Table of Contents 
 
Welcome to Ishvara Ashram 2
Basic Guidelines 4

Daily Schedule 6

Yogic Ashram Living 7

Silent Times 7
What to Wear 8

Sleeping Quarters and Common Areas 8

Food and Kitchen 9

Mantras 10

Fire Puja (Ceremony) 11

Contact Information 16

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Welcome to Ishvara Ashram

 
Ashram, by definition, is a "hermitage, monastic community, or other place of religious 
or spiritual retreat."  The Sanskrit root, "srama" means “making an effort toward 
liberation.”  
 
Ishvara Ashram is a Kentucky based spiritual community that is open to all.  ​Our 
mission is simple:  To hold sacred space and to provide support, tools and 
resources for those who seek metaphysical learning, spiritual growth, 
transformation and alignment with the divine.​ We do this according to yogic 
principles and practices.   
 
We offer classes, workshops, and, at the heart of our mission, we build and facilitate a 
seasonal yogic spiritual retreat in the Red River Gorge. Ishvara Ashram is open to 
everyone, and all ashram services, including meals, accommodations, daily practices, 
workshops and activities are offered on the “gift economy”, meaning we invite 
participants to contribute as their heart informs and as their finances allow. Staff is 
available to discuss financial arrangements upon request. Staff information is available 
on ​Contact Information​ page. 
 
We believe every human being needs and deserves opportunities to disconnect from 
the stresses of modern daily life and find restoration, healing, time for contemplation 
and opportunities for spiritual growth in a loving, supportive environment close to 
nature. 
 
In day to day ashram living, we integrate a consistent routine of spiritual practices 
including selfless service (karma yoga), meditation, yoga asana (postures), kirtan 
(singing of sacred mantras) and daily fire puja (ceremony).  Additionally, we offer a 
variety of workshops and classes facilitated by gifted, experienced teachers/guides 
and provide support for those wishing to perform personal sadhana - which might 
include a day of silent meditation or prayer.  In our community, we deeply value the 
principle of play as a means for learning and growth.  As such, we consider things like 

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making music together, dancing, rock climbing and even playing in the lake to be part 
of our spiritual journey. 
 
We believe this type of retreat benefits not only those who attend but ripples back out 
into the world as resident guests return to their daily life with a renewed connection to 
the natural world, to their own true, divine nature and to their life’s deeper purpose - 
bringing a higher vibration, more love and heartfelt intention to their home, work and 
local communities. 
 
Our vision and longer term goal is to find a permanent home for Ishvara Ashram in the 
Red River Gorge and to operate year-round.  We believe the Gorge is a powerful 
spiritual and energetic vortex, like the “Sedona of Kentucky”.  By locating Ishvara 
Ashram in the Red River Gorge, we bring transformative healing energy to the 
surrounding land, to the entire region, and to the world. 
 

Basic Guidelines
 
Ishvara Ashram is a place for internal contemplation and sadhana (spiritual practice). 
For the benefit of the community and the atmosphere of purification and meditation, 
we ask that you follow certain guidelines: 
 
● Please respect that there be no smoking, alcohol, flesh foods, or drugs (other 
than prescriptions) as part of our community activities.  
● To help prevent fires, please refrain from burning candles or leaving burning 
incense unattended inside the accommodations.  
● Please leave shoes outside so as not to track mud/dirt inside accommodations. 
● Please respect and show kindness to all staff and other guests attending 
ashram. 
● Please attend breakfast and dinner on time so that meals are served promptly 
and the kitchen is cleaned in a timely manner. 
● Please advise staff at least three hours before mealtime if you will not join for 
meals in ashram to ensure that food and preparation efforts are not wasted.  
● Mornings at ashram are spent in silence until after completion of morning asana, 
meditation, and breakfast. 

