Greetings of peace from the Living Yoga Training program of Satchidananda Ashram - Yogaville^®, located in a secluded and peaceful setting, bordering the James River and surrounded by the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Yoga teaches that "Peace and Joy are our true nature." The Living Yoga Training (LYT) program provides the opportunity to experience this Peace and Joy. If you are prepared to immerse yourself in the teachings of Integral Yoga, this is the program for you.

This training is for selfless, dedicated people who wish to live in a Yoga community for at least one month, with the intention of deepening their spiritual, mental, emotional and physical well being, while learning to live harmoniously with others.

We aim to offer a balanced program of:

 Spiritual practices,
 Service,
 Study,
 Relaxation,
 Socialization,
 Enjoyment of the Ashram's serene, rural setting.

The LYT program provides you with an opportunity to grow spiritually through Karma Yoga, Hatha Yoga, meditation, and satsang (spiritual gatherings). These practices, along with the yogic lifestyle, offer you the opportunity to gain clarity of vision and purpose. As an integral part of the Ashram staff, you will serve alongside like-minded spiritual seekers, forming new friendships and experiencing the unique environment of Satchidananda Ashram - Yogaville.

During your month long stay you will have the chance to develop a steady practice, which can be integrated into your daily life. If you are a keen student, this program can be a life transforming experience.

This dynamic program translates the timeless wisdom of Yoga into practical, everyday reality. Under the guidance and with the support of senior disciples and experienced teachers, the LYT program combines spiritual practices and daily activities of service. The program includes:

 Karma Yoga: the path of selfless service. Karma Yogis perform duties without attachment to the fruits of their actions. Living Yoga Trainees (LYTs) generally begin their practice of selfless service in the kitchen, the heart of the Ashram. Other service areas include housekeeping, landscaping and maintenance.

 Hatha Yoga: daily classes of asanas (physical postures) to develop a healthier, stronger and more balanced body and mind, pranayama (breathing techniques) to purify and revitalize the entire system, and yoga nidra (deep relaxation) for total relaxation of body and mind.

 Raja Yoga: the path of concentration and meditation. Three daily meditations enable you to establish a habit of regular sadhana (spiritual practice), leading to mastery over the mind and, ultimately, to the realization of your true nature.

 Bhakti Yoga: the path of love and devotion, including kirtan (chanting) and puja (devotional practices), as well as ecumenical and spiritual gatherings

 Jnana Yoga: the path of wisdom. Yoga scripture classes are taught with insight and sensitivity by senior disciples.

 Weekly satsang (spiritual gathering) featuring video footage of Sri Swami Satchidananda

 A wholesome, balanced vegetarian diet - including organically grown produce

 Time for recreational activities - for example, laughing meditation, swimming in the LOTUS lake, volleyball, basketball, and hiking in the woods

 Sharing and friendship with other LYTs and with the larger Satchidananda Ashram - Yogaville community

 Complimentary Workshop - The Ashram graciously offers a complimentary workshop to those who successfully complete a three-month stay as a LYT. The workshop may be attended anytime during the following year.

The LYT program requires a one-month minimum stay. The cost of the program is $250 per month, which includes room and board, meditation sessions, yoga classes and various programs.

Satchidananda Ashram-Yogaville was founded by Sri Swami Satchidananda (Sri Gurudev), an esteemed spiritual leader whose message of peace has been heard around the globe. Honored with the Albert Schweitzer Humanitarian Award, Sri Gurudev dedicated his life to the cause of peace - both individual and universal - and to religious harmony among all people. His teachings are the Ashram's guiding principles.

In August 2002, Sri Gurudev entered Mahasamadhi (a God-realized soul's final exit from the body).

The teachings and practices of Integral Yoga^®, as taught by Sri Swami Satchidananda, integrate the various branches of Yoga in order to help one find inner peace and joy. These teachings are the foundation of Dr. Dean Ornish's work in reversing heart disease at the Preventive Medicine Research Institute and Dr. Michael Lerner's notable work with cancer patients at the Commonweal Cancer Help program.

Sri Swami Satchidananda authored many books, among them: Integral Yoga Hatha, To Know Your Self, The Living Gita, The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, and The Golden Present. He is the subject of two biographies, Sri Swami Satchidananda - Apostle of Peace and Portrait of a Modern Sage, and the film "Living Yoga."

Satchidananda Ashram-Yogaville is designed to serve as a model of how individuals can live and work together in harmony. Its philosophy and lifestyle are based on the principles of truth, non-violence, spirit of dedication, and universal brotherhood. Residents include both single people and families; some have chosen to make a formal commitment as monastics or ministers. We welcome all sincere seekers who wish to learn and grow spiritually and who would like to participate in Ashram life, and we invite you to apply to our Living Yoga Training program.

Travel
Nestled in a valley near the foothills of the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, Satchidananda Ashram-Yogaville is located in Central Virginia. We can arrange to meet you at the airport, the train station or the bus stations in Charlottesville, VA (a one-hour drive). Please check the bus times before making your reservations. There is also a bus station in Lovingston, VA (a 30-min. drive). For driving directions and more detailed travel and/or transportation information please click here

Accommodations
Our modern, air-conditioned dormitories are convenient to all activities. Rooms accommodate a maximum of four to six people (no single rooms are available). At this time, we are unable to accommodate children or pets of LYTs. Facilities within a few minutes walk from the dormitories include a meditation hall, library, dining hall, classrooms, laundry room, and a book and gift shop.

Attire
Modest dress is required of all guests and residents. While long shorts are appropriate for outdoors, they are not worn in our meditation halls, at LOTUS, or during evening programs. Please bring clothing for Hatha Yoga, outdoor work, recreation, and rainy weather.

Diet
No meat, poultry, fish or eggs are permitted at the Ashram. Also, please do not bring alcohol, illegal drugs, tobacco or pets.

Other Volunteer Programs
Senior LYT Program - Those who have completed one month or longer in the Living Yoga Training (LYT) Program and wish to make a further six month commitment for full-time service to the Ashram, may join the Senior LYT Program. This Program is an intermediate step between the entry level LYT Program and the Karma Yoga Program.

The Senior LYT Program is under the guidance of Swami Dayananda. For more information, please eMail Swami Dayananda at swdayananda@yahoo.com or call 434.969-3121 ext. 196.

Karma Yoga Program - After completing six months as a Senior LYT, you can join the Karma Yoga program and further develop yourself as an integral Yogi and as a valued member of the Ashram community. For more information, please eMail Swami Dayananda at swdayananda@yahoo.com or call 434.969.3121 ext 196.

Yogaville Support Staff Program - For those who have had prior experience serving at Yogaville or at an Integral Yoga Center, we are pleased to offer the opportunity to join our community for up to two weeks as support staff. These positions, when available, allow you to extend your visits to the Ashram by exchanging part-time service for reduced guest costs while you participate in the regular practices and special programs that make the Ashram a unique community. For more information, please eMail Ramya Rosenbush at ramya-at-sayva@mindspring.com or call 434.969.3121 ext 206.

We warmly invite you to join us for a month or longer, so that you can take full advantage of this hands-on Yoga training program. For more information, please eMail Swami Priyaananda at lyts@livingyogatraining.org or call (434) 969-3121 ext 117.

Interfaith Service at Yogaville

For detailed terms and requirements and to submit an application, please visit www.LivingYogaTraining.org.