Almora Ashram of Kalyanika Himalaya Devsthanam Nyas is located in the village named Kanara - Dol, in the sub-town Chai Khan, in the district of Almora, in the state of Uttarakhand, in northern India. Under the banner of Sivananda Yoga Vidya Peetham, at this ashram different types of Yoga and Vedanta courses are conducted in successful manner. It is to be noted that Sivananda Yoga Vidya Peetham is an ashram and Gurukula system established in 2010 in order to largely propagate the teachings of Vedanta philosophy and Yoga as given by renowned spiritual masters and one of the great Guru named Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj. It is to be remembered that attending a Vedanta and Yoga course is a golden opportunity within a yoga experience for spiritual aspirants to better immerse themselves; a in-depth understanding of the mind, body and spirit and to develop personal discipline plus to directly connect with other like minded individuals within a world-wide spiritual community with a lot of perfection.

All the courses related to Yoga and Vedanta are purely based on the Master Swami Sivananda's spiritual vision and the teaching programmes are well-developed by HIS disciple named Sri Swami Vishnudevananda. Within their yoga training, Sivananda Yoga Vidya Peetham related courses will immerse the student or participants. It largely gives them a solid foundation in personal and professional development; the courses are offered will directly explore Vedanta philosophy and Yoga, yoga asana, Sanskrit, anatomy, meditation and physiology while in the best manner delivering practical experience related to how to wholeheartedly share the knowledge of yogic manner of living with others to a great extent.

The Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Peetham's founder perfectly follows and shares the philosophy and teaching of His beloved Guru Sri Swami Vishnudevananda Saraswati. In this ashram, the five basic principles of Yoga are perfectly followed. They are proper exercise, proper relaxation, proper breathing, positive thinking, proper diet and meditation. Most of the courses are deliverd by renowned Gurus such as Swami Nivedanananda, Swami Tatwarupananda, Swami Govindananda and other spiritual teachers and monks from different traditions of this country. The main courses offered at this ashram under the direct umbrella of the Sivananda Yoga Vidya Peetham organization are Yoga Teacher Training Courses, short yoga retreats and one week long Yoga Sadhana Camps. It is to be highly noted that Sivananda Yoga Vidya Peetham's the advanced level Yoga Teacher Training Course (YTTC-2) directly qualifies the participants or students to largely apply for Yoga Alliance (USA/Ca) 500 hour certification. On the other hand, Yoga Teacher Training Courses (YTTC-1) directly qualifies the participants or students to largely apply for Yoga Alliance (USA/Ca) 200 hour certification.

Courses at Shree Kalyanika Himalaya Dev Sthanam Ashram

1. Yoga Sadhana Camp- It is a beginner's course of one week duration. It starts on a Monday and finishes on a Saturday. On the other hand, Sundays are the days of arrivals and departures. The curriculum for Yoga Sadhana Camp are based on the Sivananda asana sequence comprising of Kriyas, Meditation techniques, Pranayama (breathing exercises), The five points of yoga: proper exercise, Proper breathing, Proper relaxation, Proper diet, Positive thinking and meditation.

Daily schedule are:

• Wake up at 5am

• Meditation, chanting and lecture or silent walk (90 mins) at 5.30 am

• Tea time at 7am

• Asana and Pranayama class - beginner and advanced levels (90 mins) at 7.30 am

• Brunch at 9.30 am

• Seva time - selfless service (60 mins) at 10.15 am

• Main Lecture (60 mins) at 11.30 pm

• Tea Time at 1pm

• Optional chanting/yoga asana/free interactions workshops (60 mins) at 1.30 pm

• Asana and Pranayama class - beginner and advanced levels (90 mins) at 3.30 pm

• Dinner at 5.30 pm

• Satsang (meditation, chanting and lecture or special program) (90 mins) at 7.30 pm Lights out at 9.30 pm