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● Quiet time begins after the completion of our fire ceremony and any circle 
activities each evening. As such, if you are off site, please return quietly to 
ashram no later than 10:00pm so as not to disturb other guests and staff.  
● There may be others at ashram with different practices and cultures. Please 
respect all beings and appreciate both differences and similarities.  
● As a sign of respect, we request that our guests refrain from the following: 
○ pointing feet directly at the altars or at speakers during talks 
○ lying down during workshops (unless otherwise requested by leader of 
workshops) 
○ using cell phones/smart watches in ashram, during yoga practice, meals 
and mediation, and during workshops  
● Please attend practices on time. Please do not join in late. This will disturb 
others during their asana and/or meditation practice. Please develop a habit to 
come earlier so that you may join the morning/evening yoga/meditation 
practices. 
● Guest are expected to join in the ashram program. If for some reason you are 
unable to attend more than one morning/evening practice, please advise staff of 
reason(s) so that we might find a solution together.  
 
Thank you for observing these Guidelines. We hope that you enjoy your time at 
ashram and we look forward to serving you. OM Shanti. 
 
 

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Daily Schedule
 
Our days start at 6:30 am with morning meditation practice at the lake, followed by 
asana practice from 7:00 am to 8:00 am. Breakfast is from 8:15-9:00 am. We maintain 
silence in the morning until after breakfast. We gather again for dinner at 7:00 pm 
followed by fire ceremony and sometimes kirtan or other sharing. 
 
 
6:30am -  Meditation, Asana, Pranayama  
8:00am 
8:15am -  Breakfast and Cleanup 
9:00am 
9:00am -  Seva (service)/Workshops/Inner Spiritual 
6:00pm  Contemplation/Soulful Play Activities 
7:00pm  Dinner and cleanup 

8:00pm -  Fire Puja Ceremony, Kirtan, Sharing 

9:00pm 
9:00pm -  Silent Time 
9:00am 
 
 
 
Unless there is a workshop during the day, there is plenty of unstructured time. Guests 
and staff are encouraged to use the day for journaling, play, nature time, meditation… 
Or if you feel the need to use your computer, there is wifi available in the 
air-conditioned Shake Out Lounge. Most days, there are outings to the bountiful 
nearby rock climbing areas. There are also miles of nearby hiking trails. It is a 10 
minute walk down the hill to the lake, and the campground has canoes available for 
use. Feel free to bring your own water toys, stand up paddle board, or other ways to 
enjoy the water. 
 

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Yogic Ashram Living

 
Why live in an ashram? The intention of the ashram is simple; it’s to create a space for 
healing and spiritual transformation. We have found that there is a deep cellular 
relaxation that takes place when living according to yogic principles in a predictable 
rhythm of daily spiritual practice.  
 
Guest are encouraged to participate in daily meditation, yoga practice, and fire puja 
ceremony at ashram. Participation preserves the atmosphere of yoga sadhana 
(spiritual practice). Guests may also attend workshops and are encouraged to stay on 
premises while attending the workshops. This will ensure the timely delivery of 
workshops, as well as time for journaling, contemplation, meditation, spiritual readings, 
and japa (mantra chanting). Attendance and participation creates the inspiring 
atmosphere of sadhana for each individual guest and the group as a whole.  
 
The daily fire ceremonies are a powerful way to continually align with the most pure 
aspects of the inner most self. We offer to the fire all of the things that no longer serve 
us, and honor its primordial power of metaphysical transformation and healing. As the 
fire transforms the wood into light and heat, so we offer ourselves to the Divine, that 
we may be transformed and uplifted. 

Silent Times
 
Please observe silence from 9:00pm until 9:00am (after breakfast). This ensures the 
maximum peace for spiritual practice and rest in the ashram community. It is also 
lovely to enjoy breakfast together in silence as well as the exchange of energy that 
occurs without speaking. Observe your own inner experiences during the silence. If it is 
difficult for you to practice in this way, we invite you to notice why and what may be 
coming up for you.  
 

