Yasodhara Ashram https://www.yasodhara.org Yoga Retreat and Study Center Thu, 17 Sep 2026 11:33:11 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.1.2 https://www.yasodhara.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/cropped-icon-1-32x32.png Yasodhara Ashram https://www.yasodhara.org 32 32 Meeting Myself with Awareness: Reflections on a 3-Month Yoga Intensive https://www.yasodhara.org/2026/09/16/meeting-myself-with-awareness-reflections-on-a-3-month-yoga-intensive/ Wed, 16 Sep 2026 19:18:45 +0000 https://www.yasodhara.org/?p=552970

I often think about what Swami Sivananda Radha writes in Mantras: Words of Power, how during chanting an aspirant may feel an overwhelming sense of emotions: 

“Tears may come that you have been holding back for many years… Sometimes the tears will be part regret and part joy – joy that the soul is at last on its way back home, regret that so many lifetimes have been wasted.” 

I remember feeling this the very first time I came to the Ashram. Night after night in satsang, sitting in the grand space of the Temple, humming the mantra, I would feel tears cascade down my cheeks. I didn’t fully understand what was happening. But on my first evening of the Yoga Development Course, the Ashram’s three-month intensive program, I gained a better understanding of what Swami Radha meant.

On a cold winter evening, I entered the Temple of Light and saw the other course participants gathered. I felt an overwhelming sense of joy and relief. After years of waiting and wondering when the time would come, I was finally here. Not as a karma yogi, not as a visitor, but as a participant in the Yoga Development Course (YDC).

Going Inward and Yogic Discipline 

Every morning during the course, I would make my way to Mandala House for two hours of Hidden Language Hatha Yoga, the snow underfoot and the Ashram all quiet. I could hear my footsteps along the boardwalk as I walked towards guided practice, and this became a real point of meditation for me. 

Even now, almost five years later, whenever I return to the Ashram and walk along the boardwalk, I am taken back to those early winter mornings. I am reminded of the commitment and sense of discipline that the course demanded from me, but it also invited me to soften – to surrender to the rhythm and structure that were there to support my inner growth.

Those mornings in Hidden Language Hatha Yoga opened me to a new understanding of how my body and mind are connected. Swami Radhananda writes that “the body is a good place to start a spiritual practice because of its potential to change and show concrete results. By exploring the physical practice of Hatha Yoga, you begin to recognize the balance, strength and firmness in your body” (Living the Practice). 

Starting my days with two hours of Hatha Yoga felt like a real gift. I was invited to listen deeply to my inner world and to challenge myself with new poses like the peacock feather, pincha mayurasana, which demanded effort and intensity from me. On other days, poses like tortoise, kurmasana, invited me to soften and retreat inward. 

The combination of these poses helped me reconnect with my body, becoming more comfortable and at ease within it while discovering a sense of strength and capability I hadn’t always recognized in myself. Over time, this began to shift the way I saw my body – not as something to observe or judge, but as something capable and strong, a vessel through which I met the world. 

Going Deeper with Yoga and Self

Before committing myself to the YDC, I had a sense I wanted to go deeper in my self-development, but I wasn’t sure what that might look like. I had participated in various retreat programs and yoga teacher trainings, but from meeting past YDC participants and spending time as a karma yogi at the Ashram, I knew the YDC was different from anything I had experienced before. 

Spending three months in a spiritual community is a powerful experience, with time to practice, study, question and listen. Day after day, I was given the opportunity to pay attention – not only to the yogic teachings, but to what was happening within me.

The workshops opened up parts of myself that I didn’t even know were there. They brought patterns, fears, aspirations and emotions into my awareness that I had, unknowingly, been turning away from. 

I began to learn how much of my desire to accomplish and plan for the future was connected to a longing for security and stability. I looked more closely at my relationship with my father and how my desire to care for him was intertwined with my own sense of responsibility, and was then reflected in my relationships with other male figures in my life. 

These realizations were not always comfortable, but they gave me the opportunity to meet parts of myself with greater awareness through reflection, rather than simply avoiding them.

The YDC gave me space to encounter these parts of myself with curiosity and, somewhat surprisingly, with compassion. Rather than simply learning about yoga, I was being given opportunities to experience its teachings within my own life and to greet the power of choice that awaits. 

“When we practice yoga, we begin to live with greater freedom of choice,” – Swami Lalitananda, Inner Life of Asanas 

Spiritual Community and Support

During the Yoga Development Course, I lived alongside people who were asking themselves many of the same questions I was. We were each moving through our own experiences and trying to understand what it means to live a spiritual life – not just in meditation or study, but in the ordinary moments of living together.

