Yasodhara Ashram is a yoga retreat and study centre founded by Swami Sivananda Radha in 1963, in Kootenay Bay, British Columbia, Canada.
Set in the beautiful mountains of southeastern British Columbia, Yasodhara Ashram is an enduring and vibrant spiritual community. We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where people of all ages, races, cultures, gender identities, sexual orientations, abilities and backgrounds feel valued, respected and supported. We honour the uniqueness of each individual and strive to create equitable opportunities for self-development, ensuring that everyone can access the transformative promise of yoga.
The Ashram’s name has a unique origin. When Swami Radha first visited the land, she learned that the name Yasodhara was already marked on the map by previous owners. Swami Radha recognized this as the name of the Buddha’s wife and saw this connection as a meaningful symbol. From this, she knew the Ashram would be a place where everyone could feel safe, supported and inspired to grow.
As a Canadian charity and active learning centre, the Ashram helps people bring quality into their lives through yogic tools and experiential learning.
Yoga Retreats & Community
We offer a wide range of yoga programs year round – from a three-month intensive, to 5-Day Guided Retreats, self-guided Restorative Retreats, teacher certifications and introductions to yoga. Our popular Karma Yoga Programs are for those interested in learning about Karma Yoga, or the yoga of selfless service, our main spiritual practice.
Yasodhara Ashram is also a residential community, with a number of full-time residents who make our home here. Our doors are open to welcome others’ help with this work of being stewards of Swami Radha’s teachings and the caretakers of this sacred space. We are grateful to be joined in our efforts by many long and short-term karma yogis, as well as teachers-in-training, course participants, guest teachers and retreat guests.
In the past, some years saw 1,500-2000 people pass through the Ashram annually. We now focus on accommodating fewer people at a time, creating a more intimate and personalized experience. The number of people living, working and studying at any given time typically ranges from 35 to 75.
Sustainable Living and Spiritual Connection
Living with awareness in both the inner and outer worlds, Yasodhara Ashram is deeply committed to participating in sustainable environmental practices. We consider environmental action an important part of our social responsibility and ecological integrity, a practice of the Ashram’s yogic principle of non-violence.
Explore the Divine Feminine at Yasodhara Ashram
With a lineage of leadership guided by women, our spiritual tradition emphasizes the nurturing and devotional qualities of the Divine Feminine. We are also home to the Temple of Light, which recognizes the Light in all traditions and the divine spark in each person. It symbolizes peace, hope and unity – and is open to all.
Our aim is to instill quality, care and awareness in all that we do, so that Yasodhara can truly be a spiritual home to all who come.
Yasodhara Ashram is the hub of a network of urban teaching centres known as Yasodhara Yoga Centres, and the home of Timeless Books, our publishing company.