Updated Admission Requirements: Read more
Retreats
Frequently Asked Questions
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General Questions For Everyone
We are currently only hosting visitors at the ashram for a minimum stay of one month. Please read more about this program here: Shakti Saturation Program. We strongly encourage you to familiarize yourself with our teachings on YouTube and our Member’s Section before applying.
Can I come if you are not offering an event?
No, we do not allow visits for new visitors during non-event times.
What is the weather like?
The weather at the Ashram can be quite variable (cool and rainy to hot and humid). Mid-mornings are generally sunny and warm, with fog or rain clouds coming in around noon to mid-afternoon that can produce chilly nights and mornings.
Arunachala elevation: 1100 meters (average)
All year long (rainy and dry season):
Average temp: 20 C° (68 F°)
Low temp: 16 C° (61 F°)
High temp: 29 C° (85 F°)
What is your property like?
We are located in the mountains of southern Costa Rica. Our land encompasses tropical cloud forests, pastures, springs, cascading rivers, organic gardens, and food forests. The terrain is hilly and during the rainy season, muddy, but we have well maintained roads, paths, and stairways that connect our major buildings.
Whom do I contact if I need more information?
Please contact our Visit Coordinator.
What languages are spoken at Sat Yoga Ashram?
All our classes are offered in English though some classes and retreats will be offered with simultaneous translation into Spanish.
How do I get to the Ashram?
See our Arriving at the Ashram page for more information.
What is the closest airport?
We recommend you fly into the San Jose Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO).
Are there any scholarships available?
We do not generally offer discounts to first time visitors, though we may have partial work-trade opportunities for those who extend their visit beyond the first event or returning visitors if you meet the financial requirements and we have spaces available.
How can I join the community?
Becoming a community member is a multistep process that can take several months to several years. We encourage any serious seekers, looking to lead a monastic life, to begin with coming to a retreat as the first step. From this point we can discuss, in person, the process of joining our community.
Can I Meet With Shunyamurti?
Receive a thunderbolt of wisdom, love, and shaktipat
Shunyamurti offers one-to-one healing sessions – rare opportunities to dwell in the healing presence of a realized master. With Shunyamurti’s loving and wise guidance, you may untie psychological knots, receive purifying shaktipat (spiritual energy) and trigger extraordinary transformative unfoldments to change your life.
To find out more about arranging a session please email our Visit Coordinator
For Overnight Guests
What time does the retreat start on the first day, what time does it finish on the last day?
The arrival time is from 2:30 – 4:00pm on the first day.
Departure time is usually between 11am – 2pm on the last day depending on the program/retreat.
What meals are included in the retreat on the first and last day?
We will be serving dinner as the first meal at the ashram the day you arrive. We will be serving a brunch on the last day before you depart.
Is there wifi and cell-phone reception?
Yes, though we discourage cell phone/device use during retreats, there is guest Wifi in our main building and 3G signal (with ICE service, only) in most locations.
Can I bring my children with me?
No, we do not allow children at events.
See our Booking Policy page for more info.
See our Booking Policy page for more info.
Can we bring or cook our own food?
We do not allow food in our cabins nor do we have a communal kitchen, so for the most part we discourage visitors bringing food.
We provide three vegetarian meals daily, a tea station and a small self-serve gift shop with snacks.
If there is a special food item you need to bring, please speak with our Visit Coordinator.
Can you accommodate special dietary needs?
We provide vegetarian meals with non-dairy and non-gluten alternatives available on request. We strive to meet other special dietary needs to the best of our ability.
Please discuss any dietary needs with our Visit Coordinator.
Is the water safe to drink at the ashram?
Potable water is available from a water station in our main building. It is useful to have a personal reusable water bottle for bringing water to your cabin. Please avoid drinking from taps.
What are the housing options like?
Each simple yet tastefully designed room provides comfortable sleeping space for one to three people. Private rooms with shared bathrooms and private rooms with private bathrooms are available upon request for a supplemental fee.
Please visit our Staying at the Ashram page for more info.
Is there laundry service?
Laundry facilities are not available for short term retreats. For longer programs laundry is available for a additional fee.
Will I require any additional money at the Retreat?
The programs/retreats are all inclusive once you arrive. Most additional services, such as individual healing sessions and gift shop purchases, can be paid with credit cards or cash. However, we occasionally host external specialists in massage, acupuncture, holistic dentistry, etc. and those services are only payable by cash – so you may want to plan for this possibility. If you do bring cash, we suggest that you bring anywhere between $500 – $1000 (depending on the length of time you are visiting) for those expenses should you partake in them. Please note that we cannot accept damaged bills. Costa Rican banks require that U.S. dollars be in good condition without tears or markings.
What are individual (Atmanological) sessions?
At the heart of our transformational approach are individual transformation sessions, based on the unique approach called Atmanology.
These sessions are led by either Shunyamurti or Radha Ma or another trained atmanologist. We strongly encourage all visitors who will be here for a week or more to participate in these sessions.
The fees for these sessions are calculated separately from the program fee.
Can I have an individual session during a retreat?
Sessions are not offered during weekend events or retreats, so if you would like to request an individual atmanological session, please consider extending your stay for a few nights beyond the completion of the retreat.
Can I extend my stay with Sat Yoga?
Yes. If you are interested in staying after a retreat, please check out the immersion programs or contact our Visit Coordinator.
Does Sat Yoga require health insurance?
Sat Yoga requires that all participants be covered by accident and medical insurance and that they be financially responsible and prepared for such expenses.
What to bring?
Flashlight
Alarm clock
Water bottle
Journal
Your own yoga mat
Umbrella (important for longer stays)
At least one nice white outfit for special classes, events or ceremonies (when staying for one week or longer)
Outdoor clothes and bathing suit for permaculture activities (when staying for one week or longer)
Clothing appropriate for meditation, class, and indoor karma yoga.
What should I leave behind?
Cigarettes, alcohol or illegal drugs
Hair dryer
Candles, incense, or any fire hazards/flames
Fragrances and strongly scented products.
