Sadhana Intensive

Location icon
14651 Ballantree Lane Grass Valley, CA 95949 USA
Date
June 10 - 25, 2025

About this Retreat

Your Guides

Details of this retreat

Sadhana Intensive
Sadhana Intensive is a two-week program devised by Swami Vishnudevananda based on his own hatha yoga sadhana in the Himalayas. He said that six months of this intensive practice gave him the energy to carry out his mission of spreading the teachings of yoga in the West for next 40 years.

This course is based on individual self-practice divided into two or three sessions per day. The emphasis is on intense and prolonged pranayama. Students work towards eight hours of hatha yoga per day which is balanced by the study of classical scriptures.
Requirements
The course demands a high level of self-discipline and students are guided according to individual needs. Students are expected to remain within the ashram premises throughout the course with no free days, no access to telephone or email and a strict sattvic diet (salt, spice, tea and sugar free).

The highly controlled environment is vital for this type of practice.

The course requires some preparation from the student. Interested students are advised to prepare by following a regular daily hatha yoga practice and a sattvic lifestyle. Sound physical and mental health is a pre-requisite.

Sadhana Intensive affords a unique opportunity to extend the limits of our capabilities, strengthen our stamina and develop self-confidence with long lasting effects.
Curriculum

  - Explanation and practice of advanced pranayama, bandhas (locks) and mudras (seals).
  - Daily self practice of asana.
  - Practice of shat kriyas (cleansing techniques).
  - Meditation and chanting.
  - Keeping spiritual diary.
  - Mouna (at certain times of the day) to conserve the vital energy
Study of:
  - "Viveka Chudamani" by Sankaracharya  A standard text on Vedanta philosophy which describes the practical methods towards realizing the Self and the necessary preparations for it.
  - "Hatha Yoga Pradipika" by Yogi Swatmarama with commentary by Swami Vishnudevananda. This classical text on Hatha Yoga explains in detail asanas, pranayama, Mudras, Bandhas and the process of awakening the Kundalini.
  - "Srimad Bhagavatam" by Vyasa Maharishi is one of the most important works on Bhakti Yoga. Listening to these stories fills the mind with universal love and opens the heart, which is the key to experiencing the deepest levels of Hatha Yoga and for the practice of Bhakti yoga.
Sadhana Intensive course manual (supplied)

Daily Schedule
The daily schedule includes:

  - Practice of kriyas.
  - Morning and evening satsang with meditation and chanting.
  - Two or three practice sessions of asana and advanced pranayama incorporating bandhas and mudras.
  - Study of Hatha Yoga Pradipika / Viveka Chudamani / Srimad Bhagavatam.
  - Morning almond milk drink, brunch and dinner.
  - Participation in entire daily schedule is mandatory. The course director may change the schedule according to the need of the students.

Prerequisite
Sadhana Intensive courses are open only to Sivananda Teachers Training Course (TTC) graduates. Good physical and mental health as well as a high degree of self-motivation are required due to the very intensive nature of the course.
Certificate
An internationally recognized certificate from the International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre organization (ISYVC) is awarded on completion of the course.

Getting Here

Location icon Sivananda Yoga Farm, 14651 Ballantree Lane Grass Valley, CA 95949 USA

Accommodation

Tent - Bring Your Own

Accommodation
Guests may bring their own tent and gear and camp on the land. Sleep closer to nature in the fresh, open air. There are deck platforms designated for tenting. If you want more than one tent, book with us multiple times!

Om Cabin - Double (shared)

Accommodation
The double is a shared room, and the cost is per person.  If you are not booking with a friend or family member, a roommate will be assigned.  Pleasant and simple lodging, our Om Cabins are the original tent cabins that were built about 20 years ago.  They are placed in a peaceful and tranquil setting, on a gentle hillside overlooking the pond and surrounded by the natural beauty of the Ashram. Each cabin is named for a different virtue, such as happiness or contentment. Each cabin is furnished with a dresser, desk, night stand, ceiling fan and propane heater. Om Cabin guests share a nearby bathhouse.  Wifi internet is available.

Om Cabin - Private

Accommodation
Book your own private Om cabin. Pleasant and simple lodging, our Om Cabins are the original tent cabins that were built about 20 years ago.  They are placed in a peaceful and tranquil setting, on a gentle hillside overlooking the pond and surrounded by the natural beauty of the Ashram. Each cabin is named for a different virtue, such as happiness or contentment. Each cabin is furnished with a dresser, desk, night stand, ceiling fan and propane heater. Om Cabin guests share a nearby bathhouse.  Wifi internet is available.

Siva Cabin - Private

Accommodation
Our Siva Cabins are newly built and are placed in a peaceful, tranquil setting, at the base of Siva hill on a gentle hillside overlooking the pond and surrounded by the natural beauty of the Ashram. They feature an outdoor porch, bamboo wood flooring, ceiling fan, and are built with high grade materials and furnished with a side table, dresser and propane heater.  Includes a private bathroom and shower.  Wifi is available.

Deluxe Shanti Cabin - Private

Accommodation
Pleasant, deluxe, lodging, our Shanti Cabins are placed in a peaceful, tranquil setting, on a gentle hillside overlooking the pond and are surrounded by the natural beauty of the Ashram.  Includes private bathroom with shower, air conditioner, propane heater, ceiling fan, and attic space.  Furnishings include a desk, table, chairs, dresser, wardrobe and a sitting area. A small refrigerator, dishes and cutlery are provided.  Wifi is available.

Customer Reviews

4.68 out of 5.0 average rating

5.0
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Will return
Was apprehensive of going because of my health conditions and reserved only for two nights. Regret that very much as I wished I stayed longer. The staff are very understanding, attentive to your needs and kind. I feel much better even with only two days. Thank you for the gita lessons, the satsang and even Karma yoga. I feel blessed.

5.0
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Memorial day weekend workshop
Swami Adi, was really helpful to give a broad overview of the center and also cover interesting topics.

3.0
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Memroiall day weekend.
Disorganized. No schedule ahead of time. Everything is decided a day bofore or on the spot.

5.0
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Sivananda Yoga Farm
It's 2021 now, but 2007 was my first introduction to the Sivananda Yoga Farm where my heart and soul were touched immediately. Thereafter attended many workshops, conferences and graduated from TTC in 2009. These experiences changed my philosophy and attitude to one of service especially for the disabled, elderly, and my mother, over a profession.

My mother passed a few years ago but am so thankful we spent quality years together prior. I thank Sivananda Yoga Farm and Swami Sita for this. Her influence and the Sivananda teachings made a tremendous difference in my life and in my mother's end. My Mom said to me "the biggest change in you is your belief in God, and I never thought about the time before Jesus".

We shared such Peace. OmOmOm!


5.0
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Glories of the Upanishads
It was a joy to study the Mandukya Upanishad on line at Sivananda Ashram. Learning about the three states of being i.e., waking, dreaming and deep sleep state and their repeating cycle of evolution and de-evolution was most intriguing.