Healing Your Life: A Transformational Ayurveda Retreat with Dr. Marc Halpern
California College of Ayurveda & Hindu University of America at the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Farm
In a world that moves faster every day, moments of stillness, self-connection, and healing are becoming essential—not optional. That is the heart and intention of the Healing Your Life: Ayurveda Wellness Retreat, a collaborative program between the California College of Ayurveda (CCA), Hindu University of America (HUA), and the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Farm, led by Dr. Marc Halpern, one of the world’s foremost pioneers of Ayurveda in the West.
Participants also received the profound blessings of the ashram through morning and evening Satsang, beautifully led by Swami Sitaramananda (Swami Sita) and Swami Adi Parashaktiananda. Their guidance in meditation, chanting, and spiritual reflection created an unforgettable atmosphere of grace, devotion, and inner transformation.
This retreat is more than a weekend getaway; it is an immersive, restorative experience designed to help individuals cleanse the body, calm the mind, and reconnect with their purpose through ancient Ayurvedic wisdom and classical yogic practices. Participants leave not only rejuvenated, but equipped with real tools to continue their journey of healing at home.
A Sacred Beginning
Participants arrived on Thursday afternoon, checking in and settling into the serene and natural environment of the Sivananda Ashram before the program officially opened with Yoga Nidra at 4:00 PM led by Dr. Andrea Deerheart. This early arrival creates the spaciousness needed to unwind from daily life and gently transition into the retreat energy.
The first evening offered a soft landing:
- A welcoming Yoga Nidra or deep relaxation practice
- A nourishing vegetarian dinner at 6 PM
- Satsang at 7:30 PM, featuring meditation, chanting, and an inspirational spiritual talk
- Lights off at 9.30 PM
This rhythm sets the tone—slow, intentional, and heart-centered.
Retreat Flow: A Balance of Learning, Practice & Rest
Throughout Friday and Saturday, the retreat follows the balanced structure characteristic of Sivananda programming—honoring the body, mind, senses, and spirit. Mornings begin with Satsang (6:30–8:00 AM), a practice that blends meditation, chanting, and spiritual dialogue. This is followed by an invigorating Yoga Asana & Pranayama class from 8:00–9:00 AM, preparing the body and mind for deeper learning.
By 10:00 AM, brunch is served—fresh, sattvic, vegetarian meals that support clarity and gentle detoxification. A cornerstone of the retreat is Karma Yoga (Selfless Service) at 11:00 AM, grounding each participant in humility, presence, and community.
Healing Through Ayurveda: Daily Sessions with Dr. Marc Halpern
Beginning at 11:15 AM each day, Dr. Halpern leads the main Ayurveda sessions. These teachings are drawn from his renowned curriculum “Healing Your Life,” a powerful program that helps individuals apply Ayurveda’s foundational principles of diet, lifestyle, sensory therapy, and mind-body balance.
Participants explore:
- The Ayurvedic model of health and disease
- How lifestyle, digestion, and the senses influence wellbeing
- Understanding one’s unique constitution (dosha)
- The causes of imbalance and practical strategies for prevention
- Daily routines (dinacharya) that support long-term wellness
- Seasonal practices for immunity, vitality, and mental clarity
This is where the retreat becomes transformative—not just theory, but the embodiment of Ayurveda. Through the learnings, the intentions are to empower individuals to heal themselves and others.
Nature, Quiet, and Inner Work
The Sivananda Yoga Ashram is a place for nature walks, rest, reflection, or journaling. Participants often describe this as one of the most healing parts of the weekend—time to listen to the inner voice that daily life often drowns out.
Yoga Nidra from 4:00–5:30 PM offers deep relaxation and a gentle integration of the day’s learning. Dinner at 6 PM and evening Satsang completes the daily rhythm, inviting participants to move inward before closing their day in stillness.
Closing in Peace: Sunday at 2 PM
Sunday’s final sessions continue the deep exploration of Ayurveda and yoga, concluding with a closing circle of reflection and gratitude. The retreat officially ends at 2:00 PM, allowing participants time to transition peacefully back into daily life. Most leave feeling lighter, clearer, and more connected—carrying home new habits, deeper insight, and a renewed sense of balance.
Why This Retreat Matters
Healing Your Life is more than a retreat—it is a doorway to living Ayurveda each day. Under Dr. Halpern’s guidance, participants discover not just ancient knowledge, but practical wisdom that restores health, harmony, and meaning in modern life. Whether you are new to Ayurveda or continuing a long-term journey, this retreat offers a gentle yet powerful reset for body, mind, and spirit.
