While the grounds of the Ashram were beautiful, it was still pretty stark and reminded me of a camp ground. . The accomadations were simple and comfortable. The bathrooms were kept very clean. The food was simple, and for the most part, delicious. There was a serious lack of protein in the menu and I supplemented quite a bit with... more

I have recently returned from the Sivananda Ashram in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India. The people and place is lovely. If you would like to truly practice Yoga, sit under a mango tree and peacefully read or contemplate your self with knowledgeable, caring & open Swamis on hand with advice 'To Life' - then I would hand on heart recommend this... more

This is NOT a hotel but a yoga retreat, so dont look for anything else. Ayurvedic food as buffet, very tasty and fresh (even the bread is made on spot). Shanti atmosphere, and still full of activities, yoga classes, workshops, meditation, beach. The highlight is the one month yoga teachers training, but I find it wonderful also for a yoga... more

I had a fantastic experience at the Sivananda Yoga Retreat on Paradise Island. I attended the February 2009 teachers training course and enjoyed every minute of it. I especially appreciate the selfless volunteer work to offer this beautiful space of spiritual practice. I brought my own camping gear and worked in the kitchen. The food is fabulous (unless you've been... more

Before going I read some customer reviews about the Sivananda ashram in the Bahamas and they were quite mixed - some just horrible. So there was some justified trepidations but I booked it anyways as I needed a place to destress and practice yoga without having to pay through the nose. The place was a real refuge - I was... more

In all my travels, and I have traveled widely, this is the only place I have actually hated. It is an ashram, not a hotel, so you'd expect spirituality, not luxury. This place does not exude an iota of spirituality, despite the many hours of chanting and om'ing in the temple. The whole place has an unfriendly vibe due to... more

I did not like this place and I had researched it thouroughly before I went. I went on a yoga vacation and knew that I was expected to attended 8 hours of yoga, meditation and satsang each day and thought I would be okay with that as I have done all of this before. What I wasn't prepared for is... more

Spent 11 days there doing a 10 day juice fast withnon organic food which was unbeknownst to me before I went there...who offers a fasting program with NON organic food... especially a place like this??? Run by a bunch of Israelis some of whom are "Swamis" I don't think so....they all seemed to argue amongst themselves....as a guest, I felt... more

After reading all those sad reviews, I just have to throw my hat in the ring. First of all, Sivananda Yoga retreats are not hotel; they are an ashram. You go there to practice yoga in ALL its phases. That means vegetarian food, Four hours of chanting and meditation, three hours of hatha yoga, very simple living, Karma yoga (also... more