The First 20 Years - 1986/2006

Establishing the Ashram: It was through the hard work and dedication of many people from all over the U.K., France and other parts of Europe that slowly the Ashram 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 years, especially people who spent time in the Ashram as residents - working with commitment, giving of themselves and in turn being transformed by the spiritual charged atmosphere of the Ashram. To all these people the Ashram would like to give heartfelt thanks.

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 just one toilet and no heating. During the first 15 years the old buildings were gradually renovated and transformed, and new buildings constructed. As money came in it was immediately used to buy building materials, pay the builder and buy basic amenities.

After 15 years there was sufficient accommodation for 40 people – for both the Ashram residents and those who came to the seminars and workshops. A beautiful hall for Yoga practice was constructed, followed by a well-equipped kitchen and dining room. In 1996, a large conservatory was constructed for classes, eating and as a space for people to sit, discuss or 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. A third polytunnel (bigger than the other two combined) was erected in 1999.

Access: In the early days, the long track (¾ of a mile) from the public road to the Ashram was almost impassable by anything but a Land Rover (most people left their vehicles at the bottom of the track). Over the years it has been slowly improved so that now any vehicle can come directly to the Ashram premises. Now, two thirds of the track is 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 Ordnance Survey maps). Extensive work was carried so that the water flowed directly into the Ashram water tanks (mostly by gravity and in dry spells, by pump). A water treatment plant was also installed, mainly to slightly reduce the acidity of the water which was eating away the copper pipes. Now the water in the taps is spring water of the highest quality and it easily meets the considerable needs 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 6 months to 10 years. Their names are too numerous to mention here, but we would like to thank them for the service they gave to the Ashram and to wish that they are blessed on the Yogic path to spiritual awakening.

Visitors. Over the years, the Ashram has welcomed visitors from all walks of life and from all parts of the world. They have come to participate in courses, to experience Ashram life, to imbibe the powerful spiritual atmosphere and to regenerate themselves in readiness for life's challenges. Everyone has brought something of themselves and has left in someway positively changed and transformed.

Courses/ Seminars. Since its inauguration, the Ashram has offered a wide range of courses covering the different paths of Yoga. These include:

• Hatha Yoga
• Mantra Yoga
• Raja Yoga
• Gyana Yoga
• Bhakti Yoga
• Kriya Yoga
• Nada Yoga
• Karma Yoga

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

• Pranayama
• Mudras
• Bandhas
• Shat Karmas
• Yoga Nidra
• Meditation
• The Chakras
• Yoga for Women
• Prana Vidya
• Tattwa Shuddhi
• Facing Death - the Practical Approach of Yoga
• Yoga Teacher Training
• Stress Management through Yoga

Scriptural Study: There have been regular seminars on the classical Yogic texts including:

• Patanjali Yoga Sutras
• Ishavasya Upanishad
• Mandukya Upanishad
• Katha Upanishad
• Kena Upanishad
• Bhagavat Gita
• Hatha Yoga Pradipika
• Bhaja Govinda
• Vigyana Bhairava Tantra

Yoga Teaching Training Courses (YTTC): Over the last 15 years, the Ashram organised, conducted and completed 6 Yoga Teacher Training Courses:

• 1990-92 & 1994-96. In conjunction with Association Bija Yoga (Brittany). A total of 32 people qualified.
• 1995-97. 15 people qualified.
• 1999 - 2001. 17 students qualified.
• 2002 - 2004. 29 students qualified.
• 2005 - 2007. 28 students qualified.

Each course lasted 2 years and involved 67 days in the Ashram. Participants have come from all over the U.K., from Ireland, France, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Spain and Switzerland. During these courses the participants changed enormously and many are now teaching Yoga to others.

• The latest Yoga Teacher Training Course started in September 2005 and is going full speed with 28 participants.

Refresher and On-going Teacher Training Weekends were started in 1998 in conjunction with the British Wheel of Yoga.

Spiritual Practice: Practice has 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.

Silent Retreats: In 1995, the Ashram started to host regular periods of silent retreat (lasting 2 - 14 days) mostly for Ashram residents, but also open to other serious Yoga practitioners. This continues as an important part of the Ashram programme each year.

