2026 HYMC ANNUAL RETREAT
Ahymsin-Americas and HYMC are bringing India to you!
MANTRA SADHANA REVEALED
Mantra Practices and the Himalayan Tradition
with: Swami Ritavan Bharati
September 16 - 20th (including silence retreat + weekend study)
September 18th - 20th (weekend study)
Join for a Sangha Retreat...
Step into the rhythm of ashram living during this immersive and transformative retreat. Rooted in practice, presence, and community, this experience invites you to slow down, turn inward, and reconnect.
Extended Retreat Option | Begins Wednesday 9/16
Embark on a Pilgrimage into Silence. This extended portion offers a guided curriculum designed to gently lead you into the depths of silence. Participants will receive a thoughtfully created workbook to support continued personal practice—or to guide others in the future.
Weekend Retreat | Begins Friday Evening
The second half of the retreat opens with an exploration of Mantra Sadhana. Swami Ritavan will present teachings on the essence of the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra, drawing from ancient Shaivite texts. Through the lens of the Netra Mantra—a powerful bija mantra—you will be introduced to practices that support both personal and spiritual growth. Teachings will be enriched by insights from the Netra Tantra, including commentary by Dr. Bettina Baumer.
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Throughout the retreat, we will weave together:
• Asana (movement practice)
• Meditation and silence
• Philosophical discussion
• Nourishing meals
• Meaningful connection in community
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Leave feeling nourished in mind, body, and soul—grounded, inspired, and expanded.
Our Guest Speaker: Swami Ritavan
Swami Ritavan has lived a life dedicated to serving Swami Rama and Swami Veda Bharati since 1970. After having been initiated at the age of 20, he transited through all the three Ashrams of Vedic life (Brahmacharya, Grihastha, and Vanaprastha) under the direct guidance of Swami Rama and Swami Veda Bharati. He was then initiated into Sanyasa in 2007.
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He holds master’s degrees in Management, Education, Holistic Philosophy, and Eastern Studies. A highly experienced yoga meditation practitioner, he has conducted and guided numerous silence and meditation retreats throughout the world and has been instrumental in guiding the international Himalayan Yoga Tradition – Teacher Training Program (HYT-TTP). He is also a Mantra Initiator within the Tradition of the Himalayan Masters. Swami Veda Bharati chose Swami Ritavan Bharati as his successor; as the Ashram Pramukha and Spiritual Guide of SRSG and the AHYMSIN community, before he took Mahasamadhi in 2015.
Swami Ritavan has been traveling and teaching internationally, teaching throughout North and South Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Southeast Asia. In addition, he has been a much appreciated presence as an advanced teacher at Swami Rama Dhyana Gurukulam in Swami Veda’s Ashram in Rishikesh. He also spends much of his time in guiding the International Himalayan Yoga Teachers Association in training numerous yoga teachers, having taught for the past 38 years. He is gifted in guiding and conducting numerous Silence and Meditation retreats throughout the world. A man of few words, his primary focus is on the inner life. He continues to be trained and further guided by his guru, Senior Acharya Sri Mahamandaleshvar Swami Veda Bharati from his Rishikesh Ashram.
New Addition
Retreat to Silence
Wednesday evening lectures + Thursday Silence Day (6a-5p)
SILENCE 101: Exploring Inner Awareness
A Step-by-Step Guide to a One-Day Silence Practice
Silence 101 is designed for individuals interested in cultivating personal silence. It also serves as a resource for yoga instructors to introduce students to the practice of silence. It provides newcomers with an opportunity to engage in a simple, single day of silence practice, allowing them to explore this approach before considering a longer retreat. Whether practiced individually or in a group setting, Silence 101 offers a structured framework for exploring inner stillness, fostering Self-awareness and connecting with the divine light within.
​“Learn to dive into the depths of our true nature. We call that meditation. We call that practicing stillness. We call that the practice of silence.” ~ Swami Veda Bharati, Silence the Illuminated Mind, p37-38
Embracing Silence with the Himalayan Yoga Tradition
As yoga practitioners and guides in the Himalayan Yoga Tradition, aligned with the teachings of Swami Veda Bharati, we offer this one-day silence practicum. The intention behind this practice is to engage both new students and seasoned practitioners, providing a simple framework for personal exploration and the opportunity to access the inner wisdom inherent within each of us.
