World Sound Journey: Experiential Drumming & Wisdom of Ancient Instruments

Users icon
Up to 30 in group
Date
September 26 - 28, 2025

Retreat Highlights

  • Experience a meditative soundscape with rare indigenous instruments
  • Engage in mindful rhythm practices using professional-grade drums
  • Learn about the cultural history of sacred and organic sound tools
  • Participate in hands-on opportunities to play curated instruments
  • Deepen your connection to music, meditation, and cultural traditions

About this Retreat

Your Guides

Details of this retreat

Join us for an interactive, informative and immersive sound journey exploring over two dozen organic and rare indigenous instruments gathered from around the world! Experience rhythmic movement, meditation, breathing exercises and elements of integral yoga to incorporate into your daily life and yoga practice during this weekend retreat. Connect and harmonize vocalization with indigenous sound. Using compassionate intuition and positive intention as a guide, Daniel crafts meditative soundscapes on a variety of sacred instruments such as: Crystal Bowls (full octave), Tibetan Singing Bowls, Gong, Handpan (Hang instrument), Didgeridoo (multiple Aboriginal Yadaki), Drums (Various styles and cultures), Native American Drone Flute (Cherokee), Monsoon Box / Rain sticks, Kalimbas (Zimbabwaen and Appalachian American), Berimbau (Afro Brazilian) Bull Roarer (Universal) Whistling Vessels (numerous Pre- Incan/Columbian cultures) Shankha, Pututu, Abeng (India/Peru/Maroon conch horns) and many more!

During the retreat, take an interactive journey in rhythm that celebrates the richness and uniqueness of different cultures throughout our world. This fully facilitated drumming experience includes components of team building, mindfulness, group empowerment and self expression.

Whether you are a musician or just interested in indigenous instruments, this dynamic and engaging experience is for anybody seeking to deepen their knowledge of multicultural sound-making traditions and sacred musical expressions.
Experience during this weekend retreat:

Sacred sound through a topical overview and demonstrations of sacred, organic and indigenous sound tools from traditional cultures throughout our world.
Sacred Sound Journey through a Meditative Soundscape
Hands on opportunities to play (Participants may choose from a curated selection of various instruments for their enjoyment and experience)
Mindful Rhythm Practices - (Includes use of professional grade “djembe” style drums use of all percussion equipment and fully facilitated experience.)
An interactive drumming, percussion and breath experience. Using the rhythms of traditional cultures and connections with one another to deepen one’s personal practice and further enrich their community.




Testimonials:
"We were blessed again this year to have Daniel share his amazing talent and gift for music, cultures and education to facilitate one’s expression of feelings and thoughts with instruments!.....this was such a huge learning experience ….” - Janice M,  Charleston SC
“Daniel, I just got back to my room and am still vibrating from your magical music concert at the Lotus.  What a joy & treat the evening was.  The stories & history behind the instruments was both fascinating and entertaining.  Listening to you play all the different instruments and hearing all the various sounds that they made was amazing.  Your enthusiasm and passion for what you do and sharing it with others was great to see.  Also, you have a very sweet & gentle soul that was also great to witness…..” - Silent Retreat attendee at Satchidananda Ashram, Yogaville   
“Daniel was invited to share his Sacred Sound Journey at Edgar Cayce’s Association for Research and Enlightenment in Virginia Beach, VA as part of our Wisdom Workshop series. Daniel’s presentation was energetic, entertaining, and educational. With clarity he offered thought provoking insights into the histories and origins of many beautifully unique indigenous instruments. While instructional in nature, his performances demonstrated both his mastery of skill and passion for music and sound.  Daniel also took great consideration in ensuring all questions were answered and encouraged participation in rhythmic exercises as a community. The experience ended with a fully immersive sound bath that inspired everyone in attendance to higher states.” - Krista Zinner Edgar Cayce’s A.R.E
Tentative Schedule


