The Alanya Siddashram Yoga Retreat Camp, at the foot of the Turkish Himalayan mountains.
The Siddashram’s Yoga Retreat program welcomes all who desire to take some time-off from the metropolitan’s busy lifestyle, by refreshing one’s energy, purifying both physical and mental toxins accumulated through the years.
The Alanya Siddashram Yoga Retreat Ashram was established in 1997 by Yogi Baba Adnan « Ananda » Siddivho Çabuk and Madam Lourdes Julian-Doplito Çabuk. The Ashram is situated at the Southside of Turkey in the Taurus Mountains which is 700 meters above sea level and 30 km distant from the Alanya city center.
The Ashram is built amongst pine and sandal trees, natural flora, and herbs such as thyme, sage and chamomile, away from the city’s pollution and noise, occupying an area of 7.000 square meters). It is also situated nearby natural spring water covering the vast green valley. Not only the green valley but also the Dim dam, which is the second largest dam of the country, constitute the breathtaking view of the Ashram.
The remarkably fresh air of the area is immediately felt by guests, who all affirm to experience a sensation of «lightness » as soon as they arrive at the Ashram. The retreat program, in fact, starts as soon as you set foot on its sacred soil.
Yogi Baba Adnan Çabuk Hoca and his wife Madam Lourdes Julian-Doplito Çabuk with some of the Siddashram students would be delighted to welcome you in summer through early fall of each year and offer you the opportunity to renew yourselves, on the physical, mental and spiritual levels through various activities aimed to share with other guests.
At the Ashram, discipline, respect to the environment and abidance by the rules of the Ashram is expected from every participant. The aim of the Ashram is to assist in the transformation through purification to those who are ready to take the path of ‘’Self Realization ‘’.
It is a place where one learns to be free from their negative habitudes which may be the cause of the weakening of one’s will-power, thereby creating instability of self and mind control, as well as decreasing of self and environmental awareness. This is the ultimate goal of the Ashram shaping its programs for our esteemed guests.
During the one week Yoga Retreat Camp, one gets the healing benefits where the air is pure amidst the silence and the lush greeneries. You may also enjoy the marvellous bird’s-eye-view of the Taurus mountains – the Turkish Himalayas- and the Dim lake and dam while having your meals of healthy vegetarian food as well as organic healthy beverages served at the Ashram at certain hours.
The other activities includes Yoga practices at least twice a day, early morning walks, visit to the source of the spring water where everyone can swim in a clean stream of drinking water. In the evenings some activities includes spiritual discourses related of course to life and yoga. All of the these activities are done in a familial ambience.
Accommodation
Accommodations are not extravagant but clean and comfortable. Concrete rooms and cottages of double occupancies are provided however, men and women do not share the same rooms. The bathrooms and restrooms (WC) are situated outside of the bedrooms for health reasons.
Meals are vegetarian. As our Ashram is a Purification Camp, we do not to allow any alcoholic beverages, canned, sugary, artificial and processed food (e.g. chips, cookies, chocolates).
Due to the fact that the Ashram is located higher than the sea level, the oxygen predominant air, light food and intense purification exercises, it may be possible that a slight sensation of low physical energy, light headedness is felt during the first day due to the physical bodies response to detoxification. Such sensation in majority disappears on the second day.
Things To Bring With You (Must / Do Not Forget !)
- ID card
- Backpack and flashlights
- Comfortable yoga outfits and a shawl for meditation
- It is recommended not to wear tight outfits, excessively tight short pants and t-shirts.
- Pajamas and sweaters may be helpful for chilly evenings
- Plastic slippers to use in the bathrooms (we leave all sleepers outside the bathrooms at a place especially arranged for such purpose)
- Bathroom towel as well as a towel to use for the river bathing
- Comfortable and solid pair of shoes for trekking
- Toothbrush, dental floss, tongue cleaner(optional), toothpaste and a plastic drinking glass
- Shaving kit for men and natural deodorant for everyone.
- Normal swimming suit is advised for swimming in the river
- Sun protection cream and moisturizers
- Hat and sunglasses to use during trekking and outside the Ashram (these items are not to be used while doing Yoga and within the eating area)
- It is advised not to bring expensive watches and jewelry
- Do not forget to bring with you necessary medicines your doctor has prescribed, if any. Also, medicines for headaches, allergy, stomach pain, diarrhea, antibiotics, antiseptics and similar medicines are not to be forgotten
- Any cream/spray you are used to for mosquitos
- A small notebook, pen and photograph camera for those who are willing to immortalize their experiences at the Camp
- Should you wish to, you may also bring your personal or collected items for donation purposes (such items may be garments as well as yoga mats, spiritual books, bed linens, blankets and kitchen devices).
Our Rules
The goal of your stay in our Ashram is to rejuvenate and gain physical, mental and spiritual strength. It is kindly requested from our guests to preserve such goal, abide by the rules, and participate in all the suggested activities in order to take full benefit of the program (exceptions are accommodated for individuals with limited ability and those suffering from diseases).
THE CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO IS STRICTLY FORBIDDEN !
We do not recommend participants to bring and or use expensive watches and jewelries, to experience basic and simple living thereby get a closer connection as possible with Mother Nature, the Universe and the own Self.
Constant use of cellular phones are not advised in our Ashram during the programs. However, you may keep your devices on a vibration mode for urgent calls. In which case, it is highly recommended that all answers made to phone calls are done in a way as not to disturb other guests of the Ashram, for example, by gently leaving the area where guests are gathered.
Speaking loudly, shouting and gossiping are forbidden in the Ashram.
Being a total purification camp, with an ultimate aim to create the habit of cutting all attachments to the material world, partners are not allowed to stay in the same room during their stay at the Ashram.
As it is forbidden for participants to play their own music at the Ashram (we do have Mantras playing all along the day), mp3, radios or devices alike are not allowed. Laptops and telephones can be used when needed but only during the siesta hours provided and or in the evenings before bedtime.
We believe that we will share memorable moments with all the participants in our Ashram, all together, like a family. We look forward to welcoming you in our modest heaven and sharing our knowledge, fun and life with you.