10/10 for a perfect experience. Everything was amazing, from the food, to the expert yoga classes, to the inspiring spiritual talks. After 4 days at the ranch, I feel fully refreshed and revitalized. And I'm also inspired to come back as soon as I'm able. I would highly recommend to anyone! read more

10/10 recommend for a beautiful experience of yoga, community, nature and self care. My mom and I returned to the ashram after ten years and we had a great time! Food was delicious, the yoga classes were amazing and all of the staff was accommodating and super friendly. We stayed in the apartment which was perfect! I'm looking forward to returning :) Om Namah Shivaya read more

Sivananda Ashram Yoga Ranch - Yoga Near Me - Woodbourne, New York

This is a great place to go in upstate New York. They have great yoga and nice, clean accommodations. It is a very spiritual place and you spend time with great people who are interested in growing spiritually and deepening their yoga practice. The food is amazing. Fresh, local, vegetarian and vegan. This is a great getaway weekend for a physical, spiritual and mental reset. I highly recommend! read more

I always wanted to try a yoga retreat weekend and finally decided to take the plunge. I found out about Sivananda Yoga Ranch when I googled for affordable yoga retreats on the east coast. The booking process was seamless. They charge a non refundable deposit of $50 when you reserve and the rest of your money 2 days before your reservation. I booked a private room because I just wanted time by myself during this weekend. A 4 hour drive brought me to this place in Woodbourne. It was absolutely serene with snow just from the day before. This place is run by volunteers who are all very happy to be there. Luckily, I got my room in the Vishnu building where the kitchen was and the classes were held. Bathrooms there are shared but they're individual bathrooms and not open stalls. The room is absolutely comfortable and clean. For the place, you get 2 meditation and chanting classes, 2 yoga classes and 2 absolutely delicious veg meals. While the meals are very very filling, get some snacks along if you're used to eating at intervals. Fair warning, the chanting includes Hindu gods but you don't have to be religious to enjoy it. It's more about the sound vibrations and just being in the moment. Go there with an open mind. You will not regret it. read more

I have been practicing Yoga for 1.5 years All aspects mind, spirit and body and wanted to find a Yoga retreat that would do the same. It would encompass meditation, Yoga - Asana practice, Chanting, Workshops, Great healthy eating and peaceful/relaxful. For me this was perfect. Take note the exercise though rigorous in its own way is about breathing. So just know what your looking for before you sign up ! Few Tips- The setting was incredible and food was outrageously delicious but know only 2 meals served a day read more

I had an awful experience talking to the receptionist today. My wife had booked classes for tomorrow, but she got sick last night and they did not allow me to cancel her booking. They just took my money and that was it. They claimed I should have called yesterday, which I also did, but no one picked up the phone. They told me they close the reception early, so I was left with no option at all. For late cancellations, most places usually take the money spent (or half of it) as a credit for a future booking. The receptionist just keep saying to me that "the system is not allowing me to cancel". I am sad that even a place which claims to be a peaceful retreat is also filled with greediness and neglect. read more

Spent a transportive day and night at the Yoga Ranch with my husband and 14 year old daughter. It was like a portal to another world. We arrived exactly as brunch was being served, and within minutes we were being ushered into a circle of hand-holding, chanting practitioners saying blessings over the food. My daughter looked like she might run for the hills, but we opened our minds and found a truly meditative and even enlightening environment tucked away in a quiet corner of the Catskills. For the uninitiated, some tips: --we brought some healthy snacks, like fruit and nuts, and they were very welcome in between the two meals served --beware: after about 8 minutes, sitting crosslegged on the floor with a cushion under your behind becomes its own special form of torture; consider a seat on the bench along the wall, or prepare for your mind, body and spirit to be consumed by the pain you are in --while many different and delicious varieties of tea are served throughout the day, there is no coffee provided; if you need your morning caffeine to prevent a headache, best to bring instant and a mug - there is a hot water pot provided in the room --don't pack anything other than your most comfortable sweatpants, yoga pants, cozy socks, etc. - even jeans look out of place here --prepare to feel a little self-conscious as you try something new, and to be rewarded for it! read more

