ANANDA ASHRAM RETREAT
MONROE, NY - AUGUST 22-24
Tucked in the serene woodlands of Monroe, NY, Ananda Ashram offers a sacred sanctuary for those yearning to reconnect—with their breath, their rhythm, and yogic wisdom. This immersive retreat invites you to step away from the noise of daily life and return to the simplicity of being.
Join us for a soul-nourishing summer retreat designed to reconnect you with your inner rhythm, spiritual practice, and the healing power of community. Hosted by Svarasa Retreats and held at the serene and sacred Ananda Ashram, this weekend invites you to soften, slow down, and sink into embodied presence.
Rooted in yogic tradition and centered around inclusivity, this retreat is a loving space for rest, reflection, and renewal. Together, we’ll explore daily movement and meditation practices, gather for meaningful conversation, and reconnect to the joy of simply being.
Sliding scale payment options and scholarships available, please contact us for more information.
OUR WEEKEND OFFERINGS INCLUDE
Daily yoga and a sound bath with the radiant Kika Wypijewska, who will guide the group throughout the entire retreat—offering continuity, grounding, and gentle support for practitioners at every level.
A transformative pranayama class with supermodel and wellness advocate Marquita Pring.
An intimate panel discussion on yoga, healing, and body image, featuring voices from the wellness and fashion worlds: Marquita Pring, Robyn Lawley, Chelsea, and retreat co-host Anastasia Garcia.
A joyful inclusive pool day—an opportunity to play, cool off, and celebrate embodiment in all its forms.
A nourishing spice workshop and access to the ashram’s daily mantra chanting, meditation, and fire ceremonies—a rare chance to experience living yogic tradition in community.
Retreat registration includes lodging, vegetarian meals daily (gluten free options available) all scheduled workshops and classes, and full access to the ashram’s grounds and spiritual programming.
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Ananda Ashram is not a resort, but a traditional spiritual center rooted in yogic study and practice. Accommodations are simple and communal, intended to support inward reflection and humility over luxury or escape. As part of this immersive experience, each guest will participate in 30 minutes of daily seva—a practice of selfless service that deepens our connection to the path and to one another.
This retreat is an invitation to return to yourself, honor your breath and body, and experience the transformative power of community, practice, and presence
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Please note: Ananda Ashram is a communal space designed to foster connection and simplicity. Room accommodations reflect this spirit.
• Single rooms include one bed and are private.
• Double rooms have two beds and will be shared with one other guest.
• Dorm-style rooms feature bunk beds and accommodate 4 to 6 guests total in one shared space.
We encourage you to embrace this shared environment as part of the retreat experience—one that invites presence, compassion, and mutual respect.
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Marquita is a certified breathwork facilitator, guided to this work through her own journey of healing and self-discovery. She sees breathwork as a powerful pathway to ease stress and anxiety, deepen self-love, and build more compassion for ourselves and others. It’s a practice that not only calms the nervous system but also helps us step into more joy, presence, and connection.
When we allow ourselves to gently stretch beyond our comfort zone, Marquita believes breathwork can be a powerful and deeply moving experience. It has a way of bringing long-held emotions and old baggage to the surface so they can finally be released. It clears energetic blockages, quiets the mind, and opens the heart in ways that are truly transformative.
Marquita feels honored to hold space for others in this work, helping them let go, heal, and remember just how powerful they really are.
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Kika is a Sound Healer, Yoga Teacher, Meditation Guide, and College Professor. A respected member of the Ananda Ashram family since 2011, she is dedicated to cultivating sacred spaces for profound transformation. Through movement, breath awareness, and sound, Kika offers a holistic, inclusive, and modern approach to the ancient yogic teachings. Her heart-centered practice gently yet deeply retunes the body at a cellular level, promoting nervous system regulation, fostering improved sleep and creating a safe space for embodied experience.
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Michael Carpenter is a chef and Vedic astrologer whose work lies at the dynamic intersection of food, healing, and spiritual practice. Guided by the timeless wisdom of Ayurveda, his culinary approach is deeply nourishing—crafted to sustain both physical vitality and inner transformation. A dedicated practitioner of martial arts and meditation since the age of seven, Michael brings unwavering discipline and presence to all he undertakes, whether in the kitchen or interpreting the stars. Raised and forged in the rugged terrain of Texas, he now helps others reclaim their health and vitality through radical lifestyle shifts, holistic guidance, and the transformative power of food as medicine.
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Robyn Lawley has been a trailblazing fashion model for over a decade, championing change and diversity within the industry. She’s graced the covers of Vogue, Marie Claire, Elle and many more. She currently has an Audible series called ‘everybody, surviving and thriving in a body shaming world” while using her platform to call for greater inclusivity on runways worldwide.
Following the birth of her daughter ten years ago, Robyn suffered multiple strokes caused by hidden lupus and antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). After a life-altering seizure down a flight of stairs, led her to explore a new path. In 2019, through a strict raw vegan, hyper-nourishing diet and dedicated exercise, she was able to put her autoimmune diseases into remission, confirmed by blood results.
Yoga has been part of Robyn’s life since her teens, but recently she completed her teacher training and now practices daily. For her, yoga is more than movement, it’s a vital tool for healing and reconnecting with the body, especially as a post-stroke epileptic survivor.
Retreat Schedule
Each day begins with gentle, accessible yoga and meditation to ground and center. Enjoy nourishing Ayurvedic-inspired meals and immersive experiences—from sound baths to workshops focused on embodiment, presence, and self-compassion. Every offering is designed to support healing, balance, and deeper connection.
Friday, August 22
10:00 AM – Arrival & Check-In
11:00 AM – Welcome Ceremony & Introduction
12:30 PM – Lunch at the Lakehouse
1:30 PM – Seva (selfless devotional service to the ashram)
4:00 PM – Yoga with Kika
5:30 PM – Dinner at the Lakehouse
7:00 PM – Fire & Meditation
8:00 PM – Soundbath with Kika
10:00 PM - Quiet Time for all
Saturday, August 23
8:00 AM – Gentle Yoga
9:15 AM – Breakfast
11:00 AM – TBD
12:30 PM – Lunch at the Lakehouse
1:30 PM – Seva
3:00 PM – Breathwork with Marquita
5:30 PM – Dinner at the Lakehouse
7:00 PM – Evening Meditation
8:30 PM – TBD
10:00 PM - Quiet Time for all
Sunday, August 24
8:00 AM – Gentle Yoga
9:15 AM – Breakfast
10:30 AM – Sacred Spice Workshop
12:30 PM – Lunch at the Lakehouse
2:00 PM – Checkout & Departure
Retreat registration includes lodging, daily vegetarian meals (gluten free options available) all scheduled workshops and classes, and full access to the ashram’s grounds and spiritual program.