2. Yoga Teacher Training Courses - level I (YTTC-I) - It is a four weeks course with is taught residentially.

The curriculum of this course covers the five points of Yoga according to the teachings of Sri Swami Vishnudevananda, they are the twelve basic yoga postures, Yoga Asanas, Pranayama, Savasana, Vegetarianism, Vedanta and Dhyanam. Under yoga asanas, Benefits of Yoga Asanas, release of blocked energy, deep relaxation, Proper posture alignment, Effects of asanas on the physical and astral body, Advanced variations and The sun salutation. Under Pranayama, Advanced pranayama exercises and the basic practices: anuloma viloma (alternate nostril breathing) and kapalabhati. Under the Kriyas the six classical exercises for purifying the body perfectly. Under Hatha Yoga / Kundalini Yoga Theory, chakras (energy centers), the astral body and the nadis (energy channels).

Under the category of How to Teach, How to correct, How to teach the elderly, children and prenatal yoga, How to teach beginners and intermediate students, the basic class, setting up a proper environment for class and How to teach the sun salutation and the twelve basic postures. Under Yoga Philosophy and Psychology, the law of Karma, Psychology of the spiritual aspirant, Jnana Yoga (the path of wisdom and realisation), Raja Yoga (mind control), Bhakti Yoga (the path of devotion, including attendance at devotional rituals) and Karma Yoga (selfless service). Under Anatomy and Physiology, Ethical, health and spiritual reasons for vegetarianism, Nutrition according to Ayurvedic guidelines, Proper diet, Influence of diet on the mind, Yogic Diet and Nutrition plus the effects of hatha yoga practices on the major body systems. Under Meditation, Learning classical Sanskrit chants, Correct pronunciation and mental attitude, Positive effects of chanting on the emotions, Kirtan (Chanting), Mantras, mantra-initiation (if requested), The benefits of meditation and Twelve-step guideline to meditation.

Daily Schedules:

• Wake up at 05:00 am
• Meditation, chanting and lecture or silent walk (90 mins) at 05:30 am
• Tea time at 07.00 am
• Asana and Pranayama class at 07:30 am
• Brunch at 09:30 am
• Seva time - selfless service (60 mins) at 10.15 am
• Bhagavad Gita/Chanting class at 11:30 pm
• Tea time at 1.00 pm
• Main Lecture on philosophy at 1.30 pm
• Asana and Pranayama class at 3:30 pm
• Dinner at 5:30 pm
• Satsang (meditation, chanting and lecture or special program) (90mins) at 7:30 pm
• Lights out at 9.30 pm

3. Yoga Teacher Training Courses - level II (YTTC-II) - It is a four weeks course with is taught residentially.

The curriculum of this course covers under Meditation: the use of mantras and mantra initiation, guide to meditation and benefits of meditation. Under Satsang, a talk or reading on the philosophy of yoga and Vedanta plus Satsang consists of chanting and silent meditation. It will largely assist you to develop a steady and strong meditation practice. Under Bhagavad Gita, the study and commentary of the classical scripture. Under Karma Yoga and Bhakti Yoga, the nine modes of Bhakti which means for transforming emotions into devotion and love plus Inner attitudes of selfless service.

Under Yoga Asanas, learn detailed corrections, progress in your yoga asana practice (advanced variations and prolonged holding of the postures) and increase your concentration. Under Anatomy and Physiology, functioning of the endocrine and nervous systems in relation to the practice of yoga. Under Pranayama, Just one hour of practice each morning including bandhas and advanced pranayama. Under Sanskrit, the writing of sacred mantras, the alphabet and pronunciation. Under Vedanta, Vedantic meditation techniques, Study of the different philosophical schools of India and Vedantic theory and practice. Under Raja Yoga, In-depth study of Patanjali Yoga Sutras for better understanding of how to perfectly control and transcend the mind eventually.

