Program

Arrival is on Friday, Jan 30th at 6 pm. According to your travel plan, you can also arrive earlier or later on that day. It is better if you can arrive on time or early as we will start our programs at 6:30 p.m. with a meditation class. Departure is on Sunday, Feb 1st, after breakfast and the closing ceremony. The daily schedule includes early morning chanting at 5 a.m., followed by meditation (with an option to sleep a bit later if needed), and then a full day of activities.
Every day will include

• Early morning mantra chanting (Kiirtana) and meditation (5 – 5:30 a.m.) (optional and you can rest after)
• Morning Yoga Asana Class (6:30 – 7:30 a.m.)
• Morning collective meditation (7:30 – 8:30 a.m.)
• Breakfast (9:00 a.m.)
• Free time to walk outdoors
• Morning Class (10:00 a.m.)
• Noon collective meditation (12:30 p.m.)
• Lunch (2 p.m.)
• Rest after lunch and free time
• Workshop, outdoor activities, or other afternoon programs (3:30 p.m.)
• Evening meditation (6:30 p.m.)
• Evening yoga class (7:30 p.m.)
• Dinner (8:30 p.m.)
• Sharing inspirational stories (9:00 p.m.)
• Short meditation
• Rest (around 10 p.m.)

Food

Throughout our time together, we will gather to share breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the company of fellow participants. Our team of teachers and volunteers will prepare these meals, extending an open invitation for participants to engage in the cooking process or simply observe and learn.

We will select organic as much as possible. If you have any allergies or specific food preferences, please contact us beforehand so that we can adjust or make those items available.

In an effort to maintain a respectful and inclusive environment, we kindly request that attendees honour our policy of not bringing or consuming meat, fish, eggs, onions, garlic, mushrooms, alcohol, tobacco, or narcotic drugs on the premises of the retreat.

Teachers

DIDI ANANDA KALYANMITRA

Didi has been teaching meditation and yogic lifestyle for over 20 years in Taiwan, Russia, Central and North America, and Europe. Graduated as a religious minister (Acarya) in “Prashiksana Matha” – Ananda Marga Acarya training centers (in Sweden and India), she specialized in Meditation, Tantra, Spiritual philosophy, RajadhiRaja yoga, Karma yoga, Jinana yoga, Bhakti yoga, classical Hatha yoga, Yoga therapy, Sanskrit, Kiirtan and the art of implementing spirituality in everyday life.

DADA DAYASHIILANANDA

Dada is from Ivory Coast in Africa and has been a yogi since 1991. Dada became acharya in 1996, and from 1996 to 2009 was teaching yoga and meditation in various central African countries.

In the same period, he was in charge of an orphanage in Brazzaville, Congo, and he built two primary schools for poor and low-income families.

Since 2010, Dada has been in Canada running yoga and meditation clubs at various universities. He is also involved in the Ananda Kanak Master Unit, an eco-village project located in Saint-André-Avellin in the Quebec province. Additionally, Dada is passionate about organic gardening and farming.

Location 

Camp Bradford is conveniently located 1 hour away from Toronto. It is surrounded by forest and has trails, a garden, rich wildlife, and various bird species.

Camp Bradford has a cozy house encircled by flowering trees and bushes. There is a separate kitchen, two big rooms and a separate comfy dome for additional accommodation.

HOW TO GET THERE (if you arrive by car)

It is 1 hour away from Toronto. Use Google Maps to search: Camp Bradford 2238 Line 10 Queensville, ON L0G 1R0 CANADA. Otherwise, get in touch with one of the organizers – Nirmal (+1 647 864 2428) or Madhuvidya (+1 437 216 0335) to help guide you or arrange a pick-up from Toronto.

WHAT TO BRING

• Please bring a towel, toiletry, reusable water bottle, clothes, personal items (medications, supplements, etc., as per need), personal hygiene (soap, toothbrush, toothpaste), shoes for walking outdoors, slippers.

Prohibited Items:

• It is not allowed to bring any tamasik items, such as tobacco, alcohol, drugs, intoxicants, meat, fish, eggs, onion, garlic, mushrooms, or any food containing those items. If you have any questions, please contact us for more information. The food during the retreat is plentiful and delicious, so you don’t need to worry about going hungry!
• Out of respect to our guests with scent sensitivities, we ask that no strong perfumes or lotions be used.

Is the Retreat Child-Friendly?

Yes, we welcome our participants to bring their children. However, we do not provide child care, so parents need to attend to their children and ensure their safety. The children are welcome to join the classes, meditation and yoga classes – they can play quietly on the side or participate. Some children are eager to participate in yoga, meditation, and mantra chanting (kiirtan).