"Living Local" Karma Yoga Weekend Retreat
August 26-29, 2021
Namo Narayana!
We are very excited to have you at 'Niwas as part of our "Living Local" Retreat. So much of this retreat is focused on connecting with Land and Food through "Yoga Ecology" Practices. It is a delicious weekend for body and soul! This orientation provides important information and guidelines that we hope helps you prepare and get the most out of your time at Ishtadev Niwas Ashram. Please read carefully and follow the guidelines accurately. All info has been developed in alignment with the teachings, from experience, and to set all students up for success.
Schedule
ARRIVAL TIME - Please aim to arrive to 'Niwas any time between 1-3 pm on Thursday, August 26, 2021. This will allow for ample time for unpacking and settling in to your sleeping space. If you have never been to the Ashram before and are arriving by vehicle, directions can be found here. If you are arriving by plane, please arrange a pick-up for a fee of $20 each way with the office manager at time of registration.
DEPARTURE TIME - 2pm on Sunday, August 29, 2021
RETREAT SCHEDULE (subject to change)
Friday (arrival)
4.00 pm - Introductions, Intentions and Orientation
5.00 pm - Dinner
6.00 pm - Clean-up
6.30 pm - Introductory Session
8.00 pm - Retire & Mouna (Silence) Practice
Daily Schedule (General, subject to change)
6.00 am - Puja, Mantra, Asana
7.30 am - Breakfast
8.30 am - Karma Yoga teaching and allocation
9.00 am - Yoga Ecology & Karma Yoga
12.00 pm - Lunch
1.00 pm - Yoga Ecology & Karma Yoga (3.00 pm Chai time)
5.00 pm - Dinner
6.00 pm - Evening program, when available / Karma Yoga
8.00 pm - Mouna and Personal time
Karma Yoga
What exactly is Karma Yoga?
The definition of Karma Yoga is “meditation in action.” It is an opportunity to learn and practice skills of being 100% present, in the moment, watching the mind, and not being attached to the fruits of your actions, even though you apply 100% effort. The result of Karma Yoga is the experience of innate joy throughout your day regardless of what task you are doing. It gives you a wonderful opportunity to watch the mind through its emotional pull of likes and dislikes, or “raga-dwesha,” and to witness these into an equilibrium. Karma Yoga is considered to be one of the highest purification techniques in Yoga. If you would like to learn more about Karma Yoga teachings prior to your retreat, here is a great article.
Optimizing Your Stay
Meals & Nourishment
Ishtadev Niwas is 100% vegetarian. We love to cook healthy Sattvic Yogic food, baking our own bread on-site in our wood-fired bakery and the occasional brownie/cookie. While we can and will accommodate any severe food allergies (ie. peanuts), we are unable to cater to food “intolerances” and/or dietary restrictions. Please inform us of any food allergies as close to the time of registration as possible so we can plan our meals accordingly.
A note on food in the Ashram:
Ashram life is a spiritual community of like-minded individuals on a similar path. We share the same schedule, and as such, eat meals together. Please refrain from bringing personal snacks unless it is pre-arranged and offered as Prasad to the kitchen (and can be shared with the group). If you have any questions about snacks for kids, don't hesitate in contacting office@ishtadevniwas.ca to discuss further.
Tea/Coffee:
We do not serve coffee at ‘Niwas but we do serve black tea. A donation of herbal and/or black tea is always welcome. If you are addicted to caffeine, we suggest that you moderate and cut down your intake before you get here so as to make your stay more pleasant. You are also welcome to bring your own milk substitute for your tea.
Accommodation & Facilities
In accordance with Yogic lifestyle, the accommodation and facilities at 'Niwas are simple. This is by design to support you getting into the flow of "living Yoga" and Ashram life as seamlessly as possible. Only when our formal accommodation is booked up do we open up possibilities for camping.
Showers:
We have 1 outdoor cold shower available in summer months and traditional indoor bucket baths available in shoulder seasons. Please bring your own bucket for washing up!
Sauna:
'Niwas has a wood-fired sauna that will be an optional part of your retreat experience on certain days. Please bring your swimsuit and an extra towel if you wish to participate.
Phones & Internet
'Niwas does not have any phones or internet for guest use. The purpose of being at an Ashram is to disconnect from the outside world, so you can have an opportunity to reconnect to your inside world. We ask that you check in your phone and keys when you arrive (as you do in Vipassana retreats). You are welcome to give your loved ones the office contact at +1-250-344-1394 or office@ishtadevniwas.ca if for any reason they needed to contact you in an emergency.
Coming and Going
While you are at 'Niwas, please consider yourself “at 'Niwas.” By this we mean that in order to create a holistic retreat environment for people here, it is not an option to “pop out for a morning coffee” to the nearest town, or head out tonight for a steak. We ask that you fully immerse yourself in the Yogic lifestyle while you are here for you to be able to receive the full benefits of your efforts.
