nutrition: The Art of Conscious Eating, Marisa Laursen (Sri Devi) ............ 23, 71

Secrets of Ayurveda: Ancient Yogic Medicine for Healing Body and Mind, Lalita Devi and Isvari ........33, 42, 57, 67, 77, 86

Sivananda Ayurveda Conference: The Healing Side of Yoga ................................. 69

Understanding Your Ayurvedic Constitution: The Key to Health and Well-Being, Marisa Laursen (Sri Devi) ....................................22

Chanting, Music & SoundAwakening Bhakti: Chanting Retreat, Jai Uttal and Daniel Paul......................................83

Classical Indian Music and Dance Festival ........................................................................ 66

Harmonizing Our Lives with Mantras, Ragas, and Voice, Karnamrita Dasi ................32

The Heart of Chanting, Snatam Kaur ...........38

The Joy of Sivananda Kirtan, Jim Gelcer (Siva) .....................................................95

Kirtan and the Bhakti Mandala: Healing through Chant, David Newman (Durga Das)..............................70

Kirtan with Ragani, Ragani.................................33

Mantra Revolution: Chanting the Divine Names, Gaura Vani .................................................38

Ocean of Devotion: Ecstatic Kirtan Retreat, Gina Salá and Daniel Paul ...................................76

On the Wings of Ecstasy: Interfaith Devotional Singing Festival ............................. 43

A Practicum on Yoga of the Voice: Modalities and Ways to Implement Voice in a Therapeutic Setting, Silvia Nakkach ....45

Sacred Music and Song: Opening the Window of the Soul, Shimshai .........................47

The Sacred Music of India, Guy Beck ...........86

Sacred Sound: Chanting the Divine Name, The Mayapuris ...........................................................92

Sacred Sounds: A Weekend of Classical Indian Music & Dance ............................................87

Sacred Sounds of Sanskrit: Sanskrit for Beginners, Ram Vakkalanka ..............................97

Songs of the Beloved, Atmarama Dasa ......93

The Yoga of Chant Retreat, Krishna Das ... 57

The Yoga of Devotion: Practicing Bhakti Yoga, Swami Brahmananda .............................. 21

The Yoga of Sound, Russill Paul ......................68

The Yoga of Sound and Voice Training, John Beaulieu and Silvia Nakkach ..................45


Creativity & Sacred ArtChakra Immersion: Painting, Chanting, and Understanding Sacred Centers, Mavis Gewant ........................................................... 29

Luminosity: Dancing the Body Sacred, A Transcendent Spiritual Practice, Andrea Seidel ............................................................63

Painting Planet Mandalas, Mavis Gewant.. 29

Sacred Art Course: Express Divine Inspiration, Sita Chaitanya ..................................68

Story Quest Writing Course, Jeffrey Davis ...............................................................61

Writing from the Spirit, Virginia Frances Schwartz ..................................97

Yantra Painting: Transformation through Sacred Form, Mavis Gewant .............................29

Healing Arts Trainings The Planes of Existence, Viana Stibal ..........88

Polarity Therapy and 5-Element Body Work Certification, John Beaulieu, Andreas Ledermann, Brigitta Raimann .......42

Thai Yoga Massage, Levels 1–4, Kam Thye Chow .......................................................20

ThetaHealing Advanced DNA Training, Guy Stibal ....................................................................88

ThetaHealing Advanced DNA Training, Petra Rakebrandt ....................................................48

ThetaHealing Basic DNA Training, Guy Stibal ....................................................................88

ThetaHealing Basic DNA Training, Petra Rakebrandt ....................................................48

The Waters of Healing: A Course in Cell-Level Healing, Joyce Hawkes and Helen Folsom ...................62

Health & HealingCardiac Medical Yoga Retreat, Mala Cunningham ...................................................49

Depression and Anxiety: Yogic Perspectives and Remedies, Sita Chaitanya ...........................................................59

Digestion and the Mind: The Key to Health and Longevity, John Douillard ......................... 72

Energy Applied to Health, Cairo Rocha ......97

Healing the Aching Heart: Living with Grief and Loss, Catherine Gillies (Kumari)...................................75

Healing Chronic Pain: The Mind-Body Syndrome, Paul Epstein ........................................ 18

The Healing Powers of Creative Life Energy, Vianna Stibal ..............................................................88

Healing the Light Body: Exploring Shamanic Medicine, Theodore Tsavoussis .............................................22

Healing through Mystical Qigong, Master Ou Wen Wei ................................................81

Healing Your Emotional Body, Silvia San Miguel (Surya) ........................... 44, 65

Prana in Life Enhancement, Dale Buegel ...36

Steps on the Path to Healing, Joyce Hawkes and Helen Folsom ...................62

