The Expanding Light Retreat

The Expanding Light Retreat Ananda Yoga and Meditation Retreat center and Karma Yoga ashram program based on teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda.
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Situated within Ananda Village, close to Nevada City, Northern California. We offer many retreat programs — spiritual growth retreats, spiritual travels, yoga and meditation trainings — based on the universal teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda, the world-renowned author of Autobiography of a Yogi. Our retreat center is situated within the 700 beautiful acres of Ananda Village, just outside Nevada C

ity, California. Guests have visited here for over 50 years, from all parts of the world, with many different spiritual perspectives, to learn more about the path of Kriya Yoga meditation, Ananda Yoga for physical and spiritual healing, and the contemporary application of Yogananda's teachings to help people realize their true potential.

"Went to the expanding life center for a relaxing weekend that included a tour with her beautiful tulip garden, yoga, an...
04/20/2026

"Went to the expanding life center for a relaxing weekend that included a tour with her beautiful tulip garden, yoga, and meditation. The vegetarian food was good." says sherry on Google

★★★★★ Went to the expanding life center for a relaxing weekend that included a tour with her beautiful tulip garden, yoga, and meditation. The vegetarian food was good.

"The Self-Care Retreat for Body, Mind & Spirit at the Expanding Light Retreat was just what my partner and I needed. We ...
04/15/2026

"The Self-Care Retreat for Body, Mind & Spirit at the Expanding Light Retreat was just what my partner and I needed. We were able to relax and reconnect with ourselves and each other in a welcoming and peaceful environment. Our retreat leader, Meerabai, guided us through self-care practices such as meditation, visualization, journal writing, energization exercises, and breath work. We left feeling calm and rejuvenated,.." says Stella on Google

★★★★★ The Self-Care Retreat for Body, Mind & Spirit at the Expanding Light Retreat was just what my partner and I needed. We were able to relax and reconnect with ourselves and each other in a welcoming and peaceful environment. Our retreat leader, Meerabai, guided us through self-care pra...

"Wonderful place! We came for a 2-day personal retreat when the tulips were blooming. The gardens are amazing and the re...
04/09/2026

"Wonderful place! We came for a 2-day personal retreat when the tulips were blooming. The gardens are amazing and the retreat is a unique experience. I did not have a lot of prior meditation practice but the sessions were partially guided and I felt very much rejuvenated and at peace afterwards. I will come again." says Uli on Google

★★★★★ Wonderful place! We came for a 2-day personal retreat when the tulips were blooming. The gardens are amazing and the retreat is a unique experience. I did not have a lot of prior meditation practice but the sessions were partially guided and I felt very much rejuvenated and at peace ...

"I did the Keeping Your Aura Strong weekend retreat and it was an amazing experience. Huge thanks to our instructor, Kri...
03/29/2026

"I did the Keeping Your Aura Strong weekend retreat and it was an amazing experience. Huge thanks to our instructor, Krishna Das! Our classes and activities over the weekend were very insightful and profound, and I feel like I’ve gained tools and perspectives that I use for a lifetime. The accommodations were great—my friend and I stayed in Serenity House in a shared twin and it was really cozy and comfortable. The.." says Lucia on Google

★★★★★ I did the Keeping Your Aura Strong weekend retreat and it was an amazing experience. Huge thanks to our instructor, Krishna Das! Our classes and activities over the weekend were very insightful and profound, and I feel like I’ve gained tools and perspectives that I use for a lifeti...

"I did a weekend program, yoga for renewal, followed by several more days of personal retreat at the Expanding Light in ...
03/23/2026

"I did a weekend program, yoga for renewal, followed by several more days of personal retreat at the Expanding Light in January of 2026. It was just what I was looking for. The yoga for renewal weekend was thoughtfully planned and the retreat leaders - Hanna and Shahla - were wonderful. Supportive, kind, and knowledgeable, they facilitated a beautiful weekend of yoga and helped me get back in touch with my yoga practice.." says Tammy on Google

★★★★★ I did a weekend program, yoga for renewal, followed by several more days of personal retreat at the Expanding Light in January of 2026. It was just what I was looking for. The yoga for renewal weekend was thoughtfully planned and the retreat leaders - Hanna and Shahla - were wonderfu...

"I had an incredible experience here this past weekend. I can't even put into words how much I needed this retreat, and ...
03/02/2026

"I had an incredible experience here this past weekend. I can't even put into words how much I needed this retreat, and the healing and affirmation that it provided. Stunning surroundings, informative courses, responsive teachers, and good food. I appreciated the chance to also learn from my groupmates, and consider how the teachings here can and should be applied to bringing a higher consciousness to our collective.." says Viva on Google

★★★★★ I had an incredible experience here this past weekend. I can't even put into words how much I needed this retreat, and the healing and affirmation that it provided. Stunning surroundings, informative courses, responsive teachers, and good food. I appreciated the chance to also learn ...

