KNOW BEFORE YOU GO TO THE TEXAS YOGA RETREAT

Thank you for registering for the Texas Yoga Retreat! We look forward to welcoming you.

Retreat Location: Ancient Yoga Center (AYC), 400 Barsana Road, Austin Tx 78737.
The Ancient Yoga Center sits on the Radha Madhav Dham ashram property and is located southwest of Austin, Texas, approximately 35 minutes from the airport and 15 minutes from downtown Austin. Go here for more details.
Please park in the large parking lot behind the AYC.


Travel Arrangements: Go here for more details.


Health and Safety: It is our high level goal each year to keep everyone safe and healthy at the retreat. If you have any of the symptoms of covid or flu, even remotely, stay home. If you are already at the ashram, isolate in place and let someone at Registration know. Let’s all do our part to keep everyone in our community healthy by following common sense practices. Wash hands and use hand sanitizer frequently. Cover all coughs and sneezes (into elbow or Kleenex). We suggest that each participant bring an in date Covid testing kit with 2 unused tests. Go here for updated CDC Guidelines.


Check In: Please check in at the Ancient Yoga Center first thing upon your arrival to the ashram. You only need to check in this one time. You’ll sign a couple of waivers and receive a printed retreat schedule, map of the ashram, plus room key for those staying overnight. We will have Ambassadors available to show you to your room if staying overnight.


Arrival Times: Friday: Check in 2:00-8:00pm. If you arrive earlier than 2pm, feel free to stroll the beautiful ashram grounds, then head to the Ancient Yoga Center at 2pm. The first class on Friday is at 4:00pm. Saturday and/or Sunday: Check in 6:30-7:00am or during mealtimes (8:30am, 12:30pm, 6:00pm). If you arrive a little late, feel free to go straight to class then come to Registration immediately after class to check in. The first class on both Saturday and Sunday is at 7:00am.


Hindu customs regarding attire: We are staying at a Hindu ashram and want to be mindful and respectful of their customs. While walking around the ashram grounds, going into the Temple or ashram gift shop, during Opening and Closing Ceremonies (which are out-of-doors), and during meals, please refrain from wearing short shorts or short skirts. Shorts/skirts at or just above the knee are suitable. Wrap a sarong or shawl around your waist over yoga pants. Cover sports bras with a shirt. These restrictions do not apply when inside the yoga/meeting spaces. If you would like to visit the Temple, bring modest clothing that covers your legs and chest. Outdoor shoes are not worn inside the ashram buildings. You may go barefoot, wear socks, or bring inside/house shoes. You’ll note that the kitchen staff wears special indoor shoes to cushion their feet.


Layers: While we always have indoor class options, some of our classes, including early morning and late evening, will be held outdoors. Be sure to bring some warmer clothes and layers, including hat and gloves. Also, sunscreen, sunglasses, and hat for outdoor classes during the day and for walking the grounds (250 acres with lots of trails). Bring walking or hiking shoes If you plan to walk the many trails.


What To Bring: Scroll to the bottom of this page to see what to bring and not bring so you will have all that you need to be comfortable.


Meals: Participants say they get plenty to eat and we get consistently rave reviews about Chef Jo’s cooking! Fruit, hot tea, and coffee are available throughout the day. Meals are served on a buffet three (3) times per day during the retreat and are gluten free and vegetarian (including milk products, but no eggs, fish, meat or fowl). All foods are clearly labelled. Dairy served separately. We cannot accommodate all special needs. If there is a food that you need each day, or there are special gluten free (or other) products that you use, please bring them with you (vegetarian food only). A small refrigerator is supplied for guests downstairs in the Ancient Yoga Center; label your personal food. If you feel you need more protein, consider bringing vegetarian protein bars, nuts, or other protein items for your diet (please, no eggs, fish or meat such as beef jerky. Dairy is ok). Bring zip lock bags to store your food so the ashram will not have a problem with insects. Reverse osmosis water is available in common areas throughout the ashram and Ancient Yoga Center. Please bring a water bottle for your personal use. Glass bottles are available for purchase in the Ancient Yoga Center gift shop.


WHAT TO EXPECT AND WHAT TO BRING

Here is some information about your upcoming stay at the Ancient Yoga Center located on the grounds of Radha Madhav Dham where we host the Texas Yoga Retreat.