Friday



5:00–6:15 am
Group Meditation


6:30–7:50 am
Session with Daniel Scruggs


8:00–9:00 am
Breakfast


9:30–11:30 am
Session with Daniel Scruggs


12:00–12:30 pm
Group Meditation


12:45–1:30 pm
Lunch


2:00–5:00 pm
Session with Daniel Scruggs


5:00–6:30 pm
Hatha Yoga Mixed Level


6:00–6:30 pm
Group Meditation


6:30–7:30 pm
Supper


7:30–9:00 pm
 Session with Daniel Scruggs



Saturday



5:00–6:15 am
Group Meditation


6:20–7:50 am
Hatha Yoga Level 1 or Level 2


8:00–9:00 am
Breakfast


9:30–11:30 am
Session with Daniel Scruggs


12:00–12:30 pm
Group Meditation


12:45–1:30 pm
Lunch


1:45–3:15 pm
Ashram tour


3:30–5:30 pm
Session with Daniel Scruggs


5:30–6:15 pm
Supper


7:30–9:30 pm
Satsang: Kirtan, DVD and Speaker



Sunday



6:00–7:00 am
Group Meditation


7:15–8:15 am
Session with Daniel Scruggs


7:30–9:00 am
Breakfast


9:30–11:30 am
Session with Daniel Scruggs


12:00–12:30 pm
Group Meditation


12:45–1:30 pm
Lunch Read More

Getting Here

Location icon Yogaville

Directions

Yogaville offers transportation from the airport, train and bus stations in Charlottesville, VA. If you are driving Google Maps has reliable turn-by-turn directions. Read More

Accommodation

Availability of complimentary accommodations is determined by the order of booking.
Dormitory

The most popular accommodations we have are Dormitory Accommodations – shared room and shared bath. We have two dormitories, Vivekananda Vihar and Ramalinga Nilayam, which are centrally heated and air-conditioned and convenient to meals and programs.
Lotus Guest House (Private Room)

Each room in our six unit guest house is equipped with a small refrigerator, queen size bed and full bath. Each room in our nine unit guest house is equipped with a queen sized bed and full bath, and no refrigerator.

Tenting
Set off in a quiet, wooded area adjacent to the Lotus Guest Houses are twelve campsites. Campers have use of the bathroom, shower, and laundry facilities nearby Vivekananda Vihar dormitory. Camping is available from March 15th to December 1st.

Shared Dormitory: Bottom Bunk

Accommodation
Bottom bunk in a shared dorm room. Dorm rooms contain 4-8 beds. Shared bathroom Dorm rooms are not coed Availability is Gender Specific Read More

Private Dormitory

Accommodation
This is a private room with a shared bathroom in our Ramalinga Nilayam Dorm - Females Only Read More

LGH: Full Bed

Accommodation
Private room and Private Bath. A single Full bed and a private bath designed for those seeking peace in solitude.     Read More

LGH: 2 Twin beds

Accommodation
Private Room and Private Bath. Two twin Beds and a private bath that is ideal for friends looking to experience the bliss of Yogaville.   Read More

LGH: Queen Bed

Accommodation
Private Room and Private Bath. A queen bed or a queen with two day beds and a private bath that is perfect for couples and families searching for a peaceful time together. Please put in the personal comments if you need a room that includes trundles.   Read More

Tent-Site

Accommodation
Open from Mar. 16–Nov. 30. Closed from Dec. 1–Mar. 15 Set off in a quiet, wooded area adjacent to the Lotus Guest Houses are Eighteen campsites. Campers have use of the nearby bathhouse as well as laundry facilities at the LGH Building 3.   Also, all tent sites have tent platforms for a more comfortable and dry tenting experience.  Fires and Stoves are not Permitted. Price is per person per night. Please bring your own tent, tie downs, tarp (weather protection). bedding and towels.   Read More

Venue & Amenities

A/C in Rooms icon A/C in Rooms
Free Wifi icon Free Wifi
Spa icon Spa
Sauna icon Sauna
Pool icon Pool
Towels icon Towels
Free Parking icon Free Parking
Kitchen icon Kitchen
Tour Assistance icon Tour Assistance
Hot Tub icon Hot Tub
Coffee/Tea icon Coffee/Tea
Cafe icon Cafe
Restaurant icon Restaurant
Fitness Center icon Fitness Center
Yoga Studio icon Yoga Studio
Housekeeping icon Housekeeping
Bicycles For Rent icon Bicycles For Rent
Yogaville is home to the Light of Truth Universal Shrine (LOTUS). The LOTUS is a unique temple dedicated to interfaith understanding and the Light within all faiths. Individual altars represent and honor the different world faiths and spiritual paths. The vision, design and inspiration of Sri Swami Satchidananda, LOTUS was dedicated in 1986. It demonstrates, “Truth is One, Paths are Many.” In the peaceful countryside of Virginia, the doors of LOTUS are open to welcome people of all backgrounds and beliefs. Read More

Meals

Menu Types

Organic, vegetarian/vegan food Labeled ingredients Lacto-vegetarian Gluten-free and vegan options Salad bar Large herbal tea selection Coffee is available for purchase at Mandala Cafe Read More

What's Included

  • Accomodations
  • Meals
  • Meditation Sessions
  • Yoga Classes

What's Not Included

  • Transportation
  • Airfare
Read More

Customer Reviews

No reviews available.

Similar retreats