Sivananda Essentials CourseJune 30 — July 2, 2022
Essentials of Meditation Weekend
Cultivate Your Full Potential
Rukmini Chaitanya
Registration is closed for this course.
Tuition: $166
Starting a meditation practice on your own can feel overwhelming, even when you know that many people around the world benefit from daily meditation. Whether you are brand new to meditation or want to refresh your inner discipline, this course gives you the building blocks for a strong meditation practice.
Enjoy one workshop per day, teaching you to meditate effectively — designed to help you deepen your yoga in a more private setting. The rest of the day is yours to attend other ashram programs and enjoy the beach.
Meditation teaches us to overcome negative emotions, like anger, depression, or anxiety, and to enhance our health and happiness. In this course you’ll make new friends, learn to improve your focus in your daily life, and build a positive outlook.
You will also learn:
- How to use meditation to overcome negative emotions like anger, worry, depression, and anxiety
- Practical strategies to build focus and concentration
- Yogic methods to become physically and mentally stronger
- How practicing meditation builds confidence and self-esteem
- Ways to reduce stress in your daily life
- How to practice meditation at home
The weekend version of Essentials of Meditation Retreat offers the same material in a more condensed format.
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Many of your doubts will be cleared by themselves during meditation. Meditation gives a lot of spiritual strength, peace, new vigour and vitality. It is the best mental tonic.” —Swami Sivananda
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Testimonial
I took the 3-day “intro to meditation” course, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. I can honestly say that it changed me dramatically. It’s a serene and supportive environment. I felt so at home there, it was hard to leave. The staff and the classes were amazing!
—Stacy M, NYC, on TripAdvisor
Upcoming Weekend Courses
Instructors
Sivananda Essentials are taught by senior yoga teachers and staff members of the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat Bahamas, all with many years of experience teaching, studying, and practicing yoga.
Rukmini Chaitanya is a senior staff member of the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat Bahamas, and the personal assistant to Swami Swaroopananda, the Acharya, or spiritual director of the Ashram. She regularly teaches the Bhagavad Gita during the Sivananda Yoga Teacher training as well as other courses on the Bhagavad Gita, Vedanta, positive thinking, meditation, and yoga philosophy.
Rukmini Chaitanya is known for her enthusiastic and inspiring teaching style as well as for her devotion to the lineage and the scriptures. She is dedicated to each of her students and has an innate desire to share knowledge with them. She brings a great deal of clarity to every topic and is highly appreciated for her capacity to unfold complicated topics and present them in a coherent and pure way.
Rukmini Chaitanya was interviewed on The Spiritually Inspired Show
Cost
Tuition
5-day course: $240. Add 6 nights accommodation.
Weekend course: $166. Add 4 nights accommodation.
Please note A 7.5% Bahamian VAT tax will be added.
Plan to arrive on or before the day before the course start date and depart on or after the course end date.
Please note A 12% Bahamian VAT tax will be added.
Total cost depends on your choice of accommodations and includes all sessions of your course/cleanse/training, meals, yoga classes, satsangs, as well as access to our beautiful beach and the ashram grounds and amenities. (Depending on your schedule, you may also attend optional mid-day Yoga Vacation workshops offered during your stay.)
Stay a little longer. If your schedule allows, consider staying for 2 to 5 days of Yoga Vacation before or after your course to fully integrate your experience. You will enjoy all that the ashram has to offer — healthy meals, yoga classes, meditation, spiritual practice, opportunities for relaxation, community talks, teachings, and performances — as well as optional daily workshops on topics of yoga, health, and spiritual inspiration.
Our housing options are designed for a range of budgets and personal needs and range from self-pitched tents to comfortable cabins to luxurious beachfront suites. All of our accommodations are welcoming and simple, allowing you to relax and enjoy your time with us at the Ashram.
Please note
- Accommodation rates are all-inclusive for our Yoga Vacation Program.
- Courses, cleanses, and trainings have an additional tuition.
- Sivananda Yoga Teacher Training Course rates are all-inclusive.
- Minimum 2-night stay year-round.
- Children are welcome to stay at the Ashram. See the Families tab for pricing and details.
Payments We accept Visa, MasterCard, and Discover. We do not accept American Express, personal checks, or travelers checks. All deposits and payments in US dollars only.
Deposits To guarantee your reservation, a $300 deposit is required. The balance is due 14 days before your arrival. If the booking is made within 14 days of arrival, the full balance is due at the time of booking.
Our rates are seasonal
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- Winter/Spring Season: November 1 – June 9
- Summer/Fall Season: June 10 – October 31
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Rooms are available for single or double occupancy. Prices are listed per night, per room and are in US dollars. Rates include accommodations, meals, yoga classes, satsangs, and Yoga Vacation workshops. A Bahamian VAT tax of 10% will be added.
- Note: Prices may be changed at any time without further notice.