What to Wear
 
Please dress in the way that most supports your spiritual practice. According to yogic 
principles, light colors have a more refined energy and may feel preferable to dark 

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colors. For some yogic observances, all white is preferred. You may find that when you 
wear clean clothes made of natural fabrics that your practice feels more refined. While 
nudity is powerful medicine, Lago Linda’s is not a clothing optional establishment, so 
please be mindful that we are guests at the campground. 
 

Romance & Eros at the Ashram

 
Please be mindful of how you engage with romantic and/or erotic energy during your 
time at the ashram. Your erotic body is a powerful portal to all of the koshas of your 
energetic system, and we recommend that you treat it as such. Also, due to the 
amount of wounding and emotions that often surround romantic partnerships, 
exploring these connections while at ashram can make it difficult to experience some 
of the subtle states available during meditation and asana practice.  

Sleeping Quarters and Common Areas

 
Sleeping quarters​ will be kept clean inside and out. Please remove all garbage from 
sleeping and ashram areas daily. There are large trash receptacles near the entrance of 
the campgrounds.  
 
Each guest is responsible to bring their own sleeping bag/blankets and pillow(s). 
 
There are curious and extremely smart wildlife critters all around ashram (opossum, 
raccoons, mice, birds, etc…). If you have snacks or other food items, please be sure 
that these items are stored in rigid, tightly closed bins or containers, especially if you 
are staying in the ashram dormitory tent. We highly recommend that you store food 
items in the kitchen area so as to facilitate giving your digestive system adequate “rest” 
time in between meals.  
 
Showers and restrooms ​are located near the entrance of campgrounds. Please 
adhere to the signs regarding shower times and hygienic practices. Each guest will 
supply their own personal care products and towel. 
 

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The​ Pavilion​ is a wonderful gathering place to enjoy the company of others, use the 
internet, read, or journal. However, the kitchen area is strictly for meals for ashram staff 
and guests. As such, please adhere to ​Food and Kitchen​ guidelines. 
 

Food and Kitchen

 
The foods in the ashram kitchen are for ashram staff and guests, and only at the 
designated meal times. However, all are welcome to join us; please notify staff if 
others will join us for meals.  
 
Please be on time for meals so that serving the meal and cleanup will happen in a 
timely manner, and food and/or preparation efforts are not wasted. If you choose to eat 
out for a meal, please inform the staff at least three hours in advance of mealtime. 
 
We prepare sattvic breakfasts and dinners together, which means using fresh, 
plant-based foods and avoiding the use of garlic and onion. We use a lot of ginger, 
turmeric, cumin and other Indian spices, and meals are mostly vegan with the 
occasional appearance of ghee or cheese. We use organic, locally produced or 
foraged food whenever possible, since it has the most “ojas” or capacity to purify and 
uplift our vibration.  
 
Breakfast​ will be served after morning yoga practice(s) at ​8:15 am.  
 
Lunch​ will be incumbent upon each guest to acquire on their own. Please prepare 
accordingly for your own lunches.The kitchen is available for your use at lunch time 
unless the staff is preparing lunch for workshop(s). Please respect that foods in the 
kitchen are specifically for prepared meals for ashram. There may be leftovers, fruit, 
and snacks available for lunch/snacking, but do not count on it. 
 
Dinner ​will be served before evening fire puja at ​7:00 pm.  
 
Please bring with you a “mess kit” for your food practice. We suggest a plate, bowl, 
cup, silverware and cloth napkin/bandana. Each guest is responsible to wash and dry 
their own dishes. All guests are invited to help staff to prepare meals and with clean up 
of kitchen area after each meal. More hands make less work for everyone! 

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Mantras
 
Mantra means liberated of the mind. Mantras are mystical energy encoded in the 
sound structures dating back to ancient Vedas and Upanishads. When we chant, we 
regulate the breath, vibrate every cell in the body, and connect with universal 
consciousness. (you can also meditate by chanting silently, focusing on the third eye, 
and holding the concept of the mantra in your mind). 
 
The following are mantras most commonly used at ashram: 
 
Meal Mantra 
 
Om Brahmar panam, Brahma havir 
Brahma agnao, Brahma nahutam 
Brahmeva tena gantavyam 
Brahma karma samadhina 
Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti 
Hari Om! 
 
