Welcome! | Ananda Ashram

Ananda Ashram's 61st Year!

Ananda Ashram has a rich history as a year-round yoga and meditation retreat, a center for transformation through meditative understanding, as envisioned by Founder Shri Brahmananda Sarasvati.

Explore this peaceful haven in the foothills of the Catskill Mountains, just an hour from New York City. Enjoy the beauty of the natural surroundings in any season and rejuvenate in our contemplative meditation temples.

We offer simple lodging with delicious vegetarian food, morning and evening fire ceremony for healing and world peace, meditation, Sanskrit chanting and scriptural studies. Yoga classes, devotional singing (Kirtan), Indian music and dance as well as other cultural events are offered year-round. Indulge yourself by letting go of your ordinary world, moving into peace, creativity and spiritual inspiration!

The office can be reached at 845-782-5575 between 11:00 am and 4:00 pm.

To book an Overnight Stay Please Click Here.

For those wishing to stay longer, please Click Here for our Guest Residency Program.

Also, visit us on Ananda Ashram Live on Facebook for some of our virtual classes and events.

Click Here to view our most recent newsletter.

Shri Brahmananda Sarasvati
(Ramamurti S. Mishra, M.D.)

Ashram Founder Shri Brahmananda Sarasvati, also known as Ramamurti S. Mishra, M.D., was a highly respected spiritual teacher for countless students and devotees from all walks of life. A prolific author on the science and philosophy of Yoga-Vedanta, he combined the universal message of these teachings with his deep knowledge of both Eastern and Western medicine and psychology. His areas of specialty ranged from Ayurveda to modern psychiatry and neurosurgery.

Shri Brahmananda Sarasvati is the Founder and Spiritual Director of the Yoga Society of New York, Inc. (1958) and its country center Ananda Ashram (1964). He also established the Yoga Society of San Francisco, Inc. (1972), known as Brahmananda Ashram, and inspired several other centers of meditation in the United States and abroad.

Shri Brahmananda Sarasvati's publications are available through our online bookstore, AnandaBookstore.com.

In celebration of GURUJI'S BIRTH CENTENNIAL YEAR, we are offering the opportunity to download two powerful audio recordings: the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali and the Atma Bodha by Shankaracharya, chanted by Shri Brahmananda Sarasvati and students. Visit babatrust.org to download.

In Memoriam ~ Scott Moss

It is with deep sadness that we share the news of the passing of one of our beloved ashram leaders, Dr. Scott Moss, Kamala Kanta. He peacefully left his body in his sleep Thursday morning, July 24.

Scott was the kindest and most gentle soul, and his presence will be profoundly missed by all of us. We are holding him in our thoughts and prayers, wishing him a journey of peace and light.

While we understand that death is simply a transition from one state to another, it is still painful to say goodbye to our dear spiritual brother.

Scott, we love you dearly. May your journey to freedom be beautiful. The Guru awaits you with open arms and welcomes you into His heart.

Summer at Ananda Ashram

Come and experience the magic of Ananda for our 58th summer season! The Ashram has a rich history as a year-round yoga and meditation retreat, a center for transformation through meditative understanding, as envisioned by Founder Shri Brahmananda Sarasvati.

Come explore this peaceful haven in the foothills of the Catskill Mountains, just an hour from New York City. Walk by the wooded path around the lake, relax by the swimming pool, and rejuvenate in our contemplative meditation temples.

Enjoy simple lodging with delicious vegetarian food, morning and evening fire ceremony for healing and world peace, meditation, Sanskrit chanting and scriptural studies. Yoga classes, devotional singing (Kirtan), Indian music and dance, and other cultural events are offered year-round.

For those wishing to stay longer, please Click Here for our Guest Residency Program.

Indulge yourself by letting go of your ordinary world, moving into peace, creativity and spiritual inspiration!

Visit us on Ananda Ashram Live on Facebook for some of our virtual classes and events.

Click here to view our most recent newsletter.

Visit our YouTube Channel
Ananda Ashram NY
and please subscribe!

for
Talks by Joan Suval
Meditation with Krishna Devi
Sanskrit Mantras with Bharati Devi
Guruji's Kundalini Breathing Exercises with Tara Devi
and offerings from other Ashram teachers

In Memoriam ~ George Bailin

Mahamuni George Bailin was a founding member of Ananda Ashram (1964) as well as an original signatory to the charters of the Yoga Society of New York, incorporated in 1958. George was the first disciple of our Guru in the West, going back to 1956. He stayed in close contact with Shri Brahmananda Sarasvati until his mahasamadhi and remained actively involved with the Yoga Society for several years thereafter. In more recent times, his life became increasingly contemplative. He passed away peacefully on December 2, 2020, at age 92 in his home near the Ashram.

A prolific poet and published author, George Bailin was a high school English professor in New York City for three decades. He was also co-editor of many of the Guru’s writings and later published numerous articles about him in his monthly Newsletters, as well as a book titled Sage of Ananda.

George was also the first president of the International Schools of East-West Unity (Gurukula), Inc., established at Ananda Ashram by Shri Brahmananda Sarasvati. In 1993, the Guru wrote about him: “George Bailin is the symbol of unity on all levels. He is working with me since 1957 day and night. He is beyond all religion, a poet, scientist and linguist. ‘Beyond all religion’ means that he has love for every religion – in fact, for all of existence.”

The Board of the Yoga Society of New York has approved the creation of a Memorial Fund for George Bailin, the proceeds of which will go towards the restoration of the Ashram’s lakeside stage. In accordance with its traditional use, the stage will serve as a much needed outdoor classroom and performance space, dedicated especially to yoga, dance and music.

Sapadi
An Appeal for Extraordinary Times

*sapadi (सपदि, Sanskrit)- immediately, quickly.

The Ashram is but a small player on this large world stage, but our mission is big: to keep Guruji's legacy thriving. For those whose lives have been changed by their Ashram experiences, know the Ashram needs you now. Through these unique times your giving will help us meet our ongoing financial obligations. As these extraordinary world events continue to unfold, your gift will make a great difference.

• The Yoga Society of New York, Inc., is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit tax-exempt organization. Your gift is tax deductible to the extent permitted by law.

Please click here to visit our PayPal donation page

Livestream

Several times a week, watch our fire ceremony and other teachings online,
beginning at 9:00am.

Daily Online Yoga Classes

Classes are taught according to several yogic styles (vinyāsa, ashtānga, restorative, yin, nidrā) incorporating traditional postures (āsanas), breathing exercises (prāṇāyāma), deep relaxation and meditation.

We now offer in-person Yoga classes!

~In Remembrance~

Although our dear friend and teacher, Joan Suval, left her body on April 24, 2020, she left us a wealth of programs and talks. Joan dedicated her life to the teachings of Yoga and Vedanta and being a "radio" for Guruji. We were so fortunate to have had her in our lives for so many years. Guruji's blessings are surely with her.

A memorial service for Joan is being planned for the style="color:#006">weekend of August 28-29 at Ananda Ashram.

The Board of Trustees of the Yoga Society has approved the creation of the Joan Suval Memorial Fund for the Shri Brahmananda Sarasvati Audio Visual Center. Joan had been planning this project as part of her move to the Ashram. Discussions have been ongoing to implement this wonderful endeavor. Your support, as always, would be appreciated.

Om Shantih