Letting Go of Attachments and Making Changes
Letting Go of Attachments and Making Changes
Up to 30 in group
March 20 - 22, 2026
Retreat Highlights
- Understand attachment versus practice/non-attachment through classic texts
- Train will, emotions, and intellect to respond rather than react
- Apply affirmation, visualization, prayer, analysis, and witnessing
- Daily meditation, Hatha Yoga, pranayama, and guided discussion
- Create a personalized take-home plan for meaningful change
About this Retreat
Your Guides
Swami Karunananda has had 50 years’ experience teaching all aspects of Yoga. She designed and conducts teacher training programs in Raja Yoga and in Meditation. She served as president of Satchidananda Ashram in California and in Virginia, and as director of the San Francisco and Santa Barbara Integral Yoga Institutes. She compiled and edited The Lotus Prayer Book and Enlightening Tales as told by Sri Swami Satchidananda. Her book, Awakening: Aspiration to Realization through Integral Yoga, makes the Yoga teachings accessible and provides inspiration and guidance for the spiritual journey.
Details of this retreat
Ever feel stuck—in undesirable habits, situations, or relationships? Ever wonder why you can’t let go? Want to make positive changes in your life? Imagine the freedom of no longer being driven by desires, old behavioral patterns, or negative thinking. Learn how to regain choice and skillfully respond, rather than automatically react, to what unfolds in your life.
The foundation of Yoga psychology is a two-sided approach based on practice and non-attachment. Because of attachment, we suffer in life. Through practice, we gain the clarity to understand our attachments, as well as the ability to release them.
In this workshop, we will explore:
The nature of attachment, drawing upon the wisdom of The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali and The Bhagavad Gita
How to harness the energy of the will, emotions, and intellect to effect positive change
Yogic practices, including: affirmation, visualization, prayer, analysis, and witnessing the mind
Daily sessions devoted to meditation, hatha yoga and pranayama, as well in-depth discussions and guided exercises.
Emerge with an individualized take-home plan for attaining your goals.
With every thought, word, and deed, we pave the way for our liberation or greater bondage. Come join us and learn how to walk through life more easefully, peacefully, skillfully, and joyfully.
Testimonials:
It was a big privilege to hear Swami Karunananda's wisdom.
— Luciano Vizzocini
Swami Karunananda has an amazing capacity to explain complex things in an easy way.
— Participant
FRIDAY
3–5 pm
Registration
5–6:30
Mixed Level Hatha
5–5:45
Yoga Nidra
6–6:30
Meditation
6:30–7:15
Dinner
7:30–9
Opening Session with Swami Karunananda
SATURDAY
6–7 am
Integral Yoga Meditation
7:10–8:40
Integral Yoga Hatha – Level 1
7:10–8:40
Integral Yoga Hatha – Level 2
7:10–8:40
Joint Freeing Series with Hope Mell
8–9:30
Breakfast
10–11:30
Morning Session with Swami Karunananda
11:45
Van to LOTUS
12–12:30 pm
Meditation at LOTUS
12:45–1:30
Lunch
3–5
Afternoon Session with Swami Karunananda
5:30–6:15
Dinner
7:30–9
Satsang (gathering of the seekers of Truth)
Kirtan (Music & Chanting), Video of Swami Satchidananda
Speaker
SUNDAY
6–7 am
Integral Yoga Meditation
7:10–8:40
Integral Yoga Hatha – Level 1
7:10–8:40
Integral Yoga Hatha – Level 2
8–9:30
Breakfast
10–11:30
Final Session with Swami Karunananda
12–12:30 pm
Meditation
12:45–1:30
Lunch
The foundation of Yoga psychology is a two-sided approach based on practice and non-attachment. Because of attachment, we suffer in life. Through practice, we gain the clarity to understand our attachments, as well as the ability to release them.
In this workshop, we will explore:
The nature of attachment, drawing upon the wisdom of The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali and The Bhagavad Gita
How to harness the energy of the will, emotions, and intellect to effect positive change
Yogic practices, including: affirmation, visualization, prayer, analysis, and witnessing the mind
Daily sessions devoted to meditation, hatha yoga and pranayama, as well in-depth discussions and guided exercises.
Emerge with an individualized take-home plan for attaining your goals.
With every thought, word, and deed, we pave the way for our liberation or greater bondage. Come join us and learn how to walk through life more easefully, peacefully, skillfully, and joyfully.
Testimonials:
It was a big privilege to hear Swami Karunananda's wisdom.
— Luciano Vizzocini
Swami Karunananda has an amazing capacity to explain complex things in an easy way.
