Mandala Yoga Ashram
Its History, Work & Activities

3rd May 1985. Official registration of the Charity by the Charity Commission. At this stage the Ashram was only on paper as there was no physical location.

19th June 1985. Swami Nishchalananda returned to the U.K. after 14 years in India.

12th July 1986. He and Swami Sivadhara moved into what was to become the Ashram - an old farm in South Wales.

26th July 1986. Official Inauguration of the Ashram. Swami Nishchalananda became the Director and Swami Sivadhara, the Ashram Secretary

1. The Beginning 3rd May 1985: Official registration of the Charity (then known as Satyananda Ashram) by the Charity Commissioners mainly due to the work of Swami Vedamurti. At this stage the Ashram was only on paper as there was no physical location.
19th June 1985:: Swami Nishchalananda returned to the U.K. after 14 years India.
12th July 1986:: He and Swami Sivadhara moved into what was to become the ashram – an old dilapidated farm in South Wales. They spent hours clearing out rubbish and creating some kind of basic facilities.
26th July 1986: Official Inauguration of the Ashram. Swami Nishchalananda became the Director and Swami Sivadhara became Secretary.

2. The First 20 Years – 1986 to 2006 Establishing the Ashram. It was through the hard work and dedication of many people from all over the U.K., France, Ireland, Sweden and other parts of Europe that the ashram slowly took shape and was established on a firm footing. Much credit needs to be given to the spirit of service on many levels shown by numerous people over the first 10 years of the Ashram’s growth, especially people who spent various durations in the ashram as residents working with commitment, giving of themselves and in turn being transformed by the spiritual atmosphere of the ashram.

Ashram Buildings. The original buildings were in very bad condition: the roofs were leaking badly and even non-existent; the whole place exuded neglect; there was no heating. During the first 10 years the old buildings were gradually renovated and transformed, and new buildings were constructed. As money came in it was immediately used to buy building materials, pay the builder and buy basic amenities.
After 10 years there was sufficient accommodation for 30 people both for the ashram residents and those who came to the seminars and workshops. A beautiful new hall was constructed for yoga practice, followed by a new, well-equipped kitchen and dining room. In late 1998, a huge conservatory was constructed which is used for classes, eating and as a space for people to sit, discuss and just ‘be’.

Garden. The Ashram has always aimed to grow more and more of its own food, following organic principles. As part of this process, two polytunnels were erected in the early 90s in which a large amount of the ashram vegetables are grown throughout the year. The gardens were also developed, growing vegetables for use in the ashram kitchen. A third (and very large) polytunnel was erected in 1999.

Access. In the early days, the long track (¾ of a mile; just over 1 km.) connecting the public road to the ashram was almost impassable by anything but a Land Rover or a four wheel drive. Most people left their vehicles at the bottom of the track! Over the years it was slowly improved so that any vehicle could come directly to the ashram premises. By 2001, well over half of the track was bituminized.

Water. In the early days, water was big problem. It was collected from a well and had to be boiled before drinking. Within the first month we found two springs (one so good that it is shown on the national Ordnance Survey maps). Extensive work was carried so that the water flowed directly into the ashram water tanks (by gravity and in dry spells, by pump). A water purification plant was installed in 1995. The water in the taps is spring water and it easily meets the considerable needs of the ashram.

Visitors. Over the years, the ashram welcomed visitors from all walks of life and from all parts of the world. They came to participate in courses, experience ashram life, imbibe the powerful spiritual atmosphere and to regenerate themselves in readiness for life's challenges. Everyone brought something of themselves and left, in one way or another, transformed.

Courses/ Seminars. Since its inauguration, the ashram offered a wide range of courses covering the different paths of Yoga. These included courses on:

• Hatha Yoga
• Mantra Yoga
• Raja Yoga
• Gyana Yoga
• Bhakti Yoga
• Kriya Yoga
• Pranayama
• Mudra-s
• Bandha-s
• Shat Karma-s
• Yoga Nidra

as well as specialised Yoga-related seminars on subjects such as:

• Meditation
• The Chakra-s
• The Kosha-s
• Yoga for Women
• Prana Vidya
• Tattwa Shuddhi
• Embracing Life and Death – the Practical Approach of Yoga
• Yoga Teacher Training
• Stress Management through Yoga

Scriptural Study. The ashram has conducted regular seminars on the classical yogic and tantric texts including:

• Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras
• Ishavasya Upanishad
• Mandukya Upanishad
• Katha Upanishad
• Bhagavad Gita
• Hatha Yoga Pradipika
• Bhaja Govindam
• Vigyana Bhairava Tantra

Yoga Teaching Training Courses (YTTC). Over the first 20 years, the ashram organised and conducted 5 Yoga Teacher Training Courses: 1990 92 & 1994-96. In conjunction with Association Bija Yoga (Brittany and Paris), the ashram organised 2 Yoga Teacher Training Courses in France. Each lasted 2 years. Participants stayed in the ashram for the last 2 weeks of the course.
1995 97, 1999-2001 and 2002-2004. These three 2-year Yoga Teacher Training Courses were conducted entirely at the ashram. The participants come from all over the U.K., Ireland, France, Germany, Sweden and Switzerland. All were very successful. The participants changed enormously over this period and many are now teaching and transmitting Yoga to others.
Spiritual Practice/ Silent Retreat. Spiritual Retreats have always been an essential and integral part of ashram life. The ashram encourages people to go deeper in their understanding and provides facilities for this process.
In 1995, the ashram started to organise annual Silent Retreats (lasting 10-14 days), generally in the months of October and November. They were mostly for residents, but also open to other serious practitioners and allows a deepening of yogic practice.
Over the last few years, we have included the textual chanting of the Saundarya Lahari (Waves of Beauty) and Chandi Path (The Invocation of the Goddess) as an important part of these retreats.
Karma Yoga. The practice of Karma Yoga (working with Awareness) is an essential part of ashram life. Moreover, the growth of the ashram on many levels owes much to the spirit of service shown by people over the past 20 years. Karma Yoga is explained elsewhere on this website (see the tab ‘What is Yoga?’ and the tab ‘Articles from the Newsletters’).
Spreading Yoga. During this 20-year period, ashram residents conducted regular seminars on a wide range of yogic subjects in the U.K., France, Belgium, Eire, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Italy, Greece, Norway, Monaco, and even as far afield as India.
Newsletter. In 1987, the ashram started producing an annual Newsletter with articles on Yoga-related subjects, together with details of ashram programmes and activities. It is currently received by 5000 people, mainly in the U.K. and all over Europe, but also as far afield as India, the U.S.A., New Zealand and Australia.
In 1994 a French edition of the Newsletter was started in conjunction with Dhyana Bindu who runs Association Satsanga (20 Ave. des Floralies, 40280 St. Pierre du Mont, France). This work was taken over by
This French edition is now available by downloading from the ashram website.
Website. An Ashram website was started in 1999 by Swami Krishnaprem and Tim Evans. Over the years it was developed, greatly improved and maintained by . It is accessible in both English and French.
Place in the Local Community/ Local Classes/ Open Day. After a few years, we realised that though the ashram was on good terms with the local people, very few came here to learn yoga. Most local people had no idea of the purpose of the ashram or what we actually did. Therefore, outside local classes were started and every year, in June, an Open Day was instituted at the ashram in which people were invited to come for the day, learn and practise some yoga and also have a meal free of cost. This broke down many barriers and the ashrams is accepted and welcomed as an important part of the local community.

October 1994 – Visit of Swami Niranjan, head of the Bihar School of Yoga, Munger India. It was a pleasure to welcome Swami Niranjan to the ashram for a 6-day programme of lectures and satsangs. The hall was packed and there was an atmosphere of joy which vibrated throughout the ashram.

Change of Name in 1996. The ashram became fully independent of the Bihar School of Yoga. This was instigated by Swami Nishchalananda in order that the ashram could create its own style of teaching and propagating Yoga. Therefore, Satyananda Ashram was renamed Mandala Yoga Ashram. The close links with the Bihar School of Yoga have remained.

July 26th - 29th 1996 Ashram 10th Anniversary Celebrations

This marked a turning point in the ashram development. In one of his ashram anniversary speeches, Swami Nishchalananda pointed out that the ashram would soon take a different direction. He pointed out that in the first 10 years the main emphasis had been on building the basic facilities and infrastructure; in the next ten years the main emphasis would be on creating a strong nucleus of residents and deepening the ashram teachings. How true this was to be!

