Connecting to your inner light: A journey through Chakra, Mantra & Prana
Embark on a transformative journey that integrates the profound practices of Mantra and Bhakti Yoga with the exploration of chakras and prana. This retreat offers a unique opportunity to delve into the science and art of mantra, harmoniously woven with Hatha Yoga and Pranayama. Experience the power of mantra as a channel to uplift and direct emotions through the heart-opening practices of Bhakti Yoga.
Engage in a variety of meditative practices, including sitting, writing, and walking meditations and times of silence to deepen the connection to your inner light. The retreat will provide both theoretical insights, the science of the breath and mantra as well as practical lifestyle applications to support your journey.
"Why Mantras? The body is nothing but compressed energy, and this energy responds to vibrations. This energy is so subtle and sensitive that any thought, idea or emotion can alter its nature…..There are certain mantras which can vibrate the energies of the body at certain frequencies and ranges...to demagnetise the energies of the body, strengthen them and to awaken their creative qualities.” Swami Niranjanananda
Chakra illustrations by Turid Ousland:
Chakra
Immerse yourself in the study and practice of Asana, Pranayama, Mudras, Bandhas, and Meditation techniques. This retreat weaves together the theory and techniques to experience your Chakras and Prana, by exploring the nervous system, breath, vibration, energy flows, and lifestyle applications. It offers a unique opportunity to integrate ancient wisdom with modern understanding where you will discover new ways to channel your energy, elevate your consciousness, and connect with your true essence.
Whether you're seeking personal growth, spiritual insight, inspiration for teaching or simply a moment of tranquility, this retreat provides the perfect environment for transformation. Join us in this sacred space to rejuvenate your spirit and embrace the light within.
You can sign up now by pushing a button below or scroll down to read more about the retreat and different types of accomodation to choose from.
Mudra
Delve into the world of Mudras, gestures that express particular states of consciousness and energy. Learn how to consciously use Mudras to influence mental and emotional states, enhance health and wellbeing, and awaken, balance, and redirect Prana.
Prana Practices
The key to the ‘knowledge of prana’ is it’s applications into daily life, learning to use our energy consciously, conserve and build it. Explore the science behind the breath, the importance of the relaxation response and its connection to our physical, mental and energetic experiences.
Experience the transformative practice of Prana Nidra to enhance the flow of energy within your body. Learn techniques to conserve and direct Prana, promoting healthy organs, an optimal endocrine system, balanced weight, and mental and emotional clarity. Daily classes will include Pranayama practices to support your wellbeing.
Yantra Practices
Geometrical forms influence the mind working beyond the intellect. Yantras can be used in meditations, sometimes together with the focus on Mantra, Prana and/or Chakra to connect and harmonize the whole body.
Mantra Practices
Discover the profound effects of sound vibration on the body and mind. Explore how ancient rishis and yogis used specific vibrations to influence their physical and energetic states. Engage in Nada Yoga, the Yoga of Sound and Bhakti Yoga practices, like kirtan, to support management of emotions and mind, open the heartland the flows of Prana within.
“Kirtan is not religious chanting, nor is it just singing one word many times. It is part of Nada Yoga, the yoga of sound in which you produce sound waves and follow them with your awareness.” Swami Satyananda
Check out the Salute to the Moon with Karma Karuna:
The teachers:
Swami Karma Karuna
Main teacher for the retreat is Swami Karma Karuna Saraswati. She is an engaging, intuitive yoga and meditation teacher, inspirational speaker, writer and IAYT certified Yoga Therapist with 30 years of experience. She has been trained in the Bihar Yoga traditional system and visits India to spend time with her spiritual guides yearly.
Swami Karma Karuna is a co-founder and director of Anahata Yoga Retreat, New Zealand, a Residential yoga retreat offering and integral yogic lifestyle. https://www.anahata-retreat.org.nz/
She also travels throughout the world leading workshops, training yoga teachers, presenting at international events, guiding spiritual sadhana retreats and offering one to one yoga and lifestyle sessions.
