Magda’s holiday at an ashram in the Bahamas sounds incredible! I love the idea of a kids meditation and yoga program…feeling very inspired:
If it was a different time in my life, a decade or two ago, I would be packing up a duffle bag and heading off to India to a Yoga Ashram for an indeterminate period of time. I am a serial enthusiast, craving new experiences that push me beyond my current self. Don’t get me wrong, being a mother to a 3.5 year old preschooler, managing the house, the business and my sanity pushes me in many ways. But I want more.
So, this past spring, after a long stretch where my husband was away for more days than he was home, we decided to head to Paradise Island in the Bahamas and hole up in a little Ashram in the jungle off a pristine white sand beach.
Yes, there is an Ashram out there that not only allows loud, boisterous preschoolers on their grounds but has a deep love and appreciation for them. Now perhaps 5:30am morning wake up gongs doesn’t quite sound like the family vacation you’ve been dreaming of. Meditation, chanting, spiritual teachings, a 2 hour physical asana practice and all this before 10am when your first of only two daily vegetarian meals passes your lips. Sivanada believed that overeating was the root cause of all illness. So don’t worry, you won’t be binging on anything here. This is a pure vacation, unless of course you escape down the beach for burgers and ice cream at the neighbouring resort.
A few times a year, the Ashram offers a kids program where twice a day, kids ages four and up attend their own ashram experience for a couple hours. They meditate, chant, participate in karma yoga and their own animal-inspired yogic adventures. This is where my three year old meditated for the first time in his life. Like really meditated. Seated in crisscross yoga-sauce position, little hands tightly squished in chin mudra, eyes squeezed shut, he sat and he sat and he sat. Until someone told him that it was time to open his eyes again.
The monastic lifestyle at Sivananda Bahamas is deeply rejuvenating and inspiring, not just for us as parents, but for the little ones as well. Passing ancient traditions on to the next generation while making space, real space, for parents to remember how to breath again.
The Yoga Holiday Family Program usually runs in April and December of every year and is truly worth a visit. There’s accommodations for every budget from camping, rooms with communal bathrooms to oceanfront deluxe suites. Food, delicious vegetarian fare, is included and cooked by a published chef name Gigi. Check the dates for upcoming programs on the Sivananda Calendar at https://www.sivanandabahamas.org
And maybe we’ll see you there!
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About me:
Magda Dominik is committed to designing experiences that provoke and awaken human potential. She is a facilitator, yoga teacher and workshop designer bringing her ninja skills to communities and organizations the world over. From family retreats in the Pacific North West, to leading groups on volunteer projects in Indonesia orfacilitating leadership developmentthroughout North America. Magda is honing the cutting edge of personal and professional development through retreats focusing on play, connection and growth.
Magda’s home-base is a hidden mountain stronghold near Vancouver, Canada. She lives there with her husband (and business partner) Geordie Aitken, and their son 3.5 year old son Walker.
For information about future family retreats, or to be added to our mailing list, contact Magda through Ninja Training