Residential Study Programs
(Karma Yoga)

By doing selfless service you purify your heart. Egoism, hatred, jealousy, ideas of superiority and all the kindred negative qualities will vanish. You will develop humility, pure love, sympathy, tolerance and mercy. Sense of separateness will be annihilated. Selfishness will be eradicated. You will get a broad and liberal outlook on life.
Swami Sivananda, Karma Yoga

Karma yoga is the best tonic to an aching heart. Whenever you are depressed, sad or losing your inner joy, simply reach out to others. Stop thinking about yourself, go and serve others, cheer up others who are depressed. This is the secret. You will feel immediate results.
Swami Swaroopananda answering a question about overcoming depression during Q&A session in California, June 2010.

Karma yoga or 'selfless service' is one of the 4 paths of yoga. The act of offering our services for the benefit of others purifies the heart and takes us further along the path in our spiritual evolution. The ashram provides the perfect setting to put the teachings of karma yoga into practice. As part of a community of like-minded people and guided by the ashram’s senior staff you can deepen your knowledge and practice of yoga, open your heart, learn some useful skills and enjoy the beautiful white sandy beach and the variety of ashram programs in your free time. You do not have to be a yoga teacher in order to join any of the ashram’s karma yoga programs – all that is needed is willingness to serve and lead a yogic life.

Participants in this program offer selfless service and enjoy the various programs that are offered in the ashram during satsangs (meditation, chanting and lecture) as well as some of the afternoon workshops. Spiritual guidance and advice is provided to participants by senior staff of the ashram.

The program’s daily schedule includes:

• attendance at morning and evening satsangs (meditation, chanting and lecture)
• one yoga class
• five hours of selfless service

One-month minimum commitment is required. The cost is $899 per month (this price includes accommodations*, meals, yoga classes and participation in some of the Yoga Vacation Programs (see calendar of events). For information or an application form please contact us by e-mail or phone.

*From Mid November – Mid June: Tent accommodations only (please bring your own tent). From Early/Mid June – Mid November, dormitory accommodation is available.

Join us for full immersion in the ashram’s life. This program is suitable for yoga teachers and those interested in fully committing to a spiritual life. Prior interview with the ashram manager is required.

The minimum length of stay under this program is three months.

The program’s daily schedule includes:

• attendance at morning and evening satsangs (meditation, chanting and lecture)
• one yoga class
• willingness to offer daily selfless service in any aspect of ashram life, for about five hours a day and when and where needed

Participants in the program receive accommodations* and meals, and may participate in yoga classes and in some of the Yoga Vacation Programs (see calendar of events). For information or an application form please contact us by e-mail or phone.

*From Mid November – Mid June: Tent accommodations only (please bring your own tent). From Early/Mid June – Mid November, dormitory accommodation is available.

“Karma yoga gave me a fresh, new outlook on life and inspired me to a whole new level.”
- Radha, USA

"My karma yoga experience has only just begun at the beautiful Yoga Retreat and already I find myself changing in subtle and profound ways. I have met most inspiring like-minded people from all over the world and learned so much by sharing the path with each of them. At home I am lucky to find a few hours a day to devote to my practice but serving as a karma yoga allows me to truly live my practice on every level At the ashram I am able to leave my world behind and truly purify the body, heart, mind and spirit. The simplest moments here reveal sacred surprises that move me deeper and deeper towards a more authentic experience of Self."
- Srividya (Jessie), USA

"For me, the Yoga Retreat is a refuge – I am inspired by the wise and generous teachers, by the profound and practical teachings and by the diverse community that unites here. Karma yoga is a chance to immerse myself in this refuge and to help offer it to others."
- Tara, Canada

"Each time I stay at the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat, yoga seems to resonate deeper and deeper within. With each visit I feel compelled more and more to carry the gifts and blessings of the teachings and of all I’ve experienced to the hearts of others."
- Shama, UK

"Becoming a karma yogi allowed me to fully immerse myself in the yogic lifestyle. It gave me the opportunity to learn from wonderful teachers, from the kitchen cook to the boatman to the knowledgeable and compassionate swamis. All that while taking in the beautiful spiritual energy that surrounds us all in every corner of the ashram. It is a time to look within and fall in love with myself once again."
- Natalia, Columbia

"It is not all fun and games, however, there are moments that resonate with my soul at the deepest level."
- Bill, Canada

For information on the Residential Study Programs or to request an application form please call us at: 1-866-446-5934; 1-800-441-2096 or 1-242-363-2902 or email us at: Nassau@sivananda.org and mention in the subject line "Karma Yoga Application".