The Vast is the oblation, the Vast is offering.  
The Vast is the one who offers, the Vast is the sacrificial fire.  
The Vast shall be revealed to one who sees Pure Consciousness is all things. 
Om Peace, Peace, Peace 
Amen! 
 
This mantra refers to the offering we do during fire puja. It is meaningful before eating 
meals because we can see the fire of digestion, and the food as the offering. The eater 
is the offerer. In this way, eating because we are mindful and, in doing so, assimilating 
the food better. 
 
   

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Akhanda Mantra 
 
Om Akhanda mandala karam 
Vyaptam yena chara charam 
Tat padam darshitam yena 
Tashmae shri guruve namaha 
Om shanti shanti shanti 
 
This is a mantra for wholeness and spiritual growth. 
 
 
Jyotir Mantra 
 
Asato ma sadgamaya 
Tamaso ma jyotirgamaya 
Mrtyorma amrtam gamaya 
Om shanti shanti shanti. 
 
Lead me from the untruth to the truth. 
Lead me from darkness to light. 
Lead me from death to immortality 
Om Peace Peace Peace. 
 
This is true prayer—the seeker’s admission of their sense of limitedness and their 
heartfelt cry for assistance in transcendence. 
 

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Fire Puja (Ceremony)

The following text and mantras are from Anand Prakesh Ashram in Rishikesh, India.

Fire puja is an ancient Vedic practice that reaches back into Shamanic times. Fire puja pits were
discovered in the Indus Valley civilization in homes, showing that these rituals were conducted
by families themselves, likely on a daily basis. In these hymns, we invoke social welfare, as well
as personal health, abundance and vitality to fuel the journey on the spiritual path. The hymns
also describe the Divine as the self-illuminating, all pervading Source.

The fire puja is sometimes described as a powerful vision of the transformation process. We see
the elements of earth (represented by the herbs) and water (represented by the ghee)
transformed by the radiant power of fire and air. The result is the fragrance and essence that
rises up and pervades the atmosphere. This is a powerful representation of the transformative
power of tapas and sadhana, as well as of the ultimate transmutation of all elements back to the
ultimate, formless Brahman.

The fire puja also evokes alchemical energies which were commonly worshipped in Vedic times:
Radiant energy (Sun=Surya Fire=Agni Light=Jyoti), Electrical energy (lightning or the electrical
impulses of the brain=Indra) and Generative power (generative energy=Soma). In Ayurvedic
terms, these correspond to the wholly positive vital energies Tejas (pure aspect of Pitta), Prana
(deep and stable form of Vata) and Ojas (wholly positive aspect of Kapha), respectively.

The low tones of the ancient, highly vibrated mantras is often felt as grounding, though the fire is
dynamic. Offering herbs/ghee is also a way of surrendering anything (troubling thoughts,
emotions, etc) we want to offer up for transmutation into the fire. Participating in the ritual is
healing, and is said to send healing aromas and purified prana to all the surrounding area.

The version of the Fire Puja that we are practicing at the Play Ashram here in the Red River
Gorge is a simplified version of the ancient ceremony.

How to offer samagree (herbs) to the fire:

Roll the herbs into the fire from the hand with the palm of the hand opening to the sky. Use the
middle and ring fingers and the thumb, not the index finger.
Samagree is usually offered to the fire with the utterance of “svaha”, meaning, “it is complete”.

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Opening Prayers

Om bhoor-bhuvah svah Evoking earth, sky and the heavens

Tat savitur-varaynyam Let us bring our minds to dwell
Bhargo dayvasya dheemahi In the radiance of Divine Truth
Dhiyo yo nah prachoda-yat May truth inspire our reflections

Tune hame uttepanne kya paalane kare raha hai tu.

