Ashram Do’s & Don’ts

Our Ashram is an abode of peace and shelter from the pressures of worldly life. It provides a safe space for personal development and the pursuit of spiritual ideals. To be here is to practice and live together, honoring both our highest selves and that of others. People come from many walks of life and from every corner of the world to experience the profound spirituality of ancient India, and the centuries-old disciplines of yoga, vedanta and ayurveda.

Maintaining a positive spiritual atmosphere requires the involvement and participation of all guests and staff. In this regard we request your cooperation in observing the following rules and guidelines.

• Guests’ behaviour and dress code should be respectful of the local culture and enhance the spiritual atmosphere.
• Observance of the dress code should be maintained at all times including during asana classes or swimming.

This includes:

• Men and women must cover shoulders, midriff and legs.
• Tight fitting, transparent and revealing clothing are not permitted. 
• Shorts above the knee
• Leggings
• Low cut and sleeveless t-shirts
• Tank tops

• Smoking, alcohol, drugs, meat, fish, eggs, garlic and onions are not allowed.
• The use of mobile phones is permitted in designated areas.
• Photography, video, audio recording during classes and ceremonies is only possible with the permission of the director.
• Pets are not allowed.

• Attendance to Ashram activities is a part of the Yoga Vacation programme
• To truly tap into all the rejuvenating effects of a yoga vacation, we encourage everyone to attend at least morning and evening satsangs and one yoga class daily. Announcements are made during 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.
• As a mark of respect for the teacher and as a practice of self-discipline, guests must be on time and remain for the duration of each programme.
• Asana classes are open to resident guests only.

• Guests are requested to observe silence during meals, before morning satsang and after evening satsang.
• Detach 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), just ensure that you have put it into silent/airplane mode and turned off all alarms and noise making apps before leaving your room.
• For those working from the Ashram please be respectful of others around you.
• 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.
• Lights out after 10.30pm.

To maintain the sattvic ashram atmosphere and to derive the maximum benefit during your stay, we expect guests and staff to remain in the ashram compound during their stay.

• Guests are required to attend at least one Satsang morning or evening.
• There are no lecture or coaching classes on the free day.
• The yoga asana classes and meals run as usual.
• Guests may go out on Fridays between 7.30am – 5.30pm.
• The ashram also offers organised day trips on Fridays.
• Swimming in the dam reservoir is not allowed because of the deep water, crocodiles, and power boats.

To respect the local culture and the monastic tradition, kindly restrain from expressions of affection such as hugging or kissing in public. Guests at the Ashram are advised to observe celibacy (brahmacharya) as part of the spiritual discipline. Male and female dormitories are separate. Men are not allowed in the ladies’ dormitory and vice versa.

The Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre organisation of India disapprove of and condemn any form of harassment directed at guests, staff or visitors.

Specifically, no harassment, proposals or innuendos with a sexual connotation will be tolerated during any programme or activity organised by the Ashram. Guests and students participating in such programmes and activities are accordingly made aware of this policy and invited to apply it in their personal behaviour during their stay.

Any guest or student who thinks he/she may be the victim of unsolicited advances or any other form of sexual harassment is asked to notify a senior Swami or director immediately in order for corrective action to be undertaken without delay. Complaints made to a senior Swami or director will be treated confidentially and the alleged violator or any third party will not be advised of the complainant’s identity without the latter’s consent.

Our Prevention of Sexual Harassment/Misconduct (POSH) Policy is in place to protect all who are present in the Ashram.