There is something powerful about being witnessed in that process. The people around me became mirrors, sometimes reflecting qualities I admired and sometimes showing me parts of myself that I would rather not see. We learned from one another by practicing together and learning together, creating a sense of connection and community that supported each of us in our process.

Returning to Inner Work

I recently had a friend ask me if I would ever do the YDC again.

My immediate response was, “No!” I felt strangely protective of the experience I had already had, and I couldn’t imagine willingly stepping back into that same intensity. But as I’ve thought about the question, and as I’ve written about the experience for this blog, my answer has slowly shifted.

“Not now, but eventually.”

I imagine myself returning to the YDC at another turning point in my life. Perhaps when I am preparing to step into motherhood, beginning a new chapter of my career or simply feeling the need to pause and listen more deeply before deciding what comes next. 

There may be seasons when I need that concentrated time and space again: to step back from the momentum of everyday life and dedicate myself to my personal growth in the sacred, nourishing space of the Ashram. 

For now, I am carrying what that first YDC gave me: a deeper sense of devotion in my spiritual practice and a greater understanding of my inner world. The practices I learned during the YDC have become touchstones I can return to when I feel scattered or uncertain, helping me feel a deep sense of inner joy – joy of knowing that my soul has found the mantra and the sacred teachings of Swami Sivananda Radha.

Connection and Growth: A Hidden Language Reflection

Practice the Tree Pose, vriksasana. Observe silence as you take the position of the Tree. Reflect on the time and seasons in your life, your connection to the earth, the sky and the sun, and how you are sustained by life. For what purpose? Write down your reflections.*

As you reflect, consider what the Tree might reveal about your own journey of growth and becoming.

 

*Reflection from Inner Life of Asanas by Swami Lalitananda.

 

By Katie Taher.

]]> Can Work Set You Free? Lessons from Karma Yoga https://www.yasodhara.org/2026/08/14/can-work-set-you-free-lessons-from-karma-yoga/ Fri, 14 Aug 2026 17:52:35 +0000 https://www.yasodhara.org/?p=552598

Like most people, I have spent much of my adult life working. Coming to the Ashram in July 2025 as part of the 2-month Karma Yoga Program was a brilliant opportunity to make space for witnessing my habitual ways at work.

Having spent 20 years working in an office environment, Karma Yoga became a space to engage with a different kind of work: tending to the garden, preserving fruit and vegetables, making salsas and jams, caring for common spaces. Through the practice of Karma Yoga, I tried to cultivate a sense of offering from the heart rather than focusing on productivity. 

I noticed the way I related to responsibility in the corporate world was sneaking into my offerings. But the more I worked with my hands, connected to breath and body, the more I found a state of flow in my work. And as soon as  I started offering Karma Yoga in the office, I noticed an old tendency of being in my head a lot. 

Learning from the state of flow I experienced in the garden, focusing on my breath or taking a short walk now becomes an intentional practice of returning to my body, and a more balanced way of being.

“Work Can Set Me Free” 

Upon completing the Yoga Development Course (YDC), I was offered a seasonal job at the Welcome Center. Initially, I felt so much resistance to the concept of working. I wanted to keep offering Karma Yoga and  wasn’t ready to embody a sense of responsibility again. As if the chains I broke out of were being put back on.

In The Inner Life of Asanas, Swami Lalitananda writes: 

“The Work is always there. Where there’s life, there’s action. The Bhagavad Gita says that how we do the action ties us down or sets us free. Do it with love, devotion and without attachment and we are involved in yoga… Knowing that work can set me free can change my attitude.”

Reflecting on these words and seeing the suffering I bring on myself when I perceive work in opposition to my personal or spiritual life, I now try to integrate rather than separate work and play, work and rest, work and reflection, office work and inner work.

Work as a Teacher

Looking back at my life, I see how work has been a prominent teacher for me. I’ve been giving so much of myself to my work and my professional development, and it paid off when the goal was to build a successful career. 

Going through a significant life transition now, I’m spending more time exploring parts of myself that were abandoned in the process. I want to show up for myself, my friends and family, my community, my clients, from a different place. Rather than asking myself “Am I doing the right work?” I’m asking myself “How can I BE with the work in front of me in a way that is aligned with my ideals?”

Yogic Principles at Work

As I make my way through a list of post-YDC book reports, I reflect on the book Yamas and Niyamas by Deborah Adele. I ponder how I can live out ethical practices through work and broader life. I notice that the way I relate to responsibility takes me out of my center. I see an opportunity to ground. As I make space for my inner life, I become aware of my tendencies, e.g., a tendency to self-sacrifice. 