I stayed there for a weekend retreat. I needed to disconnect from my busy life and meditate. I chose this establishment because it's located near me, it's affordable and it offers two daily meals. About two weeks before booking the retreat, I called up the ashram because I had a couple of questions for them. The person on the phone was very patient with me and went above and beyond with her explanations. Booking the retreat through their website is very user-friendly. Make sure you read about the rules of the place before completing your booking. I had read a few reviews about the Ashram prior booking, most reviews were raving but a couple of them made me a bit skeptical. Nonetheless, I booked my stay and did not regret it. I came during the winter after the area had had a snow storm. The grounds were covered with snow and ice, there was a path to walk from building to building but you had to be very careful as most of the campus is on a hill. The ashram follows a daily schedule and all are encouraged to participate in most events. The wake up bell is not too loud and it's easy to sleep through; so if you can, have an alarm set up. The yoga classes were intermediate level, during my stay we spent 20/30 minutes on breathing exercise, the rest was mostly working on our asanas. The poses varied from sun salutation to the crow pose and head stands. On Saturday and Sunday, they offered beginner and intermediate classes at the same time in different rooms. There are silent meditation sessions in the morning and evening and they are followed by chants and a reading/explanation from one of the books that the Ashram's founder wrote. Most prayers and chants are done in Sanskrit; during the mediation session, there are books of chants using 'English' alphabet to help the audience participate. The food was vegan and surprisingly delicious. Each meal begins with a prayer initiated by the volunteer staff. During my stay, the volunteers were nice and helpful but mostly kept to themselves. However, they were available if needed. The sauna was available and there were nature walks on Saturday and Sunday depending on interest from the visitors. I stayed in a shared room, I only had one roommate during my stay. She was a nice young lady, I was lucky that she wasn't a snorer because the shared rooms are very 'cozy'. You could hear people walking in the hallway, but usually people were mindful and did their best to be quiet. If you stay in a shared room, you will have use of the shared bathroom. The bathrooms are hostels-style, with several stalls for the W.C. and a few showers. Everything was very clean and comfortable. Bring your toiletries because the shared bathroom does not even have hand soap. Make sure that you use the bathroom according to your gender. They offer Yoga certification classes. You can stay at the ashram for a weekend or longer. They also have daily rate if you just want to partake in the activities and will not stay overnight. They have yoga mats, blocks and other things that you might need during your yoga classes. They also require for people to remove their shoes upon entering all buildings, so bring easy slip-on shoes and if possible indoors slippers. Overall, I enjoyed my stay. At first I was taken aback by all the singing and chanting, but I catch myself humming to these chants now. read more

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I just returned from attending the a weekend vacation which included workshops on The Art of Positive Thinking, meditation and Yoga. I'm a workaholic and haven't taken a weekend off in months, I needed to get away. They picked me up at a nearby gas station, Citgo. They seem to be very close as it took about 10 minutes from the time I called. Janie, who picked us up, was very warm and friendly. When we arrived, we were greeted by other warm faces. I was given a single room on the 3rd floor with gorgeous views of the back (A20). The rooms are simple and clean. However, I was right across the mens bathroom, where there was a lot of foot traffic up until midnight. Warning, if you are a light sleepover, bring ear plugs. They have them for sale at their boutique as well for only $1. They have healthy snacks and juices there. This will come in handy since there are two provided meals a day. The ladies bathroom is on the 2nd floor. Their meals are all vegetarian. I definitely welcomed a break from my high meat intake. The cook made meals anywhere from tacos and pina coladas (non alcoholic) to broccoli soup and sweet potato, very tasty. They also provide different tea flavors daily. The days start out with daily meditation classes at 6-8am and Yoga classes for beginners and another for intermediate from 8-10am. I took the beginners class and really enjoyed it. They focus a lot on breathing techniques and relaxation. Brunch is at 10am. Dinner is at 6pm and Meditation at 8pm. They have heated floors at the center which is very comforting during the winter. They also have a sauna. We took a nice hike around the property to visit their additional temples. Definitely worth the trip. Before this weekend, I had not experienced uninterrupted sleep and have been suffering from IBS for years. By the second night at The Ashram, I had slept like a baby, without waking up once and became regular. I have been home two nights, and I'm happy to hear this is still the case. I have been upping my vegetable intake and trying to fit in meditation during my mornings, even if for just 20 minutes. I would definitely return! Ohm! read more

I've been coming to the Yoga Ranch for years. It actually gets better here, now that they offer Yoga with a particular focus daily, it is even more interesting, especially if you are staying here for a few days or more. Nature is great and it's very peaceful, the sauna by itself is worth the trip. Food is great, yoga classes are very good too. You need to be open to changing it's not religious, its just part of Yoga that some people are not ready for. Chanting is another way to open your energy and stay healthy. Whether you are a beginner or advanced Yogi, there is something for everyone. Om Shanti! read more

I want to live here forever. Take the welcome tour and hang out with Prem. Om Namah Sivayah read more

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One of the most peaceful places ever. Great staff. Fantastic food. It doesn't get any better than the Yoga Ranch!!!