Beachfront Deluxe
Delight in breathtaking, wide-open views of the sparkling ocean from your own beachfront private balcony. Our Beachfront Deluxe Rooms are simple and spacious, furnished with two double beds and include a private bathroom with shower and tub. You will have a miniature refrigerator, kitchen sink, tea kettle, and tableware. These rooms are fully air-conditioned; bedding and one towel set per person are provided (incl. bath towel and beach towel).
Book this room privately for yourself to enjoy or book for two (or three, or four) people.
| Beachfront Deluxe | Winter | Summer |
| Single Occupancy | $564 | $490 |
| Double Occupancy | $736 | $490 |
| Each Additional Person (max 4 persons) | +$182 | +$140 |
Oceanview Deluxe
Relax into gorgeous views of the turquoise ocean from your balcony, and be within a stone’s throw distance from our beachfront yoga platform. Choose from either one king bed or two extra-long twin beds, and enjoy your own private bathroom with shower and tub. These spacious rooms also have a rocking chair, desk, and kitchen area with a small refrigerator, kitchen sink, tea kettle, and tableware. These rooms are fully air-conditioned; bedding and one towel set per person are provided (incl. bath towel and beach towel).
Book this room privately for yourself to enjoy or book for two or three people.
| Oceanview Deluxe | Winter | Summer |
| Single Occupancy | $518 | $450 |
| Double Occupancy | $690 | $450 |
| Third Person | +$138 | +$120 |
Bayside Room with Bath
These rooms have two single beds and a private bathroom with shower and tub. Within a short distance of the bay, these rooms include simple furnishings, a small refrigerator, tea kettle, and air conditioning. Bedding and one bath towel per person are provided.
| Bayside Room with Bath | Winter | Summer |
| Single Occupancy | $276 | $200 |
| Double Occupancy | $368 | $240 |
Beach Hut East
Fall asleep to the relaxing sounds of ocean waves, and spend your time on the balcony. Our Beach Huts with with two single beds are comfortable, simple, and seconds from the beach. These rooms feature simple furnishings, and air-conditioning. Full bathrooms are located within one minute’s walk from your room. Bedding and one bath towel per person are provided.
| Beach Hut East | Winter | Summer |
| Single Occupancy | $311 | $190 |
| Double Occupancy | $380 | $220 |
Beach Hut West
Fall asleep to the relaxing sounds of ocean waves. Our Beach Huts with with two single beds are comfortable, simple, and seconds from the beach. These rooms feature simple furnishings, and air-conditioning. Full bathrooms are located within one minute’s walk from your room. Bedding and one bath towel per person are provided.
| Beach Hut West | Winter | Summer |
| Single Occupancy | $288 | $170 |
| Double Occupancy | $357 | $210 |
Spacious Double Bed Room
The Spacious Double Bed Room allows for single or couples occupancy. These rooms feature one double bed, a desk and furnishings, and air conditioning. Situated in various locations throughout the Ashram, shared bathrooms are always close by. Bedding and one bath towel per person are provided.
| Spacious Double Bed Room | Winter | Summer |
| Single Occupancy | $311 | $160 |
| Double Occupancy | $345 | $200 |
Double Bed Room
The Double Bed Room allows for single or couples occupancy. These rooms feature one double bed, simple furnishings, and air conditioning. Situated in various locations throughout the Ashram, shared bathrooms are always close by. Bedding and one bath towel per person are provided.
| Double Bed Room | Winter | Summer |
| Single Occupancy | $250 | $150 |
| Double Occupancy | $290 | $190 |
Single Room
Ideal for solo travelers, our Single Room offers a comfortable space with one single bed, simple furnishings, and air conditioning. Single rooms are situated in various locations throughout the Ashram, including within our main building. Depending on the location of your room, various shared bathrooms are available within a few seconds walking distance. Bedding and one bath towel are provided.
| Single Room | Winter | Summer |
| $200 | $128 |
Twin Bed Room
These Twin Bed Rooms are situated within various locations of the Ashram. Featuring two single beds and air conditioning, these rooms are simply furnished with shared bathrooms nearby. Bedding and one bath towel per person are provided.
| Twin Bed Room | Winter | Summer |
| Single Occupancy | $200 | $160 |
| Double Occupancy | $256 | $190 |
Spacious Twin Bed Room
A Spacious Twin Bed Room contains two single beds with the option to add a cot for a third person. These rooms are sold for single, double, or triple occupancy. They are located in various parts of the Ashram, and shared bathrooms are nearby. Bedding and one bath towel per person are provided.
