Living Well and Dying Well According to the Bhagavad Gita with Swami Asokananda
Living Well and Dying Well According to the Bhagavad Gita with Swami Asokananda
108 Yogaville Way, Buckingham, VA 23921, United States
Up to 30 in group
September 11 - 13, 2026
Retreat Highlights
- Master the two essential qualities to remain steady amid life's turbulent waves
- Apply practical ways to transform deep-seated mental conditioning
- Discover and live your swadharma for unique self-expression
- Learn how to transform binding actions into liberating karma yoga
- Approach the time of death with ease, awareness, and grace
About this Retreat
Your Guides
Swami Asokananda, a monk since 1975, is one of Integral Yoga’s® (IY) foremost teachers—known for his warmth, intelligence, and good humor. His teaching comes out of his own practice and experience while absorbing the wisdom of his Guru, Sri Swami Satchidananda.
While he enjoys sharing the practical wisdom of yogic philosophy (especially the great Indian scripture, the Bhagavad Gita), he also loves his practice of Hatha Yoga. He is one of Yogaville’s primary instructors for Intermediate and Advanced Hatha Yoga Teacher Trainings.
He presently serves as president of the IY Institute in New York City. Before this position, he served as the President of Satchidananda Ashram–Yogaville and Integral Yoga International.
Swami Asokananda on Integral Yoga Podcast
Hear Swami Asokananda on the Integral Yoga Podcast sharing accessible, heartfelt wisdom on the practice and philosophy of Integral Yoga — across two episodes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLyP2KsVbjk&list=PL3mY6wDcxjOsb9J1B2JtpVO95eoPZcwZE&index=27 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9v6kPPTnxdE&list=PL3mY6wDcxjOsb9J1B2JtpVO95eoPZcwZE&index=94 See more at iyiny.orgDetails of this retreat
The message of the great yogic scripture, the Bhagavad Gita, is that Self-realization is attained by living skillfully in the world, rather than running away from it. To live skillfully means learning how to transform karma—actions that bind us—into karma yoga—actions that liberate us.
This sacred skill allows us to lead lives of purpose, meaning, and fulfillment. And when the time comes to leave the body, we can feel, with peace and clarity, that it is a good day to die.
During this special immersion we will deeply inquire into the message of the Gita and have a chance to live according to its timeless teachings. You will leave the program with a clearer understanding of:
The two essential qualities needed to remain steady amid the turbulent waves of life
Practical ways to transform the deep-seated mental conditioning that limits our potential
How to discover and live your swadharma—your unique path of self-expression
How to approach the time of death with as much ease, awareness, and grace as possible
We look forward to sharing these wonderful teachings and the spirit of Yogaville with you.
Schedule
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
Bhagavad Gita--an overview
SATURDAY
6-7 am
Integral Yoga Meditation
7:10-8:40
Integral Yoga Hatha – Level 1
Integral Yoga Hatha – Level 2 with Asokananda
Joint Freeing Series with Hope Mell
8–9:30
Breakfast
10–11:30
Holding on and letting go
11:45
Van to LOTUS
12–12:30 pm
Meditation at LOTUS
12:45–1:30
Lunch
3–5
Authentic expression and spiritual unfoldment
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
Integral Yoga Hatha – Level 2 with Asokananda
8–9:30
Breakfast
10–11:30
The power of death
12-12:30 pm
Meditation
12:45–1:30
Lunch
This sacred skill allows us to lead lives of purpose, meaning, and fulfillment. And when the time comes to leave the body, we can feel, with peace and clarity, that it is a good day to die.
During this special immersion we will deeply inquire into the message of the Gita and have a chance to live according to its timeless teachings. You will leave the program with a clearer understanding of:
The two essential qualities needed to remain steady amid the turbulent waves of life
Practical ways to transform the deep-seated mental conditioning that limits our potential
How to discover and live your swadharma—your unique path of self-expression
How to approach the time of death with as much ease, awareness, and grace as possible
We look forward to sharing these wonderful teachings and the spirit of Yogaville with you.
Schedule
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
Bhagavad Gita--an overview
SATURDAY
6-7 am
Integral Yoga Meditation
7:10-8:40
Integral Yoga Hatha – Level 1
Integral Yoga Hatha – Level 2 with Asokananda
Joint Freeing Series with Hope Mell
8–9:30
Breakfast
10–11:30
Holding on and letting go
11:45
Van to LOTUS
12–12:30 pm
Meditation at LOTUS
12:45–1:30
Lunch
3–5
Authentic expression and spiritual unfoldment
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
Integral Yoga Hatha – Level 2 with Asokananda
8–9:30
Breakfast
10–11:30
The power of death
12-12:30 pm
Meditation
12:45–1:30
Lunch
Getting Here
Yogaville, 108 Yogaville Way, Buckingham, VA 23921, United States
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