At the end of 1997, the ashram experienced a number of fundamental changes. For the first time in its history, the ashram closed for a period of six months during the winter of 1997-1998. This gave an opportunity for the ashram and its residents to take stock of the first 10 years and to renew its mission and purpose for the 2nd phase of its growth. At the same time, a few of the well established residents, who had contributed so very much during the first ten years, left the ashram to pursue their own path:
Swami Sivadhara left the ashram after Christmas 1997 to start a new life teaching yoga. She met Swami Satyananda in 1982. In 1984 she travelled to the Bihar School of Yoga in Munger, India, for further teachings. In 1985, she met Swami Nishchalananda, and in July 1986, they both came to Wales to found Mandala Yoga Ashram. She lived in the ashram for 12 years and was both an inspiration and good friend to so many people. She is an inspiring singer (she says that Swami Nishchalananda inspired her in her great love of chanting). She presently lives in central Wales, near one of her daughters.
She is a very inspiring teacher, appealing very much to heart-centred experience. She conducts seminars throughout the U.K., France and Sweden on all aspects of yoga. If you would like to invite her to give a seminar or if you would like information on her seminars, contact her on +44 (0)7879002429.

Easter 1998: Change of Director Swami Nishchalananda stepped down as ashram director in order to devote more time for personal sadhana (spiritual practice), retreat and writing. He asked Swami Neel Kamal to take over as ashram director.
Swami Neel Kamal was born in Italy but lived a large part of her life in the UK, in Plymouth. She married and had three daughters. In the mid-70s she became interested in yoga and in the late 70s she trained as a Yoga Teacher with the British Wheel of Yoga. Later she did a further Yoga Teacher Training Course with Swami Satyamurti in Ireland. She met Swami Satyananda in 1980 and henceforth she dedicated herself to yoga. She started teaching yoga in the Plymouth area. In 1986, she came into close contact with Swami Nishchalananda and was one of the first people to come to Mandala Yoga Ashram. She became actively involved in helping the ashram on all levels in these pioneering days.
Following a sannyasa training course in India in 1992, she came to live in the ashram in 1993. In 1998, Swami Nishchalananda chose Swami Neel Kamal to become the new director which she carried out with great love, compassion and proficiency until 2001. Then a tragedy: she was diagnosed with lung cancer in June 2001. Despite extensive therapy she died on the 10th August. The residents and her numerous friends were devastated. The positive thing is that she died in peace and with spiritual Awareness.
Her last few days and weeks were characterised by a sense of joy and inner illumination. She was a light and inspiration to many seekers. Though her physical presence is greatly missed, her subtle presence remains as strong as ever.
Swami Nishchalananda Resumes the Role of Ashram Director Understandably, the death of Swami Neel Kamal left a large 'hole' in the ashram. Support came from all directions. Despite all, the ashram attracted an even stronger team of residents. Swami Nishchalananda asked Peter Bligh (who was then living in New Zealand) to take over as ashram manager. Programmes were consolidated. The ashram management was tightened up.
Frances Taylor offered to organise and co-ordinate the next Yoga Teacher Training Course (YTTC). She was instrumental in the delivery of two Yoga Teacher Training Courses from 2002-04 and from 2005-07, assisted by Swami Krishnapremananda who worked along side her as a course tutor.
Quality Yoga teaching was continued by Sampurnananda (from France). Both Peter Bligh and Tattwa Bodha (also from France) participated in the subsequent 2-year Yoga Teacher Training Course and successfully earned their teaching diplomas. Upasana (from London) and Rajesh (from India), both already trained Yoga teachers, joined the ashram team.
Library. In 2002, a new library was built to house the extensive collection of books on yoga, tantra, Vedanta, religion, philosophy, anatomy, physiology, symbolism and yoga-related subjects; these had been stored in boxes over the first 15 years. Tattwa Bodha, a trained librarian, became the librarian and put order into everything. This fulfilled the vision of Swami Nishchalananda which was (and still is) that, besides being a place of yogic practice, the ashram would evolve into a place of study and creativity. More and more emphasis was given to writing books, producing CDs and other creative endeavours.
General Building Infrastructure was extensively improved to provide more comfortable accommodation, as well as more toilets and showers. The Ashram Grew from Strength to Strength. More and more people came to visit and stay. Most of the courses were full. The ashram continued to fulfil its mission as a haven of peace, wisdom, compassion and transformation. It continued to bring yoga to those who wish to reap its benefits and to act as a place where yoga practitioners can go deeper in their practice.
Swami Nishchalananda got Married on the 7th November 2005 to Michal Cohen. His wife, a practitioner and teacher of Theravadan Buddhism, brought a different dynamic to the ashram. Courses were organized which emphasized meditation and long-term retreats. Serious practitioners came to the ashram to be exposed to both the yogic and Buddhist approaches to meditation.

