The Expanding Light Retreat
Nestled in the heart of nature, our retreat center offers an oasis of calm amidst the demands of modern life.
Some people notice a wonderful energy as soon as they set foot on the grounds. Others find this energy slowly transforming them as their program proceeds. Some awaken one morning to find they are suddenly and deeply filled with joy. Once in a while someone recognizes the uplifting power of The Expanding Light only after they’ve left—and then realizes how much it meant to them.
But no matter when one recognizes the flow of joyful, peaceful energy that suffuses this place of pilgrimage, it is always present. It is always powerful. And it is always uplifting.
How to get to The Expanding Light Retreat
Yes, our retreat is a little out of the way. And once you get here, you’ll be glad it is!
Address: 13930 Expanding Light Drive, Nevada City, CA
Our guest services staff will greet you:
Monday – Sunday: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Please use and print out the directions listed here. GPS and internet maps are not always accurate, and phone reception can be poor.
Accommodations
Serenity House is an inn-style house with twelve rooms and four shared hallway bathrooms. Most rooms have two twin beds (queen or converted king available in limited availability and by special request). Each room has a bedside table, wardrobe, and a mini split heating/cooling unit.
Guests also have access to a centrally-located lounge equipped with a television, video player, and library of inspirational videos/books. There’s also a small kitchenette with tea and a refrigerator for personal items.
All Inclusive Rates
The rates below cover everything for one person*, including your shared or private room, a shared hallway bathroom, and three delicious vegetarian meals each day. A minimum two-night stay is required.
*Extra charge for additional people.
Each Harmony House room has a private entrance, a private bathroom, a desk, mini split heating/cooling unit, a ceiling fan, and a hairdryer.
Harmony House is dedicated to expressing Yogananda’s expansive approach to religion and his belief in celebrating God through beauty. Simply and elegantly appointed, each room is decorated in the theme of one of the great world religions.
All Inclusive Rates
The rates below cover everything for one person*, including your shared or private room, an ensuite bathroom, and three delicious vegetarian meals each day. A minimum two-night stay is required.
*Extra charge for additional people.
Cabins: Each cabin has one room, which is larger and more private than other standard rooms; cabin occupants share separate men’s and women’s shower houses about a minute’s walk away. All cabins have A/C.
All Inclusive Rates
The rates below cover everything for one person*, including your shared or private room, access to a shared shower house, and three delicious vegetarian meals each day. A minimum two-night stay is required.
*Extra charge for additional people.
Tent camping is available on varied campsites. RVs are welcome year-round, but we do not have RV facilities or hookups.
All meals are included for tenters and RVers. Because of wild animals, food is not allowed in the tenting area, and tent spaces DO NOT include facilities for cooking or picnicking. We have a refrigerator on an outside deck behind our kitchen, which guests can use. Tenters are expected to bring their own tenting gear.
Please note: We are in fire country. No campfires are allowed. Tenters cannot use candles, kerosene lamps, or anything with an open flame.
All Inclusive Rates
The rates below cover everything for one person*, including a tenting/rv space, access to a shared shower house, and three delicious vegetarian meals each day. A minimum two-night stay is required.
*Extra charge for additional people.
Serenity House is an inn-style house with twelve rooms and four shared hallway bathrooms. Most rooms have two twin beds (queen or converted king available in limited availability and by special request). Each room has a bedside table, wardrobe, and a mini split heating/cooling unit.
Guests also have access to a centrally-located lounge equipped with a television, video player, and library of inspirational videos/books. There’s also a small kitchenette with tea and a refrigerator for personal items.
All Inclusive Rates
The rates below cover everything for one person*, including your shared or private room, a shared hallway bathroom, and three delicious vegetarian meals each day. A minimum two-night stay is required.
*Extra charge for additional people.
Each Harmony House room has a private entrance, a private bathroom, a desk, mini split heating/cooling unit, a ceiling fan, and a hairdryer.
Harmony House is dedicated to expressing Yogananda’s expansive approach to religion and his belief in celebrating God through beauty. Simply and elegantly appointed, each room is decorated in the theme of one of the great world religions.
All Inclusive Rates
The rates below cover everything for one person*, including your shared or private room, an ensuite bathroom, and three delicious vegetarian meals each day. A minimum two-night stay is required.
*Extra charge for additional people.
Cabins: Each cabin has one room, which is larger and more private than other standard rooms; cabin occupants share separate men’s and women’s shower houses about a minute’s walk away. All cabins have A/C.
All Inclusive Rates
The rates below cover everything for one person*, including your shared or private room, access to a shared shower house, and three delicious vegetarian meals each day. A minimum two-night stay is required.
*Extra charge for additional people.
Tent camping is available on varied campsites. RVs are welcome year-round, but we do not have RV facilities or hookups.
All meals are included for tenters and RVers. Because of wild animals, food is not allowed in the tenting area, and tent spaces DO NOT include facilities for cooking or picnicking. We have a refrigerator on an outside deck behind our kitchen, which guests can use. Tenters are expected to bring their own tenting gear.
Please note: We are in fire country. No campfires are allowed. Tenters cannot use candles, kerosene lamps, or anything with an open flame.
All Inclusive Rates
The rates below cover everything for one person*, including a tenting/rv space, access to a shared shower house, and three delicious vegetarian meals each day. A minimum two-night stay is required.
*Extra charge for additional people.
FAQs
I'm new to meditation. Will I be able to do this retreat?
Yes, having a meditation practice is not required for any retreat. We offer meditation classes for beginners multiple times per week.
What is included in my retreat price?
