Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Meenakshi Ashram - Yoga Retreat Center in Madurai, Saranthangi - Madurai, India

Recently completed my Advanced Yoga Teacher Training here and I had a very transformational experience. I had done many yoga programs and courses before, but this course really changed my life. The powerful advanced pranayama practice in Brahma muhurta, blissful satsangs, tough asana practice, deep knowledge shared in the lectures in combination with the strict discipline and tight schedule, worked as an elixer to remove deep-rooted samskaras and heal from stressful and traumatic experiences. In the second week I had a break-down, I cried a lot for 3-4 days and then experienced a beautiful break-through. So many things became clear to me, so many puzzle pieces fell into their places and I have learned to bring my witness approach to a higher level and practise it during my sadhana as well as in normal activities. My emotional backpack has become so much lighter and my direction in life looks crystal-clear now. I even felt so super happy during most days of the course. Intense happy, from my deeper core, the bottom of my heart..... I had never felt like this before. Before the course, I was hesitating, constantly thinking whether to do it or not. The course fee was the last bit of savings I had, but something inside told me to just do it. I was at a crosspoint in life and felt a bit lost and used to overthink every decision a lot. That changed during my course at Meenakshi ashram. It was the most intensive and profound course I've ever done, and I'm glad I did it.. and I'm glad I did it at Meenakshi ashram, under the guidance of the teachers and assistant-teachers present here. This ashram feels like a proper ashram, so serene and full of bliss. You can feel that people who work & teach here do true sadhana and are highly experienced in it. Maybe it's also extra strong because of the Sadhana Intensive course that ended just before our ATTC. Whatever the reason, I enjoyed my stay here and it felt like a wonderful healing journey. I have been to Neyyar Dam for yoga vacations, done my TTC in Netala and this was my first time in Madurai. All ashrams have their own kind of energy, and the energy in Madurai has become my favourite experience till now.

A very serene and beautiful place. Far away from the hustle and bustle of city life. A place you go to forgot the stress of day to day life and unlearn few things. Had come to drop off my kid for the Kids camp. The check in process was smooth and staff very friendly. Hoping that my kid has a fun time and learns more about himself.

Peaceful green nature's adobe...very good place to start your yoga journey both as a beginner and as a teacher...if u spend 3 days here u would definitely want to come back again... an experience which can only be experienced rather than being expressed

Spiritual practices are all about discipline but in this place many of their staff(like Nanda Lala) are against the rules setup by higher authorities, which causes confusion and make one's experience miserable. Be aware of this person with dual face, he appear sweet in front of visitors and at the same time he appear good with the higher authorities

Wonderful place for residential programs, it is an international organisation and training centre for Yoga Teachers. Located in a beautiful place. Organization conducts different programs like Yoga Vacation (two weeks), Teachers and Advanced Teachers Training Cources with four weeks duration each.

Serve Love Give Purify Meditate Realize.... Tranquil and Serene ashram.... Best place to be if you are planning for a time out from your busy life....

Been there for yoga holidays (11.2022). The place has nothing to do with yogic or Sivananda values. Complete mismanagement, very little respect to people and animals. On one hand they feed stray dogs on the other hand they are beating them and damping them in the middle of nowhere. As Swami and staff said, "this is how we do it, and we do not want to see their suffering, so we are 'moving' them therefore we can't see their misery". To me it is a cruel practice showing double standards, twisted morality, and subjective ethics. Additionally, there are rats in dorms. The entire site is like a building plot. The plus side, some people working in the ashram were lovely.

I sincerely apologize all the stakeholders involved for reviews posted by me. Also, for the bad language in it. This will not happen again from side. This was mere because of anger and frustation piled from sometime.