Sadhana Intensive is a two-week program devised by Swami Vishnudevananda based on his own Hatha yoga sadhana in the Himalayas. He said that six months of this intensive practice gave him the energy to carry out his mission of spreading the teachings of yoga in the West for next 40 years.

This course is based on individual self-practice divided into two or three sessions per day. The emphasis is on intense and prolonged pranayama. Students work towards eight hours of hatha yoga per day which is balanced by the study of classical scriptures.

The course demands a high level of self-discipline and students are guided according to individual needs. Students are expected to remain within the ashram premises throughout the course with no free days, no access to telephone or email and a strict sattvic diet (salt, spice, tea and sugar free).

The highly controlled environment is vital for this type of practice.

The course requires some preparation from the student. Interested students are advised to prepare by following a regular daily hatha yoga practice and a sattvic lifestyle. Sound physical and mental health is a prerequisite.

Sadhana Intensive affords a unique opportunity to extend the limits of our capabilities, strengthen our stamina and develop self-confidence with long lasting effects.

Curriculum

•   Explanation and practice of advanced pranayama, bandhas (locks) and mudras (seals)
•   Daily self practice of asana
•   Practice of shat kriyas (cleansing techniques)
•   Meditation and chanting
•   Keeping spiritual diary
•   Mouna (at certain times of the day) to conserve the vital energy

Scriptures of Study

•   Viveka Chudamani by Sankaracharya
A standard text on Vedanta philosophy which describes the practical methods towards realizing the Self and the necessary preparations for it.
•   Hatha Yoga Pradipika by Yogi Swatmarama with commentary by Swami Vishnudevananda.
This classical text on Hatha Yoga explains in detail asanas, pranayama, Mudras, Bandhas and the process of awakening the Kundalini.
•   Srimad Bhagavatam by Vyasa Maharishi is one of the most important works on Bhakti Yoga.
Listening to these stories fills the mind with universal love and opens the heart, which is the key to experiencing the deepest levels of Hatha Yoga and for the practice of Bhakti yoga.
•   Sadhana Intensive course manual (supplied)

Daily Schedule

•   Practice of kriyas.
•   Morning and evening satsang with meditation and chanting.
•   Two or three practice sessions of asana and advanced pranayama incorporating bandhas and mudras.
•   Study of Hatha Yoga Pradipika / Viveka Chudamani / Srimad Bhagavatam.
•   Morning almond milk drink, brunch and dinner. A mono-diet of kitchari will be served as a way to encourage a sattvic diet and further purification.
•   Participation in entire daily schedule is mandatory.

* The course director may change the schedule according to the need of the students.

Prerequisite

Sadhana Intensive courses are open only to Sivananda Yoga Teachers Training Course graduates (TTC / ATTC). Good physical and mental health as well as a high degree of self-motivation are required due to the very intensive nature of the course.

Fill out our Sadhana Intensive application.

Certificate

An internationally recognized certificate from the International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre organization (ISYVC) is awarded on completion of the course. This certificate is honored by the Yoga Alliance in Canada and USA.

Reflections from Sadhana Intensive Graduates

“Within the first few days I overcame a major obstacle, FEAR, the fear of not being able to keep up with just my basic practice but also so many other fears. The work is gradual but the effects for myself were immediate. It took me right to the heart of all things, REGULAR PRACTICE!

I owe a debt of gratitude to all of my SI Gurabai’s for their humble sharing. It taught me that sharing and giving is the strength behind the Sadhana Intensive and I walked away filled with humility, gratefulness and all around strength from the experience.”

– Murali TTC 2012, Sadhana Intensive 2011, ATTC 2013

What to Bring

Copies of the sacred texts, personal toiletries, towel, asana mat, meditation cushion, comfortable footwear, warm clothing, mosquito netting and meditation shawl are useful. The ashram boutiques stock most of these items including books, stationery and clothing.

Remember to take your TTC uniforms and a copy of your TTC / ATTC diploma. Students are expected to wear their uniforms during satsang and lecture times.

Uniforms are not provided for the course but are usually available for purchase at the ashram boutique.

Arrival & Departure Information

•   Thursday, Sep 5th – 1:00pm or after. First meeting 3pm.
•   Thursday, Sep 19th – 2:00pm

Planning to arrive and depart here by bus?  See more information.

Course Cost

Due to the intense nature of this course, there are only two accommodation options:

Personal Tent – $1250
Single Room – $1950

Registration Information

Please fill out our online application at your earliest convenience. The application is required for registration.

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