Holiday Retreat: Yoga Practices for Divine Love

4.6841 reviews

14651 Ballantree Lane, Grass Valley, CA, USA

Flexible Dates

About this Retreat

Your Guides

Swami

Acharya

Swami

Nitya

Swami Dharmananda

Swami Dharmananda is assistant director of the Yoga Farm and is in charge of the Karma Yoga program. He is a faculty of the Sivananda Institute of Health (SIHY) and is one of the main teachers of Yoga Philosophy and Meditation at the Ashram. He took sannyas vows in 2013 and is keenly interested in yoga psychology and philosophy, presenting the classical teaching in a practical and accessible way to people of all faiths and backgrounds.

Swami Adi Parashaktiananda

Swami Adi Parashaktiananda is a dedicated Sadhak and an experienced international Sivananda Hatha Yoga teacher and trainer in international TTC in USA, Vietnam , Japan and China for more than twelve years. He mainly serves as assistant to Acharya Swami Sitaramananda at the Sivananda Ashram yoga Farm in Grass Valley California and at the Sivananda Ashram in Vietnam. He took the first monastic vow from Sivananda lineage in 2011 and became a sannyasin in 2017. He teaches a 7-day Hatha Yoga Sadhana course and the 14-day Sivananda Sadhana Intensive course, whose emphasis is on individual sadhana. His teaching is classical and brought peace and clarity to many.

Acharya Mangalananda

Acharya Mangalananda is a direct disciple of the great modern woman Saint, Anandamayi Ma. When Swami Sivananda met with Ma he called her "The finest flower the soil of India has ever produced". Mangalananda went to India for the first time in 1973 when he was just 19 years old and spent the course of two years traveling with Ma and eventually receiving Initiation from her. He has lived in her ashrams and in association and under the guidance of some of her major disciples ever since. He spent from 2001--2013 living in her ashram in Central India where he was sent by Sw. Bhaskarananda, Ma's main Swami, to help start a school there. He has followed the Path of Bhakti Yoga and Mantra Yoga as he was trained in by Anandamayi Ma and her Disciples. He still serves as an Acharya--an appointed Teacher--of Ma Anandamayi Ashram in Omkareshwar, India, where he is a Trustee and Administrator.

Swami Sivasankariananda

Swami Sivasankariananda is director of the Los Angeles Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Center. She completed her TTC at the Yoga Farm in 1997 and ATTC there in 2008. Swamiji has been on yatra in north and south India and Mount Kailas. She loves to teach and is particularly fond of the Bhakti Yoga practices. She took sannyas in 2017 and is a certified yoga therapist, specializing in chronic pain care. She is on the faculty of the Sivananda Institute of Health & Yoga (SIHY). She served as director of the San Francisco Center from 2015 to 2019.

Swami Ramananda - SF Integral Yoga Institute Director

Swami Ramananda served as the president of the Integral Yoga Institute in New York City for more than a decade and is a greatly respected senior teacher in the Integral Yoga tradition. He has been practicing Yoga for over 30 years. Through his affinity for and devoted study of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, Ramananda offers practical methods for integrating the teachings of Yoga into daily life and coping with stress, depression, and anger. He leads advanced-level Yoga teacher training programs in New York City and a variety of workshops in many locations around the country. He is a founding board member of the Yoga Alliance, a national registry that supports and promotes Yoga teachers as professionals, and he is currently the president of the San Francisco Integral Yoga Institute.

Swami Hamsananda

Swami Hamsananda is a senior staff teacher at the Yoga Farm, taking TTC in 2010 and Advanced TTC in 2014. Swami Hamsananda took Brahmacharya vows in 2014 and sannyas in 2022. She graduated from the the Sivananda Yoga Health Educator Training in 2019 and is a Certified Yoga Therapist specializing in Stress Management, Positive Thinking, and other Yoga therapeutic practices for holistic and positive health. From 2015-2018 she was director of the Los Angeles Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Center.

Nitya (Hoa Tran)

Nitya HoaTran is a Sivananda yoga teacher, Ayurvedic Health Counselor and Ayurveda Body Treatment therapist. She also serves as the Director of Ayurvedic Therapy Training Course and the Ayurveda Panchakarma Program at the Sivananda Ashram in Vietnam. She annually serves in the Well Being Center of the Yoga Retreat Ashram in the Bahamas and currently serves at Sivananda Yoga Ranch New York. Nitya has a passion for this ancient science and always continues extensive training in Ayurveda, Yoga, Meditation and Vedanta. Nitya holds many certifications of yoga and Ayurveda, including BSS sponsored by the government of India in Ayurveda and Panchakarma, as well as doing Clinical Practice at Vaidyagrama hospital in Coimbatore, India.

Details of this retreat

Choose open dates between December 19 and January 2.

Description
Join the Yoga Farm staff for our special Holiday Retreat: Yoga Practices for Divine Love in Daily Life. This year's program follows the teachings from the Bhagavad Gita chapter 12: The Yoga of Devotion. Workshops will follow Sri Krishna's divine instruction on Yoga practices to grow nearer and dearer to our Divine Nature, including teachings on Selfless Love, Devotion, Puja, Temple Walks, Kirtan Chanting and more!