Ashram Management. In the early days, the management was carried out by both Swamis Nishchalananda and Sivadhara. As the ashram became more established, initially Swami Paramatma, followed by Swami Shakti Puja, took on this role through the 1990s. Peter Bligh further developed the role between 2001 and 2004, before firstly Swami Krishnapremananda and secondly Nick Edge took over until 2009. In more recent years, Mangala was the ashram manager in 2010 and the role is now filled by Subhra. All of these people were of enormous help in ensuring the smooth running of the ashram.

Ashram Residents. The ashram has had a continuously changing team of residents who committed themselves to the ashram for periods ranging from 1 month to 10 years, or even more. Most of their names are too numerous to mention here. But we would like to thank them for the selfless service they have given to the ashram. Some of the more longstanding residents are mentioned below:
Swami Shakti Puja: in the 1990s, she played a key role in managing and caring for the ashram, utilising her many practical skills in service of Swamiji. In 1997, she moved to Dorset where she still lives with her partner and daughter Priya, visiting the ashram whenever possible.
Jyoti Das: Originally a close student of Swami Neel Kamal, he was a valued resident of the ashram both during the mid 1990s, and also between 2001 to 2004. He is now living in London, sharing his experience of Yoga in different ways.
Tattwa Bodha: A trained librarian, she lived in the ashram from 2001 to 2009. She was instrumental in designing and establishing the ashram library. She also created the ashram rose garden and, along with Shivapriya, introduced the chanting of the Chandi Path in the ashram. She now lives in eastern France. Peter Bligh: With his considerable management and fundraising experience, he was a valuable help in improving the smooth running of the ashram as a resident on a number of different occasions. He is now in New Zealand teaching yoga and meditation.
Nick Edge: during his five year stay in the ashram from 2005-10, he qualified as a yoga teacher, and fulfilled a number of key roles including that of manager. His clarity, humour and teaching capacities helped to enrich the ashram experience for all who visited. He is now living and teaching in Somerset. Jyoti: in her time in the ashram from 2005-9, she trained as a yoga teacher and discovered her gift for chanting. She enhanced the ashram through her good humoured practical nature and skill in running the ashram office. She now lives with her partner in New Zealand where she gives weekly yoga classes.

Support Behind the Scenes. Numerous people have supported the ashram over the years. Notable are Rishi Putra (who became Vice-President in 2002 and is still in this role), Swami Satyamitrananda, Vimuktananda, Atulya, Paul Sharma, Turiya, Owain Rhys Williams, Patrick Duthilleul, Ronnie Carleton & Abhaya Rupa.

3. The Period 2006 – 2010 The 20th Anniversary of the Ashram was celebrated from the 28th – 31st July 2006. It was 4 days of sharing, concerts, lectures, tasty food, good company and fun. A fire was kept burning during the entire celebration and a large mandala (sacred diagram) was constructed using coloured sand and all kinds of objects by all who attended.
During the anniversary celebrations, Swami Nishchalananda announced that he envisaged over the next 10 years that emphasis will be on dividing the ashram’s activities between service and practice. Besides continuing to act as a venue for yoga seminars (as it has for the last 20 years), the ashram would more actively encourage residents to develop their skills and creativity in all spheres including writing, art, music, handiwork and all kinds of skills.
Energy. The ashram uses a lot of energy for heating, lighting, cooking and so forth. Besides its expense, its adds to the global warming. The ashram explored more ‘green’ ways of generating energy: solar panels, windmill and photovoltaic cells.
A full technical plan with extensive technical details was drawn up of installing 48 solar panels behind the ashram buildings for pre-heating water for domestic purposes and for central heating; it is proposed to implement this project as and when funds are available.
A full plan was also drawn up for installing 12 photovoltaic solar panels on the roof of the carport. When we receive planning permission, the ashram will immediately install this system which will connect directly into the electrical grid. This will allow the ashram to generate some of its own electricity and, perhaps even sell some electricity back to the electrical company.
Moreover, the ashram adopted the policy of reducing inefficient heating and lighting by improving insulation in all buildings and by using low-energy light bulbs.
New Buildings. During this period, a new office was built for Swamiji with triple glazed windows. A new carport was built for residents cars. A new food storeroom was also added.
In the near future, after we get planning permission, the ashram is proposing to build a much needed office extension plus a meeting room. This would also include an extension to the existing laundry and further accommodation upstairs. A substantial sum of money (£25,000) was willed for this purpose by Rodney Hegginbotham, who completed the 2002-04 YTTC and supported the ashram over several years. He sadly died in early 2010.

