Come home to a deeper sense of self and explore what it means to live with greater clarity, harmony, and purpose. This retreat is designed for those who want to strengthen their connection to their higher self, improve relationships, and discover practical answers for everyday life.
It’s an ideal choice if you are hoping to:
Multiple dates
Location: The Expanding Light Retreat
Duration: 2-day retreat
Included: All meals, twice-daily yoga and meditation, and a free book
What You’ll Experience
Practical Solutions for Life’s Challenges
Explore powerful spiritual principles that can help you awaken your highest potential and cultivate positive, vibrant energy.
Access to the Superconscious Mind
Learn meditation and mindset practices that open the door to deeper guidance and insight.
Guided Meditation Instruction
Receive detailed teaching in one of yoga’s most powerful meditation techniques, created to support spiritual well-being.
Meaningful Inner Shifts
Discover how connection with your higher self can help release negative emotions, limiting beliefs, and old habits.
Environment and Space
Understand how your surroundings can either support or drain your energy, and learn simple ways to bring more light, harmony, and spiritual support into your home.
Ananda Yoga
Experience the uplifting practice of Ananda Yoga for Higher Consciousness.
Upcoming Dates
FEBRUARY 6-8
MAY 22-24
JULY 2-5
SEPTEMBER 4-6
NOVEMBER 6-8
What’s Included in Your Stay
Your Room
Select from a range of accommodation options, from a cozy cabin to a private ensuite room.
Your Meals
Enjoy a complete break from meal planning with unlimited meals included in your stay.
Activities
Take part in philosophy and experiential activities, including yoga and meditation sessions.
Free Book
Every participant receives a complimentary copy of Awaken to Superconsciousness by Swami Kriyananda.
Prices and Accommodations
Serenity House
Serenity House is an inn-style residence with twelve rooms and four shared hallway bathrooms. Most rooms include two twin beds, with queen or converted king arrangements available in limited quantities by special request. Each room has a bedside table, wardrobe, and mini split heating/cooling unit. Guests also have access to a centrally located lounge with a television, video player, and a library of inspirational books and videos, plus a small kitchenette with tea and a refrigerator for personal items.
All Inclusive Rates
These rates include everything for one person: room, shared or private bathroom access, three vegetarian meals daily, and full participation in the program.
Harmony House
Each room features a private entrance, private bathroom, desk, mini split heating/cooling unit, ceiling fan, and hairdryer. Harmony House reflects Yogananda’s expansive view of religion and his belief in honoring God through beauty. Elegantly and simply furnished, each room is themed around one of the great world religions.
All Inclusive Rates
These rates include everything for one person: room, ensuite bathroom, three vegetarian meals daily, and full participation in the program.
Cabins
Each cabin offers one larger, more private room. Guests share separate men’s and women’s shower houses located about a minute’s walk away. All cabins have air conditioning.
All Inclusive Rates
These rates include everything for one person: cabin space, access to a shared shower house, three vegetarian meals daily, and full participation in the program.
Tent Camping
Tent camping is available at several campsites. RVs are welcome year-round, though there are no RV facilities or hookups. Meals are included for tent and RV guests. Due to wildlife, food is not permitted in the tent area, and tent spaces do not include cooking or picnic facilities. A refrigerator is available on an outside deck behind the kitchen for guest use. Guests must bring their own tenting gear. Please note that this is fire country, so campfires, candles, kerosene lamps, and any open flames are not allowed.
All Inclusive Rates
These rates include everything for one person: tent/RV space, access to a shared shower house, three vegetarian meals daily, and full participation in the program.
FAQs
Do I need prior experience with yoga or meditation?
No. This retreat welcomes all levels, including beginners.
What is included in my retreat price?
Per-person pricing includes three vegetarian meals per day, tea, coffee, and fruit throughout the day, twice-daily yoga and meditation sessions, classes and activities, and lodging based on your selected accommodation.
What is not included in my retreat price?
Airport transport, additional healing services such as massage or spiritual counseling, and extra snacks from the community market are not included.
Check-in and check-out
Check-in is from 3 pm to 5 pm, and check-out is at 11 am.
