Yasodhara Ashram : Yoga Retreat and Study Centre

  • Community
  • 2 followers

About the Community

  • Established
  • Rural

What we do

Etablished in 1963 by Swami Radha, a female disciple of Swami Sivananda of Rishikesh, Yasodhara Ashram is an enduring Yoga Retreat and Study Centre and vibrant spiritual community. Set in the beautiful mountains of southeastern British Columbia, the Ashram invites people of all ages, faiths and backgrounds to pursue their self-development and discover the promise of yoga. Our aim is to instill quality, care and awareness in all that we do, so that Yasodhara can truly be a spiritual home to all who come.

Yasodhara Ashram is a residential community, with a number of full-time residents who make our home here. We welcome others to help with this work of being stewards of Swami Radha’s teachings and the caretakers of this sacred space. We are grateful to be joined in our efforts by many long and short-term Karma Yoga (Selfless Service) practitioners, as well as teachers-in-training, course participants, and retreat guests.

There are pathways to becoming a long-term resident at the Ashram. The first step is to become familiar with the Ashram by taking a longer program such as the Two-month Karma Yoga Introduction, a Learning Residency, or the Yoga Development Course. After completion of a program, long-term residential options can be explored.

Our Vision

As a Canadian charity and active learning centre, the Ashram helps people bring quality into their lives through yogic tools and experiential learning. Spiritually we offer a focus on Light and the Divine Feminine, much-needed in our world right now. We offer a wide range of yoga programs year round – from a three-month intensive, to private restorative retreats, teacher certifications and introductions to yoga. Our popular Service and Study programs are for those interested in learning about Karma Yoga, or the yoga of selfless service, our main spiritual practice.

Living with awareness in both the inner and outer worlds, Yasodhara Ashram is deeply committed to participating in sustainable environmental practices. We consider environmental action an important part of our social responsibility and ecological integrity, a practice of the Ashram’s yogic principle of non-violence.

With a lineage of leadership guided by women, our spiritual tradition emphasizes the nurturing and devotional qualities of the Divine Feminine. We are also home to the Temple of Light, which recognizes the Light in all traditions and the divine spark in each person. It symbolizes peace, hope and unity – and is open to all.

Our Mission

As a Canadian charity and active learning centre, the Ashram helps people bring quality into their lives through yogic tools and experiential learning. Spiritually we offer a focus on Light and the Divine Feminine, much-needed in our world right now. We offer a wide range of yoga programs year round – from a three-month intensive, to private restorative retreats, teacher certifications and introductions to yoga. Our popular Service and Study programs are for those interested in learning about Karma Yoga, or the yoga of selfless service, our main spiritual practice.

Living with awareness in both the inner and outer worlds, Yasodhara Ashram is deeply committed to participating in sustainable environmental practices. We consider environmental action an important part of our social responsibility and ecological integrity, a practice of the Ashram’s yogic principle of non-violence.

With a lineage of leadership guided by women, our spiritual tradition emphasizes the nurturing and devotional qualities of the Divine Feminine. We are also home to the Temple of Light, which recognizes the Light in all traditions and the divine spark in each person. It symbolizes peace, hope and unity – and is open to all.

  • Community type
  • Spiritual Retreat Centers

Gallery

  • 20 Total members
  • Open to new members
  • Open to visitors
  • Open to volunteers
Total
20

How to join

The first step would be to become familiar with the Ashram by taking a course or offering Karma Yoga. See all our offerings on https://www.yasodhara.org.

Basic expectations or agreements for members

We offer a 3-month intensive course every Winter, guided retreats, self-led restorative retreats, as well as online offerings. There are also opportunities to come to the Ashram to offer Karma Yoga, the Yoga of Selfless Service.

Visit https://www.yasodhara.org for all the ways you can join us.

Primary decision-making authority

  • Single Leader or Founding Couple

One person or partnership has ultimate authority.

Economic model

  • Independent Finances

Members maintain separate personal finances with minimal sharing.

Economic scenarios for this community

  • There is a labor obligation
  • Members typically need to have their own job or other personal source of income to cover their expenses while living in the community?

Additional economic information

Labor required: Yes

Shared resources and amenities that are accessible to everyone in the community

Common House, Garden(s), Greenhouse(s), Vehicle Share, Library, Workshop, Large Scale Kitchen, Tractor & Farm Equipment, Fire pit, Recreational vehicles, Waterfront access, Internet

Frequency of communal meals

  • Approximately all meals

Substance use culture

  • Substance use occurs in peripheral / discrete / only in personal or private spaces

Property status

  • Privately owned

Setting

  • Rural

Countryside locations with significant distance from urban centers.

