Relax and Rejuvenate
In the Orleans Forest
Greetings from The Ashram
Open to guests year round, Ashram de Yoga Sivananda welcomes people from around the world and provides a peaceful setting in which to find a way back to a holistic lifestyle in harmony with nature, benefitting from increased resistance to stress and improved physical, emotional and spiritual health.
Join for a Yoga stay
The Daily Schedule
8:00am Asanas and Pranayama
10:00am Vegetarian Lunch
11:00am Karma Yoga (one hour of service in the Ashram)
12:30pm Lecture, nature walk or spiritual video
1:30pm Free time
4:00pm Asanas and Pranayama
6:00pm Vegetarian Dinner
8:00pm Meditation, Mantra chanting and Lecture (Satsang)
To keep up the spiritual atmosphere of the Ashram, the participation in the morning and evening meditation and one Asana class daily are mandatory.
Programmes are subject to change or cancellation.
Asanas and Pranayama Classes
Sivananda Yoga is a traditional, slow paced, meditative class that helps encourage flexibility, strength and vitality in the body while calming the mind. Both the morning and the afternoon Hatha Yoga classes are 1 hour and 45 minutes and are suited for all experience levels.
Each class includes Sun salutation, twelve basic postures and variations (asana), breathing exercises (pranayama) and relaxation. The focus is on mastering the basic asanas from which variations are then added to further deepen the practice.
You are welcome to bring your own yoga mat if you wish, although we do have community yoga mats that you are welcome to rent for 1 € per day should you need one. Please avoid wearing low cut or see-through clothing. If you have any injuries or health conditions, please be sure to communicate to our yoga teachers prior to the beginning of class to ensure your safety and to educate you about which variations are nicely suited for you.
Meditation, Mantra Chanting and Lecture
Satsang is a group meditation followed by devotional chanting and an informal talk on the practical philosophy of Yoga and Vedanta. Chant books are provided to help you to follow along and participate in the devotional chanting if that feels nice to you.
The purpose of satsang is to uplift one’s mind in the company of spiritual seekers and find fresh inspiration by listening to the powerful statements of yogic scriptures. The mantra chanting instills purity and joy in the heart.
Satsang renews the inspiration for spiritual practice and gives a wider perspective on life and one’s situation.
Delicious Vegetarian Meals
Light, nutritious and freshly prepared meals are served at 10am and 6pm, in addition there is a snack of fruits during the day. The meals offered are lacto-vegetarian and almost fully organic. During the summer season, the Ashram gets very good quality organic vegetables from a local producer. We have a permaculture vegetable garden and grow some of our own food and flowers.
The main course at each meal always offers a dairy-free and wheat-free option. That is the extent to which special dietary needs can be catered to during your stay at the ashram. Side dishes, desserts and snacks may contain gluten and dairy.
No meat, fish, alcohol, tobacco, coffee, black tea, eggs, and drugs are allowed. Their use may lead to dismissal from the ashram.
A Common Question
“What is ashram appropriate attire?”
Great question. Here’s the quick and easy answer. As the ashram is a spiritual community and place of practice, we simply ask that clothing be respectable and modest. Guests are invited to dress in casual, comfortable clothes suitable for warm days and cool evenings.
As a general rule of thumb, clothing that covers your shoulders and knees is best, and especially during Satsang. In Satsang and the temples, knees and shoulders should be covered. We recommend bringing a shawl or wrap.
Here’s the local weather forecast to assist you in your planning.
Garden Information
In the centre of the Ashram is “Surya Square” a beautifully stone tiled, and partially shaded space, surrounded by flower beds and equipped with stone benches and tables which makes it a perfect place to relax, socialise and study. As an added benefit, all of our cobbled pathways and well-worn footpaths are lit to allow for peaceful night time walks as well.
Feel free to enjoy, relax, or take a moment to go within… Our garden and its majestic, century-old trees offer a perfect canopy for wherever the time here takes you.
Boutique
Our onsite boutique offers a vast collection of classical Yoga books from the leading authorities on Yoga – including Swami Sivananda and several of his disciples – as well a wide selection of Yoga music, meditation tools, and other Yoga products to help you deepen your spiritual practice. Enjoy a diverse selection of health food goodies and yoga accessories, including yoga mats and bags, incense, malas (prayer beads), and decorative items for your home altar. We’re easy to find – we share the front desk with reception. While you browse we would be happy to answer any questions you might have and we love having visitors.
Office Hours for Phone Enquiries and Payments
- Friday to Tuesday: 10.45am – 5.45pm
- Wednesday & Thursday: 10.45am – 5.15pm
What to Bring
Useful items for your stay include:
- Towel
- Yoga mat
- Meditation cushion
- Meditation shawl or blanket
- Japa mala (prayer) beads
- Pen and notebook
- Water bottle
- Slip-on sandals or slippers (indoor-only)
- Both comfortable and warm clothes which cover shoulders and knees
- Rain gear
- Walking shoes for relaxed nature walks
- Personal toiletries
- Ear plugs (the ashram is a shared environment)
- Alarm clock
- Torch (Flashlight)
- Travel mug or tumbler (for hot tea)
- For tent space only: bring your own tent, bedding, and towels
- If using a translation system please bring your own headphones (type MP3/3.5mm jack) or else a rental fee of 20 €
GETTING TO THE ASHRAM DE YOGA
Directions
The Ashram is situated near the village of Neuville aux bois in the famous Loire Valley, just one hour from Paris and is easily accessible from Paris by car or by train (Les Aubrais Orleans).
