Yoga Vacations

Meditating at the Durga Temple at the Yoga Farm

For about seven years now I have been going at least once a year on a yoga vacation.  These are solo trips where I immerse myself in yoga and often nature.  I have most often visited the Sivananda Yoga Farm in Grassvalley, California.  Several times I have been to Esalen in Big Sur.  And last Summer I headed to New Mexico to attend the 3HO Summer Solstice Sadhana.  These trips give me the opportunity to rest from my normal day-to-day roles.  It gives me a chance to challenge myself and increase my knowledge of yoga and the reality of maintaining a disciplined practice.

Satsang with Swami Sita at the Yoga Farm

Full class with Gurumukh at Summer Solstice

Lately I have been feeling the tug to run off and immerse myself in my yoga practice.  June is quickly approaching and I'd love to return to Ram Das Puri in New Mexico to spend time with the Sikhs.  At the Summer Solstice Sadhana you are awakened each morning at 3:30 by beautiful music inspiring you to "Rise Up!"  Bundled up against the high desert pre-dawn chill you gather with one to two thousand other seekers for morning Sadhana.  This lasts from 4-7 am and includes chanting, yoga exercises and breathing, and lots of music and singing.  It's amazing, but not for the weak!  Summer Solstice is different from the other yoga vacations I have taken in that it is an event, more of a festival.  Many people come from all over the world, and there is so much happening every day.  The Sikhs are musical people, and their early morning Sadhana gives them the energy to rock out all day!

Campsites with the dining tent in the background

My luxury suite at Summer Solstice

Later this year I am hoping to travel to India for my first yoga vacation to the homeland!  I would like to visit the Sivananda Ashram in the Himalayas for the two week Sadhana Intensive.  Now I know for most people the word vacation does not translate to be awoken well before sunrise to sit and meditate.  And I'm sure for many people the word vacation does not translate as refraining from all alcohol, coffee or meat.  But, I'm not most people!  I love the instant Karma of an orgaized system.  Tell me what to do, and I'll discover myself through the commitment to the system!