Energy sources used

  • Photovoltaic Solar
  • Hydro

Self-produced food

  • Up to 33%
  • Land area size
    115 acres

Reviews

Location

  • British Columbia, Canada

Yasodhara Ashram : Yoga Retreat and Study Centre

Promoted Needs and Offers

Need
  • Communities with Openings
10 months ago

Seeking Couples Interested in Long Term Deep Connection & Farming (open to singles)

Description Our  sloped and terraced community farm has far more potential than we have time and energy to use to the fullest. We have been in community for 15 years now, but feeling pulled to the deeper nourishment we find in long-term residents over shorter-term interns.  We seek one to two couples (or super aligned singles) who are interested in conscious connection, intimate conversation, personal growth and healing, regenerative agriculture, and serious about a building a life in community.  Although we hold space and flexibility for shifts in needs, we desire humans who plan to stay for all or part of a season (1-3 months at a minimum), after which we would explore longer-term alignment and relationships.  We MAY also be open to folks wanting to live off-site, as long as we prioritize ample time to explore how we work together before we get too deep. Current Use Heart 2 Heart Farms is a small, forested, 10 acre Permaculture farm nestled in the fertile hills of the Willamette Valley. Between the quaint towns of Newberg and Sherwood, this oasis is in the middle of wine country, just 30 minutes south of Portland, has been an intentional community and teaching facility for over 15 years, hosting a myriad of community outreach, up-cycling, homesteading, and prepping workshops.  Although we have recently slowed substantially, residents should be prepared for both a busy environment, and shared, informal, mixed-use spaces. We are almost completely self-sufficient, producing large varieties of heirloom fruits and vegetables, and we breed, butcher, and sometimes sell heritage chickens, turkeys, rabbits, pigs, goats, sheep, and cattle. We tan hides, carve bone, save seed, occasionally blow glass, throw pottery, create alternative/green energy, dig root cellars, and build constantly. We have three large un/under-utilized areas available: The front hill is a terraced and amended south-facing slope that has LOTS of room and potential. We also have a poultry pasture is 2 acres of partially wooded Douglas Fir, an additional 4 acres of wooded mixed use browsing space and native habitat that’s virtually unused at the moment, two large greenhouses (including one set up aquaponically), and lots of space to expand the orchard and rotational grazing system. Additionally, we have a 20’x40′ healing center and sacred space we use for yoga, massage, reiki, ceremony (including traditional Lakota sweat lodge and grief/trauma work), and make available to local practitioners to offer their services to the community. If you are wanting to connect deeply, work hard, learn and expand your experience base, and participate in a small but established intentional community, shoot us a note and let’s explore. Owner’s Short Term Vision for the Property Our short-term goal is to find/train a few young/new farmers to assist with land stewardship and increase productivity of the existing space to spread out the work/responsibility and assist in overall streamlining and cleanup of the existing farm/operations. Owner’s Long Term Vision for the Property Our long-term vision is to continue to use this space as a teaching and educational facility, expanding the diversity and frequency of events we can host and services we can offer. Over the next few years, we hope to find an a couple interested in learning/independently managing most of the farm production, which will allow us to dig deeper into the training and certification we make available, to include natural building, basic and advanced Permaculture technique and application, beekeeping, horticulture, animal husbandry, food preservation, fermentation, plant identification/natural foraging, and primitive skills. Available Water / Irrigation Extensive rainwater collection on site, as well as a high-flow/capacity well. Soil Type / Quality Sandy loam with great organic matter, good clay content, and established vermiculture and mycorrhizal network. Buildings and Structures Available for Farm Use We have multiple barns and greenhouse space for use, or lease, depending on the particulars of use/situation. Farm Equipment Available for Use We have a skid steer on site, as well as rototiller, chipper, 26′ truck, and pickup trucks for use. Hand tools are also available, depending on the arrangement. Any Restrictions That Could Limit Agricultural Production Creating and supporting natural borders, food forests, and wildlife habitat (and incorporating these into a holistic/natural pest management strategy) is a very high priority to us, so intensive mono-crop/large machine harvesting and/or crops needing spraying/chemicals are not likely a fit on this site. County: Washington Total Acreage: 10 Acreage Available to Landseeker: 5 Current Farming Practices: Organic, Not Certified, Biodynamic, Dry Farming, Season Extension Farming Practices Allowed: Certified Organic, Organic, Not Certified, Biodynamic, Dry Farming, Season Extension Agriculture Types Suitable: Beans, Bees, Berries, Dairy, Fiber Animals, Flowers, Goats, Herbs, Hogs, Mushrooms, Nursery Stock, Nuts, Orchard/Fruit, Pasture, Poultry, Rabbits, Sheep, Vegetables, Vineyard, Other
Offer
  • Communities with Openings
2 months ago

We welcome new members who are anchored in spirit, heart, and body.