What to Bring
Clothing
If you are initiated, please wear the colors of your initiation (i.e. white, yellow, geru). Beyond this, please no black clothing (including no grey clothing and/or black stripes) and wear clothes that you are comfortable in both Asana class as well as getting dirty as you are on a working farm. Pack layers for chilly evenings/mornings. Please note that all Sadhana should be practiced with shoulders and knees covered so please bring items of clothing that can accommodate this as well.
Other Items to Bring
Teachings & Private Sessions with Sn. Shivani
This retreat includes teachings throughout your stay. These come from Sn. Shivani as Head Teacher/Spiritual Director, Head Residents, and in the form of experience through the container of the Ashram.
There are also opportunities to organize Private Sessions with Sn. Shivani after the retreat. Private Sessions are generally arranged by emailing the office (office@ishtadevniwas.ca). K2D participants will all receive 20% off the full price ($108+GST) for private sessions and K2D Full Circle participants receive 1 free private session.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The Ashram's FAQ page with additional information to support you in advance of your stay may be found here.
Donations
The Living Yoga Society's Outreach, Scholarships and Karma Yoga Programs run by donation. If you are inspired by the teachings and would like to help people who are unable to afford it, please consider donating to help these programs run. Please make all cheques out to “The Living Yoga Society.” We are happy to make a receipt of payment to you, but please note that we are a registered non-profit, not a charity, and therefore personal receipts cannot be used against your taxes. Only companies and sole proprietor receipts can be 'written off’.
Other donations that are gratefully accepted that we utilize often for operations and programming include: ghee, tealights, incense, lighters/matches.
If you have any questions regarding the above we would be happy to chat to you, so you get the most out of your time here.
With much love. Namo Narayana,
Sn Shivani, Sn Paramjyoti, and the team at Ishtadev Niwas Ashram
For General Contact & Enquiries, see here.
We are very excited to have you at 'Niwas as part of our "Living Local" Retreat. So much of this retreat is focused on connecting with Land and Food through "Yoga Ecology" Practices. It is a delicious weekend for body and soul! This orientation provides important information and guidelines that we hope helps you prepare and get the most out of your time at Ishtadev Niwas Ashram. Please read carefully and follow the guidelines accurately. All info has been developed in alignment with the teachings, from experience, and to set all students up for success.
Schedule
ARRIVAL TIME - Please aim to arrive to 'Niwas any time between 1-3 pm on Thursday, August 26, 2021. This will allow for ample time for unpacking and settling in to your sleeping space. If you have never been to the Ashram before and are arriving by vehicle, directions can be found here. If you are arriving by plane, please arrange a pick-up for a fee of $20 each way with the office manager at time of registration.
DEPARTURE TIME - 2pm on Sunday, August 29, 2021
RETREAT SCHEDULE (subject to change)
Friday (arrival)
4.00 pm - Introductions, Intentions and Orientation
5.00 pm - Dinner
6.00 pm - Clean-up
6.30 pm - Introductory Session
8.00 pm - Retire & Mouna (Silence) Practice
Daily Schedule (General, subject to change)
6.00 am - Puja, Mantra, Asana
7.30 am - Breakfast
8.30 am - Karma Yoga teaching and allocation
9.00 am - Yoga Ecology & Karma Yoga
12.00 pm - Lunch
1.00 pm - Yoga Ecology & Karma Yoga (3.00 pm Chai time)
5.00 pm - Dinner
6.00 pm - Evening program, when available / Karma Yoga
8.00 pm - Mouna and Personal time
Karma Yoga
What exactly is Karma Yoga?
The definition of Karma Yoga is “meditation in action.” It is an opportunity to learn and practice skills of being 100% present, in the moment, watching the mind, and not being attached to the fruits of your actions, even though you apply 100% effort. The result of Karma Yoga is the experience of innate joy throughout your day regardless of what task you are doing. It gives you a wonderful opportunity to watch the mind through its emotional pull of likes and dislikes, or “raga-dwesha,” and to witness these into an equilibrium. Karma Yoga is considered to be one of the highest purification techniques in Yoga. If you would like to learn more about Karma Yoga teachings prior to your retreat, here is a great article.
Optimizing Your Stay
Meals & Nourishment
Ishtadev Niwas is 100% vegetarian. We love to cook healthy Sattvic Yogic food, baking our own bread on-site in our wood-fired bakery and the occasional brownie/cookie. While we can and will accommodate any severe food allergies (ie. peanuts), we are unable to cater to food “intolerances” and/or dietary restrictions. Please inform us of any food allergies as close to the time of registration as possible so we can plan our meals accordingly.
A note on food in the Ashram:
Ashram life is a spiritual community of like-minded individuals on a similar path. We share the same schedule, and as such, eat meals together. Please refrain from bringing personal snacks unless it is pre-arranged and offered as Prasad to the kitchen (and can be shared with the group). If you have any questions about snacks for kids, don't hesitate in contacting office@ishtadevniwas.ca to discuss further.
