My Ashram Experience
In August of 2023, I took part in a 2-week experience at the Ananda Ashram in Pondicherry, Tamil Nadu – led by Kalavathi, senior mentor in the Gitananda tradition. It was my first time traveling to India – and traveling alone. I’ve been trying to write about my experience since I returned, but how do you put into words the experience of a lifetime?
I waited many years to be able to take this trip. I have been practicing yoga for 30 years, teaching for almost 15 years and offering yoga therapy for about 10 years now. I met Dr. Ananda at Kripalu when I was studying Yoga therapy with Joseph LePage as part of his Integrative Yoga therapy program. His presence impacted me the minute he walked into the room. I think someone from my group said something to the effect of, “When Dr. Ananda walks into the room, you just feel better.” He is a rare example of someone who truly lives yoga from the heart. His online “Scintillating Saturdays” kept me going all through the COVID shutdown, and I vowed to complete the online Yoga Step-by-Step program with him and the senior mentors of Gitananda yoga to deepen my understanding of this tradition. Every time I listen to him, I feel like he fills in holes that were there in my years of training that I didn’t know were there. I finished the Step-by-Step program in October of 2022 and signed up for Kalavathi’s yoga immersion at the Ananda Ashram in August of 2023.
When August arrived, my flight between Qatar and Chennai got delayed b/c of a medical emergency. Our plane had to make an emergency landing in Mumbai. I wasn’t too worried about the delay, because my flight was originally supposed to arrive almost 5 hours before Kalavathi’s flight from U.K., so I was going to have to wait at the airport anyway. I remember sitting on the plane, waiting for it to refuel and take off again for Chennai, and just thinking that I would soon be in the presence of Dr. Ananda, and it made me feel calm – like this 2.5 hour delay was really no big deal. And it really wasn’t, in the larger scheme of things.
At the time, I did not know that Kalavathi’s flight was also delayed. Fortunately, she had asked a group of women who had arrived the day before to try to meet me at the airport and let me know her flight had been delayed. I was so grateful to see all of them when they arrived, as I was wondering what had happened to Kalavathi’s flight.
Several hours later, we were all on a minibus to Pondicherry, stopping once for a delicious South Indian thali lunch. When we finally arrived at the Ashram, jetlagged, hot and sweaty from sitting outside at the airport waiting for the rest of our group - we were welcomed with a traditional sweet lime drink and given a tour of our “home” for the next 2 weeks. Dr. Ananda reminded us that we were not at a “Hotel”, and that accommodations were modest, yet I found my room to be more than adequate – beautifully decorated with a 4-poster bed, a desk, chair, wardrobe for my clothes and a trunk for additional storage. Ceiling fan and windows kept me cool at night and the fan helped keep bugs away (a mosquito net and plug-in are also helpful!).
There are bathrooms with both traditional squat toilets and sit-down toilets and clean showers.
Our day began with morning Arthi in the Satsang hall, and then Yoga on the rooftop outside (weather permitting, which was most days). The view is beautiful from the roof, as the sun rises over the ocean, and you can hear the calling of the crows and myna birds. I enjoyed learning from Kalavathi and Devasena who both shared their knowledge of Gitananda tradition generously.
After morning Sadhana, we breakfasted together in the dining hall. All the meals prepared by Shanti and staff were delicious and filling. I never felt hungry after a meal. The spices were perfectly balanced, and, as is traditional in Ayurveda, the biggest meal was served at lunch.
Morning breakfast usually included porridge, fruit (usually bananas, dates, papaya, watermelon and sometimes pineapple) and a traditional savory dish like upma or pongal and sometimes dosas. Lunch often included cold salads, fruit and a main dish. Dinner was simple and light: usually soup, bread and fruit.
Most days we stuck to schedule pretty well. After breakfast, we had an hour of Karma Yoga with our communal duties rotating every 3 days. Everyone pitched in to help keep the Ashram clean and running smoothly. After Karma Yoga and a short break to shower or rest, we met in the Pranayama hut for a two hour Pranayama class. These were my favorite classes – both restful and rejuvenating. After Pranayama we broke for lunch and had a two hour break to rest, go swimming or surfing in the ocean or take a trip into town. Pondicherry and Auroville are both just a short rickshaw drive away – easy to access for all your shopping needs including ice cream and SIM cards! Evening classes included Yoga Sutra study (my favorite!), learning mantras, bhajans and Carnatic singing. Most evenings we either visited Ammaji in her room (Dr. Ananda’s mother, who carried on the lineage of Swami Dr. Gitananda Giri’s teachings and ran the Ashram after he passed away, or she joined us in Satsang hall for bhajans. It was such an honor to meet her and be in her presence.
Day trips included visiting the Institute of Salutagenesis where Dr. Ananda is director, a visit to the grounds of Auroville and a guided tour of the Nataraja temples in Chindambaram as well as other local temples in Pondicherry. The trip to the Institute was one of my favorite experiences, and one of the reasons I took this trip – to see how yoga therapy (and music therapy) is being used in hospitals in India, alongside traditional medicine. The day trip to Chindambaram was breathtaking. Walking around the grounds and inside these ancient temples that are still in active use – there really are no words to describe it. We even got to go up on the rooftop of one of the temples in the evening. It was such a beautiful experience.
Sundays at the Ashram include puja at Kambliswamy Madam in Pondicherry. All of the ladies dressed in saris, and the men in traditional dress, and we took a bus in to the Madam where we sung bhajans, partook in ceremony and enjoyed a delicious lunch prepared for us. I enjoyed getting to experience more of the culture and tradition that Yoga comes from.
I waited many years to travel to India – to be able to save the money and have the time, and find the right experience. I felt safe and well cared for at the Ashram. I learned so much that will stay with me for a lifetime. Although this was my first time in India, I hope it was not my last.
I also have to say that after 2 weeks at the Ashram, I felt healthier than I have ever felt in my life. I have tried to keep some of these healthy habits as I returned home – even trying to make some of the delicious foods Shanti made for us every day!
I enjoyed all of the classes, learning from Kalavathi, Dr. Ananda and Devasena. It was also an incredible honor to meet Ammaji and be able to spend time with her when we sang evening bhajans and at the dance program to honor her 80th birthday held on the last Friday evening of our stay. As a former dancer myself, I especially enjoyed watching the young ladies perform Bharatnatyam.
Dr. Ananda and his entire family were so incredibly gracious to have all of us in their home, even while hosting large events like the dance program.
Being in a foreign country without knowing the language, and depending on the kindness of strangers is an experience I think everyone should have at least once in their life. Dr. Ananda’s kindness – the Light he is to the world – a reflection of both of his parents - shines brightly and inspires me to be a better person every single day.
