Paramhansa Yogananda – sharing his teachings of Kriya Yoga and Meditation through community, groups and retreats
There is no part of life that meditation cannot improve.
Nestled in the hills of Umbria, Italy, is the European Ananda Yoga Centre, a peaceful guest retreat centre and community that lives and shares the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda. I lived here for many years and since returning to the UK in 2014, have been an active member of the Ananda community here in England. We hold regular meditation meetups, online meditations, and weekend retreats . In October 2022, we held the first UK Ananda Kriya Initiation Weekend Retreat, with Darshan and Uma from Ananda Assisi.
More details of Ananda can be found on the Ananda UK website
Ananda in the UK is growing! Come and join us as we collaborate together to create community and spiritual friendship.
Regular Ananda Meditation Groups – satsang and community.
What’s On?
Online weekly meditation group
Wednesdays and Fridays 7.15am – 8am
Sundays 7pm – 8pm
A really peaceful and inspirational to end the weekend, and prepare for the week ahead on Sunday evenings. And two weekly morning meditations to keep our energy high and inspired during the week.
This is a powerful group and you will feel the energy and magnetism that group meditation encourages, even online! Opening prayer, chanting and readings, silent period of meditation, and concluding with healing prayers – you are so welcome to join us. The meditation is run each week by a core member of Ananda including Nalini, Sananda, Shirley, Stan and Surya.
Email me for the Zoom links if you would like to join us at nalini@anandauk.org
Online Gentle Yoga for Higher Awareness
Gentle Yoga
Wednesdays 6.15am – 7.10am with Anita.
Ease into your day with this lovely class with gentle postures and breathwork. Suitable for all (£8) Bookings can be made here.
‘Rest, Relax and Restore’
Restorative yoga and deep relaxation
First Friday of the month (from 6th October) 7pm – 8pm with Nalini.
A deeply relaxing mix of restorative yoga, healing affirmations and deep, soothing relaxation. Suitable for all (£8)
Bookings can be made here.
Ananda Meditation Retreat
Thursday 25th – Sunday 28th April 2024
St Katharine’s, Henley-on-Thames
Spend an inspirational weekend with us in the beautiful guest retreat surrounded by nature and peacefulness.
Our retreats are a joyful experience and a great blend of meditation, kirtans (devotional chanting), satsang, nature walks, and classes on subjects related to the teachings of Yogananada on how to live a more fulfilling life.
Nayaswami Uma from Ananda Assisi will be joining us for this one and sharing her deep wisdom and experience. Uma was a founding member of Ananda and it will be a joy to have her with us again. Her depth, knowledge and warmth are always a source of inspiration! 
There is time too for quiet reflection and quietness. This retreat is open to all who are interested in the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda, and have some experience of meditation.
Full Vegetarian Bed and Board
Full prices available from August 2o23.
Get in touch if you would like to book or know more.
Joy is within you!
Paramhansa Yogananda
Above all, Yogananda is probably best known as the author of the spiritual classic ‘Autobiography of a Yogi’; a 
fascinating and deeply inspiring account of his life and the deeper aspects of yoga. A worthy read for anyone, and a delve into the true meaning of yoga for any student of yoga or meditation. Written with great wit and humour, it is a treasure that grows richer with each reading.
Yogananda’s teachings reach deep into the heart of yoga, providing a rich tapestry of wisdom and techniques to win the battle of everyday life. Yoga, meditation, energisation techniques, chanting, prayer, affirmation, introspection, satsang, divine friendship, and how to develop a personal relationship with the Divine, all form the sacred path of Kriya Yoga.
If you are interested in the path of Kriya Yoga, or would like to join the weekly online meditation group, please get in touch for more details.
The Path of Kriya Yoga includes the following techniques which lead to Kriya Intiation. However, the powerful Energisation Exercises and the Hong Sau meditation technique are open to anyone wanting to learn meditation, and are universally applicable to all.
- Yogananda’s Energisation exercises
- Hong Sau meditation technique
- the Aum meditation technique
- Kriya initiation
Learn more about Kriya Yoga by clicking here
Swami Kriyananda
Swami Kriyananda was a direct disciple of Yogananda, who dedicated his life to sharing his guru’s teachings, and by realising his vision of spiritual communities.
His life’s work also included writing many spiritual books, and the creation of the legendary and deeply inspiring music and chants that forms an integral part of the Ananda experience- Joy is Within You!
Learn more about Swami Kriyananda and Ananda here.
‘Gratitude as Sadhana’ blog post here.