Honestly, I am perplexed by the raving reviews, because there is a lot not quite right about this place. How do I even begin... To start with - a disclaimer - I did not pay for my 2 night weekend stay. A friend had another friend drop out, and offered the spot free if I would go (since it's not easy to get anyone open minded to come to such a trip - even if for free!). However, my understanding is that our double occupancy room (which was really small) / shared single-sex bathroom cost $220 per person. Also, I would add that I started a regular meditation practice about 40 days prior to my stay, and am raised Buddhist. I AM a spiritual and open minded person who has spent time at raw vegan health retreats, slept on barn floors in the hills of Northern Thailand, and done train travel in India. I am not a high maintenance person by any means. The staff: people are really friendly and well-meaning here. I would not say anyone was trying to scam you or indoctrinate you. However, there are also a lot of volunteers working here too, and your service can be very under or misinformed (e.g., if you ask where yoga class is, the front desk might have no idea). The yoga: they teach a single style of yoga called sivananda yoga which basically goes down like this: they start with breathing exercises (fire breath and the alternating nostril breath), followed by some sun salutations and then some leg raises. That's the warm-up, then they go into a series of 12 postures, STARTING with a head stand, with a shivasana moment in between each pose. The emphasis is on breathing and meditating and being restful. Honestly, not my style of yoga (though I am admittedly not a yoga fan). I took class from 3 different teachers, and they all varied and none were particularly great, except the last one (though I questioned her personal skills in the practice). The food: I liked it. It's apparently organic and mainly vegan. They will on occasion have some dairy, but you can easily opt out if you don't want it. They try to be conscious of people who don't want soy too. Food has Indian and East Asian influences, but you also get some Western foods like Challah bread and oatmeal. You'll get a good dose of turmeric in during your stay. The downer for me though was just that it was way too much starch for me and not great for my digestion. We all do our own dishes afterwards, but it involves two really gross buckets of water and a NASTY gray sponge. I did not feel like this was clean and had to really believe there was another round of washing whenever I picked up my plate for meals. The facilities: the bedroom is TINY. Think of a bedroom suitable for a twin bed, dresser, narrow closet and night table. Now squeeze in a second bed in there. That's how small it is. Can you imagine what that's like for people staying longer than a weekend? Maybe my room was just for weekend guests and not the long-term stays. I can only hope so! Also, the place is pretty old, though decently maintained. I'd question its cleanliness though, especially given the dish washing technique. Furthermore, bring all matter of toiletries, because they don't offer any and don't say so on their website. You will get a towel and bed sheets. The culture: I frankly did not talk to many others here. People seem friendly, but they come in groups and stick with their friends. I did speak to people on occasion, but nothing especially warming. Somehow everyone is up for some hare Krishna chanting before each meal, holding hands and speaking in Sanskrit I doubt they understand. Not my thing. The meditation: I was keen to come for meditation, and after some prayer, you will go into meditation in a dark room with a candle. It starts with some guidance, and then you get to go for about 20 minutes on your own. I did like this, but did not sit on the tiny cushions on the floor. I know I need more support when I sit on the floor, but could sit on a bench. Unfortunately, when meditation ends, the lights are turned on and you are suddenly in singing mode (not chanting - singing), and everyone is really getting into it, swaying and playing instruments. It is pretty, but not for me, especially if I need to wake up at 5:30am and now we are at 9pm! This goes on til almost 10pm., together with a spiritual talk - which is not necessarily well planned, and can be quite ad hoc. Other matters: Agree - you need ear plugs. Why doesn't the staff encourage people to be considerate of others and STFU earlier?! Trust me, it's EASY to hear that 5:30am GONG, which goes off again at 5:45. Ultimately, really not my thing and I felt I didn't get as much benefit as there could be. Biggest positive - being up in a mountain town and getting away for a bit. read more

This place did not meet expectations at all. I came here to re-energize, get back into yoga, and do some fun activities while I'm at it. It just felt too structured for my liking, and I felt like I was in a rehab center and not out there to have a good time. I just wasn't interested in waking up at 5 am (silent meditation was great), but the chanting just wasn't my thing (and I grew up in a Hindu household, so I'm no stranger to devotional Hindu hymns). To do it twice a day and it was highly recommended (not really a choice) was just too much and I skipped it on the evening of the second night. The yoga that they taught was very basic but I generally enjoyed it and the food they served was based on an ayurvedic diet (so it was super healthy). Karma yoga (aka helping the ashram and tidying up) was also not the experience I thought I paid for - Also, it wasn't like we were completely encouraged to stay outside of our groups. I felt silo-ed in my respective group (the friend I arrived with and the girls I was sharing the room with), and just wish they encouraged more yoga activities or icebreakers or something so we would have a more enjoyable time. I pretty much felt like I was in a nice prison and ran for it Sunday morning when my trip was over. Basically, I'm never coming back here. read more