I try to find ways to practice non-violence (ahimsa), which is often as simple as taking a short break. And when I’m feeling brave enough, I look deeper at what’s driving my high-achieving perfectionistic behaviour. I tend to much younger parts that still operate in survival mode, help them heal, update their beliefs. 

As I practice truthfulness (satya), I approach myself with kindness and compassion. I know I can ask for help when things get rough, but can I accept support, practice non-stealing (asteya) by allowing others to step in, before I’m in a crisis? 

“Helping, Fixing or Serving?”

I’m also exploring the attitude I bring to work. I really like the article “Helping, Fixing or Serving?” by Rachel Naomi Remen. When I first read it, I was thinking of my coaching clients but I can also see this affecting all areas of my life.  

The author writes that “Helping, fixing and serving represent three different ways of seeing life. When you help, you see life as weak. When you fix, you see life as broken. When you serve, you see life as whole.” 

She discusses how the ways of fixing and helping can be draining, and potentially leading to burnout. Serving, however, is regarded as a renewing force that can help cultivate a deep sense of devotion and gratitude. This understanding of service connects to the spirit of Karma Yoga, the practice of selfless service here at the Ashram. The way we approach work allows it to become an offering from the heart and an ongoing spiritual practice.

I recognize that my corporate career started with wanting to help and fix problems. When I started transitioning to coaching, I became more open to serving. To see people as whole, to walk with them, to facilitate exploration of their challenges and trusting they can overcome those challenges and move towards realizing their potential. 

Perhaps today when I carry too much responsibility, I’m still trying to fix. I end up pushing myself beyond my limits. Living and working at the Ashram, I am reminded of my higher purpose, of our shared responsibility, of compassion towards self and others. 

Coming into a state of balance and integration with work seems to be a continuous practice for me; I hope that my newly developing relationship with myself and my work can set me free. Strengthening mind-body connection. Practicing discernment – knowing where to surrender and where to persevere. 

Every day brings an opportunity to be set free by work. Whether I embrace it or not, the choice is mine. 

Reflection Practice

Take an intentional break during your work day, whether it’s a job, work around the house or any other type of work. Sit in silence and follow the rhythm of your breath. 

Ask yourself: What atmosphere do I want to create around myself and my work?

Write in your journal, including examples of how you can manifest your ideals through work.

By Yana

]]> Registrations Clerk Position https://www.yasodhara.org/2026/08/10/registrations-clerk-position/ Mon, 10 Aug 2026 21:58:29 +0000 https://www.yasodhara.org/?p=552566 Are you looking for an engaging, rewarding and supportive work environment?

Yasodhara Ashram Society is seeking a detail-oriented Registrations Clerk to join our Welcome Centre team. In addition to some previous experience with Yasodhara, the ideal candidate will possess a strong background in creating a welcoming and inviting atmosphere in internal and external communications while ensuring efficient Guest Registration and Participant Care. 

This position currently requires on-site work 5 days, 36 hours a week and is currently at the center of a significant change in both the technological systems and the structure of the department. 

This one-year position will start with the following responsibilities that will change significantly over the course of the coming year. 

Salary: $42,000 per year

Responsibilities

  • Guest Services – Oversee the registration of guests for onsite and online programs, and the accommodation of onsite guests, ensuring a welcoming and supportive experience that reflects the Ashram’s mission and values.
  • Change Management – This position will be at the center of significant technological and administrative change. This role will be a steward and champion of this change.

Work closely with IT, Communications, Accounting, and Welcome Centre staff to ensure

registration, hospitality, and payment systems function smoothly and support

organizational needs. Communicate system changes, limitations, and opportunities in a

clear and collaborative manner. Work to continuously improve the Registrations function.

  • Hospitality and Program Registration System Stewardship – This position will necessitate learning the current computer system to use for approximately 6 months and then involvement as we go live to a new system. 

Management and maintenance of the organization’s hospitality and program registration systems (e.g., Resort Suite, Eventbrite), including annual program setup, data integrity, troubleshooting, and ongoing improvement. 

  • Reporting and Information Sharing – Generate and share accurate reports for internal groups such as Kitchen, Area Managers, Hospitality, Accounting, Teachers, and other Administrative Areas,  to support transparency, planning, and informed decision-making.
  • Documentation and Process Clarity – Maintain clear, accessible documentation of registration procedures and workflows using shared platforms. Support continuity and institutional knowledge through consistent documentation practices.
  • Active and Supportive Component of the Welcome Centre Team – Be a knowledgeable member of the Welcome Centre team and contribute to annual planning and budgeting. 