Special guest presenters include Brother Rolph Fernandes (Franciscan monk); Swami Ramananda (director Integral Yoga Institute); acharya Mangalananda and Friends.
Daily Schedule
6-8am Satsang: Silent meditation, chanting and lecture
8-10am Yoga Class
10am Brunch
11am Karma Yoga
12-1pm Guided Temple/Nature Walks
2-3:30pm Workshop
4-6pm Open Yoga Class
6pm Dinner
6:45-7:30pm Free Time
7:30-9pm Satsang: Silent meditation, chanting and lecture
Workshop/Satsang Topics
Dec. 21
6am - “Synthesis of Yoga: Practice in Daily Life”
12pm - Sacred Ashram Tour
2pm - "Techniques for Contentment"
7:30pm - “Compassion and Service in Daily Life”

Dec. 22
6am - “Cultivating Sattva to Overcome Rajas/Tamas” - SwA
12pm - “Labyrinth Walking Meditation” - SwD
2pm - “Chanting the Divine Names for Love” – Anandamayi
7:30pm - “Guru Puja” - Swamis

Dec. 23
6am - “Devotional Stories” - SwSk
12pm -“Durga Temple Walk” – ML
2pm - 2-3:30pm: “Teachings from Ramayana” – Sw Hamsa
7:30pm - “BG Chapter 12: Yoga of Devotion” - SwS

Dec. 24
6am - BD: “Life and Teaching of Jesus” -SwJ
12pm -“Christmas Kirtan” - Anandamayi
2pm - “Grace and Forgiveness” - SwSk
7:30pm - “Christmas Celebration”

Dec. 25
6am - Satsang: “Teachings of St. Francis” - Brother Rolph
12pm - “OM Trail Nature Walk”
2pm - “Christ, Krishna and You” - SwJ
7:30pm - “Message from Sivananda” - SwA

Dec. 26
6am - “Bhakti Yoga: Steps to Supreme Faith” - SwJ
12pm - “Siva Temple Walk” - SwA
2pm - “Love in Action: Karma Yoga Practice” - SwD
7:30pm - ““Ahimsa as Expression of Love” – SwSk

Dec. 27
6am - “Improve Concentration with Japa and Mantra” - SwA
12pm - "The Power of Love for Healing and Transformation" - Swami Ramananda
2pm - "“Meditation Guidance” - SwD
7:30pm - “Staff Play on the Ramayana"

Dec. 28
6am - “Yoga of Equanimity” - SwJ
12pm - “Krishna Puja”
2pm - “Krishna Chants and Stories” - Anandamayi
7:30pm - ““Inner Peace and Contentment” - SwA

Dec. 29
6am - “Emotional Intelligence” - SwD
12pm - “Ayurveda Self-care Practices” - Nitya
2pm - "“Faith Not Fear” - SwJ
7:30pm -“Guru/Saints Stories” - SwJ

Dec. 30
6am - “Abhyasa Yoga: Practice not Perfection” - SwA
12pm - “Labyrinth Walk” - ML
2pm - “Spiritual Diary Workshop” - Sw Adi
7:30pm - Satsang: “How to Cultivate Selfless Love"– Sw Hamsa

Dec. 31
6am - 6am: “Keeping Inspiration and Satsang” - SwJ
12pm - “NY Resolves” - SwJ
2pm - “Yoga of Devotion” - Mangalananda
7:30pm - NY Eve Celebration: Mangalananda Concert

Getting Here

Sivananda Yoga Farm, 14651 Ballantree Lane, Grass Valley, CA, USA

Accommodation

Tent - Bring Your Own

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

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

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 - Double

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. Our Siva & Krishna 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.

Krishna Cabin, Double

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. Our Krishna 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.

Siva Cabin - Private

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 - Shared

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, 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.

Deluxe Shanti Cabin - Private

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

Sivapathasunderam • Dec 25, 2023

5.0

Verified

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.

Anonymous • May 30, 2023

5.0

Verified

Memorial day weekend workshop

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

Anonymous • May 30, 2023

3.0

Verified

Memroiall day weekend.

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

Athea • Mar 15, 2021

5.0

Verified

Swami Sivasankariananda

Swami Sivasankariananda has a glint of light in her eyes and and is a bungle of enthusiasm and joy.
Deeply appreciate the Sivananda LA morning Satsang. It is a wonderful online offering as is the Sivananda LA Pranayama Challenge via Instagram. Am very impressed with the program calendar at the LA center to help those of us in need of emotional processing and/or in need of work with our physical limitations before getting onto our deepest yoga practice and spiritual development.
Thank you!

Athea • Mar 15, 2021

5.0

Verified

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!

Holiday Retreat: Yoga Practices for Divine Love

About this Retreat

Your Guides

Swami Dharmananda

Swami Adi Parashaktiananda

Acharya Mangalananda

Swami Sivasankariananda

Swami Ramananda - SF Integral Yoga Institute Director

Swami Hamsananda

Nitya (Hoa Tran)

Details of this retreat

Getting Here