Personal Retreat Experience

Flexible Dates

Retreat Highlights

Daily Yoga and Meditation: Experience Paramhansa Yogananda’s Energization Exercises, uplifting yoga postures, and time-tested meditation techniques.
Delicious Vegetarian Meals: Delicious dishes from The Expanding Light Retreat’s kitchen, featuring fresh, organic ingredients.
Classes on Spiritual Subjects: Explore yogic philosophy, healing practices, chanting, and more, guided by the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda.

About this Retreat

Details of this retreat

Reconnect with Your Inner Joy
Take a break from the hustle and bustle of daily life with our Personal Retreat experience at Ananda Village.Be still, “refill your cup,” and refresh your body, mind, and soul.

This popular Personal Retreat experience gives you the freedom to create your own schedule. There are many activities and classes offered that you can take part in. Delicious vegetarian meals are a constant, as is the thoughtful personal attention from our joyful and serviceful staff.
What is a Personal Retreat at Ananda?
More than a vacation, it's a mindful pause to clear your mind and reconnect with your deeper self. Engage in yoga, meditation, and healing sessions, and choose from a variety of activities amidst the tranquility of Ananda Village.

What's Included:

Daily Yoga and Meditation: Experience Paramhansa Yogananda's Energization Exercises, uplifting yoga postures, and time-tested meditation techniques.
Delicious Vegetarian Meals: Delicious dishes from The Expanding Light Retreat's kitchen, featuring fresh, organic ingredients.
Classes on Spiritual Subjects: Explore yogic philosophy, healing practices, chanting, and more, guided by the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda.

Sacred Spaces
Meditate in Ananda Village's serene temples, each with its unique vibration. Find your favorite spot or move between them to align with your inner needs.

Surrounded by Nature
Discover the beauty of 750 acres of rolling meadows and forestland in the Sierra Nevada foothills. Immerse yourself in nature with walks, sunset views, stargazing, and wildlife.

Start Your Retreat
Immerse yourself in this holistic retreat experience. Secure your stay now and embrace the tranquility, wisdom, and natural beauty that Ananda Village offers.

Rediscover, rejuvenate, and reconnect with the joy within.

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.