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Schedule:​
Wednesday, September 16, 2026
7:00-8:00: SWAMI RITAVAN: Pilgrimage to Silence
8:30-9:00: Orientation for Silence 101 (Jenny May)
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Thursday, September 17, 2026
6:00 a.m. Rise with Awareness
6:30 a.m. Opening / Centering / Hatha Yoga
7:30 a.m. Meditation
8:00 a.m. Breakfast
8:30 a.m. Personal Practice
10:00 a.m. Inspirations from Swami Veda Bharati Video
11:15 a.m. Sweeping Breath Subtle Body Exercise
12:00 p.m. Lunch
12:30 p.m. Personal Practice
3:00 p.m. Hatha Yoga
3:45 p.m. Guided Meditation with Swami Veda Bharati
5:00 Reflection
$150 includes Wednesday 7-9pm, Thursday 6am-5pm (Breakfast & Lunch)
RETREAT SCHEDULE:​
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Wednesday, September 16, 2026
4:00: Arrival: Registration: Check In: Orientation
6:00: Supper
7:00-8:00: SWAMI RITAVAN: Pilgrimage to Silence
8:30-9:00: Orientation for Silence 101 (Jenny May)
9:30: Evening Prayers
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Thursday, September 17, 2026
6:15am-5:00pm: Silence 101: Exploring Inner Awareness
6:00: Supper Continued Silence Encouraged
7:30 - 9:00: Carol Crenshaw (Benefits of Mantra)
9:30 Evening Prayers
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Friday, September 18, 2026
Continued Silence Encouraged
6:15: Morning Prayers
6:30: Meditation with Swami Ritavan
7:00: Himalayan Hatha Yoga
8:00: Breakfast
9:00: Personal Time
10:30: Subtle Body Practice ~ Om Kriya (Swami Radha)
12:00 Lunch
1:00: Direction of AHYMSIN-Americas & Center Leader Open Forum (Eric Ness)
3:00: AHYMSIN-Americas Board Meeting (Zoomed)
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4:00: TEA and Weekend Arrival: Registration & Check In
6:00 Supper
7:15: Orientation for weekend participants
7:30: SWAMI RITAVAN: Mantra Sadhana and Himalayan Tradition
9:30: Evening Prayers
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Saturday, September 19, 2026
Continued Silence Encouraged
6:15: Morning Prayers
6:30: Meditation with Swami Ritavan
7:00: Himalayan Hatha Yoga
8:00: Breakfast
10:00: SWAMI RITAVAN: Essence of Mantra in Netra Tantra
12:00: Lunch
12:30-2:30: Personal Time
2:30-4:00p: Himalayan Hatha Yoga
4:30: SWAMI RITAVAN: Mrityunjaya Nyasa Practicum
6:00: Supper
7:30: Cultural Program: Kirtan led by Charles Crenshaw
9:00: Meditation
9:30: Evening Prayers
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Sunday, September 20, 2026
Continued Silence Encouraged until Breakfast
6:15 am: Morning Prayers
6:30 am: Meditation with Swami Ritavan
7:00 am: Himalayan Hatha Yoga
8:00 am: Breakfast
9:30 am: Check Out
10:00 am: SWAMI RITAVAN: Mantra Sadhana Applied
12:00 pm: Lunch
2:00 pm: Departure
Retreat Pricing
Please click on the price option to register.
Includes silence practice, workshops, hatha yoga classes and vegetarian meals with ashram experience.
(At the time of registration, please inform us of any dietary or other special needs).
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*HYMTA (Himalayan Yoga and Meditation Teacher Association)
Day Scholar Participant Options
Pricing - (per person – includes meals (unless noted) and no stay
$85 Friday Lecture only
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$299 Saturday Programs includes Meals (B-L-D)
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$175 Sunday Programs includes Lunch
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$350 Fri-Sat-Sun All Programs includes Meals (D-B-L-D-B-L)
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$295 Fri-Sat-Sun All Programs no Meals - no Stay
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$150 Silence 101 Wed + Thursday
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TBD ZOOM Option (Lectures)
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Location & Accommodations
About 50 miles northwest of Chicago, Loyola’s Retreat and Ecology campus sits in the serene countryside of Woodstock, Illinois. The campus space is encompassed by 98 acres of greenery and serves as a peaceful place for spiritual and intellectual growth and connection with peers, colleagues, and friends.
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GREEN PROMISE
LUREC’s fundamental guiding principle is conservation on our campus through reducing, reusing, and recycling. Loyola is committed to restoring and maintaining the biodiversity of our campus, and during your stay with us, we invite you to take part in our mission of sus- tainability, conservation, and restoration. As part of our green promise, we installed a geo- thermal system in our north wing so that guests can enjoy the ground’s gift of warmth in the winter and coolness in the summer.
Address:
Loyola U Retreat & Ecology Campus
2710 S. Country Club Rd.
Woodstock, Il 60098
815.338.1032
www.luc.edu/retreatcampus/
Transportation Information:
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Car:
O'Hare International Airport has designated Taxi Stands on the lower-level curb directly outside the baggage claim area of every terminal.
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Rideshare (Uber or Lyft)
H & M Limousine Service (847)428-4785
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Train:
From O'hare taxi or ride share to Park Ridge Station, aprox 15min. Board Union Pacific Northwest (UP-NW) to Woodstock IL. OR to travel to Ogilvie Transportation Center, take the CTA Blue Line "L" train. Walk 3 blocks to Ogilvie Transportation Center. Trains run 24/7, take about 45–50 minutes.
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Contact HYMC for options and arrangements to travel with volunteer driver.
847.221.5250 | hymicenter@yahoo.com
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