Sivananda Ashram Yoga Farm

Ryan Baker

I spent three months working at the ashram as a karma yogi in 2022. I love this place and the people that care for it deeply. The land is wild and beautiful. And you will see lots of wildlife here. The pond offers refuge on hot days, and all of the temples offer spiritual refuge. The people are strange and beautiful. You will meet lots of colorful characters- all of whom are devoted to the ashram and a path of peaceful living. The teachings and practices are exquisite. And if you are open to receiving these teachings, you will definitely transform. I had a significant physical transformation from the yogic diet and practicing classical hatha yoga twice daily. I would HIGHLY recommend doing a teacher training and/or karma yoga program here. Om Namah Sivaya

Google Deer

Religious institutions are turning inward using Covid pandemic as an excuse. Haidikand Mahalakshmi Babaji temple in Crestone. Mahalakshmi temple has a sign in front of its main entrance saying to the effect of “ The temple is closed to visitors, and only allowed in by appointment only. A number to call is included on the notice. Permission by phone is required in order to enter. Need karoli Hanuman temple The main entrance is closed by a horse gate and a notice says temple is closed These temples, though non profit organizations are built and run solely by the donations from the public. But they have become private enterprises in disguise, looking inward. A few hand picked Caucasian individuals are allowed in to participate within its power structure and the rest are kept at arms length or totally excluded. Fundraising to create building structures etc are advertised and received from the public solely to create individual comfortable accommodations for the selected few who are handpicked. In effect these religious institutions once built using the Indian Gurus are now run by Caucasian Americans and have become more like a profit making inward looking enterprise benefiting the selected few People dont come to visit these temples looking for free food. Most individuals are professionals and people of means who are successful in their own professions with the sole intention to do “Seva” or selfless service. It is not for recognition or for freebies. It’s for the individual fulfillment that comes out of selfless service. These temples never has been designed to and never should be meant for the exclusive fiefdom of a few. But it’s doors needs to be thrown wide open and not just to exploit the name of Indian gurus to form a private enterprise in disguise. This is tantamount to saying “ You know, we Love Yoga, Indian food, Indian clothing, Indian temples, Indian gurus …. Ummm but we would like to exclude Indians as much as we can from the temple”. Sivananda Ashram, Grass Valley, California Same story as above.

Gopinath Durairaj

Took the weeklong beginners yoga program. It was a good, practical and easy to follow introduction to different paths of yoga (Bhakti, Raja, Gnana and Karma). The place is peaceful and staff are caring. Overall it was a great experience to get away from daily routine and get a perspective.

Estrella and Nicole

i attended to an only class: The Bhagavad Gitta chapter 5 with Swami Dharma Ananda from 9/7 to 9/11 Life is so complex and without a deep understanding of your internal world and how to relate to the external world it is impossible or painful to life a life on earth. This is why I go to the Sivananda Yoga Farm to seek guidance, understanding and courage to continue going to the places that scared me with LOVE. Swamidharma Ananda has a way to explain this book in a language that you see the connection with your daily life struggles and since this book is the book of the VEDAS or the wise..... I look forward to know what is a good loving way to approach life. Thank you Sivananda Yoga for giving the tools needed to live my life in a more whole some way.