From Sound Into Silence

With Swami Gyandharma

Running at the Ashram for many years and much loved by returning participants, this course is rooted in Swami Gyandharma’s deep experience of using mantra to support silence and inner stillness.

About This Retreat

Mantras carry powerful energetic vibrations that can gently awaken us on subtle levels, drawing us back to the heart and into a more present way of being. In this retreat, you will be immersed in the transformative power of mantra under the steady, compassionate guidance of Swami Gyandharma.

As mantra practice deepens, familiar patterns of repetitive thought and emotional holding may begin to soften and dissolve. With these layers gradually released, a natural stillness can emerge, bringing greater clarity and creating space for the quiet, creative voice within to come forward. From this place of stillness, many participants experience a fresh sense of joy, spontaneity, and connection with life.

Mantra also creates a sacred inner space in which the patterns of personality can be observed with greater ease, allowing deeper insights and states of being to be accessed. For many, this retreat feels profoundly nourishing for both mind and heart.

Swami Gyandharma has chanted daily for more than 40 years. His presence reflects the depth that comes from devoted spiritual practice. He is known for making even challenging practices accessible and meaningful, and his clarity, warmth, and integrity offer a supportive setting for deep inner work. Many describe simply being in his presence as transformative and life-affirming.

What Participants Say:

"The course itself was the most profound I have ever attended. Swami Gyandharma is a man of great integrity and wisdom."

"Swami Gyandharma is professional, compassionate, and wise. A wonderful experience to treasure."

Booking Information

Dates: Wed 21st October 17.00 - Sun 25th October 14.00

Price: Supported £410 | Standard £515 | Benefactor £620

Includes all tuition, accommodation, food and unlimited hot drinks. For more information about these rates, please click on "Our Rates Explained" under "Further Details" at the bottom of this page.

Deposit to be paid today: £135 / £170 / £205 depending on option chosen above.

Arrive by 5pm if possible to settle in and enjoy supper, served at 6.15pm.

Further Details

About the Ashram

As one of the few authentic ashrams outside India, the Ashram offers a living connection between the spiritual teachings of the yogic sages and sincere modern seekers. Founded in 1986, it has supported profound learning and transformation for thousands of people from many walks of life.

Set in the green hills of Wales, UK, the Ashram is a natural sanctuary and peaceful haven.

This quiet, safe, and nurturing environment is ideal for going deeply into the teachings and practices of yoga.

About The Teachers

All courses are guided and taught by senior teachers with nearly 100 years of yoga teaching experience between them.

Retreat Timetable

5.30 Morning Bell
6:15 Hatha class
7:50 Chanting & Meditation
8:45 Breakfast
9:30 Karma Yoga
11:00 Break
11:30 Morning Session
13:00 Lunch & Rest
15:30 Afternoon Session 1 / Yoga Nidra
17:00 Afternoon Session 2
18:15 Supper
19:45 Evening Session / Satsang / Kirtan
21:00 Mouna

Mouna & Karma Yoga

Mouna
Mouna refers to periods of silence during which yoga practice and daily life continue without speaking. It is an important part of ashram life.
At the ashram, mouna is practiced every day from 9pm until breakfast the following morning, for the first half of lunch and supper, and for longer periods during some courses and resident retreats.

Karma Yoga
An essential part of retreats and ashram life is karma yoga: work carried out in the spirit of service and awareness. On a practical level, this may include gardening, cooking, housework, or maintaining the buildings. On a deeper level, it means staying fully engaged in the task at hand while remaining connected to inner being.

What To Expect

Some visitors arrive after time spent in other ashrams or spiritual communities; for others, this is a completely new experience. In either case, we recommend coming with an open mind and a willingness to make the most of your time here.

Practical Details

If you are planning a visit to the Ashram, there are practical details to consider, including how to get here, what to bring, food and drink, Ashram rules and regulations, and more.

Health - Physical & Mental

While every effort is made to keep the Ashram as safe as possible and to make retreats accessible to as many people as possible, by taking part you accept responsibility for your own health and safety.

Please ensure that you are fit and well enough to take part in yoga practice. If necessary, seek medical advice before undertaking any yoga practice, including asana, meditation, pranayama, Yoga Nidra, and similar practices.

During booking, you will be asked to inform us of any physical or mental health circumstances that may be affected by the practices offered in your chosen course. Mandala Yoga Ashram accepts no responsibility for injury arising from failure to follow the teacher’s instructions or from non-disclosure of medical conditions, injury, or physical impairment.

If you are in any doubt, please obtain specialist or professional advice from your doctor before participating, as we are not qualified to assess whether you are fit to safely take part in any sessions.

Our Rates Explained

We offer three payment options for our courses so that we can meet our costs, remain sustainable, and stay accessible. We rely on the honesty of our visitors to choose the tier that is most appropriate for them.

Benefactor – for those with the financial means and generosity to contribute a little extra, helping support others with less financial ability.

Standard – the standard tier, calculated to ensure the Ashram meets its essential running costs year after year.

Supported – for those who genuinely need financial support to attend a retreat, and therefore pay a lower rate.

This is a new change in 2024/2025.