Shivananda Yoga Ashram

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Arriving at Shivananda Ashram I felt nervous and slightly anxious about what the next two weeks had in store for me.

I'd read about Ashrams in books and on line and knew they were disciplined retreates to give people the opportunity to escape the pressures of the modern world and allow them time to spiritually develope.

Arriving at Shivananda Ashram I felt nervous and slightly anxious

I had a met a girl from Australia on route to the Ashram and she had decided to come with me which helped me to feel more at ease about the unknown.

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Shivananda Ashram was established in 1977 by Swarmi Vishnu-devananda, and the ashram is dedicated to the practice and dissemination of the 'Synthesis of Yoga' as propounded by his guru Swarmi Sivananda.

The Ashram is run mostly on the voluntary service of a few dedicated individuals. And has certain guidelines for everyone to follow.

Karma Yoga: Selfless service is an essential part of the ashram experience that helps us to overcome selfish attitudes. Everyone must take on a duty of either cleaning the dorms, serving food, working in the health hut or outdoor maintenance.

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Silence: Mobile phones are forbidden and silence must be kept at meal times and during morning/evening satsang(meditation)

Pure Intake: Consumption of alcohol, drugs, tobacco, meat, fish, eggs, garlic and onions are not aloowed in the ashram.

Right Hand: In India the left hand is used for personal hygiene and is considered unclean. Right hand is to be used to except prasad(blessed offerings) and for eating food.

My friend Ange and I were sharing a dorm with 35 other women from around the world. Some were here to partake in the two week Yoga vacation and some were here for a month to do the Yoga teacher training course.

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Our first morning started early, we were woken my a gong being hit outside our dorm at 5.20am. We stumbled half conscious into the large main hall at 6am for satsang. This started with 30 mins of slient meditation guilded by a swarmi on the stage.