Stress and Weight Management, Katie Papo (Ambika) .............................................. 21

ThetaHealing Rhythm for Finding Your Perfect Weight, Vianna Stibal ...............88

Transform Stress into Awakened Living: Relax, Reflect, Revitalize, Julie Lusk .............55

Yoga and Aromatherapy to Relieve Stress, Anxiety, and Depression, Aira Guevara (Rukmini) .......................................95

111Program Guide

Yoga and Heart Health: A Cardiologist’s Perspective on Ancient and Modern Healing, Stephen Sinatra .........63

Yoga and Sacred Healing, Easter and Passover Symposium and Celebration ...... 78

Yoga of Recovery Retreat, Catherine O’Neill (Durga Leela) ..................... 90

Yoga of Recovery Symposium ....................... 82

The Yoga of Sleep: Sacred and Scientific Practices to Heal Sleeplessness, Rubin Naimin .............................................................28

Holidays & Traditional CeremoniesAyyappa Puja, Krishnan Namboodiri .......... 44

Easter Sunrise Service, Swami Swaroopananda, Bishop Trevor Williamson, Marilyn Rossner ..............................79

Thanksgiving Celebration and Family Program, Swami Brahmananda and Arjuna ...................24

Maha Sivaratri, Krishnan Namboodiri .......... 60

Passover Seder Celebration, Swami Swaroopananda .......................................79

Unity in Diversity: Let the Light Shine, Christmas and New Year Symposium .........34

MeditationIntroduction to Meditation, Senior Yoga Retreat Teachers .......................... 17

Meditation As a Path to Enlightenment: An Interfaith Symposium .................................... 74

Meditation Immersion Course, Swami Brahmananda ............................................ 91

Meditation Intensive Weekend, Swami Sitaramananda ......................................... 80

Vedantic Meditation: The Practice of Self-Inquiry, Brahmachari Shankar .................31

Nutrition & CleansesConscious Strategies Cleanse, Shivanter Singh (John Barczak) and Julian DeVoe ...................................................... 71

Gracious Living Raw Vegan Holiday Course, Grace Van Berkum ...............................23

Gracious Living Raw Food Retreat, Grace Van Berkum .................................................86

Gracious Living: 4-Day Liquid Detox, Grace Van Berkum .................................................. 21

Gracious Living Vegan Nutrition Retreat, Grace Van Berkum ................................................ 44

New Year’s Cleanse, Detox, and Juice-Fasting Experience, Shivanter Singh (John Barczak), Julian DeVoe, Grace Van Berkum .................. 40

Spring Cleanse, Detox, and Juice-Fasting Program, Manu Dawson, Sita Chaitanya, Grace Van Berkum ............................................... 84

Winter Cleanse, Detox, and Juice-Fasting Program, Manu Dawson, Sita Chaitanya, Petra Rakebrandt ....................................................53

Science & SpiritualityNear-Death Experiences and Life-After-Death Conference .......................... 64

Neuroscience and World Religions: Different Practices, Different Brains, Different Spiritualities?, symposium ..............41

Quantum Activism, Amit Goswami ...............59

Quantum Reality and the Spiritual Mind, Lothar Schäfer ......................................................... 50

A Science of Being: Exploring the Mysteries of Consciousness, Peter Russell......................85


Social Activism & the EnvironmentEssential Permaculture for Yogis, Bill Wilson ....................................................................55

Food as a Spiritual Path, Daniele Giovannucci ............................................. 30

Introduction to Permaculture and Spirituality, Bill Wilson ................................55

Yoga and Permaculture: Vedic Ecology in Practice, Swami Omkarananda ..................70

Yoga for All, Nirmala and Satyadev ..............73

Yoga for Peace Symposium: Changing the World from the Inside Out.........................52

Specialized Yoga ProgramsAdvanced Asana Practice, Sylvie Boisclair (Saraswati) ......................... 21, 77

Advanced Yoga, Senior Yoga Retreat Teachers ........................... 17

Deeper into the 5 Points of Yoga, Arjuna ..56

Developing Greater Awareness in Asana Practice, Krishna Das ............................................59

Fine-Tune Your Yoga Practice, Sylvie Boisclair (Saraswati) ................................ 27

The Healing Power of Hatha Yoga, Laurier-Pierre Desjardins ....................................94

Intermediate Yoga, Senior Yoga Retreat Teachers ...........................16

Perfect Your Balancing Postures, Sylvie Boisclair (Saraswati) ................................24

Principles of Alignment: Refining Asana Practice, Steven Weiss .........................................94

Seniors Yoga Retreat, Catherine Gillies (Kumari)...................................77

Sivananda Yoga Teacher Renewal, Swami Brahmananda, Shyam, Mohini ..........25

Therapeutic Yoga for the Spine, Hips, Legs, and Shoulders, Nora Benian (Sundari) .......38