Skills & Competencies

  • Dynamic Interpersonal and communication skills
  • Strong computer skills, including  program troubleshooting and data management
  • Strong attention to detail and an ability to multitask 
  • Problem-solving skills
  • Process coordination and workflow improvement
  • Cross-departmental collaboration
  • Guest service orientation
  • Integrity and confidentiality
  • Mission alignment and values-based service

The successful candidate will have the option to live on-site. 

To apply for this position, please send your resume and cover letter to:

jobs@yasodhara.org

]]> Finding Divine Mother Through Gardening and Yoga  https://www.yasodhara.org/2026/07/08/finding-divine-mother-through-gardening-and-yoga/ Wed, 08 Jul 2026 17:21:12 +0000 https://www.yasodhara.org/?p=552415

I was running down a forest lined country road in the fall of 1980 when I first met God.

There was a strong feeling of a supportive Presence, a spiritual connection to something far greater than anything I had ever known before.

This was during a time of upheaval in my life — a fractured marriage, a six-month-old baby and a career that was in question. The familiar way of life was no longer. My home and security, as I knew it, was in jeopardy. I felt lost.

An opening was created inside my broken heart.   

In an effort  to get my feet on the ground and move through the confusion, I began jogging. Out in nature, I gradually let go of what I thought I knew. My senses were drawn to the beauty around me — the trees, freshly ploughed fields, wide sky and unexpected encounters with wildlife, slowly nurturing my soul. 

Looking back, I can see that those runs marked the beginning of a relationship, not only with the Divine but with the natural world that became one of my greatest teachers.

Learning from the Land 

Years later, I found myself taking weekly yoga classes and living on a farm — my life had turned around. It was Spring and with my foot on a shovel I was digging up and turning over the rich dark earth, heading into a new chapter of life. Pausing, listening to the birds chattering, I began planting seeds for my first vegetable garden. I felt inspired.  

There was a strong Presence of the Divine that accompanied my quiet repetition of mantra as I pulled out deeply rooted weeds and tossed them into a pile beside me. I recognized the metaphor: here I was cleaning up my life, making a fresh start, committing to a daily yoga practice, running a business and seeking deeper meaning in my personal life.

Searching for Divine Mother

Back then, I attended Yoga classes offered by a Yasodhara Yoga teacher, Jeannie, at her house in Lakefield, Ontario, only 20 minutes from where I lived. She often referred to Divine Mother, which was an unfamiliar term for me.  

Gradually, as I tended the farm garden, consciously bringing in all my sense perceptions as I worked, I began building awareness. Smelling the rich dark earth, watching the small green shoots of the first crop of peas poking through the ground, listening to the birds, suddenly it came to me: Mother Earth, Divine Mother, they were One and the same! 

The combination of weekly classes, along with consistent daily yogic practices such as the Divine Light Invocation and Hidden Language Hatha Yoga became the foundation for my spiritual life. A precious relationship with my Inner Self, the wise one within was gradually unearthed.    

Growing Through Written Reflection

My “desire to know” was supported with written reflections, which proved to be a valuable tool, revealing where I was at mentally, emotionally and spiritually, which brought an understanding of what personality aspects needed to shift or belet go of. They had served in the past but were no longer helpful.   

Having become what I thought was independent, growing awareness allowed me to see that it was pride that had to move aside, so that I could reach out and ask for Divine Mother’s help and support. This ‘pride demon’ had blocked my connection to Her —  it was like a pest in the garden that needed to be addressed.

In her book Living the Practice, Swami Radhananda writes: 

“You have to put effort into knowing yourself. The Self is a pearl of great price, a precious treasure that is not easily accessible… Real growth demands that we go beyond the comfortable as familiar patterns block the way for new perceptions.”

Through commitment to the practices, negative rehashing thoughts could be elevated by chanting mantra. The Om Tara Mantra had come to me, seemingly of its own accord, naturally falling in beside me, fitting into rhythm with my footsteps when I was walking. This mantra became a companion on the Path, it resonated and connected me to the Goddess of Compassion. Gradually long-held concerns and fears were loosened.

Working in the garden and being on a journey of self-development go hand in hand. Following the cycles of nature: tending the soil, planting seeds, nurturing and caring for the new shoots as they mature, then harvesting in rhythm with the seasons, is a commitment — as is spiritual growth.  

Preserving fruits and vegetables requires discernment. Sorting the produce, removing bruises or blemishes, sending the best ones to the kitchen to be used for fresh eating while transforming the ‘seconds’ to be preserved for winter fare is all part of the daily routine. Similarly, daily reflection and spiritual practices became part of my daily routine.

Gratitude, Reciprocity and the Ashram Garden

 The Ashram Garden is tended by the many helping hands of karma yogis — a variety of people offering selfless service, simply doing what needs to be done while inviting in spiritual practice. The care and attention to the irrigation and amendments added to the soil are all ways of giving back to Mother Earth with gratitude. 

