Sivananda Kutir is located near Siror Bridge, in the sub-town named Netala, in the district of Uttarkashi, in the state of Uttarakhand, in Northern India. Sivananda Kutir has branches at Trivandrum, Madurai and Chennai. It is directly associated with Dwarka Centre, Delhi West, Nataraja Centre, Delhi South, Meenakshi Ashram Madurai and Dhanwantri Ashram Neyyar Dam. This ashram is the initiative of Swami Sivananda who is regarded as one of the greatest Yoga masters belonging to the 20th century. This swami is the large inspiration behind the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres. It is to be highly noted that the teachings of this Swami are summarized in six words. They are Serve, Love, Give, Purify, Meditate and Realize. Swami Vasudevananda is the favorite discipline of this Swami. At present this ashram is under the clutches of Swami Vasudevananda who is contributing his life to spread the message of his Guru to the whole world.

Accommodation at Sivananda Kutir

Sivananda Kutir provides dormitory plus shared twin room accommodation. There aren't any single rooms. It doesn't have any camping space. With adjacent shared bathrooms, the dormitories comprises of 4, 6, or 8 beds. With attached private bathroom are available for four shared twin rooms. It is to be highly noted that couples aren't permitted to share twin rooms during Sadhana Intensive, Teachers Training Courses and Advanced Teacher Training Course. Two bed sheets, a pillow, and pillow case are provided for all accommodation. Check-in time is 2pm and Check-out time is before 11am. Tasty and simple vegetarian nutritious food is served wholesome twice a day. Fruit salads, snacks, fruit juices are readily available from Health Hut that is situated within the ashram's premises. Drinking Water that is boiled and filtered is available freely. Inmates are advised to bring their basic necessary items. Foreigners should necessary vaccinations. The ashram has a Boutique, Safe Keeping room, Library and Telephone facilities. There are no facilities for laundry, Internet and email.

Yoga Vacation at Sivananda Kutir

Yoga vacation is conducted for two weeks. It is based on the teaching of Swami Vishnudevananda and Swami Sivananda. This vacation program aims to give the practice of ancient yogic techniques for better balanced living by providing inner peace, radiant health, develop positive thinking and good boost for personal and professional life. It is perfectly designed to assist the inmates to develop a strong practice that can be rightly incorporated back into their personal and professional daily life at home and office. This program comes with living in the ashram doing nothing but strictly following a structured and simple daily schedule to focus on them. The dormitory cost is Rs 650 / day and twin sharing cost is Rs 750 / day. Friday is a holiday. All the guests are largely expected to attend evening and morning satsangs on even holidays. It is to be remembered that for the Yoga Vacation program, prior booking is required. The minimum stay at this ashram for all guests is just 3 days. Payment can be done in the form of deposit of Rs 2000 to the arshram's bank account. Only Indian rupees are expected and no foreign currency or credit cards.

Teachers Training Course (TTC) at Sivananda Kutir

Teachers Training Course (TTC) is offered for one month. This course helps the participant to teach and establish a school. On the traditional gurukula system, this course is largely based. It is an intensive course in many aspects. It is a course that is termed transformative experience that is taught by disciples of Swami Vishnudevananda. On the other hand, the curriculum comprises of study of the Bhagavad Gita, kriyas (cleansing exercises to purify the body), diet, yoga philosophy, mantras, chanting, meditation, pranayama (breathing exercises) and instruction in asana (yoga postures). The participants should have keen interest to learn yogic techniques that yoga postures and its related philosophy. At the end of the course, certificate is provided to all the successful participants.

Kid's Camp at Sivananda Kutir

Kid's camp is conducted for children aged from 7 to 11. It is a one-month residential program. It gives a profound experience to lead a better life. This particular course largely provides different types of tools for kids in order to learn self-discipline. Some of the activities in the program include yoga asanas, lectures, chanting, arts/crafts, games and swimming.

Rules and Regulations of Sivananda Kutir

The ashram is a best shelter from the all types of pressures of worldly life. It is an abode of peace. It is best for the pursuit of spiritual ideals. It largely provides a safe and secure space for personal development. To a ashram, people come from every corner of the world and from many walks of life in order to experience rightly the profound spirituality of ancient India plus the centuries-old disciplines of Ayurveda, Yoga and Vedanta.

Sivananda Ashram perfectly maintains a positive spiritual atmosphere that is largely required through the participation and involvement of all staff and guests. At this ashram, guests and staffs are highly advised to strictly follow the given rules and guidelines plus cooperate and coordinated with the management.

Dress Code of Sivananda Kutir

There is a dress code for Sivananda Ashram. Nudity is totally forbidden. It is to be remembered that men and women must cover their legs, shoulders and midriff. They shouldn't wear transparent and revealing clothing plus Tight fitting in the ashram. They are advised to shorts above the knee, Spandex jeans, Leggings of any kind, Low cut tee shirts and Tank tops. It is to be highly noted that guest's dress code and behavior must enhance the spiritual atmosphere of the ashram and be respectful of Indian culture.

Having onions, garlic, eggs, fish and meat are not allowed. Inmates shouldn't indulge in smoking, drugs and alcohol. Pets aren't allowed. Mobile/cell phones in designated areas outside of class times are only permitted. With the permission of the ashram director, video, audio recording and photography during ceremonies and classes is only permitted.

Discipline at Sivananda Kutir

As part and parcel of the spiritual discipline, guests are highly advised to observe brahmacharya or celibacy. Regular attendance for the daily schedule of the program is compulsory. An off or leave is permitted in the extreme cases only. There is a need to mentioning regarding off or leave to the program director or senior staff in advance. Inmates aren't allowed to step out of the ashram premises without the prior notice to the management. Lights are out after 10:30pm daily. Guests are highly requested to strictly observe silence between 10:30pm and 7:30am daily plus during meals.

Other Aspects of Sivananda Kutir

The ashram can't directly and indirectly accept responsibility for all types of guest's personal belongings. At reception, a safe keeping facility is readily available. All payment is non refundable or transferable in the situation and circumstances of early departure. Foreigners are requested to furnish their passport and visa at the reception desk. They are also request to fulfill the normal routine at the nearest police station. Inmates are allowed to interact with their instructors, senior staffs and members of the management during the sleek hours in the ashram. Inmates are requested to co-operate and coordinate with their fellow inmates and instructors to make their program success in all aspects. Ashram is a disciplined area so its dignity and respect should be maintained by all in the right manner. Sivananda Kutir is the right place for learning yoga and leading a better personal and professional life ahead.