Residential Study/Karma Yoga Program
Live Here, Serve, Learn, and Grow Spiritually
The ashram is run by the devoted karma yogis who make the magic happen behind the scenes. If you are looking for a break from your day-to-day or find yourself in between commitments, we invite you to join our Karma Yoga/Residential Study program and immerse in yoga, spiritual practice, and self-development.
Experience a healthy yogic lifestyle and allow the practice of selfless service and the benefits of ashram life to open your heart and connect you to the divinity within yourself and within all beings.
We are currently recruiting for a cook and assistant cooks — find out more.
Our Residential Study/Karma Yoga Programs are an excellent way to:
live a healthy lifestyle and create lifelong habits- deepen your knowledge and practice of yoga
- spend time in another country, close to nature
- actively engage with the spiritual path and receive spiritual guidance
- make a valuable contribution and cultivate lasting friendships
- experience the rich tapestry of presenters and teachings at morning and evening satsangs
- have opportunities to practice teaching (for TTC graduates).
Get inspired! Read 10 Amazing Things About Living at the Ashram
Did you know? The 3-month Karma Yoga program is free!
Join a Residential Study/Karma Yoga Program
Ready for a Karma Yoga immersion?
Here’s how to apply:
- Read the Karma Yoga Program Information Package and make sure the program is a great fit for you.
- Let us know you’re interested by applying online.
- Within a week, you’ll hear back from a Karma Yoga advisor, who will help you with the next steps.
What Is Karma Yoga?
Karma Yoga or “selfless service” is one of the Four Paths of Yoga. The act of offering our services for the benefit of others purifies the heart and takes us further along the path in our spiritual evolution. Egoism, jealousy, resistance, ideas of superiority, and all the kindred negative qualities vanish in the act of selfless service. You develop humility, pure love, sympathy, tolerance, and mercy. The sense of separateness is removed and selfishness eradicated. Karma Yoga develops a broad and liberal outlook on life and you begin to feel oneness and unity. On the path of Karma Yoga, you eventually obtain knowledge of the Self and realize One in all and All in one.
Imagine yourself here
The Sivananda Bahamas ashram provides the perfect setting to put the teachings of Karma Yoga into practice. As part of a community of like-minded people and guided by the ashram’s senior staff you can deepen your knowledge and practice of yoga, open your heart, learn useful skills, and enjoy the beautiful white-sand beach, as well as participate in ashram programs in your free time. You’ll eat healthy food, take daily yoga classes, spend time outdoors, and discover the joy of selfless service for the common good.
PLUS! After you successfully complete your Karma Yoga commitment, you will quality for 10% off the TTC (and ATTC)! Find out more.
36-Day Introduction Program
Participants in this program offer selfless service and enjoy the various programs that are offered at the ashram during satsangs (meditation, chanting and lecture) as well as some of the afternoon workshops. Spiritual guidance and advice is available upon request from senior staff of the ashram.
The program’s daily schedule includes:
- attendance at morning and evening satsangs (meditation, chanting, and lecture)
- attendance at daily staff meeting
- one yoga class (morning or afternoon depending on work assignment)
- two delicious vegetarian meals
- 5 hours of selfless service daily.
Cost
A 36-day commitment is required for first-time participants since you will be required to attend the Essentials of Yoga I Core Course (at no additional cost) during your first week in the program.
The cost of the 36-Day Introduction Program is $1,044 for 36 days. If you would like to serve longer, additional days are calculated at $29/day. The cost includes accommodations, meals, yoga classes, and participation in some of the Yoga Vacation Programs as work assignment schedule permits. Please note The 12% Bahamian VAT tax is NOT included and will be added.
Three-Month Immersion Program
This program is a complete immersion in ashram life and is suitable for yoga teachers and those interested in fully committing to a spiritual life. The minimum length of stay under this program is three months. An interview with the Residential Study – Karma Yoga Program Coordinator is required for acceptance into the program. First-time participants will be required to attend the Essentials of Yoga I Core Course (at no cost) before starting their program.
The program’s daily schedule includes:
- attendance at morning and evening satsangs (meditation, chanting, and lecture)
- attendance at daily staff meeting
- one yoga class daily (morning or afternoon depending on work assignment)
- two delicious vegetarian meals
- willingness to offer daily selfless service in any aspect of ashram life for about 6 to 7 hours a day, as needed by the ashram.
Cost
There is no fee for this program. Participants receive accommodations* and meals, and may participate in yoga classes and in some of the Yoga Vacation Programs as work assignment schedule permits.
*From October 25 to early July: Tent accommodations only (you will need to bring your own tent). From early July through October 25, accommodations will be in dormitories.
For both Karma Yoga programs, read the FAQs and see the Guest Information section of our website for information about how to get here and what to bring.
Returning Karma Yogi?
You can choose your arrival and departure dates, with our preference being that you arrive either on the dates indicated above OR the 14th of the month. You can indicate your dates in the application.
First-time Karma Yogi?
