Early Days in the Ashram

We’ve arrived at the Sivananda Ashram, a peaceful haven bordered by thick jungle, a lake, a dam, and a wildlife park. It’s serene and beautiful—but our first day left us completely exhausted! Between making final payments, sorting check-in details, and jumping straight into the start of our Ayurveda course, there wasn’t a spare moment to breathe.

Our accommodation is dormitory-style—simple and functional. Each of us has a bed with sheets, a pillow, and a mosquito net. There’s a tiny shelf for personal items and a small safe above each cubicle. Fortunately, the ashram isn’t full, so we’ve been able to spread our things out on the empty beds nearby. Small blessings!

The ashram bell rings at 5:15 a.m., calling us to wake up. By 6:00 a.m. we gather for Satsang—an hour of meditation, chanting, and an early-morning lecture. Afterwards, we enjoy ginger tea in the gardens, watching the mist lift from the surrounding jungle and lake.

At 8:00 a.m., we head to our two-hour yoga class, followed by brunch—one of only two meals a day. We eat seated on the floor in a long dining hall, everyone with their own plate, cup, and bowl. The food follows Ayurvedic and yogic principles: pure vegetarian, free from stimulants like garlic, onion, chilli, or excess spice. Meals are simple but abundant—rice, lentils, beans, vegetable soup, and salad.

The adjustment is real: no coffee, alcohol, bread, or chocolate! Some of us have headaches, some feel hungry or achy, and everyone’s a bit tired. Sitting cross-legged on the floor might be the hardest part of all!

After brunch, we wash our own dishes and head to Ayurveda class at 11 a.m.—a 2.5-hour lecture on Ayurvedic philosophy and principles, all conducted on the floor. Just when the information overload (and our knees!) reach their limit, the tea lady arrives with herbal tea—a small luxury .

If we’re lucky and class ends on time, we catch afternoon tea and fruit. After a short break, we return for practical sessions: group discussions, tea preparation, and basic massage techniques. By 5 p.m., we’re ready for our evening meal at 6.

Evenings bring a final round of Satsang at 8 p.m.—more meditation, more chanting, more surrender. By 9:30 p.m., we collapse into bed, utterly spent and ready for the land of dreams which seem prolific here.

Life here is simple, structured, and demanding. The body protests, but the spirit is slowly beginning to settle into it all.Read more