Yoga for Back Care, Catherine Gillies (Kumari)................................... 72

Yoga for Healthy Bones, Beata Barnard (Savitri-Devi) ......................31, 63

Yoga Therapy Week, Manjula Spears .......... 81

Specialized Yoga TrainingsAccessible Yoga: Teaching Yoga to Students with Disabilities, Jivana Heyman .........................................................65

Adaptive Yoga Training Level 1, Krishna Das .........................................................50, 93

Adaptive Yoga Training Level 2, Krishna Das ................................................................ 93

Advanced Yoga Teacher Training Course .. 12

Cardiac Yoga Teacher Training, Mala Cunningham ...................................................47

Chair Yoga Training, Stacie Dooreck (Saraswati) ...............................75

Introduction to Teaching Yoga to Children, Mira Binzen .................................................................58

Modified Yoga: Sharing the Practice with Everyone, Catherine Gillies (Kumari) ...........70

Restorative Yoga Teacher Training, Nora Benian (Sundari) ......................................... 27

Share the Practice of Yoga Nidra with Children, Mira Binzen ................................. 58

Sivananda Yoga Teacher Training Course ............................................................................10

Teen Yoga Teacher Training Course, Charlotta Martinus (Chandrika) ........................51

113Program Guide

Warriors at Ease Training Levels 1 and 2: Teaching Yoga in a Military Setting, Molly Asebey-Birkholm (Madhavi), Pat Lillis-Hearne, Annie Okerlin .......................62

Yoga for Mood Management: LifeForce Yoga Practitioner Training, Part A–Experiential, Amy Weintraub ...........53

Yoga for Osteoporosis Teacher Training, Beata Barnard (Savitri-Devi) ......................31, 65

Yoga Nidra Teacher Training Course: The Art of Conscious Deep Relaxation and Healing, Marc Halpern (Siva) ...................65

Yoga of Recovery: Certification for Counselors, Catherine O’Neill (Durga Leela) and Swami Sitaramananda ................................84

Spiritual Practice & LivingAwakening the Mystic Within Ourselves, Matthew Fox ..............................................................57

Bhakti Yoga Retreat, Radhanath Swami and Gaura Vani ............... 90

Christian Models of Contemplation and Meditation, Father William Meninger ...........28

Cultivating Vairagya: The Practice of Non-Attachment, Swami Brahmananda ..... 19

Karma Yoga: Love in Action, Swami Brahmananda ............................................. 19

Living a Divine Life, Swami Brahmananda ............................................23

Living a Life That Matters, Roshi Bernie Glassman and Roshi Eve Myonen Marko ....56

Practical Spirituality: The Life and Teachings of Swami Vishnudevananda, Arjuna ..............51

Questions and Answers on Yoga and Spiritual Life, Swami Swaroopananda .......... 15

Residential Study Programs ........................... 102

Turning to the Mystics for Guidance on the Spiritual Path, symposium ..................26

What Is Nirvana and How Do We Get There?, Geshe Michael Roach .......................... 77

Yoga & Self-CareGentle Yoga Pre-Holiday Retreat, Stacie Dooreck (Saraswati) ...............................24

Gentle Yoga Retreat, Stacie Dooreck (Saraswati) ...............................76

Guided Imagery and Creative Visualization: Meditations for Health, Self-Awareness, and Joy, Julie Lusk ..................................................55

Healing through Deep Relaxation Weekend Retreat, Molly Asebey-Birkholm (Madhavi) ................32

Healing Your Relationship with Food, Sasha Loring and Sondra Loring .....................49

Office Yoga, Nora Benian (Sundari) .............36

Overcome Pain with Yoga and Knowledge, Neil Pearson ................................................................ 71

The Power of Asanas, Maria Fernanda Tresslar (Parvati) ..................96

Restorative Yoga and Healing Therapies, Nora Benian (Sundari) ..........................................23

Yoga and Integrative Weight Loss, Katie Papo (Ambika) ............................................ 30

Yoga and Self Thai Massage, Nora Benian (Sundari) ..........................................33

Yoga for Calming Panic and Anxiety, Catherine Gillies (Kumari)...................................77

Yoga for the Spine: Back Awareness Workshop, Mike Pyfrom ......................................96


Yoga for Stress Management, Silvia San Miguel (Surya) .............................46, 67

Yoga Therapy for Stress Reduction, Nora Benian (Sundari) ..........................................22

Yoga Basics for Everyday LifeGreat for beginnners!