Often after a harvest, a cover crop is planted which will be ploughed under later to enrich the soil the following year. Meals in the dining room are generally preceded with individual prayers — gratefully acknowledging how Divine Mother’s generosity supplies much of our nourishment, on all levels, day in and day out, year-round.

The garden is a place of reciprocity, giving rich compost, collected primarily from kitchen scraps and chicken manure, back to the earth, replenishing and nourishing the soil. This earth becomes the foundation for numerous tiny seedlings, lovingly started in the little “nursery” green house, gradually relocated outside and planted with careful attention to spacing and depth. 

Watching the garden transform is a metaphor for observing the process of my own personal growth, made visible through the lens of daily reflection. 

Looking back, I can see that what began on a forest road continued quietly in the garden. The same Presence that met me in a moment of loss seemed to meet me again in the rhythm of daily service — in soil, in practice and in the small acts of care that make up a life.

Reflection opens the door to receive the Light, the Light of understanding, for oneself and others. When understanding deepens, a natural desire to offer back emerges prompting selfless service, contributing to “the good of all” and the generous cycle continues.   

Reflection Practice 

Spend a few moments outdoors, perhaps in your garden, a local park or beneath a tree. Notice what draws your attention. Then, ask yourself: What nourishes me? 

Write down your reflections. Notice what arises, and consider how the natural world may be inviting you into greater awareness, gratitude or growth.

 

By Durga.

]]> Ashram Cookbook https://www.yasodhara.org/2026/06/29/ashram-cookbook/ Mon, 29 Jun 2026 20:26:11 +0000 https://www.yasodhara.org/?p=552100

Ashram Cookbook

For more than sixty years, the Ashram has been a place where spiritual practice is woven into daily life.

In the garden, in the kitchen and in the quiet work of preparing food together, we practice Karma Yoga, work as service – service to the community and to our higher selves. The upcoming Ashram Cookbook gathers 108 recipes from this living tradition. 

But more than a cookbook, it tells the story of our spiritual community and how we infuse the yogic teachings into every action – nourishing our bodies, minds and spirits. See a preview of yummy recipes below.

In 2027, we will be releasing our much-anticipated cookbook. With your support, we can preserve the Ashram recipes, share the teachings behind them and continue the work inspired by Swami Radha for generations to come.  

Donate today and discover how you can become part of this living legacy. Your contribution will help bring this cookbook to life, and your name will be recognized in its pages as a valued supporter.

Here are some of the beloved recipes that will be in the book for you to try:

become a sponsor

Bring One or More Of The 108 Ashram Recipes into the World!

Each recipe carries
the story of the garden,
the kitchen and the community
that prepared it.

$108-250

Support the Story of the Ashram Through the Four Seasons!

Each recipe carries
the story of the garden,
the kitchen and the community that prepared it.

$500-1500

Help Bring the Cookbook to Life for Generations to Come!

Your generosity sustains the teachings that inspire this project and will allow us to continue Swami Radha’s publishing legacy.

$3000-5000

]]> Holding Grief with Grace and Compassion https://www.yasodhara.org/2026/06/17/holding-grief-with-grace-and-compassion/ Wed, 17 Jun 2026 19:48:42 +0000 https://www.yasodhara.org/?p=552286

In this episode of Ask a Swami, Swami Padmananda reflects on the lessons of grief and how spiritual practice can help us meet sorrow with compassion, presence and courage.

Whether you’re navigating a recent loss or carrying grief from years past, this conversation offers thoughtful insights into living with grief while remaining open to love, connection and meaning.

This episode can be streamed on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music or YouTube.

 

]]> Awareness Through the Seven Cakras: Reflections on Kundalini Yoga https://www.yasodhara.org/2026/06/12/awareness-through-the-seven-cakras-reflections-on-kundalini-yoga/ Fri, 12 Jun 2026 18:34:12 +0000 https://www.yasodhara.org/?p=551407

When I first read Swami Radha’s Kundalini Yoga for the West, a foundational text within the Ashram teachings, I became fascinated by a quote introduced in the very first pages of the book: 

“From being a sleepwalker, a hypnotized or conditioned person, you gradually become a person who is aware.”

At the time, I found myself returning to this sentence repeatedly. What did it mean to be a sleepwalker? What was I meant to become aware of, and how? 

Over the following weeks, through Kundalini workshops and conversations with teachers at the Ashram, the question began to unfold for me. Awareness, I slowly realized, was not only about observing my external world, but also about learning to notice the patterns moving through my inner thoughts, emotions and reactions. 