Daily Schedule:

• Wake up at 04:00 am
• Advanced Pranayama class at 04:30am
• Meditation, chanting and lecture or silent walk at 05:30 am
• Tea time at 07.00 am
• Asana and Pranayama class at 07:30 am
• Anatomy and Physiology Class at 08:30am
• Brunch at 09:30 am
• Seva time - selfless service at 10.15 am
• Sanskrit class/Yoga sutras class at 11:30 pm
• Main Lecture on philosophy at 1.00 pm
• Advanced Asana and Pranayama class at 1.30 pm
• Tea time at 3:30 pm
• Dinner at 5:30 pm
• Satsang (meditation, chanting and lecture or special program) at 7:30 pm
• Lights out at 9.30 pm

4. Hatha Yoga Intensive (HYI) - It is a two weeks course with is taught residentially.

The curriculum of this course covers under explanation and practice of advanced bandhas (locks), mudras (seals) and pranayama. Study of classic yoga texts such as Srimad Bhagavatham, titled a classical text on Hatha Yoga with many devotional stories for the practice of Bhakti yoga, Hatha Yoga Pradipika by Swatmarama with commentary by Swami Vishnudevananda and Viveka Chudamani by Sankaracharya, a standard text on Vedanta philosophy. Keeping a spiritual diary, Meditation and chanting, Practice of shat kriyas (cleansing techniques) and daily self-practice of asana.

Daily Schedule

• Morning almond milk drink
• Practice of kriyas.
• Morning satsang with meditation and chanting.
• Two or three practice sessions of asana and advanced pranayama incorporating bandhas and mudras.
• Brunch
• Study of Hatha Yoga Pradipika / Viveka Chudamani / Srimad Bhagavatam.
• Evening satsang with meditation and chanting.
• Dinner.

Accommodation at Shree Kalyanika Himalaya Dev Sthanam Ashram

The Almora Ashram of Kalyanika Himalaya Devsthanam Nyas has 74 beds for participants or students; 55 beds in double room or twin rooms with single person occupancy, 9 beds in triple sharing room/dormitory and 10 beds in one dormitory. On the other hand, admission is on a first come first served basis. In order to perfectly maintain the right kind of sanctity of the premises, the accommodate guests and students are to follow certain conditions:

• They should follow the yogic manner of personal life while being in this ashram.
• They shouldn't consume non-vegetarian food and alcohol.
• They shouldn't smoke outside or on campus while undertaking the course.

Kalyanika Himalaya Devsthanam Nyas wholly reserves the rights of admission. If anyone found breaking the rules and regulation then he or she will be asked to leave immediately from the campus.

Food at Shree Kalyanika Himalaya Dev Sthanam Ashram

The Almora Ashram of Kalyanika Himalaya Devsthanam Nyas's main meals are served daily at 9.30 am and 5.30 pm. The meals are largely based on the tradition of Indian menu. The menu comprises of simple, nutritious, vegetarian and good tasting. All the food items are prepared and cooked with as per the yogic dietary principles comprising lacto-vegetarian meals and two buffet styles are served daily. The menu doesn't contain mushroom, onion, garlic, eggs, fowl, fish and meat. A cup of tea is readily available at morning 7am and mid-noon 1pm.

Other Facilities at Shree Kalyanika Himalaya Dev Sthanam Ashram

The Almora Ashram of Kalyanika Himalaya Devsthanam Nyas has a Boutique that is stored with spiritual books, stationery, yoga mats, postcards, shawls, CDs, yoga and casual Indian style clothing, cosmetics, toiletries, batteries and simple snack foods. There are facilities of telephone, fax and internet. Post can be received and sent. There are services related laundry, safe keeping, Health Hut and Canteen. There is a good library with good stock of books. There is a desk that deals with Travel arrangements and Money exchange.

The centre has been a great learning centre for yoga as well as meditation and gets the utmost benefit for life. More of all, the well organized programmes and the facilities makes even more reliable and trusted in Almora district of Uttarakhand.