I just came back from a weekend retreat and I feel like a different person. The term "life-changing" is definitely used too loosely, but that is exactly what this experience was for me. For anyone curious about getting there from the city without a car and what to expect once you are there, here are some useful specs: Take the Shortline bus (located on the second floor) from Port Authority, round-trip ticket is $68. You transfer in a city called Montecello about 2 hours away and wait inside the bus station for Woodburne to be called. While there, give the Ashram a call to let them know you are on your way. The second bus is like a local bus that makes stops at places like Walmart, the gas station and the grocery store. You tell that bus driver that you want to get dropped off at the Citgo in Woodburne, then call the Ashram to let them know you are there ( or call them while on the bus). You unfortunate Tmobile users like myself probably won't have service at the gas station. I was lucky in that one of the employees was already there waiting for me. Once there, you will be staying in the red buildings in the pictures. I stayed in one of the private apartments that had a little kitchenette (minus microwave), a decent sized bedroom with a twin bed and bathroom. Most people share rooms and bathrooms and found the accommodations to be comfortable. The dorms are located on a hill with absolutely gorgeous views and the temple, where all of your activities will be are down the hill. In the winter, wear boots that are easy to take on and off as you will be taking them off upon entering your room and the temple. Bring lots of socks! No shoes inside! No, you do not get a key for your room, although I was able to lock my apartment from the inside. You trust that the people there are good and don't worry about your material items. At 5:30 and 5:45am, they will ring the bells for you to get ready for Satsang (meditation, chanting and lecture) at 6. Arrive on-time as you will not be allowed to enter during meditation. Many people claimed they didn't hear the bells, so set your alarm if you are a heavier sleeper. Satsang lasts until 7:45 or so and then 8-10 is hatha yoga. If there are enough people, they will have an open session that is for experienced yoga practitioners and a beginner class that focuses on breathing and proper techniques. I attended both during the weekend and found the open class a little too advanced for me and enjoyed learning proper techniques and relaxing in the beginner class. After that is breakfast at 10. I LOVE the food there! Lots of variety, so tasty and so filling! Everyone there would comment on how great the food was. It inspired me to want to eat healthier and not consume as much meat. Then you do something called Karma yoga which means selfless-service essentially. You help clean up, sweep, mop, etc. You have a little break after that where you can go on a hike or enjoy their sauna which has a lovely view of the catskills. After that, during my weekend, we had a positive thinking workshop from 2-3 or so. 4 o'clock is another two hour yoga class then 6pm is another lovely vegetarian meal. 8pm is Satsang then bed and repeat this schedule the next day. Although this is the schedule, you are really free to do whatever it is you want and feel you need for your own spiritual betterment. Ladies: this is an ashram so they want you to dress modestly. Nothing showing your shoulders or showing knees and above. Bring comfy clothes as you will be sitting a lot! The meals are filling and delicious but definitely bring some vegetarian snacks just in case. The boutique is only open for a short period after the meals, so if you get hungry at some other point, you're out of luck. They have wifi, which is a nice plus. Ok, details out of the way, now to the good stuff! I loved Satsang the most of everything I experienced there. I learned how to meditate, found the chanting to be so moving and uplifting and always learned something from the lecture. I came to this place in search of more inner peace and the tools to achieve that in my everyday life and I definitely feel more equipped to tackle life's journey. The morning Satsang is quite early, but so worth it! I still have all the chants playing in my head and it brings a smile to my face just thinking about it. I don't want to go into details about my own spiritual journey too much and what I specifically learned (as this is turning into a really long review!) but go to this place with an open mind, eagerness to to learn and a spirit ready to evolve and you will come out restored, renewed and a better, more selfless and peaceful person. They have interesting workshops every weekend, so don't hesitate to book a trip! read more

This place is a joke. If you're not into this Sivananda yoga and chanting in Hindi about deities and gds, then this IS NOT for you. First impression: this reminded me of a rehab or behavioral health center, and the people that are here very well may be candidates for more medical-like interventions. Second, the people that live here and stay here for more than a short time are socially misfit. They're running away from something by being here for months on end, and living an incomplete spiritual life where "karma yoga" means actually...nothing. Third: This is more religious than it is yoga, and I resent this place being sold as a yoga retreat when it is really a Hare Krishna "spiritual/religious/cult" farm. I feel deceived, and manipulated, which kind of fits in line with the cult part. Other notes: - this place is very loud like the other reviewers mention - bathrooms are shared, but clean, but hot water is scarce - food is vegan and debatably good or adequate - people are not friendly and trying to make friends here - there are pics of deities and Swamis everywhere so if you're monotheistic and not into idols and paganism, you may feel uncomfortable (I did, a lot) read more