New Bitumen-surfaced Track. In November 2010, the entire track to the ashram was at long last bituminized. Now you can drive up to the ashram as though you are on a motorway – the M108! Of course, there are still a few sleeping policemen – so be careful.

Garden. The ashram has always been committed to growing more and more of its own food. Therefore, the garden is still being developed under the watchful eyes of Rama. We have installed heated propagation chambers in the greenhouse so that we can start plant growth earlier in the season. Also the ashram has installed a large cage to protect fruit trees from the predations of the local birds. The orchard is being developed: we have planted apple, pear, plum, cherry and quince trees, as well as gooseberry, black current, red current, loganberry and raspberry bushes. It is hoped to plant more trees in the future.

1-Year Meditation Training Course (MTC) was conducted from September 2008 to July 2009. It was designed to introduce practitioners to both yogic and Buddhist techniques of meditation. The teachers were Swami Nishchalananda and Michal Cohen. It started with an 8-day intensive, followed by weekends each month until the following June, finishing with a 12-day intensive. 28 people participated, coming from all over the UK, Sweden, Ireland and Sweden One person even came from India (Yes, India: Swami Samarpanananda, who runs an ashram in Rishikesh, managed to organize his official teachings programmes in Europe so that he could attend all but one weekend of the MTC). It was a grand success and gave participants the opportunity of going deeper in their practice. Such courses will be repeated in the future.

Yoga Teaching Training Courses (YTTC)
During the period 1986-2006, the ashram had already conducted 6 YTTCs. Teacher training continued in:
2005 2007. Participants come from all over the U.K., Ireland, Scotland, Wales and France.
2009 2011. This YTTC started in September 2009 and will be completed in July 2011. There are 21 participants from all over the UK, France, Ireland and Sweden. All of these YTTCs have been important aspects of the ashram teaching programme and are a key part of fulfilling one of its main aims: to train excellent Yoga Teachers to pass the message of yoga into the wider community.
Ashram Courses. Over the years, the ashram has conducted a wide selection of yoga and yoga-related seminars. This continues.
Besides the current YTTC (see above), the ashram conducted the following courses in 2010:

• Ongoing Training for MYA-graduate Yoga Teachers
• Introduction to Ashram Life (twice in the year)
• Meditation – Accessing the Subtle (incl. the Tantric Practice of Tattwa Shuddhi)
• Bhagavad Gita – the Timeless Teaching of Chapter 2
• Vigyana Bhairava Tantra – Meditation for Daily Life
• Hatha Yoga – Creating Space
• 10-Day Meditation Retreat
• Open Day
• Insights into the Truth of Vedanta
• Movement, Pleasure and Insight (Upasana)
• Guru Purnima
• Wisdom of the Heart
• Embracing Life and Death
• Summer in the Ashram
• Music, Mantra and Meditation
• Meditation Training Weekend
• Bhaja Govindam - the Precious Present Moment
• Sadhana Retreat (14 days) – Meditation through Chanting and Silence

In 2011, the ashram will host a similar selection of courses, plus a course on the Mandukya Upanishad and an 11-month course on Kriya Yoga (see below).

Outside Courses. The ashram residents continue to conduct outside yoga courses throughout the UK, and also in France, Greece, Sweden and Spain.

Kriya Yoga. Over its almost 25 years’ history, the ashram has conducted a number of courses on Kriya Yoga lasting 2-4 weeks. Swami Nishchalananda felt that a longer training period could be useful for imparting the teachings and practices (kriya-s) more effectively, and for allowing time and space for participants to deepen their practice. Therefore, an 11-month Kriya Yoga Training Course (KYTC) was proposed to start in September 2011, consisting of 34 days of residential training.