"I had a beautiful experience at Expanding Light. I came for Inner Renewal week and also took a few personal retreat day...
02/23/2026

"I had a beautiful experience at Expanding Light. I came for Inner Renewal week and also took a few personal retreat days there. It was a perfect place to deepen my connection with spirit. Grow my meditation skills, connect with community, and introspect. I’m so grateful to have had this opportunity to spend time there and learn from so many knowledgeable people and I will definitely be back in years to come. it doesn’t.." says Tara on Google

★★★★★ I had a beautiful experience at Expanding Light. I came for Inner Renewal week and also took a few personal retreat days there. It was a perfect place to deepen my connection with spirit. Grow my meditation skills, connect with community, and introspect. I’m so grateful to have had...

"Words cannot describe the shift of consciousness I feel and uplifting energy when in Asha’s presence.Although she is co...
02/01/2026

"Words cannot describe the shift of consciousness I feel and uplifting energy when in Asha’s presence.
Although she is completely approachable, Asha takes time to connect with everyone in a personal way. You leave feeling loved and as if you’ve made a friend. This shows in the way participants are towards each other. Very inspiring. Thank you!
P.S. Also as shown in this photo - Asha sharing with a guest some.." says Jujuolui on Google

★★★★★ Words cannot describe the shift of consciousness I feel and uplifting energy when in Asha’s presence. Although she is completely approachable, Asha takes time to connect with everyone in a personal way. You leave feeling loved and as if you’ve made a friend. This shows in the way...

"A transformative experience and a retreat option with loving people around you invested in simple living and high think...
01/24/2026

"A transformative experience and a retreat option with loving people around you invested in simple living and high thinking every day. It is truly inspiring and very comfortable way to recharge from daily grind. Take advantage of sadhana, yoga and meditation for deeper bliss and indulge in delish, nutritious food everyday, good for your body and soul. The moment I left I wanted to go back and relive the joy at Ananda." says gautam on Google

★★★★★ A transformative experience and a retreat option with loving people around you invested in simple living and high thinking every day. It is truly inspiring and very comfortable way to recharge from daily grind. Take advantage of sadhana, yoga and meditation for deeper bliss and indul...

"Wonderful experience attending their weekend retreat. They are so welcoming to all beliefs including secular. I attende...
01/20/2026

"Wonderful experience attending their weekend retreat. They are so welcoming to all beliefs including secular. I attended to recenter and learn to better meditate and practice yoga/affirmations. I walked away with so much more. The food was all made there and so delicious/healthy. Accommodations were also super clean and lovely. The retreat is located on a stunning massive property full of nature, gardens, and wonderful.." says Lili on Google

★★★★★ Wonderful experience attending their weekend retreat. They are so welcoming to all beliefs including secular. I attended to recenter and learn to better meditate and practice yoga/affirmations. I walked away with so much more. The food was all made there and so delicious/healthy. Acc...

"This was my 2nd experience at the New Year Retreat and it was once again fantastic! Krishna Das is an incredibly passio...
01/02/2026

"This was my 2nd experience at the New Year Retreat and it was once again fantastic! Krishna Das is an incredibly passionate and knowledgeable teacher. I feel very lucky to have met him and to have been able to learn from him. The Vedic fire ceremony was the perfect way to bring in the New Year, and a highlight of the program. Leaving Ananda Village I feel centered, grounded, and ready to bring the practices I learned.." says Mimi on Google

★★★★★ This was my 2nd experience at the New Year Retreat and it was once again fantastic! Krishna Das is an incredibly passionate and knowledgeable teacher. I feel very lucky to have met him and to have been able to learn from him. The Vedic fire ceremony was the perfect way to bring in th...

"It was the most wonderful way to enter the new year. I experienced a much deeper connection with God in this environmen...
01/01/2026

"It was the most wonderful way to enter the new year. I experienced a much deeper connection with God in this environment, fueled by their teachings, enthusiasm, beautiful music, sadhnas . I met several people who had been to their different retreats many times over and I could fully understand why. I have been to other retreats in other places and by far this has been my very best experience. I feel so much more resolute and.." says A on Google

★★★★★ It was the most wonderful way to enter the new year. I experienced a much deeper connection with God in this environment, fueled by their teachings, enthusiasm, beautiful music, sadhnas . I met several people who had been to their different retreats many times over and I could fully ...

Address

13930 Expanding Light Drive
Nevada City, CA
95959

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm
Sunday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+15304787518

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Our Story

We share all of the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda, author of Autobiography of a Yogi. We offer retreat programs, spiritual pilgrimage and certificate training programs year round. Located at Ananda Village in Northern California approximately one hour and a half from Sacramento, CA.