Join us in
Yogaville
Friday November 14th to Sunday, November 16th
We warmly invite you to join us for a very special weekend retreat at Satchidananda Ashram, Yogaville. This serene and sacred space is Kate's spiritual home, where she completed her foundational Yoga teacher training in 2014, and one of the few places where she truly feels at peace. If you've ever been curious about visiting Yogaville but have felt too intimidated to take that first step, this retreat is the perfect gentle introduction. Kate has thoughtfully created a soft and easy container to help you comfortably explore this nurturing environment at your own pace. For over a decade, she has dreamed of sharing this profound and transformative place with her students and is deeply excited to finally see this dream become a reality. We would be honored to have you join us.
Your Investment Includes
This retreat is thoughtfully designed to offer you an authentic glimpse into ashram living while providing the perfect opportunity to dive deeper into the transformative practices of Yoga. Whether you’re brand new to these experiences or looking to enrich your existing practice, you’ll find a welcoming, supportive environment to gently guide you along the way. If you've ever been curious about visiting Yogaville but felt too intimidated or unsure where to begin, this retreat is especially tailored for you. With approachable teachings, accessible workshops, and a nurturing community atmosphere, it's the ideal setting to comfortably explore the yogic lifestyle at your own pace, fostering confidence and deeper spiritual connection.
A chance to explore ashram living
© Kate Thuss
Sunset meditation at KailashTime to unwind and soften
© Kate Thuss
LOTUS Temple viewed from KailashThroughout the retreat, you’ll find ample time to unwind and reconnect with nature by exploring the numerous peaceful hiking trails that weave through the beautiful grounds of the ashram. These trails offer an ideal setting for personal reflection, quiet contemplation, or gentle exercise, helping to deepen the overall retreat experience. Alternatively, you might choose to simply sit quietly in solitude or enjoy relaxed conversations in community over a warm cup of chai at the cozy Mandala Cafe. Our flexible and open schedule ensures you can nurture yourself in the ways that feel most replenishing, creating space for tranquility, rejuvenation, and genuine connection. Everything is optional, so know that you have full permission to do what’s right for you!
To further explore the traditional practices offered at Satchidananda Ashram, you’ll have the chance to take Hatha Yoga classes lead by the Integral Yoga teaching staff, which are sprinkled throughout the weekend at various times. Multiple classes are offered to accommodate various levels of comfort and stability. You’ll also get the chance to participate in morning and noon meditations, whether guided or in silence (your choice!), at a number of different sacred sites, including the stunning LOTUS Temple, throughout the property.
Hatha & Meditation practices with Integral teaching staff
Meditation in LOTUS Temple© Yogaville
A Talk with Satya Greenstone
Satya Greenstone, C-IAYT, E-RYT500, has been a student of Sri Swami Satchidananda for over 40 years, sharing the teachings of Integral Yoga in many diverse settings with students of all ages and backgrounds. Since 1999 she has been a primary teacher for the Basic Yoga Teacher Training program. Our founder, Kate Thuss, completed her first teacher training with Satya in 2014. Satya will be sharing her knowledge and stories about Swami Satchidananda and Integral Yoga to give you a better understanding of this rich Yoga lineage.
Kate receiving her spiritual name from Satya during YTT© Kate Thuss
This retreat will also feature an engaging workshop offering a brief introduction to the practice of mantra meditation. You’ll learn several foundational mantras, along with guidance on how to effectively use a japa mala, a string of prayer beads, to enhance and deepen your meditation practice. Additionally, you’ll have a special opportunity to create your own personalized set of mala beads, allowing you to cultivate an even deeper connection with your meditation practice. To ensure complete customization, you will receive detailed information on where to purchase your own mala-making kit in advance. This approach empowers you to select materials and designs that resonate personally, making your mala beads uniquely meaningful and reflective of your own spiritual journey.