Tea/Coffee:
We do not serve coffee at ‘Niwas but we do serve black tea. A donation of herbal and/or black tea is always welcome. If you are addicted to caffeine, we suggest that you moderate and cut down your intake before you get here so as to make your stay more pleasant. You are also welcome to bring your own milk substitute for your tea.
Accommodation & Facilities
In accordance with Yogic lifestyle, the accommodation and facilities at 'Niwas are simple. This is by design to support you getting into the flow of "living Yoga" and Ashram life as seamlessly as possible. Only when our formal accommodation is booked up do we open up possibilities for camping.
Showers:
We have 1 outdoor cold shower available in summer months and traditional indoor bucket baths available in shoulder seasons. Please bring your own bucket for washing up!
Sauna:
'Niwas has a wood-fired sauna that will be an optional part of your retreat experience on certain days. Please bring your swimsuit and an extra towel if you wish to participate.
Phones & Internet
'Niwas does not have any phones or internet for guest use. The purpose of being at an Ashram is to disconnect from the outside world, so you can have an opportunity to reconnect to your inside world. We ask that you check in your phone and keys when you arrive (as you do in Vipassana retreats). You are welcome to give your loved ones the office contact at +1-250-344-1394 or office@ishtadevniwas.ca if for any reason they needed to contact you in an emergency.
Coming and Going
While you are at 'Niwas, please consider yourself “at 'Niwas.” By this we mean that in order to create a holistic retreat environment for people here, it is not an option to “pop out for a morning coffee” to the nearest town, or head out tonight for a steak. We ask that you fully immerse yourself in the Yogic lifestyle while you are here for you to be able to receive the full benefits of your efforts.
What to Bring
Clothing
If you are initiated, please wear the colors of your initiation (i.e. white, yellow, geru). Beyond this, please no black clothing (including no grey clothing and/or black stripes) and wear clothes that you are comfortable in both Asana class as well as getting dirty as you are on a working farm. Pack layers for chilly evenings/mornings. Please note that all Sadhana should be practiced with shoulders and knees covered so please bring items of clothing that can accommodate this as well.
Other Items to Bring
- 1 sacred item - something that can be left at 'Niwas
- Sleeping bag and pillow
- Personal plate, bowl, cutlery, water bottle and travel mug/tea mug
- Warm clothes as it can get chilly at night/early morning
- Bug repellant (different times of year have different bug flows)
- Sun hat/ Warm hat
- Swimsuit
- Any prescription medication you might need. INCLUDING EPI PEN if you are allergic to bees or other.
- Yoga mat
- Meditation cushion/ Blanket
- JOURNAL
- *Flashlight* or head lamp (and batteries!)
- *An alarm clock* that is NOT your phone (and batteries!)
- Clothes you're OK with getting dirty doing farm work and moving about in for Karma Yoga
- Work gloves and earplugs (for any dirty and noisy farm work). Earplugs are for farm work only and should not be worn while sleeping. More can be oriented on this teaching when in-Ashram.
- Slip-on shoes for outside (we go in and out a lot, and laces are time consuming and laborious)
- Towel and toiletries
- Bucket (for washing up)
- Indoor Footwear - Please note: We have a "no shoe policy" inside our indoor space. Options other than bare feet are socks, socks with leather soles, or moccasins with leather soles. Kindly refrain from wearing any “indoor footwear” with solid/rubber soles.
- Herbal tea! It is always lovely to have a large selection of herbal teas to share.
- Please no black clothes (nor grey, black stripes, etc). Let your inner light shine! Shivani will be happy to explain this to anyone curious while you are here.
- Chewing Gum
- Cigarettes, Alcohol and Drugs (this includes marijuana)
- Pets
- Electronics
Teachings & Private Sessions with Sn. Shivani
This retreat includes teachings throughout your stay. These come from Sn. Shivani as Head Teacher/Spiritual Director, Head Residents, and in the form of experience through the container of the Ashram.
There are also opportunities to organize Private Sessions with Sn. Shivani after the retreat. Private Sessions are generally arranged by emailing the office (office@ishtadevniwas.ca). K2D participants will all receive 20% off the full price ($108+GST) for private sessions and K2D Full Circle participants receive 1 free private session.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The Ashram's FAQ page with additional information to support you in advance of your stay may be found here.
Donations
The Living Yoga Society's Outreach, Scholarships and Karma Yoga Programs run by donation. If you are inspired by the teachings and would like to help people who are unable to afford it, please consider donating to help these programs run. Please make all cheques out to “The Living Yoga Society.” We are happy to make a receipt of payment to you, but please note that we are a registered non-profit, not a charity, and therefore personal receipts cannot be used against your taxes. Only companies and sole proprietor receipts can be 'written off’.
Other donations that are gratefully accepted that we utilize often for operations and programming include: ghee, tealights, incense, lighters/matches.
If you have any questions regarding the above we would be happy to chat to you, so you get the most out of your time here.
With much love. Namo Narayana,
Sn Shivani, Sn Paramjyoti, and the team at Ishtadev Niwas Ashram
For General Contact & Enquiries, see here.