FAQs

How Can We Help You?

We understand that you have questions, and we welcome them. Below is the collection of queries which comes frequently from our clients.

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.

Ananda is a global spiritual movement, based on the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda, who came to the west to show how everyone can realize God in their daily lives as a tangible, loving reality.

Swami Kriyananda, a direct disciple of the great Master, founded Ananda communities, the creation of which are extraordinary examples of the concept of practical spiritual living. Ananda is non-profit, non-sectarian. As Kriyananda said, “We are not here to convert you to our path, but to your own highest potential.”

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.

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.

Morning

6:30 – 8:00 am

 

Community Meditation
(Join us for all or part of this silent meditation)

6:30 – 8:15 am

 

Sadhana (spiritual practices) which consists of:

  • Energization Exercises (20 – 25 min)
  • Ananda Yoga Postures * (45 – 50 min)
  • Chanting (5 min)
  • Meditation (15 min – 30 min)
8:15 – 9:00 amBreakfast (in silence Monday-Saturday)
9:00 – 9:30 amHost check-in
10:00 – 11:30 amScheduled program, class, group activity, or free time
Afternoon
Noon – 12:30 pmMeditation (5 min chanting, 25 min meditation)
12:30 – 1:30 pmLunch
2:00 – 4:00 pmScheduled program, class, group activity, or free time
4:45 – 6:30 pm

Sadhana (spiritual practices) which consists of:

  • Energization Exercises (20 – 25 min)
  • Ananda Yoga Postures* (45 – 50 min)
  • Chanting (5 min)
  • Meditation (15 min – 30 min)
 *Ananda Yoga emphasizes the energetic and spiritual aspects of yoga postures. We pause in-between the poses to integrate the effects of the poses and use affirmations to bring the mind actively and directly into one’s practice.
Evening
6:30 – 7:30 pmDinner
7:30 – 9:00 pmScheduled program, class, group activity, or free time

Three delicious and satisfying vegetarian buffet meals are included with the cost of your stay. Some of our dishes contain eggs and dairy. We use organically grown foods as much as possible, including some organically grown eggs and produce from right here at Ananda Village, and organically grown Fair Trade coffee. We have a variety of teas and fresh fruit available all day.

We can accommodate some special dietary needs with non-dairy, non-wheat, and egg-free choices. If you have other dietary needs, it may be that we will not be able to accommodate them.

A small refrigerator for guests who are staying in Serenity House Lounge and a full size refrigerator outside our kitchen are available for storing special foods guests might need during their stay. There is a Market close to Ananda Village if you’d like to buy special items.

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; Emotional Freedom Technique; 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 530-478-7518.

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 700 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. 

Modest dress is required at all times. This includes: no revealing clothing; medium-length (or longer) shorts; cover-ups if you wear leotards/leggings (except inside yoga classes). Men must wear shirts at all times. Swimsuits require cover-ups when you’re anywhere on the grounds.

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

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

No, please use headphones if you wish to enjoy music. Playing musical instruments in shared spaces is not permitted.

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.

A shared room is usually two per room. 

Guests who snore are encouraged to reserve a private room, unless they are sharing accommodations with a roommate who doesn’t mind. If relocation is necessary due to snoring, additional charges for a private room will apply.

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.

You should bring your own toiletries.

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.

No, there are not refrigerators in the rooms. Guests in Serenity House have the use of a single half-fridge, a kettle, and a microwave in the Serenity House Lounge. This is not for meal prep, just for a cup of tea or similar. You also can get tea at any time in the Dining Room.

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.

For our longer-term guests, we have coin-operated washers and dryers at the back of Serenity House. Walk around the building outside to reach it. There is a keypad code needed to open the laundry. See Guest Services for the code. Some machines take quarters. You can get some from Guest Services. For other machines you pay Guest Services. Laundry powder is provided. Please make sure the door is locked when you leave.

Because The Expanding Light has several buildings at some distance from one another, it can be difficult for those with mobility challenges. The ground can be uneven. We do have a Deluxe room in Harmony House that is wheelchair accessible with a wheelchair shower. Our dining room and our teaching temple have ramps from the outside. The dining room ramp is around the back of the building. We have portable ramps to help when needed, for example, to go up or down several steps between the teaching temple and the dining room. Please give us a call if you would like to talk about this.

If you cancel or reschedule at least 7 days before your scheduled arrival, half of your deposit remains as a credit for one year and half is forfeited. If you cancel or reschedule with shorter notice, the entire deposit is forfeited.

For Yoga Teacher Training: If you cancel or reschedule at least 14 days before your scheduled arrival, $200 of your deposit remains as a credit for one year, and $100 is forfeited. If you cancel or reschedule with shorter notice, the entire deposit is forfeited.

To actually cancel your reservation call Guest Services at 800-346-5350 or 530-478-7518

Any policies specifically listed for a program override policies stated on this page.

Yes, quiet hours are observed from 9:00 pm to 9:00 am, fostering a peaceful atmosphere for everyone’s enjoyment.

No recreational drugs or alcohol during your stay.

Smoking is permitted ONLY outdoors and ONLY on the paved parking lots both out of consideration for our guests and to reduce fire hazard.

Do you have more questions?

  • Our working hours are: Mon-Thu: 9 AM - 4:30 PM Friday: 9 AM - 6 PM Sat-Sun: 9 AM - 4:30 PM
  • Please let us know what's on your mind. Have a question for us? Ask away.
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.