• The Karma Yoga Program

Karma Yoga Program

Sivananda Yoga Ranch

Interested in serving others? In deepening into yourself?

Karma Yoga, or selfless service, is the first of the Four Paths of Yoga, and according to the great yogis like Swami Sivananda, it is the foundation on which all Yogic practice is based.

Time and again, the teachings of yoga guide us to the wisdom of purifying our heart. There is no better way to achieve this than through selfless service.

Our Karma Yoga program at The Yoga Ranch is an amazing opportunity to be a part of a non-profit Sivananda organization that extends the world over – a global community of practitioners looking to do good in the world, to deepen their practice, and to live for something bigger than themselves.

Come experience the unique gifts of Karma Yoga. Open into yourself. Cultivate lasting friendships. Observe the transformation that comes with selfless service.

Serve. Love. Give. Purify. Meditate. Realize.

Karma Yoga

  • "The salt of life is selfless service.
    The bread of life is universal love."

    - Swami Sivananda

The Yoga of Selfless Service

What is Karma Yoga?

Karma Yoga is the practice of giving our actions for the good of the action itself, with no thought of personal reward. It is where we begin stepping into our highest expression by aligning our focus to the benefit of humanity.

When action is done without the expectation of fruits, then all the negative qualities like egoism, hatred, jealousy, ideas of superiority, and selfishness begin to vanish. We develop a broad and liberal outlook on life and feel oneness and unity.

Community

The Yoga Ranch provides the perfect setting to put the teachings of Karma Yoga into practice. As part of a community of like-minded practitioners and guided by the Yoga Ranch’s senior staff, we deepen our knowledge and practice of Yoga, open our heart, develop useful skills, and enjoy the variety of programs in our free time.

You do not have to be a Yoga teacher in order to join the Karma Yoga Program – all that is needed is the willingness to serve and learn to lead a Yogic life.

Swami Sivananda - Practical Vedanta | Sivananda Ashram Yoga Ranch | Yoga | New York

“The mind is filled with likes and dislikes, jealousy… What is really wanted is practical Vedanta through ceaseless, selfless service. Selfless service is the only way to remove the impurities lurking in the mind.”

– Swami Sivananada

A Peek In

Why Karma Yogis Love Us

<div style="color: #373737;">Beautiful Surroundings</div>

Beautiful Surroundings

It takes just a moment to feel it. The sense of peace, connection, and vivid aliveness. Waking up to a herd of deer in the morning fog, the sun gorgeously rising up as the day begins, the food forest full of gooseberries, raspberries, and organic deliciousness.. Sharing time here as a Karma Yogi, living on 77 acres of rolling, forested hills in the Catskill Mountains among like-minded practitioners: it is truly magical.

<div style="color: #373737;">Joining a Community</div>

Joining a Community

Camraderie is a wonderful thing. Having one common path shared by all means the net experience is richer than most can initially imagine. The Yoga Ranch is a place where everyone does the work. Those who come to vacation help out. Certificate & Teacher Training students help out. The senior staff work extra long hours to help out. We are all truly blessed to share in this tight-knit community in action.

<div style="color: #373737;">Our Lineage & Tradition</div>

Our Lineage & Tradition

With its founding over 40 years ago by Swami Vishnudevananda, our ashram is one of the original pioneers in bringing the teachings of Yoga to the West. Continuing to forge this path is Srinivasan, the ashram director and direct disciple of Swami Vishnu, and Swami Paramananda, the manager and leading authority on Hatha Yoga. An abundance of Vedantic wisdom is shared daily.

Intimate Setting

Intimate Setting

Participants in our Karma Yoga Program are invited to the ashram for the purpose of offering selfless service and to immerse in a Yogic lifestyle. Sharing a month with us, Karma Yogis get to attend Satsangs (meditation, chanting and lecture), Yoga workshops (offered on a regular basis), and daily staff meetings. Spiritual guidance and advice is also provided to participants by senior staff on a weekly basis.

Sustainability

Sustainability

Ahimsa is a fundamental tenet of Yoga - it means to do no harm. As we train yoga teachers to become good yoga practitioners, we also believe in taking this practice out into our natural world. From composting, recycling, and conscious living, to our permaculture-designed food forest, gardens, and water usage - we believe that an ounce of practice truly is greater than tons of theory. Today, our ashram is even 100% solar powered. The future is bright.

Joyful Living

Joyful Living

Sometimes there isn't one specific characteristic that we can put a finger on - it's simply the sum of the parts that make it all so much fun. The serious practitioners that are drawn to the community, the crisp, clean mountain air, the summer bonfires, the Halloween pumpkin carving, the popcorn nights, the time shared with the students of the Teacher Training Courses - all of these factor into why Karma Yogis love us. If you're interested, apply! We'd love to meet you.

THE DETAILS

Karma Yoga Program

Working at the Yoga Ranch while studying what classical Yoga has to offer can be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life. Whether you come for a short time or an extended stay, participating in the community both spiritually and physically helps with the upkeep of the Yoga Ranch and also helps to foster and deepen the values instilled by a Yogic lifestyle for all who commit to the Karma Yoga program.

 

General Yoga Sadhana and Service Program. (1 month minimum)

Working at the Yoga Ranch while studying classical Yoga can be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life. Whether you come for a short time or an extended stay, participating in the community both spiritually and physically helps with the upkeep of the Yoga Ranch and also helps to foster and deepen the values instilled by a Yogic lifestyle. You will be expected to participate in 4-5 hours of ashram service daily. The program cost is $750/month if staying in your own tent. Otherwise, the cost is $1,000/month for accommodation in a Single Room. If you wish to continue with your practice after the three month period we will consider you for a long term staff position. All new residents are required to stay in a 7 day quarantine while we are honoring the covid-19 shutdown before participating in the group activities.

Apply for General Yoga Sadhana & Service

 

Yoga and Sustainable Gardening Program. (1 month minimum)

This program is open during the gardening season, from May 1 – September 30. When the gardening season finishes, participants will be allowed to transfer the remainder of their stay to the General Yoga Sadhana and Service Program. The Ashram has a very productive vegetable garden, green house, landscaped flower gardens, fruit trees, berries, composting, canning, etc. as part of our practice of sustainability. Working with the land is an important dharma in these times, as well as being personally grounding and healing. Combined with the rigorous ashram sadhana, the garden work completes the sadhana routine. You will be expected to do a minimum of 4-5 hours service daily in the gardens. The program cost is $750/month if staying in your own tent. Otherwise, the cost is $1,000/month for accommodation in a Single Room.

Apply for Sustainable Gardening

 

Daily Schedule

  • Morning and evening Satsang (meditation, chanting, lecture)
  • Staff meeting
  • 2-hour yoga class
  • Selfless service (5-6 hours for Karma Yoga Program, 6-7 hours for Advanced Karma Yoga Program)
  • Personal time and relaxation
  • Study time

Suitability

This program is suitable for those who have previous Karma Yoga experience within the Sivananda Organization or have completed a 1-month Karma Yoga Program within this organization.

To Apply

Prior to joining this program, there is an interview with the Yoga Ranch manager determining your intention and vision for your time with us.

To apply please submit the online application. Should you be accepted, there is a $50 (non-refundable) processing fee. We look forward to seeing you!