| Family Room | Winter | Summer |
| Single Occupancy | $259 | $185 |
| Double Occupancy | $352 | $240 |
| Triple Occupancy | $499 | $315 |
Tent Hut Double Bed
Perfect for couples and close friends, our Tent Hut with Double Beds feature one double bed and allow you to sleep in the Bahamas breeze. Sized for two people, these Tent Huts are comfortably furnished with a simple closet, nightstand with bedside lamp and fan, and electrical outlets. Bedding and one bath towel per person are provided for you, and shared bathrooms are a short walk away. Tent Huts are available from November until June.
| Tent Hut Double | Winter | Summer |
| Single Occupancy | $128 | not available |
| Double Occupancy | $180 | not available |
Tent Hut Single
Sleep in the fresh, tropical air while still enjoying indoor comforts — including one single bed, electrical outlet, simple furnishings, and a nightstand with bedside lamp and fan. It’s the easiest camping you’ll ever do, while you’re safely surrounded by your Tent Hut neighbors. Bedding and one bath towel are provided for you, and shared bathrooms are a short walk away. Tent Huts are available from November until June.
| Tent Hut Single | Winter | Summer |
| $110 | not available |
Tent Space
Many of our guests are nature lovers. Set up your tent near the beach, bay, or amongst the palm trees. Create your own sacred space within in the Ashram to reconnect with nature and sleep close to the earth. And you won’t be completely alone — get ready to meet “tent neighbors” from around the world!
Bring your own tent (sized up to 8’x8’), camping gear, mattress, bedding, and towels.
Tent Spaces are available from November through May.
Are you new to the idea but want to give it a try? View our blog for some good tenting tips.
Enjoy your Tent Space privately for yourself, or stay together* with some friends or family.
*Tent Space pricing is calculated by person (not by tent).
| Tent Space | Winter | Summer |
| $65* | not available |
- Tent space rate is $89 per night during the end-of-the-year holidays, December 20 – January 1
Daily Schedule
Your course schedule has been designed by the presenter to provide a holistic educational experience, and includes course presentation time, meal times, and free time for you to enjoy the beach and the grounds and participate in the ashram’s daily programs. Lines in bold type indicate required course times.
Morning and Evening Satsang: community gatherings for meditation, chanting & teachings; sometimes a silent beach walk.
Yoga Asana & Pranayama Classes: available on outdoor ocean and bayfront platforms (beginner and intermediate levels offered twice daily).
DAY 1
6:00am – 8:00am Morning Satsang
8:00 am Yoga Asana & Pranayama Classes
10:00 am Brunch
11:00 am Ashram Welcome & History Tour (meets at Reception)
11:30 am Inauguration Ceremony
12:00 pm to 1:30 pm Course Session
4:00 pm Yoga Asana & Pranayama Classes
6:00 pm Dinner
8:00 to 9:45 pm Evening Satsang
DAY 2 FOR 3-DAY COURSES
DAY 2 – DAY 4 FOR 5-DAY COURSES
6:00am – 8:00am Morning Satsang
8:00 am Yoga Asana & Pranayama Classes
10:00 am Brunch
11:00am – 12:00pm Karma Yoga/Free Time
12:00 pm to 1:30 pm Course Session
4:00 pm Yoga Asana & Pranayama Classes
6:00 pm Dinner
8:00 to 9:45 pm Evening Satsang
LAST DAY
6:00am – 8:00am Morning Satsang
8:00 am Yoga Asana & Pranayama Classes
10:00 am Brunch
11:00am – 12:00pm Karma Yoga/Free Time
12:00 pm to 1:30 pm Course Session
2:00 pm Graduation Ceremony
Regular ashram schedule the rest of the day
All Essentials Course Sessions are scheduled for 2pm to 3:30pm from June through October.
Guest Information
Arrival and Departure
All Courses (including the Yoga Teacher Training Course): Plan to arrive the day before the course 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).
Please note Visitors from some countries are required to have vaccinations before they can enter the Bahamas. Please check with your travel agent or local consulate to find out if you are required to have any vaccinations before your trip.
After collecting your luggage and passing through customs, call us at +1-242-363-2902 or use WhatsApp (+1-242-426-6780), with the airport’s free wi-fi, to let us know you are on your way and we will send our boat to meet you at our dock in Nassau.
Take a taxi to our dock on Deveaux St. and off of Bay street. You can pay for the taxi with American or Bahamian dollars (you can use either currency throughout the Bahamas and at the ashram). The cost of the taxi will be approximately $45 (plus a surcharge for more than two people and extra luggage).
Our boat will pick you up from our dock and take you to the ashram, a five-minute boat ride across the bay from the dock in Nassau. We will do our best to ensure that our boat meets you at the dock in a timely manner so you do not have to wait long.
Please visit the Planning & Pre-Arrival Information for more details about your stay at the ashram, including What to Bring, Internet, Money, etc.
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About Us
- Awards and Recognition
- Winner of a Trip Advisor certificate of Excellence for 8 years running, 2012 — 2019.
Member of the
International
Sivananda Yoga
Vedanta Centres
