5-Day Meditation Retreat at Ananda Girisuta, NC, August 26 – 30, 2026

We welcome you to a meditation retreat at Ananda Girisuta Master Unit (Prama Institute), close to the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina. This retreat will include a full-day schedule with yoga, meditation, classes, walks in nature, and various other activities. You can expect the mind to undergo a profound positive mental and spiritual transformation during those four days. We will keep the daily routine harmonious with a balanced combination of getting up early, resting early, enjoying good food and classes, getting plenty of fresh air, and enjoying meditation and social interactions. Apart from the classes and activities, we will have breakfast, lunch, and dinner according to our schedule, prepared by our volunteers, Dada and Didi.

Didi Ananda Acira and Dada Diiptimanananda will be leading this retreat.

What to Expect?

• Lots of Kiirtana (mantra chanting)
• Three sattvic vegetarian meals per day
• Silence (Maonavrata) except during classes, sharing, and Kiirtana
• Yoga classes in the morning and evening
• Collective meditation five times a day
• Inspirational talks on meditation, yoga, philosophy, food, nutrition, and healthy living.
• Fun games and workshops
• Outdoor walks and activities
• Relax your body and calm your mind in a tranquil, beautiful environment

Schedule for the Retreat

Please click on the link for the Google Doc with the schedule.

Meditation and Other Spiritual Practices

Meditation

The central practice is meditation. Meditation means looking within your mind to feel the bliss that is the essence of your existence. That bliss is within you, just as it is within everybody and everything. Meditation is an essential tool for self-transformation and spiritual development. We will first introduce a meditation using the mantra Baba Nam Kevalam.

Kiirtana

Kiirtan is singing a mantra aloud while meditating on the Supreme Being. It inculcates a feeling of bliss and prepares the mind for meditation because all the motor and sensory organs are engaged and directed toward the Supreme. It can be done anywhere, but it is essential before meditation.

The mantra used for Kiirtana is: Bábá Nám Kevalam

The easiest way to conceive of the Infinite Consciousness is to think of infinite love. This mantra is, therefore, often translated as “Love is all there is.”

A more detailed meaning of the mantra is Bábá, which means infinite Love /Infinite Consciousness/Supreme Consciousness, or “my most beloved One,” Nám, which means “name of” or “to identify with,” and Kevalam means “only.” So the meaning of the mantra is “My most Beloved is the only One.”

The inner idea we use when meditating (ideation) is: “Everywhere I look, in everything I hear, feel, see, taste, and smell, I perceive that one Supreme Consciousness which pervades all things.”

Kiirtana has many benefits. It purifies the mind and prepares it for meditation, accelerating the speed of movement toward the Supreme. Because of the mental clarity achieved, one can easily find solutions to problems while performing a task and get relief from physical and psychic ailments.

Lalita Marmika Dance

The Lalita Marmika dance helps to prepare the mind and body for meditation and is taught during the retreat. Many people experience sore knees when sitting regularly for meditation during a meditation retreat. Therefore, we introduce the Laliita Marmika dance early in the retreat to avoid sitting both during mantra chanting and meditation.

The dance is used during the mantra chanting before sitting down for meditation. It helps limber the knees, relax the brain and body, and develop surrender and a feeling of devotion to the Supreme.

This dance arouses the deepest feelings of love and devotion, dissolves egotism, and prepares the mind for meditation.

Yoga Asanas

During the retreat, we will offer gentle yoga sessions in the morning and evening. These classes are designed to support relaxation, improve flexibility, and help prepare the body and mind for meditation.

The yoga system we practice comes from the Ananda Marga tradition and includes slow, mindful movements coordinated with the breath. Some practices also include simple breath awareness and short pauses, which can have a calming effect on the nervous system and support overall mental and emotional balance.

All sessions are suitable for beginners as well as those with prior experience. We begin with simple postures and gradually introduce more options, always adapting to the needs and comfort level of each participant. You are encouraged to listen to your body and participate at your own pace. It is always fine to rest, skip a posture, or modify a movement if needed.

Participation in yoga sessions is optional. The retreat is not physically demanding, and the emphasis is on creating a supportive and comfortable environment for everyone.

For safety, we recommend that women refrain from practicing yoga postures during pregnancy or menstruation. Alternative rest or gentle practices can be followed during these times.

Kaośiiki Dance

Kaośikii is a yogic dance introduced by Shrii Shrii Anandamurti on September 6, 1978. It is a unique psycho-physical practice designed to develop flexibility, strength, and balance, while also supporting mental clarity and emotional well-being. Traditionally, it is said to be beneficial for overall health and vitality, with particular emphasis on supporting the well-being of women.

The movements of Kaośikii are rhythmic and graceful, involving gentle bending of the body in different directions, coordinated with the breath and a subtle ideation. This combination of movement and awareness helps to relax the nervous system, improve circulation, and create a sense of lightness and flow in both body and mind.

During the retreat, Kaośikii will be practiced as part of the yoga classes. The movements are simple to learn and suitable for beginners, and participants are encouraged to practice at their own pace. Like all practices in the retreat, the emphasis is not on performance but on developing awareness, balance, and a deeper connection with oneself.

Many people find Kaośikii to be uplifting and energizing, and it is often enjoyed as a joyful complement to meditation and yoga practice.

Táńd́ava Dance

Táńd́ava is a dynamic yogic dance traditionally associated with Lord Shiva, who is revered as Nataraja, the Lord of Dance. According to tradition, this dance represents courage, strength, and the spirit of overcoming fear. It has been practiced for centuries and is considered one of the foundational forms of expressive movement in yogic culture.

The movements of Táńd́ava are powerful and rhythmic, involving jumping, balancing, and coordinated gestures that help develop strength, stamina, and mental focus. The practice is energizing and can support vitality and confidence. It is traditionally practiced by men, as it is believed to stimulate physical and hormonal strength, and is therefore not recommended for women.

During the retreat, Táńd́ava may be offered as an optional practice for men. Participants who choose to join are encouraged to practice with awareness and according to their own capacity. As with all retreat activities, the emphasis is on personal growth, balance, and inner development rather than performance.

Many practitioners find Táńd́ava to be both invigorating and empowering, making it a strong complement to meditation and other yogic practices.