Silje Sridharana Indreeide
Silje runs Anahata Yoga and is the assistant teacher for the retreat. Since her teens she has been passionate about how to find inner peace. Yoga and meditation met that need and she has been practicing since she first went to India as a 20-year old. She has studied 1 year at Yogalærerskolen i Norge, 6 years apprenticeship with Yggdrasil Yogaskole and has her teacher training from Bihar School of Yoga, the Rikhia Ashram. Silje also studied medicine for 1 1/2 years. Silje has 20 years experience teaching yoga and meditation, the last 13 full time.
“I love to use mantras when I teach, the stillness you can find trough the use of sound is powerful, and now I seldom teach without my harmonium”
Schedule
07.00 - 08.50 Mantra, Asana, Pranayama, Mudra, Bandha & Meditation
09.00 - 10.45 Breakfast and free time
10.45 - 12.50 Theory, Yoga Nidra / Prana Nidra & Meditation
13.00 - 16.30 Lunch and free time
16.30 - 18.15 May include Asana, Pranayama, Mudra, Bandha or Restorative Practices or Mantra, Yantra and Prana Meditations
18.30 Dinner
20.00 Only some evenings, kirtan, havan, satsang or mantra meditation
The schedule may alter, but this is a rough outline.
Day of arrival our first class is at 16.30 and our first meal is dinner. Day of departure our last class finishes at 12.50 and our last meal is lunch at 1 pm.
What to expect?
Hatha Yoga with Chakra and Mantra Integration: Explore the depths of your practice with guided sessions that harmonize body, mind, and spirit.
Meditative Practices: Engage in Mantra, Yantra, Chakra, and Prana meditations to awaken and balance your inner energies.
Bhakti Yoga: Delve into the heart of devotion with insights into Bhakti yoga, Kirtan and Nada Yoga practices.
Creative Meditations: Experience walking meditation, silence, and other creative practices to cultivate presence and mindfulness.
Community and Connection: Gather with like-minded individuals, sharing experiences and building lasting connections.
Practical Tools for Daily Life: Learn practical techniques to integrate mantra practice into pranayama and everyday living.
Restorative Yoga: Rest and Nurture Your body and mind through yoga
Location
Dharma Mountain is located in beautiful nature-setting only two hours drive from Oslo.
Nestled amidst breathtaking trees, mountains, and rivers, Dharma Mountain provides the perfect backdrop for your personal transformation, only two hours from Oslo. Join us for a journey of self-discovery, healing, and spiritual growth in a beautiful natural setting. There are many beautiful places to sit in the gardens, by the pond or even in the trees. They have a sauna that we will heat up at least twice during the retreat.
Food
Food is vegetarian with some egg and dairy, it is possible to cater for vegans and allergies. Three meals a day is included in the price and Dharma Mountain can cater for intollerances and allergies, just let us know what your needs are when signing up.
Havan
We will have a fire ceremony, also called havan, to get in touch with the deeper layers of our beeing.
Accomodation in a cabin
Accommodation is in shared cabins with two or three bedrooms and in some of the cabins there is an open loft that can be an extra bedroom. Each cabin has a small kitchen area and one bathroom with a shower.
Accomodation in a tent or campervan
You can also choose more privacy and contact with nature by sleeping in a tent. You can bring your own tent and sleeping gear or choose Dharma Mountains glamping tent with some furniture and a bed.
Price
Early-bird gives 1.000,- kroner discount. Use code: EARLYBIRD and this will be subtracted from your deposit upon booking. Early-bird bookings last only until August 30th.