Accommodations
All are within easy walking distance to the Ancient Yoga Center and other classrooms. All rooms are simple, carpeted and have individually controlled heat and air conditioning for your comfort.


  • Overnight room reservations are made through and fees paid directly to the Texas Yoga Retreat.
  • All beds are twin. You might have several beds in your room, even if you booked a private or 2 person room.
  • Each bed is furnished with sheets, two blankets, two bath towels, one hand towel, one washcloth and one small bar of soap.
  • Newspapers and TVs are not provided.
  • Hair dryers are not provided.
  • No smoking or intoxicants are allowed on the premises, including parking lots.
  • The gates to the ashram property, Radha Madhav Dham, close at 10:00 pm. each night and reopen at 6:00 a.m.
  • Every room has one alarm clock. If you have a roommate and need your own alarm, please bring one or use your phone.

What NOT to bring

  • Valuables of any kind; please leave these at home.
  • Snacks with meat or eggs in them such as beef or turkey jerky, tuna fish, etc… We are guests at a Hindu ashram and want to be respectful of the customs. Dairy products are ok.
  • To enhance your retreat experience and to preserve the ashram atmosphere, we maintain a smoke-free, alcohol-free and recreational drug-free environment.

What To bring, Yoga Props: Yoga props play a very important part in ensuring your comfort in yoga class. Although our primary classroom in the Ancient Yoga Center has a large prop room next to it, our other class venues do not. We supply some props (blankets and blocks, some straps) at these other locations, but they are more likely to run low (particularly blankets). If possible, please bring all of your own yoga props and carry them with you to all activities where you think they will be needed (you can gauge this by reading the class description). This will ensure that you have everything that you need for each class.

Here is a list of what to bring (please label or identify your props in case they are separated from you):

  • Sticky mat
  • 2 yoga blankets
  • Bolster (especially helpful for deep relaxation classes)
  • Blocks
  • Strap/belt
  • Meditation pillow or bench if you plan to do meditation classes

No worries if you do not own props or if you are traveling by plane, as we will do our best to provide props for your use.

What to bring

  • Yoga clothing (please read above about clothing), cover up or large shawl for walking the Ashram grounds and going into the Temple.
  • Bathrobe or some type of cover up if you are staying in a room that uses the shared bathroom facilities located just down the hall from your room.
  • Slip-on shoes for walking between buildings, as they will be removed prior to entering the facilities.
  • Ear plugs If you are sharing a room with others.
  • Water bottle with lid – label your bottle with your name.
  • Notebook or plenty of paper, pen or pencil for taking notes during classes.
  • Cash, check, or credit card if you would like to purchase items from the Ancient Yoga Center or Texas Yoga Retreat shops. Presenters will also have merchandise to sell.
  • Medicine, allergy medicine, face mask (optional), hand sanitizer, covid tests, etc.
  • Toiletries. Hair dryer (not supplied).
  • Lantern or flashlight to help you find outdoor classes early am/pm.
  • Mosquito repellant

What to bring – Optional

  • Over-arching: Bring anything to ensure that you will feel completely comfortable and at home. 😊
  • Extra towels, washcloths, blanket, favorite pillow.
  • Additional clothes hangers (the rooms have a few but not a lot).
  • Vegetarian snacks if needed. Be careful to store these in a sealed container. We will supply lots of fresh, delicious food at mealtimes, and fresh fruit is always available. See below re: meals.
  • Your personal yoga props, particularly yoga blankets. You are welcome to use the props provided by the Ancient Yoga Center (yoga mats, blankets, bolsters, straps, and blocks). If you borrow a prop, please sanitize it before putting it back neatly.
  • Special chair or stadium chair for indoor and outdoor classroom sitting. We provide “back jacks” and traditional chairs are also available.
  • Journal for personal writing.

Yoga Alliance – Continuing Education Units (CEU’s):
The Texas Yoga Retreat qualifies for CEU’s from Yoga Alliance. Go here to learn more.



We hope you have a wonderful stay with us! Please let us know if there is anything that we can do to make your stay more comfortable or enjoyable.

We are looking forward to seeing you!

Safe travels. Namaste,

Ellen and Charles
Founders