Adapting Sivananda Yoga to Your Body, Krishna Das .................................................... 33, 46

Beginners Yoga Immersion Week, Arjuna ........................................................................56

Creating a Yogic Lifestyle, Silvia San Miguel (Surya) ..........................39, 61

Introduction to Sivananda Yoga, Sylvie Boisclair (Saraswati) .................... 18, 94

Finding Balance: Developing a Practice to Bring Harmony into Everyday Life, Molly Asebey-Birkholm (Madhavi) ........... 49

Mindfulness Meditation for Daily Life, Silvia San Miguel (Surya) ................................ 46

Positive Thinking, Senior Yoga Retreat Teachers ....................... 17

Yoga for Beginners, Senior Yoga Retreat Teachers .......................16

Yoga for Home Practice: Establishing a Daily Spiritual Routine, Sylvie Boisclair (Saraswati) ............................22

Yoga Is for Everyone: Bringing Yoga to All Populations, Stacie Dooreck (Saraswati) ...........................73

Yoga PhilosophyAdvanced Bhagavad Gita Course, Swami Swaroopananda ........................................14

Advanced Raja Yoga Course: Part IV, Kaivalya Pada, Swami Swaroopananda ........................................14

Create Your Sacred Space: Introduction to Vastu Shastra, Olga Mandodari Sokolova (Narayani) ........... 19

The Descent of Grace: Teachings on the Hanuman Chalisa, Swami Shantananda ...............................................81

Essentials of Yoga and Vedanta: Practice and Philosophy, Swami Sitaramananda ..........................................84

Foundations of Raja Yoga, Srinivasan ....................................................................42

Godly Gossip, Swami Atmananda ..................65

The Mahabharata: The Greatest Story Ever Told, Jeffrey Armstrong ..................................................45

The Royal Path to Enlightenment: Talks on Patanjali Yoga Sutras, Edwin Bryant .............................................................54

Work and Self: Talks from the Bhagavad Gita and Upanishads, Paul Sherbow ........... 92

The Ultimate Goal: Enlightenment, Self-Realization, or Something Else? ...........89

The Yoga of the Vision of the Cosmic Form: Teachings on the 11th Chapter of the Bhagavad Gita, Swamini Pramananda (Ammaji) .....................32

The Yoga of Wisdom Teachings from the Vivekachudamani, Brahmachari Shankar ...91

Vedanta in Daily Life, Swami Medhananda Puri......................................91

115Program Guide

We hope you are inspired by our catalog; please continue your journey on www.sivanandabahamas.org to find just the right experience for you.

Join us for a symposium.These special events bring together renowned spiritual teachers, musicians, scientists, and leaders in a celebration of unity in diversity.

Turning to the Mystics ...............................26

Unity in Diversity: Let the Light Shine ......................................34

Neuroscience and World Religions ..... 41

Interfaith Devotional Singing Festival ...............................................................43

Yoga for Peace .............................................. 52

Life-After-Death Conference ................64

Classical Indian Music and Dance Festival, .....................................66

Ayurveda Conference ...............................68

Interfaith Meditation Symposium ....... 74

Yoga and Sacred Healing ........................ 78

Yoga of Recovery ........................................ 82

The Ultimate Goal ........................................89

Yoga Psychology & Self-DiscoveryBreaking the Habit of Being Yourself, Joe Dispenza .............................................................46

Courage and Compassion: Foundations of the Peaceful Warrior’s Way, Dan Millman ................................................................48

Introduction to Dreamwork for Spiritual Practice, Rodger Kamenetz, Moira Crone, Kezia Kamenetz ...................................................... 24

Positive Thinking for Inner Transformation, Swami Omkarananda ............................................. 71

Working with Mindfulness, Mirabai Bush ...39

Yoga of Relationships, Swami Sitaramananda ..........................................85

Yoga Psychology and the Transformation of Emotions, Uma Krishnamurthy ................. 60

November Thanksgiving Celebration and Family Program, Swami Brahmananda and Arjuna ........ 24

December Family Holiday Program, Tara Rachel Jones (Omkari) and Sandrine Remy (Sanatani) ............. 37

Teen Yoga Holiday Program, Nora Benian (Sundari) ............................... 37

February Explore the Bahamas, Explore Yourself!, Arjuna ..........................54

April Spring Family Holiday Program, Tara Rachel Jones (Omkari) and Sandrine Remy (Sanatani) ......................80

Year-round Yoga Vacation Program ..............................8

Children, Teens & FamiliesCome as a family and enjoy some time away together.

116

Take your yoga the next step.

Sivananda Yoga Teacher

Training CourseImmerse yourself in a month of yoga practice, study, and learning in an environment that supports your personal

and spiritual growth. Join a worldwide network of people certified to teach and guide others on the path of yoga.

Learn more on page 10.

Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat BahamasParadise Island, Nassau, BahamasTel. 1.866.559.5167 (from US & CA) / +1.242.363.2902

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