Befriending Your Nervous System

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Up to 30 in group
Date
October 23 - 26, 2025

Retreat Highlights

  • Learn practical tools for navigating and regulating your nervous system
  • Explore the impact of yoga on the Vagus Nerve through various modalities
  • Engage in yoga, meditation, sound therapy, and writing for self-reflection
  • Create a personalized "Befriending Your Nervous System" workbook
  • Immerse in ashram life to support and sustain nervous system regulation

About this Retreat

Your Guides

Details of this retreat

The workshop aims to help participants build a practical toolbox for navigating their nervous systems.  We will combine nervous system education, self-reflection, and yoga practices to explore the question- how do we get our hands on the handles of our own nervous system? Our nervous systems can be engaged and worked with and we can become the “first responders” to support our own nervous system regulation.  By “befriending” and knowing our nervous system, we create fertile ground to grow from and face life’s greater challenges.

This class aims to help you explore through yoga and other practices, what best supports, encourages, and helps you and your nervous system to flourish and sustain itself.  What supports my nervous system in my own experience and in my life?  What parts of the ashram experience might help me every day? What can I take off the mat and into my daily life? We hope you can join us in this weekend of education, exploration, and relaxation.
This Program Includes:

Nervous system education with Rachel Jensen, trauma informed massage therapist and somatic educator
Sound sessions with John Vivekan Ferguson
Writing workshop with Erin James
Yoga, Pranayama, and Meditation with Satya Greenstone, e-RYT- 500, c-IAYT, Senior Integral Yoga Teacher
Befriending Your Nervous System Workbook- built to help participants explore and build practical resources for navigating their nervous systems at the workshop and beyond

Testimonials:
I cannot say enough good things about the Trauma Informed Yoga Program. I attended because I was in need of healing due to having had a past trauma triggered. Raji and Vivekan are the best. I cannot wait for the next one when I can deal with my lesser issues. Satya
Raji and John brought their knowledge and energy in the most perfect way for all to accept and receive. Bharati G.

Calming and supportive environment, what more do we need? I am very grateful for the experience.   Past Participant



Tentative Schedule





Thursday



3–5 pm
Registration


5–6:30 pm
Mixed Level Hatha


5–5:45 pm
Yoga Nidra


6–6:30 pm
Meditation


6:30–7:15 pm
Dinner


7:30–9 pm
Welcome and Introductions with Staff



Friday



6–7 am
Integral Yoga Meditation OR


6-8am
Meditation and Yoga with Staff OR


7:10–8:40 am
- Integral Yoga Hatha – Level 1
- Integral Yoga Hatha – Level 2


8–9:15 am
Breakfast


9:30-11:30am
Nervous System Regulation, Meditation and Expanding the Window of Tolerance with Rachel Jensen


11:45 am
Van to LOTUS


12–12:30 pm
Meditation at LOTUS


12:45–1:30 pm
Lunch


3–5:30 pm
Exploring the Survival Responses through Writing and Movement with Erin James


6–6:30 pm
Meditation


6:30–7:15 pm
Dinner


7:30–9 pm
Pranayama with Satya Greenstone and Sound Bath with John Vivekan Ferguson



Saturday



6–8 am
Meditation and Yoga with Staff OR


7:10-8:40am
Integral Yoga Level I or Level  II

Joint Free Series with Hope Mell


8–9:30 am
Breakfast


9:30–11:30 am
Movement and the Vagus Nerve with Raji Jensen


11:45 am
Van to LOTUS


12–12:30 pm
Meditation at LOTUS


12:45–1:30 pm
Lunch


3–5:15 pm
Sound Therapy with John Vivekan Ferguson


5:30–6:15 pm
Dinner


7:30–9 pm
Satsang (gathering of seekers of Truth):
- Kirtan (Music & Chanting)
- Video of Swami Satchidananda
- Speaker



Sunday



6–7 am
Integral Yoga Meditation OR


6-8am
Meditation and Yoga with Staff OR


7:10–8:40 am
- Integral Yoga Hatha – Level 1
- Integral Yoga Hatha – Level 2
- Or Meditation and Yoga with Staff


8–9:30 am
Breakfast


10–11:30 am
Closing Session with Staff


12–12:30 pm
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

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