Svaroopa^® Vidya Association

Now in its early stages of formation, this Svaroopa^® yoga ashram will be led by Swami Nirmalananda (Rama) , and is planned to open in late 2009 or early 2010. Affiliated with Master Yoga Foundation, SVA is an independent not-for-profit organization, dedicated to creating and supporting a residential community of yogis engaged in deep practice.

Swami Nirmalananda (Rama) is becoming a swami in early 2009, and will have a new name and wear orange clothing in accordance with the ancient tradition. As a yoga monk, she will be dedicating her time and efforts to support those who commit themselves to the yogic lifestyle, by living in the ashram and working closely with the residents.

A Board of Directors is being assembled and fundraising is under way. If you are interested in helping with either or both, please let us know at SVA@masteryoga.org . The next step will be the creation of the not-for-profit organization of those who are interested in living in the ashram itself.

The daily schedule of practices will begin before sunrise, with a two-hour group practice including poses, chant and meditation, followed by breakfast. Residents will be required to work outside of the ashram in a paid or volunteer capacity, at least part-time, in order to balance their "spiritual" and "worldly" perspectives. After the dinner, an evening program will finish the day. Seva will be an important part of the practices, with the residents taking care of the facility and each other, as well as working together to support projects they have selected.

Ashram residents will pay monthly rent, which covers their housing, vegetarian meals and all programs. Training with Swami Nirmalananda (Rama) is included along with her personal support, which provided in the intimacy of the family-style living. Special programs and trainings will be scheduled with Swami Nirmalananda (Rama) and with other teachers.

The community will begin with 15 residents who meet these prerequisites:

• Foundations of Svaroopa^® yoga
• Meditation Made Easy
• One or more Sutra Studies courses with Swami Nirmalananda (Rama)
• A personal history of tithing to Master Yoga for at least 6 months (tithing means donating 10% of your income)

Residents will take vows as temporary monks, entitled brahmacharya, which will be reversed when they move out. Minimum residence period is four months. Ashramites will wear white, beige, yellow, or pastels, avoiding black, dark brown and navy. Their vows entail five lifestyle choices:

• Celibacy (brahmacharya) - with special rules for married couples
• Non-greediness (aparigraha) - limited personal possessions, tithing (10% of income) to an organization of your choice, working outside (which is a way of being non-greedy with your time)
• Austerity (tapas) - maintaining the ashram schedule (which includes asana, svadhyaya, ishvara-pranidhana), maintaining other personal practices
• Self-Reflection (vichara) - taking responsibility for your own actions and attitudes, formal and informal vichara sessions
• Service (seva) - offering your service to the ashram and to your own family

If you are interested in becoming a member of this residential community or in supporting its creation in any way, please let us know! Email us at SVA@masteryoga.org.

Updates will be posted as soon as we have more information to share!

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