Whether you are coming for the 1-month or the 3-month program, the first 5 days after your arrival, you will participate in the Core Sivananda Course Essentials of Yoga I: Establish Your Foundations. You do not pay a course tuition. This is an excellent orientation and introduction to the ashram, the yogic lifestyle, and Sivananda Yoga.
| Arrival | Departure (36-day program) | Departure (3-month program) |
|
February 12th 2019 |
March 20th 2019 |
May 13th 2019 |
|
March 12th 2019 |
April 17th 2019 |
June 10th 2019 |
|
April 12th 2019 |
May 18th 2019 |
July 11th 2019 |
|
May 14th 2019 |
June 19th 2019 |
August 12th 2019 |
|
June 9th 2019 |
July 15th 2019 |
September 7th 2019 |
|
June 20th 2019 |
July 26th 2019 |
September 18th 2019 |
|
July 7th 2019 |
August 12th 2019 |
October 5th 2019 |
|
August 5th 2019 |
September 10th 2019 |
November 3rd 2019 |
|
September 4th 2019 |
October 10th 2019 |
December 3rd 2019 |
|
October 7th 2019 |
November 12th 2019 |
January 5th 2020 |
|
October 22nd 2019 |
November 27th 2019 |
January 20th 2019 |
|
November 5th 2019 |
December 11th 2019 |
February 3rd 2020 |
|
November 24th 2019 |
December 30th 2019 |
February 22nd 2020 |
|
December 5th 2019 |
January 10th 2020 |
March 4th 2020 |
|
January 12th 2020 |
February 17th 2020 |
April 11th 2020 |
|
February 3rd 2020 |
March 10th 2020 |
May 3rd 2020 |
|
March 3rd 2020 |
April 8th 2020 |
June 1st 2020 |
|
April 12th 2020 |
May 18th 2020 |
July 11th 2020 |
The Yoga Retreat’s Karma Yoga program opened my eyes to a few simple truths, chief amongst them that at the core of my Being is deep source of love and Self-acceptance. I would recommend the program to anyone seeking to know themselves better.
The Karma Yoga program was beautiful, challenging and educational. I will always cherish the friendships I made and the important lessons I learnt.
The process of Karma Yoga is cleansing to the body, mind and soul. It is from my experience at the ashram that I continually notice positive change in every aspect of life. Serving selflessly keeps me moving on a bright path, day after day.
Serving Karma Yoga at Sivananda Bahamas was wonderfully transformative. The worries and cares of my daily life melted away as I immersed myself in service, to be replaced by a lasting, permeating sence of peace … And I am still smiling!
Becoming a Karma Yogi allowed me to fully immerse myself in the yogic lifestyle. It gave me the opportunity to learn from wonderful teachers, from the kitchen cook to the boatman to the knowledgeable and compassionate swamis. All that while taking in the beautiful spiritual energy that surrounds us all in every corner of the ashram. It is a time to look within and fall in love with myself once again.
I can’t think of anything that has touched and transformed me so deeply, and I don’t think there will ever be.
Thank you for your interest in our Residential Study/Karma Yoga program. Please read this Karma Yoga Program Information Package before sending your application.
When you are ready, you can apply online through this link.
If you have any questions about either program, you can email us at [email protected].
Dress code
As the ashram is a spiritual community and study center, we ask that clothing be respectable and modest. As members of the ashram staff, you represent the ashram and its values. You are welcome to dress in casual, comfortable clothes suitable for warm days and cool evenings.
At satsangs and around the ashram, whether you are at work or not, your clothing should cover your shoulders and knees; you will be most comfortable in light-weight pants (women can also wear long skirts or dresses).
We are proud of our Karma Yogis and your presence at the ashram. The only exceptions to this dress code are:
- at the beach (although, you should plan to bring a cover-up to wear on your way to/from the beach)
- during asana class: your yoga clothes should be modest (ie. no halter tops, low necklines, or short shorts)
Remember that while off-site (on Paradise Island and in Nassau), you still represent the ashram and should plan to dress accordingly.
What to bring
- Yoga mat
- Meditation cushion (optional)
- Meditation shawl (for satsangs)
- Slip-on sandals
- Swimsuit
- Beach towel
- Sunscreen
- Rain gear
- Toiletries, including soap
- Alarm clock
- Flashlight
- Insect repellent
- Travel mug or tumbler
- Water bottle
- Dry snack foods (nuts, energy bars)
- Snorkeling equipment (optional)
For tent space only: bring your own tent, bedding, and towels.
Please note that there are laundry facilities onsite. Tokens for the washer and dryer, as well as laundry soap, are available for purchase at the Boutique (Reception during the summer).
“Karma Yoga, or the practice of selfless service, is the best preparation for the practice of meditation. Without purifying the heart and the mind from selfishness and other negative emotions, success in meditation is not possible. The ashram is the best setting for such a practice. Serving others with joy, in the company of other spiritual practitioners, is a safe way to practice Karma Yoga and eventually attain success in meditation and enjoy the bliss of the spiritual life.”
—Swami Swaroopananda, Director and Spiritual Preceptor
Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat Bahamas
Learn more! Read the blog post: Karma Yoga Practice and Benefits.
Please enjoy this video clip of Swami Swaroopananda answering the question, What are the benefits of being staff at the ashram? Hint: it’s the fastest way to advance your spiritual practice.
Don’t take our word for it. Karma Yoga is one of the main paths of yoga, and it’s one where failure is impossible. By practicing selfless service, we tap into the parts of ourselves that want to give and serve others. It’s the practice of letting go of our own egos so we can benefit the greater good.
People from all walks of life have come to the ashram to benefit from the practice of Karma Yoga — it’s both an external and internal practice. Here some of our past Karma Yogis describe their growth process, their experience of self-development, and the peace that arises through this powerful path of yoga.
- Karma Yogis Return to Serve Again
- Karma Yoga Couple Discovers Serenity at the Ashram
- 4 (New) Hard Lessons I Learned from Karma Yoga
- Karma Yoga: Three Inspiring Stories
- Joining the Brunch Team as a Karma Yogi in the Bahamas Kitchen
- 10 Amazing Things About Living at the Ashram
