First Timers' Retreat

Name: First Timers' Retreat
Start: 2025-02-14
End: 2025-02-16
Location: Expanding Light Retreat

February 14 - 16, 2025

Retreat Highlights

Learn why and how to meditate — or take your existing practice deeper
Gain tips for greater health and harmony in your life
Experience gentle yoga postures to improve flexibility of body, mind, and soul
Connect with our sustainable community – enjoy a dynamic tour of Ananda Village, one of the world’s most respected intentional communities.
Rejuvenate in our peaceful 700 acres of forest, farm, gardens, temples, and holy places.
Relax in the company of other first-time visitors to The Expanding Light Retreat and Ananda Village

About this Retreat

Your Guides

Janaka

Uma

Janaka Keller

Janaka has been practicing Yogic Meditation for nearly a decade and has dedicated his life to the study of Yogic Philosophy and introspection. After seeing the dramatic positive transformation in his consciousness, Janaka determined that he would share what he had learned with as many people as possible! At the age of 24 he took his practice to a new level by moving across the country to join an Ananda Village. The experience of living in community with other like minded individuals has been the perfect environment aid to Janaka’s growth and understanding.

Uma Keller

Uma Keller RYT-200, is a vibrant, energetic, and joy-filled burst of sunshine. Her good cheer and lively sense of humor are a joy to be around. Uma has had the good fortune to have grown up in a spiritual family of Paramhansa Yogananda disciples in Argentina and has been practicing yoga and meditation since 2014. She now lives at Ananda Village in northern California. As an Ananda Yoga® Teacher, her depth of spirit and caring nature shine through, as you will experience during her yoga retreat weekends and led sadhanas. Uma serves at The Expanding Light Yoga Retreat in website design and marketing, along with helping to lead Ananda Yoga Retreats several times per year.

Details of this retreat

Would You Like To Try Something New?
Take a break and spend a weekend at a beautiful yoga and meditation retreat nestled in nature. Rejuvenate in a relaxed and uplifting atmosphere—you’ll be glad you did!
If you haven't yet taken a Retreat at the Expanding Light, you're in for a wonderful experience. Come alone, or with a friend, and have a sublime experience. (Even ‘old-timers’ can attend these weekends with first time friends.)
A Perfect Getaway:

Learn why and how to meditate -- or take your existing practice deeper
Gain tips for greater health and harmony in your life
Experience gentle yoga postures to improve flexibility of body, mind, and soul
Connect with our sustainable community - enjoy a dynamic tour of Ananda Village, one of the world's most respected intentional communities
Rejuvenate in our peaceful 700 acres of forest, farm, gardens, temples, and holy places.
Relax in the company of other first-time visitors, friendly staff and Ananda community members
Time for Yourself - take a walk, sit by Lotus Lake or curl up on a couch with a book

Why Choose The Expanding Light Retreat?

Beautiful and Comfortable: Immerse yourself in surroundings that are not only beautiful but also provide the comfort needed for a rejuvenating retreat
Quiet and Tranquil: Experience a stillness that makes meditation easy, allowing you to slow down and reconnect with yourself
Nature's Abundance: Find yourself surrounded by nature—woods, deer, birds, and myriad wildlife—to hike or sit by a lake
New Connections with Like-minded People: Connect with a community of spiritually minded, happy individuals, who support you on your spiritual journey
And…the food is delicious and healthy! Enjoy organic vegetarian meals prepared with love

You'll return home uplifted, inspired, and energized. Join Us for a Weekend of New Beginnings!

Receive a FREE book from the “Wisdom of Yogananda” series as part of your retreat experience

First Timers' Comments:
“Thank you so very much for your kindness and guidance. I truly came away learning so much and can't say enough about how beautiful and peaceful Ananda Village is. There is definitely a joyous and spiritual vibration. Even the animals feel it; I saw lizards playing with each other, deer relaxing in the shade under my porch, birds singing; it was all magical.
"I got exactly what I hoped out of the retreat and then some; quiet time, a chance to do yoga and meditation twice a day, eat healthy food, and even a taste of bliss. The divine spirit is available when one taps into the source through positive and healthy focus.” —K.M., San Rafael, CA

"The structure of the program was excellent for me. I came knowing very little about this strand of spiritual philosophy and practice, so the introductory sessions provided a good first scaffolding for me." —J.M., Olympia, WA

"All teachers and staff were inspiring. Everyone has joy and love in their hearts, and it radiates." Tara, Middletown, CA

"No matter the point in your life upon arrival, you will leave uplifted and take with you that which speaks to your soul." —C.M., Danville, CA

"When people ask me about the retreat, I say 'They are living it.' Meaning you all are truly living a spiritual life and creating spiritual community in every way." —Teresa, Kentucky

Here is a poem I wrote at Ananda during one of my last days with you all.
Awakened souls embrace me.
Nature's loveliness and serenity nurture me.
Attunement and energy surround me.
Now is all that matters.
Deep joy and inner peace flood my soul.
Abundantly blessed, I am forever grateful.