This is the purpose of Kundalini Yoga: to investigate the ideas and habits I have accepted blindly and without question. The Kundalini System offers a practical guide for developing self-awareness through reflection, spiritual practice and the exploration of the cakras, each associated with specific questions, practices and symbols for developing greater self-understanding. 

Benefits of Reflection and Kundalini Yoga in the Modern World 

Swami Radha writes, “Whatever the lifestyle, one seems to move too fast to digest the experiences that take place during each day… The natural life rhythm simply cannot absorb the constant impact of news, television and urban living, combined with the many power struggles that are outside the domain of an individual’s control.” 

This brings to mind that same image of a sleepwalker – moving through the world with little awareness of what is being experienced or felt. When life becomes full of demands and pressures, it can become easy to fall into a kind of automatic living, responding rather than reflecting. 

In my own life, I notice this most when I’m stretched by work and the troubles of the world – a sense of urgency and apathy fill my days as I feel incapable of holding meaningful conversations or processing all that is happening around me. 

In a world that encourages constant movement and productivity, practices of self-observation can feel out of place. Kundalini Yoga encourages self-reflection and a deliberate noticing of what is happening within my mental and emotional experience. 

Rather than moving automatically through states of thought or feeling, there is an invitation to pause and register these shifts as they arise. 

Psychological and neuroscientific research increasingly supports the value of reflection, suggesting that reflective practices can positively influence emotional regulation and even patterns of neural activity. Studies on mindfulness-based self-reflection, for example, have linked reflective practice to increased empathy, resilience and emotional awareness.*

I’ve experienced this in simple ways myself: how a short moment of written reflection can help ease my racing mind. A simple question, “What’s happening now?”, has the potential to bring me
into a calmer state, where I’m no longer rushing but actually observing the interactions and happenings that might have brought me discomfort or anxiety.

The Seven Cakras and Self-Awareness

Within the Kundalini System, each cakra is associated with one of the senses, which signals the importance of perception itself as a site of inquiry. 

Rather than treating the senses as passive receivers of information, the Kundalini System positions them as important components in shaping emotional reactions and habitual patterns. It also offers specific practices that help refine the senses, through which we can become attuned to the immense power the senses have in influencing our moods. 

Paying attention to these subtle shifts has made me more aware of how deeply sensory experience shapes my emotional and mental states. 

Since first seeing the cakra plates at the Ashram, the fifth cakra – the Viśuddha –has been the one I’ve felt most drawn to, with its blue colour and inverted triangle. 

Known as the “gateway of liberation”, the fifth cakra (sometimes called referred to as the throat cakra) is associated with the sense of hearing. Since working more with questions from the Kundalini System, I’ve been noticing how much my sense of hearing affects my mood. On mornings when I immediately reach for my phone and fill my day with beeping notifications, news clips and phone calls, the rest of my day often carries a sense of mental urgency.

On mornings when I remember to open my window and get to hear the birds outside, listen to mantra music or simply sit quietly, I notice a greater sense of spaciousness and presence. 

The Fifth Cakra and the Sense of Hearing

To me, the fifth cakra points toward a further refinement of awareness, where perception becomes less reactive and more attentive. It becomes a practice of discernment: learning when to respond, when to pause and when to simply listen without immediately interpreting or reacting. 

Over time, this kind of listening begins to soften the sense of fragmentation that can come from constant stimulation. Reflection and awareness of sound have helped me notice subtle shifts in my inner state and return more easily to a sense of presence when I feel scattered. 

“As we cultivate the senses and refine the mind, we are able to see the patterns of the intangible in our actions and speech, the interconnections of the senses and the Light.” – Swami Radhananda, Living the Practice 

A Reflection Practice for the Fifth Cakra

Swami Radha offers a simple exercise connected to the sense of hearing: “Listening to a variety of music, carefully selected, preferably with earphones and in a reclining position, will tell you by your emotional responses to the music where you are.”

  1. Begin by choosing two different types of music.
  2. Sit or lie down comfortably while listening.
  3. Notice how each piece of music affects your mood, thoughts and body.
  4. Write down all of your observations.

Questions for further reflection:

  • How did each piece of music affect your emotions?
  • Did certain sounds create tension, calm or distraction?
  • What did you notice about your inner reactions?

Through practices like these, the fifth cakra becomes less of an abstract symbol and more an invitation into conscious observation in daily life.

 

*Mösler, Thomas et al. “Reflective Skills, Empathy, Wellbeing, and Resilience in Cognitive-Behavior Therapy Trainees Participating in Mindfulness-Based Self-Practice/Self-Reflection.” Psychological reports vol. 126,6 (2023): 2648-2668.

 

By Katie Taher.

