14651 Ballantree Lane Grass Valley, CA 95949 USA
November 14 - 23, 2025
About this Retreat
Swami Sitaramananda is a senior acharya of the International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centers and is director of the Sivananda Ashram Vedanta Yoga Farm, California and the Sivananda Yoga Resort and Training Center, Vietnam. She is acharya of China, Taiwan, and Japan as well. Swamiji is the organizer and teacher of the Sivananda Yoga Health Educator Training (SYHET) program, an 800-hour program on yoga therapy, accredited by the International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT).
Swami Sitaramananda is the author of “Essentials of Yoga Practice and Philosophy” (translated in Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, and Russian), “Positive Thinking Manual”, “Karma Yoga Manual”, “Meditation Manual”, “Swamiji Said, a collection of teachings by Swami Vishnu” in His Own Words. She is responsible for the Vietnamese translation of “Completed Illustrated Book of Yoga” (CIBY) and “Meditation & Mantras” by Swami Vishnu. Many of her video & audio lectures on Yoga life, philosophy, and psychology as well as articles and webinars can be found on this website.
Swami Sita is an ardent supporter of the integration of the Vedic sciences such as Vastu, Jyotish, Ayurveda, Yoga and Vedanta. She is an international teacher of the Sivananda Yoga Teachers’ Training Courses and Advanced Yoga teachers’ Training courses, as well as Meditation and Vedanta & Silence Courses both in Sivananda Ashrams in Vietnam and in Grass Valley, CA.
Details of this retreat
This Vedanta and Silence Course features vedantic meditation, the practice of group scriptural study, personal self-inquiry and the practice of outer and inner silence.
There will be personal coaching and guidance in the study of Viveka Chudamani, the "Crest Jewel of Discrimination" by Sankaracharya. Enter into the peaceful silence of the inner Self through the practice of external silence.
Come away with deeper self-knowledge and a sense of clarity and peace.
Course schedule
5am - Wake up. Self-hygiene. Prep for meditation. Reminding Self about mouna
5:30am - 6 am Meditation in silence by yourself.
6-8 am - Swadhyaya. Group Study of scripture w Swami Sitaramananda's commentary
10-11 am - Brunch ( in silence mouna if possible)
11am-12pm - Karma yoga ( in silence mouna if possible)
12pm-1pm - Contemplation by yourself- homework ( in mouna mandatory)
1-3pm - Practice of personal self-enquiry guided by the teacher in the group" ( no group dialogue)
3-4pm - Contemplative walk ( in silence, alone)
4-6pm - Practice of hatha yoga ( asanas. Pranayama. In contemplative mood , in silence)
6pm-7pm - Dinner ( in mouna if possible)
7-8pm - karma yoga to the body or the environment. ( in silence if possible)
8-8:30pm - meditation in silence by yourself including mantra repetition.
8:30 pm -9:15pm - Assigned Self swadhyaya
9:15pm -9:30pm - Spiritual diary writing and sending
9:30pm - prepare for sleep
10pm - sleep
Pre-requisite
This is an advanced course. Aspirants need to be sattvic in self self-disciplined lifestyle.
Application to be sent in before course. Swami Sitaramananda will interview if needed.
Previous practice of yoga IS REQUIRED.
COURSE MATERIAL
"Viveka Chudamani" Crest Jewel of Discrimination
Self made label: silence mouna
Prepare family environment before the practice
Book
Tuition
$350 sliding scale plus accommodations
Certification
Certificate given after successful completion of the course based on attendance, attitude, and final examination
Online
Verified
Last Chance