— Participant
FRIDAY
3–5 pm
Registration
5–6:30
Mixed Level Hatha
5–5:45
Yoga Nidra
6–6:30
Meditation
6:30–7:15
Dinner
7:30–9
Opening Session with Swami Karunananda
SATURDAY
6–7 am
Integral Yoga Meditation
7:10–8:40
Integral Yoga Hatha – Level 1
7:10–8:40
Integral Yoga Hatha – Level 2
7:10–8:40
Joint Freeing Series with Hope Mell
8–9:30
Breakfast
10–11:30
Morning Session with Swami Karunananda
11:45
Van to LOTUS
12–12:30 pm
Meditation at LOTUS
12:45–1:30
Lunch
3–5
Afternoon Session with Swami Karunananda
5:30–6:15
Dinner
7:30–9
Satsang (gathering of the seekers of Truth)
Kirtan (Music & Chanting), Video of Swami Satchidananda
Speaker
SUNDAY
6–7 am
Integral Yoga Meditation
7:10–8:40
Integral Yoga Hatha – Level 1
7:10–8:40
Integral Yoga Hatha – Level 2
8–9:30
Breakfast
10–11:30
Final Session with Swami Karunananda
12–12:30 pm
Meditation
12:45–1:30
Lunch
Getting Here
Directions
Yogaville offers transportation from the airport, train and bus stations in Charlottesville, VA. If you are driving Google Maps has reliable turn-by-turn directions.
Accommodation
Availability of complimentary accommodations is determined by the order of booking.
Dormitory
The most popular accommodations we have are Dormitory Accommodations – shared room and shared bath. We have two dormitories, Vivekananda Vihar and Ramalinga Nilayam, which are centrally heated and air-conditioned and convenient to meals and programs.
Lotus Guest House (Private Room)
Each room in our six unit guest house is equipped with a small refrigerator, queen size bed and full bath. Each room in our nine unit guest house is equipped with a queen sized bed and full bath, and no refrigerator.
Tenting
Set off in a quiet, wooded area adjacent to the Lotus Guest Houses are twelve campsites. Campers have use of the bathroom, shower, and laundry facilities nearby Vivekananda Vihar dormitory. Camping is available from March 15th to December 1st.
Shared Dormitory: Bottom Bunk
Bottom bunk in a shared dorm room.
Dorm rooms contain 4-8 beds.
Shared bathroom
Dorm rooms are not coed
Availability is Gender Specific
Private Dormitory
This is a private room with a shared bathroom in our Ramalinga Nilayam Dorm - Females Only
LGH: Full Bed
Private room and Private Bath. A single Full bed and a private bath designed for those seeking peace in solitude.
LGH: 2 Twin beds
Private Room and Private Bath. Two twin Beds and a private bath that is ideal for friends looking to experience the bliss of Yogaville.
LGH: Queen Bed
Private Room and Private Bath. A queen bed or a queen with two day beds and a private bath that is perfect for couples and families searching for a peaceful time together. Please put in the personal comments if you need a room that includes trundles.
Tent-Site
Open from Mar. 16–Nov. 30. Closed from Dec. 1–Mar. 15
Set off in a quiet, wooded area adjacent to the Lotus Guest Houses are Eighteen campsites. Campers have use of the nearby bathhouse as well as laundry facilities at the LGH Building 3. Also, all tent sites have tent platforms for a more comfortable and dry tenting experience. Fires and Stoves are not Permitted. Price is per person per night.
Please bring your own tent, tie downs, tarp (weather protection). bedding and towels.
Venue & Amenities
A/C in Rooms
Free Wifi
Spa
Sauna
Pool
Towels
Free Parking
Kitchen
Tour Assistance
Hot Tub
Coffee/Tea
Cafe
Restaurant
Fitness Center
Yoga Studio
Housekeeping
Bicycles For Rent
Yogaville is home to the Light of Truth Universal Shrine (LOTUS). The LOTUS is a unique temple dedicated to interfaith understanding and the Light within all faiths. Individual altars represent and honor the different world faiths and spiritual paths. The vision, design and inspiration of Sri Swami Satchidananda, LOTUS was dedicated in 1986. It demonstrates, “Truth is One, Paths are Many.” In the peaceful countryside of Virginia, the doors of LOTUS are open to welcome people of all backgrounds and beliefs.
Meals
Menu Types
Vegan
Vegetarian
Pescetarian
Ayurvedic
Includes Meat
Organic
Gluten Free
Dairy Free
Nut Free
Organic, vegetarian/vegan food
Labeled ingredients
Lacto-vegetarian
Gluten-free and vegan options
Salad bar
Large herbal tea selection
Coffee is available for purchase at Mandala Cafe
What's Included
- Accomodations
- Meals
- Meditation Sessions
- Yoga Classes
What's Not Included
- Transportation
- Airfare
Last Chance