Tujse hi paate prane hum dukhiyo ke kashte hareta tu.
Tera mahane teje hai chaya hua sabhi sthan.
Srishti ki vastu-vastu me tu ho raha hai vidhyaman.
Tera hi dharte dyane hum mange te teri daya.
Ishvar hamari buddhi ko sreshte marge para chala.
Datta hamari buddhi ko sresthte marge para chala.

You are the giver of life and you take care of us. You inspire us and remove obstacles from life.
Your presence is everywhere and you are within everyone. You exist everywhere and in
everything with nature. We meditate on you and we receive blessings from you. Divine, give me
pure intellect to move me forward towards enlightenment.

(Say this five times, one for each of the cardinal directions and one for the center)

Om a-yanta idhma atma jata-vaydastay-nay-dhasva vardhasva chayddha

varda-ya chasman praja-ya pashubhir-brahma varcha-sayna anna-dyayna
samaydha-ya svaha. Idam agna-yay jata-vaydasay. Indanna mama.

(Om. O Pure Consciousness, you are the essence of knowledge and are in every corner of the
earth. My soul is your fuel. (Just as samidha, fuel for fire, burns radiating light and warmth,
similarly may I live promoting true knowledge and friendship in the world.) O Agni, bless us with
food, cows, Divine bliss, children and grandchildren. Help us in our spiritual growth. This
oblation is for Agni-the Jatavaydas, the knower of everything. This action is not for myself; it is
for the whole (Pure Consciousness manifests as everyone and everything).

We then say each of these mantras 11 times

Om bhoor-bhuvah svaha Evoking earth, sky and the heavens

Tat savitur-varaynyam Let us bring our minds to dwell
Bhargo dayvasya dheemahi In the radiance of Divine Truth
Dhiyo yo nah prachoda-yat May truth inspire our reflections

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Om Tryambakam Yajamahe We meditate on Shiva, the 3-eyed-one

Sugandhim Pushtivardhanam
Urvarukamiva Bandanan
Mrityor Mukshiya Maamritat
Knower of past, present and future, who
permeates + nourishes all like fragrance.
In due time, the stem of the cucumber
weakens + the gourd is freed from the vine,
so release us from attachment to the material and
liberate us into the eternal.

Silent Meditation & Prayers

Closing Prayers

Three times:
Om sarvamvayi purnam svaha
Om sarvamvayi purnam svaha
Om sarvamvayi purnam svaha
(Let this entire yagna of mine be complete.)

Three times:
Om purnamadah purnamidam
Purnat purnam udachyate
Purnasya purnam adaya
Purnam evavashishyate

Om. That is full/complete perfect. This is full complete/perfect. Perfection arises from the
perfect. Taking the perfect of the perfect, it remains as the perfect alone.

Om tejo’si tejo mayi dhehi

Om viryamasi viryam mayi dhehi
Om balamasi balam mayi dhehi
Om ojo’si ojo mayi dhehi
Om manyurasi manyum mayi dhehi
Om saho’asi saho mayi dhehi

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Om dyauh shanti-rantariksha-gvang
shanti prthivee shantirapah
shanti-roshadha-yah shantih.
Vanas-pata-yah shantih vishvay dayvah shantih
brahma shantih sava-gvang
shantih shanti-ray-va-shantih sa ma shantih-ray-dhi.
Om shantih, shantih, shantih.

Om, May there be peace in the Sky and in Space

May there be peace on land and in the waters.
May herbs and food bring us peace.
May all the personifications of the Divine bring us peace. May the Divine bring us Peace
May there be peace throughout the world.
May the peace be peaceful. May the Divine grant me such peace.
Om! May there be peace (physical), peace (mental), peace (spiritual). Om!

Final Praises

Bolo satya sanatana vedic dharma ki … Jay!

