Rules of the Ashram

Namaste, these rules below will help you on your retreat. Difficulties in maintaining a spiritual practice in everyday life are often due to a lack of understanding of how certain habits are contrary to the continuity of spiritual practice. Certain habits and behaviors can greatly help or hinder spiritual discipline. Here at the City of Angels Ashram - Yoga, Meditation, you'll find a set of rules, a sort of structure where you can insert yourself, and where many apparently innocent habits will have no place, and you'll be able to have your own experience of how damaging these habits are. The struggle of spiritual aspirants is often unequal, because they often don't understand the scale of it. Your diet, your environment and your daily behavior are very important if you want to stay focused. Below you'll find a set of rules, all of which are very important to you. Don't try to understand without experience — open yourself up to the new and find out for yourself.

Purposes of these Rules: It was designed for the best coexistence between all the participants and those who lead the retreats, so that living and staying at the City of Angels - Yoga and Meditation Ashram is to everyone's benefit, and that it can be done in a peaceful and harmonious way. And so that everyone can enjoy and benefit from their stay here with us and all the practices offered here. This is to be observed at all times as a rule of Yogic conduct.

Important Note: These rules are very important, as they are essential for you to enjoy your retreat, and also so that you don't unnecessarily disturb others who are on retreat. Infringements of these rules of conduct may result in a verbal warning and, if repeated, a request to leave the premises, with no refunds.

Communication: Tell all your family and friends that you will be on retreat during this period, and therefore without communication. There is no cell phone signal here, so let them know before you arrive at the Ashram. At the Ashram you will have to hand in your electronic devices and you will not be able to receive any calls, apart from emergencies, as your purpose is to be on retreat and your devices will only be returned at the end of the retreat. You can let them the Ashram's contact number.

Schedule of the Ashram

• To stay at the Ashram City of Angels - Yoga, Meditation, reception hours are from 9am to 4pm.
• One day of retreat lasts from 2:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. the following day. For those who come by car, if you need to arrive before 2:30 p.m., you will be charged one or half a day extra (depending on the time you enter the Ashram).

Conduct in the Ashram

• Ashram activities are not obligatory. When taking part in the activities, please arrive at the designated place at least 5 minutes beforehand. No entry is allowed after the start of the activity and you are asked to stay until the end of the activity so as not to disturb the other participants.
• Silence must be respected in designated areas and during meals.
• The period of silence begins after the last meditation of the day (5 p.m.) and ends after the breakfast (9:30 a.m.).
• Curfew and lights out are at 9pm.
• It is not allowed to bring food, nor to consume alcohol, cigarettes, drugs or any stimulant while staying at the Ashram.
• The material used by the student belonging to the Ashram must always be returned to its proper place after use and at the end of the activity, keeping it in a perfect state of conservation and hygiene.
• Mutual respect, tolerance and patience must be cultivated while staying and socializing with the Ashram's instructors.
• Do not feed local animals.
• Avoid intimate contact while at the Ashram.
• Try to remain silent, keeping an introspective attitude, avoiding "mundane" subjects and gossip.
• Whenever possible, use a low, cordial tone of voice, and if you have any problems or questions, ask those responsible.
• Look at the notice boards and the times of the activities so that you always arrive 5 minutes before they start.
• Avoid running or vigorous exercise.
• Avoid too much sun, especially at the hottest times, and try to rest.
• Cell phones and electronic devices for music and/or games must be handed in on arrival at the Ashram, at check-in; their use is not permitted during the stay.
• It is forbidden to remove any object or material from the Ashram (mat for yoga practice, comforters, etc.) from its place of use; they must remain in the rooms or bedrooms at all times.
• Any product you need from the store, you must call a person responsible for delivering it to you. Please do not remove products without a responsible person present.

What to bring:

• Single sheet set, bath towel and toiletries
• Slippers or shoes that are easy to take off and put on when entering reception, rooms and lounges
• In winter it's very cold, mountain weather, bring warm clothes, thick socks and especially bennie; in summer it's very hot, bring lighter clothes. However, regardless of the season, it is advisable to bring a variety of clothes for any changes in temperature.
• Water bottle
• Flashlight
• Umbrella or raincoat (it usually rains a lot in summer, but sometimes in winter we have unexpected periods of rain)
• Don't forget anything you need during this period, including any medication for continuous use, as we are far from the city and don't have the possibility to go out to buy it.

What not to bring:

• Noisy clothes, plastic or synthetic coats (more details in our topic on clothing)
• Perfumes or products with a strong fragrance (such as deodorants or moisturizers)
• No food of any kind (the food is suitable for the practices and will be offered for their best use)
• Cigarettes (smoking is forbidden in the Ashram) or any drug/stimulant that alters brain activity
• Hairdryer, we suggest you wash your hair after lunch, as this is the hottest time and it will have enough time to dry naturally.
• The Ashram has pillows, comforters and blankets available for everyone.

Clothing

Recommended:

• Wear simple, discreet, cozy clothes, preferably cotton or natural fiber material, suitable for the season.
• Looser pants, like pantaloons, saris, sweatshirts
• Loose shirts with short or long sleeves
• Bring enough clothes for your stay, as there are no washing facilities available.

Not permitted:

• (Avoid or use of) synthetic materials
• Transparent clothes, clingy clothes (like leggings) or extravagant clothes
• Dresses and skirts, even long ones
• Shorts or bermudas
• Side-opening pants
• Tank tops, low-cut or tight shirts
• Going shirtless

Use of the Installations

• The opening hours of the common areas must be respected: cafeteria (breakfast, lunch and dinner), practice room, reception.
• There will be designated areas for outdoor walks, stay within the specified area.
• The opposite sex should not be present in the lodgings, which are communal (2 to 4 people) and gender-segregated, with exclusively female and exclusively male dormitories.
• Entry to and/or use of restricted areas such as instructors' dormitories, service rooms and staff quarters will not be permitted.
• During your retreat you will not be allowed to leave the Ashram (beyond the areas informed), if you do so it will be considered the end of the retreat and the current cancellation rules will apply and you will be asked to leave.