Yasodhara Ashram is a yoga retreat and study center with a live-in community on the shore of Kootenay Lake in southeastern British Columbia, founded in 1963 by Swami Sivananda Radha. It's best for people who want reflective, spiritually grounded yoga, from a five-day retreat to a three-month intensive.
What it's like
Yasodhara Ashram has been welcoming students on the east shore of Kootenay Lake since 1963, when Swami Sivananda Radha founded it. The lineage she began has been guided by women, with a strong emphasis on the Divine Feminine.
It's both a retreat center and a home. Somewhere between 35 and 75 people live, work or study there at any one time, from long-term residents and karma yogis to teachers in training and short-stay guests. The grounds include forest, beaches, gardens and orchards, and the Temple of Light. The ashram also runs Timeless Books, its own publishing house.
Meals are a quiet affair, literally: they're eaten in silence, in the dining room or on the lakeside deck when it's warm. The food follows the seasons, much of it grown on site. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options are always there, with fish or poultry from time to time. If you have severe allergies, contact them before you register.
The programs
The ashram's yoga goes well beyond the physical. Morning practice on retreats is Hidden Language Hatha Yoga, and programs mix practice with workshops, self-inquiry and service.
5-day guided retreats. Small groups follow a daily rhythm of morning hatha yoga, workshops with senior teachers, a taste of karma yoga, time for reflection and evening satsang. Each week has a theme. The 2026 season has finished, and the ashram expects to publish its 2027 lineup in November.
Longer study. There's a 10-day Yoga Journey, a three-month Yoga Development Course, and teacher training. These are for people who want to go deep.
Other ways in. You can also try a one-day Taste of the Ashram, join restorative retreats, take online courses, or come for a longer stay through the karma yoga program.
Who it suits (and who it doesn't)
This is a strong choice if you want yoga as a path of self-knowledge, not just a workout, and you're happy to share space with a community that has its own rhythm. Silent meals, satsang and service are part of the experience, not optional extras.
If you mainly want a spa break, a fitness-focused yoga holiday or lots of free time to yourself, it may feel more structured than you'd like. Pets aren't allowed, and accommodation for guests with mobility needs is limited, so check first.
Rooms are in two main guest lodges, The Barn and Saraswati Lodge. You'll find women's, men's and mixed residences, single and double rooms, a few with their own bathroom, and tents on request.
Getting there
The ashram is about 40 km northeast of Nelson, across the lake. Most people fly into Kelowna, Castlegar, Cranbrook or Spokane and continue by bus, shuttle or car to Balfour, where the free Kootenay Lake ferry crosses to Kootenay Bay. Staff can meet foot passengers at the ferry landing if you arrange it in advance, and the ashram is about ten minutes' drive from there. Castlegar flights can be disrupted by weather from October to March, and crossing from Spokane requires a passport. Check-in is in the afternoon.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need yoga experience?
The ashram offers programs for a range of levels, including introductory options like a one-day visit and five-day guided retreats. Longer intensives suit people ready for serious study.
Is the food vegetarian?
Mostly. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free choices are always offered, with organic fish or poultry served occasionally.
Are meals really silent?
Yes. All meals at the ashram are eaten in silence.
Can I bring my dog?
No. Pets aren't permitted.
How do I get there without a car?
Take a bus or shuttle to Balfour, ride the free ferry to Kootenay Bay, and arrange a staff pickup at the landing. Learn more on the Yasodhara Ashram website.