One star because at least the cats were semi-welcoming. Brian D. and Natale M.'s reviews are spot on regarding the disappointing "culture" and superficial "spirituality" of this place.The practice, relaxation, and spirituality of yoga are very special to me, so my friend and I were so excited to attend the stress management workshop at sivananda this weekend. I couldn't have been happier to return home, earlier than scheduled. My expectation was that we would be able to relax in a warm, welcoming environment with the promised 'delicious, organic vegetarian food' that was promised on the website. But from the start, we were treated like outsiders who were intruding upon a closed, ritualistic community who, quite frankly, didn't really care to open their hearts, mind, or home to us. The satsang on the first night was certainly new for me, but the chants were actually a wonderful experience. It went downhill from there when 'dinner' was served in the hallway. As a vegetarian, I actually felt sad and confused when I saw the blandness and depravity of the food before us. There was no joy or positive energy during the meal and I was glad to at least have packed some crackers in my bag for later (shared with a hungry guest the next morning). Barely anyone spoke with us, no one shared his or her name (except for one guest who had been there for about a month), and there was no direction or explanation about anything that was going on. We were a bit puzzled and confused, but went back to our rooms hoping that at least the yoga classes the next day would be enlightening. We entered the main building at 6:00 a.m. the next day for the scheduled morning meditation. The entire building was pitch black and it seemed as if no one was there. We waited and made small talk in the hallway with another guest and her daughter and a few minutes later, a staff member walked out of the temple, shushed us, told us to go into another room if we wanted to talk, and then went back into the temple and closed the door. I was absolutely appalled that she scolded us but did not invite us into the temple to participate nor acknowledge that we were left in the dark with no direction. I felt angry when we finally were allowed to go into the temple. The staff members chanted together and did not share page numbers with us to learn the words. We scrambled to follow along but again, there was no awareness or effort to welcome us to the group. The two hour yoga class that followed was simply terrible. Honestly, I felt like I could have cried. The Instructor didn't seem to have any training and fumbled over words and postures. There was no challenge or flow. The class was choppy and uncomfortable and I really wondered whether or not this person had any actual training behind a couple of wordy prayers that were recited in sanskrit. My friend and I were hoping to at least make it through 'brunch' at 10:00 and then check out early. We took one look at the food and decided that it was time to leave. The food was as inedible and sloppy as the night before. We went to the desk and explained that we weren't feeling relaxed and inquired about getting a portion of our money back as we were checking out early. The staff members didn't bat an eye or ask us for any feedback. They just said "ok" and "we can give you credit but we don't do refunds." We packed up quickly and will never go back. Ultimately, the social awkwardness and lack of empathy from the staff is what drove us away from sivananda. Their behavior was very cult-like and unfortunate as there was no evidence of desire to connect with us or really even each other. It seemed as if they were all so far removed from the outside world that there was no room to feel or experience anything---joy, pain, stress, etc.--except for when they were worshiping. I hope they have truly found peace in their devotion but this atmosphere and lifestyle are clearly not for me. read more

People, not sure what all the hype is about. I've been to yoga retreats and the Omega Institute, and here, you definitely get LESS than what you pay for: 2 vegan meals, accommodation and meditation/yoga. This would be fine but for the fact that the meals are not that great. But that's a matter of taste, so putting that aside, what's up with "cleaning" your own dishes? That too would be ok if you actually got a proper sink and soap to REALLY CLEAN your plate. Instead you get 2 buckets and a dirty sponge to "wash" and rinse your plate. The plates air dry and you reuse them at the next meal. Disgusting. Double bed accommodations were fine. Shared bathroom was fine. But the NOISE! You might as well try to sleep at Grand Central Stn because you hear footsteps in the hall and actual conversations from the hall and neighbors. Thin walls make for poor sleep. They ought to tell you to pack earplugs because I really wish I had. Lastly, yoga classes were severely disjointed. Teacher had us in sivasana at least 6 times and going from lying on your back to Cobra on your stomach makes no sense to me and yet, that is what happened. So I came, I saw and I won't be returning. Was hopeful after reading the reviews but I think you need to take a seriously big grain of salt when considering booking (and I was only here for 2 nights!). Please reconsider as there are lots of other retreats in the area, some of which have a tea/snack time which would have been helpful in between only 2 meals. Oh well. Lesson learned. read more

