New Year’s Sadhana: yoga and meditation in Québec

A repeated rhythm of practice, meals and shared service gives the retreat continuity across the New Year. The forest trails and wood-fired sauna offer a different pace between sessions.

Meet the turn of the year through a shared daily practice at Sivananda Ashram Yoga Camp in Val-Morin. Sadhana means spiritual practice; here it takes shape through yoga, meditation, chanting and talks, alongside the simple routines of ashram life. Between sessions, the wooded grounds offer space for a walk or quiet time of your own.

The usual day begins with an early wake-up bell, followed by satsang, a gathering for meditation, chanting and a talk. Two yoga classes include postures and pranayama, or breathing practice. Vegetarian brunch and dinner frame time for a lecture or workshop, reflection and karma yoga, the practice of helping with shared tasks. Another satsang closes the evening before lights out. The timetable may change; beginners are welcome.

Your stay includes five nights, two vegetarian meals daily, two yoga classes and two satsangs each day, and use of the grounds, trails and wood-fired sauna. Bring your own yoga mat. The advertised quad-room option is CAD 540 and requires a group of at least two people attending the same retreat; rooms are shared by guests of the same sex. Other listed room options range from CAD 600 to CAD 700. For your arrival, check-in opens at 15:00; check-out is at 11:00, local Québec time. Transport, the bus-station shuttle, laundry, treatments and boutique purchases cost extra or are not included. Arrange any station pickup with reception. Alcohol, tobacco and drugs are not allowed at the ashram.