Ananda Village

Category: Intentional Communities

The Ananda Community is dedicated to the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda, author of the spiritual classic _Autobiography of a Yogi._ Yogananda spoke of the need for a direct experience of God. Meditation, he said, is the missing ingredient in most religions. By sharing with countless Americans these life-transforming techniques of yoga and meditation, he opened the door to their own direct experience of the spiritual realities. Ananda exists as a community of people dedicated to helping each other achieve this purpose.
Founded in 1968 by a small group inspired and guided by Yogananda's direct disciple, Kriyananda (J. Donald Walters), Ananda today is one of the largest intentional spiritual communities in the world. The main community, Ananda Village, is located near Nevada City, California, and for the last 30 years has been a living laboratory for the integration of Spirit into all aspects of life. Here 300 people apply the teachings of yoga creatively to marriage, child raising, leadership, business, healing, education, the arts, and recreation. The practice of meditation forms the heart of community life, together with a spirit of service to others.
Ananda operates on the free-enterprise system with a focus on cooperation. Members currently run many thriving businesses, including Nevada County's largest natural-foods market and vegetarian restaurant. Ananda Village is also home of the Expanding Light, a yoga education and retreat facility; the Education for Life Foundation, which provides training on Ananda's educational system and runs a private girls' high school; and the Ananda School, with over 50 students in grades K---9.
Each member pays monthly dues toward community maintenance and schools. Individuals are responsible for their own housing.
Ananda branch communities and teaching centers are to be found in Sacramento; Palo Alto; Portland; Seattle; Australia; and Assisi, Italy.
Many retreats, work-study, and internship programs are available year-round to support people in learning about yoga, education, and the dynamics of community living. Please visit our Web site at http://www.ananda.org.