Retreat Schedule
July 20 - 24, 2026
Monday:
7:45am Doors unlocked, registration, coffee and tea available
9:00 -10:00 am Introduction, Fire Ceremony, Meditation
10:00 -11:30 am Presentation: Isha Das
11:30 -1:30 pm Lunch
1:30 - 2:00 pm Meditation
2:00 - 3:30 pm Presentation: Swami Nirvanananda
Dinner on your own
7:00 - 8:30 pm Devotional Service to Honor the 800th Anniversary of
the death of St. Francis of Assisi (optional)
Tuesday:
7:45 am Doors unlocked; coffee and tea available
8:00 - 8:45 am Yoga with Gayatri (optional)
9:00 -10:00 am Meditation
10:00 -11:30 am Presentation: Barbara Zanella
11:30 -1:30 pm Lunch
1:30 - 2:00 pm Meditation
2:00 - 3:30 pm Presentation: Isha Das
Dinner on your own
7:00 - 8:00 pm Gayatri presents a Vedic Astrological Reading for the United States (optional)
Wednesday:
7:45 am Doors unlocked; coffee and tea available
8:00 - 8:45 am Yoga with Gayatri (optional)
9:00 -10:00 am Meditation
10:00 -11:30 am Presentation: Swami Nirvanananda
11:30 -1:30 pm Lunch
1:30 - 2:00 pm Meditation
2:00 - 3:30 pm Presentation: Christianne Asper-Contant and Isha Das
3:45 pm Group photo and Sacred Fire Ceremony of Surrender and Release
5:30 pm Complimentary dinner at The Assisi Institute
7:00 pm Kirtan with Swami Nirvanananda and our Assisi musicians (optional)
Thursday:
7:45 am Doors unlocked; coffee and tea available
8:00 - 8:45 am Yoga with Gayatri (optional)
9:00 -10:00 am Meditation
10:00 -11:30 am Presentation: Barbara Zanella
11:30 -1:30 pm Lunch
1:30 - 3:00 pm Teaching the Kriya technique: Isha Das
3:30 pm Initiation
Dinner on your own
7:00 pm Kriya Service (optional)
Friday:
7:45 am Doors unlocked; coffee and tea available
9:00 - 10:00 am Meditation
10:00 -11:30 am Q and A with all speakers and closing
Frequently Asked Questions
What do people wear?
Comfortable clothes for sitting and participating in yoga (if you choose these options. We request that people leave their shoes outside the temple if possible. (Indoor slippers are fine). You will want to check the weather before you come and bring a sweater if the air-conditioning in the temple is too much. If you choose to be initiated into Kriya Yoga on Thursday, you may want to bring a white shirt if you have one.
Should I bring anything else?
We will provide a folder with more information. You should bring a journal and a pen. Water bottles (only water, please) are welcome in the temple.
What about food?
Our two-hour lunch breaks will provide ample time to go out if you choose. We will have a list of local restaurants for you when you check in. You may also bring a vegetarian lunch from home and eat it in our fellowship room. Refrigerator space and a microwave are available. No food or beverages besides water are allowed in the temple, but we will provide snacks and tea starting at 8am each day in our Fellowship Room. On Wednesday evening, we are offering a dinner prepared by a local chef for everyone, free of charge.
Am I required to participate in Yoga?
No, these sessions are optional, but keep an open mind!
Do I have to remain completely silent during the retreat?
No, but we will be inviting you to hold the silence at times during the retreat and to respect those who are choosing to remain silent.
How can I know who else is attending the retreat?
Wear the lanyard that we will give to you when you arrive! (And try your best to remember it each day.)
What about parking?
We are restricted to our own two parking lots, one near the north entrance and one at the south (main) entrance. There are other parking areas near our building which we are not permitted to use. Some will be parking on the streets directly across Winton Road. On the first day, there will be people to direct you. You may also consult the map below.
Cancellation reminder: Please let us know asap if your plans change and you won't be able to make it. If you have any questions, please email Mary at assisi.marymcfee@gmail.com.