Allow Google Maps to navigate your trip by tapping the arrow below.
Arriving by Train or Car?
By Train to Les Aubrais (the closest station to the Ashram)
From Les Aubrais train station, take a taxi to the Ashram (about 40 €) or take the Rémi bus line 20 to Neuville-aux-Bois (3 €) and get off at the ‘Stade’ stop. You can then take a taxi to the Ashram (5 mins), but it is best to reserve in advance, ideally the day before +33 (0)2 38 32 19 17. Some line 20 buses stop at the ‘Rive du bois’ which is 2 kms away. Take the direction Bougy-lez-Neuville and follow the signs for the Ashram.
By Car from Paris (the closest metropolitan area)
From that point forward, the Ashram will be indicated by road signs for the last 5 kms. If you use GPS, search for “Bignon” or simply tap the placement arrow on the Google Map above and select “Directions”.
Carpool Information (sharing a ride)
If you are looking for or offering a ride to the Ashram:
Arriving by Plane?
Flying into Paris:(Choosing the Best Airport)
Although there are several airports in the greater Paris area, the one we recommend is Charles de Gaulle Airport for its being the easiest in getting to and taking the various transportation options to the Ashram De Yoga Sivananda.
Reserving Shuttle Service from the Airports and Train Stations
Please reserve a shuttle taxi a minimum 5 days in advance for a direct service to the Ashram. Price is 75-95 € for a single trip (per person), depending on your starting location, traveling date and time.
Pickmecab
phone +33 (0)2 34 59 72 00
email: contact@pickmecab.fr
Traveling From the Paris Airports to Austerlitz Train Station
From Orly Airport, take the free shuttle service to Pont de Rungis and then the train to Gare d’Austerlitz. Or from the airport take the metro Orlyval and get off at Antony (10 minutes), then the connecting RER B to Saint Michel- Notre-Dame (20 minutes). From there take the RER C until Gare d’Austerlitz (5 minutes). From there take a train to Les Aubrais.
Helpful Reminders
Ashram De Yoga Sivananda is an ashram with a very special spiritual atmosphere. To be here is to share in the practice together, honoring both our highest selves and that of others. In order to truly tap into all the rejuvenating effects, we encourage everyone to attend both Satsangs and yoga classes daily. We also ask that silence is observed from 10:30 pm to 6:00 am so that all can have a restful sleep and a peaceful mind before morning Satsang.
The more you can tune in and really soak in the natural peace of our environment and community, the better your body and mind will feel overall. You can begin by detaching from your cell phone, especially during Satsang. If using it as a recording device during the spiritual lecture (as it is a nice way to deepen your learning), please ensure that you have put it into silent/airplane mode and turned off all alarms and noise making apps before leaving your room. Inner peace is an amazing gift to share. Remember the practice.
Ashram Etiquette
Yoga retreats are held at the Sivananda Ashram, a spiritual environment away from the noise and disturbances of daily life. We kindly ask that all guests and residents abide by these rules as they play an essential part in maintaining the pure environment and elevating vibrations necessary for the practice of yoga and meditation.
Ashram Guidelines
- Attendance at the morning and evening meditation and one yoga class daily is mandatory.
- Alcohol, tobacco, meat, fish, eggs, coffee and drugs are prohibited on the premises. Pets are not allowed. During the course we cannot cater to personal dietary preferences except the yogic-vegetarian meals. Absolutely no drugs. No taking, distributing or dealing in or around the premises. If you learn of others keeping, taking or distributing drugs you are obliged to report this to the Ashram director immediately.
- Full payment for the duration of stay is required upon arrival. In case of early departure a credit note can be issued valid in any of the SYV Centres except towards purchase of shop articles. No cash refund.
- Check-in 14 – 20 h, Check-out 11 h.
- Please wear loose, modest clothing – no tight clothing. Public nudity is forbidden. Only spiritual books and pictures are permitted.
- The Ashram is not responsible for any loss of valuables.
- Please help maintain the peace and purity in the meditation room.
- Cooking, candles and incense are not permitted in the rooms or tents.
- The playing of music is not allowed (except with headphones).
- No mobile phones in yoga classes, meditations or lectures.
- Please keep silence after 10.30 pm.
- One hour daily community service (Karma Yoga) such as gardening, maintenance, organizing etc… would be greatly appreciated.
- Photography, audio and video recording requires previous written authorisation of the course directors.
Please do not hesitate to contact us at orleans@sivananda.net should you have any questions at all.