Annual East Coast Kriya Retreat
This weekend retreat is open to all spiritual seekers. Whether you are exploring Ananda and the path of Kriya Yoga for the first time or you are living the Kriya path, this weekend is sure to be spiritually rejuvenating for all!
Kriya Yoga is an ancient meditation technique of energy and breath control, or pranayama. It is part of a comprehensive spiritual path, which includes additional meditation practices along with right living. If you are interested in learning more about the various steps on the path of Kriya Yoga, visit here.
Everyone is Welcome to attend this weekend retreat. Programs will be offered for spiritual seekers wanting to learn more about Kriya Yoga and the lineage of Yoga Masters that have reintroduced the technique to this modern age.
Do you want to Receive Kriya Initiation? If you would like to receive Kriya initiation and you have completed the necessary steps, please email Kriyacharya Devalila directly to complete your application: Devalila@ananda.org. Follow the same application instructions for higher Kriya initiations.
FRIDAY
3:00pm: Registration & Check-in
4:00 – 5:30pm: Afternoon sadhana /2 options, 1 with yoga postures, 1 without postures, long meditation
5:30 – 6:30pm: Dinner
7:00pm: Opening Satsang / Welcome & overview of retreat
SATURDAY
5:30-6:30am: OPTIONAL Early bird meditation
6:30-8:00am: Morning Sadhana – 2 options, 1 with yoga postures, 1 without postures, long meditation.
8:00 – 9:00am: Breakfast (1st 20 minutes in silence)
10:30 – Noon: Class ~ Kriya Yoga, The Sacred Key to Spiritual Awakening
12:00 – 1:00: Lunch & Free Time
1:30 – 2:00pm: Choir Rehearsal (for those who wish to sing in the choir at Sunday Service)
2:00 – 4:00pm: Spiritual Counseling with Devalila and Nayaswami Maria
(appointment must be reserved via our registration form)
*For those participating in Kriya Initiation
1:30 – 5:15pm: Inward Quiet Time / Prayer / Contemplation
5:15 – 5:30pm: Energization Exercises / Come dressed in white, with fruit, flower and offering.
5:30 – 6:00pm: Group Meditation / Silent
6:00 – 8:30pm: Kriya Initiation
8:30pm: Light dinner in silence
*For those participating in the Introduction to Kriya Yoga
2:00 – 3:00pm: Class: Exploration of Kriya Yoga
3:00 – 4:00pm: Free Time
4:00 – 5:30pm: Afternoon Sadhana
5:30 – 6:30pm: Dinner
7:00-8:30pm: Evening Program with Devalila
SUNDAY
6:30 – 8:00am: Morning Sadhana for New Kriyaban Initiates, includes Kriya Review
6:30 – 8:00am: Higher Kriya Initiations / 2 separate groups / 2nd Kriya / 3rd & 4th Kriya
6:30 – 8:00am: Morning Sadhana for all others
8:00 – 9:00am: Breakfast (1st 20 minutes in silence)
9:00 – 9:30am: Choir Rehearsal (for those singing in Choir at Sunday Service)
9:00am: *PLEASE CHECK OUT OF YOUR ROOM BY 9:00 AM
10:00-Noon: Purification Ceremony & Sunday Service
Noon – 1:00PM: Lunch and Goodbye
All Registrations Must be Submitted Before Friday September 8th
Full Weekend Pricing Options (Price includes room and meals)
Single Room with Private Bath $380
Single Room with Hall Bath $350
Double Room with Hall Bath $300
Partial Weekend Pricing Options (Price includes room and meals)
*Saturday After Breakfast – Sunday After Lunch*
Single Room with Hall Bath $250
Double Room with Hall Bath $200
About Meals:
Gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegetarian/vegan options are available at every meal in self-serve buffet style. Everything will be labeled with codes: GF, DF, and V. Food is available for 45 minutes after mealtimes begin, and the dining rooms close 1 hour after the start of meals.
Spiritual Counseling:
On Saturday Nayaswami Maria & Kriyacharya Devalila will offer 20 minute spiritual counseling services from 2-4PM. Availability is limited to 12 sessions. Sessions are reserved for full weekend registrants only.
New Group Kriya Initiation Format
This year everyone who is eligible for Kriya initiation will participate in a single group ceremony whether receiving 1st, 2nd, or 3rd & 4th Kriya. The following morning the group will divide to attend the appropriate Kriya review. This format allows for all Kriya initiates to receive the blessing together rather than dividing into small groups, and still provides specialized reviews for each level of Kriya the next day.
Questions or Concerns
For questions and information about room rates, partial attendance, or retreat details contact Melissa Barnes at 603-852-5034 or email anandaretreat@gmail.com
Located in the picturesque Litchfield Hills of Connecticut, Wisdom House is a retreat and conference center that was formerly a college and convent for the community of Catholic sisters called the Daughters of Wisdom. Within its 70 acres, Wisdom House has expanded outdoor spaces that provide for silent contemplation/meditation such as a labyrinth, Peace Garden, shrine areas and Medieval Mary Garden.
The Main Building has four Levels. All Kriya participants will be housed on Level 4 with access to an elevator and/or stairwell to Level 1. Level 1 is comprised of a dining room, kitchenette, meeting rooms, and an auditorium that will serve as our shrine and satsang area. Below is the main hall where Kriya Initiation will be held.
Meet the Kriyacharyas
Nayaswami Maria came to Ananda in 1976 with a wish to learn how to meditate and fully integrate this daily practice into her life. Taken with spiritual community and the opportunity it affords one to develop and focus on one’s spiritual life, she found a life-long friend and teacher in Swami Kriyananda and her guru, Paramhansa Yogananda. She has lived at Ananda Village for 20 years serving in the
gardens, membership, Expanding Light, Ministry, and as a Kriyacharya. For 23 years, her and her husband, Ananta, served in Sacramento establishing there a residential community and temple. Her life
experience, attunement and devotion fuel a natural love of helping others achieve their spiritual potential.
Devalila Veenhof, an Ananda Lightbearer and Kriyacharya, is the director of Ananda Kriya Sangha for North and South America. She has been practicing and sharing Parmahansa Yogananda’s teachings for nearly 30 years. Previous to her current role in the Ananda Kriya Sangha, she served as Director of Online with Ananda for nearly 10 years, where she developed and taught online courses—all based on the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda and his Direct Disciple, Swami Kriyananda. Previous to her time at Online with Ananda, she served over seven years archiving talks by Swami Kriyananda for Treasures Along the Path. She resides at Ananda Village, in Northern California.