We are delighted to welcome Swami Yogakanti Saraswati, who has lived in the ashram for 40 years under the guidance of Swami Satyananda Saraswati and Swami Niranjanananda Saraswati. Deeply supported by her Ashram training she has written a number of books, the latest being Life and Death - Full Circle (also available to read online at Satyam Yoga Prasad - log in) and Ashramas - Rafts in the Ocean of Life. This writing draws on texts from the ancient tradition of Yoga and invites the possibility of living fully and well, and also dying with awareness.

Together we offer a day of nourishing practice and reflection to help us to:

• embrace and celebrate our life fully

• meet death when it arrives with awareness and to

• receive the gifts that come with this part of the journey.

This nourishing Day Retreat offers supported restorative (asana/posture, pranayama, relaxation and meditation) practices.

Space is created through the practices for deepening awareness of (and also understanding of) the koshas or ‘layers’ of our being, from the physical (annamaya kosha), through the vital energy (pranamaya kosha) layer, through the layers of mind (manomaya and vijnanamaya koshas) to the most subtle aspect of Self, which connects us to all of life, through the bliss ‘body’ (anandamaya kosha).

This beautiful Retreat offers opportunity to begin exploring particular aspects of self which may limit our capacity to live our lives fully and to meet our death (whenever it arrives) with equanimity.

We complete our day with a modified Havan practice and mantra meditation practice of chanting of the universal Mahamrityunjaya mantra. This expands our capacity to deepen our inner strength and courage to meet the changes and challenges of life at this time. The resonance of the mantra offers the energy of freedom from our fears and anxieties (including the fear of death) which we can embrace, for ourselves and also extend to others who may need this kind of inner support.

The day will be complete with a wonderful late afternoon celebratory practice of Kirtan and a shared evening meal (see details below).

Original artwork by Lalitadasi

Day Retreat Includes: Simply delicious nourishing lunch meal

Venue: Yoga Living Space at Southshore
Contribution: $108 or by Koha or Dana* (See below for information about the practice of offering Koha or Dana)

(What you are able to give will be offered on to Rikhia Peeth Ashram in India to support programmes for wellbeing of the community locally there) after costs have been covered.

Register for Celebrating Living and Dying Day Retreat with Swami Yogakanti Saraswati and Atmavidya by emailing Atmavidya or texting Atmavidya 0210435122

Late afternoon Kirtan

The Mahamrityunjaya haven practice will be followed by the delightful practice of Kirtan, sharing simple mantras to listen, hear and sing or to sit in the beauty of the sound. The sacred sounds have a purifying and calming effect on the body mind system and invite harmonies, movement, other instruments and the sound of your voice, or silence.

Kirtan Time start: 4.00pm

Venue: Yoga Living Space at Southshore

Followed by: Gentle evening herbal tea and shared plant-based finger food/nibbles (bring what kai you have that is abundant, to share)

Contribution: Koha/Dana*

(What you are able to give will be offered on to Rikkhiapeet Ashram in India to support programmes for wellbeing of the community locally there) after costs have been covered.

Register your intention to join Kirtan: With Atmavidya

*Koha or Dana (This is the act of giving generously and freely, without expecting anything in return. The value of the koha is determined by the giver, based on their capacity and the situation. It is an opportunity to acknowledge the source of the practices and the giving of them. It is a voluntary donation or contribution that is more than a simple gift. It signifies a gesture of respect, connection and appreciation. It is also the opportunity to give back to our community.)

"It was found that during repetitive singing of kirtan,

the brain registers the sound waves, nada,

which influence all other wave patterns of the brain.

These waves awaken alpha rhythms which immediately induce tranquility. 

Thus by singing kirtan, we experience peace of mind."

Swami Satyananda Saraswati