Yasodhara Ashram is a yoga retreat and study centre founded in 1963 in Kootenay Bay, British Columbia.

As a Canadian charity, our purpose is to stimulate open intellectual and spiritual inquiry, supporting the potential of transformation in each person. We offer a wide range of programs year round. We are also a residential community where we practice living what we teach.

About Us

The “Ashram”,which means spiritual home, offers effective teachings and beautiful retreat space to help people of all ages and backgrounds understand themselves and clarify their direction in life. Yoga, in this tradition, involves breaking free from limitations through reflection, inquiry and practices that expand awareness and open doors to potential.

At Yasodhara Ashram, we help people to evolve and lead fulfilling lives. We are convinced that a foundation of character building and awareness is necessary to courageously face personal transitions and serious global challenges. From inner strength and knowledge, positive change can arise.

We also extend beyond our 115 acres to our local and global communities. Locally we contribute leadership skills, conflict resolution and facilitation expertise. We volunteer time to community boards, the fire department and First Responders. We make donations toward services such as the ambulance and the school lunch program. We also offer meeting space for local community groups and invite our neighbours to events and programs such as Family Week, the Teen Program and the Strawberry Social. We employ local people and contractors and support local farmers and artisans. The Ashram has been an integral part of the East Shore community of Kootenay Lake for more than 50 years.

Globally we reach out through offering workshops internationally. We invite schools and like-minded organizations to join us for sustainability tours and work-study programs. We engage in spiritual ecology dialogues and interfaith conferences and develop academic partnerships. We participate in meaningful conversations and act on our ideals as a community to strengthen the whole.