Reflections from a Program Leader
By Kamalesh Ginger Hooven
C-IAYT, Ayurvedic Practitioner, E-RYT 500, Chair of the School of Yoga
Never has Yoga been more alive for me than at Sri Ram Ashram, in Northern India, listening to the children singing arati (ritual of light) songs — at full throttle! — and watching them in the courtyard each morning performing Babaji’s calisthenic-asana (postures) morning practice before heading off to school — wait until you hear them “om”!
I began teaching Yoga in 2000 and opened the first yoga studio in Antigua Guatemala, where I now live. Prior to that, I had dabbled in Yoga and meditation, but it wasn’t until my 50th birthday, that same year, that I committed to a daily practice. And I was hungry to know more.
I met Baba Hari Dass, affectionately known as “Babaji,” at Mount Madonna in 2002, and after an amazing samyam experience, I knew I had met my true Yoga teacher. Later that year, my two young boys and I moved to Mount Madonna; they, to attend Mount Madonna School, and me, to teach Spanish. That was the beginning of my “teach to learn” experience with Babaji. I was quickly integrated into the teaching staff at Mount Madonna and later became coordinator of our various Yoga Teacher Training programs. Today, I remain the Chair of the School of Yoga.
My first visit to the ashram was in 2006 with my boys. It was during Holi, and Babaji was there. It was a glorious visit and such a blessing to sit in the shade with Babaji, surrounded by children and listening to him laugh.
My next visit to the ashram was in 2016, when I was part of the Mount Madonna Diwali leadership team. I taught morning yoga classes and participated in the whole Diwali experience. You won’t believe how amazing it is to be incorporated into ashram life and to experience the various traditional celebrations. Each day is unique.
This year, I’m honored to return alongside Lizzy Gamberdella, E-RYT 500, MA – Ayurveda, C-IAYT, and Faculty in Yoga and Ayurveda at Mount Madonna, with over two decades of teaching experience. Together, we’ll guide the morning practice, exploring not only asana (postures), but also pranayama (breath control), mudra (sacred gestures), mantra (sacred chanting), meditation, and more — Babaji gave us a broad education, rooted in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras and the Bhagavad Gita. We look forward to exploring the philosophies that sustain our yoga practice with you.
The ashram is located in a small village outside of Haridwar, one of the seven sacred places blessed by Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh, where the Ganga River enters the plains. There, we will visit temples, marketplaces, and even participate in evening arati at Har Ki Pauri on the Ganga at dusk.
We’ll also visit remote villages and meet sages, explore Rishikesh (self-named as the yoga center of the world), and, most significantly, get to know the children of Sri Ram Ashram, take them on a shopping trip, and help them build a small village out of mud. Bring clothes you don’t mind getting dirty!
Come ready to be changed. The ashram has a way of opening your heart before you even realize it’s happening.
