Frequent Questions

Where are you located?

We are located in Ananda Village, one of the world's most successful spiritual communities. Situated in the Sierra Nevada Foothills in Northern California, we are approximately two hours east of Sacramento and two hours west of Lake Tahoe. See our transportation and directions and map pages for more.

What kind of Yoga do you offer?

We practice Ananda Yoga, which was created by our founder Swami Kriyananda based on the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda. Ananda Yoga is distinct from many other forms of hatha yoga in that it is first and foremost a spiritual practice rather than an exercise regimen. In keeping with the ancient roots and original purpose of hatha yoga, Ananda Yoga is a powerful yet gentle practice designed to prepare the body and mind for deep meditation. As such, it is a perfect blend of spiritual upliftment and physical energization suitable for everyone - all ages, all body types.

Ananda Yoga is also a pioneer in the world of yoga and one of the founders of Yoga Alliance, the international organization which sets the standards for yoga certification.

We offer programs for beginners as well as for intermediate and advanced students.

What are the accommodations like?

You may choose from two types of accommodations: indoor or outdoor. For indoor accommodations we offer both standard and deluxe rooms housed in three different buildings and four one-room cabins. For outdoor accommodations RV camping is available year-round and tent camping is available from April through October.

What are your prices?

Prices vary depending on the duration of the program and your choice of accommodations. Prices are listed just below each program. Our Prices page tells you what the prices include.

What is a typical day like?

Please see our Daily Schedule page.

What kind of food do you serve? Can you accommodate special diets?

Lunch at the Exanding Light

Three delicious and satisfying meals are included with the cost of your stay. All of the meals at The Expanding Light are vegetarian. Some of our dishes contain eggs and dairy. If you have a special diet, please let us know and the kitchen will accommodate special diets with steamed rice and vegetables. We use organic foods as much as possible. If you have allergies that are of an extreme nature you should discuss your diet with the kitchen manager before you make a reservation.

We also offer a small refrigerator in our Serenity House Lounge and a full size refrigerator outside our kitchen, both of which are available for guests to store special foods they might need during their stay. There is a Market in the Ananda Village if you’d like to buy special items. We do serve coffee, and we have a variety of teas and fresh fruit available all day.

Are healing and massage services available?

Yes, they are. Just across the meadow from The Expanding Light Retreat is The Center for Radiant Health.

The Center offers massage, body and energy work; Ayurvedic healing; bio-energetic healing; career coaching; and astrology consultations. It is an independent cooperative of qualified Ananda health practitioners, available by prior appointment 7 days a week.

Plan ahead and include a treatment in your retreat by calling 530-478-7549.

What kind of clothes should I bring?

The atmosphere at The Expanding Light is casual. For yoga postures and meditation, bring loose-fitting casual attire like sweat clothes, comfortable pants, and T-shirts. If you plan to attend Sunday Service, it’s ideal to bring something a bit less casual.

We suggest a good pair of walking shoes so you can enjoy our nearly 850 acres of beautiful grounds. You also might want to bring a bathing suit in summer to be able to enjoy the beautiful Yuba River (just a 20-minute drive from The Expanding Light).

We remove our shoes when entering the Temple and also the living quarters, so slip-on shoes are nice to have. In cold weather you might also enjoy having a pair of slippers for your bedroom.

Our elevation is 2500 feet, and while snow is rare, it can be chilly and rainy in the winter. We suggest you bring layers so you can be comfortable in a variety of temperatures.

Visit AccuWeather for local weather updates.

Do you allow pets?

Sorry, we are unable to accommodate pets at this time.

How many people are in a program?

The numbers vary depending on the program. The average is 8 to 12 people. Some special programs have larger numbers, like the Yoga Teacher Training that is averaging 20 students.

How many guests can you accommodate?

We can house about 50 people. This number does not include campers.

How many people to a shared room?

A shared room is usually two per room.

Are the bathrooms private?

Our deluxe accommodations in Harmony House have rooms with private bathrooms.

Serenity House and Friendship House residents use shared bathrooms located in the hallways. Each hall bathroom has a shower, toilet, and sink, with a locking door to insure privacy. Cabin and tent residents use a shower house (one for men and one for women). The shower houses feature plenty of hot water, electric heat, and toilet and shower stalls for privacy. Our accommodations page has more information.

Do you have internet access for guests?

Yes. We have an internet room off the dining room with computers in it available exclusively to guests. We also have two internet access cables into which guests can plug their laptops. In addition, we offer wireless service in both Harmony House and Serenity House rooms.

What is the difference between Ananda’s Meditation Retreat and The Expanding Light?

The Meditation Retreat is 6 miles from The Expanding Light. It is a beautiful place for going more deeply inward and enjoying your own silent retreat. It is also the home of the new Ananda Institute for Alternative Living.

You can rent a cabin for any number of days you choose. Accommodations at the Meditation Retreat range from small, rustic cabins to simple houses with kitchens. All buildings are heated and lighted by propane. The Meditation Retreat was managed by The Expanding Light for a few years. Now, while still owned by Ananda, it is privately run by two Ananda members.

I’ve never done yoga before. Will that be a problem?

Prior experience isn‘t necessary for most of our programs; our instructors will be able to adapt the poses for your own body. If you have serious physical limitations (heart disease, history of stroke, glaucoma, even very high blood pressure), please speak with one of our instructors when you arrive to determine how you should participate in the yoga postures.

Do any of your programs offer Continuing Education Credits?

Yes, many of our programs offer Continuing Education Credits for nurses through the California Board of Registered Nursing (we are Provider #10747). Look for the CEU logo on our Calendar page or on the individual course pages. Most of our meditation programs qualify, as do some of our workshops. Call 800-346-5350 for specifics.

Please do not hesitate to call us at 800-346-5350 for any other questions you may have.

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