For me the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Ranch was a wonderful experience! I would highly recommend going with an open mind and an open heart. I signed up for a 5 day yoga lifestyle retreat and got a lot more out of the retreat then simply improving my yoga. I learned a lot on meditation, spirituality, proper breathing and controlling my mind. I found the staff to be welcoming and friendly. There are two vegetarian meals served throughout the day. I am not vegetarian and I was a bit afraid I would not like the food, but all the food was excellent and made with love. I would recommend bringing snacks such as fruit, nuts etc .. to munch on in the afternoon. There is no caffeine, meat or alcohol allowed at the ranch and I did not find it difficult at all to refrain from these. I thought I would need caffeine with a 5:30 am wake-up call, but hot tea was just fine. The meditation, chanting and yoga give you all the energy you need! I would also recommend reading up a bit on Hatha Yoga (this is the yoga they practice - 12 basic poses), meditation, Kirtan (book of chants used during Satsang) and ashram life and beliefs before going. I believe if I had a bit more background knowledge, not only would I have not been in such shell shock when arriving, I would of been able to learn more. The ranch recommends the book, "Essentials of Yoga Practice and Philosophy" by Swami Sitaramananda. The book is a quick read and it explains everything the ashram does and believes in which is basically the Yogic Life's FIve Points 1. Proper Exercise - Asanas - Yoga Postures 2. Proper Breathing - Pranayama 3. Proper Relaxation - Savasana 4. Proper Diet - Vegetarian 5. Positive Thinking and Meditation I am very happy that I went for the 5 Day retreat instead of a weekend. It definitely takes a day or two to assimilate to their way of life. Since I have left the ashram, I have been practicing yoga daily and feel more connected spiritually. I put out positive intentions and many good things have been coming my way. I will continue my best to live my own Yogic Life to fit my needs. I hold this experience close to my soul and hope to make it back again for another visit. Om Shanti Shanti Shanti Om Peace Peace Peace read more

If I could give the world a gift, it would be a weekend stay at this wonderful, wonderful place. I am a better person physically, spiritually and emotionally as a result of the time I spent at this Ashram. Also, I finally did a headstand! I literally feel like I could take over the world now (but in a peaceful way, like Swami Vishnudevananda would want). The vegetarian (basically close to vegan for the most part) meals are fantastic - fresh, local, organic and made with love. I will admit that as someone who constantly grazes throughout the day, having only two larger meals (at 10 am and 6 pm) was a bit of a challenge for me, but thanks to my handy dandy pb&js, trail mix and fruit supply, I managed just fine. While the quiet, wintery weekend was nice, I would definitely want to come back here during warmer months when the accommodations are full and everything is in bloom (although nothing beats some time in that sauna on a cold day). Plus, I would really love to do a headstand outside! read more

My stay at the ranch was amazing! Amazing and unexpectedly intense! I went with my mom for the weekend, as she jumped on the opportunity to get a Groupon for a "Yoga Retreat". Little did we know it was an "Ashram", w/dorm like sleeping accommodations. I was turned off by the sharing of bathrooms and such close quarters to the other guests. Bare bones eating ambiance (more like an eating lobby with a coffee table and a few benches, or you could venture to the floor in the yoga studio while you eat out of tin dishes.) Now this may sound hostile but on the flip side, the food was DELICIOUS, vegetarian and clearly made with LOVE and care! The grounds, rooms and bathrooms are very clean, staff are so sweet and yoga Incredible! I personally had a yoga brake through while practicing Sivanada Hatha style. The flow of this practice is different from what I'm used to and feel my body requires this slower paced style and focus on pranayama and diff breathing techniques! I you're looking for luxury or pampering, this is not for you but if you want a chanting, yoga based, vegan/hippie friendly type of experience, this is the place. All in all I would stay there again but with the understanding this it's not about anything else but the YOGA, FOOD and if the weather is nice, the beauty of the Catskills surrounding the ranch!! read more

Sivananda Ashram Yoga Ranch - Yoga Near Me - Woodbourne, New York

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Authentic Yoga place with Swami Paramananda on the lead and great welcoming warm team

What an absolutely amazing experience and pleasant surprise. I was looking online for a yoga class to take at midnight on New Year's Eve and I discovered Sivananda Yoga Ranch. After reading the reviews, I booked a night in an instant. I had never been to an ashram before. I had read about the yoga, meditation and delicious meals and everything surpassed my expectations. The volunteer staff were super friendly and happy to be there. I met some wonderful people as well although my intention was to go within myself. I had some major realizations, and break throughs for myself that I feel amazing about. The new year festivities were super meaningful and alive. The food was out of this world, and there was dancing. The bell rings at 530am to wake up for meditation, I would have never seen such a beautiful sunrise as I'm not normally a morning person. This was pure bliss, I booked a second night! read more