Mahayogi Sadashiv bhagavan ki… Jay!
Yogiraj Sri Krishna bhagavan ki… Jay!
Maryada Pururshuttan Sri Ramachandra Bhagwan ki… Jay!
Satchidananda bhagavan ki… Jay!
Swami Dayadanda Saraswati Maharaji ki… Jay!
Yogrishi yon ki… Jay!
Bhoomi Mata ki… Jay!
Gau Mata ki… Jay!
Gange Maiya ki… Jay!
Aaj ke anand ki… Jay!
Vedic dhwani… Om

(These are praises for Sanatana Dharma, Lord Shiva, Lord Krishna, Lord Rama, the Rishis,
Mother Earth, the Cow Mother, Mother Ganga, and a blessing for today’s happiness)

Namaste​ (bow to the fire and to each other)

End of Fire Puja

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Red River Gorge Sadhanas

The daily structure of ashram life allows for a glorious amount of free time during the day. How
can you support yourself with spiritually nourishing practices in this free time? Our ashram is
located in the Red River Gorge because this is a powerful place with many vortexes and portals
for healing and spiritual work. Here are a few sadhanas (practices) that have been identified as
ways to work with the deeper healing energies of the Gorge herself.

As you read through these sadhanas, notice if there is a particular one that feels soothing to
read. Listen for the voice of your soul, the voice of your inner guru, calling you to come closer to
the land, to the unique quality of the gravitational field that surrounds each of these places.

Angel Windows
Like many areas in the Gorge, this is a very high-vibrating area. There are several different
power spots on this short hike (less than a quarter mile).

Rockshelter For Celebrating Wholeness and Aliveness

Bring with you: ​Prayer mala, meditation mat (you will be seated in an area with fine
sand or dirt) journal and pen, altar cloth/bandana, tea light, lighter or matches, image of
yourself as a child (could even be on your phone)

As you walk into the forest, you’ll notice a large rockshelter on your left. We have
identified this as a place to go when you are feeling the need to let go of the “busy-ness”
of life, to deeply ground yourself in the energy of being and not doing.

Personal share from Sarah: After many years of spiritual and personal growth work, I
realized that I was quite uncomfortable with the practice of “celebration”. Once I
accomplished something, I always wanted to move onto the next thing. I felt uneasy in
this place because it doesn’t have a clear goal or objective. It is a place for just being, for
gratitude, for non-striving. The sutras advise us to cultivate “santosha” or contentment,
which is a flavor of celebration. It means NOT going anywhere, doing anything, or trying
to change anything about what is. This rockshelter is a wonderful place to enhance your
practice of santosha.

Set up:​ Create a small altar using a cloth, a candle and an image of yourself as a child,
or an image of another small child

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Practice​: Ground yourself with a few minutes of breath and/or movement. Then bring an
image of yourself as a child to your mind’s eye. Surround this being with love and allow
yourself to embody the innocence and simplicity of this child. Recall 10 things that you
were content with as a child and write them in your journal. Then make a list of 101
things that you are celebrating in your life, right now. Things that you are content with,
that you do not wish to change. Breathe into these things, welcome them. Allow yourself
to remain in meditation for as long as is comfortable for you, using the energy of this
rockshelter to hold you in this place of quiet, simple contentment and celebration for as
long as feels good to you. Let the feeling sink into your cells.

Closing: ​Using your mala beads, say 108 gayatri mantras to “seal” in this energy of
contentment and celebration.

Power Spot For Ignition

As you approach the Angel Windows area itself, which is an incredible natural rock
formation, you’ll see that there are two windows. The one on the right has been identified
as a good place to work with the energy of “ignition” or getting unstuck from a pattern or
something that has been holding you back.

Bring with you: ​Prayer mala, lighter and candle, meditation mat or cushion, journal and
pen.

Set up:​ Light your candle and find a place to sit near the Angel Windows.

