The Warning

In this last post about my move to Slovakia I had promised a warning about the new AYA ashram. The reason for this is that this ashram is not working quite like the SYVC and Yoga Vidya ashrams and I would not want anybody to feel misled and have a negative experience after going through the trouble of visiting.

Meant for Doing Personal Sadhana

The main thing to know is that there are no yoga classes here in Levoča. I lead two satsangs per day, each time with silent meditation, some with chanting, and at least one lecture/common study per day.

Outside this program the visitors have plenty of free time to do their personal yoga practice, alone or with other visitors. Other practices are aratis and pujas which need to be done in different rooms of the ashram. You will be instructed on how to perform those if you don't know already and carry on by yourself.

There will soon be a good number of quality yoga books and scriptures available for all to read and study.

My plan is to keep the karma yoga shores to a minimum, simply focusing on cleaning and cooking. Should you want to do more, there are tasks associated with this web site which can be done while in Levoča or in the comfort of your own home.

The House

Even though the house is newly renovated and comfortable as shown in the previous post's photos, I just moved in and it's not yet totally equipped. Please expect the following:

• There are no curtains yet on the windows
• There is very little furniture at this point. I hope to get some bunk beds before Christmas. Worst case scenario, you'd have to sleep on futon mattresses on the floor.
• Some of the finishing touches to the house will be done in the Spring such as light fixtures, power outlets, door handles and things like this.

You will most likely be 2 per room, up to 4 if many come for this Chirstmas retreat, and possibly alone if you are lucky and few people show. Maximum capacity this year is 10 including me but there are many other options in town in pensions, hotels of different standing from very inexpensive to 4 stars!

Free Time & Excursions

The area is rich with places to visit and things to do such as hiking, skiing, sauna, etc...

The problem is that I'm new here, don't yet speak the local language, and don't have a car. That means I'm not sure yet how to go about doing the possible activities although I've already worked out the public transportation to nearby towns Spišská Nová Ves and Poprad, the latter being the gateway to the beautiful High Tatra mountains.

This Christmas, at least one student will come by car so that could make it easier to visit the area but nothing is guaranteed.

The Food

The downside is that it's very hard to find bio products in Levoča, especially as far as produce is concerned. Otherwise the food here is fantastic! :-) Good yogic, sattvic, vegetarian diet cooked by Westerners for Westerners. Let us know your specific tastes at the beginning of the stay and it will all be customized.

A Good Experience

I think if you come with the right expectations you will have a very pleasant stay and an uplifting yoga experience. If you already expressed interest in coming this Christmas please feel free to email me again to let me know whether you are still planning to come after reading this.