- 3 vegetarian meals/day
- Tea, coffee, fruit throughout the day
- Twice daily yoga & meditation sessions
- Classes, activities and community events
- Lodging according to your selection
- A Personal Retreat host to guide and support you in your experience
What is not included in my retreat price?
- Airport transport
- Additional healing services (massage, spiritual counseling)
- Extra snacks (available in our community market)
If you need any of these services, please contact us in advance so we can help you to arrange it.
Can I come as a day guest? What does a day pass include?
Yes, you are welcome to join us for the day. Your pass includes all your meals, access to our facilities and two yoga and meditation sessions.
To book a day pass, please call Guest Services at 800-346-5350 or 530-478-7518.
What's your cancellation policy?
If you cancel or reschedule on or before 7 days prior to your arrival date, we can refund your entire payment, less a $55 processing fee.
If you cancel or reschedule within 7 days of your arrival date, we will hold your deposit for one year as a credit for a future stay, less a $55 processing fee. If you have paid more than the deposit, we will refund the surplus amount to you.
To actually cancel your reservation call Guest Services at 800-346-5350 or 530-478-7518.
Do you offer any discounts?
Yes, we do! Please ask our Guest Services team to help you apply a discount to your registration. Exclusions do apply (see below).
*Promotional Discounts:
- Bring a Friend: 15% off each guest when you bring a friend with you (must be a first-time guest).
- Awake & Ready: 15% off when you book 2+ months in advance.
- Longer Stay: 20% off when you book 28+ consecutive days with us.
- Book Your Next Stay: 15% off when you book your next stay with us before departure.
Needs Based Discounts: We want to make our retreat accessible, and we thus offer additional discounts to various populations such as Seniors, Veterans, Ananda Kriyabans and Sevakas. These discounts are provided on an as-needed basis and by request only. Please inquire with Guest Services if you would like to explore options.
*Exclusions: While these promotional discounts are applicable for Personal Retreat (as described on this page), they are not applicable to some other programs featured on our website such as certificate programs through the Ananda School of Yoga and Meditation, Karma Yoga Immersion, Inner Renewal Retreat, Kriyaban Retreat or Spiritual Renewal Week.
I'm coming from a distance. What is the nearest airport, and how do I get to The Expanding Light Retreat?
The best airport to fly into is Sacramento International Airport (SMF). The Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO) is also an option, but is less preferable.
Both airports are approximately 1.5 hours driving distance from us, so you’ll need to rent a car or hire a drive. If needed, we can share contact information for drivers who have helped our guests in the past.
Yes, our retreat is a little out of the way. And once you get here, you’ll be glad it is! Address: 13930 Expanding Light Drive, Nevada City, CA.
What if I have special dietary requirements?
We can accommodate some special dietary needs with non-dairy, non-wheat, and egg-free choices. If you have other dietary needs, it may be that we will not be able to accommodate them in our kitchen and we thus advise that you bring some supplementary food for yourself.
A small refrigerator for guests who are staying in Serenity House Lounge and a full size refrigerator outside our kitchen are available for storing special foods guests might need during their stay. There is a Market close to Ananda Village if you’d like to buy special items.
What do I need to bring with me?
The atmosphere at The Expanding Light is casual. Consider bringing layers just in case (our elevation is 2,500 feet).
- For yoga postures and meditation, bring comfortable, loose-fitting attire.
- If you plan to attend Sunday Service, it’s ideal to bring something a bit less casual.
- Slip-on shoes are helpful, as we remove our shoes when entering the Temple and also the living quarters
- If you enjoy walking, we suggest a good pair of walking shoes so you can enjoy our nearly 700 acres of beautiful grounds.
- You also might want to bring a bathing suit in summer to be able to enjoy the beautiful Yuba River (just a 20-minute drive from The Expanding Light Retreat).
We provide towels and unscented all-purpose liquid soap.
Do you have a dress code?
Expanding Light Retreat is first and foremost a spiritual ashram. In order to maintain our uplifting and inward atmosphere, please dress modestly. Examples include longer shorts and sleeved tee shirts are (preferred), though wide-strapped tank tops are ok. Aside from yoga classes, please add a modest cover-up with leotards, leggings, or swimsuits.
Can I bring my children?
Our personal retreat offerings are designed for adults, but older and/or mature children who will appreciate the experience are welcome to join.
Though younger children are welcome as well, they will need parental supervision at all times. We ask that you speak with us before making your reservation if it will include younger children.
Babies and toddlers, unless prone to a rather mild and calm temperament, can disrupt the retreat experience for other guests. As a general rule, we are not able to accommodate this age-group.
Can I bring my pet?
Sorry, though we are animal lovers, we are unable to accommodate pets on our facilities. Please leave your beloved pets at home with a family member or sitter and enjoy the peace and quiet.
Do you have wifi? What about cell service?
Yes, wifi is available to guests in certain areas of the retreat. While we keep the dining room as an electronics-free space, wifi access is available in other areas, including rooms in both Harmony House and Serenity House accommodations.
Cell-phone service can be spotty in our area; AT&T and Verizon tend to get the best service.
Want to fully unplug? We’re happy to store your cell-phone or electronic devices in our safe at Guest Services to help you out!
How can I make a donation to The Expanding Light Retreat?
We appreciate your consideration, as The Expanding Light Retreat is part of Ananda Worldwide, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. You’ll have the opportunity to optionally add a donation directly on your registration form, or you can always as Guest Services to add an amount to your registration once it’s been made.
I would like to bring a group of people for a private retreat. How can I do that?
Fabulous! There are many ways that we can accommodate groups, even offering unique and tailored experiences for your needs. If you’re interested in exploring your options, please reach out to Guest Services and we will put you in touch with our Guest Groups host.
