Discover freedom through stillness and action

Do you ever wonder how to carry the peace of meditation into the busyness of daily life? Would you like to feel more spiritually connected in everything you do?

This retreat is ideal for anyone seeking to:

  • Deepen their meditation through daily guided practice
  • Explore selfless service as a powerful spiritual path
  • Bridge the inner world of silence with the outer world of action
  • Experience greater joy, clarity, and purpose
  • Connect with a living community dedicated to conscious living

Meditation and service are two wings of the same bird. When practiced together, they awaken the heart, uplift your consciousness, and bring divine presence into every moment.

May 28-31

I'm ready for this retreat!

What Awaits You During This Retreat:

  • Live From the Center of Your Being

    Begin each day with guided Ananda Yoga® and meditation, helping you drop into deep stillness and reconnect with your inner Self.

  • Discover the Joy of Seva

    Through conscious service—from light gardening to community offerings—you’ll explore how action, when done with presence and devotion, becomes a gateway to inner freedom.

  • Meditation Technique Instruction

    Receive in-depth instruction in one of yoga’s most powerful meditation techniques, designed to enhance your spiritual well-being.

  • Bridge Meditation and Daily Life

    Receive teachings drawn from the soon to be released book "The Heart of Seva" by Nayaswami Jyotish and the lives of Yogananda and Swami Kriyananda, exploring how to integrate meditation and meaningful service in everyday life.

  • Join a Sacred Day of Service

    Experience “Rajarsi Day,” Ananda’s springtime all-community Seva celebration. Serve joyfully alongside community members, share nourishing meals, and feel uplifted by a vibrant spiritual family.

  • Find Meaning in Every Moment

    Throughout the retreat, enjoy guided reflection, simple spiritual practices, and rich conversations with teachers and fellow seekers. Discover how your life—even its smallest acts—can become a living prayer.

What's Included in Your Stay

Your Room

Choose for our varied accommodation options. From a cozy cabin, to a private ensuite room.

Your Meals

Relax and take a break from thinking about your next meal. All-you-can-eat meals are included in your stay!

Activities

Philosophy and experiential activities, including yoga and meditation sessions.

I'm ready to reset and recharge

Prices and Accommodations

A variety of private cabins, uniquely decorated and tucked into nature, designed to offer a quiet, serene retreat. Some are remote and secluded, others closer to the gardens and central facilities.

All Inclusive Rates

The rates below cover everything for one person*, including your cabin, three delicious vegetarian meals each day, and full participation in the program.

  • Full Kitchen + Private Bathroom Starting at $866

    Ideal for those seeking maximum comfort and autonomy. These cabins (e.g. Devotion, Generosity, Peace of Mind, Krishna) provide full kitchens, private baths, decks, and tranquil surroundings.

  • Kitchenette + Private Bathroom Starting at $782

    A balance of convenience and simplicity. These cabins (e.g. Kindness, Contentment) include a compact kitchenette and a private shower, perfect for solo or couples who don’t need a full kitchen.

  • Kitchenette + Shared Bathroom Starting at $587

    Budget-friendly options. Some cabin-style lodgings (e.g. Renunciation, Lahiri, Happiness Lodge) have a small kitchenette but share bath facilities in the nearby shower house.

*Extra charge for additional people. 

Simple, cozy dwellings, with easy access to shared bath facilities. These are insulated for seasonal comfort, but do not provide cooking or food storage facilities.

All Inclusive Rates

The rates below cover everything for one person*, including your bungalow, three delicious vegetarian meals each day, and full participation in the program.

  • Garden Bungalows $605

    Comfortable and convenient, these bungalows are near dining, lounge, and temple areas, offering the shortest walks to shared facilities.

  • Secluded Bungalows $578

    More tucked away for added privacy, yet still with easy access to the Shower House. A great choice for one person or for those wanting a quieter feel.

*Extra charge for additional people.

The most economical lodging option, situated under a forest canopy with no hookups, ideal for those content with very simple, nature-immersed stays.
There is a Porta-Potty in the campground area and the shower house and toilets are nearby in the main retreat area.

All Inclusive Rates

The rates below cover everything for one person, including three delicious vegetarian meals each day, and full participation in the program.

  • Tent $428
  • RV $458

A variety of private cabins, uniquely decorated and tucked into nature, designed to offer a quiet, serene retreat. Some are remote and secluded, others closer to the gardens and central facilities.

All Inclusive Rates

The rates below cover everything for one person*, including your cabin, three delicious vegetarian meals each day, and full participation in the program.

  • Full Kitchen + Private Bathroom Starting at $866

    Ideal for those seeking maximum comfort and autonomy. These cabins (e.g. Devotion, Generosity, Peace of Mind, Krishna) provide full kitchens, private baths, decks, and tranquil surroundings.

  • Kitchenette + Private Bathroom Starting at $782

    A balance of convenience and simplicity. These cabins (e.g. Kindness, Contentment) include a compact kitchenette and a private shower, perfect for solo or couples who don’t need a full kitchen.

  • Kitchenette + Shared Bathroom Starting at $587

    Budget-friendly options. Some cabin-style lodgings (e.g. Renunciation, Lahiri, Happiness Lodge) have a small kitchenette but share bath facilities in the nearby shower house.

*Extra charge for additional people. 

Simple, cozy dwellings, with easy access to shared bath facilities. These are insulated for seasonal comfort, but do not provide cooking or food storage facilities.

All Inclusive Rates

The rates below cover everything for one person*, including your bungalow, three delicious vegetarian meals each day, and full participation in the program.

