Experiential CourseDecember 26 — 31, 2019
Family Yoga Holiday Program
For Children Ages 4–12
Sanatani (Sandrine Remy) and Gauri Devi (Marta Gil)
Tuition: $75
While you enjoy free time to practice yoga and relax, your children can experience the Yoga Retreat through a wide range of activities and classes designed specifically for them. Led by beloved and creative teachers, children will be introduced to yoga through short asana classes, chanting, crafts, storytelling, lots of games and fun, and Karma Yoga (service/pitching in to the ashram community). We will share stories of Hanukkah, Christmas, and the life of Swami Vishnudevananda. Come make new friends, celebrate Swami Vishnu’s birthday, and ring in the New Year with us. This program is offered during the adult Asana & Pranayama classes. The morning session meets from 7:55 am – 9:55am and the afternoon session meets from 3:55pm – 5:55pm. Drop-off and pick-up at the Annapurna Devi House.
This program is for children ages 4-12. Parents/adults register separately for our Yoga Vacation Program.. Children under 4 are most welcome, and must be accompanied by a parent. Children 13+ are welcome to assist with Karma Yoga and crafts and will be encouraged to participate in at least one adult class per day.
Please note: The $75 tuition is a one-time fee for each child participating in the program. Children may attend any or all sessions of the program for this fee.
What to bring, special needs & other planning: Please have children bring at least one pair of closed-toe shoes and a great book to read to replace media play. See the Guest Information tab below for additional information.
Sanatani (Sandrine Remy) is an experienced Sivananda Yoga teacher who has a special connection with children. She has been serving the Family Yoga Program for many years and brings playfulness, mindfulness, and creativity to her children’s workshops. She has worked in a number of other roles at the ashram, serving for several seasons as manager of the Annapurna Devi Detox and Juice Fast House and has gathered a great deal of practical knowledge and experience that she shares in her own courses and workshops. A native of France, she embraces a nomadic lifestyle which allows her to spend time each year in the Bahamas, while traveling to other parts of the world whenever possible.
Marta Gil (Gauri Devi) is a Sivananda Yoga teacher specializing in yoga for children and teens. She runs yoga programs for youth and families in New York and teaches beginners classes for adults. Marta started Young Flower Yoga, spreading yoga within these demographics and offering yoga as an after-school program to schools of Westchester County.
Cost
Tuition: $75. Add 7 nights accommodation (plan to arrive on or before December 25, 2019 and depart on January 1, 2020 or later).
This program is offered as part of the Yoga Vacation Program. Children’s rates for the Yoga Vacation Program are (for children staying in their parents’ room only; age at the time of arrival):
Under Age 5 Free (baby cots are available for $15 a night)
Age 5–11 Yoga Vacation Program fees do not apply. 50% discount on accommodation rates.
From Age 12 Standard Yoga Vacation and accommodation rates apply.
This children’s program takes place during the adult pranyama/asana classes.
Meet daily at the Annapurna Devi House.
Morning Sessions – begin at 7:55 am – 9:55 am
Morning Snack
Karma Yoga
Children’s Satsang
Asana Class
Afternoon Sessions – begin at 3:55 pm – 5:55pm
Afternoon Snack
Karma Yoga
Arts and Crafts/Games/Beach Walk
For children up to age 7 parents bring their child to the session and come meet their child at the end of the session. Older children will be released at the end of the session to meet their parents for the meal.
To support a warm and inspiring experience with your family, please read these suggestions and guidelines from the program presenters.
WHAT TO BRING
Packing
T-Shirts
Shorts
2 pairs of pajamas
Underwear (double amount for number of days)
3 pairs of long pants or 3 skirts
A couple of dress-up outfits
Several bathing suits
Flip flops for the beach
Beach towel (beach towels are not provided)
Closed-toe shoe (e.g. Crocs or Keens) for exploring
Sandals
Rain jacket/wind breaker
Sun hat
Suntan lotion
Bug spray
Toiletries (shampoo, toothbrush etc.)