What to bring
The atmosphere is casual. Layers are recommended due to the 2,500-foot elevation. Bring comfortable, loose-fitting clothing for yoga and meditation, a slightly dressier option for Sunday Service, slip-on shoes for temple and living quarters, walking shoes if you plan to explore the nearly 700 acres of grounds, and a bathing suit in summer if you’d like to visit the Yuba River. Towels and unscented all-purpose liquid soap are provided.
Dress code
As a spiritual ashram, the retreat asks guests to dress modestly to support its uplifting, inward atmosphere.
Can I bring children or pets?
Adults are the primary audience, though older or mature children may attend. Younger children require constant parental supervision, and babies or toddlers are generally not accommodated. Pets cannot be brought to the facility.
Rooted in timeless teachings, open to all
The retreat is inspired by the universal spiritual principles of Paramhansa Yogananda and his direct disciple, Swami Kriyananda. Their practical wisdom supports a life of greater peace, joy, and clarity. While rooted in this tradition, the practices of yoga, meditation, and simple living in harmony with higher truths are universal and welcoming to all paths.
Extend Your Stay, Deepen Your Peace
If you’d like more time to rest, recharge, and go deeper, you can add extra nights during registration and enjoy a flexible Personal Retreat stay with daily yoga, meditation, and the beauty of nature at your own pace.
Comfortable, simple cabins—many nestled in wooded areas—offer seclusion without isolation. Each space includes heating, electricity, and the quiet needed for sustained inner work. Choose from a variety of options to fit your budget. Guests also have access to our cozy lounge, with wood burning fireplace and extensive library filled with inspirational books and videos. Our main dining room has a guest refrigerator for personal items, and a tea/coffee station available.
Comfortable, simple cabins—many nestled in wooded areas—offer seclusion without isolation. Each space includes heating, electricity, and the quiet needed for sustained inner work. Choose from a variety of options to fit your budget. Guests also have access to our cozy lounge, with wood burning fireplace and extensive library filled with inspirational books and videos. Our main dining room has a guest refrigerator for personal items, and a tea/coffee station available.
Each Harmony House room has a private entrance, a private bathroom, a desk, mini split heating/cooling unit, a ceiling fan, and a hairdryer. Harmony House is dedicated to expressing Yogananda's expansive approach to religion and his belief in celebrating God through beauty. Simply and elegantly appointed, each room is decorated in the theme of one of the great world religions.
Each Harmony House room has a private entrance, a private bathroom, a desk, mini split heating/cooling unit, a ceiling fan, and a hairdryer. Harmony House is dedicated to expressing Yogananda's expansive approach to religion and his belief in celebrating God through beauty. Simply and elegantly appointed, each room is decorated in the theme of one of the great world religions.
With nearly a decade of experience in Yogic Meditation, Janaka has devoted his life to exploring Yogic Philosophy and the path of inner inquiry. His practice has not only shaped his own awareness, but also inspired him to share these teachings with others who are seeking greater clarity, balance, and self-understanding. At 24, he chose to deepen his journey by moving...
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Uma Keller, RYT-200, brings a bright, uplifting presence to every class and gathering. Known for her warmth, playful humor, and easygoing energy, she creates an atmosphere where students feel welcomed, supported, and inspired. Raised in Argentina in a spiritual family of Paramhansa Yogananda disciples, Uma has been immersed in yoga and meditation since 2014, allowing her teaching to reflect both...
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Warm, approachable, and deeply intuitive, Nayaswami Mantradevi has a way of making people feel instantly at ease, as though they are speaking with a trusted friend. She is especially gifted at helping others find inner clarity and identify the next meaningful step on their spiritual path. Having lived at Ananda since 1979, Mantradevi brings decades of experience shaped by meditation, teaching,...
Read moreNayaswami Krishnadas
Anjali
Sambhava
Sundara is known for his warmth, creativity, and natural ability to connect with people. A gifted teacher with a genuine love for sharing spiritual wisdom, he brings clarity and inspiration to every class he leads. His teaching style is immersive and experiential, helping students not only understand yogic principles, but also apply them meaningfully in everyday life. Since 2008, Sundara has...
Read moreNandadevi Traymar
Bhawani
Yogesh
