ASHRAM

What is an Ashram?
An Ashram provides a safe space for personal development and the pursuit of spiritual ideals. The common intent of those who visit helps create a space for like-minded people to experience the benefits of the practices of Yoga, the philosophies of Vedanta, Tantra and Ayurveda. 
 
What is Ashram life? And why is it important?
 
“In the Ashram there are two kinds of labour always going on. Firstly,  the spiritual effort made for one’s evolution is hard work. Secondly, the physical work each Sannyasin contributes in Ashram life is hard work. Ashram comes from the Sanskrit ‘shram’, meaning effort. The Ashram is a place, separate from society, where one makes this double effort.” 
- Swami Satyananda Saraswati
 
An Ashram provides a ‘container’ for one to step back from worldly concerns and allows one to purify, strengthen and calibrate to their highest potential. The Yogic teachings and lifestyle offered at the Ashram are practiced so one can experience and embody that potential.
  
What is an Asana?
Asanas or the Yoga Poses are one part of the system of Yoga. Asanas are specific body positions which restore health and help the body overcome its imbalances, harmonize the physical and mental structures, restore the stamina and strength of the internal organs and ensure that they function properly. (On the wings of a Swan. Sw. Niranjanananda, P.14)
 
Why do an Asana practice?
Through a steady practice of Asana one gains good health, better knowledge of the self, and confidence. Asanas are specific body positions which open the energy channels and psychic centres. They are tools to higher awareness and provide the stable foundation for our exploration of the body, breath, mind and beyond. Hatha Yogis found that by developing control of the body through asana, the steady control of the mind is also achieved.
 
Asana also means a state of being in which one can remain physically and mentally steady, calm, quiet and comfortable. (Asana Pranayama Mudra Bandha, Sw. Satyananda, p.8)
 
Do you do authentic Yoga?
 The Yoga practiced at Ishtadev Niwas Ashram is defined as Raja Yoga as taught by Paramahansa-ji Satyananda Saraswati.
 
Are you part of any Yoga lineage?
 Ishtadev Niwas Ashram is dedicated to the example and teachings of Paramahansa-ji Satyananda Saraswati and his Guru, Sri Swami Sivananda. Up until the pandemic, a yearly pilgrimage was made to the Rikhiapeeth Ashram, the Tapobhoomi of Paramahansa-ji Satyananda.
 
Peethashishwari Swami Satsangananda of Rikhiapeeth Ashram and Swami Niranjananda of the Bihar School of Yoga carry on the teachings and example. 
 
Serve Love Give; are the main directives guiding the Yogic teachings of this lineage.
 
‘Niwas aspires to practice and embody living Yoga as it has been handed down for thousands of years through the Saraswati lineage of India. Our Gurus have studied, practiced and experienced the self-realization that eventually culminates from Yogic practices and teachings handed down from the ancient traditions.
 
Why do you chant every morning and why do you chant in Sanskrit?
Our being consists of a collection of vibrations. Chanting helps to attune to those vibrations. Chanting has a profound effect on our body, mind and soul and even our surroundings. Chanting is part of Nada Yoga or the Yoga of sound. 
 
We chant in Sanskrit because each sound has a corresponding nadi, or subtle channels, in the chakras, the energy centers. So even if we don’t know the intellectual dictionary meanings of the words we chant, we will still be able to intuitively understand what we are chanting. That is the magic, trust and faith. First and foremost is that you try to chant. The most important ingredient is your intention.

“Kirtan is the easiest, surest and safest way for attaining God”- Sw. Sivananda
 
Why do you not allow cell phones on retreats?
Remembering the idea of an Ashram is to turn to one’s personal practice of Yoga and step away from the material world, waiting for text messages and phone calls can distract the mind from any inward exploration, plus distract those around us. Therefore to assist all Yogis in their practice and create a peaceful environment for all, we ask that all cellphones are shut off and stored in safekeeping. The head resident/resident coordinator can instruct where these can be deposited in safety deposit upon arrival.

What should I wear when I come to the Ashram?
It is recommended to wear comfortable casual clothing in natural fabrics such as cottons or wools. (Please note the Ashram has a "no black clothing policy," reasons for this will further explained upon arrival.) Fleeces are also very useful for any change in the weather. Slip-on shoes are recommended as there are no shoes allowed in buildings. Gardening clothes/shoes for garden lovers. A Retreat Orientation will be provided with more instructions re: clothing for when you register for one of the Ashram's retreats/residencies.