  • Garden Bungalows $605

    Comfortable and convenient, these bungalows are near dining, lounge, and temple areas, offering the shortest walks to shared facilities.

  • Secluded Bungalows $578

    More tucked away for added privacy, yet still with easy access to the Shower House. A great choice for one person or for those wanting a quieter feel.

*Extra charge for additional people.

The most economical lodging option, situated under a forest canopy with no hookups, ideal for those content with very simple, nature-immersed stays.
There is a Porta-Potty in the campground area and the shower house and toilets are nearby in the main retreat area.

All Inclusive Rates

The rates below cover everything for one person, including three delicious vegetarian meals each day, and full participation in the program.

  • Tent $428
  • RV $458

Extend Your Stay, Deepen Your Peace

Wish you had more time to trest, recharge, and go deeper? Arrive early or linger longer with a flexible Personal Retreat stay*—and give yourself the gift of unhurried time. Enjoy daily yoga, meditation, and nature’s beauty, all at your own pace.
*Add extra nights during registration

FAQs

Not at all! This retreat is designed for all levels, including beginners.

Prices stated above are per person and include:

  • 3 vegetarian meals/day
  • Tea, coffee, fruit throughout the day
  • Daily yoga & meditation sessions
  • Classes and activities
  • Lodging according to your selection
  • Airport transport
  • Additional healing services (massage, spiritual counseling)
  • Extra snacks

If you need any of these services, please contact us in advance so we can help you to arrange it.

Yes. For both Guided Group Retreats and Personal Retreats, all guests receive breakfast, lunch, and dinner as part of the program. Meals are served in our dining hall according to the following schedule:

  • Breakfast: 8:30–9:30am (Thursdays: 9:30–10:30am)
  • Lunch: 12:30–1:30pm (no lunch on Sundays)
  • Dinner: 6:30–7:30pm (times may vary slightly)

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 cancel your reservation, please call Guest Services at 800-346-5350 or 530-478-7518.

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 2 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: 18443 MacNab Cypress Road, Nevada City, CA 95959

Check-In time: 4 pm – 5 pm

Check-out time: 11 am

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.

We recommend bringing the following:

  • Flashlight – important!
  • Water bottle
  • Your own yoga mat, if you have one (we also have yoga mats, pillows and meditation benches for you to use)
  • Journal and pen
  • Uplifting reading material (we also have a small lending library that is open to all guests)
  • Sturdy shoes and sandals (best to bring shoes, boots and sandals that are easily removable since there are no shoes worn in the cabins and temples)
  • Comfortable, casual, modest clothing — dress in layers, as evenings are usually cool even in summertime
  • Food if you are staying in a cabin with a kitchen and prefer to prepare your own meals
  • Optional: Sun hat, sun glasses, sunscreen, rain gear when applicable

The Seclusion 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.

The Seclusion Retreat is intended to support a quiet, inward-focused experience, and for this reason children do not usually take part in meals or programs. In some cases, an older child may be welcomed by prior arrangement. We invite you to reach out to us ahead of time so we can explore together what might best support everyone involved.

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.

Cell phone service is limited between Nevada City and the Retreat. At the Retreat itself, Verizon and AT&T generally have fairly good coverage. Guest Wi-Fi is available in limited capacity; additional Wi-Fi usage fees may apply. When possible, we recommend guests rely on their personal cell phone data plans for internet access.

We appreciate your consideration, as The Seclusion Retreat is part of Ananda Worldwide, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. You’ll have the opportunity to add a donation directly on your registration form, or you can donate using the button below.

Rooted in Timeless Teachings, Open to All

Here at The Seclusion Retreat, everything we share is inspired by the universal spiritual principles of Paramhansa Yogananda and his direct disciple, Swami Kriyananda. Their practical, uplifting wisdom is about living with greater peace, joy, and clarity—something anyone can benefit from.

While our roots are in this tradition, the practices themselves—yoga, meditation, and simple living in harmony with higher truths—are universal. Wherever you are on your journey, you’ll find inspiration and support to deepen your own connection with what is most sacred to you, in a way that feels natural and authentic.

Your Guides for the Weekend

Yogesh Lee

Since childhood, Yogesh was aware of the paramount need to find happiness and help others to be happy. In 2013, he took discipleship to Paramhansa Yogananda, simultaneously taking up residence at Ananda Village. Serving at the Crystal Hermitage Gardens and on The Seclusion Retreat staff with the Karma Yoga program, Yogesh also helps lead Ananda Yoga weekend retreats and sadhanas. He delights in the adventure of living for God and sharing the adventure with others in a spirit of acceptance and freedom. Yogesh strives to be “even-minded and cheerful under all circumstances” and to see every challenge as an opportunity. With kindness, enthusiasm, and devotion, he aims to share in a way that is practical, relatable, and fun. Always helpful and sincere he easily helps others experience divine friendship by being a divine friend to others himself.

Thomas Smith

A natural leader with a warm and engaging presence, Thomas is passionate about fostering spiritual community, supporting others on their paths, and continually deepening his own practice. Through his dedication to service, meditation, and spiritual growth, he strives to uplift and inspire those around him, helping them connect more deeply with their highest potential

At the retreat, Thomas plays a vital role in organizing and supporting various programs, including scheduling, instructing Hatha Yoga, and ensuring the smooth operation of the karma yoga program. As a Sadhana Leader, he helps guide practitioners in deepening their meditation and spiritual discipline. His work blends devotion and practicality, creating an environment where seekers can cultivate inner peace and experience the joy of selfless service.

What Past Guests Have Shared

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