GUIDELINES FOR CHILDREN
Around the Ashram
- Children must be supervised at all times around the ashram. To respect other guests, we ask that the children, walk, not run along pathways and not play close to the temple, yoga platforms, or meditation areas.
At the Beach
- Children must be supervised at all times at the beach. No child can be on the beach without an adult who is responsible for them.
- During the scheduled Family Yoga Vacation Program, beach toys are provided.
Laundry
The ashram has a laundry room. You can purchase laundry soap and tokens for the machines at the Health Hut Boutique.
Media
We strongly urge a screen/media-free yoga vacation for families. If children are using electronic devices, we ask that it be done in private rooms or tents and not in the common areas around the ashram. By honoring screen-free common areas, there is respect for other families who want a screen-free yoga vacation. It truly makes a remarkable difference in your child’s ability to appreciate what is happening at the ashram and to have enhanced connections with the community.
Please note that there is no Wi-Fi service available during satsang hours.
Satsang/Meditation 6:00 – 8:00 am and 8:00 – 10:00 pm
- Children must be supervised during satsangs, which begin with a 30-minute silent meditation.
- Children should be either in their rooms/tents or with their parents attending satsang.
- The basketball area is closed during silent meditation (6:00-6:30 am and 8:00-8:30 pm).
Dietary Notes
- Our kitchen is not nut-, gluten-, dairy-, nor wheat-free. This means there are NO separate cooking areas for allergy-free foods. Otherwise, the ashram does its best to work with dietary needs.
Special Needs Considerations
While the ashram welcomes families and children of all abilities, parents of children with any range of special needs are 100% responsible to either be an aid to their own child/children or to provide an aid for their child/children while staying at the ashram and participating in a Family Yoga Vacation Program.
What else can I do with my children?
Ideally, it is recommended to immerse in the sadhana (practices) and Daily Schedule of the ashram, yet we understand the desire to explore the surroundings with your family. Please note, the ashram does not arrange any outings for families or guests. We suggest that you look online for activities available on both Paradise Island and Nassau. Some popular outings include snorkeling and the aquarium and zoo in Nassau, as well as the Pirate Museum in Nassau.
Be sure to arrange your outings around the boat schedule that leaves to and from the ashram dock. The best times for outings are between 11:00 am and 3:30 pm. This way, you can attend the satsangs and yoga classes.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
All Courses: Plan to arrive the day before the program begins and depart the day after it ends.
Yoga Vacation Programs: You choose your arrival and departure dates and can attend all or part of a particular program or special event.
Room check-in time: 3 pm
Room check-out time: 11 am
GETTING HERE
Fly directly to Nassau International Airport. Please Note: the Bahamas is an independent country and you will need a passport to travel here. Most citizens from the US, Canada, and European countries do not need a visa to visit the Bahamas (you can verify whether you require a visa to enter the Bahamas at Bahamas.com or by contacting your local Bahamian Consulate).
After collecting your luggage and passing through customs, call the Yoga Retreat at 242-363-2902to let us know that you are on your way (there are pay phones just outside airport arrivals*). Take a taxi to our dock, located in downtown Nassau, at Elizabeth on Bay Marketplace and Marina. Please note that you can pay for the taxi with American or Bahamian dollars (you can use either currency throughout the Bahamas and at the ashram).
* Please check with your cell phone company to find out how to use your phone in the Bahamas.
Our boat will pick you up from the dock and bring you to the ashram (an easy five-minute boat ride).
Please visit the Guest Information pages for more detailed information about your stay at the ashram, including What to Bring, Meals, Amenities, and FAQs.
About Us
- Awards and Recognition
- Winner of a Trip Advisor certificate of Excellence for 7 years running, 2012 — 2018.
Member of the
International
Sivananda Yoga
Vedanta Centres