Further, for students who have been initiated through Rikhiapeeth or the Bihar School of Yoga, please bring clothing that relates to the color of your initiation (i.e. whites, yellows, geru).
 
Can my kids come to the Ashram with me?
There are Karma Yoga Community Days and other special events or retreats where ‘Niwas welcomes children and families at the Ashram. And then there are some retreats where we do not accommodate children as the retreat requires you to focus on your learning and internal work. Questions about specific events can be sent to [email protected].  Family-friendly retreats are also generally posted on the Ashram's retreat schedule page.
 
What is a Satsang?
Satsang is a Sanskrit term derived from two roots: Sat meaning "truth" and Sangha meaning community, company or association. It can be translated as "associating with good people" or simply "being in the company of truth," and refers to the act of gathering with like-minded, uplifting people, especially those on a spiritual path. Satsang may also refer to a group of people engaged in a spiritual dialogue. It is an uplifting event when the Spiritual Director of ‘Niwas, Sannyasi Shivani, gives a Satsang on any topic of Yoga.
 
Can I visit the Ashram any time?
We welcome you to Ishtadev Niwas Ashram on specific days and times, or upon registration for formal retreats. Inquiries and requests can be made through the office at [email protected].
 
What is an alter and why is it important for in a Yoga practice?
An alter is a little table or platform where you make an arrangement of your items that represent divine spirit to you; murti’s, photo’s of divine saints or guru’s and you make offerings of flowers, Mantra, incense, and candles.
 
An alter is important in a Yoga practice because it gives you a sacred space where you bring the Divine spirit into your daily activities by make a daily offering of remembrance. It is the first thing you wake up to every morning and the last thing you sit down to every evening before going to sleep and the place where you do your Sadhana.
 
Why do you have statues on your alter?
These are called murtis. A murti is an image which represents a divine spirit (murta). Meaning literally “embodiment”, a murtiis a representation of a divinity, made usually of stone, wood, or metal, which serves as a means through which a divinity may be worshiped. The murti is a way to communicate with the abstract "one" God/great Spirit.
 
What is Karma Yoga?
Hatha Yoga, Raja Yoga and Kriya Yoga can take you far to vitalize the body, balance the mind and expand the consciousness. However, your regular personal sadhana may consist, at the most, of one or two hours in the morning and one hour at night. The rest of the day, you are interacting, working, eating, taking care of others, communicating, cleaning, organizing, creating and working towards your life’s goal.
 
Practicing Karma Yoga means you bring Yogic awareness into daily living. The whole life then becomes a Sadhana integrating Spirit into daily life and to live in the best manner possible.
 
The purpose of Karma Yoga is to purify your personality and evolve your consciousness through actions performed consciously. Karma is action. When we add the word ‘yoga’ it becomes karma yoga which then signifies performance of actions with an attitude that leads to expansion, freedom and creativity. Karma yoga involves performing each and every action with all your attention, skill and creativity, as if for the first and last time. It means full participation in what you are doing, thinking or expressing. (Karma Yoga for Everyone, P.23 & 24).
  
For your Yoga programs, do you have prerequisites?
All prerequisites are listed on each Retreat’s page.
 
How much experience with Yoga do I need, in order to come to the Ashram?
The Ashram is a community of dedicated Yogis and, as such, offer intentional opportunities for new and/or unpracticed students to explore and be provided initial guidance on how to start on a sincere and dedicated path of Yoga.  Essentially, there is a program for all levels of Yoga practice from Asana to long-term Residencies.
 
Those who apply to Study in Residence at the Ashram are those who are sincere seekers on the path of Yoga, have generally been studying, practicing  and/or teaching Yoga for at least 5 years and are those that want to humbly learn integrity, right communication and expand into the flow of awareness around oneself.
 
What is Sadhana?
Sadhana is any spiritual practice that helps the aspirant to attain the goal of human life, to evolve and shift one’s superficial perspective of life into a higher dimension so that every moment of life can be dedicated to higher ideals and higher spiritual realization.
 
