About the Salt Spring Centre of Yoga

Dharma Sara Satsang Society inspired by the example and teachings of Baba Hari Dass, is dedicated to the principles and practices of classical ashtanga yoga. By means of sadhana (spiritual practice), karma yoga (selfless service), and satsang (supportive community), we aspire to create an environment for the attainment of peace.

Dharma Sara Satsang and the Salt Spring Centre of Yoga will continue to be a thriving spiritual community dedicated to the principles and practices of classical ashtanga yoga, including sadhana, selfless service, and satsang. We hold a strong and unified vision for progress in all key areas of endeavour, including programs, the garden, and our community life. We will offer the highest standard of instruction that helps participants develop and advance their practice of yoga. Our business model will be progressive and sustainable to allow the Centre to flourish for generations to come. Spiritual practices and selfless service will be at the heart of all activities.

Programs and Facility

We will serve the needs of Centre guests, residents, and staff as well as the larger community by offering a variety of spiritual programs. Our core programs will be the residential Yoga Teacher Training and the Karma Yoga Service and Study program. While maintaining the excellence of YTT 200, we will expand offerings to enable students to deepen their practice (e.g. YTT 500). We will offer frequent Yoga Getaways, personal retreats, and programs in ayurveda and aspects of yoga. We will continue to hold an Annual Community Yoga Retreat (formerly the Annual Family Retreat), an event which brings our extended community together.

In the yoga school we will integrate local instructors and instructors from Mount Madonna Center as well as instructors with specialized training in, for example, health and other professions. Providing for growth and strength of the yoga school will involve a mentoring program for cultivating a new/next generation of instructors joining the YTT faculty. We will institute outreach systems to sustain meaningful connections to our many YTT grads and KYSS participants, much like a family culture.

We will maintain an attractive and highly functional facility for our own programs and for rentals by like-minded spiritual and community groups. To these ends, we will enhance existing facilities and expand housing and meeting space for staff, program participants and guests.

Garden

In order to honour and increase our commitment to practices which are sustainable and reflect conscientious care for our environment, we will operate a large, productive, organic garden to help meet the nutritional needs of residents, guests and members of the larger community. We will also give due attention to environmental consequences as we further develop the Centre land and run the Centre’s ongoing activities.

Community

We will improve our ability to function as a supportive community in the spirit of satsang. To this end we will treat one another with respect. Business practices will be fair and financially responsible. Employees, both volunteer and paid, will receive supportive feedback on a regular basis and in turn will have the opportunity to be heard. All who represent the Centre – board members and staff at all levels – will interact with one another, guests, and members of the larger community with goodwill, holding one another in high regard, and with concern for the good reputation of the Centre, the Society and the tradition of yoga. We will welcome new members and the active participation of lifetime members. We will encourage suitable applicants to join the residential community.

Through these means we will be known internationally as a place for dedicated, spiritual practice, with an atmosphere of light heartedness, and as an environment for the attainment of peace. We will honour Baba Hari Dass and his teachings in all we do. We will make generous and financially responsible donations for Sri Ram Ashram.