Mantra meditation & Mala making workshop
Puja to Lord Nataraj at Kailash
© Kate Thuss
A Puja is a sacred Hindu ceremony performed as an act of devotion, prayer, and reverence towards a deity, characterized by ritual offerings such as flowers, incense, prayers, chanting, and symbolic gestures meant to invoke divine blessings and spiritual connection. This particular Puja will honor Lord Nataraj, the cosmic dancer form of Lord Shiva, renowned for embodying the dynamic rhythm and eternal cycle of creation and destruction. It will take place at the sacred shrine dedicated to him, affectionately known as Kailash (which sits at the highest point of the ashram campus), symbolizing the divine abode of Shiva. Through this Puja, devotees seek to experience inner harmony, spiritual awakening, and blessings of grace, inspired by Lord Nataraj's cosmic dance, which represents balance, renewal, and liberation. This outing is subject to Yogaville’s schedule.
Learn more about this sacred practice through this short video from Yogaville.
Nataraj statue at KailashSatsang is a spiritual gathering in the yogic tradition, providing participants an opportunity to come together in community for collective inspiration, reflection, and deeper understanding. This special Satsang, held on Saturday evening, will begin with kirtan, a joyful practice of devotional chanting and music to open hearts and minds. Following this, we’ll enjoy a recording of Swami Satchidananda compassionately responding to questions posed by participants at previous Satsangs, sharing timeless wisdom and practical guidance. Additionally, the evening will feature a Yoga talk offered by a knowledgeable member of the community, inviting participants to gain insights and inspiration to support their spiritual journeys and daily lives.
Satsang with the Yogaville Community
© Yogaville
Swami Satchidananda© Yogaville
Two nights of accommodations are included, with options ranging from a private room with a private bath, a private room with a shared bath, or a dorm-style room with shared bath facilities. In accordance with Yogaville policy, room assignments will be made on a first-come, first-served basis, so book early to secure a private room! Each room is clean, modest, and simple, reflecting the traditional style of ashram living, intentionally designed to encourage you to turn inward and foster spiritual reflection rather than focusing on external surroundings or material comforts. That said, don’t worry, you’ll have everything you need!
Two nights accommodations
© Yogaville
© Yogaville
Private room & bath at YogavilleThree wholesome, plant-based meals will be served daily, thoughtfully prepared with fresh ingredients and guided by yogic principles to support both physical well-being and mental clarity. Each meal provides an opportunity to nourish the body and uplift the spirit, whether enjoyed in community with fellow participants or savored quietly in personal reflection. Mealtimes during this retreat offer you a gentle invitation to slow down, savor each bite, and cultivate a deeper awareness of nourishment, fostering an atmosphere of mindfulness and gratitude.
Delicious vegetarian meals throughout your stay
© Yogaville
General schedule for the weekend
© Yogaville
3pm - 5pm Arrival & Registration
5pm - 6:30pm Hatha Yoga class or 6pm - 6:30pm Meditation
6:30pm - 7:15pm Dinner
7:30pm - 9pm Welcome to Yogaville! Orientation with Saci Murpy
Friday
6am - 7am Integral Yoga meditation
7:10am - 8:40am Integral Hatha Yoga class with Ashram staff
8am - 9:30am Breakfast
10am - 11:30am Talk with Satya Greenstone
12pm Puja at Kailash (subject to Yogaville schedule)
12:45pm - 1:30pm Lunch
1:30pm - 3pm Free time
3pm - 5pm Mantra meditation and Mala making workshop with Kate
5:30pm - 6:15pm Dinner
7:30pm - 9pm Satsang
Saturday
Sunday
6am - 7am Integral Yoga meditation
7:10am - 8:40am Integral Hatha Yoga class with Ashram staff
8am - 9:30am Breakfast
10am - 11:30am Reflection
12pm Meditation at LOTUS Temple
12:45pm - 1:30pm Lunch
Enjoy the grounds and depart for home at your leisure
LOTUS TempleKate in her happy placeFinancial Investment
Early Bird Pricing
$625 through September 14th
$675 until October 14th
$700 after October 14th
*Pending room availability