Practice​: Ground yourself with a few minutes of breath and/or movement. Call in your
Spirit Guides, ancestors, and the Gorge herself, to support you in this practice. Sink into
meditation and allow yourself to trace the pattern of your stuckness in your heart and
mind, welcoming it completely. Pray the welcoming prayer:
● When you feel you have welcomed the feeling completely, welcome it even more.
● Say “Welcome, welcome, welcome.” Acknowledge that you are not only
welcoming the situation, but also the knowing of the divine intelligence of it.
● Then say “I let go of my desire for affection and approval.”
● Then say “I let go of my desire for power and control.”
● Then say “I let go of my desire to change _______ (this situation or myself).”
● Allow yourself to rest in this process.
When you come to a pause in this process, get up and walk through the Angel Windows,
slowly, asking the rock, the Gorge, to support you, no matter what transformation looks
like for you, from this point forward. Visualize yourself stepping through a portal into the
unknown, releasing your preconceived notions of what change looks like.

Closing: ​Using your mala beads, say 108 jyotir mantras to seal in your practice.

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Small Waterfall for Physical Healing

Just past the Angel Windows formation itself is an area with a small waterfall. This has
been identified as a place to pray for physical healings. It is recommended to come here
with one or two other people, and ask them to pray over/with you, if you are in need of
physical healing. There is a “pod” rock formation in the nearby rock overhang, shaped
like an upside down bowl, where one can stand, before asking for physical healing.
While standing in this pod, the rock is surrounding one’s aura. Make a prayer here to
release your limiting beliefs about what is possible. Ask the rock to take back the thought
patterns that do not serve you. From there, move to the small waterfall for
prayer/ceremony.

Rock Bridge
This area has been identified as a good place to practice crossing over from one state to
another. This can mean working with Death as an ally, or the Ancestors. The rock bridge itself
may be viewed as an altar to Death itself. This can also be a good place to go when you are
looking for clarity and healing around the process of setting clear boundaries or borders in your
life. If you bring a picnic and plan to eat food while you are at the rock bridge, leave a small
amount of food out for the Ancestors, on a separate plate, and let them “eat” as well. Pack the
food out, and place in compost or feed to animals.

Waterfall Energy Grid

This sadhana is for when you really want to show up in service to the Gorge, to tune into her,
listen for what she is asking of you, and what she would like to offer you. Start this sadhana at
the Mill Creek waterfall, off Route 11, near Natural Bridge State Park. Begin tuning in with the
frequency of the Gorge here. Do not be surprised if you don’t “hear” very much at first. The
energy builds as you progress along the “stops” of this sadhana. Spend a few minutes with your
feet in the water. Make a small offering of cornmeal and tobacco. Then drive up 11, through
Slade, to the Nada Spring and the Nada Tunnel, the entrance to the Gorge. Stop at the Spring
(drink some of her water) and the Tunnel and make small offerings of cornmeal and tobacco
both places. Continue around the Gorge “loop”, stopping at the waterfall near the Gladie Visitor
Center off Route 77. You’ll need more specific instructions for how to find this waterfall. It’s right
off the road, though. Find a quiet place to sit and really begin tuning into the Gorge here, again
making a small offering of cornmeal and tobacco. These two waterfalls are like blood vessels for
the energy flow of the Gorge. Offer yourself to the larger energy that is at play all around you.
Complete your sadhana by continuing to drive in a clockwise direction around the Gorge loop
and again stopping at the Mill Creek waterfall, thanking the Gorge for all that she offers. (This is
about 26 miles of driving, all around the “loop”). If you’d like to practice this sadhana, please ask
Sarah for more specific directions/map.

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Contact information
 
Ishvara Ashram 
565 Alderbrook Way 
Lexington, KY 40515 
info@playashram.com 
www.playashram.com 
 
Sarah Belzile 
Spiritual Director  
336 Highway 1036 
Zachariah, KY 41301 
sarah@playashram.com 
216-870-7669 
 
Leila Christina Ananda Garrett 
Creative Director 
565 Alderbrook Way 
Lexington, KY 40515 
leila@playashram.com 
 
Trish Raye 
Logistics Director 
6170 Tyrone Pike 
Versailles, KY 40383 
trish@playashram.com 
805-441-7828 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Map of Lago Linda Hideaway 
 
Our tents and kitchen will be set up on campsites 1-3 in the Piney Woods loop. 

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