Total price for retreat, food and lodging, with early bird price:
Sleeping in your own tent / campervan: 11.900,- NOK
Sleeping in shared room, two people 15.990,- NOK
Sleeping in Dharma Mountains glamping tent: 15.900 NOK
Sleeping in single room in shared cabin: 18.900,-
Payment is done in 3 rates:
Deposit of 2.500,- Norwegian Kroner upon booking, only 1.500 when booking using the code: EARLYBIRD
7.900 NOK due in March
Rest-amount due in May
PS: Are you traveling from abroad? We honour the fact that you will have extra financial costs due to your journey to Norway and will give you an extra 1.000,- Norwegain Krones discount. This will be subtracted from your last payment.
How to get there?
Adress: Hedalsvegen 1220, 3528 Hedalen
GPS: 60.545579, 9.800173
By car:
Dharma Mountain is located in Hedalen (Valdres), 2 hours drive from Oslo. From Oslo, follow E16 towards Hønefoss, then pass Hønefoss, follow the directions towards Fagernes (still E16). Approximately one hour drive after Hønefoss, you come to Nes i Ådal. Here, turn left at the sign to Hedalen. Follow the road up the valley, about 11 km. Then you will see the sign of Dharma Mountain.
By bus or train:
From Oslo, you can travel with the bus “Valdresekspressen” to Nes i Ådal (2 hrs).
From Bergen you can travel by train to Hønefoss, and from there take the bus to Nes i Ådal.
From Oslo Airport Gardermoen, you can take the bus or train to Oslo, and from there go with “Valdresekspressen” from Oslo as described above. Or you can go by the bus to Hønefoss, and from there go with “Valdresekspressen” to Nes i Ådal.
For information about bus schedules and prices, check: www.nor-way.no or https://innlandstrafikk.no
For information about trains, check: www.vy.no
From Nes i Ådal you will need a ride. You can book a taxi by calling +47 95950711. Please book one day in advance. The taxi ride costs ca 300,- and can be shared with others coming with the same bus.
Anbefalinger / Recommendations:
"Jeg fikk stort utbytte av retreatet med Swami Karma Karuna og Silje Sridharana Indreeide." Per, 62, yogalærer
Tone Mette Wenger
Fysioterapeut
“Jeg vil på det varmeste anbefale alle yoga-interesserte å gå kurs med Karma Karuna. Hun både gjør og er yoga med kropp og sinn. Hun har en utrolig formidlings-evne, og en unik personlighet.
Yogakurs med Karma Karuna er ga meg mulighet til å erfare den sterke og gode effekten yoga kan ha både der og da, men også en innsikt og erfaring jeg kan ta frem når jeg trenger det i hverdagen.”
Kjersti Svenning
“Jeg har tidligere deltatt på Chakra Sadhana kurs, Nature Connection Retreat og Prana Vidya Retreat med Karma Karuna, og vil fra hjertet anbefale et kurs med henne!
Med dybdekunnskap formidler hun med grundighet, nærvær og personlighet. Det at hun er direkte knyttet til Satyananda-tradisjonen gir kurs med henne en ekstra verdi for meg. Hun bygger bro mellom gammel indisk yoga-tradisjon og vår tid/sted på en unik måte.”
Viveka
Yogalærer
"Jeg deltok på Chakra Sadhana med Karma Karuna i 2019. Det var ni fantastiske dager til stor inspirasjon, der vi fikk fordype oss i temaet gjennom blant annet fysisk yoga, pust og filosofi.
Jeg opplevde Karma Karuna som en varm, empatisk og tilgjengelig lærer, som virkelig ser hver enkelt og gir av seg selv. En opplevelse jeg vil anbefale på det varmeste."
Åse Lærø
Yogalærer, eier av Verket Yoga
“Karma Karuna er en yogalærer i særklasse med unik formidlingsevne, en varm og åpen personlighet, humor og undervisningsglede. Jeg fikk et stort personlig utbytte av retreaten samtidig som jeg hentet ny inspirasjon til bruk i min egen yogaundervisning. Chakra Sadhana kurset tilfredstilte mange behov; både tid for å utføre den omfattende yogapraksisen og det å dykke dypere inn i yogaens teori.”