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 City, 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.

"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 ...

"I attended the “Christmas of Inner Awakening” retreat from 12/11 to 12/14, 2025. I would highly recommend this retreat ...
12/14/2025

"I attended the “Christmas of Inner Awakening” retreat from 12/11 to 12/14, 2025. I would highly recommend this retreat to any serious seeker, particularly if one is interested in the principles of Self-Realization. The instructors, Sagar and Krishnadas, were both inspiring and engaging, with both possessing a very deep and profound understanding of the subject matter. Together with their own personal teaching styles and.." says Scott on Google

★★★★★ I attended the “Christmas of Inner Awakening” retreat from 12/11 to 12/14, 2025. I would highly recommend this retreat to any serious seeker, particularly if one is interested in the principles of Self-Realization. The instructors, Sagar and Krishnadas, were both inspiring and en...

"Everything and everyone was high energy, joyful and inspiring." says Marcia
12/09/2025

"Everything and everyone was high energy, joyful and inspiring." says Marcia

★★★★★ Everything and everyone was high energy, joyful and inspiring.

"This place so wonderful for a true getaway. I have enjoyed so many of their retreats. The grounds, people, food, and pr...
12/02/2025

"This place so wonderful for a true getaway. I have enjoyed so many of their retreats. The grounds, people, food, and programming is truly top notch. I recommend to any yogis or aspiring yogis. Enjoy!" says Marissa on Google

★★★★★ This place so wonderful for a true getaway. I have enjoyed so many of their retreats. The grounds, people, food, and programming is truly top notch. I recommend to any yogis or aspiring yogis. Enjoy!

"I arrived on an exploratory trip and felt very warmly welcomed. Everyone was curious about my journey there and the pro...
11/26/2025

"I arrived on an exploratory trip and felt very warmly welcomed. Everyone was curious about my journey there and the programs & philosophical orientation were easy to access and nicely presented." says Stephen

★★★★★ I arrived on an exploratory trip and felt very warmly welcomed. Everyone was curious about my journey there and the programs & philosophical orientation were easy to access and nicely presented.

"Very healing spiritual retreat. The location has some of the best views in the world. The people, instructors, staff, a...
11/16/2025

"Very healing spiritual retreat. The location has some of the best views in the world. The people, instructors, staff, are kind and welcoming. Very highly recommend!" says Mridu on Google

★★★★★ Very healing spiritual retreat. The location has some of the best views in the world. The people, instructors, staff, are kind and welcoming. Very highly recommend!

"I was on a personal retreat with my friend Laura. All of the staff were wonderful! So kind and welcoming. We loved the ...
11/12/2025

"I was on a personal retreat with my friend Laura. All of the staff were wonderful! So kind and welcoming. We loved the classes, the food, the Sunday service, the grounds and everything about the experience." says Lori

★★★★★ I was on a personal retreat with my friend Laura. All of the staff were wonderful! So kind and welcoming. We loved the classes, the food, the Sunday service, the grounds and everything about the experience.

"Ananda is an amazing retreat. The people that live and work there have an amazing sense of peace.  They are very open t...
11/02/2025

"Ananda is an amazing retreat. The people that live and work there have an amazing sense of peace. They are very open to sharing their practices, both in formal and informal settings, on how they’ve reached that state of peace. It is a blessing and a challenge for those of us who visit. The food and the scenery are amazing as well as the yoga and meditation practices that are offered." says Philip on Google

★★★★★ Ananda is an amazing retreat. The people that live and work there have an amazing sense of peace. They are very open to sharing their practices, both in formal and informal settings, on how they’ve reached that state of peace. It is a blessing and a challenge for those of us who vi...

"Beautiful, serene setting. Instruction was thorough and professional and presented in a very caring way.  I felt God’s ...
10/27/2025

"Beautiful, serene setting. Instruction was thorough and professional and presented in a very caring way. I felt God’s presence everywhere. Temple of light and Chrystal Hermitage are incredible. Don’t miss Sunday services!" says Cynthia on Google

★★★★★ Beautiful, serene setting. Instruction was thorough and professional and presented in a very caring way. I felt God’s presence everywhere. Temple of light and Chrystal Hermitage are incredible. Don’t miss Sunday services!

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.