Sivananda Ashram Yoga Ranch - Yoga Near Me - Woodbourne, New York

This place is a little piece of heaven on earth. It's a spiritual getaway that's perfect for the weekend, or longer if you can get away. I went in thinking it would be all about yoga, the physical exercise, but soon realized that it would be a life enhancing learning experience that offered so much more. It's really a wonderful place to go if you want to learn more about deepening your spiritual practice. You don't have to be super new age-y to appreciate this place and learn a few things. Rather, it's about enjoying simplicity and quiet and calmness. The food is AMAZING (but I think that might depend on who the work-study staff is at the time. I know Monica does an amazing job whipping up super tasty greens, lentils, and soups). The grounds are small, but GREEN and OPEN and there's plenty of space to be outside and sit quietly in nature. The staff is super friendly. I read the two negative reviews, and I feel confident that any negative experience must have been the result of miscommunication. The staff will not dote on you, and they have a very laid back approach to everything (which... given where you are, shouldn't be much of a surprise). If you have questions, they will answer them. If you read the introduction on the paper at the front desk, you'll know that the meditation in the morning is in the main room, and that there is NO TALKING in the morning from 5:30 until meditation is over, which is probably why the guests who wrote the negative reviews were shushed. But had they been paying attention, they would have known that. Anyway, I could go on and on about this place but I really urge you to just check it out for yourself. It's such an exciting, healthy, loving thing you can do for yourself, and we can all use a little more health and self care in our lives, can't we? My mom's birthday is coming up soon and I am planning on taking her there as her birthday gift. I think it's a great way for us to spend time together, but also take care of ourselves. Cannot wait to go back! read more

Absolutely lovely! I was just about to book a second trip to Sivananda and remembered that I had meant to write a review a long time ago. I came here for the weekend last year and had such a great experience. My only complaint is that I couldn't spend more than two nights here because I had to get back to work. First of all, the ashram is so tranquil and the grounds are so beautiful. Just picture doing yoga while overlooking the beautiful and woodsy Catskill mountains - I went during the winter so it was all covered with snow - just gorgeous! Several of the attendees had virtually no yoga experience but the teachers embraced everyone equally and were wonderful. The rest of the staff was also great and the food (all vegetarian) was simple but very good. You sit on benches while you eat but for me this was very much part of the experience and I met some great people who were also there for the weekend. While Sivananda recommends that you attend all the classes/activities and wake up very early, they're not as strict as some other ashrams and you also have some time on your own in between classes and activities. You can use the time to walk around the grounds, reflect, or just relax in your room. I highly recommend this place if you want to get away from the daily grind and madness - you will go back home feeling brand new! read more

I was here for a 10-day vacation. It was one of the best vacations of my life. I was so refreshed at the end of it, it's unbelievable. It's been 20 days since this vacation, and me and my wife crave for the morning meditation sessions and the sense of calm surrounding the ashram. We are definitely going back again! read more

The place and scenery are gorgeous! Come here for meditation, solitude and reflection, this is not a spa, nor the place for making new friends. Food was great and it takes a while to get used to only 2 meals a day thou I'd recommend you sticking with this and not snacking all day. I really enjoyed the structured activities throughout the day as everything is oriented towards helping you calm your body and mind and being more open to meditation. This is an ashram, not a yoga retreat, a spa or a luxurious place so it's all about setting the right expectations. read more

This is beautiful yoga Ashram at the foot of the Catskills with a wonderful staff and delicious vegetarian food. It is an ashram, of course they do things differently! There is an early wake up at 6am to meditate, chant and listen to one of the swamis speak. The morning and evening are structured around Sivananda yoga rituals. It's all very It's all explained on the website but some people seem to think it should conform to their expectations, even though they haven't experienced anything like it before. The accommodations are sparse, the food is simple (though healthy and definitely delicious) and the staff are wonderfully friendly. Do you really think that people celebrate love and bliss and service all day could be as negative some of the reviewers claim? Take my word for it, they're no. Better yet, go visit and decide for yourself. One last note, it's highly affordable. The rates are designed to welcome all comers. read more

I found this randomly when searching for a getaway. I was searching for yoga, and when arrived I did not realize that the religious aspect was such a big part of the experience. Totally not knocking it, but if you are not into praying and chanting then this place is probably not for you. For the mainstream non religious American like me: the ranch gave a religious commune feel. read more

I just returned from a weekend retreat and I absolutely loved my time there. The staff are friendly and helpful. The grounds are beautiful and a sight to behold. The food is mostly vegan and is beyond delicious (I had to buy the cook book so I could have more of it!) I chose the tent option for lodging and had zero trouble and enjoyed it. It was a life changing experience and would definitely do it again! read more