WILD GRACE, an intentional, eco-spiritual community (Sierra foothills, 30 minutes from Grass Valley, California) is excited to have completed the creation of new homes for prospective members. Perhaps you or someone you know have been preparing for this wonderful opportunity? Spiritual community (sangha) is crucial on the personal level, as Thich Nat Hahn says: Your sangha—family, friends, and co-practitioners—is the soil, and you are the seed. If you have a sangha that is joyful, animated by the desire to practice and help, you will mature on your path of awakening. (adapted from Cultivating the Mind of Love) We also believe that spiritual community is crucial on the global level. The intentional focus of loving, mindful consciousness transmits a healing and transformative energy beyond our ability to perceive, which assists in planetary awakening. Wild Grace provides an opportunity for an intimate group/sangha to focus on inner attunement to the Divine, to deepen in group authentic communication practices, to steward sacred land, and to choose love moment-by-moment. Our octagonal temple, perched above the wild and scenic South Yuba River, is devoted to the Mother of Us All. We are dedicated to life-long learning of the skills needed to communicate, heal, and live life fully together in Love, Oneness, and Presence. We support a healthy balance of personal and community care, work and play, purpose, and “right livelihood.” Our shared foundation consists of group morning silent meditation, weekly heart circles where we practice trauma informed authentic relating, tending the land, sharing two or more meals a week, and creative expression. We host events including weekly neighborhood potlucks, open monthly Kirtans, weekly A Course of Love online global meetings, weekly Qi Gong classes, sun/moon cycle ceremonies, and dance classes. Wild Grace is located on 80 acres of land adja
Need
  • Communities with Openings
7 months ago

Join us in the mountains of Western North Carolina

Coweeta Heritage Center/Talking Rock Farm is located in the mountains of Western North Carolina. Coweeta is located in a beautiful and diverse temperate rain forest. It feels very remote here yet we are just 12 miles from Franklin, NC. Winters can be mild. Coweeta is blessed with springs and a stream, pristine forests, and abundant wildlife. Power is provided by a hydro-electric system which is not connected to the grid. An organic garden and trout pond provide healthy food that is also shared with the local community. Hiking, kayaking, and other outdoor activities are just out the back door. Coweeta is looking for others who would like to join together to form an Intentional Community embracing the principles of Voluntary Simplicity. Simply put (no pun intended): We wish “to live simply so that others may simply live.” It is a recognition that nature provides us with valuable services and resources that we can use to enrich our lives. Utilizing local resources, appropriate technology, and working cooperatively, we can discover creative ways to meet our needs as “directly and simply as possible.”. An example of this, in the tradition of many Indigenous People”, is to gather, and use wildcrafted foods as part of our diet. There is great joy in going to nature’s grocery for our sustenance. Voluntary Simplicity is based on the recognition that “very little is needed to live well” and that “abundance is a state of mind.” Living lower on the economic ladder allows us more time and freedom to pursue other life goals: community and social engagement, family time, artistic or intellectual projects, more fulfilling employment, political participation, sustainable living, spiritual exploration, and more. According to the Voluntary Collective, “The grounding assumption of Voluntary Simplicity is that all human beings have the potential to live meaningful, free, happy and infinitely diverse lives while consuming no more than an equitable share of (the world’s) resources.” We affirm the need for a work/life balance, the right to a healthy environment and healthy food, and healthy community relationships supporting a diverse population. It is our responsibility as engineers of a new generation to make the changes that we want to see happen and pass this on to the next generations. We can’t wait for someone else to do this important work. Voluntary Simplicity is a quiet revolution that can change the world. As one person said, “we must be poets of our own lives and of a new generation.” We hope you will join us here at Coweeta or elsewhere on our journey to a healthier and more sustainable future! Temporary housing is available in a 27 foot trailer trailer with attached deck next to a creek while we build additional housing. Your basic living expenses (shelter, basic food items, power and water) are met through our market garden or other fundraising projects that you will participate in. You are expected to contribute a given amount of your time and energy to help grow our community and meet our financial obligations. Possible future plans include establishing a retreat center for healing our earth and each other. Work includes organic gardening, construction projects and other community building activities. Come join Coweeta and learn how to live lightly on the land and enjoy the Earth’s bounty! For more information, visit www.coweetaheritagecenter.com Contact [email protected] for a visit or more info.  Paul

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