Family Christmas at Ananda

Name: Family Christmas at Ananda
Start: 2024-12-06
End: 2024-12-08
Location: Expanding Light Retreat

December 6 - 8, 2024

Retreat Highlights

Family Kirtan: Engage in sacred chanting with Ananda families, fostering a sense of unity and connection.
Caroling with the Community: Join the community in spreading joy through caroling, creating a festive and heartwarming atmosphere.
Family Yoga and Games: Cultivate connection through family yoga sessions and engaging games for all ages.
Christmas Decorating and Special Art Project: Participate in festive activities like Christmas decorating and a special art project.
Hike with “Sharing Nature” Activities: Connect with the beauty of the surroundings.
Celebrate the Light: Honor the special season through stories, songs, and sacred ceremonies that bring the true meaning of Christmas to life.
Sunday Service in the Temple of Light: Attend the Sunday Service in the Temple of Light, with a special Sunday school for kids to deepen their spiritual connection.

About this Retreat

Your Guides

David

Irene

Matthew

David Kletter

Raised in Bozeman, Montana, David is an outdoor enthusiast and nature lover. He grew up skiing, rock climbing, mountaineering, and backpacking. He has a special fondness for being in the garden, the forest, and wild nature. A desire to dynamically live the teachings of Paramhansa brought David to Ananda Village in the summer of 2022. He relates naturally with young people and finds deep joy in attuning to the magic of “the now” by sharing the beauty of Divine Presence with others. David is part of the team that hosts Family Retreat programs. His childlike joy, creativity, and natural affinity for children make him a natural teacher. He feels that learning comes through the “doing” of direct experience and children respond to his way of teaching with absorbed interest.

Irene Schulman

Irene has long been involved in, and has much experience with educating children through the Ananda system of Education for Life. She presently works for Education for Life International (EFL), mentoring teachers, and visiting and supporting EFL schools everywhere. She has served as a teacher at Ananda Village Living Wisdom School (Grades 4-12), helped develop a teen camp (Inner Adventure Camp for Teens), and helps with online teacher training for parents and teachers. Her sunny disposition, creativity, quick mind, and spontaneous sense of humor are a joy to be around. She is a wonderful retreat leader that children and adults alike are drawn to be with.

Matthew Fredrickson

Matthew has worked with children of all ages for almost 3 decades. He is thoughtful, creative, musical, and tunes into each child’s qualities to help them learn and shine in exactly the ways they need. He is part of the team that hosts Family retreats at The Expanding Light Retreat. Born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA, Matthew attended Weber State University in Utah, and has a BA in Education and Creative Writing from Ananda College of Living Wisdom in California. He has traveled extensively, traversing the United States multiple times and touring South America, Europe-and India. A disciple of Paramhansa Yogananda and a teacher at Living Wisdom Schools since 2005 Matthew most enjoys sharing music, literature and creative writing; history, and outdoor adventures with his students.

Details of this retreat

Celebrating the True Spirit of Christmas with Your Family
Come visit Ananda Village with your family at this sacred time to celebrate and honor the true spirit of the season, creating lasting memories and offering meaningful inner experiences for your children.

This weekend is ideal for children ages 5-12 but all are welcome.

This kid and family-friendly weekend will include:

Family Kirtan: Engage in sacred chanting with Ananda families, fostering a sense of unity and connection.
Caroling with the Community: Join the community in spreading joy through caroling, creating a festive and heartwarming atmosphere.
Family Yoga and Games: Cultivate connection through family yoga sessions and engaging games for all ages.
Christmas Decorating and Special Art Project: Participate in festive activities like Christmas decorating and a special art project.
Hike with "Sharing Nature" Activities: Connect with the beauty of the surroundings.
Celebrate the Light: Honor the special season through stories, songs, and sacred ceremonies that bring the true meaning of Christmas to life.
Sunday Service in the Temple of Light: Attend the Sunday Service in the Temple of Light, with a special Sunday school for kids to deepen their spiritual connection.

About Family Friendly Weekends
We are excited to be able to welcome families and children to visit our retreat center. Please review our guidelines for Bringing Your Family to The Expanding Light Yoga Retreat Center and email us at info@expandingligh.org with any questions.

Please note: The ideal age for this retreat is 5-12 years old, but please inquire if you’re interested in coming with younger or older children to see if it would be a good fit for them. Children 3 and under stay free with a small fee to cover the program. Parents would be responsible for their care throughout your stay.

Make This Christmas Truly Special for Your Family:
This family-friendly weekend offers a unique opportunity to infuse your holiday season with meaning, joy, and spiritual connection. Create beautiful memories and celebrate the true spirit of Christmas with your loved ones at Ananda Village.

What Parents have said:

“The whole program was great! The activities were all appropriate and helped connect the group/family and also allow for alone time.” -E.F., Mountain View, CA

“It’s a beautiful way to spend intentional and sacred time with family and new friends.” - family retreat participant

“Good opportunity for meeting other parents. Great positive environment. Erin is very approachable for discussions involving parenting or knowing more about Education for Life.” -parent participant

Schedule

Morning
6:30 – 8:00 am Community Meditation (Join us for all or part of this silent meditation)
6:30 – 8:15 am Sadhana (spiritual practices) which consists of: Energization Exercises (20 – 25 min), Ananda Yoga Postures * (45 – 50 min), Chanting (5 min), Meditation (15 min – 30 min)
8:15 – 9:00 am Breakfast (in silence Monday-Saturday)
9:00 – 9:30 am Host check-in
10:00 – 11:30 am Scheduled program, class, group activity, or free time
Afternoon
Noon – 12:30 pm Meditation (5 min chanting, 25 min meditation)
12:30 – 1:30 pm Lunch
2:00 – 4:00 pm Scheduled program, class, group activity, or free time
4:45 – 6:30 pm Sadhana (spiritual practices)
Evening
6:30 – 7:30 pm Dinner
7:30 – 9:00 pm Scheduled program, class, group activity, or free time

Note: Schedule is approximate and may change

Getting Here

Expanding Light Retreat

Directions

Yes, our retreat is a little out of the way. And once you get here, you’ll be glad it is!

Our address is 13930 Expanding Light Drive, Nevada City, CA. If using Google Maps. We are located 1.5 hours away from the Sacramento International Airport, as well as the Reno/Tahoe International Airport. If you need a ride to or from the bus, train, or plane, please contact us and we can share contact information for a drivers who have helped our guests in the past.

Accommodation

FAMILY PRIVATE ENSUITE

This is a good fit for a family - the third person will be in a cot. An ensuite private room can provide the peace and solitude you crave. These charming rooms have two twin beds with a private, ensuite bathroom. An inviting outdoor space awaits you outside your front door, surrounded by a serene, forest setting.

FAMILY PRIVATE STANDARD

Enjoy your own peaceful room with two twin beds and a shared bathroom down the hall. Each room is simply and tastefully decorated, with windows opening toward the surrounding forest. A bright and airy communal lounge and kitchenette is available 24 hours a day, perfect for relaxing with a book or sharing a cup of tea with friends.

FAMILY PRIVATE CABIN

Note: This space is doable for 3 people, but will be quite tight. The third person will be in a cot. Your private cabin is tucked into a gentle hillside, bright and airy inside, with expansive windows that connect your room to the surrounding forest. Each cabin has two twin beds, with a communal shower house that is centrally located and shared by other cabin guests, campers, and our karma yogis.