Sivananda Ashram (Neyyar Dam)

Hi,

I have greatly enjoyed reading the experiences and impressions of those who have been at the Sivananda Ashram (Neyyar Dam) in the past and have registered myself for the 2-week yoga course in the 2nd half of July.
I have a question: what is the policy on mobile phones at the ashram? I am told that they can be used during the afternoon free time and have to be switched off at other times - which is fine. But can someone please shed some more light on this. And how is the network coverage? The reason for my query is that for certain reasons, I have to be online at least once a day for about 15-20 minutes. So I planned to bring along a laptop, which can be connected by WAP/GPRS to the net. Will this work?

Thanks for any help.

Mobile/cell phones are not allowed and should be handed into reception upon arrival/registration.
For more rules and guidelines check this http://www.sivananda.org/india/ashra...uidelines.html

International call facility is available at reception. A limited internet facility is available. During busy times we ask guests to keep their email and telephone calls to a minimum allowing other guests the use of these facilities. Valuables may be stored in the reception safe. Valuables are stored at your own risk. Do not leave valuables in the dormitories as petty theft does occur.

hi goel,

i am new to india mike and was happy to read your post above. i had planned to stay at another ashram, but decided against it after reading some posts here. i've been trying to find another, more reputable ashram and was just on the sivananda website and then found your post. just wanted to let you know it made me feel reassured to know another im poster is planning to visit the same time as i and also had positive impression of sivananda. i have yet to contact them and make my arrangements, but look forward to doing so.

namaste!

I have been researching which yoga teacher training to take during the months of June and July (which are the only months i currently have available at this stage) The Sivananda ashram in Uttarkashi have a course running that works for my dates but the place seems very militaristic style, can anyone comment on this?
Has anyone been there and can share what the teaching style is like?

I stayed at the Neyyar Dam ashram in January this year and loved the experience. Don't get intimidated by the rules - the ashram is a very relaxed and human centred place which needs to have rules to make it manageable,but which is also tolerant of our various human pressures. My mother was very ill while i was there and I needed to keep in contact, but I used my cell phone discretely and there were no objections. I loved the ashram so much I will be returning next year.

Om Namah Sivaya

I'll be at the Sivananda Ashram in Neyyar Dam from 15 July - 15 August 2012...

Does anyone that's attended before have any information about it? How did you enjoy the schedule, dorms, instruction? And how you found the surroundings - any information would be helpful!

Meli

As the ashram guidelines mention you are not supposed to be using your phone but everybody does it, you just need to be discrete and make sure that you don't disturb anybody while using your phone.

While I did my TTC I was carrying my iPhone 4 with me and I was able to connect to the Internet with it but for security reasons I was carrying my phone with me almost all the time and I was keeping a low profile. I think I was using Aircel but the best connection is through Airtel. *With Aircel I had to walk all around the ashram to find good reception but that's better than nothing.

The limited Internet facility at the ashram is veeery limited so I was very happy to had my iPhone with me cause I didn't need to depend on the open timings for the internet facility and believe me, while you are doing the TTC or ATTC you hardly have any time.

I also had my netbook with me but I never used it cause like I said I hardly had any time during the TTC and besides stuff like email or skype call I was easily able to do them on my phone

You can find more information about the Sivananda TTC and the Neyyar Damn ashram in this link:

The Sivananda Yoga Teachers Training Course


And you can find information about the Sivananda ashram in Madurai and about the ATTC in this link

The Sivananda Yoga Advanced Teachers Training Course


I hope you find this information useful and good luck with your TTC, it's an amazing and rewarding experience, I'm sure you are gonna love it but don't forget to stay humble and to keep an open mind :-)

Marco