Examples of Sadhana’s are: daily practice, remembering God’s name, Japa, prayer, Mouna, Kirtan, keeping a spiritual diary etc. 
 
The recommendation is that all Sadhana practices be learnt from and prescribed by an experienced teacher. Patience, perseverance, vigilance, sincerity and earnestness are required every step of the way.
 
Can I volunteer at the Ashram?
To become involved at the Ashram, put in a request with the office to participate in one of the Karma Yoga Community Days. You will be introduced to the Ashram community (Sanga) and you will get to experience first hand the immersive benefits of Yoga in daily life. 
 
What is Yoga Ecology?
Yoga Ecology is learning practices that enable one to respect, understand and living in accordance with the laws of nature.  To learn more, see this article here.
 
What is a retreat?
 A retreat is a program held at the Ashram that creates a space for the students to learn and experience the benefits of the specific Yoga teachings/practices featured at the retreat. Examples of specific practices/teachings are: Tattwa Shuddhi, Yoga Ecology, Chakra Immersion, Navaratri Sadhana.
 
What should I bring to a retreat?
Upon paying the deposit for the retreat, you will be emailed an orientation sheet that will let you know what to bring.

What are some other protocols I should be aware when visiting an Ashram?

• Cell phones: To ensure a full Ashram experience we ask that all cell phones are checked in upon arrival. Making or awaiting phone calls or text messages can distract a yogi and their friends from their yoga practice. We ask that you bring a separate alarm clock or watch.
• Check-in/Check-out: Check-in and check out times change per retreat. Your Retreat Orientation will let you know.  Generally, checking in is between 2 an 3:00 pm. Checking out is generally around 1pm. When checking out please leave your room even better than you found it.
• Fire Hazards: Please do not burn candles, incense, mosquito coils, etc. in your room, cabin or tent.
• Food: We serve a vegetarian diet, nourishing and balanced with proteins, carbohydrates, fruits and plenty of local vegetables. Alcohol, tobacco and any drugs are strictly prohibited.
• Harassment: Ishtadev Niwas Ashram strictly condemns any form of harassment directed at guests, staff or visitors. Complaints made to a resident coordinator will be treated confidentially and the alleged violator or any third party will not be advised of the complainant’s identity without the latter’s consent.
• Laundry: All laundry is done by hand. Please bring your own bucket (this is also your bathing bucket) and biodegradable detergent. We will provide the water and the dry-line.
• Photography: Photography is only permitted with prior permission.
• Punctuality: For everyone’s benefit, kindly arrive to classes, events and program on time or even arrive a little early to settle. Punctuality ensures peace for all for the beginning of any event.  It demonstrated "right relationship" to the teachings.
• Relationships: Kindly restrain expressions of affection in public, such as kissing and hugging. Please remember no one is permitted to be in the other person’s sleeping quarters.
• Sauna: A wood-fired sauna may be offered at the discretion of the main residents of the Ashram. We ask that you wear a bathing suit and bring your own towel. Evening showers and/or bucket baths are available after the sauna.
• Schedule: It is expected that all students attend all Satsangs, lectures and Asana classes.  Retreat/daily schedules will be made clear at all retreats.
• Shoes: Please remove your shoes when entering all buildings.
• Silence (Mouna): To maintain the tranquil setting of an Ashram we aim to observe personal silence before the morning and evening Satsangs and especially at mealtimes. Maintaining silence conserves energy and instills a peaceful environment. To maintain the energy received during evening Satsang please observe silence for the remainder of the night.
• Spiritual Respect: Kindly maintain a respectful attitude when near an altar or within a sacred space within the Ashram. When sitting, sit cross-legged, or in a chair. Kindly refrain from pointing the feet towards any altar, deities or teachers during Satsang and lectures. 
• Staff: The Head Resident is willing and able to answer any of your questions. Feel free to go to them and ask your questions. The Head Resident will be made clear to you at any retreat.
• Safety within the 40 acres of ‘Niwas: We are in the Purcell Wilderness and Mountains, and it is very important to keep within site of any of the buildings of ‘Niwas. Much of the land looks very similar and it is very easy to lose track and get lost if you are not within site of the buildings.
• Water: The water at Ishtadev Niwas is drawn from a very deep well and is of excellent quality.​