Ananda College is the only college in the US offering a unique residential yogic lifestyle as part of our yoga philosophy degree, as well as our certificate program, and our Yoga-Alliance approved yoga teacher training program. Currently, it is estimated that more than 16 million Americans practice yoga, and growing. In 2012, the college completed its yoga therapy pilot program for advanced students.
Yoga Philosophy offers a deep exploration and study of a wide range of practices, traditions and scriptures from India and around the world. Students study the theory, history and the vast philosophy of yoga, including raja yoga, the nature of the mind and consciousness, pranayama, meditation, ayurveda, bhakti yoga (the path of the heart), gyana yoga (the path of wisdom), karma yoga (the path of action), the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, ashtanga yoga, the 8-limbed path, the Bhagavad Gita, mudras & bandhas, hatha yoga (physical postures), sanskrit chanting, the energy body and the chakras, and much more.
The yoga philosophy degree programs at Ananda College are comprehensive and academic, offering a holistic educational experience in living “the yogic lifestyle” with other like-minded students. This approach to learning is both trans-formative and healing for students. There are twice-daily opportunities for yoga and meditation, social events, and delicious, organic vegetarian meals served three times daily in the campus Green Hill Café.
The college was founded by followers of the Indian saint Paramhansa Yogananda, the first great master of yoga to make his home in the US, and author of the spiritual classic, “Autobiography of a Yogi.” Yogananda’s mission was to bring to show the unity of all religions, to bring together the inherent goodness of East and West, to encourage the establishment of cooperative communities for plain living and high thinking, and to usher forth new paradigms in non-sectarian holistic education and universal spirituality.
The 55-acre campus is also a standalone cooperative community where students can learn vegetarian yogic cooking styles, holistic healing approaches, Sanskrit chanting, explore their own unique spiritual path, and much more. Residential dorms are adjacent to sustainable, organic fruit and nut orchards, vegetable gardens, walking trails, and an uplifting rural environment with a scenic view of the coastal Oregon mountain range.
Courses are taught by many resident and guest faculty, with 20-30 years of experience living the yogic lifestyle. Upper level students may be eligible to complete Yoga Teacher Training certification or Yoga Therapy certification. Those who have successfully completed their Yoga Teacher Training Certification have the opportunity to be teach yoga and meditation classes on campus and in the area, while being guided by faculty. Advanced students in Yoga Therapy have the opportunity to train in the college’s in-house Healing Clinic, and receive a special certificate.
