Tapas, Svadhyaya, Ishwara Pranidhana

A 45-day immersion into the Ashram way of life to deepen your Sadhana

The 45-day residential program is an invitation to step away from the habitual rhythm of everyday life and enter a period of disciplined Sadhana, self-study and inner enquiry.

The program is founded on the three pillars of Kriya Yoga — Tapas, Svadhyaya and Ishvara Pranidhana.

Tapas (Discipline)

A fixed daily routine becomes the container for Sadhana. Rising, practice, study, meals, Seva, periods of silence, reflection and rest are observed with regularity.
Tapas is not about hardship for its own sake. It is the cultivation of commitment, endurance, simplicity and steadiness — learning to remain with the practice whether the mind feels inspired or resistant.

Svadhyaya (Self-Study)

Study is not limited to reading or acquiring philosophical knowledge. The student is encouraged to study the self through the self.
Through the study of Yoga philosophy and the prescribed texts, together with observation of one’s thoughts, emotions, reactions, habits and patterns, Svadhyaya becomes a mirror for inner transformation.
The retreat will engage deeply with 2 books:

  • Yoga Also for the Godless by Sri.M — exploring Yoga as a lived discipline and enquiry, beyond merely accepting ideas or beliefs.
  • Mandukya Upanishad — turning the enquiry towards consciousness through the three states of waking, dream and deep sleep, and contemplating the nature of Turiya, that which underlies and transcends them.

Ishwara Pranidhana (Surrender)

Sadhana is ultimately not an exercise in strengthening the ego or achieving a particular experience. Ishvara Pranidhana invites the student to cultivate humility, trust and surrender — offering one’s actions, efforts and their results to that which is greater than the individual self.

The Discipline of Ashram Life

The fixed routine is an essential part of the Sadhana. It provides a rhythm in which the student can gradually move from external discipline to internal discipline.
The retreat encourages:

  • Regularity in personal practice
  • Respect for the prescribed routine
  • Mindful speech and appropriate periods of Mauna
  • Simplicity in food, possessions and personal needs
  • Seva as an integral part of Sadhana
  • Respect for teachers, fellow Sadhakas and the Sadhana space
  • Punctuality and responsibility
  • Honest observation of one’s own mind
  • Reduced dependence on external stimulation and distraction

The intention is not to create rigid rules, but to create an environment where the mind has fewer reasons to remain scattered.

Guru, Sangha and Sadhana
This program also offers the opportunity to experience the value of Sangha.
Living and practising together teaches patience, consideration, humility and adaptability. The presence and guidance of the teacher provide direction, while the responsibility for one’s Sadhana ultimately rests with the individual.
The student is therefore encouraged not merely to follow the routine, but gradually to understand why the routine exists and what it reveals.

The Deeper Intent
These 45 days are not intended to be a retreat from life, but a preparation to return to life with greater awareness. The measure of the retreat is therefore not the number of books completed, practices performed or experiences gained.
It is whether the Sadhaka begins to live with greater simplicity, awareness, steadiness, humility and responsibility. The 45 days are a period of stepping inward — not to escape the world, but to understand oneself more deeply and eventually carry the spirit of Sadhana into everyday life.

Daily Schedule

Time Activity Pillar Notes
05:00 AM – 06:00 AM Morning Kriya / Silent Walk / Meditation Tapas Self-effort
06:00 AM Arti at the Temple Ishwara Pranidhana Fixed
06:15 AM – 07:15 AM Asana Practice with the Madanapalle Community Class Tapas Morning Yogashala group class
07:15 AM – 08:30 AM Morning Kriya / Silent Nature Walk / Meditation Tapas Self-effort
08:30 AM Breakfast Nourish
09:15 AM – 10:00 AM Personal Time / Journalling Bathing, washing clothes and cleaning rooms
10:00 AM – 11:30 AM Seva at the Kitchen / School / Temple / Goshala / Hospital Seva Designated seva
11:30 AM – 01:00 PM Svadhyaya Session Svadhyaya Monday & Friday: Sutras.
Wednesday: Upanishads.
Other days: Optional Bhajans / Chanting / Yoga Nidra.
01:00 PM Lunch Nourish
02:00 PM – 03:00 PM Rest in Silence
03:00 PM – 04:00 PM Seva at the Kitchen / School / Temple / Goshala / Hospital Seva
04:00 PM – 04:30 PM Yoga Nidra / Pranayama Tapas Daily, supervised by faculty
04:30 PM – 05:45 PM Evening Kriya Practice Tapas Self-effort
06:00 PM Arti at the Temple Ishwara Pranidhana Fixed
06:30 PM – 07:00 PM Quiet Sitting / Meditation Ishwara Pranidhana Meditation
07:00 PM Dinner Fixed. In silence.
07:45 PM – 08:00 PM Kitchen Seva Seva Students take turns closing the kitchen
08:00 PM – 08:45 PM Satsang / Bhajans / Trataka Svadhyaya Satsang, Bhajans
09:00 PM Lights Out. Silence.

