District: Bangalore
City: Bangalore (Kumarswamy Layout)
Religious Importance: Yoga
The Atma Darshan Yogashram was established by Swami Satyananda in 1979. His vision was to establish a community – a spiritual community – where people could come together, live and work in a spirit of understanding. He envisaged the name Atma Darshan for the ashram to signify the Atma (Supreme Reality) that manifests in different stages and the revelation of that Atma. The ashram is part of the Bihar School of Yoga which is a conglomerate of different organizations.
Atma Darshan Yogashram – an overview
The Ashram practices the Satyananda Yoga, otherwise called the Bihar Yoga. The name was derived from the Bihar school of Yoga, established by Paramahamsa Satyananda. This system incorporates the concepts of Jnana yoga, Karma yoga, Bhakti yoga, and Raj yoga. The Atma Darshan Yogashram is located within serene and green environs, inside the city limits. Other than the main ashram, there are classes held in different parts of the city – Guru Ashraya (JP Nagar 4th Phase), Palm Meadows (Whitefield), Yoga Wellness Centre (Kasturi Nagar). The ashram also offers packages to corporate lasting from 1 to 5 days.
Life at the main ashram starts at 5 am, and goes on till 9.30 pm. Visitors are usually encouraged to stay for a period of 14 days to unwind and rejuvenate the body.
Schedule – There are chanting sessions in the early morning and in the evening. The evening chanting is different on each day of the week. The inmates are encouraged to take part in Seva (voluntary services like weeding, gardening, cleaning etc.) There are also yoga sessions which include asanas, pranayamas, deep yogic relaxation, and meditation techniques. In addition, visitors can avail of the Basic or Practice sessions (in English or Kannada) conducted in the early mornings, mid morning or in the evenings.
The ashram conducts free yoga for young children on Sundays between 7 to 8.30 am. There are also free yoga classes for Senior Citizens from Monday to Friday between 4 to 5 pm.
Other than these, the ashram conducts special chanting and other events on particular days. The World Yoga Convention was held in October, 2013 in the Atma Darshan Yogashram.
Facilities at Atma Darshan Yogashram
Accommodation – Separate rooms are available for female and male guests, as well as for families – for short term and long term stay. Vegetarian meals are served in the dining hall, and special dietary needs are accommodated with prior intimation.
Maha Mrutyunjaya Havan – On Saturday evenings, a special prayer service called Maha Mrutyunjaya Havan is conducted. This is well-attended and interested people can give the name of persons requiring special prayers with the office staff before the beginning of the service.
Retreat halls – There are open and closed halls accommodating up to 50 people – ideal for weekend retreats and yoga sessions.
Library – There is a library which holds books, publications and audio-visual material on the Bihar Yoga and other Yoga traditions.
Bookshop – The bookshop inside the ashram stocks up on books, audio-visual materials of Yoga Publication trust and Gurus of the tradition, yoga implements such as yoga danda, malas, etc. In addition, the bookshop stocks up on the following magazines: Aradhana, Yoga Magazine, Avahan, Yoga Vidya Magazine, and Atmabha.
Getting to the Atma Darshan Yogashram
The ashram is situated near Dayananda Sagar College, in Kumaraswamy Layout, Bengaluru. One can take a bus from Kempe Gowda Bus depot to Banshankari Depot.
The ashram is only 2 km away from the Banshankari Bus depot. From there one could board an autorickshaw, take another bus that goes towards Dayananda Sagar College Road or even walk. The autorickshaw ride would cost around Rs. 25.
Contact Information
Address
Dayananda sagar College road
Kumaraswamy Layout, Bangalore-560078
Phone : +91 80-2666 4016
Email: adyogashram@yahoo.com
Website : www.atmadarshan.net
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