Karma yoga (voluntary service, or seva) is the practice of serving with no idea of agency or reward. It allows us to transform our daily activities into spiritual practice, as we offer our services for the benefit of others.
Swami Vishnudevananda learned from his teacher Swami Sivananda that an ounce of practice is worth a ton of theory and created a karma yoga program throughout the organization for those interested in pursuing spiritual training.
Swami Sivananda says that work is worship. Work is meditation. Serve all with intense love without expectation of reward. All work is sacred. There is no menial work from the viewpoint of karma yoga. The spirit of service must be ingrained into our very bones. A karma yogi does not expect a return of love, appreciation, gratitude or admiration from the people he is serving.
Karma yoga leads to the removal of negative qualities such as anger, greed, jealousy and fear. With commitment and over time, selflessness, purity of heart and humility develop. The result of karma yoga is the eradication of the sense of separateness. Selfishness diminishes; tolerance, compassion and love manifest. Without these qualities, no spiritual development can take place. The practice of karma yoga, by giving natural expression to devotion and wisdom, provides an excellent opportunity to go deeper into spiritual practices and at the same time to be of great service to others.
Participants are expected to follow the Ashram guidelines below. The Ashram and the Karma Yoga Program are designed to help participants maintain their daily schedule and discipline. In cases where participants have discipline issues, they will be notified or counseled by their karma yoga supervisor. However, in case of repeated offences, the matter will be escalated to the Ashram Director and the said karma yogi may be asked to leave either the program or the Ashram.
All karma yogis are expected to participate daily in satsangs, staff meeting, asana class and karma yoga assignments. They should arrive on time to classes, events and satsangs.
Curriculum
- Explanation and practice of advanced pranayama, bandhas (locks) and mudras (seals).
- Daily self practice of asana.
- Practice of shat kriyas (cleansing techniques).
- Meditation and chanting.
- Keeping a spiritual diary.
- Mouna (at certain times of the day) to conserve the vital energy
The study of
- Viveka Chudamani by Sankaracharya : A standard text on Vedanta philosophy which describes the practical methods towards realizing the Self and the necessary preparations for it.
- Hatha Yoga Pradipika by Yogi Swatmarama with commentary by Swami Vishnudevananda : classical text on Hatha Yoga which explains in detail asanas, pranayama, mudras, bandhas and the process of awakening the Kundalini.
- Srimad Bhagavatam by Vyasa Maharishi : Considered one of the most important works on Bhakti Yoga, it contains stories that fill the mind with universal love and open the heart, which is the key to experiencing the deepest levels of Hatha Yoga and for the practice of Bhakti yoga.
- Sadhana Intensive course manual (supplied)
Refund Policy
All registrations for a TTC are done online. Students are requested to fill in the online registration form and make their payment at the same time. The Yoga Camp will then send you more logistical information.
For more information, please contact us at:
[email protected] or 819-322-3226
Refund Policy
If you wish to cancel your registration before the start of the course, the original payment will be refunded less:
- $150 CAD (more than 3 months from course start date)
- $200 CAD (less than 3 months from course start date)
- If you contact us before the course begins in order to transfer to another teacher training course, a $300 CAD administration fee will be charged. Some restrictions may apply, and this change can only be done once.
Once the course starts:
- If you do not show up and do not contact us, no refund will be issued.
- If you decide to leave during the first three days of the course, we will refund your original payment less an administration fee of $450 CAD.
- No refunds will be issued after the 3rd day of the course.