Teacher & Tradition

  • Sri M: Madanapalle is the spiritual home of Sri M. While he travels frequently, this Ashram carries the energy of his practice. Participants will have opportunities to interact with Sri M (online or in-person) depending on his travel schedule.
  • Resident Teachers: You are supported daily. A senior Yoga Teacher is always present on campus to correct your technique and guide your practice.

Program Details

Dates

Jan 10 – Feb 27, 2027

Location

The Satsang Foundation Ashram,
Madanapalle, Andhra Pradesh, India

Prices

  • Total Fee: ₹1,50,000 + GST
    (Includes tuition, stay, and food for 48 days)
  • For International Applicants (Estimates):
    • USD: $2,000
    • EURO: ~€1,740 (Payment must be made in INR.)

Eligibility

  • Small Cohort: We accept only 10 participants per year.
  • Kriya Practitioners: Preference is given to those who have already been initiated into Kriya by Sri M, as Kriya forms the core of the daily schedule.
  • Frequency: To allow others a chance, you may only attend this program once every two years.

Includes

  • Accommodation (Twin and Triple Sharing).
  • All vegetarian meals and tea.
  • Course Kit: 1 Yoga Mat, 2 BYK Uniform, 1 Bag.
  • Access to Library, Yogashala, and Temple.

Does Not Include

  • Medical expenses or medicines.
  • Travel to/from Madanapalle.
  • Laundry.

Limited spots are available.
Secure your place today and start the journey towards deepening your Sadhana

Facilitators

Vivek Rengaraj

Vivek Rengaraj is the Institute Lead at BYK. He has been part of the Institute ever since its inception. With close to a decade’s experience in Yoga, Vivek is a teacher who delights in transforming complexity into clarity. Whether he is guiding students through challenging asanas or unpacking dense philosophical ideas, he excels at breaking concepts into simple, approachable steps. His sincerity, discipline, and structured thinking add tremendous value to the learning environment at BYK.

Vivek is someone who holds both the Institute’s vision and the steady discipline needed to guide a learning community. He balances tradition with thoughtful innovation, ensuring that students receive an authentic, structured, and nurturing experience.

Deeply inspired by his teacher, Sri M, Vivek’s motivation stems from witnessing the humility, energy, and ever-evolving clarity with which Sri M teaches. This inspires him to keep learning—not by constantly seeking new subjects, but by returning to foundational teachings with greater depth and understanding.
Outside the classroom, Vivek loves exploring the city on his bike, immersing himself in Carnatic music, or enjoying a Bharatanatyam performance whenever he gets the chance.

Vivek is the lead trainer for all the Teacher Training programs, Intermediate and Advance Yoga classes at BYK.

Chitra Ganesh

Chitra Ganesh is the Academic Lead at BYK. A yoga exponent and practitioner for more than a decade, she is known for her heartfelt approach and ability to help students experience balanced living through traditional yogic practices. With a deep belief that yoga is a complete way of life, she blends practice and philosophy into her sessions, sharing her experiences, making Yoga meaningful and accessible to all age groups.

Currently deepening her Mantra sadhana and pursuing studies in Naturopathy, she remains a dedicated lifelong learner on the path. At BYK, she contributes not only through her classes but also through her strong planning and organizational abilities, by curating new programs, designing curriculum and courses to support the community’s larger vision. She also supports and guides the teachers at BYK on things relevant to their journey or the courses they handle.

Outside her practice, she finds joy in travelling, cooking, going on nature treks, singing and listening to old Hindi songs and reading—each reflecting her warm and expressive personality. For Chitra, yoga is the golden thread that weaves through the fabric of life, echoing Sri M’s teachings on finding balance and moderation.

The Application Process

 To apply for this program please follow the steps as given below:

  • Step 1: Write a handwritten letter to BYK giving some information about yourself, your Yoga background, current profession, whether initiated into Kriya and what inspires you to take up this program.
  • Step 2: Print the Code of Conduct document and sign the document after reading the document completely
  • Step 3: Scan your letter and save it as PDF file.
  • Step 4: Send the scanned PDF to connect@bharatyogavidyakendra.in.
  • Step 5: Once we receive your letter, we will review it and contact you via email regarding the status of your application.

Application open for 2027.