Ashram de Yoga Sivananda
Loire Valley, France

Year-round yoga holidays only an hour from Paris. Yoga teacher trainings, seminars etc.
www.sivananda.org/orleans
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Yoga vacation and relaxation in the Austrian Alps – the Sivananda Yoga Retreat House in Tyrol.

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June 2013
Programmes marked with * are also recommended for yoga teachers.

All topics are part of the daily schedule:

6:00 am Morning meditation, mantra chanting and spiritual reading.
8:00 am Yoga class with energising yoga poses and breathing exercises.
10:00 am Vegetarian brunch.
Afterwards, there is time for a sauna, a massage, a walk along one of the hiking trails or sit back and read a book on the sunny terrace.
2:00 pm Workshop or lecture.
4:00 pm Yoga class. Feel your body becoming more flexible, your breath calmer and your mind clearer.
6:00 pm Vegetarian dinner.
7:30 pm Silent evening meditation and mantra chanting followed by an interesting lecture. You may like to to drink some herbal tea and retire early to bed.

During the week and at weekends we offer two sets of topics. You can participate in both at no extra charge.
>> Rates

Mon 3.6 / 4pm – Fri 7.6 / 4pm *
YOGA BODY CHECK

Often just little adjustments can lead to greater quality of life:
Workshops focussing on the shoulders, back and hips show us how we can systematically improve our flexibility in the yoga class. A test of the muscles and a posture analysis give the motivation you need to make a change. Yoga offers a broad range of methods for strengthening the nervous and cardiovascular systems: from deep relaxation to resistance training by holding the asana postures. The yogic breathing exercises help you to increase your vital energy.
Yogic techniques for organ cleansing (Kriyas) make it easier to detox the body. Guidance in dietary questions.

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Mon 3.6 / 4pm – Fri 7.6 / 4pm
YOGA AND MOUNTAIN MAGIC

A yoga and hiking vacation in the majestic Kitzbühel mountains offers both active recreation and a pleasant escape from our hectic lives.

Several approx. 2-hour hikes with like-minded people are complemented by daily yoga classes in which we delve into the true nature of body and mind.
We will go on excursions to the most beautiful corners of the region:
Bichlach: Rolling hills of meadow and forest around the Vogelsberger and Gieringer ponds.
Venedigerblick, a fabulous hiking route. Zefirau, Schleier waterfall, Ebner chapel, goat farm.
Astbergweg: High-elevation hike with breath-taking views of the Wild Kaiser and the Kitzbühel mountains.
Other possible excursions: Hike in the Hohe Tauern and visit to the Mittersill National Park.
Trips to Gaudeamus Hut on Wilder Kaiser and to the Krimml waterfalls.
You can join this active yoga vacation at any time.
Please bring hiking shoes and raingear.

Fri 7.6 / 4pm – Sun 9.6 / 4pm
Sivananda Beginner’s Guide to Yoga

The proven basic guide from the Sivananda Yoga Centres

THEORY:
Basic principles of yoga for integral health
and overcoming stress and step-by-step relaxation.
PRACTICE:
Abdominal breathing, deep breathing and Pranayama.
Better flexibility through the Sun Salutation.
Basic postures with preliminary exercises and deep relaxation.
Introduction to concentration and meditation.

Recommended reading: Sivananda Beginner’s Guide to Yoga

Mon 10.6 / 4pm – Fri 14.6 / 4pm
ASANAS – STRENGTH AND FLEXIBILITY

Classical asana variations with individual guidance:
Advanced variations aimed at making the body more supple and allowing progress in the basic postures. In the workshops you will learn anatomical details of the asana practice, helping you to get more out of the yoga classes.
Special yoga asanas for the back enhance flexibility and strengthen problem areas. Step-by-step, you’ll learn the art of deep relaxation by making the most of the short relaxation between the asanas and through the precise use of the autosuggestion technique.
The daily practice of meditation and mantra chanting will turn your stay into a holistic yoga experience.

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Mon 10.6 / 4pm – Fri 14.6 / 4pm *
INNER FOCUS – INNER PEACE

Explanation of how the mind works and practical techniques for controlling the thoughts. The functioning of thought waves, the effects of natural energies on the mind, the principles of ethical living, thought patterns and their transformation. Human suffering and how to overcome it; practical methods for cultivating positive thoughts; gaining mastery over the mind through meditation.
Recommended reading: Meditation and Mantras by Swami Vishnudevananda,
Yoga Sutras of Patanjali by Swami Durgananda.