What a welcoming, warm, and peaceful place! Breathtaking views, and meditation walks. The staff is amazing, and very helpful with everything. You feel more like part of the family than a guest! read more

I just got back from 2 nights at this traditional yoga ashram and wasn't expecting much when I arrived. However, I felt a change in mindset and energy immediately, and wished I could've stayed longer. I have been to other yoga retreats and they are all lovely. What stands out with Sivananda is that you experience the true yoga lifestyle in which you are practicing the principles of yoga, all while surrounded in beautiful nature. It is also a wonderful place to go for yoga teacher certification. read more

As someone who lives in the heart of bustling NYC, I recognize that, from time to time, I need to get out and reconnect - with myself/with nature/with like-minded people in a welcoming and beautiful space. The Sivananda Yoga Ranch is a special place where I can recharge and reboot my asana practice. It never disappoints! read more

This place is incredible, if you need some time to reflect and escape from the busy city life, this is the perfect spot. Not only a great program, but also the estate is gorgeous, not to mention the food! I've also met some like-minded people I dill def. stay in touch with and this will be my go-to place from now on :) read more

Just had a wonderful weekend at the ashram. The food was delicious, people welcoming, and accommodations comfortable. I'd like to return in the Spring to see the beautiful grounds in bloom. read more

Wonderful place to relax and practice yoga! I felt in love with the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Ranch while visiting in summer. I enjoyed meeting new people, practicing yoga outdoors, eating organic vegetarian meals, and especially I enjoyed satang; chanting in Sanskrit is fun and a great concentration exercise! The Ashram staff is friendly and easygoing, and the surroundings are gorgeous! I keep going back and witnessing the fall colors has been amazing. I can't wait to go and see the 70+ acres covered by snow. Shared rooms are humble and cozy, but you can get a private room with your own bathroom as well. They have special guest visiting from all over the world giving lectures and teaching workshops on a variety of topics. They offer many services and activities: ayurvedic consultations and massage, sauna, hiking weekends, mandala painting, and many more... Of course, while there, you can work on getting to know your inner self ;-) read more

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My time at the Ranch was amazing. I went for a "Spiritual Writing and Reflection" retreat lasting Friday afternoon-Sunday morning. Everyone was super friendly and enlightening. The yoga classes were nice, because I have been practicing for a little over a year and see myself as a beginner, but it was easy to follow and they had poses for all levels to do just in case you're not ready to handstand yet! My roommate situation was amazing, we really connected and I was glad I didn't chose a single room. The food was awesome. No matter how much you ate you never felt stuffed, but always felt full through out the day. My favorite part of the retreat was the writing exercises, but the chanting as well. It was really nice to feel apart of something and I feel like I got a lot of inspiration and enlightenment from the chants. Overall, great experience! Going again hopefully before autumn. read more

Wonderful place to reconnect with your Higher Self. Everyone here is warm and welcoming. Super positive energy The food is delicious and healthy Om! read more

I had an amazing weekend away at the Sivananda Yoga Ranch. I decided I needed to break away from my everyday life and reconnect with myself. Experiencing the positive energy that the Ashram gives off was so comforting and relaxing. Everything was absolutely peaceful and I will return for another visit soon. The staff, food, facilities were beyond my expectations. read more

My personal experience with an Ashram here in the U.S. was very enlightening - in the sense of complete disillusionment - in so many ways. I visited the Sivananda Ashram in upstate New York about ten years ago. My complete openness and vulnerability of having the best of intentions as a result of my faith in this practice and community of 'yogis' were met with bigoted and cult like snobbery fringing on disrespect. They taught Asanas rather than yoga there, using a bunch of fancy hindu words as their groupie lingo, and nothing deeper. Which leads to the second aspect of the spiritually devoid, self-absorbed social dropout 'yogis' there who couldn't find anything else to do with their lives. They were committed to dogmatically transmitting the teachings of their idol 'guru master' - no disrespect to Swami Sivananda himself - by a strict adherence and regurgitation of what they were taught without a sufficiently deeper understanding of what was involved to evolve this knowledge any further. Any deviance from their discourse in questioning would be met with a devoted albeit confused quotation of 'something the master said'. Eventually the 'swami' there resorted to discrediting me and criticizing my practice rather than exploring what I was attempting to discuss! For example if I inquired how different postures affected the flow of energy and attempted to experiment with variations of postures, or even failed to do them in the 'sivananda' sequence, his conclusion was merely that I was doing the postures wrong. And of course his wise conclusion that I would do such a thing because I needed attention. Thankfully that need is fulfilled by these kinds of sites on the internet to share my honest opinion. read more