Blessings of love, joy, and peace to you!
— Joyce, your sister from MN

Schedule

Morning
6:30 – 8:00 am Community Meditation (Join us for all or part of this silent meditation)
6:30 – 8:15 am Sadhana (spiritual practices) which consists of: Energization Exercises (20 – 25 min), Ananda Yoga Postures * (45 – 50 min), Chanting (5 min), Meditation (15 min – 30 min)
8:15 – 9:00 am Breakfast (in silence Monday-Saturday)
9:00 – 9:30 am Host check-in
10:00 – 11:30 am Scheduled program, class, group activity, or free time
Afternoon
Noon – 12:30 pm Meditation (5 min chanting, 25 min meditation)
12:30 – 1:30 pm Lunch
2:00 – 4:00 pm Scheduled program, class, group activity, or free time
4:45 – 6:30 pm Sadhana (spiritual practices)
Evening
6:30 – 7:30 pm Dinner
7:30 – 9:00 pm Scheduled program, class, group activity, or free time

Note: Schedule is approximate and may change

Getting Here

Expanding Light Retreat

Directions

Yes, our retreat is a little out of the way. And once you get here, you’ll be glad it is!

Our address is 13930 Expanding Light Drive, Nevada City, CA. If using Google Maps. We are located 1.5 hours away from the Sacramento International Airport, as well as the Reno/Tahoe International Airport. If you need a ride to or from the bus, train, or plane, please contact us and we can share contact information for a drivers who have helped our guests in the past.

Accommodation

PRIVATE ENSUITE - King

Equally appropriate for a single person or for a couple, a king private room can provide the peace and solitude you crave. This airy room has a king-sized bed with a private, ensuite bathroom. An inviting outdoor space awaits you outside your front door, surrounded by a serene, forest setting.

PRIVATE ENSUITE - Twin

Equally appropriate for a single person or for a couple, an ensuite private room can provide the peace and solitude you crave. These charming rooms have two twin beds with a private, ensuite bathroom. An inviting outdoor space awaits you outside your front door, surrounded by a serene, forest setting.

PRIVATE STANDARD - Queen

Equally appropriate for a single person or for a couple, enjoy your own peaceful room with a queen bed and a shared bathroom down the hall. Your room is simply and tastefully decorated, with windows opening toward the surrounding forest. A bright and airy communal lounge and kitchenette is available 24 hours a day, perfect for relaxing with a book or sharing a cup of tea with friends.

PRIVATE STANDARD - Twin

Equally appropriate for a single person or for a couple, enjoy your own peaceful room with two twin beds and a shared bathroom down the hall. Each room is simply and tastefully decorated, with windows opening toward the surrounding forest. A bright and airy communal lounge and kitchenette is available 24 hours a day, perfect for relaxing with a book or sharing a cup of tea with friends.

PRIVATE CABIN - Twin

Equally appropriate for a single person or for a couple, your private cabin is tucked into a gentle hillside, bright and airy inside, with expansive windows that connect your room to the surrounding forest. Each cabin has two twin beds, with a communal shower house that is centrally located and shared by other cabin guests, campers, and our karma yogis.

SHARED ENSUITE - Twin

Share this charming room with someone else. Each room has two twin beds with a private, ensuite bathroom. An inviting outdoor space awaits you outside your front door, surrounded by a serene, forest setting.

SHARED STANDARD - Twin

Share this charming room with someone else. Each room has two twin beds and a shared bathroom down the hall, and is simply and tastefully decorated, with windows opening toward the surrounding forest. A bright and airy communal lounge and kitchenette is available 24 hours a day, perfect for relaxing with a book or sharing a cup of tea with friends.

SHARED CABIN - Twin

Share this charming cabin with someone else. The cabins are tucked into a gentle hillside, bright and airy inside, with expansive windows that connect your room to the surrounding forest. Each cabin has two twin beds, with a communal shower house that is centrally located and shared by other cabin guests, campers, and our karma yogis.

CAMPING

Fourteen campsites scatter across a gentle, forested hillside, with level areas for pitching your tent. A centrally located shower house is close by, shared by other campers, cabin guests, and our karma yogis. Please bring your own camping gear and towels. We do live amidst bears and other wildlife, so avoid storing any food or scented toiletries in your tent.