Fri 14.6 / 4pm – Sun 16.6 / 4pm
YOGA Fitness

This programme focuses on strengthening body and mind for all-round health. Yoga asanas provide an optimal development of muscle strength and flexibility. This is excellent prevention against posture faults such as lordosis, kyphosis or scoliosis, and helps improve existing posture faults. In addition to learning the natural resting breath, you will learn pranayama breathing exercises that systematically increase your vital capacity. Relaxation exercises strengthen the nervous and immune systems. Enjoy the energising vegetarian food, specially adapted to the yoga practice.

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Fri 14.6 / 4pm – Sun 16.6 / 4pm *
THOUGHT POWER AND POSITIVE THINKING

"You sow a thought and reap an action.
You sow an action and reap a habit. You sow a habit and reap a character. You sow a character and reap your destiny.” Swami Sivananda
Besides the daily practice of asanas, pranayama and meditation for relaxation of body and mind, we will focus in lectures and workshops on the world of thoughts, creative life management, exercises for developing thought power, guided contemplation and visualisation.

Mon 17.6 / 4pm – Fri 21.6 / 4pm *
EXPAND YOUR ASANAS

A PRACTICE WEEK FOR INTERMEDIATE LEVEL
Participants will gradually develop a more intensive asana practice with the help of detailed workshops and individual correction.
Classical asana variations which focus on flexibility, strength and duration will be demonstrated and performed. The highlight of the workshop is the meditative practice of holding each pose longer. Daily pranayama practice promotes the vital capacity of the lungs and improves one’s power of concentration.
A lecture on the anatomical basics of the asana practice round off this special asana week.

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Mon 17.6 / 4pm – Fri 21.6 / 4pm *
VEDANTA

A Clear Understanding of One’s Self
An introduction to Yoga Vedanta psychology. The non-dualistic philosophy of Vedanta explains universal philosophical aspects of life by means of logic and analogies:
• Change and reality
• Intellect and intuition
• The experience of the Self, the goal of all yoga paths
• "Who am I?"
Yoga and meditation are practical methods of self-inquiry and ultimately enable us to experience our true nature: Existence – Knowledge – Bliss.
With a list of recommended readings.

Fri 21.6 / 4pm – Sun 23.6 / 4pm
YOGA@HOME

The daily yoga practice at home lets you tap into new energy, which can change your outlook on life.
Workshops introduce the most effective exercises for the daily routine,
based on various asana sequences with a duration of at least 15 minutes. In an introduction to the practice of concentration and meditation, you will learn the time-honoured techniques of gaining control over the mind – a kind of mental hygiene for daily life.
All this, together will a list of recommended reading, will equip you for a successful Yoga@Home.

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Fri 21.6 / 4pm – Sun 23.6 / 4pm
Experiencing meditation

Experiences in meditation are quite varied and are open to everyone: Concentration develops naturally through performing the asanas.
Also, a detailed understanding of the correct meditation postures can help in establishing
a meditation practice. The mental practice includes meditating on light and other objects, the universal
sound OM and uplifting qualities. Additional practices are introduced, for example achieving a state of
relaxed concentration by writing a mantra.

Mon 24.6 / 4pm – Fri 28.6 / 4pm
Yoga Lifestyle

Asanas, breathing and relaxation are developed step-by-step in yoga classes and workshops. The yoga exercise plan for busy people shows how to bring harmony and rhythm to our daily lives. The lecture topics will be ‘Developing willpower’ and ‘Inner strength through meditation’.
The cooking workshop teaches how to prepare simple meals and snacks that can be prepared quickly.

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Mon 24.6 / 4pm – Fri 28.6 / 4pm
YOGA AND MOUNTAIN MAGIC

A yoga and hiking vacation in the majestic Kitzbühel mountains offers both active recreation and a pleasant escape from our hectic lives.

Several approx. 2-hour hikes with like-minded people are complemented by daily yoga classes in which we delve into the true nature of body and mind.
We will go on excursions to the most beautiful corners of the region:
Bichlach: Rolling hills of meadow and forest around the Vogelsberger and Gieringer ponds.
Venedigerblick, a fabulous hiking route. Zefirau, Schleier waterfall, Ebner chapel, goat farm.
Astbergweg: High-elevation hike with breath-taking views of the Wild Kaiser and the Kitzbühel mountains.
Other possible excursions: Hike in the Hohe Tauern and visit to the Mittersill National Park.
Trips to Gaudeamus Hut on Wilder Kaiser and to the Krimml waterfalls.
You can join this active yoga vacation at any time.
Please bring hiking shoes and raingear.

Fri 28.6 / 4pm – Sun 30.6 / 4pm
YOGA RELAXATION DAYS

Take the time to experience moments of deep relaxation for body, mind and spirit: Gentle yoga classes for all levels create the basis for health and strengthen the nervous system. The causes and effects of stress are discussed in a workshop. Using various meditation exercises, relaxation is slowly transformed into inner balance so you can enjoy a peaceful yoga vacation in the mountains.