October 11 - November 8, 2025
About this Retreat
Swami Sitaramananda is a senior acharya of the International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centers and is director of the Sivananda Ashram Vedanta Yoga Farm, California and the Sivananda Yoga Resort and Training Center, Vietnam. She is acharya of China, Taiwan, and Japan as well. Swamiji is the organizer and teacher of the Sivananda Yoga Health Educator Training (SYHET) program, an 800-hour program on yoga therapy, accredited by the International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT).
Swami Sitaramananda is the author of “Essentials of Yoga Practice and Philosophy” (translated in Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, and Russian), “Positive Thinking Manual”, “Karma Yoga Manual”, “Meditation Manual”, “Swamiji Said, a collection of teachings by Swami Vishnu” in His Own Words. She is responsible for the Vietnamese translation of “Completed Illustrated Book of Yoga” (CIBY) and “Meditation & Mantras” by Swami Vishnu. Many of her video & audio lectures on Yoga life, philosophy, and psychology as well as articles and webinars can be found on this website.
Swami Sita is an ardent supporter of the integration of the Vedic sciences such as Vastu, Jyotish, Ayurveda, Yoga and Vedanta. She is an international teacher of the Sivananda Yoga Teachers’ Training Courses and Advanced Yoga teachers’ Training courses, as well as Meditation and Vedanta & Silence Courses both in Sivananda Ashrams in Vietnam and in Grass Valley, CA.
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 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.
Details of this retreat
Description
This 4 week course, which offers a profound personal experience, will allow you to transmit the knowledge of yoga to others. The spiritual essence of yoga is learned through a combination of repeated practice and inspirational lessons. Among the many benefits that students report are greater spiritual awareness, a sense of connection with the divine, a new-found sense of self-discipline, enhanced self-esteem, improved power of concentration and increased strength and flexibility.
A teaching certificate from the International SYVC is awarded upon successful completion of this immersion course. The International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Center (SYVC) has trained over 45,000 yoga teachers to date since 1969. The curriculum includes asanas, pranayama, meditation, Vedanta philosophy, anatomy/physiology, Bhagavad Gita, mantra and kriyas. Please inquire for a brochure and application form.
Daily Schedule
5:30 am..........................Wake Up
6:00 - 7:30 am...............Satsang: meditation, chanting and lecture
8:00 - 10:00 am.............Yoga Asana and Pranayama Class
10:00 - 10:45 am...........Vegetarian Brunch
10:45 - 11:45 am...........Karma Yoga (Selfless Service)
12:00 - 1:00 pm.............Kirtan or Bhagavad Gita Class
2:00 - 4:00 pm................Main Philosphy Lecture
4:00 - 6:00 pm................How to Teach Yoga Class
6:00 - 6:45 pm................Vegetarian Dinner
6:45 - 7:45 pm................Free time for Homework completion
8:00 - 9:45 pm................Satsang: meditation, chanting and lecture
1 day a week will be free, but satsang still must be attended.
Certification
Upon successful completion of the course, students receive the Certificate of the International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centers, entitled Yoga Siromani.
This training is registered by and fulfills the requirements for the 200-hour certification, for which graduates of the program are invited to register.
Curriculum
Hatha Yoga
- Hatha Yoga Theory, The Astral Body
- The nadis (energy channels) and chakras (energy centers).
- Yoga Asanas, The Sun Salutation and the 12 basic yoga postures.
- Advanced Variations
- Effects of asanas on the physical and astral body
- Deep relaxation, Release of blocked energy
- Pranayama Kapalabhati, Anuloma Viloma (alternate nostril breath)
Meditation
- Meditation, Twelve Guidelines for Meditation
- Mantras and mantra initiation (if requested)
- Techniques of meditation
- Mechanics of the mind
- Positive thinking techniques
Yoga Philosophy
- Psychology of the Spiritual Aspirant
- Law of karma, Vedanta philosophy
- 4 classical Yoga paths : Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Raja Yoga
- 8 limbs of Yoga and Jnana Yoga (vedanta philosophy and techniques of self enquiry) .
Anatomy and Physiology
- The effects of hatha yoga on major body systems
- Yogic Diet and Nutrition
- Ethical, health and spiritual reasons for vegetarianism
Bhagavad Gita Study
- commentary of the Bhagavad Gita, which is the most read classical scripture. It gives universal teachings on how to do your duty and conduct yourself in the battlefield of life.
Kirtan
- Positive emotional effects of chanting
- Correct pronunciation and mental attitude
- Mantra and sound healing
- Practice of opening of the heart to the divine
Accommodation Prices
Tent - Bring Your Own – $2,400.00
Om Cabin - Double – $3,000.00
Om Cabin - Private - $3,500.00
Krishna Cabin - Double – $3,600.00
Siva Cabin - Double – $3,700.00
Krishna Cabin - Private - $4,600.00
Siva Cabin - Private – $4,800.00
Deluxe Shanti Cabin - Double – $4,200.00
Deluxe Shanti Cabin - Private – $5,400.00
Arrival and Departure
Arrival: The course will begin in the Afternoon of Saturday with registration at 11:00 am. Please plan to arrive by Friday.
Departure: The Graduation Ceremony will be in the evening on Saturday. You can plan departure the following day.
Testimonials
The Sivananda TTC has been a wonderful experience – I learned a lot about yoga and particularly appreciate the holistic approach to living well and finding inner peace. The teachings of the Guru’s are inspiring and profound. The support system provided by the wonderful staff members and teachers created a very conducive and encouraging environment for such an intense program.
- Vivian Lee, Singapore
Before I came to TTC I had a vague idea of the spiritual goal of life and my idea about how to attain this goal was completely wrong. I got lost in the details of daily mundane life goals and thought that happiness would come eventually and I progressed with their achievement. I have never had such clarity about my life’s purpose and thanks to the teachings that I received I leave with not only a lot of powerful tools to help me along the way but also a warning of all the obstacles that I will face along the way and how to address them!
- Rosa Michaelis, Herdecke, Germany
The Sivananda teacher training course is truly a transformative experience. It is an immersion in the traditions of an ancient lineage of yogic wisdom. If you are only looking to earn a certificate to teach asana classes you will get a lot more than you expect. If you have a longing for the truth and would like to further the path to peace; this is it.
- William Kingori, Chico, CA
What to Bring
Required texts: "Complete Illustrated Book of Yoga"
by Swami Vishnudevananda
"Bhagavad Gita" commentary by Swami Sivananda
Recommnded texts: "Essentials of Yoga Practice and Philosophy"
by Swami Sitaramananda
"Yoga: Your Home Companion" by SYVC
Other: slip on shoes, loose comfortable clothing, writing materials, meditation shawl or blanket, yoga mat, flashlight.
All books and materials are available in our boutique.
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