Karma Yoga. The practice of Karma Yoga by visitors and residents is an essential part of Ashram life. The growth of the Ashram on many levels owes much to the spirit of service shown by people over the past 20 years. The practice of Karma Yoga is explained elsewhere on this Website.
Spreading Yoga: Ashram residents have given regular seminars on a wide range of Yogic subjects in the U.K. and throughout Europe in France, Belgium, Eire, Sweden, Switzerland, Italy, Hungary and Monaco; also in India.

Newsletter: In 1987, the Ashram started producing a regular Newsletter with articles on Yoga related subjects, together with details of Ashram programmes and activities. It is currently received by approximately 6000 people, mainly in the U.K. and all over Europe, but also as far afield as India, 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 is now been taken on by Patrick Duthilleul 63, rue grande Fusterie 840000 Avignon, France. Phone (0)4 90.86.91.61. Mobile 0621671386. Email: .

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 to the Ashram to learn Yoga and most had no idea of the purpose of the Ashram.
Outside local classes were started and have continued ever since. This includes a Yoga class held every Wednesday evening in the Ashram for local people (this has been going on since 1998.)
Furthermore, an annual Open Day was instituted at the Ashram each June. People were invited to come for the day, learn and practise some Yoga and also have an Ashram meal, all free of cost. This has broken down many barriers and the Ashram is more and more accepted and welcomed as an important part of the local community.

26th - 29th July 1996 - Ashram 10th Anniversary Celebrations: This marked a turning point in the Ashram development. In an Anniversary speech, Swami Nishchalananda pointed out that 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.

1997/98: For the first time in its history, the Ashram closed for a period of six months during the Winter of 1997-1998. This was an opportunity for the Ashram and its residents to take stock of the first ten years and to renew its mission and purpose for its ongoing development. 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:
Just before Christmas 1997 Swami Sivadhara left the Ashram to start a new life teaching Yoga. She is co-founder of the Ashram and had lived full time in the Ashram since its inauguration. She currently lives nearby and conducts seminars all over the U.K. and France.
At Easter 1998 Swami Nishchalananda stepped down as Ashram Director in order to devote more time for personal sadhana (Spiritual practice), retreat and writing. Swami Neel Kamal took over as Ashram Director and started establishing her own team to support her in her role. In this endeavour, she was greatly helped by Krishnananda (Now Swami Krishnapremananda). Then a tragedy: Swami Neel Kamal was diagnosed with lung cancer in June 2001. Despite extensive therapy she died on the 10th August. The residents and her numerous friends and disciples were devastated. The positive thing is that she died in Peace and with spiritual awareness. Understandably, this left a large 'hole' in the Ashram.
Swami Nishchalananda re-assumed his role as Ashram Director.

The Period 1998-2006: The Ashram slowly became more and more established.
In November 1998 Swami Nishchalananda asked Peter Bligh (who was then living in New Zealand) to take over the work of Ashram Manager. Programmes were consolidated. The Ashram management was tightened up. Shyama Chandra (Frances Taylor) offered to organise and co-ordinate the next Yoga Teacher Training Course (2002-04). She was helped in this endeavour by Swami Krishnapremananda. Quality Yoga teaching was continued by Sampurnananda (from France). Both Peter Bligh and Tattwa Bodha (from France) participated in the subsequent 2-year YTTC and successfully earned their teaching diplomas. Upasana (from London) and Rajesh (from India), both trained Yoga teachers, joined the Ashram team. Rolf Ashby (from South Africa) ran and developed the extensive garden. Nalini and Asanga joined the Ashram in 2003 and have given enormously to the successful growth of the Ashram.

Library: in 2003 a new Library was built to house the extensive collection of books on Yoga, Tantra, Vedanta, religion, philosophy, anatomy, physiology, symbolism etc. which had been stored in boxes over the first 17 years. Tattwa Bodha became the librarian and put order into everything. This was to fulfil 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 will be given to writing books, music, producing CDs and other creative endeavours.
The general building infrastructure was extensively updated to provide more comfortable accommodation, as well as more toilets/ showers.