]]> What does it Mean to Live at an Ashram? ​ https://www.yasodhara.org/2026/05/17/what-does-it-mean-to-live-at-an-ashram/ Sun, 17 May 2026 19:34:47 +0000 https://www.yasodhara.org/?p=552263

In this episode of Ask A Swami, Swami Jyotihananda reflects on life in spiritual community and shares her hopes for the future of Yasodhara Ashram.

Drawing on her experience with Swami Radha and the many stages of Ashram life over the years, Swami Jyotihananda offers insights into commitment, connection across generations and the deeper value of living in community.

This episode can be streamed on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music or YouTube.

 

]]> Explorations on Love As a Way of Being in the World https://www.yasodhara.org/2026/05/11/explorations-on-love-as-a-way-of-being-in-the-world/ Mon, 11 May 2026 16:25:01 +0000 https://www.yasodhara.org/?p=550503

At the time of writing this blog, the Ashram’s three-month Yoga Development Course (YDC) has just come to completion. Many of the course participants are transitioning back to families, jobs and environments that are busy with the day-to-day challenges of living in the everyday world.  

In the last part of the course, questions were coming up about the transition—”how do I bring all I have gained from my time at the Ashram back into the world—the inner joy, peace of mind, the experience of calm that I’ve had here, and all that’s been revealed about my true nature as old stories and attachments drop away? How do I keep centered as I re-enter a challenging world? How do I convey what I’ve experienced these past three months to my friends and family?”

Having been through the YDC many times myself, both as a participant and as a teacher, I’ve come to understand that it’s a way of being that speaks about the changes that have happened, more than words could ever convey. 

Ideas of Love in Spiritual Life 

What is this way of being that is often recognized more in others than we can recognize it in ourselves? For me, it is connected to love.  

There are so many ideas of what love is in our world, but what is it really?  

There is something about ‘it’ that becomes visible and touches my heart when I see it in action—someone responds with kindness instead of reacting with anger…. is patient instead of being irritated….. is calm in situations that are tense…. is listening from a place of wanting to understand instead of having their views or opinions heard.  

It is in the moments I see myself responding with kindness, patience or calmness where I would have reacted negatively—that I recognize something else is at work. A release has happened where I’ve been holding on, I’ve become receptive and more present to what is happening.  I have a choice of how to respond.

My teacher, Swami Radha, made a distinction between love with attachment and love without attachment—which she called ‘unconditional love’.  

“When we have become compassionate, when we can love without expecting anything in return, we have become truly human” (Light and Vibration).

To follow the path of yoga, truly and deeply, involves getting to the root of all that we are attached to. I’ve heard this path described as not for the ‘faint-hearted’.  It takes the kind of strength that involves courage—which in the original sense of the Latin cor, means connecting with an inner strength to bring forward heartfelt action.  

Ancient Teachings of the Bhagavad Gita

For many years, an ancient text from the East, the Bhagavad Gita, has been part of my life.  

It is a dialogue that takes place in the heart between Krishna, symbolizing the Divine Self, and Arjuna, symbolizing the human self. Its setting is the middle of a battlefield, between opposing forces of dark and light.

Recently, I’ve been bringing some Gita verses to my work each day, from a discourse called “The Way of Love”.  The words are a reminder of a way of being that I want to keep cultivating within myself. Krishna says to Arjuna:

“That one I love who is incapable of ill will,
who is friendly and compassionate,
living beyond the reach of ‘I’ and ‘mine’
and of pleasure and pain. Patient, contented, self-controlled, 
firm in faith, with all their heart and all their mind given to me
with such as these I am in love” (12:13/14)*.

Our world today is one of opposing forces—which can often become overwhelming and confusing.  Like Arjuna, we may sink into despair, asking ourselves: “What can overcome a sorrow that saps all my vitality? Even power over men and gods or the wealth of an empire seem empty.” (2:7/8).

Krishna’s response to Arjuna (in the 18 discourses of the Bhagavad Gita) is as relevant today as it was thousands of years ago when this scripture from the East was first recorded.  

“This despair and weakness in a time of crisis are mean and unworthy of you, Arjuna… It does not become you to yield to this weakness. Arise with a brave heart and destroy the enemy.”(2:2/3).

Krishna begins to lead Arjuna on a journey that reveals the real enemy he must destroy is within himself. He calls on Arjuna to remember who he is and that he has the strength within to face whatever he is most attached to in his life—his physical self, his family, friends, possessions, pride, ideas of what is right and wrong—and ways of being that no longer serve him.   

Opening the Heart to Light

By bringing the words of sacred texts into my life, through my practices and reflections, they come to life.  When I find myself caught in negative emotions, the inner space created by my practices helps me hear another voice—one that is calling me to see what is happening from another perspective.  

Being with my teacher, Swami Radha, was an experience that opened my heart to a new perspective and understanding of what love is—one that continues to grow and expand through my commitment to my spiritual path and through the desire to give back to life from a place of love. It has given me a way of being in the world that connects to my Heart.   

“The path of the Heart is the path of Light,
the Light of love and the Light of understanding.
Nothing is more important.”
(Light and Vibration, Swami Radha)

*Eknath, Easwaran. The Bhagavad Gita. 2nd ed. Tomales, CA: Nilgiri Press, 2007.

By Swami Satyananda

]]> Okanagan https://www.yasodhara.org/2026/05/04/okanagan/ Mon, 04 May 2026 21:28:54 +0000 https://www.yasodhara.org/?p=550244

Yasodhara Yoga Okanagan

Welcome to Yasodhara Yoga Okanagan, with teachers in Summerland, Kelowna, Vernon and Salmon Arm! Discover classes in Hatha Yoga, Hidden Language Hatha Yoga, Kundalini Yoga and Dream Yoga.

We offer Yasodhara classes, workshops, retreats and Satsang to the Okanagan community locally (from Salmon Arm to Osoyoos) at various yoga studios, welcoming venues, small private classes from the homes of generous hosts, and sometimes online through Zoom.

Yasodhara classes and workshops are open to people of all yogic traditions and religions.

We emphasize relaxation and self-inquiry through the in-depth, integrated approach developed by Swami Sivananda of Rishikesh and brought to the west by Swami Radha.

CLasses And Satsang offerings

Please contact us if you live within or near the Okanagan in British Columbia and would like to have a Yasodhara Yoga workshop in your community.

For events and schedule join the Yasodhara Yoga Okanagan Newsletter Email: yasodharaokanagan@gmail.com

TEACHERS

Kelowna - Parama (Elizabeth Macleod)

Yasodhara Yoga teacher and mentor, Parama (Elizabeth MacLeod), has received intensive training and certification from Yasodhara Ashram in B.C. She obtained her Teacher’s Certification in 1989 and regularly updates this. Classes and workshops are based on the teachings of Swami Radha, and are suitable for those who are interested in knowing themselves better and improving their quality of life.

Contact: Parama or 250-769-7291.

Salmon Arm - Kyle Tulk

Kyle offers Hatha classes in the style of Yasodhara Yoga. He completed his Hatha Teacher Certification In May 2025. Currently he teaches in Salmon Arm at Gratitude Yoga Studio. Check class schedule for updated times and locations of classes. There are 3 locations (2 in Salmon Arm, 1 in Sorrento).

The intention of this style of yoga is to encourage ease and relaxation in each pose and bring awareness to the body and mind. Meditation and Mantra are tools used in this style that help explore the yoga practice on a deeper level.

He has lived in Salmon Arm since 2021 and enjoys the beauty and nature of the Shuswap.

Contact: Kyle or 778-581-2005.

Summerland - Ruth Campbell

I discovered the work of Swami Radha some 30 years ago. Gradually, through the years my connection with the Yasodhara Ashram has deepened as my understanding of the work grew. As I have said to many, “these teachings have changed my life” and “working with the work makes life worth living.”

I live and teach in Summerland, BC.  As a certified Yasodhara Yoga teacher, the classes I offer are Hidden Language Hatha Yoga, Dream Yoga and Kundalini Yoga.

Contact: Ruth 

Vernon - Jason Perry

Jason has been a Hatha yoga teacher since 2012. He became certified to teach Yasodhara Hatha in 2020 and Hidden Language Hatha Yoga in 2024. The combination of the physical and reflective nature of Hidden Language has inspired Jason to explore the poses of Hatha Yoga more deeply, using the asanas as tools to delve into his body, mind and soul. He is very excited to offer the practice to his community in the North Okanagan.

Contact: Jason or 250-306-5164

Vernon - Karla Fuhr

Yasodhara Yoga teacher, Karla Fuhr, completed the Yoga Development Course and the Hidden Language teacher training from Yasodhara Ashram. “These experiences have shown me a way to participate in life with more clarity and openness. I am grateful for the gift of these teachings.”

Contact: Karla 

Vernon - Ryan Koelwyn

Ryan offers Yasodhara Yoga classes in Hatha, Kundalini System, and Dreams in the North Okanagan, virtually and in-person. As a child, Ryan went to Yasodhara Ashram in Kootenay Bay, BC with her father and maintained her connection and study of yoga, returning for retreats, Karma Yoga and the Yoga Development Course. Receiving both physical and mental benefits of the practice, Ryan is teaching as an offering of devotion and loves working with symbolism.

Contact: Ryan 

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